Christmas Decorations are UP.....Thank goodness!!!!

Whew....finally.....got all my decorations up and they (if I must say so myself) look rather marvelous darlin, simply marvelous..hehe!!

I'm not one to go out and buy new things each year to use in my decorations. Nope....not me. I love all the memories that go with all my well loved and worn items. A good friend even gave us some of her very loved old items to add to ours this year and it made us HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!! (Looking around) I really shouldn't have started watching Duck Dynasty...hehe...can't keep that phrase outa me head now.

I was so afraid that we weren't going to have our big tree this year...I kinda had a meltdown due to the fact that the top was bent so badly that I couldn't straighten it out AND I couldn't find the gosh darn tree stand that went with it. I mean, ya can't put up a 8ft tree without a stand. Well, I guess I could have if I could have talked the Chazman into standing there and holding it up. For some reason he wouldn't even consider it.  The Mister got in from work the day I pulled everything out and fixed the top (it still leans just a bit but that's alright) and he had been using the stand to hold our backyard umbrella up. Go figure!!

Since you're here visiting why not let me show you our 2013 Christmas decorations......well...come on!!!!!

This is what you see when you walk in our front door. Welcome to Regi's B&B. It's not really a B&B but some family and friends refer to it as that because I have it fixed up into a cute lil room for company. I don't always serve breakfast so keep that in mind if planning on visiting. ^_^

Since the B&B was originally a porch, there is another front door to go through and that takes you into our family & dining room. (old house so the two are one big room)

If you want to print a Believe banner just go and visit 

At Second Street. You will LOVE her blog..so many

awesome ideas, recipes and she has the cutest family.

I LOVE using my ooaks (one of a kind sculpts) in my decorating. You can see Red, the painting elf sitting on the left side of the mantel and Daddy's Santa on the right. He is one VERY special ooaks and if this is your first time visiting me here then please click on Daddy's Santa and go read all about why he is so special.

This is the dining room part of the family/dining room. The phone table is all decorated too and it's looking Beary nice, don't ya think? I got to use another of my Santa ooaks and this one I'm probably not going to sale. The Chazman really likes it and wants to keep it. See the pretty small cloth on the table with the Christmas bulbs on it....well...that's a sample piece of upholstery. You can use anything when decorating and SEE....the tree doesn't lean to much either. Ohh just turn your head a bit to the side and ya can't even tell at all. We love our little Christmas village and it's grown about as big as it can unless Momma gets a bigger table. (hint hint)  The Santa is one of the old loved pieces my friend gave us. She knew the Chazman would love him AND he does. Santa sings and dances and you can even hook him up to a cd player and he will sing with it. I will get a video soon so you can see. That is if I don't karate chop his head off. I keep forgetting he's there and when I come from the kitchen back into the room then there he is. He looks like a real person....ok ok...a small person but HEY, I know some short people. (not mentioning any names..hehe)

Most already know that I love to use my vintage images in a frame I have over the sofa during the holidays. That's ANY holiday....from New Years all the way throughout the year to Christmas. The Chazman loves this one...can ya see why? Look closely (click on the photo) now do you see? His name is in "The Book". Well, the good boy book of course!! He thinks I found this image with his name already there. I'm not going to tell him that I photo shopped. (shhhhhh, some things are better just left alone, ri iight?)

 The little bear is holding mistletoe and we all know

what your suppose to do when walking under it.

Aren't I sneaky? I mean everyone goes in the kitchen.

Of course the kitchen gets decorated too....every counter..hehe  I love my collection of Christmas mugs on the shelves. There again...I need more room!!  The wreath is one I made with vintage Santa mugs along with mugs for each of my boys that represent their first Christmases. Sitting on the tall table is another of my Santa ooaks. See..they are good for decorating with. (another hint hint..hehe) I also made some new signs to hang. I used the backs of my vintage tin signs that I have hanging every day. The walls just looked way to nekkid without them being  up. I used more vintage images and even some old Christmas cards and sheet music I had. Like I said...you can use just about anything to decorate with.

 Vintage sheet music image, Santa image, some garland and I added

the words "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus"

Top sign has scrapbook paper as background

with one of our old Christmas cards and I

printed out the words

HoHoHo.

Second one has green construction paper, vintage

sheet music and old Christmas card.

The Chazman has his room decorated too. Another gift from our friend is his little tree. It's fiber optic and spins and he LOVES it. It has fallen over a few times (poor thing is missing a leg) but we finally found a way to keep it propped up and NOT topple over anymore. Ohhhh the Southern redneck way of doing things..hehe...we used some of his old game cases. HEY...they work!!!

Our decorations may not be elaborate or fancy but they make my child Happy Happy (I will not add the last Happy..hehe) and that's what counts. I kinda like them myself and now I can sit back and enjoy them!!

Tomorrow I'm working on some of my chenille bump ornies for our trees. I only have one left of the original ones but that's alright. I LOVE making them and I will have to stop once I get enough for our trees because I have other projects that need to be started and finished before Christmas day. Like a new wreath made with (drum roll please) a swimming noodle and coffee filters. Yeppers, ya read that right. If any one would be interested in a "How To" just let me know and I will post one for you. After that I have some bracelet holders to make using (another drum roll ppplease) toilet tissue holders, old CD, scrapbook paper and/or fabric pieces. HEHE, ya read that one right too. Again, if anyone would be interested in a "How To" just let me know. 

Until next time.........HUGS,

Regi

Santa and the Antique Toys.

Most think of Santa as that "little old driver, so lively and quick" as the old stories go....but....he truly is the one and only original elf. The ONE, the TOYMAKER, the MASTER himself.

He carved out of wood or hammered and nailed some amazing toys that I can guarantee never sat on a shelf.

He read all the letters of each little child and took his designing with all that in mind. There were little carved trucks for the good lil boys and hand stitched dollies for all the lil sweet girls.

There were even some pull toys made with love and care, like elephants and tigers and polar bears. Beware!

The toy that Santa favored and loved the most of all was a sweet lil elf he hide in a box. A box with a crank that would turn in a circle...would make the elf POP and make the children all giggle.

Santa the toymaker we should never forget or his amazing antique toys that throughout the years have brought joy to so so many girls and boys.

That little old driver so lively and quick is one to BELIEVE in whatever his hat. Elf or toymaker, he's in our hearts from childhood to adulthood. What else could be better than believing in that!!

Santa and the Antique toys are one of Southern Ooaks original designs. Sculpted by hand without the use of any molds are his head, hands and feet. A strong wire armature underneath with a body wrapped in wool yarn. His hair and beard are sheared lambswool. His costume made from vintage fabrics. Some toys were found here and there and some were hand sculpted with love and care.

This Santa has  been adopted and is going to live with a wonderful family. I hope they have as much joy with him during the Christmas holidays as I did designing and sculpting him. Safe travels Santa!!!!

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi



I some how didn't do a story for this ooaks when he was originally done so now he has one....whew...I feel better!!

Santa just LOVES those candy canes!!!

It's November and Santa loves this time of year. It's the time that he gets to take out of his busy schedule to go and let the children meet him and whisper to him what they so most want for Christmas. Nothing delights the jolly old elf as much as seeing the brightness in their eyes and catching the contagion of their giggles.  For years he has given each child a small gift after they have given him either their one wish for that truck or doll or have unfolded that almost never ending list of toys. HOHOHO  That gift is a specially large size candy cane that the elves themselves make at the North Pole. They are simply magical and none other taste as good.

This year Santa had a small mishap with one very giggly little girl and one big old sticky candy cane. Little Khloe was SO excited that she was going to meet Santa this year and get to tell him that she wanted a big cuddly teddy bear. That's all she wanted....just that bear....she could call all her own. Khloe already had a big soft bunny and a bright yellow tiger and she needed Mr Bear to complete her tea party group. I mean, what's a tea party without Mr Bear, ri iight?? Khloe giggled the entire time she whispered to Santa and squealed with outright delight when Santa said he felt sure "if she had been a good girl all year" that a teddy would be under her tree on Christmas morn. As Santa handed Khloe her candy cane, she took a lick and then stuck it up to Santa's face so he could get one too. Unfortunately, Santa was already starting to stand and nodding down at her and instead of getting a lick, his beard got it. Now you would think there would have been a moment of silence but like I said before.....giggles are contagious and everyone started to laugh.

Santa and Khloe are part of my 2013 Santa ooaks series. Santa has a strong wire armature that has been wrapped in wool white yarn. What I call his underclothing. His face, hands and feet were hand sculpted using clay without the use of any molds. He is detailed in acrylic paints and his eyes are bone beads that have been hand painted using acrylic and fine MICA powders. His beard and hair were made out of sheared lambswool. His suit was sewn using vintage fabrics and the trim used was made from faux fur. His boots were hand sewn using felt. Santa even has a gold wedding band on. Mrs. Claus would expect no less!!!

Khloe has a strong wire armature that has been wrapped in green hued wool yarn. Her face, hands and feet/shoes were hand sculpted from clay without the use of any molds. She was detailed using acrylic paints and her eyes are also bone beads hand painted using acrylic and fine MICA powders. Her dress was sewn from a pretty vintage embroidered napkin. I so love being able to repurpose items. Her hair was made out of sheared llama hair. Her candy cane was sculpted from clay and detailed using acrylic paints.

Santa and Khloe are sitting in a twig chair that has a heart back pillow and seat pillow that were hand sewn. The chair is sitting on a rug made from a piece of upholstery fabric. Again, I so love to repurpose items. ^_^
Both are permanently attached to a small wooden base that has this piece sitting at 13 inches. Santa and Khloe are permanently attached to the chair and to each other. We don't want a toddler jumping down and running off now do we....NO...I think not!!

Now if you have been following along with the designing of this piece then I bet you are wondering if I  have totally lost it OR did you even notice something changed?  HAHA...you didn't even notice. OK ok Johanna, I'm sure YOU did. ^_^  The lil girl's name was Sarah J but her name has been changed to protect..oh wait...that would be for another tale (tall tale...hehe) her name was changed to Khloe because one of my dear, sweet friends and collectors fell in love with her the moment she saw her. The reason was because she reminded her of her sweet, darlin great granddaughter...who's name is....YES....Khloe!!! Since she wanted to adopt this piece then I felt that I really should change the name. I want my collectors HAPPY HAPPY!!
My muse has already been whispering of another ooaks that lil Sarah J will definitely be a part of in the future.

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Psssttt....one of Mrs. Claus recipes for using some of the candy canes that are left!! So so good!!

No Bake Candy Cane Cheesecake Bites

Ingredients:
1 pint chilled heavy cream
3 (4 oz each) packages of cream cheese softened to room temp
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup crushed candy cane

Directions:
*Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
*Pour heavy cream into a bowl and with the whisk attachment whip cream until soft peaks form. Gently transfer whipped cream to a separate bowl and set aside.
*Using the original mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla and with the paddle attachment gently beat until fluffy. Using spatula fold whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture.
*Divide mixture among the muffin tins and smooth down with back of a spoon. Sprinkle the candy canes on top and gently press down into batter.
*Place in freezer for 6-8 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, tap tin on countertop to release bites. Transfer each one to a small foil mini cupcake holder.

*Makes 24 (betcha can't eat just one...hehe)

Santa looks like a biker dude!!!

WOW...another chilly morning here on the suppose to be warm southern coast.  I'm not complaining AT ALL about it either. I do love chilly weather....in small doses. hehe

I have been waking up rather early in the mornings and this morning was no exception. The house was quiet and that's a great time to work on my projects. Ya know right now it's Santa. Yesterday I put part of his coat together, got the pearl buttons sewn on and trimmed around the bottom in fur (faux fur)  This morning I cut out his hat, sewed it up and trimmed it in fur. After I took a WIP photo for my post I thought to myself, "Santa looks kinda like a biker dude".  LOL  Hmmmm....that might be a future ooaks!!

I plan on getting  him completed this morning. Since the Mister is at work now and the Chazman has been taken to school...the house is again....quiet!! Well, as quiet as it can be with my two furbabies sitting here either snoring or dreaming of a caught mouse and licking their lips...ROFL  I was actually able to get a good one of Boo this morning. She normally turns away from me or hides when she sees the camera but not this morning. Gotcha ya!!!  Well not ya as in you but ya as in her. Ohhh ya'll know what I meant!!

Her fur is soooo black that it's hard to see her. Sooo black in some areas that it actually looks red. She is a love though and I'm so happy that she and her companion Callie adopted us.

Now....time for more coffee and work, work, work. I hope that your day will be a great one. Do something FUN today!!

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Do you remember visiting Santa? Loveman's in Normandale, oh yeah!!

WELL...... it seems that the Mister must have dreamt that he was a mummy last night. I came to that conclusion due to the fact that  I awoke this morning with no covers and icicles hanging from my ears. Ok ok perhaps there were no icicles but it was purty dang COLD and I didn't have any covers. The Mister had
totally and completely wrapped himself up in them...like a mummy!!  I so hope that YOU don't sleep with a
mummy too....so so hope!!

I'm sitting here drinking my THIRD cup of coffee and not sure if I'm doing it because I love coffee that much or if I'm just wanting to hold the mug to warm my fingers up so that I can work on Santa some more...hehe
So far....Santa has pants!! YEAH...that's a good thing because it's to cold to be running around NEKKID!! He also has his boots on which is another good thing....keeps those tootsies warm. (HEHE...I actually have on TWO pair of socks. Do you know how hard it is to put flip flops on with TWO pair of socks?) I'm working on the trim to go around the top part of his boots. I'm using thin white cording and doing a twisted square knot. I think it looks really good...adds some "UMPH" to his boots.

I think Santa was trying to blow his breath on his hands to warm them up.

I'm hoping once my hands thaw out..HAHAHA ummm I mean HOHOHO...that I'm going to get this guy finished. I already have his coat and hat cut out. I just need to get them sewn up and on him. I haven't done a traditional dressed Santa in quite some time. Do you remember going to see Santa...sitting on his lap and whispering to him what you really wanted for Christmas? Yes..I whispered...I was soo shy!!  Loveman's department store in the Normandale shopping center was were the REAL Santa always came and I have some very fond memories and a few not so fond. Like the year one of my sisters SCREAMED the whole time she was sitting with him and the elf taking the photo just said "SMILE".  Yeppers, she took that photo with my face being very "What can I do" and my sister balling her little eyes out. Like I said....memories and why this Santa will be in his red fur lined outfit.

The REAL Santa at Loveman's in the Normandale Shopping Center.

I wanted to ask a question. When do YOU decorate for Christmas? I have always, always done ours the weekend after Thanksgiving. It's become a tradition but I have to say that after yesterday I'm having a very hard time fighting the urge to start decorating NOW!!!! It makes it even harder when the Chazman is begging me to do it now too. The reason is not that I'm working on a Santa...if it was then my house would stay decorated all year long...hehe!! It's because our sweet and loving friend, Janine, brought us some goodies yesterday. Thank you thank you Moma J (that's what the Chazman calls her...she is such an awesome adopted Grandmother) 

Can ya believe all the goodies? Chaz is really excited about the 4ft tall Santa. He isn't up to his full height sitting in the box...hehe  This Santa sings songs and dances and you can even hook him up to your radio and he will sing with that. AWWWESOME!!! There are two trees...one is 4ft and going to be sitting in Regi's B&B (the front sunroom) and the 5ft one that has fiber optics and turns is going in the Chazman's room. There are gumdrop lights (what Chaz calls color lights because when you look at them and squint they look like "Gumdrops") there are some vintage peppermint candy light covers, some cranberry/gingerbread men/peppermint garland and many more. I will show you more when I do decorate which might be soon. No, I will wait....umm....maybe. ^_^ 

 Now...I have a question, do you see the orb by the dresser? I took about three photos of this same shot and this is the only one it appears in. I have two friends that are "sensitive" to spirits and have made the comment that we have a few that like being here with us. I think one wanted to check out the decorations too, eh?  Ohhh and the fuzzy little thing in the bottom left corner, that's not a spirit...that's Callie. She loves having her picture made....such a ham. Boo doesn't like it so much!!

Until next time......Hugs,

Regi 

Happy Veteran's Day!! THANK YOU!!

Our freedom has come at a great price and I for one want to say "Thank you" to all those that fought so hard for all of us to live in the land of the free.

I'm still steadily working on Santa and the sticky beard and I must say having to look at this candy cane all day is making me want one badly!! I just love the kind of peppermint that melts in your mouth.....ya know...the old fashioned kind. Nom Nom Nom!! OK OK I'm getting off on a tangent...sorry!! I did get Lil stinker aka Sarah J finished today. She looks so darn cute and you can just see the mischief in her eyes.

 Looks like she is saying "Ta-Dahhh, I'm here"

 She's going to lick it....oh yes she is!!!

She's asking if you want a lick.

I'm really proud of her and the Chazman made my heart sing by a comment he made. He told me that she looks just like a little girl straight out of a vintage Christmas postcard. What a compliment and from a 10 (almost 11) year old. Life doesn't get any better, eh?

I'm working on Santa's clothes now. He is going to be dressed in the traditional red suit and fur trimmed cap. I'm so hoping to get him finished by tomorrow. These old eyes are acting up a bit and I want this piece done before they go kaput on me. So much to do.....

Until next time.............Hugs,

Regi