"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

It's Hump Day, it's hump day! Come in for a Christmas Tour.



My mother was a real craft artist.  She could basically do any craft work and do it beautifully - especially the small intricate work.

First all all she would cover a pillow with a Christmas scene - and it was pretty just like that.

Now - look what she added to it.





Decorations for all over.






She made this Angel.  It has 25 pockets and each pocket has an item - hand made - for the 25 days til Christmas.  












I have one of these on each of my inside doors - in different colors.






Window hangings.





This Santa holds my Christmas cards.








This is my tree topper - another angel.



And you ask about Christmas ornaments? 
Raggedy Andy.


Daughter when she was little playing softball.




Goldilocks and I have the three bears too.



I have a lot of mice on my tree too!  



A tree skirt anyone?  






Can you imagine the time and love she put into all these things?
My home is so pretty at Christmas thanks to my mother.
I feel she is here with me.



We have a FULL tree.




A manger scene my grandson made a few years ago!




 

My husband's ceramic manger scene.







Hope you enjoyed the tour of Christmas this humpday!

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THE LAUGH:






THE LIFT:








68 comments:

Beth said...

Your mother was a wonderful talented lady. She left you with so many beautiful Christmas items and such lovely memories.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

How wonderful that you have so many special things that your mother made! I love handmade Christmas decor because it is made with love. And how special that your grandson made a nativity set for you. I love things that children make the best!

That joke is equally true here. LOL

I am recuperating from that party. I just woke up and feel like a train hit me from all the running around, up and down stairs, in my car, etc. I think I overdid because I hurt all over, but this, too, shall pass.

xo

Sheila

Lynn said...

Everything looks so happy and cheerful! I love your pillow, bling makes everything more fun! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day Sandie:@)

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Hi Sweet Sandie,
I love that your Mother has made you so many keepsakes and that your have spread the talent, love and joy all throughout your home! I received great happiness this morning from you opening your lovely, loving and Christmas home to us!!
With Love and Hugs,
Jemma

Jeanie said...

How wonderful that you have these things your mother made. She was indeed very talented. My favorite Christmas things are those that go back to my childhood.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie, everything is so pretty! I love your tree with all it's handmade and memory ornaments! Your Mother was very talented. Sending you big hugs! Linda

jack69 said...

Ah yes, it is easy to see your mom was an artist and so multi-talented. You were blessed to have her and to have what she left for memories. What a wonderful relaxing post, it does give the feeling of Christmas.THANKS for the tour. and Yes Have a great Christmas Season. YOuare Blessed...

Cheri said...

Well your momma certainly gave your home a lot of love.

MadSnapper said...

I loved the tour and your mother was amazing and very, very talented.. wow...i love all your blinky ornaments to.

Sandee said...

Your mother certainly made some wonderful things for Christmas. I so admire crafty people since I'm not crafty at all.

I loved the laugh and the lift too. As always.

Have a fabulous day honey. Big hugs. ♥♥♥

renae said...

Wow and wow!!!! All of your decorations are from her, with memories and love. How wonderful is that? You are blessed with her spirit of Christmas. That tree skirt is amazing! !!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Thanks for the tour, Sandie! Your home looks so pretty filled with loving treasures that your mother made. She was very talented!

Cathy said...

Love all the pretty handmade decorations. They make Christmas more special.

Beautiful!

Lynn said...

That cartoon is going around, I guess - I posted it this morning, too. It's funny and so true.

Love all your decorations!

Yolanda said...

Loved seeing all of this .She was a wonderful artist. Such treasures.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

What treasures! I LOVE the tree skirt!!

Melanie said...

How nice that you have all these wonderful items that your mom made! She was a very talented lady!

Sharon said...

I loved this. What a talented woman your mom was - and what a precious legacy of her hand-crafted treasures she has left you with! It's almost like I can see her heart in everything she created.

It's good to see that GS is feeling better. And Disco looks rather joyous, too, that he has his boy back!

Loved this tour, made me feel like I was home with you!

xo

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sandie, Your creative mother is definitely with you every year at Christmastime… I love all of those beautiful things she has made…. WOW---how impressive. You are lucky to have them --and keep them in such good shape… Hopefully, you can pass these things on to future generations in your family.

Love your tree. Ours is similar. We have a 'hodgepodge' tree full of memories… Love it!

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Your Mom was a talented crafter and left you with so many happy mementos to enjoy year after year.
I enjoy them all :)

Suzan said...

Ohhh Sandie,
Such beautiful Christmas Decorations made by your Mother!! She was full of color and warmth with all the color she added to everything she made!! She's everywhere with you at Christmas!! Glad your guy is feeling better!! Fun picture of him and Disco! Two peas in a pod!!
Thank you for sharing!!
AND for reminding me that it's Hump Day!! Yeahhhhhh!

Ms. A said...

The fact they were made by your Mother makes them so much more special than anything you could buy at the store! You are so lucky to have them.

Is there really a tree under all those ornaments? LOL!

Love Of Quilts said...

How sweet to have all her Christmas works to enjoy you are blessed.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

You are so fortunate to have of her things....blessed is more like it!...:)JP

Nonnie said...

I enjoyed every photo on this Christmas tour. The things your mother made are beautiful and the two favorite things that stand out to me are the softball girl and the homemade nativity. The nativities are always my favorite. Oh yes, the tree and the tree skirt - so pretty. Very festive around your house and it's so special that you have all these things. I imagine many memories come back to you as you unpack, decorate and then re-pack every item.

Theresa Mahoney said...

Your mom sure had a gift for making beautiful things. You are really blessed to have those treasures to remember her by, especially during the holiday!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Merry Christmas Andy and Disco!!!! You two are just so cute, you are irresistible. And you really epitomize the Christmas spirit of LOVE, with your love for each other. Your mom made ALL of these? Oh my gosh, they are so amazing!!!! Especially the big angel with presents, she was an artistic genius! I hope they stay in the family forever.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Your mother had so much talent, I would love hand made things like them in my house, I can imagine how close to her they make you feel

Savannah Granny said...

Such a blessing to have all these lovely remembrances of your mother. She was a talented lady! You have taken such good care of them I know you will have them for many years to come.
Blessings to you and your sweet family,
Ginger

Merlesworld said...

She was very good at craft and you have lots of memories.
Merle...........

Carol said...

Glad to see Andy looking so well! Your Mother was very talented. Lots of love stitched in those decorations for you. The pillow with Santa and then bling -- so beautiful! Everything is lovely. Thank you for sharing with us.

TARYTERRE said...

What sweet Christmas decorations you have. Love the angel tree topper, especially.

Anonymous said...

Happy Andy is looking spot on.

What a talent Mom you had and so many lovely things you have of hers.

I liked the off the tree carafts she did also.

This is my second try to get in to send.

Would not accept my email to you.

Nothing to do with you.

Hugs
Carol Ann

Lee said...

Your Mum was so talented...and patient, I imagine. I just wouldn't have the patience to do all of those...(let alone the talent)!

What wonderful loving and happy reminders of her.

NanaDiana said...

Sandie- It is all just lovely. Your Mom did many wonderful things. I used to have several of those door knob ringers made back in the 50's (I think). I am so glad you have all those sweet memories of your Mom- xo Diana

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What treasures! The angel advent is favorite. It must have taken her ages to make.

Paula said...

Your Mom did have a lot of talent. Everything is beautiful.

Terri D said...

Such precious, precious memories!! Your mom was very talented! Thanks for sharing these with us, Sandie! Love your post!

Betty said...

I love it! I'm a sentimental old fool and really enjoyed seeing all the things your mother made. That makes it so special. I sent you an E-mail and tried to describe the advent tree I made out of felt many years ago. It's along the same idea as the angel your mother made. It came in a kit and the first year I would put the kids to bed and then quickly sew another ornament for the next day. That kept me motivated to finish. Normally, I'm the Queen of unfinished projects. The kids would have been very disappointed if there hadn't been another ornament to hang.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Love all your Christmas goodies, that angel advent is the best!!!
Hope Santa stops by and leaves you lots of goodies!
Hugs,
Patti

Lady Linda said...

Talented mother for sure. How fun to look at all the treasures. I'm glad you enjoy all her creations.


betty said...

I loved your tour, Sandie, loved the picture of GS and Disco at the end of it too! Your mom made wonderful things! My mom was the same; she made lots of Christmas ornaments, made us stockings out of stocking kits with our names on them, did it for all the spouses and grandkids too. Looking at the things your mom made helped bring back memories of my mom working on her crafts, year round for Christmas it seemed, LOL, and having her handiwork on display those years I did decorate for Christmas.

betty

Susan said...

Dear Sandie. I LOVED the decorations your Mama made.

Ohhhhh, what a talented woman she was. My GOODNESS. Everything was so adorable.

Loved one little angel's heart-shaped cheeks!

Thanks so much for sharing. Susan

Susannah said...

You are sincerely lucky to have a lot of things that your mother made for Christmas. I have quite a few but no as many as you. They mean so much to me. And I love every single ornament I have and have to tell my daughter all about them!!!!!

Chatty.....I hope your pre- holiday season move right along this week and we both accomplish so many things so we are able to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

BTW, your grandson is looking much older. I know we can not keep them young forever. But you know, I really like them this age, too!

Blessings to you, my dear friend,
Susannah

LL Cool Joe said...

Your mom was one talented lady! You know how much I believe in the power of bling! Ha.

Nice to see you blogging, or are your posts just not showing up in my reader??

Marie said...

Your mom made such pretty stuff! She was so talented! You must feel she's very close with all these decorations made out of love surrounding you. :) I think your tree skirt and your angels are my favorites. :)
hugs,
Marie

Unknown said...

Opps...we're over the hump already! I love your christmas decorations :)

Ann said...

Wow, so many great things your mom made. I would have liked her :) I've never done much with sequins, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the patience for sewing all those on.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Gosh Sandie, I love each and every item! I have to have the angel with the 25 pockets- that is fantastic! I hope you have a merry Christmas- if I knew your address I would send you a card to put in your Santa card pocket!

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Sandie...your decorations look great. LOVE your advent angel. Favorite pic is of your grandson and Disco! Have a great weekend!

Theresa said...

SO many beautiful things BUT... I love that angel with 25 pockets:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

LOVE your tree Sandie! This post made me feel all Christmasy :)

Jille said...

Your Mum has made some beautiful things, a very talented lady indeed. Christmas is made special with things that are handcrafted with love. Much love Jille x

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Well it is Thursday here and I'm just catching up on blogs today. I loved the tour of Christmas at your house. What beautiful decorations you have. Your Mother was and still is a blessing to you. I'm sure everything there brings some wonderful memories and you and your dear family will keep on adding more!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I envy your mom her ability to do intricate craftwork. Any kind of intricate sewing or needlework or crafting just makes me cross-eyed and crabby! Isn't it wonderful having things from your mother?!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else in your family or your Moms side being crafty and sewing?

I love that angel idea.

Oh I just love your blog.

I keep coming in to have a look.

Great ideas. Do you sew Sandie?

Does your half sister be a gal of crafts?

Oh everything is so Beautiful!

Lucy said...

I know you are proud to have the decorations your mom made. I do not sew, glue or do anything like that. To untalented to do any but my daughter could.

Stephanie said...

Oh such sweetness! You have some real talent in your family. It must warm your heart to look at a tree so covered in love. Happy Holidays!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That made me hold on to my heart just to read and see all of the photos. What a precious mother you had to give so much of herself to make others happy. It makes me want to do more...and be better. This is a beautiful post and a good reminder to us all of how special Christmas can be. Sweet hugs my friend, Diane

Dee said...

Wow...a treasure of memory's. your mom's crafts are all so cheery...my favorite is the angel with the pockets and little vintage presents in them.

Anonymous said...

Your mother was very creative.

Stella said...

Sandie, Your mother was not just crafty she was an artist. Lucky you! Wishing you and yours a beautiful season. God Bless. Stella

Buttercup said...

Your tour was great and each piece was prettier than the next. I like thinking about all the love that your mother put into the work she did.

Jim said...

I enjoyed the visit, Sandie. I like the skirt best but your mom's work was really good.

We have an angel at the top of ours also. Another stands tall overlooking our manger scene. That one takes a whole back of the couch table top. It is hand carved, one we got at Bethlehem when we went there back in 1980.
..

Chicken Wrangler said...

Wonderful photos, Chatty! And so great that you still have her with you in a very real sense...Love the tree skirt, especially, and the pocket angel, and....! It's all so grand! Thanks for sharing!

Dar said...

I adore these works of art and love that your Mom passed down to you. I love the pillow as it sparkles, and the angel tree topper. Did you notice that one of the angels looks just like your Mother and You. You resemble her greatly. That's a gift. loveya for sharing this piece of your heart.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandie .. your mother certainly did you proud - those are all amazing and I particularly liked the little doll with her pockets. Extraordinary collection .. and as you say you are well decorated ..

Well Andy and Disco look satisfied with life! Good for him and your hubby adding to the collection .. cheers Hilary

Debby@Just Breathe said...

So much Vintage....I'm in love! How wonderful to have those decorations and the countdown angel is priceless.

Just so I don't forget....Merry Christmas to you and your family, all things wonderful to you in 2014!
Love, Debby