Friday, December 24, 2010

We need a Little Christmas now

OK Mom, wrap me up........... put me under the tree :D
It's all about the baby.
A tiny Christmas tea set that had to come home with me too.
May we all reflect on our many blessings and give thanks this Christmas Season.
Angels - don't yah just love 'em ? This is a Noma angel from the 40's + 50's
This shepherd has such a personality. Looks like he's posing for me.
I found this (old) set at St. Vincents that is scaled larger than the usual sets.
The wise men and their transportation. One of the wise men had lost his head. He probably couldn't remember where he hid the gifts. But fortunately it was in the box, ready to glue.

Thank you all for following the blog, staying at the retreat, being family or friends. I love you all! Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2011 ! Patsy and Marty

Friday, December 17, 2010

In Memory of... Larry

Many of you have heard the story of where the 'original' log cabin came from but here is "the rest of the story".
The man in the photo above is Larry Drea (taken this Sept), one of eight children that was born in this log cabin. The building was located about 1 mile south of where it now sits. One night Marty and I were at the local tavern and Larry asked Marty if he could burn that old cabin. Since he had built a new modern home years ago. The roof had fallen in, but the four walls of the cabin stood defiant to the elements. Lucky for us. Well, the decision was quickly made, and we asked Larry if, instead of burning the cabin, if we couldn't relocate the logs. We promised to clean up the site for him, which I think is what he really wanted. Larry likes to mow lawn and I think the old homestead along with it's brambles of thorn bushes was encroaching on his acreage.

Anyway, weeks later, the tearing down began. Many family and friends were gathered and the work began. I labeled the logs "N" north, "S" south, "E"east and "W"west. And then 1, 2, 3 with the bottom one being "N1" and so on up the wall. I took many pictures both inside and out so we'd have a reference, just in case. That "just in case" proved to be invaluable. After the logs were relocated to a field on Marty's brothers' farm, they sat for a few years and were reassembled eventually. We really didn't have plans for the building itself at the time. Larry's place was cleaned up from debris and he has a nice smooth spot all filled in with dirt where grass would soon be growing. It was a win/ win situation. We paid Larry a token for the logs as we thought we got the better end of the deal though the 'real' work was still ahead.

Since we waited so long before putting it back up, the mice had chewed some of the labels off so we had a giant puzzle in the yard. This is where the photos helped tremendously. In 1996 our kids helped chink the gaps between the logs, and a roof was overhead. You can see our family's handprints in the 'gathering room'. In 2004, the cabin was getting a new purpose and what most of you all know as the Homestead Cabin Retreat was born.

This week, Larry completed his life here on earth and is spending Christmas with Jesus. He never married though I think everyone he met, considered him family. He had local kids school photos on the fridge in the bar, just like they were his grandkids. My kids grew up thinking Larry had a cat behind the bar as he would always 'meow' when they weren't looking. And years later, I seen him do that with a new generation. It brought a smile to my face. Though now, tears are rolling down my face. He was a great historian and remembered in great detail dates and names. He was a WWII vet and a friend to many. Larry, you will be missed on 'the ridge' but you have given to us, a lifetime of memories. Thank you.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pattern for Ironing Board Covers

Ok - this isn't the covers I made but it's cute.

Ironing Board Covers:
Since getting the wider ironing boards, I have realized the cost to replace the covers - even though it is just cosmetic. This is a pattern I came up with that I use cheap cotton decorator fabric from JoAnns or Hancock's . Measure the length of your board. You can usually get by with the 60" for the length. I recommend not using a light colored fabric as the starch and steam will discolor it quickly.

Lay freezer paper out on a table, turn Ironing Board upside down and trace around. Remove board, and add 3 -4" all around. That is your pattern you use to cut out the fabric. Measure 3 yards of string, 1/4" or 1/2" elastic and mark at 3 yards (don't cut) You should have about 4 1/2 yards of elastic for ease of installation. Sew raw edge under 1/4" Now fold under again to cover the elastic forming a casing. Secure end with safety pin. Sew down all around being careful not to catch the elastic in stitching. Now pull the elastic to where you made the 3 yard mark and sew it to the other elastic end. YOu can stitch the opening shut but i never do. If it gets worn out, I can pull out the elastic and reuse it.

Good luck and these would make great gifts for the fellow seamstress!
good luck.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas Retreat

The only group that gets to see the Christmas tree . Merry Christmas!

Cheryl got these at 'Yore' . Too bad she remembered to take them with her.


Rene's T shirt quilt




Yolande's Fractured 9 Patch

Carol's table of strips












Some of Carole's teeny tinys.



Linen and velveteen- mmmm lush

Yes, I got to sew too. A "Feel Good" bunny you can microwave


Cindy w/all her bunny friends

Susan's felted mice

Lisa's latest above + below

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Decorating for the Holidays


Get it all out there and look at everything first, then start to pick and choose.
My Aunt Mary had a few of these guys in her living room and they fascinated me. Kinda creepy but a memory none the less. We went to her house about one Sunday every month. Always dressed up in our Sunday clothes.