In The Days of Jane

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." --Jane Austen A truth that has stood the test of time...at least in the world of Jane Austen! In 18th century England, it was traditionally believed as well, that if an eligible young lady received a kiss on the cheek whilst standing under the kissing ball, marriage would soon follow. Customarily, the kissing ball was made with holly and ivy, boxwood, small pine cones, and the ever popular mistletoe. Borrowing from a design I saw from Betz White, I've taken liberties with the classic design to create a timeless little treasure...delicate woolen rosettes, grouped together in the sweetest way...in a non-traditional color palette. Be sure to hang yours in a prominent location where your Mr. Darcy is sure to pass. Might I suggest the hallway...the porch perhaps? Better yet, carry it with you at all times, as I'm sure Ms. Austin would agree, it is best to be prepared!

Now don't you agree...some traditions are worth revisiting...

May love find you this Christmas!

Turkey For Thanksgiving

I hope your turkey was served alongside your many blessings, as was mine. With family gathered around the table...talking, laughing, and eating (of course!), it's hard not to recognize how richly God has blessed my life. In the midst of life's many worries or disappointments, how refreshing it is to take a whole day to pause and give thanks for all that has been given to us. After dinner, we engaged in a lively game of Scrabble...I swear I thought taze was a word! Well, no one challenged, and much to my oldest son Jacob's chagrin, it remained on the board...all 33 beautiful points! I'm only a little competitive, and I'm humble enough to leave the final scores to your imagination. On to Wii bowling...As a footnote, understand that in real bowling I average somewhere around 80. Well...check this out... Yep, I'm Gem...and Gem isn't too proud or humble to post her score on the web for posterity! 182! The best part of all...I got three strikes in a row...in the bowling world, that's what's known as a turkey! Who could ask for a better day than that! I hope yours was filled with as many things to be thankful for! Blessings to you!

Sweet Memories

The oddest things can trigger childhood memories. As I was designing felted wool ornaments, I was compelled to add embroidered detailing in a folksy kinda way. That darn blanket stitch gets me every time. Normally, I would get online for a step-by-step tutorial, well...I was at my mom's house and she had this great book for me to look through instead... Every stitch imaginable! Right at my fingertips! It's been a while since I've made a French knot, daisy stitch, or running stitch. No fear...it's all in the book. "Take it home with you." And I did! What fun!

And my joy ornament was created.

Last time I did this I was a kid...and a goofy one at that. I use to (and still do!) make many Christmas gifts for my family. One year I remember crocheting a huge Christmas stocking in bright green and red and embroidering Merry Christmas on top...Or the time I made my sweet, loving parents an embroidered calendar sampler for their anniversary...it still hangs on their wall today!

So many sweet memories...and then I saw this...inscribed on the very book I borrowed.

1980. Still at home with my parents. Still a kid in many ways, but feeling rather adult. Baby doll...skunk...forever and always...my dad's favorite sentiments to my mom. Ah...sweet, precious memories. My dad's been in heaven for 2 years, but he's still standing right here next to me. I feel him everyday. Love you dad! Gotta tell a funny story (I'll make it quick). So, as I was making those ornaments, I decided to use a button to replace the "o" (so clever!). First JOY...then LOVE...then SNOW?! The next morning I laughed out loud (seriously). Memories again...this time taking an elementary school test...which one of these does not belong questions...JOY, LOVE, SNOW? And HOPE was born! A real duh moment. But wait...(and fyi...I used to do this on those tests) ...But I do love snow...snow brings me joy...JOY, LOVE, SNOW, and HOPE...somehow it works! Hanging on the bedpost, stuffed with organic lavender to induce dreamy sleep. Maybe dreams of a white Christmas...maybe dreams from your childhood...sweet dreams...sweet memories!

Mark Your Calendars

My friends at The Harmony in Life/ Made in Sylvania Shoppe have been busy preparing for Sylvania's Third Annual Downtown Delights. All the shops and bistros along Main Street will be festively decorated with the sights and sounds of the Holiday Season. There will be refreshments, live music, wine tasting, raffles (good luck!), glass blowing, and lots of fun! Of course, Old Maid New has been busy as well creating unique items for your home and for gift giving. There are 100% all natural soy candles in recycled tea tins, with fragrances like Hot Cinnamon Spice and Lumberjack that are sure to create an ambiance of winter wonderland to your home; Up-cycled denim aprons make a great gift for any chef on your list...tuck wooden spoons, spatulas, and a favorite recipe in the pockets OR better yet, treat yourself to an adorable apron to wear while preparing your family's holiday meals; Funky bottle-cap jewelry...little wearable pieces of art...perfect for stuffing those stockings that are hung by the chimney with care; Altered one-of-a-kind clothing that is sure to get "oohs and ahhs" from the lucky recipient; Give the gift of warmth with my felted wool line of hats, mittens, headbands, and legwarmers; Dress your home for the holidays with kissing balls, tussie-mussies, comfy cabin pillows and so much more. Consider this your personal invitation to an evening filled with Holiday Cheer. Hope to see you there!

Move Over Jane Fonda

Maybe I'm dating myself, but who can forget Jane's (yeah...we're on a first name basis:)!) workout videos of the 80's? Tight leotards...big hair...and those leg warmers! Some fashions should never be revisited again! Do I hear Amen!?

Leotards? No way!

Big hair? Forget about it!

Legwarmers? Hmmmm... Let me think about that one...

Updated and Repurposed!

These legwarmers are made of 100% recycled wool and the felting process means they are super-duper soft...it's like the itchiness has been washed away. They are super-duper warm and super-duper cute too! This pair is trim fitted and can be worn under bootleg jeans.

Why?

For those of us who adore the slip-on-clog-style shoe and who love naked toes all year long...they are ideal!

If you are a fan of the Wellington boot...

these are great for some extra insulation and long enough to be worn like a boot topper (pics soon!).

If you want to wear them

before / after exercise...well,

that's your prerogative.

But no one can pull that look off like Jane can. (If you have her #...please pass it on so I can send her a pair!)

The New Legwarmer...

However you wear them...

under jeans, over boots, funky with a dress...

Make them yours!

New styles are available every day at Harmony in Life

in Sylvania, Ohio.

Or,

contact me!