Christmas Decorations Bring Christmas Memories

In 19978, I did a table at a Christmas craft botique in Powell, and one of the items that sold well were these little Santas (or Santa's elves, whichever you like.)  These are the only four I have left, but they come out every year to keep the winter teddy bear company as she sits in her miniature wood-turned chair.

 The lighted glass block with the silhouette of the Three Wise Men was made by Brittany many years ago when the family lived in Lewisville.  It comes out every year and reminds us of her.  The bowl full of glass balls reminds us of a patient of Ron's in Tumwater, who was a glass blower.  He invited us to his house - he had a glory hole in his garage, and we learned how to make glass balls.  Ours were pretty small, but we purchased some of the other beautiful things that he had.  Nice Memories.

And, last of all for today's memories, are the scroll-saw Christmas cut-outs that Dad made when he had his shop on 93rd south of Tumwater.  They go up every year in the sidelights in the front door.  Without memories, these Christmas decorations are special, but the memories make for a nice remembrance of past Christmases.

Christmas Traditions - Santa Clauses

This is part of my Santa Claus collection.  History behind these is:  Top picture - Blue coated Santa and Red Santa were made by me when we lived in Tumwater.  The paper mache old-fashioned Santa is one that Ron had when we were married - it's very old, and a little of the paint is chipping off, but definitely a keeper.  The "Alaska" Santa with the fur I found in a craft bazaar in Tumwater in the mid-80's.  In the bottom picture, the first Santa on the left was whittled out by a man from Olympia by the last name of Nelson (he was a furniture re-finisher whom Ron knew). He had retired to Arizona for the winters, and we went to a wood whittler's exhibit where he was demonstrating, and we bought this Santa form him.  The next two (one is a little hidden) are painted by Julia.  The trees were a gift form a neighbor, and the last is a Santa hanging on a stand.  There are more Santas around the house, but these I grouped together.
One of the nice things about Christmas is getting out old Christmas memorabilia, because the memories associated with them are very precious.

Christmas Cheer from Daughters

Our east-coast daughters, Dorothy and Sara, and their families cheered us up with this lovely Christmas arrangement.  It keeps on looking wonderful, even though we've had it since the 18th of December.  Adds to the Christmas Spirit.

Antiques Repurposed as Pincushions for Christmas

One of the fun things about the internet is that ideas keep flowing.  Pinterest had some wonderful ideas for making pincushions out of lovely teacups and saucers and other items.  I just happened to have the old yellow sugar bowl, which was just sitting on a shelf, and thought it was time to share it, so this is the result.

Ann now owns the sugar bowl.

I also had a couple of other little antique dishes that I turned into pincushions:  Couldn't decide what this dish is called, but it made a pretty pincushion for Judy with a handle to carry it around.

And last, but certainly not least, this little creation was sent to Louise.

I had so much fun making these presents for my sewing sisters!