Blue Moon, Happy Birthday & Happy New Year!

Well, I fell asleep before even seeing the Blue Moon, maybe I won't be as tired in 19 years.LOL

Happy 49th Birthday to my younger brother, Rob!
He is an incredible man with many layers, he wants to portray a gruff exterior but has a heart of gold. (if he's reading this and I know he won't..I didn't write this and he's a mean, short guy).

Happy New Year to Everyone!!

On the Road...

Lil Orchid and I are alone...
Ye Ye and Great Great drove back home to S.Missouri..
My sister Vicky and her husband Frank drove back to Tennessee...
and my son and daughter drove to Ohio to go apartment hunting.
My son will move and start work there Jan 11th.

Still Celebrating...

Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with YeYe's side of the family...Great Great made each great granddaughter a plaid jumper..aren't they adoreable!!

Madelynn was 6 yrs old in October, her sister Merideth will be 3 yrs old in March and my Lil Orchid will be 4 yrs in Feb.

Lil Orchid is wearing another Handmade Dress in green with white eyelet (my favorite!)

On Sunday, we CELEBRATED my son's Masters Degree with family and friends at Han's Buffet (Mm-m-m)

THANK YOU EVERYONE who honored my son with gifts, cards and their presence.

After the party & buffet, my brother Eddie's family, Allie, Dakota, Chance, Linda, Devon, Megan; my oldest sister Patti, my sister, Vicky and her husband Frank, along with Great Great & YeYe followed us back to our house for a Christmas exchange.

Christmas is a Blessing in disquise!

As you can see Lil Orchid got her wish list filled by Santa...

Kai-Lan chap stick, a safety knife & scraper to help mom mom cook, a doll and some tic tac's for Mam Maw ;)

Uncle Nathan got her some neat lego's, MamMaw got her a special book "In Grandma's Arms" and in tradition she received a dragon.

Chistmas with my family was truely a BLESSING...

I feel loved and

they put a smile not only on my face but in my Heart!!!

Holiday Spirit: Alive or Dead?

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the City?......

Bah Humbug? Cranky, Greedy, Self centered people,

I'm Just trying to keep my head above water,

trying to stay in the Spirit of the Season and

wanting to see the World and Christmas through innocent eyes.

It seems to be a struggle this season, but I will Not give up!

Here are my uplifting photos.

Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree....

My house is not perfect and all the decoration are not out...

but my Angel with the help of my son,

put the Angel on the tree...

and we are all shining with Christmas Spirit...

Lil Orchid loves Music and Singing,

this is our collection of musical decorations

(of which there is no volume control) ;)

It's Coming to Fast...

Christmas is on it's way and I'm not ready!!
My list is to long and I may just go Crazy!
I need to sew,
I need to sew alot!,
I need to list clothing on my ESTY store,
I need to take pictures for my ETSY Store,
I need to clean,
I need to wrap presents,
I need to go grocery shopping,
I need to decorate,
I need to hang the stocking with care,
I need a little Christmas,
WHOA, I need a HUG from my Lil' Orchid ;)

My Heart is Full....

My family is together, for a short time, maybe 4 weeks, but that is enough for now, I won't get stingy. As you know my son graduated with his Masters and now that everything is complete and everything is moved back home, it feels good! We have him for a short time until he moves away to Ohio for approx 2 yrs with his new job. I am so grateful for his strong determination and Proud of his dedication to his education and future, He amazes me with his focus, he doesn't let anything stand in his way. I have been Truely BLESSED with my two children and my beautiful granddaughter. There is nothing I want or need for Christmas...I have it ALL!!!
Except maybe a good job?

Holiday Blessings to All!

Brr-r-r-r-r

Mailed and then delivered some

Custom - One of a Kind Denim Overall Jumpers

made for two special little girls.

Had so much fun with the Snowman Jumper for a little girl in TX. (It was the first time she had ever saw Snow !)

The STL Cardinal Jeans and Jumper are a Birthday gift from Grandma

(Go Cards!)

Remember I can't - sorry, I won't duplicate however I will work with you the best I can.

I prefer you let my Creative Juices flow............

A visit with Santa....Ho Ho Ho!

The wonder and innocense of a child at Christmas....
My daughter and I braved the drive and visit to the local Mall, we took Lil' Orchid to see Santa. She was so excitied, that her giggles were almost ear piercing. When they called her name, those little eyes were big and round, she took my hand and said "Mammaw come with me" (her Mom Mom was already in position for the photo shoot) I walked her up there and as her tiny little hand slipped away she became a big girl who couldn't wait to talk to Santa. He read her the Night Before Christmas then began his conversation with her. She asked for a Saftey Knife and Scraper, (these are things she needs to cook with her Mom)(We tell her do not touch the knife it is not Safe...so as she puts it she needs a safety knife!), she asked for a doll and some Kai-Lan chap stick, then my sweet little granddaughter asked Santa to bring Mammaw (me) some more tic tac's, she told him I needed more because I only have one left..and that I needed more so I could share.

Don't they just Tickle Your Heart!!!

Congratulate Me !!!!

Everyone, I am PROUD to say that yesterday we drove out of town to witness, my Son Graduate and receive his Masters Degree.
What can I say but I am Proud and filled with Happiness on my son's acheivment. (he is only 24 yrs old) Being a single mom for over 21 years now, and without my Ex's help, my children have accomplished so much ! They are both strong and loving individuals.
I Love them both, what more could I ask for....but to be Blessed again - with my special granddaughter!
I'm sorry, one more time I am so Proud of my Son!!!!

Other guests that attended were my 2 older sisters, Patti from IL, and Vicky from TN, along with her daughter and grandson, Jack (6 mos older than Lil' Orchid) also from TN. My son's girlfriend also came to celebrate with us. YeYe and Great Great couldn't make the journey he is still recuperating from his last surgery.

It was a very long day and Uncle Nathan's couch was a perfect place to rest!
We plan on getting together at a local restaurant on Dec 27th and celebrate with friends and family.....let me know if you want to come?
Yes, he will begin working at his new job on Jan 11th in Ohio (only 5 1/2 hrs away) oh yeah, he tells me the STL Cardinals will be playing there 4 times this season..
Hoping to get some new stuff for his new apartment (and give away/sale his yard sale accessories)He deserves it for all his hard work and dedication!

5 days later and still sewing...

These Overalls were made especially for a Little Buckaroo from his Aunt Deb and Grandma.

While this White Shimery TuTu

was made for another Vendor.

My last fair for the year finished last Sunday in Alton,Il. I know I say it everytime but it was a long weekend....used this week to finish up some orders, which has been fun-great customers to work with.
Have made some extremely cute Overalls & Jumpers, TuTu's and personalized some cute ornaments and bow holders. My daughter has made her fingers numb making hair bows to keep up with the demand during the Fairs we have attended since September.
And of course, Lil Orchid has charmed the people and customers with her winning smile and personality. Wait! Sometimes she doesn't smile or talk and they are blown away. LOL

Worked on some Glass Charms for my son's friends as they graduate with their Masters also! My daughter does the hand-engraving on glass, beautiful work !!!

Meet another talented Vendor, where Lil'Orchid got an asian Barbie dressed in Red.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have a web site.

Belleville (Belle Clair Fair Grounds)Il.

Belleville Fairgrounds Craft & Art Fair....
Exhausting three (3) days !!!!! But we met some wonderful customers & vendors!
It's refreshing when people follow you from fair to fair and purchase more of your creative clothes, bows and other items. We had more space and took some of my mothers Woodburnings, (remember I said we celebrated her 75 th Birthday in October of this year). She only has a few pieces of art left and won't be making anything new, Unless she receives some special request, but i really doubt it, it is very hard work and time consuming (and YeYe has been very ill).

I'll add more later....with photo's

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !

Happy Thanksgiving....
I am here with my two children and
my beautiful 3 1/2 yr old Granddaughter

I am Truely Blessed and Thankful !!

After the Lindbergh HS event....

I know I keep repeating myself...
It's been so Crazy !! SEW SEW

Only two more weekends of Art & Craft Fairs.
The crowd was so great and I met alot of New customers.
Unfortunately, over the weekend (Sat.night) My tent was broken into and several items were stolen at the Crestwood Sunset Hills Rotary Fair at Lindbergh High School....but what is so disappointing is the Un-concern from the sponsers. The school staff working the weekend however were very helpful and spoke of the three security cameras all in my area!
Keeping my fingers crossed they find out who did it!!

Childrens Day

Happy Universal CHILDREN'S DAY !!

Be Amazed by them..
Learn from them...
forget your troubles and
Look at the World once again through their eyes....
LOVE THEM !

They are your Heart & Soul...Your Life!
OUR FUTURE !!

Sorry I haven't been on or updating photos as much
but again we have an outside Craft Fair...this weekend
Lindbergh High School in Missouri
sponsered by the Crestwood Sunset Hills Rotary.

STOP BY if your in the Area !
outside tent 10 x 20
between the school buildings

O'Fallon Craft & Art Fair

What a crazy week end...78 outside in October??
Well, can't blame the people for
not wanting to come indoors to a Craft Fair,
it was just to beautiful. Heck, I didn't want to be indoors :)

Look out Edwardsville Here We Come!

Something for everyone!

I told you

we have been working hard.....
How about some more

embellished Knit Hats,

our "NEW" Drink Charms

(in sets of 2)and

"NEW"

Neck Charms/Ornaments!

A Little Alice in Wonderland!

Meet the...

White Rabbit,

The Queen of Hearts and

the Guard of the Rose Garden

Our Queen of Hearts kept chanting "Who painted my Roses RED!"

and "Off with her Head!"

Between getting ready for another craft fair this weekend

and enjoying the Halloween season, it has really been busy!
WE LOVE HALLOWEEN....

almost as much as Christmas...so we had fun!!!!

We walked in the CWE Childrens Parade

and Lil Orchid walked the catwalk in a costume contest.

(she wasn't considered for the prizes..they thought it was store bought...Boo Hoo)

I admit I didn't make the Catapillar but the Flamingo was my big challenge.

We met some "Great Minds Think Alike" people

in the Dog Costume Parade.

Wasn't the White Rabbit adoreable - cuter than me?

Our little Queen of Hearts

got some new accessories from the Balloon guy.