2nd.DG Victorian Santa Workshop - Now the fun begins..#4

Wow, we don't visit anyone for Thanksgiving or Christmas. My dad is 6 hours North and mom is 6 hours west and the possibility for ice at the end of December is pretty good so I just don't travel then. The phone works fine, Dave cooks a full Thanksgiving dinner for just me and him, so we usually have a candlelight Thanksgiving dinner with some wine by ourselves. Christmas is pretty quiet too, I love it. Dave said he's going to put the Halloween decorations back up and get the Christmas decorations down at the same time, but I won't start decorating until after Thanksgiving. I don't know where I'm going to put the tree this year hhhmmmmm.

Aren't you lonely Crissy without family around at Christmas..do you have sibblings...

the year before last I decided because the boys and their spouses had so many stops with the kids Christmas Day that I opted to have it Christmas Eve Day...which was wonderful, no one was in any hurray, we all spent the day - so enjoyable..but then come Christmas morning after I went to Greg's to watch all open their gifts, I could see all the neighbors with family galore and I was so very sad, lordy think I was in bed before 5..so vowed that if I ever spend Christmas at home again, it WILL be Christmas day, even though they'll run in/run out...

It will be fun for you to decide where you want everything..sounds as though Dave gets involved in the decorating..thats wonderful..I had to watch Roger, he'd never ooohhhh/ ahhhhh at much when I made it, then we'd have company over and they would do so, before I could utter a word he'd be saying 'take it home, Betty can do another' then with eyes aglow they'd look at me, now how could I say NO... men

woot i got a santy face Mom didnt tho so should be tomorrow our mail is screwy

All in one piece...lol

OK, Betty! I just hung my last years wreath! It still looks good! Just couldn't wait, either!

I think so I have not been up there been dealing with a moran idiot all day. Thanks Betty, I will be up at moms this evening.

Betty,

We Europeans (maybe not all...but for sure the Northern ones...) always celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Always have--always will. Christmas day is for visiting other relatives and friends.

I think the American tradition of having Santa come around on the Eve-and decorating the tree and putting all the gifts and such deprives young children of being a part of all that pleasure.
Children should DEFINITELY be part of decorating the tree! Displaying THEIR hand-made ornaments--wrapping THEIR gifts to whomever, etc....just being a part of all that.

Then--going to Christmas Eve Church service where you can sing all kinds of carols to put you in the mood, and then coming home and having a "Party" with your family--eating dinner and other goodies--opening all the gifts and all that.

Next day,, one gets to go visit Grandparents and other relatives and do it all over again.

Betty--you would kill me! I have not "done" Christmas in my house for maybe 12 years. At the most--if weather permits--I put lights on all my shrubs out front of the house. I DO love to see them on when I get home late from work or wherever. I have them on a "dusk to dawn" timer.....

Should do it NOW--while we are still having this awesome weather! After this weekend--I will have more time. Gotta get through my daughter Aina's and Mark's wedding this Saturday. A VERY small affair! Only 17 people in attendance. It will be held at a Vineyard and catered with all kinds of good hors-deurs. YUM!

Guess who is performing the wedding ceremony? Her Sister, Benita (the one that lives in Seattle), who got "ordained" on-line. I am ambiguous about all this--but it seems that one can do this and it is legal. In a way it is sweet. I just wonder if it is legal??????
Aina and Mark have been together for 17 or 18 years already--so no big deal!

The vineyard is VERY rustic and is built in a really OLD barn--all stones and it is on the Historic Registry.

Here's the entrance.....

Here's the other side of the door. Look at that old, little window! Ancient!

Here's Aina and Mark by some barrels.....Aina is now 43 and Mark is 52.

We all went there a week ago (my Ex too.....) to finalize the arrangements--then out to lunch later. It was the first time in 17 years that I actually sat and talked with him.

I will need to be MOST gracious this Saturday--as i will be in close quarters with his "Honey" (they never married) and her Mom. I have never even spoken to her......don't really intend to....

Another picture of the rustic decorations around the main entrance.

This Vineyard is VERY popular. Only about 20 minutes from my house.
They hold all kinds of events there and people can come there for wine-tasting and purchase their wines. They make GOOD wines.....Look for "Boordy Vineyards" wines next time you shop.

I am putting up 5 people here for Saturday night. My Sister and 2 nieces, plus one husband, and my daughter from the West Coast. She will stay about a week--the others all will be leaving Sunday to head back to NJ.

This is the wedding/reception, etc room. Only 3 tables--each seats 6 people--so perfect!
Check out the walls and the ceiling!

They will change all the tablecloths and such to be more suitable for a wedding.

Last one! Sorry I "highjacked" this Santa Thread...but i did not mean to......honest....

There is also a side room we can use--it is more like a bar room--with high tables and stools to sit on--real dim.....
This side room is where the food will be served and the wines as well.

Dig the wine barrels under the tables. See all the wines laid out in the back? I like it all!!!!!

It will be a semi-casual, most comfortable celebration. We all will just "hang out" there. have to be out of there at 9PM. Then most people will come and "hang out" at my house for the rest of the evening.

Betty got 2 santa faces intact, one small and one bigger, no hair, BUT there was a nail in there. Very nice faces. I love them.

Tia, what do you mean no hair??? was there not a stranded braid? go check if not I'll post 2 -3 day shippping...hurry/hurry...I checked all the enveloped, must be there...hmmm

Gita, wow, it's absolutely beautiful, imagine having a wedding in such a place..how lucky they are..wow, good looking couple aren't they..you should share on the Best/Worse and What did I learn today thread..they surely would want to see...

How far is this place from yours...I'm sure the wedding will be legal..daughter resembles you Gita...

Just walked in, downstairs to feed the animals, put away my goodies, then off to bed..short day tomorrow thank goodness...

Yes there was a braid in a zip bag is that what you mean.

yes, if you look at the Santa up above that was posted on this thread you will be amazed that the little braid you have turns into the hair and beard...glad it was there...

Gita, do hope the weather co-operates for you..and yes, I'm shaking my head...YOU must do more this Christmas...Betty said!

Hi! just catching up on all my threads ! and its sooo late already!

I did receive my package today Betty!! and all faces are intact and beautiful!! all pieces there... I think! lol!

I am so excited! was hoping to get one done to send back with mom, but she leaves sun early morning...so I guess I'll just ship hers to her :o) will still be a big surprise for her :oD

just wanted to let you know I received mine! thanks again for doing this!

AnjL

Anl..I have nothing to do at work this morning if you want I can lead you through it..won't have photo's but am sure that you'll do ok-would save you the shipping..

Playing beat the clock here, downloading some steps I just did...let's hope I can accomplish enough to get you through it Anjl1

Hi...
Betty, I am ok!!
Willl d-mail you later...
Dropping in real quick here

I can send Anjl a braid with Fat Quarters i am sending off today.
This way you don't have to rush rush...

Gita, Wonderful!! Congratulations to your daughter and SIL.

Waving hello to everyone....
Will try and get back later.

I just stumbled across this thread and hope you don't mind, I'm going to watch it if you all post pictures of your completed projects! It sounds sooo neat!! Best of luck to you all!!!

Judy she found the braid, guess she didn't realize it would make that complete head of hair and beard...lol..thanks for the offer though

Newhobby, welcome, you are more than welcome to watch and if you ever get an urge, could send you a kit..lol...

This thread really is a run off of the following were we meet daily, gabbers and crafters ... always welcome to join us there as well

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/920182/

OK Anjl..just ordered bacon and eggs..tummy hungry and then I'll start...would all of you rather for now until all kits are received for me to d-mail her the instructions...or do you want to watch but still meet next week to all do them together????

Hurry/hurry need your answer .. lol

I will do what the group decides. Not much help am I.

Newhobby, you might want to check out the Sweet Interruptions thread also. We are swapers and crafters over there as well. Quilting thread is fun also. Join us somewhere. What are you interested in?

Aww, Thinking maybe you should go ahead and proceed.
Would be wonderful for Anjl to gift her mom before she goes.

...LOL then anyone who wants to continue can...But, seeing pics as you all go and do it will be really cool!!

Hiya Newhobby, Welcome...Hope to craft with you too...

Ok, got to run, Thank you Betty!!

Awww, thank you ladies!! I don't have much free time but do like to look in on what others are doing and how things are going! Things should slow down a bit after the holidays, if you don't mind me lurking and popping in once in awhile!

Other than gardening, I am not into much. I tried to teach myself how to sew and am still a beginner with little time. I love woodburning and give me some sandpaper and a piece of wood I'll be in Heaven! I do love chatting though!!!

Gotta run, I'll pop in now and then and get to know you all through the Sweet Interruptions thread ☺

Fantastic newhobby!! There are a lot of others who like wood working on that thread also. Some very new sewers too. You can see it is a very diversified, chatty group on the SI thread. Join us when you can.

Morning Betty. You didn't need to post about the bacon and eggs--now I am hungry all over again!!! Timmy's coffee?

Same Newhobby with the 'Best Worse and What did I learn today thread'
we've a common interest, love woodworking, tools are my downfall...a must have..lol

Looking forward to your dropping in...

Betty wasn't about to steal your thunder about your thread--good one newhobby.

Just updating...there are a few who registered that I haven't seen on the system since we started the planning process...

I d-mailed everyone who I received envelopes for payment that had been received, if you did not get a d-mail but mailed payment can you advise via d-mail...

Appreciate it...just trying to get organized...lol

LOL didn't think you were..threads are open to everyone...there's enough friends and interest for all....

Betty have you heard from Jojoringer?

You've your outfits sewn and gathered as per above right...got that kit in front of you...

you will take the dowel and insert it in the base frame and glue....

Do MAKE SURE though that when glueing the dowel in that you leave the drilled end up so you'll be able to insert the nail...some of you may have holes drilled in both ends, some of them I felt I drilled too far down so re-drilled the other end..so keep the end that has the least drilled debth on the upper side....

This message was edited Nov 7, 2008 10:59 AM

No I haven't, nor have I heard from Donna or Gardenglory or Darlinmoma

Simply hammer the nail it just enough for it to grab as it will be needed to hold the head....

Learnt something this morning....DO NOT go crazy with the batting, in fact I'd not put any until later in this process...will explain where and when for you..otherwise he ends up being just a bit chunky - much as myself...lol

You should have 2 - 4" square pieces of material that I sent you...it's time now to take the smaller of the styroballs and place in the middle of each square..in your kit should have been 2 pieces of thin wire, this wire is to secure the square..

once tied, your 2 pieces should look like this...

extra wire can be cut off at this time

This message was edited Nov 7, 2008 11:05 AM

Don't pay attention to the batting in the photo...as I said, we'll do it differently, just look at how I've inserted the wire which is attached to the armature (which represents the arms) into the ball you've just created..
the wire should slip into the area that our twisted in order to keep the ball into the 4" square

ALSO at this time you will not have the head on...this was a previous photo I had taken and just inserted it to show how the head was attached to the armature...

CAUTION/CAUTION - we'll be using glue now from time to time...it's HOT so pay attention - no burns please! I often put a bowl of cold water next to my work station just incase...watch you don't upset the bowl now, wouldn't want the velvet all wet...

I at this time open up a bit of the velvet, put a few dabs of hot glue and push velvet (carefull now) so that it secures it a bit more...

once the hot glue has cooled I take two fingers and put the hand between them and squeeze, kind of makes a hand type form....

So now we have the dowel glued into the base, the nail into the dowel, 2 hands secured to the wire right?

Remember no batting, and no head at this point..wish I would have gotten up a little earlier this morning to take photo's .. lol
Not sure why we have to sleep, do you?