The PFATT Swap Ornies Have Arrived!

Ever since 2005, my eBay group PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Talk & Tea) has had an ornament swap. It's THE best swap EVER! I have participated every year and now have quite a collection of ornies from my PFATT sisters! They are some of my most treasured ornaments ever......all handmade from the heart.....those are THE BEST kind!

So I wanted to share with all my blog friends the beautiful ornies that I received in the mail yesterday! All wrapped up so prettily by this year's PFATT swap queen Kaf Grimm.....Thank You so much sweet Kaf for hosting the ornie party!

And pictured below are my adorable little ornies and who they are from starting from left to right........The adorable little grungy snowman ornie is from Arlene of Sweetthingsbyarlene***the sweet little green bag contained the little mushroom ornie, the Mrs. Claus gnome ornie and the red star ornie by Joanne of Disgustedcats***the amazing acorn ornie is by Danita of Danita Art***and the adorable little Believe star with the pocket full of goodies ornie is from Jody of Starspangledpretties. I want to thank all of you ladies for my precious ornies! I will treasure them forever! =o)

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

A Visit From St. Nicholas/'Twas the Night Before Christmas
by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

The Magic of The Polar Express.....

This past Friday night, Morgan, Jadyn & I went on the Dennison Depot's Polar Express. It was bitterly cold night and we were hoping for some of that white stuff to fall from the black night sky as we waited patiently for the train to pull into the station. There was lots of stuff to look at as we waited and picture opportunities too. All the Christmas lights were twinkling merrily and the Depot looks so magical at night.

We also had a special passenger that went along with us. My friend Joyce Stahl of Enchanted Productions made a Polar Express inspired doll. She went dressed in her little holly print nightgown and her special little tag that says "I Believe" and she carries her special bell too! We hope you will stop by her eBay auction by CLICKING HERE complete with music from The Polar Express.

We hope you enjoy the slideshow of pics..............

New Hang Tag/Ornies Listed on eBay this Week.....

I've listed these two adorable hang tags/ornies with easy and convenient BIN's of $9.95!

I used vintage repro prints of Ellen Clapsaddle's postcard art along with vintage buttons, ribbon rosettes, real silver glitter and hand stitching. These look so pretty hanging from a tree, a cupboard door or on a Christmas package.

I ship quickly so you will have them in plenty of time for the holidays or as gifts. Just click on their pictures to go see their auctions!

Happy Holidays!

Stop by the PFATT Blog Giveaway!

You sure don't want to miss this most awesome giveaway on Primitive Folk Art Talk & Tea ebay group's blog! There are some adorable holiday giveaways from 14 talented PFATT artists that you can sign up for a chance to win! All you have to do is leave a comment at the bottom of the post to get your name in the drawing or post the giveaway banner on your blog for two chances to win!

Here's a pic of one of my champagne cork real silver glitter encrusted ornies to hang from your holiday tree!



Just click on either pic to go sign up! Hurry on over.....you won't want to miss it!

Snowman Snowflake or Snowflake Snowmen? That is the question!

I listed a couple of these little snowman/snowflake pins/ornies on ebay the other day. These can be hung on the tree as an ornament or taken off the hang tag.....they're a festive pin to wear on your holiday coat! You get double duty from these little cuties. I've added some vintage mica flakes to give them that touch of shimmer like new fallen snow! Sorry the pics don't show the sparkly effect too well.

I hope you will stop by eBay and take a look at their auction..........

First Annual Gnadenhutten Lion's ClubTrunk or Treat....

This year the newly formed Gnadenhutten Lion's Club of which I am the secretary hosted the first annual Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of the Community Savings Bank parking lot located on the square and across from the fire station. Trick or Treat was from 6:00-7:30. This being our first one and being on a Saturday and a football game night too....we weren't sure what to expect as far as a turn out. We had 140 treat bags done up plus a bag of little candy bars of about 40 just in case we ran out. Well, by 6:35....we had run out of all our treats! Luckily, the other Lion's Club members had candy that they were passing out, so we were still able to give out treats from all the trunks. We were just in shock at the amount of kids, parents and 4 legged trick or treaters! By the end of the night, we were trying to guess how many there were and we were guessing the number to be somewhere around 300 at the least....probably more! So next year, we are making up at least 300 bags of treats.

We all had a great time and the kids and parents loved our idea of Trunk or Treat. I was so surprised that so few of them had ever heard of it before. The kids were so polite and I heard lots of comments about how nice it was and how much they loved the decorations.

I hope you enjoy the pics and if you live in our neighborhood..........you are more than welcome to come and join us next year. All you have to do is drive in, open your trunk and decorate it if you wish. We encourage the ones passing out candy to dress in costume too!



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We hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween too!

Jadyn & Mr. Pumpkin Head Scarecrow.........

I saw this pumpkin display in a friend's yard one day and I thought...what a perfect place to take a picture!

So, the other day I said to Jadyn.....come on! We're going to go take your picture with a scarecrow! Well, of course she said SURE....because she heard the word picture! The girl just loves to get her picture taken! She definitely does NOT get that from her Nana!

SO off we went!

After after having to practically force her behind those gorgeous mums.....I wondered why she was a bit hesitant.

And then her little voice said...."I'm scared." Awwwwwww!! I said it's ok....he won't hurt you.




Well you can tell that passed rather quickly as soon as I said, "Say Pumpkin Seeds!"



Just look at that big pumpkin cheesecake grin on her face! hahaha!


Happy Fall Y'All!!!!!!!!!

Haunted Houses & Vintage Halloween Costumes.......

Wish I had one that looked like these ones! I wonder how many little Trick or Treaters would be brave enough to come up and ring the doorbell?





Wish I had this costume to wear! You know what I never noticed until now? Her headpiece is an upside down bat! They just don't make kids costumes like this anymore!

Aren't they adorable? Can you just imagine their excitement for Trick or Treat back during the Depression?

And this is my all time favorite little girl! I know she isn't dressed up...but her victorian era clothing and that Jack O'Lantern with the candle in his mouth just melt my heart!

A pic of the most amazing spider web windows from the spookiest house I have ever been in! The Winchester Mystery House..........I would absolutely LOVE to be there to take a tour on Halloween night! If you are ever in San Jose, CA.....you absolutely must take the tour!


Trick or Treat my little dearies!!! CACKLE!!!

Trick or Treat....Paint My Face........

Doesn't take mch to make a little 3 1/2 year old happy! I think she's grinning from ear to ear just like the little JOL I painted on her face! Not much time for details when you're painting on a toddler.....lol She wasn't very happy when I washed it off while she was getting her bath though. Looks like I'll have to paint another one on her for Halloween night!

Happy Halloween!

An Amazing Halloween Celebration!

Stop by Vanessa of A Fancyful Twist's blog for one amazing Halloween Party!

I wish I would have had time to participate but these past two weeks have been quite hectic here with the trip to Northville, MI for Ghoultide Gathering, a show and the redecorating of the shoppe. Hope to make it next year!

Pandora Pumpkin Painting........

I've listed this little cutie in my ETSY shop. I wish I could get my camera to not make her appear so bright because she actually isn't. Believe me when I say that my pics do not do her justice. =D

Here's HER LINK.

Hope you have time to stop by and take a peek at her. She would love to grace your wall this Halloween season, but she's really to pretty to be put away when Halloween is over. SO I would leave her out all year round! ;o)

~~~Ghoultide Gathering........the most amazing Halloween Show~~~

This past Saturday I attended the most magical Halloween Show in Michigan! I don't know how many of you have heard of Ghoultide Gathering but it's one of the top rated Halloween shows in the nation. The list of Halloween artists doing the show was simply enough to make your jaw drop and the art just made you drool!

If you are a lover of all things Halloween.......you MUST mark your calendar for this time next year. Believe me when I tell you that you DO NOT want to miss it!

Below are some of the pics that I took while there. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside the show, so all of these were taken outside, at the hotel where we stayed and during our dinner Friday night with some of the artists, collectors and friends of ours.

Here's Joyce's newest eBay doll Maria who just insisted that she go along for the ride....and how could we say NO to her when she's wielding that big rusty meat cleaver around????


And she also came bearing gifts!


Friday night we had the best time eating out at Macaroni Grill with fellow EHAG and PFATT artist friends and new friends Dani from Spooky Time Jingles & Halloween collector and artist Hugh Luck. Joycee and Hugh drew little Halloween doodles on the paper tablecloth with crayons, then exchanged their artwork! What fun!




Scott's amazing pumpkin head scarecrows greet the visitors as they came through the tents at the entrance to Mill Race Village where Ghoultide Gathering was held.....




The crowds didn't let the rain dampen their spirits as they waited patiently in line for the doors to open........



I've waited for the chance to see these guys for the past 2 years now! Don't you just LOVE them!!





Two of the gorgeous floral arrangements that graced the tables as you entered the Cady Inn.......



The Blacksmith shop at Mill Race Village....


Joycee and Hugh strike a pose with one of the Big Guys! Watch out Joycee! I think he heard you say how much you love roasted pumpkin seeds......*giggle*


And last but certainly not least....Joyce and I asked Scott if he would mind stepping outside to have a picture taken with each of us. Don't you just love his victorian outfit? Part of the charm of this show is that most of the artists dressed up for the occasion in Halloween outfits. =D


Scott and I.....and what a sweetheart he is too! He also signed our copies of Art Doll Quarterly's Fall Issue of which he and Joyce were both featured in! Thank you so much Scott for putting on such a delightful show and giving us this chance to meet so many wonderful Halloween artists in one place. We had the best time ever and plan on making this an annual tradition!


Oh and here is a pic of my ID badges (made by my friend Becky Hart of Hart Photography) especially for the show so we could be easily picked out in the crowd..........


And here are my two purchases from the show. I wish I could have afforded to buy more but this gives me a good excuse to go back next year....right? ;o)