Out and About

 

Good evening! Mo and I just returned from our sunset walk. 

Every day we look for the famous green flash as the sun sinks below the horizon, but we never see it. Urban myth? Mo refused to wear his Rainbow sweater or his Christmas sweater! 

                                          

Had a tantrum and hid in his bed!

It is a cold but still and clear crisp day, cold for December. We investigated  all the public areas looking for greenery since I don't think I will get to the garden center or Trader Joe's this year. So far I collected only a handful of pine cones, but I think next week I can snip some holly and ??? cedar?, some ivy even.

This year there have been many holiday fairs again, something I so love! But my friend refused to go, she empathizes with the hopeful sellers and not buying makes her feel too bad. I'm feeling a bit hard hearted, it never occured to me. And the main town is having its first Christmas fair this year. I proposed this about ten years ago, things move slowly here. Tents with music, wine, food, hot chocolate--and yes crafts. I hope to fit that in. I let you know!

I did manage a bit of real life Christmas shopping. Home Goods of course.

I just cannot buy wrapping paper online, and yes, I still do wrap gifts. It is my small joy and rebellion.

Our fun constantly improving Dollar Store was wonderful. [oh okay Five Dollar store, new nuance to the phrase five and ten, right?] So festive. This was a bit of a rush job trip for stocking stuffers and Christmas gift holders for the ubiquitous NY tipping requirements. Do you tip---everybody?....or it's a local custom here?

 Now that I'm looking at my pics I see things on the ornament walls I wish I'd had time to grab.

L snapped up the last Christmas lights necklace, it lights up and blinks! Jealous! Though I told her only she could make that look chic, in her black jeans, black cashmere sweater, and black suede flats.

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Fun fad this year is the popularity of cardboard putz houses, both vintage and new. I love this IG poster's brightly painted modern versions. [what's a putz house? click here 

Amazon has blanks: 

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And from my brother, one of his beautiful Historic Williamsburg inspired wreaths he creates each year. All fresh fruits and greens. If we lived closer I'd ask him to make me one with a Welcome Pineapple.

PS The Angel doll is almost complete. I will show you pics, as Nancy asked, after she is delivered, so as not to spoil the anticipation for her purchaser.

Have a good week. stay well.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

Angels on My Worktable

 

''a winter's day...

in a deep and dark December." [Simon & Garfunkel?]

                          

Hello, hello! Yes indeed it is a dark December day, earliest sunset of the year. One chart says 4.22 sunset, but it's so dark all day, who knows. Don't ask me why the sun sets earlier now, instead of on the Solstice, has to do with the tilt of the earth and, and and...? early sunset not on solstice

                      

I got an email the other day, a blast from the past. A much loved and valued customer got in touch wanting to know if I have any angels for sale this year.  At first I thought she meant angel ornaments and did a fast scribble sketch.

But she followed up with a photo of one of my angel dolls. Due to health issues, I haven't been making any new items for my temp-closed etsy shop, but I love to make custom items for friends I know are in sync with my style and who value the time and effort involved.

I quickly told her I have a prim doll unfinished on my shelf;

And a selection of exceptional antique and early vintage baby dresses. " I would LOVE to make an angel for you!" I said.

I am especially fond of these early 20th century batiste dresses. I tea dye them if a neutral effect is desired.

                                                   

This client loves fine handwork and she loves the 19the century christening dresses I use for my dolls.

We easily agreed on a general plan as she trusts my work, and once I got my mini tree up I began the fun part of gathering bits and pieces to bring an angel to life.

I have set aside tomorrow for washing and whitening Angel22's dress and petticoat. I can freshen and whiten but cannot guarantee there are no mends and stains remaining. This dress is perhaps 150 years old. I'll make her knickers later, using an old lacey embroidered hanky probably.

Notice the handknitted/ crocheted? inserted lace and deep bands of pintucks, plus dramatic length.

Let the fun begin.

I do have a selection of white and sometimes w/ red touches lavender hearts [not these], if anyone needs sweet small gifts and wants to see photos. Just pop me an email.]

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December has been stormy, only a few sunny days. We think we want the sun but its position low over the ocean is blinding. Lucky for me Mo loves colder weather. He happily wore his little all weather anorak and off we have gone, wet paws and all.

These neighbors are I think training their gigantic burning bush shrubs into a heart shape!

Scribble journal:

Mr Sunshine looks demented. I may redraw and paste a butter face, stay tuned. LOL.

An inspiration sprig of euonymus, gathered after a windy storm. It is not used at Christmas, is it? But so festive.

On the window sill is this c.1930-50 glass flower frog. I truly think my patience is being rewarded, as its slight lavender color seems to be deepening, slowly. 

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I'm trying to keep Christmas, and especially Christmas expectations very small this year. The days of big happy even boisterous feasts and celebrations seems to be gone, partly a new generation, partly covid taught us--me anyway--that a holiday is just a day sometimes.

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Dinner tonight, w leftovers, is fast pan braised Italian sausage [pork/ cheese/ basil], with sweet peppers and onions, everything cooked quickly in a skiller. Added Contadina smashed tomatoes w/ garlic plus a splash of wine and herbs to taste, simmer for half hour. Serve over [in this case, but any pasta is fine], calamari-shaped pasta rings from Home Goods. [Their pastas from Italy are delish and unusual.]. Shaved parm on top. Steamed buttered brussel sprouts on the side.

Tell your family that you love them!

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach...

******looking for Christmas in the village. Too premature, Santa had not yet arrived. Pleasant in a bleak cold day way though.

I think this bar decorates their buoy as their tree.

You may recall the one that escaped its moorings a few years ago and washed ashore in a storm.