Ahhh...the Day After,..what are you doing today?

When I was small.. it wasn't Christmas that was my favorite day..It was always the "Day-After"..There were always lots of left-overs, so there was No cooking, no cleaning, no chores of any kind, so I was left-alone to play with my new presents. Well that still holds true today. These are my presents from my family, who knows me so well. (not the kitty, Otis just came-by to check things out) lol..
My favorite things have always been vintage kitchen and sewing things. I'm so excited, I cant' wait to try-out my new antique chocolate mold with paper mache!
Also today, I'm looking thru vintage embroidery transfers for a New Year Challenge on the Flickr Group "New Embroidery with Vintage Patterns". a vintage embroidery design must be used to make something to convey a New Year's Resolution. I think I've thought of just the thing..I need a Attitude Adjustment!!..this past year (Or 2) have been full of Time-management, and financial challenges.
My resolution is to start seeing the Glass as Half-Full..Rather than Half-Empty..or make Lemons from Lemonade...anyways, you get the idea..lol. Here's one idea, from Hoop-Love-Transfer-Finds I've found so far for my theme..
I'm still looking for other lemony images for my over-all project, which will incorporate some thrify recycling too! So stay tuned!!This one won't take long! :)

Folk Art Madonna and Child

Below,is a pic of the final construction. I covered all the batting by hand-stitching in place a knit meant for bathing suit, and active-wear lining...As I've said before, this is the first doll of this type I ever made, And had it not been for the generosity of other doll makers, I don't think I would have the gumption to undertake the process...A special thank You to my talented friend Flora, of Bonehead Studios and also the very talented "A little Bit Wired", whose visuals were invaluable to my progress...Thank YOU to all of you out there who share the "mysterious" in Figurative Arts!

Getting so close!!

I'm Nearly done with my Nativity figure of Mary, and now here she is holding Baby Jesus...Every decision in the process has been a new experience for me. I just applied the hair today, using hair I've held onto for many years, from my daughter's first, big haircut!..I used the technique and tutorial Antonette Cely describes on her website.

Another Bit of Progress Made....

A Christmas Nativity Challenge....Mary

I'm participating in Cloth Doll Artistry's Christmas Nativity Challenge.
Here is a collage of Mary and how she's been progressing. She's even further along now than the most current image. I'm hoping to have Her with Baby Jesus completed within the next couple of weeks. I had always wanted to create my very own elaborate Nativity. I'm hoping to at least have the Holy Family, and who knows, maybe the 3 Magi done by this Christmas Season. I will then will be adding angels,Shepherds, and animals as time permits. I'm expecting the whole project to take at least a couple years or more. When I'm working on them it feels like a special prayer or devotion..This truly is a personal challenge for me because this will be my first wire and clay set of "people". If you like my progress..please leave a comment. With such a ambitious project, and so much still ahead, I feel I need some cheering on!;-)

Oh Holy Night

Here we are at the end of our journey, and the beginning of the true meaning of the Season we celebrate...I have worked hard, but yet, many things I planned will not be.
Some gifts wont get sewn, cards won't get written, and recipes wont get baked.
But in the end, I'm at peace with my efforts because the commercialized deadline is not what matters.
What matters is the TIME and TOGETHERNESS we share as we gather with friends and family over the next several days.
May the Spirit of the True Meaning of the Season be Yours and safe travels to you and all your Loved Ones. Merry Christmas to You All!!!!..xoxo

WIP Update! ;-)

So sorry for the bad pic...It was snapped in a rush!
I finally finished this set yesterday! Made from thrifted fabrics it was finished just in nick of time, before it was time to go to the family Christmas gathering!! I think they turned out pretty cute, and my MIL loved them! ;-)
I used a pattern from Pat Sloan's Farmer's Market applique quilt pattern, which is so generously available for free!!! You can find it here...Oh I wish I could get my hands on her wonderful fabrics!...I love how she puts those whimsical prints together!
Perhaps a project for myself in the New Year!(wink) ;-)

Georgia Snow

bbbbrrrr....Nearly 70 degrees outside, but it's
starting to get frosty in here!!!...ROFL! !!
Here's a pic of my "Georgia Snow"..
White label dots on dental floss.....Oooooh and soooo minty!!!
ROFL!!!
with my handmade paper mache' icicles
rolled in mica strung above.
Can;'t wait to take a pic tonight!!!!! !!...I'll show you
another pic then!;-)

Such a Hoot!!...Had to Share!! ;-)..Wreath Tutorial Made From Fabric Softener Sheets.

This fun parody is cute and entertaining, plus this err.lady(??) really has
a handle on "tacky"!!..LOL!! (in an endearing way) ;-)

So Adorable!!!!!

It came today!! ;-)WOO-HOO!!!
Gen of Ewenique Treasures and I had our own snow person swap, and This is the cutest snow-gal ever!!
Oh Gen!!!..I LOVE her!!! and the extra goodies of potpourri and a bottle brush wreath ornament too!!..Thank YOU so much!! She will be treasured always!!xo

Can Someone Please Pass the Glitter? ;-)

A little tacky??...maybe!..but I LOVE it anyways!!...Love it against the deep Caribbean-blue of my dining room (matched right out of a 1960's B.H. and Gardens)..The wreath was a skimpy, sad looking find at the
thrift store for a quarter!..lol...I save every little thing thinking I might "need" that someday..lol..well this was the outcome of my bits, chippy baubles, and birds that I glittered myself!..and an additional dusting of glitter all around!!..Somehow it just makes me smile!...;-)

Delights and Surprises!!...;-)

These bright border colors are in honor of the most wonderful surprises I opened Just now!!
This evening was winding down, ordinary, mundane, like any other...I went outside to take the trash out, and a mysterious box was sitting atop my recycle bin!!...I didn't remember leaving a box out there!....The box from Miz Penniwig, was for ME!!!..Yippeee!!!...and look and the wonderous contents inside!!...OH I LOVE it all!!!
Even though it was dark, I HAD to take a pic right away!!...
Some call it tacky...I call it treasure!!;-)
Just look at all this "neat-o" vintage Christmas stuff!!!..
From the "age of Aquarius" is the really cool christmas wrap. LOVE those colors and illustrations..right out of my childhood!!..lol..And the styro-foam, with decoupaged napkin ornament is just like the crafts I did myself as a girl scout back in the early 70's...oops!! I just dated myself..LOL ;-)
Ooh and there were spices for mulling, rusty tokens, and jasmine tea..and another favorite is the milk glass Santa candy dish..
what a FUN box of gifts..THANK YOU Miz Penniwig!!!! I shall hoard it forever!!! ...LOL..xo

New Additions....

To my line-up in my shoppe at Lemon Poppy Seeds...More to come soon!!!
I have really been busy planning gifts to make and swaps to send.
So I hope to have more pics for you at the end of this week!!
Till then....Happy Merry Making!!!!!!

God Jul!!!

DSC02097
Originally uploaded by kandahudson

Is the name of this piece and a traditional Scandinavian Christmas Greeting! ;-)...he's a Norwegian Christmas Nisse(similar to a gnome)
He is the protector /overseer of households and farms in Norway,.
He's holding feed straw to feed the barn animals, and children leave porridge for him on Christmas Eve..In return he leaves small gifts...but watch out!!
If porridge is not left for him..he will bring great mischief to your household!..LOL.so I have provided his little porridge bowl..
..Don't ya just love folklore!!..lol.;-)
Made using Nanny Norton's fairy pattern,( which I tweaked a good bit.).lol..I was inspired to make him in honor of my brother's family who live in Norway. His bride of 6-7 yrs is Norwegian, and they have 2 adorable little boys..Of course we miss them year-round, but especially during the holidays...
Anyway it is fun to learn other foreign traditions.
Oh Yes!!!...This little guy is available NOW in
my shoppe at LEMON POPPY SEEDS.

Now Available!!! New Offering!! All Tangled Up

This is my newest creation available now in my shoppe at Lemon Poppy Seeds marketplace.
The pic doesn't come close showcasing how cute he is!!..For more information on
purchasing this item, please click HERE

Ornament Pattern to Share

From Old School Acres is this cute ornament...these can easily be made into a garland too!.;-)

Applique Felt Buche' de Noel Tutorial

You can find this tutorial for felt Buche'de Noel log at HERE at Craft Stylish. I think it could be made from other types of fabrics as well..A neat display piece to experiment with.

Another variation can be found HERE at This Love Forever Blog.

And finally, this cute pincushion by Calamity Kim.

Holiday Gift Idea

I love this idea!
One Pearl Button has posted this great tutorial for this cloche' and mitten set recycled from a thrifted cashmere sweater.

Handmade Holiday

I was excited to see Sew,Mama,Sew has already begun her Handmade Holiday series. Every day thru November she's posting new links for hand crafted ideas for holiday gift-giving. Last year was a huge success!!
I can't wait to see all the goodies she finds this year!

Paper Creches to Print and Make

Chrechmania.com is a site I want to share with you as we all look forward to our Christmas Season preparations. I had visited Crechmania many times during Christmas' past.
they are so generous to offer several styles in free downloads so that we too may create our own paper creche's from vintage reprints. The website is also an interesting read to learn about the origins of the paper chreche...Enjoy their complimentary designs.