Christmasing On The Mantel

 Hello, Dear Ones!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We certainly did and now it's time for the Christmasing!

Some of you saw my little truck I found! Isn't he the cutest thing?

He just had to be the centerpiece on my mantel.

He just needs his headlights to light up but alas they don't.

I'll get over it. :)

 

 There you go! I even lit the fire for you as our temps have dropped and it actually feels like wintertime. The 40s here on the island feels like the 30s! Brrrr...

 I found these two glitter houses at Marshalls for $9.99 a piece!

 Yay! Aren't they sweet and they have a little light inside so all the windows light up! 

Perfect, I think!

I kinda wanted an old fashioned looking mantel this year and used my ornament wreath.

I have to tell you that I made that thing over 6 or 7 years ago!

Do you remember when HGTV was really great with wonderful decorating shows and do it yourself shows? Remember Room By Room with Matt and Shari? Well, Shari made an ornie wreath and I just had to make one too. Last year or so I poked it on top of a fake pine wreath to make it look bigger.

I'm so talented as I sprayed it lightly with white paint to make it look like snow!

 Wish I had put colored lights on my garland but shoot it already the little clear ones and I just didn't want to change them. 

Oh, my goodness! My little angel is totally bored with all of this and slightly embarrassed 

as I poked a little candle ring on top of her head! 

I just wanted to make her look festive.

I'm joining Common Ground for Be Inspired 
Dwellings for Amaze Me Monday

A Stroll Through Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
Our Home Away From Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas
I'll be home for Christmas
you can plan on me
please have snow and mistletoe
and presents on the tree
Christmas eve will find me
where the lovelight gleams

I'll be home for Christmas
if only in my dreams
~ sung by Bing Crosby

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello, Dear Ones!

I want to wish you all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

We all have so much to be thankful for and I thank God for all of my blessings.

I don't know if you all know what you mean to me but you're my blessings too.

This is the first time in over 17 years we've not had my little Mother with us for Thanksgiving. 

Don't feel sorry or sad for me. She is rejoicing and feasting with Jesus today!

I just didn't want to cook up a big meal for just Mr. Precious and me so we're going to a beautiful old historic hotel for a lovely brunch. I'm looking forward to it and will try and finish my Christmasing in the house.

 Well, I am going to make some cornbread dressing and a pumpkin pie! :)

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Give thanks
We give thanks to You oh Lord
We give thanks 
~song by Don Moen

Got My Ride and My Tree

Hello, Dear Ones!

Well, I was popping in on a few blogs this morning and went to Jennifer Rizzo's blog and she had bought a little Harley Davidson truck from Hobby Lobby and painted it red and poked a little bottle brush tree in it.

Well, I coveted that cute little red truck all day long. 

I have been on the lookout for a little red truck to decorate with but no luck in finding one.

 I could stand it NO MORE!! And around 3:30pm I went to Hobby Lobby.

I was looking for a Harley Davidson display...couldn't find it.

I was about to burst out into tears and then I saw it.

 A little red truck! Completely perfect! Only one and it was mine!

It was cute and olden looking and did I tell you it was red?

It was $29.99 but I had my 40% off coupon so it only cost me $17!

Did I tell you it was already perfect and red?? :)

I poked a bottle brush tree in it's bed and I was off to town!
Well, Christmas decorating anyway.

Thank you Jennifer for making my day!
Wahoo!
Did I tell you the little truck was perfect and painted red? :)

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

~ sung by Johnny Mathis

Make a Chair for Tilda

Hello, Dear Ones!

Since I'm getting quite a few Tildas, I thought I would try to make a chair for my Tilda dolls to sit in.

They need a soft surface for their bums too! :)

 This is what I came up with.

 I decided to make two chairs and found a couple of little boxes for the bases.

Alas, there were no dimes in the boxes when I got them ~ empty as could be.

 I cut with scissors a couple of pieces of foam to fit for the seat.

 Before I continued I knew I wanted to have backs on my chairs.

 I just cut two pieces of cardboard and made sure the back would be tall enough for Tilda.

I had some drapery fabric that I'd bought many years ago but had never used it but just couldn't get rid of it. So this was going to be my upholstery.  You could used just regular cotton fabric.

I traced around each back piece and added enough fabric all around to turn under and then I cut out two pieces for each chair.

 Got out my glue gun and went to town.

 See? Easy peasy and it doesn't even matter that it looks messy at this point.

 Now for the second piece of fabric, I ironed under a tiny seam (you can see it) and glued that down so the edge would be neat.

 Neat! You can see my glue gun spider webs. :)

I continued to tuck under and glue down the rest of the fabric all around the cardboard.

 Then I had my backpiece complete, neat and covered on both sides.

I'm so talented like that you know! ;)

 Now to work on the seat part. I grabbed my box with the foam glued down and cut a piece of fabric large enough to fit over the top and down the sides.

 On the sides, I just folded up the fabric like wrapping a package and glued it down.

Don't worry, we're going to cover up the bottom edge of the box now.

I measured around the entire box and cut a rectangle of fabric with enough fabric to lap over on the backside. I did iron under around the top and the edge of the fabric for a hem.

The chair on the left got a sewn hem but the on on the right just got glued down.

Again...talent! :)

I centered my cut part on the backside and began to glue all around just a little below the foam.

When I got to the back I lapped the fabric over and turned the raw edge under and glued that down.

Lastly, I took my completely covered back pieces and glued them down to the seat part on the back.

Ta Daaaah!!

Two little Tilda doll chairs.

I think they turned out really cute. 

Now I'll be on the lookout for another box to make a sofa.

I'm joining Dwellings for Amaze Me Monday

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

I Just Want To Be Your Everything

For so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that I feel for you is more then strong , girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then youre asking for
Your love will turn the key
Darling mine
I would wait forever for those lips of wine
Build my world around you , darling
This love will shine girl
Watch it and see
If you give a little more then youre asking for
Your love will turn the key
I , I just want to be your evrything
Open up the heaven in your heart and let me be
The things you are to me and not some puppet on a string
Oh , if I stay here without you , darling , I will die
I want you laying in the love I have to bring
Id do anything to be your evrything
Darling for so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that I feel for you is more then strong girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then youre asking for
Your love will turn the key
I , I just want to be your evrything
Open up the heaven in your heart and let me be
The things you are to me and not some puppet on a string
Oh, if I stay here without you , darling , I will die
I want you laying in the love I have to bring
Id do anything to be your evrything 

~ sung by The Beegees

Southern Belle Tilda

Hello, Dear Ones!

Well, I made another Tilda doll and wanted to share her with you.

 This is a Southern Belle Tilda in all of her finery.

This is not exactly a tutorial but I'll walk you through my steps.

 I cut out the body and you can see I added a little bit of lace to the top of the bodice.

 I made her some little ankle boots and she began to act all floozie on me!

I told her that was not her role. She did settle down a bit after that.

 Whew! I made her some long bloomers as quick as I could and she changed her act.

 I thought they turned out pretty cute with lace around the bottoms and I added little pink bows.

 Next came a long full slip and I also put a little pink bow on it.

 My Southern Belle is so proud of her bloomers 

and just wanted to show them to you one more time! :)

 Now the only pattern I had was for the doll body. I had to kinda make up the other pieces of clothing.

The bloomers and slip weren't hard to make but I wasn't sure about the puffed sleeves.

I had to have puffed sleeves since she was to be a Southern gal!

I made me a pattern and sewed up the underarm seam, slipped her arm in and gathered the top of the sleeve and sewed it to the body. There is probably an easier way to do this.

 I wanted her to be all frilly so I added lace at the bottom of the sleeves.

 I'm still ending up with a wrinkle at my Tilda's necks! Ugh! I hate that. I have pinned so many from Pinterest and have seen some wrinkles on others dolls too but I hate that wrinkle. So...I put pearls on her and that helped to cover up the wrinkle. She got some little pearl earrings too.

 I got out of order here. After I make the doll body, I make the hair. I don't always do the normal Tilda hair and this time I did my own thing. I laid my yarn down, cut a piece of brown felt that measured from her forehead to the back of her hairline and sewed down the middle where her center part is. I twisted two long pigtails into Princess Leia style buns, tucked the ends under and then took brown thread and sewed to her head.

 I did love how her hair turned out. I also added four little pin curls for bangs ~ Scarlet O'Hara style.

I'm so good! ;) Across the top of her buns I added little pink roses.

 The next step was to make her skirt! I made it very full. So gathered and full it almost looks like she has a bustle in the back. I like that. You can see I bunched up a little of the sash at the back of the waist and added another little pink rose. I used pink silk shantung fabric for her dress.

 Down the front of her shirt I added a lace insert. There are 5 layers of lace there and it just so happened to have the same little pink roses that I put in her hair. She has a sash around her waist with one more little pink rose!

Well, there you have my Southern Belle Tilda. I've made her for a silent auction for an organization Mr. Precious and I belong to. 

Just look at her! I told you she was proud of those bloomers! :)

I'm joining Dwellings for Amaze Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday 
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday 
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday 
Our Home Away From Home for Tuesdays At Our Home 
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday 
Shabby Criss for Sewing Tips and Home Living Friday 
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

Southern Belle

Na, na, na, na
When I moved south of the Mason Dixon,
I was hoping to find
The answer to my prayers waiting for me
On the other side.
I was chasing a dream, to play and sing,
But Lord have mercy, did my life change
When I caught sight of that blonde haired beauty
Staring back at me.
She was sweet tea sipping in a summer dress
Dancing around, her hair was a mess
Her pretty blue eyes, made my heart melt!
Raised in Dixie, washed in the blood
With long tan legs, what's not to love?
Driving a back road, with a rebel yell.
Oh the answer to my prayers
Was a Southern belle!
Na, na, na, na
With a slight drawl, from her soft lips,
She smiled and said " Hey, I'm Elizabeth!"
It was the prettiest name that I'd heard before!
Man, she lit up my world with her laugh and a smile,
And her down home charm was driving me wild
I wasn't sure just what I felt, but I knew I wanted more!
Sweet tea sipping in a summer dress
Dancing around, her hair was a mess
Her pretty blue eyes, made my heart melt!
Raised in Dixie, washed in the blood
With long tan legs, what's not to love?
Driving a back road, with a rebel yell.
Oh the answer to my prayers
Was a Southern belle!
Well I'm an Indiana boy on a Tennessee Night
With this Georgia peach laying by my side
Looking up to the sky, and thanking my lucky stars.
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Sweet tea sipping in a summer dress
Dancing around, her hair was a mess
Her pretty blue eyes, made my heart melt!
Raised in Dixie, washed in the blood
With long tan legs, what's not to love?
Driving a back road, with a rebel yell.
Oh the answer to my prayers
Was a Southern belle!
Na, na, na, na
A Southern belle
Na, na, na, na
A Southern belle
Na, na, na, na
Oh a Southern belle
Na, na, na, na
I love my Southern belle!

~ sung by Zach Dubois

Felties for Fall

Hello, Dear Ones!

Well, I thought I would make my little granddaughter, Carter, some felties for her little seasonal tree.

 I love making these little sillies for Carter

 I'm lazy and just didn't want to climb up into the attic and bring down my little feather tree and hang all of these little ornaments on it. So I grabbed the next best thing - my tiny little dress form.

 The little dress form for will work just fine to show you the felties.

What? Do you mean to tell me you''ve never seen a purple, red or blue squirrel? Hmmm. :)

 I think of harvest moons during the fall. I don't don't if these are harvest moons but they are kinda cute.

 We must have some acorns. I have plenty in my front yard. These are extra special because they have heart.

 Apples are so delicious around this time of year too. Don't swallow the seeds though ~ just spit them out! ;)

Pears! I love a soft, sweet juicy pear. These are special pears with flower tattoos.

 When it's fall you just have to have some pun'kins! These are blooming pun'kins!

 This season falls right into Thanksgiving and you know what that means ~ a few little turkeys to gobble gobble gobble.

 Now you've seen all of the little felties for Carter. 

I just received a call from her this afternoon thanking me for her special package.

She is so sweet.

 Carter dressed up as Dumbo for Halloween.

I love that little silly.

Here she is posing in a little outfit I sent her.

Now I didn't leave out little Camp. You've seen the burp cloths I sent to him! ;)

I found a cute little onsie with candy corn all over it but alas, my daughter didn't take a picture of him modeling it so I can't show you. I'm sure he's doing his thing - spitting up all over his new burp cloths! ;)

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Songs ~

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
Everything that's wonderful is what I feel when we're together,
Brighter than a lucky penny,
When you're near the rain cloud disappears, dear,
And I feel so fine just to know that you are mine.

My life is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
That's how this refrain goes, so come on, join in everybody!

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
Everything that's wonderful is sure to come your way
When you're in love to stay.

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
Everything that's wonderful is what I feel when we're together,
Brighter than a lucky penny,
When you're near the rain cloud disappears, dear,
And I feel so fine just to know that you are mine.

My life is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
That's how this refrain goes, so come on, join in everybody!

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
Everything that's wonderful is sure to come your way
'Cause you're in love, you're in love,
And love is here to stay! 

~ sung by Leslie Gore