Our Tree Has No Lights (& a mini tour)

Christmas is at our house this year.

Last year we were the ones to travel

so didn't do any decorating, tree, anything.

Since this year it's here, 

we went and found a nice little tree last weekend.

There were several 'bottoms' along side the road

where people had chopped down a tree then 'topped' it.

We also found several that people just topped.

That kinda gripes me.

We decided to stop and get one of the bottoms along side the road

to use for boughs and such.

One of our little traditions is lighting the candles on the tree 

Christmas eve, but we usually have lights as well.

This tree is so simple,

I decided we would just have the candles and a few select ornaments.

I have several sheep ornaments and since we are the lambs...

We don't leave them unattended.

Usually, we sit a watch them burn for a little bit and chit-chat quietly.

Our unfinished mantel has lots of boughs and a few simple splashes of red.

Instead of our regular stockings, I just hung a pair of old wool socks

that are in need of some darning.

The nativity scene where the TV used to be.

And a simple candle with pine always seems comforting.

Wishing you all many happy Christmas blessings.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Traditions, Ideas, & a Gift Tutorial

As many of you are aware,

we don't have television.

Over Thanksgiving,

we were at my in-laws

who seem to have it on for

all but a few sleeping hours.

On our way home,

Mr. LB said, "No wonder people act so stupid."

We couldn't believe what was in the shows

and especially in the commercials.

We didn't 'do' Black Friday &

find it abominable that big box stores

started their 'big sales' on Thanksgiving.

Yet we know - so be it.

There are things that are so much simpler

and for us at least, better.

When the children were just youngins,

they would string cereal on jute

and hang it out for the birds on Thanksgiving

so they could be thankful too.

It was great.

I love that memory.

The year this was taken was extra-special for the birds.

They also got bagels with peanut-butter and bird seed.

One idea I recently ran across

is to make little pockets for the Christmas tree.

When you are taking down the tree,

strip the needles from some of the branches,

and put them in the pocket for in your dresser drawers.

Then you can be reminded of Christmas

every time you open your drawer.

I thought it was a great little tradition

so here's what I came up with.

I made a very simple version

and will probably make a few more

just for a few friends.

(Just letting you know: I used some scraps I had.)

Also, I used a machine, but they would not be difficult to do by hand.

I like the more primitive look (in the real sense of the word)

so I tore a strip of tea dyed muslin at about 4 inches wide.

Then cut at about 11 inches long

Depending on the width of your fabric,

you can get 3 or 4 pockets from one strip.

Then tear an alternate color at about 1/2 inch wide.

You will need 2 that are about 4 1/2 inches long

and one that is about 4 inches ~ the width you tore your muslin.

I wanted the selvage across the edge so left it.

I used a small scrap of iron on interfacing.

This is where the button hole will be.

Also, on the second one (green) I stitched one of the

1/2 inch strips across this end and liked it better than without.

At the other end, I stitched under about 1/4 inch. 

Stitch a button hole in the end with the interfacing.

(Not done in the picture yet.)

Lay the two 1/2 inch strips along the sides. 

Fold her up and stitch along the sides

(after button hole is sewn of course.)

See below~ 

 Sew button in place.

Fill with pine needles and Christmas memories.

You could get as fancy or as detailed as you wanted.

I thought about stitching "NOEL" on one.

I may or may not do that.

I do like the one with the extra strip of color.

(The green along the selvage.)

If you know someone uses a fake tree,

you could stuff it with cedar shavings.

Other than a floral arrangement and using the Christmas napkins,

I don't decorate until a week or so before Christmas.

I do enjoy Christmas,

and like to keep the focus on the real meaning.

I know others do so differently~ 

it's all good.

Wishing you all Peace, Happiness, and Harmony

this Christmastime.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Company Coming for Thanksgiving? Inexpensive Memento Idea

These are simple and add a bit of sparkle to the season.

All you need is:

Borax, boiling water, pipe-cleaners, and a jar.

(oh and a pencil and scissors)

If you have company spending the night,

you could have them twist up their snowflake

of pipe-cleaners at night.

There are a ton of possibilities:

a simple asterisk, a star, or something more detailed

like the one above.

Hang the snowflakes in a jar

supported by the pencil across the top.

Boil water.

Add about 3 tablespoons of borax to each cup of boiling water.

I like peanut butter jars, because they have a wide mouth.

I let my borax solution cool for about 10 min.

so it wouldn't melt the jar.

If you are using a glass jar,

you don't have to wait.

Just pour the borax solution over the snowflakes.

Now... go to bed.

When you awake~

A couple of notes:

*You can use colored pipe-cleaners & it will add

a little tint to them.

*You can add a few drops of food coloring to the borax solution.

*Be sure that they are not touching the bottom

of the jar (they'll stick.)

*And lastly, be sure that the jar is filled to the top of

the snowflake.

Or it will turn out like this one - oops

I almost didn't show you,

but sometimes it's as helpful to know

what not to do as it is to know

what TO do.

I like this one, but the top wasn't submerged.

They are fun and sturdy for what they are.

Kids (& adults too) can take them home

with them and hang them on their tree.

Fun for the whole family.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Bathroom Tree

Yes, you read that correctly.  I have a tree in the bathroom.  It is just a small tree, but I look forward to decorating it each year (for the past couple years.) My bathroom is kinda an aged peacock color with black accents, white porcelain, claw-foot tub, a bachelor's mirror over the sink, and an antique dresser. That said, the tree has white accents rather than the standard red and green.  

Whole View

There are also some crocheted snowflakes a family friend made.  Her husband said if she was making old fashioned snowflake ornaments, that she had to starch them with sugar like in the olden days.

Some are regular flat pretty little snowflakes, and some are ice cycles and some are three-dimensional.

I don't O/D on the ornaments for this tree; however, I think a few white feathers tucked in here and there would be beautiful.  Hmmm, might have to do a little more shopping.(Ah shucks)
I love the look of it when the lights are off.

I have had fabric to make a little tree skirt for quite some time, but alas it's still in the form of fabric and not in the form of a tree skirt.  Maybe next year;)

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Trim the Tree & Deck the Halls

What? No Halloween Tree? Gasp!

This weekend, I dug into the autumn time bin and did a little decorating.  Each year, we decorate the tree with all kinds of ornaments, some homemade & some store bought, orange and purple candy canes, & black and orange glass balls.  We string the orange lights on the beautiful black branches and take a breath as we plug them in and see it illuminated against the night.  I am working on a quilted tree skirt so it won't always look quite so bare about the bottom.

A few years back, I found a set of Halloween ornaments & nabbed them as it's not something easy to find.

My daughter made this little purple spider years ago  - you know, before she was cool:-)  Actually, she would probably make it all over again today.

I made several owl in the moon (above) and the little hat (below) ornaments.

When the kids were reeeally little, they loved making chenille candy canes so of course, those will always have a place on the tree.

Oh, but we don't stop there - un uh.

There are signs of the season here.

And here.

Grampa's clock has some company.  Looks a little out of place, but so be it.

Made her many, many full moons ago.

Sweet Otis Ryan always makes me smile.

This year I have a special treat to hang above the wine rack.  If you missed that one, you can click here. 

I love autumn.  I don't so much care about being scary, but I love the nostalgia of the season - the games and traditions of long ago come to surface within my heart, and the crisp breeze blows everyday worries away if only for a little while. Everything is pleasant and good.  Our blessings are abundant, and we are genuinely thankful.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches