over the edge

I have officially gone off the photo friday deep end. I put a vintage bead garland necklace on a cast iron garden finial....


...and I enjoyed every minute of it. A little odd, I know. I think it would be fun to work in a shop and have a valid reason to dress up inanimate objects. But for now, I'll just be happy dragging my possessions outside in the sub-zero temperatures (three degrees outside as we speak)...the things I do for my art!

We spent the last two days taking all the lights off of our pre-lit Christmas tree and putting new ones on. The strings had been temperamental the last couple years, so we decided to start from scratch. Apparently the original lights were put on by sadistic little elves in a workshop somewhere, as most of them were tied in knots and impossible to get off without wire cutters. I actually delegated that particular job to my middle son, and the occasional "I hate Christmas" was heard from the living room as he worked. I told him Santa has ears everywhere and he better watch his attitude. I was amazed that tactic didn't work as well as it did back when he was three. Man, I loved those years of perfectly behaved boys for the month of December.

Here are my two vintage Christmas finds for this year. At just a couple dollars each, they were too cute to pass up.


If you are, by chance, blessed to have a little one in your house this Christmas, please consider tying jingle bells on their shoes. It is pretty much the sweetest sound you can hear this time of year. Plus, it can help you keep track of a busy toddler - when the bells stop jingling, it's a sure sign the tree is under attack, or perhaps the cat is being decorated.

Well, back to the Christmas decorating salt mines. I have to have it all done by five tonight, as very special guests are coming for dinner.