Another Gift that Can't be Wrapped

As I told you in an earlier post, our house is in the midst of a construction project. This week has been filled with banging, sawing, and dust. I missed some of the activity by going to work, but there was plenty of evidence of the activity when I returned home.

The bathroom was moved and after the construction team left for the day, my 'demolition team' went to work. Matthew, Nathanial, and Jonathan had the walls and ceiling down and out into the dump truck within a few hours.Here's a picture of the original lath of the wall between the hall and dining room. The craftsmanship of this old house is amazing.

Here's a picture of the old stairs after the bathroom walls came down...

Here's a picture of our beautiful new, safe stairs...

What an amazing gift!

A Gift That Can't be Wrapped

I started a tradition many years ago of making each of the children a quilt every 5 years. This year Nathanial received one for his birthday. He didn't receive a finished quilt...just the top. For Christmas I wanted to complete his quilt and make one for Matthew. (Matthew didn't get one for his 20th birthday so I owed him one.) I also had seen a quilt kit in a catalog that I knew Jonathan would love. I've had the quilt kit for many months, but didn't get around to putting it together until this month. I also wanted to give a special gift to our friend Bob. He helps so much throughout the year, that I really wanted to make him a quilt. Two weeks before Christmas I found a flannel quilt kit at a local quilting store that was labeled "A 2-Hour Quilt". I figured I could find 2 hours within the 2 weeks. With some late night sewing I did finish the quilts in time for Christmas giving.

Christmas afternoon I had the gift of seeing my 3 sons enjoying their new quilts (Jonathan is underneath the solar system quilt)...
And I can't forget the dog...
One of the best parts of making handcrafts is seeing people enjoy them.

Christmas Day

It's hard to believe that Christmas 2010 has come and gone. We had a wonderful celebration starting with the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at our church. The girls both took part by playing their instruments. The 2 little boys went for the first time and enjoyed receiving 'glow sticks' for candles. (The church decided glow sticks are safer than open flames for the younger attendees.)

Rachael got up with Jonathan around 4:30 a.m. but kept him from waking us up until 6 a.m. Jonathan put his glow stick in my face and informed me that it was Christmas day and time to get up!

Each year we say we're cutting back on gifts, but there always seem to be a mound of presents under the tree. This year was no exception...

Jonathan was thrilled to get some Legos and Dad helped him put together his new sets.
This is what the room looked like after the exchanging of gifts...
One of Matthew's favorite gifts...a new nerf gun
I finished all the machine sewing of the 4 quilts before Christmas, but didn't get them all tied before putting them under the tree. Here I'm tying Nathanial's quilt...

Notice who's enjoying the quilt before Nathanial does! (Captain, is never far from a cozy sleeping spot.)

The Week Before Christmas

Life in the Jackson household is never dull, but it's especially busy this week before Christmas.

The boys are done with the semester of college and are enjoying having some time to relax and get together with friends to play computer games...

I'm finally getting the Christmas letter sent out. Wayne wrote it for me this year, which is why it got sent before Christmas instead of after.

It's been very cold the past couple of weeks and Katelyn decided to demonstrate just how cold it is...

(While doing chores they emptied a bucket of water that was partially frozen and she decided to see what it was like to look at life through ice.)

Our church has blessed us with the gift of having our stairs reconstructed to be safer (less narrow and steep). Wayne has tried to get the project accomplished over the years, but it's a challenging project and requires more experience...and better backs! The contractor and crew have time to do the work now, so in addition to the holiday activities, we have construction activity. Jonathan greeted the men this a.m. with a "Good-morning! Let's get to work. I'm ready to do teamwork!" Here he is discussing the plan of attack with the construction crew.

I've had a very productive day of sewing...I might actually get those projects done by Christmas!

The finished product

Here's how Wayne's macaw came out...

Putting the Pieces Together

It always amazes me to see how the raw bits of a craft come together to make something useful and/or beautiful. A dried old log can become a beautiful wooden bowl, as we've seen at the store, or a pile of glass scraps can become an attempt to freeze the beauty of God's creation to be enjoyed. I've been looking at bird feathers; seeing how imperfect each feather may be but it is a critical part of the whole. I'm amazed that no feather of any bird or butterfly has a pigment that can be used to reproduce the color. So I've been toying with the idea of this tropical bird for a while. Here are the results so far.

I start with scraps of glass, a bit with a certain "grain" or "imperfection" that catches my eye as it reflects or filters the light.

Then, apply the pattern and do a lot of cutting and grinding (trying not to include my person in the cutting!) then its assembling the pattern.....

and you'll have to wait for me to take the next step to see the process. But here's a sneak peak at what I'm aiming at.

So as you see the cardinal, jays and chickadees around, be amazed that each hair on the feather is actually refracting the light in a specific pattern that makes the color of the bird. Our God is so meticulous in design and we are all so very privileged to be either grateful or just plain amazed.....then be thankful.

December 'Doings'

So what have we been doing?

The Holiday Market that we've been participating in has been keeping us both very busy. A group of the participating members had a meeting today and voted to continue on with the shop into the new year. We'll be re-organizing over the next few weeks and moving onto the next stage of a year-round shop. Wayne is looking at patterns and has some great plans. I'm also searching for project ideas for the coming months. I'm hoping to develop a line that connects children's literature with fiber arts. Stay tuned as I try to work out the kinks. If you have any favorite children's book that features a fiber art in some way, please feel free to share the title so I can have a variety of fiber arts featured.

Wayne has been making tree decorations and bird sun catchers. Here is a sample of his birthstone angel order that he filled for the women who work at our family doctor's office...

I've been knitting socks, embroidering mitten decorations, and painting snowmen candy jars/candle holders and gift bags.

Each year we have a true sign that it's Christmas time. Nathanial helped an elderly woman do things around her home several years ago. One day when I went to pick up Nathanial, Mrs. Tama had a huge Christmas cactus in her living room covered with blossoms. I commented on it, and she told Nathanial to go into the basement of her garage and get a cutting that had been placed there. She told me that I might be able to salvage the cutting with a little TLC. Well, here's the picture of our piece of Mrs. Tama's Christmas cactus...

Mrs. Tama has passed on, but we think of her often as we enjoy the beauty of this little plant.

Thanksgiving Blessings 2010

I'm finally getting around to downloading the pictures from our Thanksgiving weekend. We had a wonderful day (weekend) with all the children home.

Nathanial caught up on sleep the first couple of days and then he and the younger ones did some heavy duty Lego creation building. We broke the turkey tradition by having one of our own farm-raised chickens (which was almost as big as a small turkey!). The kids love to have the treat of sparkling grape juice or cider. Matthew always adds a bit of acting to any event...

We enjoyed having our friend Bob join us for the day. He brought shrimp, which the adults and Marc found delicious.

Marc is very excited because his goat "Pumpkin" is pregnant. She's affectionately known as "Plumpkin" these days. This picture doesn't show her full roundness, but we warned Marc we better tether her down or she might start floating over the garden and then she'll be the "Great Pumpkin" of the Peanuts cartoon.
Jonathan's weekend was made when we had snow. It's melted now, but it won't be long before he'll have plenty to enjoy.

Gourd all dressed up

If you look way-ay-ay back in our posts you'll see some of the gourds we grew in our garden a couple of years ago. We dried them with plans to use them in our handcrafts. A woman from the Holiday Market found out we had dried gourds and purchased some from us. Tonight she sent me a picture of one she painted for the shop...

Isn't he adorable? It's amazing how those moldy, brown gourds can be transformed.

The shop has been so successful that I'm spending all my spare moments trying to keep inventory in stock. The biggest seller by far is the catnip mice made from felted sweaters. The 2nd best are the embroidered mitten decorations. It's been a lot of fun working with the other artists/handcrafters. I know how I'll pass the winter months...preparing for next year's holiday market!

Jon's Find

Jonathan has been growing so fast that he's outgrown all his pants that we started out with in September. I stopped into the thrift shop with he and the 2 girls this afternoon and found several pairs of pants for him. It was 1/2 off day at the thrift shop so I was especially pleased to find pants for him.

Jonathan had been browsing through the store with the girls. The girls found some Christmas presents for their brothers. They were happily discussing the items when Jonathan saw me and called, "Mom, I need to show you something!" I went with him and asked where we were going. He answered, "To the coats." I couldn't imagine why he wanted to go to the coat section, but as soon as we reached the rack I understood...He had seen this wonderful lined raincoat.

As you can see, it fits perfectly, and since it was 1/2 price, I couldn't say no. So our little fireman is happily walking around the house in his new coat with a big smile on his face.

November Projects

November 1st the Unadilla Holiday Market opened in a storefront on Main Street. We joined in on the market and this is a picture of our display before opening day. The shop will be open through Christmas Eve and is doing very well for a new shop in a small town. We've made our investment back in sales already. Wayne has cut glass items on display, too. He has several projects still in the works and hopes to get them to the store soon.

Here are the best sellers of my product line...catnip mice

and embroidered felt mitten decorations.When I'm not cranking out more of these two items, I'm working on alpaca/merino socks to fill orders. Here is the first of a pair which also has some bamboo blended in with the alpaca. They are so-o-o soft (the color is black, but it turned out to look more gray in the pictures).

It's wonderful doing what you love!

Memories Made

A week has passed since my last post, and the days have been busy, but I had to share some of the special memories of the week...

The 3-day art class was a huge success. What an amazing couple the Stebbings are! I am so very thankful that God blessed our lives with the 3 days together. Before they left on Saturday afternoon I had to get some pictures of them with some of the family...

Mrs. Stebbing went home with a bit of our farm. She is wearing an ear warmer made from Arthur Angora's yarn. She also has a felted catnip mouse to share with her cat family back in NC.

We're now enjoying DVDs of Mr. Stebbings teachings. Ian excitedly exclaims, "It's our Mr. Stebbing! I know him!" Ian loves to try to identify the artists of the artwork featured in the program.

Jonathan called from the upstairs bathroom yesterday, "I'm in my chrysallis, and I'm about to hatch!" I went upstairs to find him 'hanging' in his chrysallis sleeping bag from a towel hook.

This is the 'hatched' butterfly spreading and drying his wings...

On Wednesday Jonathan has swimming lessons. He was so excited to go this week because his
teacher told him that after the session, he'd introduce him to a fireman. Jonathan is watching the digital clock on the microwave so he wouldn't be late for his lesson."Fireman Frank" gave Jonathan a patch from an old uniform, a fire helmet, and a fire dog magnet. Another wonderful memory made.

Creativity in Progress

For the past 2 days 75 area homeschoolers have had the wonderful blessing of being taught by a very gifted artist from North Carolina.

Barry Stebbing and his lovely wife Saundra from How Great Thou ART Publications have been traveling the country for many years teaching a 3-day art course to homeschoolers. They are an amazing couple who not only share their love of art, but their love for the Lord and His magnificent creation.

The children are taught basic drawing and painting skills, art appreciation, using colored pencils, paints, markers, pen and ink, and so much more. Parents and children, alike, are enjoying the challenge of the lessons and the excitement of discovering that they can learn to draw and paint with discipline, perseverance, and practice. We have children as young as 5 taking the class and doing very well. Mr. Stebbing has also taught at nursing homes, proving that you're never too old to learn!

One of my budding artists, Kate, is on the left in the blue shirt.

And 2 more of my little artists...

We have one day left of class, but I believe that the days of drawing and painting in these homeschoolers' homes have just begun!

A Sunny Fall Sunday

Last weekend we had the whole family home again. Nathanial had a long weekend and was able to come home for 4.5 days. I know these days are probably going to be rarer and rarer as the kids grow up so I treasure any time that we're all home.

Sunday we decided the alpacas had to have their monthly shot (against meningeal worm). This is typically a very vigorous workout since one alpaca in particular decides to fight us every step of the way. I've been dreading the process ever since the last experience where 'Misty' gave such a fight. Rachael got them into their barn so she could halter them. We decided that 'Misty' was going to be first so we could get the worst over with. As we were waiting for Rachael to harness another alpaca, I was standing next to Misty who was patiently waiting at the door to be let out. I looked at Nathanial and nodded for him to give me the injection. Before Misty knew what was happening, I had given him his shot and he was allowed to go graze in the pasture. What a relief! The other 4 were almost as cooperative...only one little kick in the ankle by Peter.

Since we didn't use up a lot of time giving injections, we stood around enjoying the beautiful afternoon and watching the kids play toss with the football.

Matthew had to pose on top of the apple tree that we lost in a strong wind/rain storm a couple of weeks ago. Of course, the 'little guys' had to have their turn. Nathanial lifted them up and Matt would help them perch on one of the stumps. They thought it was great.

Matt got this picture of Wayne and I without our knowing it. Wayne was admiring the leaves on the maple tree and I was watching Jon get the football.

Brittany also enjoyed having everyone home. She acts like a pup again when Matthew takes a few minutes to give her some attention. Of course, all that exercise tires her out so she climbs up into her favorite chair by the woodstove and takes a nap...in the most uncomfortable position!

As usual, life has been hectic. It seems like the days are flying by as fast as the leaves are dropping from the trees!

A couple of weeks ago Marc wasn't feeling well. Captain continued to provide the TLC that only he can provide when an illness strikes. Marc recovered by the next day and was back to normal.

Jonathan surprised me the other day by coming to the door while I took advantage of some lovely autumn sunshine and yelling, "Say CHEESE!" I turned to find him with the digital camera. He did a pretty good job of snapping the picture. (I'm not going to include all the other photos he took...one of the smoke detector, his lego toy creations, the floor, a close up of his face, or the close up of his open mouth!)

Jon decided to enter his 'space capsule' and travel to outer space the other day. He wanted a picture of him getting ready to 'take off'.

And I had to share a pic of our 2 'little guys' being silly.