Fire & Ice
Ice storm, well more like freezing drizzle, fell over night leaving behind a glaze covering on everything this morning. A good excuse to stay in, light the (season’s) first fire in the studio fireplace and enjoy the view.
Gift Giving
In November we were involved in a fun “shoebox” ministry called Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse program. Here’s a little bit about it from the official site or you can click on the link above:
8 MILLION CHILDREN received the shoe boxes last year. OVER 130 COUNTRIES have received shoe boxes since 1993. ONE MISSION:To demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
When I first heard about this opportunity several years ago, I was immediately attracted to the idea of purchasing all of the items a child would like or need that would fit into a shoebox. The challenge alone intrigued me. I couldn’t wait to see just how much could you cram into one box for a child in need. I really like beginning the gift giving season with this small way of giving back. It feels good. This year we included contact information inside the shoe boxes, offering a chance to possibly hear back (help of an interpreter) from the recipient, who may be on the other side of the world!
You can decorate the boxes as much or as little as you like. Or not at all.
Here is the second batch of boxes, loaded up and on their way. Does anyone else participate in this Christmas shoe box ministry or maybe another one? Please write me about it or leave a comment.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
Feather Tree Fences
Treasured Tuesday – My friend Melissa made a recent comment about one of my feather tree, Christmas fences so, I’m sharing them all today. I have three that I like to incorporate into the holiday decorations. They’re too nice to pack away afterward so, I try to keep them displayed all year long in a variety of ways.
I found one article that offered this bit of information:
Antique Christmas Tree Fences
Fences for the Christmas tree were made of a variety of materials. Some of the earliest were made of wood or cast iron, then later versions introduced sheet metal and plastic. The cast iron fences mimiced the elaborate detail of the Victorian fences surrounding people’s homes. Wood fences were constructed of twigs, feature tree branches, or the more common wood planks. One can also find fences that were pre-wired and contain sockets for lights on the fence posts.
Some fences came in sections allowing the consumer to create any lenght of fencing that they desired. Many fences had one section that contained a gate for “entrance” into the enclosure. Inside the fences people included small cardboard houses, composition animals, Erzgebirge pieces, dolls, toys, or any other items that they wished to use as decoration. Some built elaborate putz scenes or Christmas gardens, with the fence enclosing these wonderful creations.
The one above needed a lot of restoration when I discovered it. My brother-in-law Paul helped out in the putting back together process.
Thanks Melissa, I really like them too.
This one landed here and doubles as wall art in the guest bedroom, off season.
Snowy Impresions
Woke up to snow today, both outside and in, that is, on the Christmas tree. I decided yesterday afternoon, to go with the cut paper snowflakes for the decorations once again. Notice, it resembles the tree in my illustration of the 2000 Theme Tree – “500 Years of the Christmas Tree” program.
Still snowing (12:00pm), although only three inches are expected. Enough to inspire me to finish unpacking the last of the holiday trimmings, the snowmen.
In keeping with the week’s cookie theme, pictured above is a feature I clipped out of the magazine surplus, on traditional springerle German Christmas cookies. Included in the photo is my snowman ice cream mold and an unusual bottle that I stumbled upon in a a local antique shop quite a few years ago. The same is the case for these two sets of vintage snowmen salt & pepper shakers.
Snow, snow beautiful snow.
Cookie Recipes
OK, so let’s get to the best part about Christmas cookies, besides eating them, the recipes! I have collected some of the very best recipes from family, friends and some, seen below, were found in my grandma’s recipe card file. A treasure in themselves, with all of their baking ingredient spills and drips. The condiment caddy also belonged to my gram.
Others were collected from box tops such as the one below from the Quaker Oats lid, I think. The post card image is from the “Cookie Cutter Christmas” patch panel fabric. I invite you to print (using the link) with my permission for personal use, (gift tag or mailing) of course. I’m not sure how it will work so, please let me know if you are able to retrieve. I tried to save as a printable pdf.
More recipes to come. I am so far behind on Christmas prep this year, hopefully I’ll be baking some of these cookies next week.
Cutting Clay
I still haven’t found the right time for trimming our main tree. Maybe today! I’m not altogether sure, how I want to decorate it this year. For someone who was formerly dubbed “the ornament lady,” surprisingly I always lean toward our simple paper snowflakes, the kids and I cut when they were little.
The alternate choice of course, is none other than, the original, hand painted, made in America, signed by the artist, glazed and fired ceramic ornaments! Chuckle. Here are some of the last produced that I managed to hold on to before Tidings of Great Joy moved into art licensing. You can see how the cookie cutters were utilized to make them and why I began collecting the cutters.
With all of the cookie cutter collection talk on Tuesday, I was reminded of my treasured time and handiwork of years gone by. I unpacked them today. Maybe this year they will make it on to the tree. I’m still trying to find a way to get them back into production. I’ll keep everyone posted.
On each of the Tidings of Great Joy ornament hang tags it reads:
…for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
It was the Christmas story read by Linus in Charles M. Schulz’s ” A Charlie Brown Christmas,” that inspired the (then holiday ornament producing) company’s name. Est. early 1980’s.
Cookie Cutters Continued
You can never get enough cookies, right? This is the quilt that I’m using on the table. It further carries the holiday cookie theme in the kitchen. It was skillfully stitched by quilter Beth Cecchettinni. I’m sure you’ve spotted the cutter shapes in the quilt border. This is how my cookie paintings translated and were inspired from the actual cutters, mentioned yesterday. The “Cookie Cutter Christmas” fabric released a couple of years ago so, I’m not sure if it is still available.
As always, a little sentiment is incorporated into the art, such as the recipes printed behind the cookie row. The complete recipes were included on the patch panel coordinate too and most were taken from my grandma’s recipe files. I like adding a personal touch whenever possible.
I might have to post about cookies all week long! There’s lot’s more cookie cutter crafting to share.
Tuesday’s Tree Treasure
It’s been a long time since I posted a Treasured Tuesday. First up, cookie cutters, one of my favorite collections just right for the holiday season. During the twenty years that Tidings of Great Joy manufactured Christmas ornaments, I collected dozens of cookie cutters, used to cut shapes into the clay. I love using them now, as they were intended, cutting cookies! Most are vintage in many unusual shapes and a variety of sizes. I was able to utilize them again in a recent Christmas fabric line called “Cookie Cutter Christmas.” When not in use, they are perfect to double as ornaments for a decorated kitchen tree and door wreath.
This year I placed these fun tin toys underneath the tree. They are a child’s full set of cookware (c1950’s), including tiny red cookie cutters. When I spotted them in a shop (still in the box) they reminded me of some that I may have had. I remember spending an over night at my Gramma Wecker’s once, when she actually let us bake in our muffin tins. I thought at the time what a special treat, one of those grandma indulgences.
Rest & Reflect
Following an unexpected, extremely busy week, my plan is to rest in the Lord today as I continue the studio clean up. Ahhhhh, Monday morning. Seems life refuses to slow down so, unless God has another plan for me, mine is to spend the majority of the week this way, shut in as I shuffle stuff. A very cold week too so, good weather to be inside. If you’re wondering why the job (studio clean up) is taking several months to complete, I invite you to take a look at the photos posted on March 12th, “Good, Bad and the Ugly.” I hope to have some studio “after” shots posted before the year’s end!
I’ve been reflecting over the past year through the blog this morning. Joy Studio blog began on January 24th and as I mentioned last night (winner announce), about to complete one year, my first, of blogging. The blog offers sort of, a visual reminder to me, of the ups and downs, the struggles, the joys and a nice way to reflect on the past year. It’s been a good year and a difficult one too, but a good one, just the same. It’s also the closest venue to journaling or a diary that I have ever experienced and has certainly challenged my writing and spelling skills.
My photos this morning, were taken a couple of weeks ago when I was getting a bit stressed and suddenly feeling unseasonably warm! Laying on the cool concrete sidewalk seemed like quick and perfect relief. Looking up to the heavens of course, always provides another kind of restful, de-stressing solution in itself. As I rested there and cooled down, I was impressed with the artful design that the dark trees made against the light gray sky. I must remember to take up this childhood activity again, it’s great!
Rest in the Lord and wait. Psalm 37:7
And you shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
Ahhhhh, a restful Monday, yes? Oops, except for that quilt design that is due!
We Have A Winner
And the winner is… Sharyn Sowell! Thanks to everyone for participating. I appreciate hearing from all of you and for your very kind comments. I’ve nearly completed my first year of blogging, perhaps another (fabric) giveaway early January, to celebrate, eh?
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