Ready for Christmas

Finally all my Christmas projects are done! I'm still sick, and I stepped on my pin cushion the other day- ramming a needle into my foot, but I still managed to get almost everything done. What didn't get done, know one will know. We are heading to Idaho today to enjoy a Christmas at the farm. Unfortunately most of the snow has melted with the warmer temperatures, but at least we will have good roads.
Here are some little snowmen ornaments I helped Elsie make...



... I had a moment of weakness at Michael's and bought all these little bits and pieces.

Trees finished and mantle decorated

I've almost finished the house decorating... but I'm running out of time. Christmas is coming so fast this year! This week marks weeks number 5 of being sick. It's not a bad sick, but a lingering cough and occasional nose blowing... and then being tired all the time. It makes it challenging to decorate and chase after Elsie. But I'm carrying-on since this is my favorite holiday.
We finished the little felted trees and added all their petite ornaments and garland:



Here is a shot of the mantle:



The white Santa in the middle belonged to Dave's grandparents. They had an artist/friend named Crackers who made him. She bought him as greenware and then added the glazes and the gold. I just love him and put him out every year.
I'm quite proud of myself for finally working up the courage to switch my digital camera setting from auto to manual. I've had it set on auto since I bought the darn thing 5 years ago. The manual setting works so much better on the Christmas lights. Instead of little deer candles in headlights, I get this nice wintry scene with Christmas glow! I need to try this setting on other things tonight. Also the focus is GREATLY improved.

Making Trees

I was so inspired by Molly Chicken and her pictures from the Japanese craft magazine Cotton Paint, that I've decided to make a forest of softie trees. These trees are made out of felted wool sweaters. The picture shows them in-process. Elsie was testing some of our decorating supplies and gave each tree a healthy helping of holiday glitz. She made me promise not to finish them until she was up from her nap and could help.

Neglecting the blog

I've been neglecting the blog again. I was gone all last week with Mister Judy, but am back in town and ready to do some Christmassing! Will update as the decorating progresses.