Merry Christmas 2017!

This is my absolute favorite Christmas decoration this year!

My dear sister-in-law Joy has undergone six rounds of chemo, surgery, and now is undergoing six more rounds of chemo. And still she finds time to create ~ to relax, focus on the positive and heal.

She did a gorgeous job on this holly hanging and I adore it!

*Please keep her in your prayers.*

I found time this past week to stop at P.O.S.H. for a bit of inspiration.

Woodland wonder

Christmas magic

A bit of quiet at this hectic time.

This past week I took Mom to see this home in our town. 

 

An amazing display with lights coordinated to music,

including a salute to our veterans.

They do this as a fundraiser and this year they are nearing a $100,000 contribution to pediatric cancer in honor of a young neighbor battling brain cancer.

(please ignore the veteran's forget me not hanging from my rear view mirror ;) oops! )

I also had to share this car that we saw as my husband picked me up at the train station this week!

I had never seen anything like this before!

This Christmas will be different for us as our oldest son is in Japan.

But we are happy to know that he is enjoying the trip of a lifetime.

We are lucky to be in contact with him daily and enjoying each picture that he sends.

We will celebrate Christmas with him next month when he returns and get to hear all about his adventures!

Wishing each and everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas filled with love near and far!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

~Luke 2:8-11

Blessings, Patti 

Chicago Christkindlmarket 2017

I hope that you don't get tired of me sharing the Chicago Christkindlmarket year after year...

I just can't help myself ;) It's so "Christmas" to me.

Time flies by and Christmas is just days away...

So much to do at work and at home.

But these photos bring me peace and happiness

and remind me of  memories created here year after year...

So many sweet treats throughout the market.

And even more confections in the Sweet Castle.

Not quite as warm as when I visited last year, but still a lovely evening.

Treasures to be cherished.

A sweet woodland scene.

Ornaments of natural materials.

Traditional ornaments of straw and wood.

More wooden treasures

My eyes don't know where to look first.

Each and every one so sweet.

A magical booth of candle holders.

Do you see the two giant candleholders up in the eave?

Each so different and each so pretty.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

~Luke 2:4-7

Blessings, Patti

Spirit of Christmas Past

Earlier this month was the Spirit of Christmas Past Show that Tina hosts in her lovely home. You can read more about my first visit and how I discovered it here.

I was so happy to get to attend again!

She had so many lovely primitive antiques and folk art creations!

I have such a difficult time trying to decide what will go home with me.

So I tend to stay a little longer just to enjoy it all :)

So many sweet vignettes!

Lovely textiles

There is a bed, so maybe I could stay a bit...

How to ever decide...

I loved the sleds that Tina made last year, so I knew that was a must have!

I found the perfect spot for it inside our back entrance. 

It had sweet twinkling lights on it, but there is no outlet in this corner.

Thank goodness for Amazon and one day delivery!

It now has battery operated lights that are even on a timer!

 Although I don't have them on yet in this photo...

And these are the treasures that I bought from Mary. 

Who can resist a red child's shoe with lots of age and character?

Mary used to have a child's shoe Christmas tree.

Can you just imagine how darling that must have been?

An artist's mohair bird. Love!

I wasn't going to pass this up after regretting not getting a little mohair bear last time!

And look at this wonderful box with a little locking latch that still works.

It might have been a sewing box with the faded black puffy velvet lid lining - maybe a pincushion?

Thank you Mary for the sweet little treat!

You know that I absolutely love everything about it!

And thank you Wendy Stys-Van Eimeren of Pineberry Lane

for introducing me to this wonderful show and these lovely women!

Maybe next time we will finally meet...

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

~Galatians 4:4-7

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 18

"Wooly Thistles Table Rug"

by Rebekah L. Smith

Mom never ceases to amaze me by all that she accomplishes!

We took this class with Rebekah together in June and mine has not been touched since.

This certainly inspires me to pick it back up!

Her stitches are impeccable!

and Rebekah's design and wool are so lovely!

"Redware Crow"

by Primitive Gatherings

Don't you just love all those tongues!

Perfect yet again!

"O Tannenbaum"

by Ginger Sanchez

kitted by Winterberry Cabin

I love how Mom made the tongues different lengths.

Rick rack made a fun trim for a tree.

And the chenille trimmed tree is sweet too!

"Summer in my Garden"

by Maggie Bonanomi

kitted by Blackberry Primitives

I had hoped to stitch along with Mom on this, but I only got as far as tracing the pattern :)

I love the layered petals on this flower.

And the little round ones are sweet as well.

"Pillows from the Patch"

by Rebekah L. Smith 

kitted by Wheaten Woolens

Mom worked on these while staying by me and my sister during radiation treatments.

Sew sweet!

One is just cuter than the next!

"Woolen Sheep"

by Buttermilk Basin

Mom designed her own sweet sheep blanket!

A sweet little sheep to keep her company as she stitches...

And believe or not, Mom has had more finishes since I was there in mid-November! 

I better go back soon to take more photos!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

And be thankful.

~Colossians 3:15

Blessings, Patti