Countdown to Christmas Week 12 --My Parent's House at Christmas

For this week, it isn't about anything that I created or made, but an experience that I share.  Regardless of how old you are, you reflect back on Christmas past.  Remember what it was like as a child to wake up on Christmas morning- if you slept, and crept out to see if Santa had been there.  Then asking your parent if it was time to get up-- maybe it was 5 am.  My brother and I were always told to open our stockings and by that time, it would be time to get up.  We dumped everything out on the bed and started with the chocolate and chips- and that was just the beginning.

Then we would go to the window to see it anyone was up in Nan's and Granda's house.  If it was, it was time to get up for sure-- if not-- there was pride in saying we were up first.  Once all the gifts were opened, we had a breakfast- I always had raison bread toast,  YUM!!!   By that time, Shirley and Troy were usually into the house to see our gifts.  Then we all got ready and went to the Burry house to see their gifts.  When we got older, Uncle Bill always served coffee with a shot of Bailey's.  That was sure good as well.

Then the whole clan separated to get ready for a Christmas feast.  Most of the time, it was at Nan's and Granda's until they got older and then people took turns.

Since those days, a lot has changed.   New traditions have been started, but it is still great to reflect on the good ole days.   Last year, while visiting my parents' house, I took some pictures around the house.  It's still good to go "home"  sometime during Christmas.

Let's begin with the fireplace.  The greenery was made by my sister-in-law, Cathy.  I may have to get her to do a tutorial of this with me sometime soon.  I wouldn't mind having one.

Mr.  Frosty stands in a dangerous place- in front of the fireplace.  It's a good thing it isn't lit.

This Santa was a surprise gift to Mom last year from Dad. 

The wooden reindeer are curled up in front and the rug gives everyone a message we should listen to.

A wooden shelf in the living room 

Another shelf.

The next few are of decorations on the tree.  I have to look for the picture of the completed tree.  Really country looking.

The dining Room.  I love the colors.

Countdown to Christmas (Week 13)- Poinsettia Wall Hanging

Poinsettia Wall Hanging

This week for my Christmas countdown was made on a cold spring day (during a blizzard) while I lived in Repulse Bay, Nunavut (Aug. 2006- June 2007).  Once again, I borrowed a pattern and some fabric from Betty Brown, the lady that we shared a house with for that year.   I love the decoration and I put it up every year, but when I do it brings back memories of a wonderful uncle who passed away during the time that  I was working on this project.

Although it was such a sad time, especially being so far away from family, each year when I hang it for Christmas, I remember his life and the wonderful man he was.

Here is the project:

I do not have any photos of the process or the pattern, but it should not be very difficult to replicate using a photo from the internet.   I begin with some red velvet material that I cut out in the shape of a Poinsettia, some green leaves, a gold centre and some white fabric.  I appliqued these pieces to a piece of white fabric.

Then I added the borders.  When I had the top piece done I taped it to the floor using masking tape.  I placed a piece of fabric for the back to it so that the two right sides were facing each other.  Then I placed some batting on the top.  I sews around the edges, leaving a space of about 6 inches.  It was like a bag that I had to turn right side out.

Then I did some top stitching to give it more detail.

To finish it off, I added some tabs to the top.  

Count Down to Christmas (Week 14)

I know it's only September, but time has a way of sneaking around and before we know it, it's time to get ready for the jolly man in red.  Therefore, I am going to do a countdown to Christmas where I will add at least one Christmas idea a week until it arrives.  So here is Week 14.

Last Year, I wanted to decorate my plain white lamp shades for Christmas.  I liked them so much that I never did take the decorations off after.  It did not entirely say "Christmas" and it still complimented my living room.

My first task took me to Canadian Tire where I bought 2 candle ring accents.  This did not fit around my lamp, so I took it apart and made it into something that would.  Then I used the branches to keep it in place.  

The result was pleasing.

I still wanted to do something else though.   I took a piece of fabric that I had used to make cloths for the coffee and end tables and I ripped at strip to tie around the lamp.  This is the result.