New Years Eve 2022

Last night we had Christmas at my parent's home.  My Dad is now pretty much home bound for the winter since he now uses an electric scooter to get around.  Here in Ohio the winters get pretty rough with snow and he and my Mom are 80 and have no need to get out with the exception of eating out occasionally.  He also does use crutches to get in and out of the car and fears falling.  I don't blame him.  But I digress.

My sister and I came together and bought my parents new dinner ware for Christmas.  Since family gatherings will now be at their home they didn't have enough to accommodate everyone.  This is what we found for them.  Corelle wear has come along way.  My Mom has had the white with green around the edge for a very long time.  Of course pieces get broken over the years so she had bought plain white to use.  Aren't these the cutest?

Well, this year we added a girlfriend of my son to the mix.  It's been awhile but he is now 23 years old in case you've been with me for awhile.  Hard to believe I know.  Anyway,  he and his Dad and grandparents have been looking for a house for him to purchase so that he can begin his own life.  They haven't had much luck in that department.  I have stayed out of that picture, but told him I was here if he needed me.    Well, there may be a home to rent on the horizon instead.  In my opinion I think this is a better choice, but have kept my opinion to myself.  Well, my son called me and asked me what my thought was on this option.  He had a few reservations about the landlord and the situation.  His Dad had the some reservations.  I was able to talk to him on an adult level and helped him realize that all he needed to do was to talk with the landlord (he knows him quite well and works for him occasionally) and lay it out what the expectations would be.  My son actually thanked me and said he didn't think that the conversation would have gone as well as it did.  Up until now I have told him the choice was his and I couldn't make the decision as to what was right for him.  So, I think by the end of next week we will know some answers whether he will be moving out.  Where was I going with this?  His girlfriend asked if they could have my Mom's old dishes for when they do move.  I like her already. LOL.  She is not opposed to using hand me downs.

I think 2023 will be an interesting year for us. 

Wooly Tree Tutorial... Sort Of

 

For those who follow me on Facebook know I finally made a wooly tree.  Oh I bought everything I needed a couple years ago in great anticipation of doing it.  BUT, I never got to it.  So, in between molding and painting my paper mache Santa's and snowmen I did it.  Is is time consuming? YES! Is it hard? Absolutely NOT!  Is it fun? Definitely!  

I got asked on Facebook to give directions on how to make them.  Well, since I have never made them before now I will post exactly what pattern I bought and what videos I used to learn.  YouTube is a wonderful thing!  There is no need for me to reinvent the wheel and I respect the ones who sell the patterns for them so I will not give out their directions.

I bought the pattern from Searsport Rug Hooking. For $5 you can make all sorts of sizes of trees.  I started with the smallest obviously.  I didn't want to waste wool if I screwed up.  Next, I followed the YouTube videos from Two Old Crows.  I believe they too have a pattern/kit, but I can't say for sure since the video was done awhile ago.  I mainly bought the pattern so I had measurements for the branches.  I could have read the directions, but I am a visual learner.  I have to see it to do it.  I watched multiple videos of different people and found these ones most helpful.

So, enjoy.  Happy tree making.  

P.S. I plan on making a couple more to add to my collection.

Two Old Crows Part 1

Two Old Crows Part 2

Two Old Crows Part 3

EDIT...

There was a question as to what kind of scissors I used.  I just used my trusty old Fiskar scissors.  The trick is to be sure that the tips of them are sharp.  If your kids or hubby used them to cut paper then you might need to sharpen them or use something else.