Gods Blessings were Abundant as he filled our Homes with Love!

Hello to all of my dear prim friends...I hope that God Blessed you all with as much Christmas Joy as he Blessed me and my family!
The Christmas celebrating actually started at April's house when I dropped off my van filled with all the clothing filled packages and Christmas ham the day before Christmas.
April & her family have not had it easy but she does a great job with what she has. I decided to make life a little easier for her this year. Of course I could have only done it because of my Good Will & Salvation Army Thrifting!
When I brought everything in the house the kids of course were way to excited so I decided to let them pick one package to open.
But first I had created a family gift brought about because there were no Knives sharp enough to peel potatoes on thanksgiving. So me being me bought a Potato peeler and wrapped it in 8 different boxes each wrapped separately. I handed it to Ethan the 5 yr old to open first. He handed it to Nay so on and so on...

 After opening it they had to pass it onto another person to open till there were no more to open. I told them whoever opened it last had to use IT Christmas day...That added some hesitation to there once excitement...

It ended up in April's hand last so she opened it and said Go figure..but all in all it was fun for everyone.
The kids opened there one gift & I gave April & Brian there big gift because I knew they could really use it for Christmas Dinner.

I filled a huge box with Bowls, Storage Containers, new set of Silverware, every kind of utensil you could imagine, a set of Dishes, set of Steak knives, Bread pans, Muffin Tins.

I'm pretty sure she was happy with all of it and the best part was I was able to get everything most new for $26.

Christmas Eve was spent at My Brother Jim's house with all our family on his and pegs side.
It was so hard to choose a picture for my heading, but I finally choose this one of my nephew Jason holding his first child Annalena watching her opening her first gift ever...I wish I could have gotten a picture of everyone watching to see what she did. So much giggling and coaxing & finally she ripped the first piece of paper off.. You would have thought someone won the lottery..hehe!
Our houses were full of Gods greatest gift this year. My brother Jim & SIL Peggy are grand parents to 4 new Grand baby's. So that means I am Aunt Tonya too and I love it!!
This is Tony & Heather with new baby Lilly.

This is Grandma Peggy holding the newest Brier & Hailey Holding Annalena with Mom Jessie sitting next to her.

This is Grandpa Jimmy Showing Ethan a picture of them when they went to see Santa.

Ethan knew it was him as soon as he seen it and was telling us all about it in his baby talk.

This is Ethan after grandpa gave him a big piece of his Reece Cup then handed him to his mom just giggling up a storm since mom had no idea about the Chocolate...

Savana got her Footed Pj's she wanted so she was totally happy

Hailey got lots of dresses and as she said: "I can dress up every day now!"
And she will too she loves Dresses!

Although this is Ethan's 2nd Christmas this year was a blast watching him. He just wasn't sure where to go or what to open next. So he went back and forth...

As you can see it was a good Christmas with some very happy kids!

Then Christmas morning it was up and off to April's house for Christmas with them.

Oh yes and my new Great Grandson Jordan Jr with his Mommy Tiff and Daddy helping to pass out gifts...

Ethan my Grandson got his clothes & several wrapped gifts all wrapped in a Diaper Box. when he tore off the paper...he looked at me and said: "Grandma I don't wear diapers anymore, I'm a big boy!" It was one of those priceless moments a grandma will never forget... Everyone couldn't help but giggle and laugh...Poor Ethan ran off.. I said, "Ethan come on come back and open the Box...Grandma wouldn't get a big boy like you diapers.

All ended well & he got everything he wanted.

April liked Nay's Scarf so she snatched it from her....

Abby opening her gifts!

Cameron opening his big Box of Clothes!

Andrew opening his Big Box!

Jordan Opening Baby Jordan's big Box of Clothes!

last but certainly not least once everything was all picked up there were some really tired people. Brian is sitting on the floor peeling potatoes...

When dinner was done April and I put together one of the Puzzles she got for Christmas.
I looked in the living room as it got quiet and I think I got the most precious picture of all.. Cameron had taken Puddles up in his lap and the two of them had fallen asleep...

Puddles had a very Merry Christmas too..Cameron loved on him all day long...
this picture will be priceless for me as I doubt Puddles will be here with us next Christmas...but then again God does work Miracles he brought us all together after years of being apart to share the Best Christmas together.

Besides being with family .....I had a fantastic Christmas I got three new hammers and I can't wait to do some serious hammering...LOL... Aprils kids got me Ear rings and a necklace that I totally love, a new purse, Lotions & a gift card for gas...yea! Peggy made me my Cherry Stuffed Sugar cookie pockets, socks, and I got pictures of all the new Baby's..Love them...
God Blessed me with so much joy and happiness this Christmas...

I do hope that each and everyone of you shared many Blessings with your family's this Christmas and you have tons of memories to tuck away!

Love, Peace and Happiness to one and all as you head intot he new year!

Hugs
Tonya

Its Looking A lot Like Christmas here in Ohio & My Trailer Too!

Merry Christmas Everyone....the Christmas Spirit has finally arrived here in Ohio. Old man winter showed up last night dropping off a Beautiful Blanket of snow to make Hailey's Christmas wish come true...Its beautiful & if it must come Christmas is the best time of year but Hailey she was so excited that she texted me as soon as I got home tonight to ask if I wanted to build a Snowman tomorrow and go sleding with her....Oh to have the energy of a 10 yr old little girl who loves snow!! I agreed we should build a snowman but not sure my old body can take the sleding ...hehe! 

The Trailer is decorated, gifts are wrapped, the baking is done and I'm ready for Santa to arrive! As I mentioned in my last post I found so many great gifts at the Salvation Army for the kids so I'm really excited for Christmas to come!

I finally got the trailer decorated...Decided to hang different Stockings all around with Snowmen. Of course they all came from GW for 50 cents so it made it fun finding cute ones to use.

I love this one it is made of all wood with stuffed Reindeer and snowman!

This one is made of felt. I found it to be quite usefull for stuffing all my plastic bags down in..makes it look filled and hids my bags great!

Here I hung a simple one next to my Snowmen!

I used a Santa Hat as my Tree Topped...My Tree is full of Snowmen Stockings and Santa's this year..they didn't show up to well in my picture.

On my little shelf I sat Snowmen and a Santa with my bears and hung some of my cards on the edge!
Thanks for all the cards from my Blog friends it was so fun getting Christmas hugs in the mail!

Isat two of my Snowmen on my CD tower and right behind it is a Pocket Snowman Wall hanging..Its supposed to hold cards but I like to hang them so I can see them... I hug an old pair of mittens above the Wall pocket hanger.

Another Santa in the corner..I meant to move the other santa head beside it oops..but did have a giggle at how funny it looks sitting there in the candle Box....

I sat my Hallmark Snowmen on the other side..for some reason I can't find my other hallmark Snowman playing the piano...If you look under the tree you can see a Christmas Dog I found at GW for 50 cents...He is so funny he barks Jingle Bells...Hailey likes to come out and push the button to hear him sing!

I bought myself a Christmas gift this year well actually 3. I bought myself a long over due new Coat. I actually went to a real store and by shear accident found the perfect coat  or at least perfect for me..You see I hate heavy coats so never can find anything I like... I count this as a lucky find it is light weight, fuzzy lined with a hood. Perfect gift to myself!

Then I bought myself a new TV & a VCR/CD player so Hailey and I can watch movies together. Plus I can use it to turn my VCR tapes into CD's. I have several old home movies of Carmen when she was little on VCR tapes I want to copy and give them to Carmen & her Dad.. Plus I have over 500 VCR movies that I want to turn into CD's.

Its been 15 years since I bought a new TV..mostly because I never watch TV but it was getting harder and harder to find TV's with a VCR player in them at GW so decided it was time to gift myself something that would work for TV, VCR tapes and CD's. Now to figure outhow it all works and get them all changed over to CD's. I will have tons of storage space in the trailer and shop once the tapes are switched over... 500 tapes take up a lot of room!

I'll be having Christmas Eve with the Family here at my brothers and then Christmas Day I'm going to my daughter Aprils house for Christmas and Wednesday I'm having Christmas with John and Laura.. Busy days ahead and I'm totally excited this year!

May you all Have a Very Merry Christmas filled with warm moments spent with family filled with love and laughter!

Christmas Blessings

Tonya

Oh the Fun in Thrift Store Christmas Shopping I hit the Jackpot!

Happy Saturday evening everyone......Christmas is just around the corner & I thought I was all done shopping since I shop all year round and stash my gifts. But then along comes a moment when you realize you have just hit the jackpot! You can make some kids really happy and while doing it help out there parents too.
I started out with 11 large totes filled with my year long Christmas gift stash. Then I went to the Salvation Army last Thursday..

All the kids clothing & I mean all, from new born up..Shoes, Coats, Jackets everything 49 cents each. Now were talkin some serious shopping here.
Two carts full of kids clothing & jackets last Thursday 99% New with tags $53.00.
Then this morning my niece Hailey my thrift store buddy wanted to go thrifting ..so of course I said sure why not......
We arrive only to find out they were still having the 49 cents kids sale..... One cart full later, 99% new with tags $23.00.

Every single kid on my christmas list is getting no less then 20 new outfits for Christmas. Plus each one is getting a new Coat or Jacket. My luck is going to really help out there parents!!!!
The best part is I didn't even have to buy wrapping paper.
Last summer I bought an extra large tote it was new orginal cost would have been $20, filled with over 250 new gift bags, tissue paper, 50 plus new gift boxes & new wrapping paper for $12.00. Best thrift bargin I ever found.

I'll take a wild guess and say I got about $2000.00 worth of clothing, coats, wrapping paper, & Gift Bags for $88.00. Damn I'm one hell of a Thrift store shopper!!

Some kids are going to be very happy come Christmas morning... I can't wait!

When we got home I washed up everything...then Hailey and I wrapped & bagged all my bargins...
Boy does gift wrapping go fast when you have bags & tissue paper!!
If you don't thrift shop for kids clothing you ought to give it a shot...you never know the New stuff you will find if you just look!

I wish I would have thought to take pictures of all my goodies.. You wouldn't have believed the really beautiful things I found for all the kids...I was amazed myself!
I bought more gifts then ever before and spent less then ever before!!
Sure Makes the old heart race with joy.
I can't wait to see there parents faces when they see all the new clothes the kids got... it will be such a relief to them to know there kids will be well dressed.
Yes they all know I do most all my shopping at the thrift store they grew up on Thrift store clothing and they were the best dressed kids in school!

I'm happy it is all wrapped/bagged and now I can work on making my Chex Mix & I can sit back and quietly wait for Christmas day!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend & if your shopping you find the best bargins ever!

Christmas Hugs
Tonya

A Little Sneak Peek & Puddles new hair do

Happy Monday Everyone.. Just look at my best little Buddy Puddles. Doesn't he just look so Handsome?
Last Thrusday I did something I've never done before in Puddles 16 years.
I'm so glad I did because my Best Buddy got some extra special Loving treatment at Delaware Pet Grooming. Even though my hands are healing nicely and I'm getting my strength back slowly I found I still couldn't brush Puddles...
Being the Fur Ball that he is, he was a T-total matted mess & I felt awful I couldn't brush him.
I was really nervous about taking him to a groomer with all the horor stories I've read or heard about but I finally relented and made an appointment.
They took such good care of him. He was happy as a pea in Pod when I picked him up. He was as soft as silk, his coat all shinny & he smelled so fresh and clean. they put a little Teal Bandana around his neck. It was as cute as could be!
Come to find out the owner had lost her sheltie two weeks ago and so having a Sheltie to groom and snuggle was a welcome delight for her, she said.
I'm thinking I may just make it a regular part of Puddles life to get him groomed every couple of months even after my hands are totally workable again.

He wasn't too excited about laying beside the Christmas Tree but finally relaxed long enough to snap a few pictures...

I finally got my house all decorated for Christmas..Everything looks great! Snowmen and Santa's everywhere.
Not much else happening here, other then the chilly rain we've been having for the last week. Thank god is hasn't covered us in snow...We've actually been experiencing rain the past 3 or 4 days so everything its muddy everywhere one goes..So I'm sure Snow is soon to follow!
I've been busy wrapping Christmas packages for the last week,but not near done yet. Seems that too requires two good hands...I'll just keep plugging along so they are all wrapped by Christmas eve.
Last Friday afternoon I drove up North to check on my house and then Saturday night I went to the KI Christmas party with all my boater friends. It was great to see everyone and we had a such a great time.
Discovered that gripping the steering wheel still hurts my hands to drive long distances so didn't really enjoy the long trip home..Soon though I think my hands will be back to as normal as they will ever be & I can't wait...

Going to work in the shop today primming a set of Candle Sconces I sold over the weekend. I've been spending a little time each day creating and it feels so good to be back in the shop working even if it takes me hours to do the simplest task.
last week I created this beautiful Kitchen Gathering.
~Primitive Pantry Gathering~

Filled with Enamelware & Stoneware





Thanks for stopping by..Until we meet again May your days be filled with Sunshine and Smiles!

Christmas Holiday Hugs
Tonya

A Little Christmas Spirit & a Unique Christmas Video

Hi Everyone...just thought I would stop in and share a little Christmas Spirit with you this morning! Just look at Miss Tasha all curled up on the chiar under the tree!

My winter schedule is all messed up..normally I would be going to bed around the time everyone else is getting up. But since I'm not in the shop as much I've found myself totally unable to get on a schedule. So I went to bed at midnight and woke up at 4:00..ugggg..couldn't got back to sleep.  I have a therapy appointment at 11:30 and now all I want to do is go back to sleep...

I wanted to share this wonderful Christmas Video with you. Its nothing like you've ever seen before and will totally surprise you...

Brought me to tears

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=457420397658168

 

I invite you to copy and paste the link in your browser and take a few minutes to watch it. It will give you goosebumps and leave you filled with the Christmas Spirit.

Christmas Hugs
Tonya

Creating challange for my healing Thumb & fingers this week..

The holiday Season has arrived just in time to challange my nearly healed Thumb & Fingers!
I sold 5 Rag Garlands, 1 regular set of Rag Balls & 8 dozen which is 96 handmade Rag Ball ornaments Monday night on Ebay...... so I had to put my right hand to the test this week. As you can see my Thumb is nearly healed and it looks and works perfectly.
I'm happy to say the surgery was a total success. Yee Haa! Yes Still slower then a 7 yr itch but I managed to create 200 Rag Balls since Monday night. Decided to get as many created as my hand allow me.
I spent all day today tieing 100  with twine so they can be hung on the tree. 
I met the challange and they can ship Monday.

These are Primitive Rag Ball Ornaments. Created from strips of old rags & twine.
the real challange was holding them as I wrapped them into a ball with my first finger and my thumb.... it was a huge challange for me.
Something I haven't been able to do for almost a year. Even tho it still hurts a little because my muscles aren't totally healed I did it without pain killers. So Happy!!!!

Only dropped a few & had to stop to rest my thumb & fingers every half hour or so.
The Next challange was to tie each one with twine for hanging on a tree. I started tieing them with twine this morning around noon and Finally finished them around 11 tonight...

My Thumb, fingers and hand aren't happy with me at all but I'm sure happy with them for working properly..
Honestly there were few times today I wasn't sure and was ready to give up..
I finished all of my Rag Garlands too..now all that's left is to pack all my sales for the week and get them shipped out Monday..

It was Beautiful here in good ole Ohio today so I decided to do my laundry and hang it out on the line...One last time before winter hits us...it was great..... when my hands got tired or really hurting I'd work on the laundry.

It was a good week indeed!!

have a great weekend every one!

Holiday Blessings
Tonya

Meet My New Great GrandSon Jordan Jr & Family

Happy Holiday thoughts to Everyone! Meet my new Great Grandson Jordan Jr. Is this not the most adorable precious picture ever! He was one week old when this was taken. I got to meet him for the 1st time Thanksgiving day! His Grandma April is my daughter. You may have seen her picture on my post about my left hand surgery.
This little guy is so cute ..looks just like his Daddy Jordan. While holding him and looking at him I took a trip down memory lane to when Jordan was born..they looks exactly the same..
A friend Nikki who went to school with Carmen and April is a photographer along with her husband and they took this picture along with many others of the family!

Baby Jordans Mommy is holding him and hsi Daddy is standing behind her. Grandma April is on the far left of Baby Jordan's mommy.

Jordans mommy and Daddy!

I love this picture of Daddy and Baby Jordan!

Grandma April and Baby Jordan right after he came home. I love this one too!

Then of course Great Grandma Tonya....

Isn't his little thanksgiving outfit cute?
What a great week, wonderful Thanksgiving with April, Brian, the kids and of course snuggling Baby Jordan.
Then I got to snuggle my new niece Lilly..she is two weeks old..OOps forgot to take pictures to busy snuggling her...
I worked in the shop on a couple special orders.. I was loving creating..still slower then a 7 year itch but at least I'm out there again.

Yesterday got the daylights scared out of me..SIL Peg texted me she needed help right away... I was still asleep when I got the text & so not grounded so to speak ..jumped out of bed & ran in the house thinking something awful happened to her... She got a great laugh at me all pillow head in my PJ'S running in yelling what's wrong Peg.where are you!
Well she was in the family room putting up Christmas decorations and wanted my help...My yelling for her brought the kids running only to laugh t me too when Peg told them why I was yelling for her and still in my Pj's...
After our augh and 2 cups of tea we went to work decorating the family room... Never did go out to the trailer and change...lol... Pure comfort all day long! with pillow head cause I didn't bother to comb my hair either...WE had a blast and the room looks awesome!

Hung out with my niece Angel, her two kids Hailey & Savana last night wrapping Christmas gifts.

Today I rounded off the weekend going to the grocery store, Pharmacy and finishing up my Christmas shopping. Yehaa..now the fun part wrapping it all but I got a month so it will be fun...

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Hugs
Tonya

 

 

Thanksgiving Thoughts & Blessings to one and all.....
It was a beautiful Thanksgiving Day today here in Ohio...High 60's... It was a busy day too.....first to my daughter April's for Thanksgiving get together with there family & then with my Brother Jim, SIL Peg & family. Two feast with every trimming immaginable.

No one went hungry today...so many yummy dishes, Turkey, Ham, Pies, Cakes, Fruit, veggies, Stuffing, Sweet Potato's, mashed taters, gravey..Yum-Yum-Yum!

 

As I sat with my family and friends today, listening to all the laughter as the kids played, the girls giggling in the kitchen while preparing the feast & eating to much, everyone feasting on all the yummy food everyone prepared, complaining about being to full and finally holding the two new baby's, I realized just how much I really have to be thankful for...
My Blessings are plenty...... yes even when life isn't perfect!

My wish is that you too had the chance to realize all your Blessings today and that you gathered many warm memories that will pop in your mind sometime in the future and make you smile!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hugs
Tonya

Aww Kitty Love~A funny tale to make you laugh!

Good Morning Peeps...Just look at those two snuggle kitty's! Since Tasha's return from her 16 day adventure she's softened her heart and is more loving then ever...she even decided to love her sissy Mama kitty..
Time to use your imagination if you will as there are no cmeras handy when Tasha decides to be funny or sneaky!!
We are now home on the farm for the winter so I have been letting Tasha outside daily...well actually Tasha has been letting herself out. She knows how to bite the tape off the slider on the screen door. She pushes it back and jumps threw the hole..
She so loves it outside & I'm glad we are home so she can be outside enjoying herself.
I have to share her latest tale with you butyou will need to close your eyes and picture this in your mind to get the rel feel for how funny it was.
I love hanging clothes on the line so had tea stained a big basket of fabric for my creations and hung them out.
The Clothes line sits beside two huge pine trees and this is where Tasha likes to sit in waiting so to speak...It was around dusk when I decided to take down my fabric.
I was enjoying myself as I took down each piece, folded it and laid it in the basket...
I had just bent down to lay a folded piece in the basket when all of sudden I hear a russel under the tree and then there was a Tasha kitty running up the middle of my back
down over my head and across the yard. she stops gives me her meow meow...and just sits there watching me as I say "what are you doing you simple cat?"
I stand back up and take down another piece, fold it and lean down to put it in the basket and shzammm here she comes again running up over my head, over my back and back down and under the tree with her once again giving me her meow meow...
By now I am laughing at my silly cat...As the story goes she did this evey time I would lean down to lay a folded piece in the basket...
she was having a ball & my back was beginning to feel the sting of those little claws by the time I was done... she wasn't done tho and quickly let me know she wanted to play more...LOL....so she jumps in the basket nd lays down, rolls on her back waiting for me to give her some kitty rubs... Just as I reached down to rub her belly she puts her paws around my neck and let me know she wasn't letting go...licking my face with that tounge of hers till it hurt...This isn't a picture of that moment but it would have looked like that only I would have been laughing at her...

Since her adventure she doesn't let me very far from her sight..When I'm outside she follows me wherever I go...Then for no reason at all she will jump in my arms to give me one of her huge Kitty hugs..then jump down and go about her yard wondering..and mommy following...Its so comical watching her bounce around the yard!

I bought her a new collar yesterday at the dollar store. It is bright red with a little red Bell hanging on it.
Decided that little bell would give me warning when she is getting ready to pounce on me....!
Being outside seems to sharpen those claws daily...ouch..so she got her nails trimmed last night... Oh how she hates that with a passion...

The sun is shinning again today..... think I'll go find a good reason to be outside enjoying it!

Until we meet again may your day be filled with warm sunshine and happy moments!

Fall Blessings
Tonya

Sneak Peek at New Prim Gatherings from My Primitive Creations

Good Evening everyone..What a wonderful weekend we had here in Ohio. True Indian summer filled with sunshine and laughter.

Even tho its a bit early for decorating, Peggy & I took advantage of the beautiful weather and decided to do all the oustide Christmas decorating. We had so much fun!

Pictures to come soon!

As I mentioned on my last visit it's been a real challange after two hand surgeries, but I'm finally back working in my shop Creating my Primitive decor again. Although it's taken me two months to create my latest creations, I can't begin to tell you how happy it makes me to finally be able to create again.

I'm still limited as to what I can do but each day it gets a little easier.

So with out further ado... I'm happy to share the newest creations from
My Primitive Creations by Tonya.
If you're interested in purchasing any of my gatherings before they're listed in my Ebay Store Please contact me ASAP for details.
Otherwise Please visit My Primitive Creations by Tonya Ebay Store where you will find all of my latest creations.

~PRIMITIVE NECESSARY ROOM GATHERING~

$39.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE PANTRY GATHERING~

$69.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE NECESSSARY ROOM GATHERING~

$49.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE PARLOR ROOM SAMPLER GATHERING~

$59.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE NECESSARY ROOM GATHERING~

$39.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE MINI BENCH GATHERING~

$21.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE NECESSARY ROOM GATHERING~

$29.95

Free Shipping in USA

~PRIMITIVE CAST IRON STAR CANDLE SCONCES~

$34.95

Free Shipping in USA

Thanks for stopping in and taking a little peek at all of my latest creations.

With all of your prayers and encouragement my recovery is going smoothly which has allowed me to get back to doing what I love best...My Creating!

A special thanks to all of you for your support!

Prim Blessings 

Tonya