Merry Christmas and Finding Santa(s) ...

I don't know where these past 3 weeks went. I was finishing up jobs, trying to get some organizing done around here, started painting my bathroom and doing a little bit of shopping. Because I do 98% of my shopping at secondhand stores, I get to pick up some vintage Santa's along the way to add to my collection...like Mr. Santa Salt Shaker.

I have a bunch of mini and regular sized hot chocolate Santa head mugs that I didn't pull down from storage, I was off track with Christmas this year and almost didn't even get any kind of tree up. But I did find a stashed bag of mini mugs that were an 'end of the clean up from last year' that never made it into the main boxes. Lucky for me, I found a few other Santa's at the thrift store to add to my collection, so I gathered them under the tree.

And the tree? I did climb up to the top shelf of the garage and get the box it's stored in. I pulled out the top half, took a bunch of the recently found vintage ornaments that were supposed to be for wreath craft day, and pulled out a tree topper that was earmarked for ebay. Voila! My small tree looking festive with Santa's showing off underneath.

I hope that you all are enjoying the holiday season and

have a very Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Gifted Revamped Wallet

As I roamed around doing Christmas shopping, I happened upon a cute wallet that was perfect for R's 15 year old daughter. She had mentioned awhile back that she wanted a wallet and lately she's been into elephants and giraffes, and teal is a favorite color, so this was a win win win.

There was a problem in that it showed signs of use by being marked up with pen on the front tab and the back panel. The front flap had erasure marks on it where someone tried to remove the pen but they removed the dye instead. This is probably why it ended up at Goodwill. Physically it was in good shape. I should have taken a before picture but didn't think of it until I was done with the 'clean up.'

I really wanted to be able to give it to her because I knew she would love it. So I did what any crafty girl with paints would do...I painted it. I mixed a green for the tab and a teal that was similar to the one that existed, for the body, but brightened it a bit. I then added some pearlescent white and a little gel medium. I painted all the  leather parts that were not part of the main pictorial image with two thin coats. Voila! Magic! Almost like new with a little broken in feel to it. The leather remained supple and I was one happy gifter. The giftee was pretty thrilled, too.

Wishing You Peace and Joy...

My Job Is Done

Presents are wrapped and under the tree and in a pile for "to Grandma's house we go."

The little nut in the photo is looking for the gift of me rubbing her belly.

Pizelles & Christmas Photos Revisited

R's daughter often has the camera at the ready. She just posted this photo on FB. I really like the feel of it. Much more Christmas/moody than mine! LOL Looks like I need to be a little more experimental.

Have A Very Merry Christmas

and a wonderful holiday season. If you don't celebrate in this way, enjoy your friends, family and celebration in your own tradition.