Do you have a favorite Christmas tree ornament?

I know many of you have your Christmas Trees up and decorated before Thanksgiving, but if you're like me and wait until closer to Christmas here are a few tips on decorating the perfect tree.

Step One:  Hang Christmas Tree Lights.

Step Two:  Add Christmas Tree garland.

Step Three:  Hang Christmas Tree ornaments.

That raises a question on how many ornaments do you put on a Christmas Tree. According to Better Homes & Garden you need approximately 70 ornaments for a 7 ft tree.  If you go really big and have a 8 ft tree you need 80 ornaments, 9 ft tree you need 90 ornaments and if you go all out and have a 10 ft (whew) tree you need 120 to 160 ornaments and a large step ladder.  And don't forget the tree topper, that will add additional height to your tree.  

As I've aged and my children now have their own Christmas traditions I don't put up a tree.  I can now enjoy their decorations without pulling all those boxes out of the closet.  However, this year I did pull my boxes of ornaments out, just to see what all I had.  What I found was several vintage Hallmark Card and Avon ornaments that were my favorite for so many years.  I decided instead of keeping them boxed up in a closet where no one was enjoying them I would put them up for sale on #Etsy.com.  Several have already gone to good loving homes and that makes me happy.  

If you need more ornaments to fill that 7 or 8 or even 10 ft tree check out my #vintage #ornaments at 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/stormrowstudio?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=25032448 

  This is just a sample of what you find on the above website.  

HAPPY TREE TRIMMING!!

 

#jigsawpuzzlelovers

Recently I had a small medical issue that resulted in limited lifting and walking restrictions for a duration of several months.  Preparing for this I put the house in order, stocked the freezer and refrigerator with lots of good food.  Then I began to address all this spare, possibly boring time I was about to have.  Not one to watch a lot of TV I decided to load up on books and knitting projects.  While at the book store my shopping companion and I noticed a shelf of puzzles.  She thought this might be a good way to keep me busy for a while.  Not wanting one of the 1,000 to 2,000 piece puzzles, I agreed upon a 550 piece puzzle that looked very colorful and fun. 

                                                                                                                                                                     

Now I haven't worked a puzzle since my grandchildren were small and most of those were of the wooden type.  But years ago when our family worked puzzles during the long winter months, I do remember that you should put the edge of the puzzle together first, after turning all the pieces face up on the working surface.  Which I proceeded to do.

Day one and two:

 Once that is done you are free to work as you wish.

Day three:

 I have to tell you that there were several surprises in this puzzle.  I began to find pieces that I didn't have a clue to where they were to go.  Finally looking closely at the box top I saw items I hadn't noticed to begin with. I didn't see the butterfly at the top or the tape measure above the gold thread. I was also surprised by the colors in the fork at the bottom. I guess that's why it's called a puzzle.  Right?

All in all I loved working with the colors and articles that were represented in this piece.  It's all things that I deal with in my art work, love of clocks and unusual objects.  These were things I really didn't notice when I bought the puzzle.  I was mainly looking at the different shades of yellow.  

It was bitter sweet when I placed that final piece in the puzzle.  I almost wished it was larger so I could work a few more days on it.  

Day five and the finished puzzle:

 I have to admit I left the finished piece on my dining room table for another week.  I just didn't have the heart to tear it apart and put it back in the box yet.  Finally I decided enough was enough so Gretta, my helper, and I disassembled it.  Hopefully it will be passed on to someone who will enjoy it as much as I did.

 Now that I've worked this one, there will be more puzzles in my future and who knows I may venture to the 1,000 to 2,000 piece puzzles.  But that remains to be seen. 

Storm Row Studio - featured artisan

I have some exciting and fun news.  stormrowstudio/etsy owner #RhondaMcCormack is featuring me as a guest artisan in her #Etsy store.  She has chosen my knitted washcloths and knitted purse pouches as the featured items, which are two of my favorite products.  


To be included with the amazing art that Rhonda has in her store is an honor.  She uses up and recycled new and vintage papers and fabrics in her artwork.  Her most common technique involves many steps and by layering tissue, pattern, art paper with fabric, embroidery thread, acrylic paint and glaze, patterns and textures develop organically.  Much of her material has been passed down from her grandmother. 


It took us almost a complete day to stage, photograph and complete the posting of my products.  It was a lot of work and I found out it's not a simple process to get everything as perfect as possible.  But in the end I think it turned out great.  Of course, we had to have our tea and cookie breaks which gave us much needed energy.  All in all it was a productive and fun day. 


If you are interested in seeing any of what Rhonda or I have on Etsy, you can log onto etsy.com/shop/stormrowstudio.
You can also follow her on patreon.com/stormrow or stormrowstudio blog where she is featuring her latest writings. 

LITTLE HATS, BIG HEARTS

As several of you know February is National Heart Awareness month. And yes I know that February is almost over, but the month has gotten away from me and I really want to acknowledge the #AmericanHeartAssociation for all that they do to educate families about congenital heart defects when their new born babies are affected. 


This year I found out about a program called #LittleHatsBigHearts.  The AHA provide red premie and newborn hats to hospitals that request hats throughout the state.  And the need is overwhelming.  It's a volunteer program for anyone who wants to #knit or #crochet these hats.

     When I began I just thought I would knit a few hats and send them on their way.  But in doing so I learned that these hats go through a process before being sent to the hospitals.  The hats are sent to the AHA staff who properly wash, package and pair them with educational materials for the new parents.  Each family receives a letter from the AHA that highlights resources for healthy living. 


After finding out the process it made me feel even better that I had decided to make this small contribution.  As they need hats all year long, not just in February, this will be something that I add to my other knitting projects.  As long as my stiff hands hold up I'll be knitting for AHA, #PracticalArt and family members.


www.heart.org/littlehatsbighearts
www.practical-art.com