Hi ya'll! Can you believe we're just days from Christmas? Two weeks from today to be exact. We put up the tree with all our ornaments, most handmade by me, one of my children, Madison, a mom, grandparent, or friend. I never forget who made an ornament and I hold them dear. I recently made a trip to the thrift store to pick up a few more decorative things and I was practically dancing when I checked out! I found some things I needed and some I wanted but before I show you, have I ever told you we live in a manufactured home? That means we are limited on space, wall space, and storage whether in the kitchen or the bedrooms. The only closets are in the bedrooms so my craft room closet has to hold so many things including seasonal decor.I have to be choosy with what I buy.
  First here's the tree.

I wanted some Christmas themed pillows and a few with red or green that I can use anytime and I found several.

They look so pretty on our new couch along with the quilt I made last year.

When I found this I had to get it because this can be up all year and I love the pop of color.

I needed a little greenery and a few things to set out here and there.

I put the red train by grandson Joshs' photo as he adores trains. I love the little drummer boy and the winder in back still works and plays the tune.We think this piece is vintage. It made me think of Connor.

I've been hoping to score a vintage metal toy truck as I love them and at Christmas I could put a bottle brush tree in the back. After searching the rest of the store, I headed to the toy section to see if maybe I could find something there. I was looking at the big plastic bags of toys when I saw red metal and realized what it was.Not a truck,but a tractor and I love it!

I found a few lanterns and came across a few village pieces that light up and decided to start a small collection  for a corner table. I've passed up dozens of these in the past so it won't take long.

I got the wood JOY kit at Goodwill a few years ago and covered two of the letters with card stock and painted the other. I painted the bowling pin snowman last year, made the wool Santa last year, and I recently made the fabric wreath. I love it.

I found a reproduction of a vintage radio that works. I love the shape of it as well as the sound of an older radio.

I made the coffee bean bag stocking for myself last year and Madisons patchwork stocking a few years ago. Chris'cowboy Santa stocking was a Goodwill find.

I got this metal and glass cloche at the thrift store and knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

I had these vintage kitchen items in a glass cabinet but put them out on this old scale we got at an antique store on a weekend trip.

This ladder with the elf pups was a 5.00 yard sale find several years ago. Yard sales are a great place to get a variety of things including seasonal items.

I've made several cosmetic bags and tried a new look with attaching tassels to the zipper and I love it. I'll have some in my Etsy shop soon.

Our home is small but it suits us perfectly and it's full of love,joy and peace.

As I go, I leave you with a pic I snapped of us with a friend yesterday just prior to the start of the Christmas party at the Women and Childrens Shelter in downtown Jacksonville.Our church offered boxes to fill with a list of suggested items, then the ladies and kids received them yesterday at the party along with a fun time of crafts, hot chocolate, cookies and face painting. I urge you to be a giver in your daily life, and do something this season for someone who has nothing to offer back other than a hug or a "thank you." You'll be blessed. Gina

A road trip to Virginia and some Christmas crafting

Hi Ya'll! I haven't blogged in a while and thought I'd share some pics of recent happenings with you. I went to Virginia in late October to see my oldest child and his family. It was unusually warm but Virginia is always lovely. The boys are getting so big, so smart and doing new things. We drove to Appomattox and toured all the buildings on the property. History was made there and it's interesting to see the artifacts.

  We went to homecoming at Liberty University where my son and his wife are alumni. What a fun day! 

  Of course my love for all things vintage caused me to take a few detours. The first was in my home state of Georgia to take a few photos of an old drive inn I went to as a little girl. The Georgia Girl Drive Inn. 

 When I got to Virginia and gassed up for the last hour of my drive up, I was drawn to some old, tiny log homes right across the street in a huge field. I drove over to photograph one and realized the door was missing and got to go inside!

  My time there flew by but I enjoyed every day. I started the 9 hour drive back and while in North Carolina I saw a sign for the Pigsah Covered Bridge. It was a little out of the way but so beautiful with all the farms, barns and fall decor on everyone's porches. When I got there and took in the beautiful setting of the bridge, I realized again - this is history.

  I had made a mental note on the way up to stop at one of the cotton fields in South Carolina. I don't think they'll miss a few branches  that I now have in a mason jar.

  Of course you never have to go too far to photograph the old and interesting. This almost 100 year old small store is just several miles from me. The gas pumps that were last there were purchased and moved to the property next door.

  Now it's time to get ready for Christmas. I made Josh and Connor their ornaments and sent them up to put on the tree. 

  Today I made the folded fabric star ornament for our tree. We do have a lot of ornaments, mostly handmade, but I like to make a few each year to add to our stash. 

  Us girls from our small group at church went o Painting With A Twist and enjoyed our time painting and snacking. 

  I'm working on sewing some Christmas gifts which I'll share soon. Till then blessings! Gina