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December 18, 2015

Twiggy & Opal's Colorful Modern Quilts



Unlike most stories I've come across about folks who've learned a craft
from their grandmothers or moms, Jayne's daughter taught her to quilt.
She discovered "a passion she never knew she had" 
and soon started her own business~ Twiggy & Opal.

She lets the fabric take the lead while creating fantastic geometric patterns.
Always inspired by color, her works have a fresh, modern flair!

Jayne doesn't stop at quilts; she also makes 
wall hangings, pillows, baby quilts and table runners.

These are my Twiggy & Opal favorites~








































More Twiggy & Opal found here:




Images used with direct permission from Jayne.


December 16, 2015

It's a Norman Rockwell Christmas!

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I've always loved Norman Rockwell's paintings!
Come to think of it, who doesn't love them?
They're true Americana.

Rockwell illustrates real, honest-to-goodness people
in relatable, everyday circumstances,
with old fashioned charm, humor and warmth.
And he always leaves us with a smile!

Here are several of his Christmas paintings.
They're sure to bring some warm fuzzies!


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December 14, 2015

The Fun Animal Illustrations of Ashley Percival



The owls were the first to grab my attention.
So cute and quirky and endearing. I couldn't resist them.
Not to mention their eye glasses!

Artist Ashley Percival of the UK illustrates children's art.
Owls, pugs and sloths are among his favorite subjects.

These animals are all quite hip and lovable!
Wearing cozy sweaters (OK - jumpers, Ashley)
and ball caps turned backwards,
they're ready to have a good time on bikes or skateboards.
Such a friendly bunch!









































Here's where you can find lots more
of Ashley's terrific art:



Images used with direct permission from Ashley Percival.

December 13, 2015

Peddler's Village Gingerbread House Competition 2015



Showing off the gingerbread tree house that my daughter made this year!
She entered it in the annual Gingerbread House Competition
held by Peddler's Village in Lahaska, Pennsylvania.

Let's zoom in for a closer look!
















A special dedication to her Mom & Dad with our carved initials on the trunk of the tree!





We took it into our living room for some photos, 
so you can better see how she lit the interior.















A third place winner!



Laura competed last year as well.
See photos on my blog post,
Gingerbread House Competition at Peddler's Village 2014.

More info about Peddler's Village here.



December 11, 2015

Spicing Up My Hot Chocolate



One of the things that winter means for me is hot chocolate!

Warm, cozy, yummy! 
Even better when I'm snuggled under a blanket.
Better still? A crackling fire in the fireplace.
With a gentle snowfall outside! I'm swooning.

Thought I'd share this chart with you, courtesy of SheKnows.
Can't wait to try a couple of these concoctions to jazz things up!
They really sound less like beverages and more like dessert, don't they?
Rich? Check.
Decadent? Check.

I think it's time for a chocolaty splurge. Are ya with me?


December 7, 2015

Vintage & Salvaged Tin Décor by Deborah Sielski

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You know that Lancaster, PA is one of my favorite places to shop.
It's always been well-known for outlet shopping,
but I like to zero in on the wonderful downtown area.

A shop that opened this past year is called Madcap & Co.,

a gathering place for sellers of handcrafted and vintage treasures.
(More on that another time.)
The work of Deborah Sielski was a stand-out for me.
Hard to resist the gleem of patina-ed silver against a luscious purple backdrop.
A gorgeous, magical selection of wreaths, ornaments, trees and garlands!

Deborah combines vintage items with contemporary glitz and
hand-cut salvaged tin to create these fabulous baubles!

Classy Christmas decor with the flair of Old Hollywood glamour! 

















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More of Deborah's creations can be seen at her website.

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Madcap & Co. is at 310 N. Queen St. Lancaster, PA.
Here's their website.

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Images used with direct permission from Deborah Sielski.

December 6, 2015

PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center

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42 PET® carts have arrived! They were driven from Ohio to Pennsylvania,
one step closer to their final destination, which may be any one of a 
number of developing countries such as Haiti, Vietnam or Guatemala.

Before I go on, let me explain what a PET® is.

An anagram for Personal Energy Transportation, it is a wooden cart powered by hand.
They're given to people who don't have the use of their legs due to diseases,
birth defects, or accidents -which very often involve landmines.
Their lives are turned around!
Now they can look to the future with possibility and hope.
They experience a new dignity, as their only way to get from 
place to place had been by crawling or dragging themselves through the dirt.

Most importantly, these folks are introduced to the 

Gospel of Jesus Christ, in Whose name each PET® is given.
So, along with a new physical life,
they are given the opportunity to receive a new spiritual life
by knowing and accepting Jesus and their Savior.


Here's a photo of me with a PET®, taken at the PET® OH-Stow production site.
  

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This particular delivery was made by volunteers Lee & Vince Petno.
They traveled from PET® OH-Stow to the Mount Joy, PA 
distribution center -The Global Aid Network® (GAiN®).

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Mount Joy is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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All 42 boxes are lined up, ready for the next leg of their journey.

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A photo with Gerald Mohler, Operations Manager at GAiN. 
who gave us a tour of the place. GAin distributes 80 PET®s per year.

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The PET® Project is near and dear to my heart.
Please consider supporting it in prayer,
with a tax-deductible donation, or by volunteering!

For lots more information on the PET Project:

Check out my blog post- 
The PET Brings Mobility & the Love of Christ to Developing Countries
You can see what goes on at the PET® OH-Stow facility
and watch a moving video about the PET® Project.

Also, my follow-up post to this one:
Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center.

LINKS:


GAiN Distribution (Logistics) Center on Facebook


{As an October 2016 update to this post, I want to share that PET International, 
parent organization of PET OH-Stow and 22 other Affiliates, has changed its name
to Mobility WorldwideThe PET will now be called the Mobility Cart. }