Once again its time for Friday Show and Tell - a fun day created and designated by Kelli from her blog "There is no place like home". If you have something you would like to share, just click HERE and you will be taken to Kelli's blog where you can put your name on the Mr. Linky list too!

I have two things I'd like to share with you today. The first is an apron I have. The past few times I've visited all the participants in the Show and Tell I keep running across someone called "The Apron Queen" - I'm posting this for you, specially as you would appreciate this clever little apron.





This is the full length of it. The first one I saw was made by my friend Marie. If you have been a regular visitor to my blog, you will remember Marie, she's the lady with the Alpacas!

The one Marie showed me was given to her and was hanging off a chair in her kitchen. Hers did not have a 'bib' on it, it was just the jeans and frill part. I was gaga over hers. She saw my admiration and she said "I can do THAT!" And she did, for me. In fact I had her commission one for my sister too.




How COOL is this - repurposed Levi's for the kitchen?

I asked Marie if she might make a bib on my apron because I rarely get messy on the actual apron part - but WATCH OUT on the top! I've been known to have doughballs in my hair at times.



The second thing I'd like to share is this beautiful old chair. Its where I hang my apron, handy for when I need it.

My Grandma had a chair just the same as this, only upholstered in a turquoise blue plastic. Us kids all grew up using that chair. It was a treat to climb up on it and enjoy one of her cookies. We always felt taller. I wonder how many generations sat on her chair.



I found this chair at a yard sale about the summer before last. We had not been in our house for long so were still able to buy some small bits of this and that to outfit it. Oh what fun that was - yard saling with a PURPOSE.

My Mother in Law and Father in Law were visiting and they came out with us. The moment I saw this chair I knew I HAD to have it. My Mother in Law bargained for me (she does guerrilla bartering) and I took it home for a mere $5.

Its always a hit with guests, both big and small.



It comes in so handy for getting things out of high cupboards too - or washing the top of the fridge every so often when the dust bunnies and cobwebs lurk!

Then the little stairs fold neatly underneath. I love my little chair.

layout by blog reader Michele
credits: Worship the King Mini Kit by Barb Derksen

This layout was sent to me by Michele who used a mini kit I'd uploaded last year. I think its perfect the way she framed everyone in here. Thank you so much for sharing, Michele!

Layout by blog reader Judy
credits: Paper and Snowflake Overlay by Barb Derksen

And this very elegant and festive layout was created by blog reader Judy. Thanks for sharing as well.

I love to feature reader's layouts - so if you have made something using my kits or elements please send me a small jpg or link (with credits) and I'll blog you!

I have been recieving requests to revive some of my older kits, specifically my Christmas Season ones - so stay posted, I'll be feeling merry and generous one day soon.

And is everyone up for a contest? Alicia is having a celebration of her 100th blog post (woo hoo!) and she is putting a hardbound NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a leatherbound journal up for grabs for some random, lucky (or should I say 'blessed') person. To be eligable just post your favorite holiday, Thanksgiving or Christmas memory and then link back to Alicia's blog post and your name will go into the 'hat'. Just click HERE to go to Alicia's!

My fave holiday memory:

My husband and I usually travel to our parents for Christmas, but this one year found us stranded at home, due to the foul winter weather. At first I was so distressed and upset to not share it with our folks, but once we got used to the idea that there was no way we COULD go, we found ourselves with a VERY RARE time with no plans. No obligations. Nothing, just a few days when we could just be alone together.

I recall we even had snow at the time. So we put up a teensy tree and decorated. Usually if we were going away we would not decorate. My mother in law decorates enough for everyone - LOL.

So, we decided to decorate and created our own festive atmosphere. We were able to take part in our Church activities - that was important to us as well. And we lived across from a hill and we had snow and we were able to buy a crazy carpet and a 'saucer' and we went sliding. And somehow our house key got lost. And we had to call a key guy to break into our place.

And we snuggled, and watched movies and spent some very wonderful time together.

Don't get me wrong, I would not trade being with family for anything, but it was rather nice having my husband all to myself - kind of like the BEST Christmas gift of all.


With no further ado, here is the second ornament I promised - unadorned so you can decorate it to your heart's content. PS - I'd love to see what you do!

download

If you would like to join in the fun of Show and Tell Fridays, just click HERE sign up at Kelli's blog!

An ORIGINAL!

I snuck my little trip in to the thrift store yesterday - between picking up a few last minute items for Mr. Miles birthday. While I was there I checked a rack I normally overlook. Most of the clothes are simply 'dated' and far too big. But yesterday, this dress caught my eye.

I looked the tag up on the internet - only found one other Dress Town dress - I think it was on ebay - a german sales add for a pretty, soft mint green shorter dress. Asking $100 US. From the small amount of information I could glean, this was a company from Manitoba, Canada.

It came with this broach affixed - a perfect match to the pretty pearl accents sewn onto the neclkine and wrists.



I'm not sure if you would call this an 'empire' waist?

The belt ties at the back into a bow.

click to view larger

Hangs to floor length. This dress is 100 polyester - the kind they used to make ladies stretch slacks out of, heavywieght. I'm grateful for this because I get cold easily. I will appreciate this in the winter.

While my hair still had a bit of curl from dressing up for Mr. Miles' birthday celebration last night, I had him snap a photo before leaving for a workout at the gym.

This cost me an entire $2...

Canadian. With our dollar the way it is, this is REALLY inexpensive.

Thank you for all your comments and well wishes for Mr. Miles birthday yesterday. We had a wonderful day, and we have more quiet plans this weekend. So, I will be visiting everyone for Show and Tell - early next week!

Thanks for visiting today!

My friend JanMary has invited and encouraged me several times to join in the Friday Show and Tell and I've always hesitated. Till today. It looks like fun so here is my little addition. Thanks for inviting my JM! (don't forget to check out JM's VERY interesting family history show and tell on her blog by clicking HERE.) If you would like to join in the fun of Show and Tell Fridays, just click HERE sign up at Kelli's blog!

I'm going to share about dolls. These are not ordinary dolls. I know of no store you could ever purchase one of these for they were all handmade by my Grandmother. She and her sister, my Aunt Margret (who was also my Godmother) made these dolls for many years. I really don't know where they came up with the idea for them, or got the pattern from.

credit: Judy Forsyth
(my sister in law - you can visit her blog HERE)

Grandma made two types of dolls. The first ones were these adorable clown dolls. They came in two different sizes. They had vinylette shoes with elastic sewn in so children could slip their feet in them and 'dance' with the doll. The hands had little 'mittens' as well, with a tab of velcro on each, so that the doll could 'hug' or hang on for the dance! I had many happy dances with these dolls!

I think in their lifetime Gramma and Aunt Margaret made several thousand of these dolls, all the money going to charity.

Red Riding Hood Doll

This is MY doll. I had a clown one once upon a time, but lost it somewhere along the way. I love the Red Riding Hood though. Grandma didn't branch off making these till later on. I suppose that after a thousand or so dolls she may have wanted a change.

Turn Riding Hood UPsideDOWN and ...

The sales of these dolls were completely by 'word of mouth' only. Someone would tell someone and then Grandma would recieve a letter and cheque in the mail. The dolls went all over the world, eventually. I remember one time there was one ordered from Japan!

There's GRANDMA!

There were always several bodies in various stages of being completed sitting on her couch when we would come to visit. She always took care to cover them up with a blanket if their bodies did not have 'clothes' yet. Too funny! She would chuckle and ask how we would like it if someone came to visit and WE had no clothes on...

Notice the little wire frame glasses too! The clown dolls all got a touch of real 'blush' on their cheeks too.

The BIG BAD WOLF!

I washed wolfie and some of his felt teeth fell off - I must take him to the 'dentist' one day soon.

I shopped with Gramma a lot when she would buy yards of material. I can still see her sitting and trying to decide which color/pattern of material for each doll. There was a tremendous amount of work in each doll too - I'm sure each one took several weeks.

She made black, white and ... well pinkish or tan colored dolls too, something for everyone.

Memories of Grandma

Gramma passed on December 4, 2005. I miss her more than ever. I'm so glad I have one of her dolls as a sweet memory.

Thanks for allowing me to share with you!

*****

I also want to share a ministry I've become involved in. My friend Amalia came to Canada many years ago from Argentina. We became neighbors to her about 10 years ago and became fast friends.

Each year Amalia and her husband travel back to Argentina to visit family. They come from a small villiage in an impovrished area about 16 hours out of Buenes Aires. Each time they travel back they help the people there. They give food, clothing and help. They take people to get medical aid. They help build. They personally see that every penny, every item gets DIRECTLY to the children and families in need. They also have a heart for these people to know Jesus as their Savior - so this is a faith based ministry as well.

They also gather and send many, many items from home here. I've donated some things in the past, but this year I was able to come help package items up, VERY inspiring. I've assembled a slideshow of the process.

From Movies

CLICK THE BLACK PRESENTATION SQUARE TO VIEW

You will have to hit your BACK button after watching the movie to return here.

If you would be interested in helping this ministry you can contact me for more information.

It was amazing, but after I decided to post about this ministry, for this area, I was thinking of putting some information together about the region - what the culture is like, the plants etc, and lo and behold, I came across a blog that can give you a good overview of what its like. BETTY is a transplanted Canadian who is in ministry in Paraguay - thats the state next to Argentina and its very similar. Betty would love for you to visit and she's invested a good amount of time into putting together a terrific presentation.

It sounds like you are making a difference where you are, Betty - and I will be lifting you and your family in prayer!

You can visit Betty and see her presentation by clicking HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today - I'll be back next Friday, if not before!

If you are looking for some DELICIOUS downloads (free of course - but leave some love) both KimB (click HERE) and LouCee (click HERE) have some lovely things to play with!