Christmas Eve

 Hello Everyone....merry Christmas Eve!

 
I've been making ridiculous clothes again.

  
I made Christmas tree skirts out of vintage Christmas tree skirts.  GET IT???? Tree SKIRTS.  I made Miss Onederful's out of a mini-tree skirt.  They were just the perfect size.  All I had to do was sew on some snaps.

 
I really get a kick out of the little retro animals.  So kitschy.

 
She calls it her Cwidmus Twee Dess.  And I had to make mistletoe pigtails clips.  Of course.  Not like she really has any shortage of kisses available.

 
Another project.....a sweater coat made of recycled Christmas uglies.

 
I bought $10 worth of Christmas-Threw-Up-On-Me sweaters at Goodwill.  Then, I cut out panels and sewed them all together.  And I sewed bells on it......cheesy Christmas goodness!

 
We went to North Pole of Texas with some friends.  Who knew we had a north pole?  It's located in a teeny tiny spot called Pine Tree, Texas. This is set up in front of someone's HOUSE.  This photo only shows a fraction of the spectacle.

 
Miss Onederful was so excited about riding the train she was jumping up and down yelling, "Choo CHOOOOO!"  There were multiple trains running at once.  These people have built in tracks permanently installed on their property.  Crazy.  What must the neighbors think?

 
Blurry photos...sorry.  There was a nativity scene with live people, goats, donkeys, a lake with elves driving boats and jet skis, a huge drive-through Santa's toy shop with living elves and a human Santa passing out candy, elves in mini race cars.....it was sheer madness.

 
Fake elves always seem a bit sinister to me.  You just wouldn't believe this place unless you saw it in person.  You  might expect this at, say -Disneyland.  But in someone's front yard in the back woods of Texas? 

 
I worked really hard to finish up a commission for a neat lady named Allison.  She wanted a wedding portrait of the Dia de los Muertos-style skeletons dressed in their wedding clothes.

I'm glad I got it finished up before Christmas.  From the photos she sent, it looked like they had a fun rockabilly wedding.  She really liked the painting!  She even gushed.  It makes me so happy to paint something someone else really wanted....it makes me feel like an Art Elf. 

 
I made a couple of batches of orange jams. (I used recipe #2.)   I don't like marmalade because of the bitter peel.  So, I made orange jam.....some plain, some with rosemary, some with star anise and cinnamon bark.

 
I hand-calligraphied all the jar lids.

 
So as not to waste the rinds, I made candied orange peel.  I dipped half in dark chocolate.  I blanch them 3 times to keep them from being bitter.  It takes a while, but it's a really easy recipe from Giada de Laurentiis....she's so cute.  Grapefruit is really good this way, too.  I keep wanting to try Meyer Lemons, but I can never find them around here.  I think the bright yellow lemony color would be so pretty with the dark chocolate.  You could arrange them with the chocolate in the center on top of a cake to make a big, sugary sunflower.

 
These things always take longer than I think they will.  I really wanted to make them, though.  I like to give gifts that are homemade and consumable.  That way, you're giving something that won't just junk up someone's house.  It doesn't always work out, but I try anyway.
 
Miss Onederful and I smeared giant pretzels with peanut butter then dipped them in bird seed.  We were so happy to see these 3 bright red cardinals enjoying them.  We hung them in the tree just outside the window where we eat breakfast.  Cardinals are so.....I don't know, inherently cheerful, I guess.  It always makes me happy to see one darting past.

I hope you all get some time to spend with your loved ones, snuggled up with cocoa and a good movie or a book, and some beautiful music playing, and bellies full of tasty things.  That's my favorite part of the holiday, anyway.

I'm so grateful for all you readers out there....I feel very fortunate to have made so many new friends through my blog.  Thank you for sharing in a little bit of our life...I really like knowing you're out there!

Comments

[Charlotte]

I am in awe. Wasn't it you who said you just wanted to snuggle with family? It must have been your twin who MADE ALL THIS STUFF...skirts, sweater, jam, candied peel, bird treats. Gasp. Absolutely fab, as always. Hugs to you and that darling baby. Mamma Crab

[Jill James]

Hello to the Charlotte above - My mom's name was Charlotte & a crab (July 21) and I'm July 12th! Cancers unite.....

Only you could rock that sweater coat & skirt (love how you make the skirt look with your belt) And what a cutie Violet is in her's. If I was so lucky to receive a jam, I would frame the label - its a work of art by itself.....you are very good with your time - the birds even get Christmas goodies! Merry Christmas to you and yours......

[Brandi McKenna]

Those Christmas clothes are awesome! Laura they are beautiful, and cool! What an awesome way to recycle a Christmas Sweater!! Your a genius, and you and baby are so beautiful in them!! Merry Christmas!!

[a fanciful twist]

Laura,

I have no wrods to express my love for that Christmas Sweater.

I think I have to scream, hold on......

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the tree skirts??

I must have one next year.

You rock. But like, mush more than rock. if there was a term above rocking, that's you.

You get the medal for all things beyond good okay?

My holiday came and went in one fell swoop.

I am going to start preparing for next year now.

Also, how to find a way to sneak into your house and "borrow" the Christmas sweater? hmmmmmm......

I LOVE IT!

Awesome painting, and Miss Onederful is beyond adorable in her tree skirt too!

Love, V

[Rhonda Roo]

My mom is making goo goo noises at Miss Onederful's pic....she's just that kind of wee one, you know??

I guess you do. <3

CWIDMUS TWEE DWESS ME WANT ME WANT!!!!

huh you just think 2 year olds know how to tantrumidize (a word right?) ;)

Did you make those labels for your yummies? those are gorgeous gifts in and of themselves...as is the picture of the redbirds in the tree branches, i really love that shot.

Now here's the other dilemma--how do I steal the sweater before V gets to it?

:)
XOXOXOXX