It's been forever since I posted here...will be back in the new year with some give-aways and new projects. Hope Santa is good to each and every one of you...Merry Christmas from sunny Florida!

Untimely Passing

A dear friend, Sandy Schmidt, and fellow stitcher and doll maker has passed away far too soon. I have many of her dolls in my collection and will cherish them always. If you knew this fellow crafter and would like to donate to her family in her honor, go to this link: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/helping-to-fight-cancer-for-a-young-mother-soon-grandmother/72363/update/56759

I won Barb's Heartstrokes Giveaway...

I received my ornament from Barb's Heartstrokes and the picture doesn't do it justice. It is gorgeous!
It is very delicate and colorful....beautifully done. Can't wait to find just the right place for it.

Winning this treasure was inspiring and got me thinking about my next giveaway. ..didn't last long though. Florida is in the midst of an unseasonally warm winter and the pollen has gotten out of hand. Last Sunday, I came down with a headache and then my sinus' went crazy. Spent two days in bed and even had to call in a sub for my kinders. Dragged myself back to school and finished the week so tired that I am spending this weekend trying to rest. My hubby is enjoying making fun of my voice which comes and goes all in one sentence. Hopefully this is the last phase of this mess and I can get back to what I love doing best...sewing and painting.

Wishing for some frozen precipitation or even just some wet stuff...
-Darlene xxoo

Christmas in the South...Florida Style

Well I spent 3 days at the Prime Osbourne Convention Center participating in "Christmas Made in the South." We (Deb & myself...Dodi was running a booth at the O'Connell Center at UF) set up on Thanksgiving morning and I still had time to eat my hubby's wonderful cooking with some of the family (hubby, me, my mom & dad, and my oldest son) in the afternoon. My youngest was on duty serving and protecting Putnam County, FL from crime but his girlfriend stopped by to say hello. My oldest son's girlfriend came for dessert (Southern Pecan Cake...made by yours truly). I neglected to remember to take pictures of our booth until Saturday morning. We had great sales on Friday, so the tables and trees don't look as full as when we started. 

It was a lot of fun meeting new people and seeing past customers who come looking for us. I really missed two ladies who weren't there this year (Sandi...The Olde Country Cupboard  & Cyndy...Crafty Stitchers) so I didn't do much shopping. Guess I will just have to get my fix on their blogs. I was lucky to have Monday off from school but had to return on Tuesday. It is going to be C-R-A-Z-Y until Christmas vacation in just 2 weeks. I have listed some of my goodies on my Etsy site and have already begun thinking about next year!

-Darlene xxoo

Sad News But the Show Must Go On...

Last week was a rough week around our house. As some know we are "Lab Lovers" and have three in our family...Bear, Riley, and Sydney. They are all siblings from two different litters. My oldest son Justin was the best friend and owner of the big brother Bear. The photo above is his smiling face! Well about two months ago he was diagnosed with cancer and was given 6 months to a year. His journey came to an end Friday night and he has moved on to wait for "his boy" to meet him on the Rainbow Bridge. It was devastating to my son and as a mom I hate to see my children in pain. This was him a few weeks ago with "his boy."

He was a great dog and will be missed by "his boy", sisters and all "his human peeps" each and every day.

Well the show must go on....and I need to get back to work for the Thanksgiving "Christmas in the South" event. I only have a couple more weeks to go. These are a couple of items I have finished.

These cuties came from a pattern by Sew Many Prims called "Lil' Prim Pals". They weren't originally made for Christmas but I do believe they turned out adorable.I also have eight of the micro mini Annies started and I will dress them for Christmas. Don't tell anyone but they are naked right now waiting for me to stitch their clothes! Hope to have them done by next weekend...that is if I finish all the wood in the next picture....

It is going to be a painting marathon around here! I saw this idea on Pinterest and adapted it to produce these personalized ornaments. I even plan to make some of them into "Gators, Dawgs, and Noles" ornaments. Here are the finished product...

Well that's all for tonight...better get my paintbrush working...

-Darlene xxoo