2013

Picture from Timeline photos

By Susan Spangler Pictures + Words

FUSED-GLASS JEWELRY

Early this month, I took a fused-glass jewelry class.  I have never done anything like this.  We selected glass, cut it, stacked it, etc.  We had the option of making pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc.  I made 5 pendents.  This is was relaxing and fun!  Four of them are dimensional - stacked.  The largest one is smooth.  You do this by laying a piece of glass over the whole thing, once it's put together.  They are then fired in a kiln.

Both my daughter and my daughter-in-law received these for Christmas this year.  I love to give something one of a kind and made with love.

Next time, I might try making quilt block shapes.   Hmmm............. might be hard to get the symmetry thing going on tiny pieces of cut glass.

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

This is our lawn nativity.  Merry Christmas, everyone.  And may you keep the true meaning of the season in your hearts.

OUR CHARLIE BROWN CHIRSTMAS TREE

We drastically down-sized our digs a year ago.  We moved just before Christmas, and didn't decorate at all for the holidays last year. 

In our 'big' house I went nuts and decorated everywhere.  We had a 12' tree in the living room, all in gold.  We donated that one to a youth ranch when we moved.  We knew it wouldn't fit.  The family room tree we kept, but it's too big too.  Maybe next year we can put it up on the lanai.  The master bedroom tree has potential.  It's small and short.  The teacher tree is smaller yet, and might fit somewhere.  Maybe my office.

Now that we are more settled we can see where a tree might fit in our great room, but it will have to be slim at the bottom.  I thought those slim but 6' or 7' tall ones would be just right.  They were sold out locally, but I've ordered one that should be here before Christmas. 

Our stack of gifts for the grands looked sad not being under a tree.  Then, ureka, I found this Charlie Brown Christmas tree at Aldi's.  I've always told DH that all we really need is just a Charlie Brown tree.  Not a fancy one.  Well, now we have one.  It even came with the one ornament and Linus's blanket for the tree skirt!  It's about 12" tall, and all it needs is a little love.

So here's to Charlie Brown, and to the less-is-more philosophy we've embarked on.  Simplify, simplify.

STILL MORE SNOW

Joy arrived all the way from Germany.  Love the way Brigitte placed those outreached hands and made Joy look to the heavens.

Donna's Flakey is just a little infant snow person!

Kathy's Gleam is just a gleam in snow daddy's eye.

Twigs from Cyn in CA has some super arms.  Love her expression too.

Thanks all snow swappers.  There's more to come, so stay tuned.....................

SECRET SANTA

My secret santa gift arrived yesterday.  I received two fabric origami stars, a sweet crazy quilt stocking, and this adorable "Love One Another" pillow.  I love them all.  Thanks so much Debbie M.

Here are photos of both sides of the Cathedral Window ornament I sent to Cindy D.

THANK YOU VETERANS!

Show your appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made throughout history and continue to make today.