elves and zombies

My little shelf elf spent Saturday hanging out with some of his elf buddies. These little friends of his are also decorations that my mom had when I was growing up. I mentioned in an earlier post that the shelf elf used to sit in our window when I was young. I was a large window in our kitchen. My mom would put fake snow on the shelves that ran higher up on the windows - and then set out all of her Christmas figurines. I used to love helping her set them out each year. I believe I have most of those figurines now . . . all in pretty good shape. I wish I had a window like hers to decorate. I remember how special they looked all the red and green . . . especially when it was snowing outside.

I was going to list this Shabby Charlotte Zombie on Etsy today, but I think one of my friends wants to buy it. People keep buying them before I can get them listed in my shop. I guess that is a good thing.

This is my favorite thing about this doll . . . and her little jeans. Her name is Mona. I think my little Christmas elf is sort of afraid to hang out with her. : )

Marie, Elf, and My little model Lily

My little Christmas Elf spent yesterday on the fireplace - helping me put up Christmas decorations.  He can't seem to settle in one place though and likes to be on the move. 

Today he said he would help me introduce a new doll.  Her name is Marie and is for sale in my new Etsy shop.  She has wonderful red hair and a bag full of buttons that she picks up for good luck.

I also listed this beanie to sell.  I am really having fun setting up my Etsy shop and making things again.  I really need to quit my job and stay home and just make things full time . . . wouldn't that be great!  I can dream . . .

 

It has been a long week . . . I love that it is Friday and I have the weekend ahead of me.  I have so many things that I want to do and of course those things that I have to do.  But I am full of enthusiasm and energy . . . if that runs short - there is always coffee. 

 

Shabby Charlottes for sale!

I finally got by Etsy shop up and going last night.  I wish I had more dolls to list - but I have sold most of the ones that I have made . . . and didn't want to wait any longer.  So I listed the three that I have and will see how it goes.  I should have a few more in there by this weekend.  I hope to list some other items eventually.  This is all new to me - so I am trying to get it all set up the way I want it.  (I would appreciate any advice and suggestions.)  I know I need to link my shop to my blog -that is on the list for tonight.  I also want to get two dolls done that I have started.  Can I please have 6-8 more hours in each day?  Here's my shop so far . . . clarehelen

What's in a box . . .

I love old boxes . . . actually I like cute boxes even if they are new, but I have a real thing for vintage ones.  So yes - I keep them and gleam them up whenever I find them.  I think this little NOEL box is as cute at the angel figurines that came in it. 

My mother had some Christmas decorations stored in this old greeting card box.  She probably started using it years ago to pack stuff away after Christmas because she thought it was cute . . . (hmmm . . . I wonder who I get it from).  

I wish I had the old Whitman candy boxes that my Grandma used to keep her embroidery floss in. I used to love getting them out from the bottom of her cupboard and looking at all the different colors of floss . . . (hmmm . . . I wonder where mom got it from.)

I found this box at a yard sale in Iowa a few years ago.  It had a few old glass ornaments inside.  It was only 25 cents - ornaments included. 

All of my pink tree ornaments are stored in these Victoria's Secret boxes.  It makes me wonder . . . 40-50 years from now if they will still be around.  Will someone see the beauty in something as simple as a box and use them for something special?  Will this little Christmas Elf find a home in one of these boxes until someone takes him out each December?  Will one of my grandchildren remember me when they take out these boxes every year and like the boxes as much as the ornaments and decorations that are inside?  I am hoping they do.

just silly . . .

I just get the biggest kick out of this little guy.  We stopped for dinner after doing a little shopping last night . . . I guess I should appreciate that when I pulled Elf out to take a picture my husband didn't even react like I was doing anything out of the ordinary.  That made me laugh.

This made me laugh even more when Jennifer sent it to me (the photo, not the box of candy) . . . biggest Whitman's sampler ever. : )

Smiling . . .

Christmas Elf came to work with me this morning . . .  I thought this Monday morning could use a little Christmas cheer.  Little did he know all those years ago sitting in that cold window sill in Iowa that one day he would find himself sitting on a computer keyboard in California. 

 

"I love smiling, smiling's my favorite!" ~ Buddy the Elf

Christmas Elf and Stella . . .

December 1st . . .

Last year my mother gave me the little Christmas Elf that sat on her window sill every year for as long as I can remember.  I can remember helping her decorate each year and having my favorite things that I like to set out.  This was one of my favorites.  I had forgotten that I had wanted to take a picture of him each day this December . . . I believe it is Target that has brought this little guy back into popularity.   So when I pulled him out of a box this afternoon, I decided it wasn't too late to start my daily Christmas elf pictures . . . I'm only one day behind.  Since Stella has been involved with my Christmas decorations this year . . . (I am not sure if I will even get the ornaments on the tree) . . . I thought I would start with a picture of Stella and the Christmas Elf.  Hopefully she won't take an interest in him and think he is her toy.

December 2nd . . .

Christmas Elf with some friends . . . Beanie Babies that are named Luke and Jake (my son's names) and a little decorated paper mache flying pig that I made for the Pigs on Parade  challenge earlier this year.  There, I am caught up . . . and now this little vintage Christmas Elf is officially a part of this year's holiday.  

I mentioned that Stella had been involved with my decorating this year.  She discovered the Christmas tree the night that we put it up - climbed up into it and simply laid down on the branches.   I gave her a couple of days to get used to it, hoping that maybe, just maybe she would lose interest.  But, this is Stella I am talking about.  I started putting ornaments on the tree today (while she was sleeping - (which only delayed her taking an interest) . . . this time she actually jumped up into the tree when I reached for her . . . then proceeded to lay down and paw at the ornaments.  Never a dull moment with Stella around. 

Aurelie & Mirabelle

I had posted a picture of this doll in an earlier post - but added this Eiffel Tower charm to bling her up a bit.  I named this one Aurelie (which means golden).

This one's name is Mirabelle (which means wonderful)

These two dolls were special ordered for two sisters.  Their mother has a special "M" charm that I still have to add on this one.  I wasn't too sure if I would like the blonde hair - I tend to like them a little darker looking, but the two little girls these were made for are golden and wonderful . . . it was fun making these two for them!

What's in the box?

I noticed this box sitting on the counter at work yesterday . . . of course I had to look inside and I found persimmons (I am pretty sure that persimmons were not the original contents of the box and personally I do not find them addictive, but the box got me thinking about what I would have in a box labeled "highly addictive". So a list of things I can't seem to do without or get enough of . . . things that I will buy whether I need them or not . . .

chap stick or lip balm

Dr. Pepper

yarn

pretty bras and matching underwear

books

nail polish

scarves

markers and pens

coffee mugs

pink christmas ornaments

fabric

I suppose I could add this little wonder to my list . . . I can't get enough of her.  The last couple of days have been quite wet and blustery, which gave her a chance to wear her new polka dot raincoat to school . . . love, love her raincoat!

 

So what would be in your box?  What can't you get enough of?

Simple Light Project . . .

 For as much stuff as I keep to use for projects, I usually am not one to keep bottles.  I could not see this red bottle just land in the recycle bin.  Richard has done this before for me with wine bottles . . . just drilled hole in the back.  (I believe he had to buy a special drill bit.)

I then pushed a string of 20 Christmas light through the hole . . . just like that - some red holiday magic glow.  (This is actually a rum bottle and says redrum on the side . . . which sort of gives me eerie visions of Jack Nicholson in The Shining . . . but I will just have to put that out of my head and think Christmas magic.)

A place to play!

Basically this is just a picture of all of my junk.  Jacob moved out leaving me an empty room . . . finally a place for me to craft and create.  He finished moving Wednesday - and with Thanksgiving on Thursday I didn't really get it as organized as I would have liked before I had to come back to work, but almost!  Richard has to hang a couple of shelves - and I will probably have to move things around a bit before I get it just the way I want it.

Again . . . just junk.  How did I accumulate all of this stuff?  Although, now that it is all in one place - and I can work on something without having to move it out of the way when we eat or have company,  I think I will get more things made.  That is what I am hoping.

Jake left his bed behind - so for now I have that in there, but it is perfect for when Lily spends the night.  I also found a little table to use for her crafting place.  I am thinking we will have a lot of fun in here making things. (I need to get some sort of curtain on that window . . . it looks sort of blah).

Since I spent most of my time getting everything organized . . . I didn't spend as much time on my dolls as I would have liked.  I did get some more little doll bodies coffee stained - so tonight it is time to turn them into fun little dolls . . . and everything I need is right where I can find it.  Plus I uncovered some things I can use that I forgot I had.)

So filling up this room - meant cleaning out a closet and moving things out of the garage.  I threw out and reorganized.  With my personality . . . this was a very good thing!!!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving morning . . . is all about the Thanksgiving Day Parade to me.  I remember watching the parade as a child every Thanksgiving.  I remember my mom getting up early to bake and cook.  I am pretty sure we did not eat breakfast in front of the television . . . but once breakfast was finished there I sat in awe of the balloons, the crowd, and the city.  I grew up in a small town in Iowa - so this was a glimpse at a world very different than mine.   Years later, I had a friend who had grown up in New York City . . . she had memories of her father taking her to the parade each year.  I can imagine how  amazed I would have thought that was when I was a child.

I suppose that when I was very young - I watched the parade in black and white.  I can't really remember when we first had a colored tv . . . but I am sure I was in even more in awe of the parade the first time I saw it in color.

I can remember deciding each year which balloon I liked the best and looking forward to seeing Santa Claus at the end of the parade . . . knowing then that Christmas was not far off.  I remember enjoying Thanksgiving . . . for Thanksgiving.  We were not bombarded with Christmas for weeks before - stores were not open on holidays . . .(if you found that you forgot to buy something, you called a neighbor or family member - you did not run to the grocery store . . . it was closed.)   

I remember as the parade rolled on family started to arrive . . . aunts, uncle, and cousins.  What fun we had during those holidays.  It must have been hectic and noisy - even though our house had plenty of room for everyone.  My mom, grandma, and aunts were in the kitchen cooking and doing dishes.  I remember my dads and uncles sitting around the tv - and after we finished eating everyone played cards, ate some more, and visited.  I remember being so excited to have all my cousins around and I remember my uncle Bill always falling asleep on the sofa. : )

I am thankful for my childhood in that small town in Iowa.  It was a wonderful place and time to grow up.  I still enjoy the Thanksgiving Day Parade . . . I am up early like my mother used to be baking and cooking.  We have to move our meal up a few hours . . . one of my sons works in retail and he has to go to work this evening.  I sometime wish we could go back to that way of life when the stores were closed on holidays and the world was a little simpler.  But there are plenty of things to be thankful for still . . . the main ones being the people I will share this holiday with - family and friends.  Here's to a wonderful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

blue eyes and a monster grin . . .

 

I spent the afternoon working on some Shabby Charlotte dolls . . .

One of my co-workers wants a couple of them with blonde hair and blue eyes for her daughters.  So I started on one of those.  It is fun coming up with the different yarn combinations for hair. 

. . . standing on her head letting the paint dry on her feet.  : )

Then I thought I would take this body the body that I had painted green and see what I could do with that one.  A little shabby, green monster . . .

smiling just so . . .  I am thinking she needs something else, but haven't quite figured out what yet.

 

I have this whole week off from work . . . and lot's of ideas in my head.  It should be a busy, creative, fun filled week. Somewhere between crocheting and Shabby Charlotte dolls I have to bake pies and cook Thanksgiving dinner.  Jake will be moving out this week - which also leaves an empty room to get organized.  I had told myself that I would not stay up to all hours of the night and get off schedule during this week off from work . . . I just looked at the clock and I am not off to a very good start. 

face painting

I have a hard time telling Lily no when it comes to being silly.

So when she asked if she could paint my face . . .

She takes her face painting very serious!  We had a wonderful three day weekend - more work than play, but the kind of work that it feels good to get done.  I was able to get seven doll bodies ready - so tonight I get to have fun with them.  I have sold nine - maybe ten of them which I am excited about - only having trouble getting a few stocked up to put on Etsy.  That is my goal next week while I am off work. 

Lily

It seems like our cooler weather might be her to stay this time.  It was 86 on Wednesday (in November????).  I  believe the high today is supposed to be around 56.  I know that isn't really cold.  I grew up in Iowa, so I know what really cold is.  When I was young and the springtime temperatures in Iowa hit 56 - we put on our shorts and headed outside.  Today with a high of 56 - I pulled out jeans, a sweater, and a scarf.  Lily has her own little scarf that her aunt from Virginia sent her for her birthday.  I love how she is wearing it tied around her neck.

I pick Lily up from preschool each day . . . when I walked into the classroom yesterday - she had her scarf on and noticed that I also had one on.  She pointed to her scarf and gave me the biggest smile.  So often . . . this little girl makes my day!

I am so blessed to have her in my life!