HO, HO, HO!

Created with a halo from a horse's tack, and wire wings from a mystery piece, this Joyful Junk Angel is holding a wreath during this Christmas season. 

I made her for my resale booth...my junk angels are flying out of there...but I think she will stay around our house for awhile. 

She's a bit of plus size girl so she fits in really well here. All of the wood used is very hard, so I guess you could say she's really hard headed too...even more reason for her to stay with the determined lot in my home.

Her elegant footing is an old lamp base. Lucky for me it fit perfectly into the porch post. The porch post was purchased at the Historical Society Flea Market sale that I wait for each year. It is by far the hardest wood I have ever tried to drill into...resorted to gluing most of the parts together. The post was created in sections too.

Made to hold a wreath she is shown here holding a somewhat tacky wreath made from a wire basket tray type thingy. The silver ribbon was way too long, but when first arranged looked very nice. Not so much now after being moved and inspected by family.

Not as big of a girl as the 9 ft. Junk Angel Midge posted a few weeks ago, but she can hold her own. She's a little more than 3 foot tall.

Her elegant base is an old lamp base. Lucky for me it fit perfectly into the porch post. The porch post was purchased at the Historical Society Flea Market sale that I wait for each year. It is by far the hardest wood I have ever tried to drill into...resorted to gluing most of the parts together. The post was created in sections too.

Every girl needs a little glitz...
necklace was created by a former student and adorned another project until I snatched it.

I'm linking my Joyful Junk Angel with Beyond the Picket Fence...stop by for a visit! 
There's lots of under $100 gifts to see there!

Of course she's on JunkMarketStyle!

Full view with out stretched wings and a strong determined stand.

Every girl needs a little glitz...necklace was created by a former student and adorned another project until I snatched it.

I'm up late...

my usual thing to do when I am out on a break from school. 

I love staying up late, in a semi-quiet house. 

Tonight's background sounds are coming from upstairs. 

My son is practicing his double bass and 

the metronome is keeping time with a soft clicking sound. 

Other sounds are from the movie "Eat, Pray, Love"

I am trying desperately to keep up with the story!

It's a good movie, but a little deeper than I need right now.

Another sound is the crunching sound from the Chex Mix I shouldn't be eating.

Oh well...for now I'll eat it, I'll pray about it later and I love it...

Listening to my son playing up stairs as caused me to be a 

Contemplating Mama tonight...

He will soon be 25 years old.

A quarter of a century. 

Where have the years gone?

Along with sitting and trying to watch Julia find her purpose in life, 

I am looking at my Christmas tree...

stay with me now, 

I am rambling 

with a purpose...

there are ornaments on that tree years older than my son, 

and there are some just a few weeks older than he is.

When I was pregnant with him I had a bit of trouble right before he came into the world and the Dr. put me to bed. Not one to just sit, or lay in this case, I had to do something to pass the time. 

So with a craft book beside me in the bed

I tried my hand at the German paper cutting art...  

Scherenschnitte. 
It was a learning experience but I managed to make 
Scherenschnitte Christmas ornaments.

They've been on our tree each year for 26 years now, 

and held up fairly well. 

We have our own little paper Nativity scattered over the tree...

I know there is probably a sermon in this, but this year I misplaced the Baby Jesus. I should find Him and post Him. 
Maybe along with that sermon. 

 When I look at these ornaments each year several things go through 

my mind and heart...

how fast time flies, how I made them as I waited for the birth 

of my one and only 

and how I heard as I was watching TV from the bed 

about the death of one of my favorite art students. 

He was killed far from home in Newfoundland after joining the military. 

He was around 14 when I taught him art in my gallery and frame shop. 

He loved to draw army planes and tanks, and no matter what we were drawing for the class, he would work them into his picture. 

He was very tall for his age, and would have been a wonderful soldier.  

That was an emotionally mixed time... sad for a loss, but mixed with happy anticipation over my son's birth. 

Also, a time of satisfaction for finishing the paper cut ornaments, and learning about a new art form.

OOOOOO one more...

A dough ornament I made when we first got married almost 29 years ago...I pushed the dough for the lions mane through the holes in a salt shaker top, and then covered the entire piece with Mod Podge.

Still one of my favorite ornaments.

A little bit more late night rambling...

Blessings...

I visited my 85 year old Aunt Kathryn today. She is still full of life though her memory is fading. I took Gypsy with me...Aunt Kathryn plopped right down on that floor with her! 

I guess I'll have to wait for 85 to do that cause 

I certainly can't do that now!

 I love her dearly!

Late night contemplating my blessings...

 a family, memories, movies, ornaments and...

the Baby Jesus!

He's always there...sermon over.



I am joining in the merry making at  
Bobbypin's Boardwalk's Bragfest,
Savvy Southern Style, and 
Common Ground...
stop by!