Last Minute Shopping....

Don't you just love to wait and then have to get into the crowds of other people who have waited to get their shopping done? Well I can't stand getting into those crowds but yesterday I ventured out to the toy store that's going out of business to see if I could find some Pez! Yes you know that childhood candy that we all had. My son collects them so I went to try to find some on clearance. I did find a few and can't show you because he may look on my blog but anyway it was a zoo everywhere we went. I had to try and find a gift for my bil who is so hard to buy for well we ended up getting him a fishing pole! So now I think I'm done unless I have forgotten someone then I'm up the creek! It has been so busy here I've hardly had time to check my mail much less post. I still want to try and get some more pics of my nutcrackers on before Christmas. Are you all done shopping and wrapping? Most of what I'm giving is hand made but for those who are more picky I went and bought a little something. I am almost done with the wrapping. I have to wrap the few things I got yesterday but hen I'm done!!!! Yea!
Well I better go get ready for church. Ya ll have a good day. Blessings, Karen

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I know a few of you have done this so I thought I would join in the fun!
Hope you all have a great weekend. Blessings, Karen

Finishing things up!

I wanted to show you want I have been finishing. I finally got Dylan's blanket finished and had started some napkin rings for myself for the Christmas holidays. Nutcrackers of course! I thought they turned out quite nice. I was trying to get everything caught up and finished before starting a new project. My mom found a charm the same day she bought me the sampler and said here make me a necklace but you can wait until after Christmas. Well I thought I'd go ahead and make it and give it to her for Christmas! I have already shown you a pic of Dylan's blanket but above is the pics of the napkin rings and the necklace I made for mom. So now that I have finally gotten all my loose ends tied, I can start getting my Valentine Jewelry and Napkin rings started.
I was busy trying to make my mail art that I participate in over at Mj's and came across a prayer that my Grandmother had written sometime in the past obviously around Christmas. I thought I would share it with you also as it is so correct.
"Lord,mist all the glitter and dazzle. The endless shopping and rushing about.
Baking the turkey and cookies and pies and becoming cross and weary no doubt.
Don't let us lose sight of the reason why we celebrate this glorious day each
year. Help us to pause and honor Jesus birth and bring his wonderful presence
near! Amen
Merry Christmas! Blessings, Karen

A Christ Child!

Well my camera batteries have died so I thought I would share a little bit of the real meaning of Christmas with you all.
Just imagine yourself all warm and snug in you bed....
as a small baby is born out in the night air in a small stable with the animals all around. Yes it's the night that God sent his very own son to earth. Oh can you imagine the joy in heaven as the angels watched this take place! There on the hill are the shepherds watching their sheep. Down below on the cobblestone streets you see Joseph leading the little donkey that Mary is riding down into the town of Bethlehem. Searching ever so hard to find a place for his wife who is near childbirth and very tired from her long journey. Yet everywhere Joseph turns there is no place, not even a corner. He tries one last inn. "Sir please give my wife a small place". "No sir I'm sorry we haven't any room" so Joseph hangs his head and turns to go. The inn keeper speaks again "wait there is a small stable out back where we keep the animals you can find room there" Joseph tries to make a comfortable place for Mary. He cleans out one corner of the stable and puts clean straw down for her to lay on then he takes their coats and they lay down for the night. Little did they know that, that would be the place their baby would be born!
Yet the Bible tells us that the Christ child was born in a stable and the shepherds and wise men who followed the Messiah's star all came to see the baby that had been born that very first Christmas night in the town of Bethlehem. So you see this is the reason we celebrate Christmas! Its not for the pretty packages or for Santa. It's for the Birthday of our Lord and Savior! So as we trim the tree and celebrate with friends and family this year take the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Blessings, Karen

I'm a nut for nutcrackers

Well as I said yesterday I would get some pics and show you some of my holiday decor and as you will see I do love nutcrackers this is just a few as I have well over 100+.
I will share more pics of more nutcrackers in the coming days. Did want to share a pic of this years tree. Its hard to see the ornaments cause I had to take the pic so far away to get the whole tree in the pic. It has alot of handmade ornies the kids have made over the years and also alot of antique ornies. Do you have anything that you collect just for the holidays? I think I have a nutcracker for just about every holiday but maybe valentines and Easter. I have one for st Patty's day ,4Th of July vet's day. Oh I think I need one for Thanksgiving too just thought about that. Well anyways I am going to try and get some wrapping done today and maybe make a few jewelry items for my etsy. Oh I have an item on the etsy showcase today under the crochet items. Hoping to pull in a little more business. I have had a slow start at selling items. Well better go get busy as time keeps ticking away. Ya ll have a great weekend! Blessings, Karen

Look what I got!

I went out for a play day did a little yard sale-ing and estate selling today, and look what I got. My mom bought it for me for a whole $2.00. I fell in love with it so she bought it for me! I hope to get it cleaned up and put it in my kitchen soon! Just had to share it with you all. Have a great weekend! Blessings, Karen

Full of Awards this week!

Thanks goes out to a sweet blogger pal over at http://hallhaven.blogspot.com/ for giving me yet another award! Boy have I been blessed this week with all these awards. Thank you all so much for thinking of little ole me! I'm suppose to pick seven people to pay it forward to but I really don't like to pick just a few so I will leave it up to you if you would like the award please accept it and place it on your blog! Hope you all have a great weekend. I will try to get some pics up tomorrow of some of my Christmas decor. But until then stay warm and have a great weekend! Blessings, Karen

Awarded!

Yes I've been awarded from a wonderful blogger friend, Dena over a http://pineywoodsprimitives.blogspot.com/. If you don't know Dena go over and check her out and see all her wonderful prims. She's a great friend. Thanks so much Dena for thinking of me. Now I'm suppose to choose 5 people but as usual I cant pick just 5, so if you see this post consider yourself awarded. Because you are all special to me!
Do you remember getting awards in school? I used to love to get my name called out. I thought I was special!lol What was the best award or most memorable award you received? Mine was a memorable one, I was in girl scouts and sold the most cookies and got several prizes but the best part was I got a supper duper HUGE sugar daddy! Yep I know you know where I'm going with this I ate and chewed for days and yes I got my tooth stuck in it and it pulled it right out. But what a joy I had with that great big candy stick! Have a great day. Blessings, Karen

Christmas Cards

Just thought I would share a pic of the Christmas cards I am sending this year besides some post cards that I am sending to the famgirls over at MJ's site.
I love getting mail thats not bills don't you? So you know I have to ask are you sending Christmas cards this year or not? Let me hear from you. Blessings, Karen

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wanted to wish all my friends a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving! Lets give thanks to the one above for the love he pours down on each and everyone of us, not only today but each and every day. Blessings, Karen

Some Pics to share

I just wanted to share some pics of some of my favorite spots in the house. It being so close to Thanksgiving I thought I would share some of the things that I am thankful for, my house is far from perfect and it could still use alot of home improvements but I am very thankful we even have a home to call our own. The pic to the left is what I look at when I am taking a bath. The two little ducks I used to play with down at my grandmothers house when I was little ,so this helps me to remember all the wonderful times I shared with my grandparents as I was growing up. We had so many fun times riding bikes, swimming, water skiing, watching Lawrence Welk on the weekends. I spent alot of my free time in the summers with my grandparents.

The pic in the middle is a basket full of fun remembrance's the bear was given to me by my husbands grandmother before she pasted, the small pink elephant was my great granny's she played with this we she was in her last years as she went back to her childhood, the blanket was my grandmothers as was the silver dish. The cute little pink hair brush set and toy clown was given to be by my kids they know I love old things.

The pic to the left is of a pic of a little girl who I think is the little Charmin toilet paper girl . I have always love snow pics and this little girl fits right in with the snow pics. Isn't she just adorable. So here are a few things I am thankful for as you can see. But as I am sure I have told you before I am first and foremost thankful to Jesus Christ my savior who loves me and always forgives even though I don't always deserve it. I am thankful for my wonderful family that he has blessed me with, the home and all my belongings that he has let me borrow until my time to go home to be with him. I am also thankful that God has let each of our paths cross, you all have come to be so dear to me. I'm sure I could go on and on but I wont keep you anymore than I have ,thanks for coming by to visit. Blessings, Karen

Look What I got today!!!

I won a great giveaway over at Artfulife. And I received my beautiful pic today! If you've never been over to Summers blog please go by and check it out she makes the most beautiful art. Here's her link http://artfulife.blogspot.com/ She made me this beautiful puppy dog pic of my 2 pups! I plan to give it to hubby for one of his Christmas gifts! I just know he will love it! Thanks so much Summer!

Hope everyone will have a great weekend. Oh and don't forget to go by Donna's blog and get in on her giveaway it would make a great Christmas gift for a little one! http://hobbygirl1991.blogspot.com/

Also Dena is having a great giveaway on one of her blogs you have the chance to win a set of Grungy tea-lites that smell heavenly! Her link is http://www.crazyladiesprimitives.blogspot.com/

Another great giveaway is over at http://ragggedyangel.blogspot.com/ for this cute little dollie named Gracie. Her pic is on the top right!

And last but not least Robin is having a wonderful stocking giveaway over at The Robin's Nest her link is http://therobinsnestcountrycrafts.blogspot.com/. Run over to these wonderful blogs and get in on some fun. Each one is great. You don't want to miss them! Blessings, Karen

Happy Birthday goes out to.....

Nicole over at http://nicoleellison.typepad.com/raggedy_old_annies/. Please go by and wish Nicole a happy birthday with me.

Happy Birthday
Submitted by: Cdejarnatt
Author: unknown
May everything happy and everything bright be yours on your birthday from morning till night. And then through the year may the same thing hold true so that each day is filled with life's best things for you!Have a Happy Birthday! Blessings, Karen

Another Update.

Well I didn't make it to the nursing home yesterday it was a long school day. Plus my mom didn't want to get out as cold as it was , she gets sick when she gets out in the wind. So we went today. My grandmother looks so awful. She cant remember even just a few minuets. Her coloring looks awful and her eyes look glassy. But she is always glad to see us and always tells us how much she loves us. She does not seem to be in any pain, thank the good Lord. So there is my update.

Now I have several of you dear friends who I am faithfully praying for (you know who you are) I just want you to know I am thinking of each of you and every free thought I send another prayer up for you and your family. You are all special to me and I love each and everyone who visits my blog. Thanks again for all your prayer and concerns for our family.

I am still working on my blanket I am crocheting for Dylan for his Christmas present. I wanted to share that pic with you all too. So that's what that pic is up top. I also have a question for you. My sil is wanting a broccoli and rice casserole for thanksgiving. Has anyone got a good recipe? I really need a good recipe I have never cooked one and would rather not be trying new recipes that might not be good for thanksgiving. So any tried and true recipe please send my way!

Blessings, Karen

Headed to nursing home

this afternoon. I will let you know the update when I get home. I talked to my grandmother on the phone last night and she was really confused. She keeps thinking everyone is dead for some reason. She doesn't remember that my mom has even been coming down there. Unsure if she has had another stroke or if it is the medicine. Again I want to thank each and everyone of you for every prayer you have said for our family.
Don't forget to go by Donna's blog and get in on her giveaway. http://hobbygirl1991.blogspot.com/ It would make a great gift for a child.
Another great giveaway is here http://crazyladiesprimitives.blogspot.com/. Please go over and visit my sweet friend Dena and get in on a holiday giveaway. You better hurry cause I'm ahead of you! lol
I also have a question for each of you have you ever had a Christmas wish that you never got filled and still have that wish today? Or maybe have a wish you would like to have but don't see it possible. I'd love to hear from you.
I have always wanted a convertible car ,white in color. I'd also like to have my house remodeled the parts that need it. Not everything just the pars that need it. Like new windows, painting, new roof. ect. Hope you all have a great Tues. Blessings, Karen

Thankfullness , Update and giveaway...

I just want to say how thankful I am for all of you wonderful friends, your prayers and concerns mean so much. An update on my grandmother is yes she is still hanging on. She said yesterday she woke up and she is still on earth! Kinda cute I thought. She also said that God was going to take her to heaven on the 22nd of this month. We dont know if this was God or the morphine we will just have to wait and see. I plan to make another trip down today if we can get done with school early enough. I will try to keep you all updated as much as possible. Again thanks for your prayers.
Now the giveaway is from a friend who has been going thru alot her self. She is giving away a very cute piggy bank. Go by and check it out. http://hobbygirl1991.blogspot.com/ and while your there say a little prayer for her too.
Hope you all have a great Friday! Blessings, karen

Update...

Well My grandmother is still here and still hanging on. She has really enjoyed all her company and I think if she had so many people visiting her all the time she would do so much better. But everyone lives out of town so its very hard. I can not express how thankful I am to each of you for your prayers and concerns. Please continue to pray that Gods will be done. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday. Blessings , Karen

Remember us in Prayer

I know I said I was going to be sharing some pics of the arts and craft festival but to be honest it was so packed I didn't even try to pull out my camera. We did have a great time looking or should I say window shopping. Most of the items was things you see in every craft show but I did see one shop that a gentleman made handmade brooms. He was making them there. It was so cool I hope to try and find him online. The name of the shop was Shaker Brooms and Boxes. I will let you know if I find him online.

Now as most of you know with today being Monday we are usually doing school but we took a vacation day and went to say goodbye to one of the most precious ladies in my life (her pic is above) my grandmother. She is not doing good and they are only giving her maybe 2 dys. We went down today and talked to the nursing home about taking her off all her medications except for pain. They took the IV out and well I did the hardest thing I can imagine. Telling someone you love so much goodbye for the last time you will see them here on this earth. I know she will be whole again soon and in no more pain. I also know that one day I will see her again, but this flesh has such a hard time letting go. So this is why I ask for your prayers dear ones. I know that the next few days will be very hard ones as they are for any family who loses a family member. I just pray that thru the loss of her earthy life her family will be saved. ( the ones who don't know our precious Lord) Alot of our family is lost and alot have nothing to do with each other so our family needs lots of prayer for this situation too. Thank you so much for all your kind words and prayers you all mean so much to me .

Blessings to you all, Karen

More Turkey Decor!

Thanks so much for the sweet comments about my fall decor! I know I have said it before but fall is my fav time of year so I love to decorate for the special occasions. Lori, you ask if I would have turkey or ham well I only like turkey if its fried . I d rather have a good honey baked ham. Yum! Cant you just see the pounds piling on, and you know you gotta have some pecan pie.

I am so looking forward to this weekend my family and I are going to Macon Ga. for the big Christmas made in the South arts and crafts festival. Its a once a year show and we love going to look and snack and enjoy each other. If you've never heard of it check out this site : http://www.madeinthesouthshows.com/ there might me one close enough to some of you to check one out. If not maybe you can have a weekend getaway. Ill try to take some pics when I go. Well I better run and get the boys started in their school work. I do have one quick question for today. What are you most thankful for?

My answer would have to be first and foremost my salvation and second family. We all have so much to give thanks for we need to do it more than once a year. Don't' you agree? Hope you all have a great Thursday! Blessings!

Thanksgiving Decor

Well now that October is over I have added a few more things to my fall decor that says Thanksgiving a bit more. I wanted to share a few pics of my Turkey day items with you and will probably do the same tomm. Do you add more things to your fall decor in Nov? Id love to see your turkey pics or hear some of your family traditions. So yall share with me some over your November highlights! Every year after the turkey and dressing, I look forward to watching the lighting of Macy's great tree here in Atlanta. I always watch in on tv and have done so for as long as I can remember.

I am so glad this election year is over, not pleased with the results but I did vote so I at least had my say so. I know that God is in control and that is what I have to believe in. I am also glad we don't have to have any more mud slinging or name calling. Now lets focus on family!

Blessings,

Elvis ?

No its just my youngest looking like Elvis. This is what he dressed up for this Halloween. We had a really nice time met alot of the family and went together. So I'm also sharing some pics of nieces and nephews. Yall make sure you scroll down and see my little LuLu in her costume! Hope everyone has had a great weekend so far and will enjoy a day of rest and relaxation. After all that's what out wonderful savior made this day for! Spend time with your family and enjoy a day of rest. Blessings!

Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Hope everyone will have a safe time trick or treating and those who are going to do the Fall Harvest instead have a great time as well! Just enjoy spending time with your families.

What was your favorite costume or memorable Halloween? I dont really remember about dressing up much, I do know I went as a punk rocker when I was a little older. But my favorite thing about halloween was no not candy, but getting to watch the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! I still love watching his videos I watch the thanksgiving video and the Christmas one too. So share with me your memories and have a great weekend and let me know if you see the Great Pumpkin! Blessings, Karen

Started an etsy

but thats all I can say I am a goof when it comes to setting things up and following instructions. So all you gals who have etsy's. Please give me advice because to tell you the truth Im clueless.
Hope you all have a wonderful Friday and Happy Halloween! Blessings, Karen

Homemade or Store bought?

I have been thinking about all this talk of homemade verses store bought and was wondering do you like handmade or are you one that likes store bought? I like homemade but I do know some people who don't have time to make things and do the store bought thing which is ok too. I used to get so upset because my granny would give me money every year instead of buying a gift I felt like she just didn't want to take the time to pick out a perfect gift. Now that I have grown up I realize that that was not it at all, it is just that she never really went anywhere that she didn't have to, she has always been content to stay at home. I also know that it should not have mattered what I got it was the thought that counted, but I have to admit I was a spoiled brat. Anyhow I just wanted to get your insights on the subject.

I am also sharing 2 sets of napkin ring pics and 2 pics of tea towels I have made. The tea towels are $7 each and the napkin rings set of 4 is $8 and the 6 is $10. Thanks to everyone for the sweet comments. I am going to try to set me up an etsy but don't own a credit card so have to figure out how to set it up without one if possible. Any advice is appreciated. Have a great Thursday! Blessings, Karen

Barter or Sale?

Christmas is coming soon so jump on the bandwagon with the people who are only buying handmade this year and take a look around at some of the goodies I have to offer. Each item I have listed I have handmade myself. I will show more handmade goodies each day, if you are interested in buying or bartering(for anything you've handmade) please email me.

Earrings (pierced) the first pair is made of porcupine quills, the other two are just cute little designs. Each pair is $3.00 + shipping.















Necklace is $15.00 + shipping.

Key rings are great for stocking stuffers. Cost $3.00 each + shipping.

These are tote bags or can be used as a purse but is tied together all the way around except at the top so small things can go thru holes such as ink pens. Cost $7.00 + shipping.

This is a John Deere neck pillow made from a handkerchief. The cost is $7.00 + shipping.
You can also scroll down the page to see other items already listed. Thanks and Blessings to each of you!

Powerful Video's

Good morning everyone. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I had a friend send me a powerful video and wanted to pass in along. I don't know how to get it as a video on my post so I'm just going to post the site where to go and you can click it to watch the video. I urge you to please watch it . Then I ask you what would your sign say? Here is the site:http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies . Again please watch the whole video it is worth the time. And also another great video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg_zhEIpTjs . Please take the time to watch both I will leave this up a few days so that if you don't have time to watch both at one time you can come back and watch the other later. Please let me know what you think about both. I hope each and everyone of you will not be offend in anyway I would never want to hurt any of you . I just thought they were both powerful messages and needed to be heard. Until next time, Blessings, Karen

Jewelry!

Ok what girl doesn't love jewelry? Here are a couple of sets I made they are gift boxed and ready to be wrapped for a great gift for you or someone special. You can see the price in the boxes. If you are interested let me know.

I have been doing alot of fall cleaning since we got home. For some reason I do more cleaning in the fall than spring. I guess this cooler weather makes me want to stay warm so I do more cleaning. Plus with the holidays coming up on us I always want everything to be nice and clean, but guess what with 3 boys that never last long. So I just do what I can. Anyways I am trying to get some of my Christmas gifts together we have so many to buy for it always takes awhile. If any of you make homemade goodies and would want to do some barting please let me know I love barting for homemade goodies for my Christmas gifts. The only problem is sometimes I fall in love with the barter and don't want to let it go.

Well I'm going to get busy hope you all have a great day! Blessings, Karen

Tea Towels

This is a set of tea towels that I have made they are Aunt Jemima and are also the 7 days of the week. I am selling them for $35 for the set and it comes in a box that can be wrapped for Christmas or birthdays. I also wrote out on a index card which will be enclosed in the box what a tea towel actually is and its purpose. If anyone is interested please let me know. I will continue to list things on if there is anything you are interested in or what to see just let me know. Thanks for all the sweet comments about my crafts. I really enjoy doing them it is my stress relaxer I guess! Now I better go get the kids schooling started. Have a great day!

I will include shipping but I will have to take it and get it weighed. I will only charge what the actual cost of shipping will be , if you want delivery confirmation I will also add that but its not but about a dollar if my memory is correct. I will take money orders or personal cks (checks will have to clear bank before I mail items) Just for security reasons. Thanks for looking. Blessings!