It’s time to wish you a very merry Christmas or happy holidays, whichever you prefer, my good thoughts and wishes are the same! I am ready to celebrate the holidays and started by sticking with my tradition of decking the halls right after I enjoyed the Thanksgiving turkey. So true to form, I took down the fall and Thanksgiving decorations on Friday morning and headed to the Lions Club Christmas tree lot to purchase my tree. It was put in a bucket of water as soon as I got home to await the Sunday tree trimming ritual.
The rest of Friday and all of Saturday was spent decorating the entire house. It is easy to manage, because all my treasures and decorations are in huge red plastic tubs in my garage and are clearly labeled. Whenever I must remove items from someplace (like couch cushions) I just pop them into the proper tote, and they can rest there until I do the entire process in reverse. As I get each room done, the totes go back into the garage till the first week in January.
On Sunday morning my sweet neighbors helped me to bring in the tree and put it up; it takes 3 people because we need a spotter to keep things straight! After several attempts we succeeded, and I was ready to put on 8 stands of 100 tiny clear lights – my favorites. Then the most special part of the tree ritual came to play: All my vintage and heirloom ornaments are housed in an antique trunk that belonged to my grandmother and used to hold her “hope chest”. When I was born she started filling it with keepsakes for me and it contained some very special items from generations back. I now use it to store my ornaments and tree skirts.
Finally, by Sunday evening I could declare that my castle was properly decked out and enjoyed the beautiful lights and good vibes. Of course, there was a lot of cleaning to be done on Monday, but now I am ready to enjoy the fruits of my labor until early January.
November kept me busy with 2 restorations: I completed the Italian filet crochet bedspread panel that was pictured last month in its sad and torn condition and restored a machine-made needle weave tablecloth from the 1940 ties. I often get images of damaged items that have been machine-made, and the customer has trouble telling the difference. They are frequently disappointed that their treasure wasn’t handmade, but some of the antique tablecloths made by machine are very beautiful and valuable as well. I can preserve them by using a needle weave technique. If you have a piece (most often a tablecloth) and you are wondering if it was made by hand, there is a very helpful article online that makes it easier to decide:
I have certainly used this information and find it very helpful when you are a textile or fiber detective. I am so blessed to be able to restore the machine-made items as well.
October 12 through 15 I was demonstrating at the Folk Art Center, and we had the busiest weekend in many years! Between 1,100 and 1,400 visitors a day kept me busy greeting and demonstrating in the lobby. By Sunday afternoon I had lost my voice, but I didn’t mind because everyone was in such a happy mood due to the perfect weather and the most spectacular display of color in many years. The Blue Ridge Parkway was at its most inviting and rewarded our visitors with several bear sightings and beautiful views.
That weekend was a big reason to be grateful on Thanksgiving. I joined some very good friends in a delicious feast and celebration of gratitude. This season I am so blessed to be surrounded by all my Christmas treasures and decorations and I am ready for another 2 busy weeks in December before I can relax and fully enjoy the holidays.
December 2nd. I am participating in our annual Christmas Sale at the Folk Art Center and then I will be back December 7 through 10th. for my last demo of the season. December 9th. is the second Christmas Sale and I will be in the lobby demonstrating, so that will be a super busy time again. Many of our local customers do their holiday shopping at the Christmas Sales; everything there is discounted, so come by if you can and check it out!
After that I hope to have some time to bake and put some gifts under the tree for friends and neighbors. We frequently celebrate together and share wonderful meals.
My wish for you is that you get all your shopping and your projects done, so you can enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.
Peace on Earth and let it begin with me!
“I do what I love and I love what I do!”
Merry Christmas to all!
In the Studio:
The fully restored Italian filet crochet bedspread.
Needle weave restoration of a machine-made tablecloth.