Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at what I'll be offering tomorrow night on the
TDIPT Mercantile

OoAK Santa in Vintage Wool

Santa Bear made from Vintage Wool

OoAK Make Do Santa in Vintage Wool

Ho Ho Ho

Another Santa finished and listed in my Etsy Shop today.
Dressed in traditional red/white, this make do Santa is OoAK.

Now on my Website

He's made from stained and aged muslin, and sets on a vintage wooden bobbin.
He's available for $24.95 + shipping, on my Website

Time for the September Update on TDIPT Mercantile

I don't know where August went, but it's that time again for the TDIPT Mercantile Update!

There will lots of new goodies from the artists - everything from Halloween to Thanksgiving, to Christmas.

Get there early, so you get "first pickins" of all the great works from these very talented group of artists!

Here's a sneak peek at my offering for this month - A OoAK Belsnickle type Santa, done up in traditional red and white. You'll have to stop by my page on the Merc to see additional photos, which show more of the details of this jolly ole fellow.

New Belsnickle Santa on My Website

Just listed on Little Sister's Dolls- this 12" Belsnickle, dressed in recycled upholstery fabrics and wool, with vintage buttons and accessories.

Perfect size to tuck in among your other Prim Santas or Christmas decor!

New Listing on Ebay

Today I finished up this Belsnickle, and listed him on Ebay.

He's dressed in vintage wools and suede....carries vintage lil deer that's SO adorable, it was hard to part with!

New on Ebay

I forgot to post a picture of the Santa on a Stick Horse that I put on Ebay yesterday.

My sweet hubby made the base of him, and mounted the horse into it for me; he loves helping me on my projects, and his workmanship is always top-notch!

A Nice Relaxing Sunday

It's hard to believe that today was the last day of November already!
We went to the 8:00 service at church today, and it was the final sermon in the series called, "Two Sons - Two Different Paths" - a study of The Prodigal Son from Luke 15.
Pastor Cliff gave us such an inspiring view of this story told by Jesus of a father's unconditional love. It surely brought me to a new understanding of the depths of the love our Heavenly Father has for us, and that no matter what - he's always watching for us, and is waiting with outstretched arms to welcome us home.
After church we had breakfast, then both enjoyed a nice early afternoon nap as the rain came through.
I was starting to work on what I thought was going to be a snowman, but then I had an idea to put him on one of my stick horses, and realized he needed to be a Santa, not a snowman! I had Bill drill and set the stick of the horse into a wooden base for me as I finished up the details of Santa and his goodie bag.
I'm very pleased at how it turned out and will post pics sometime tomorrow - the weather isn't cooperating with me to take good photographs today! Not complaining though - we have needed some rain, and this will bring a little cool snap to us as well.
Bill also let me know that he was out of cookies, and seeing as how I'm going to do my normal Monday grocery shopping, I wasn't going out in the rain to pick up any today. I decided to pull out the old rolling pin and make some home made sugar cookies to hold him off until I can get to the store. Home mades taste so much better anyway! :)
Tomorrow I'll get back to my study in Jeremiah 10. Today I just wanted to reflect on the sermon from church and rest in God's love...

Janelle

New Santas by Kathy Jankiewicz are HERE!

OH I am so excited to show you the three Santas that my oldest sister Kathy Jankiewicz, brought over today for me to photograph and list on my website! These are all available for purchasing at http://www.littlesistersdolls.com/
I'm here on the left, with my sister Kathy, after enjoying a wonderful day of Thanksgiving in my home. We're the "bookends" in our family - she being the oldest daughter, and me being the youngest. We're the two that took up an interest and a love for art, painting, fabrics and sewing. When I was a little girl, I would see the drawings she would do, and the items she could make by sewing, and wanted so badly to be able to do at least half of what she was able to do!
I could go on for a long time about the amazing talent that is in the heart and hands of my sister, but instead of me rambling, I'll just share some of her works with you. :)


I posted not long ago, about where all her works have been featured and sold, so I hope if you haven't read the bio on her, you will take the time to do so.
She calls this line of dolls, "Santa Fe Santas" - expressing her love of the Southwest, and the beautiful colors found in the native Navajo wares found there.



Two of them are 23", and the other is 17". They are made with Vintage Pendleton wool blankets, leathers, faux fur and suede, and each come with so many handmade goodies, it's hard to decide which one I like best!
*TO SEE FULL SIZED - CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW. WHEN FINISHED, CLICK YOUR BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE*

This is her 17" Santa Fe Santa, complete with two little doggies and even a kitty with his own little toy! He rides in the goodie bag on the back, along with another kitty who is sewn into place.

Close up of this beautiful Santa! I am forever amazed at the detailed hand work my sister does on each of her items, especially their facial features!
I just love this 23" Medium Santa Fe Santa - he's got three little dogs with him, all on leashes. She hand made these too, from an idea she got from a book in the library by Mary Englebreit.
This shows the back view, with his green velvet and leather fringed bag full of goodies.
His green hand sewn sequin eyes inside his face made from suede, just sparkle against his green velvet and wool suit!
This blue and white Santa Fe Santa with his cute little dog is stunning! The Pendleton wool blanket used for his coat has stars, which Kathy adorned with Vintage crystal buttons and rhinestones. His little dog walks on a faux pearl leash.
This rear view shows a doll in his goodie bag, who has clay head, hands and feet. She too, is dressed in the beautiful blue wool.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and let me share my sister and her remarkable creations with you.

Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours..

Janelle

The Christmas Tree is UP!

Today after doing my running around I decided I wanted to turn on some Christmas music and set my mood for decorating the living room for Christmas. I usually do this on the day after Thanksgiving, but this year my oldest sister LaLa is coming over for Thanksgiving, and I wanted to have the house decorated for that.

Tonight when Bill got home after work, we ate supper and then he helped me get our Christmas tree up and decorated.

It's decorated in red, white and gold glass ornamants; some being vintage ones that I've collected from my ventures to the local thrift stores and yard sales.

Also adorning our tree are:

• some small cinnamon stars and cookie shaped ornaments, sprinkled with German glass glitter and tied with natural raffia


• fabric candy canes I made


• reproduction vintage postcards of Santa

Underneath and beside the tree are two larger Santas - one being the one my sister LaLa made me, that I blogged about a few days ago. I've put one of my large stick horses that I did in a great cranberry red, inside his right elbow.

The other Santa is one that I made, that I'm glad didn't sell! He was featured on: so I'm glad that I get to keep him and pass him on to my children and grandchildren! He's sitting atop an RC Harley that Santa brought Bill a few years ago.

Our tree is topped by:

TINK!
Everyone who knows me really well, knows that I just love Tinkerbell, and a couple of years ago we found this topper at Disney Village in their Christmas shop that's open year round. She's no longer in production, so I really treasure her even more!

To the right of the tree, I have a small distressed black table, on which I put my collection of all my favorite vintage Santas I've been gathering little by little. I think my most favorite out of all these is the one who is sitting in the sled with his hands under his knees. He was calling out to me in one of our local thrift stores... :)

I tend to move things around a LOT before I'm completely happy with the way they are arranged, but for now - this is how it's going to be!

Kathy Jankiewicz Original Dolls

While driving around town with my oldest sister Kathy aka LaLa to family, she asked me if she could put some of her things on my website next week, and I was like "YES YES YES"!!!
She is an amazing artist; known all throughout the Southwest USA, where her Santas are sold in upscale shops in Santa Fe, a French Antique store in Dallas, and she's also in the past been invited and exhibited her works in a very large show in Williamsburg, VA.

San Angel Folk Art, located in San Antonio, TX, orders OoAK clothing made by my sister also. She uses vintage linens, fabric and accessories to make really cute and unique tops, vests, etc.

http://sacurrent.com/columns/story.asp?id=68335. The picture shown on this link is not one of her tops, but there is a write up at the bottom of this article, which gives details of her work they sell there.

The Fraser Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland featured one of her Frida Kahlo dolls in 1997 and it can be seen here: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/5415/jankie_frida_kahlo.html

She will have several of her dolls in a Studio Tour in Santa Fe, NM, which is held every year on the day after Thanksgiving. http://lacienegastudiotour.com/

If you know anything about Santa Fe, you know that it's a community full of some of our country's greatest artists and musuems.

These pictures are of one of her Santas, that she gave to me as a Christmas present a few years ago; standing at 30 inches tall, you can see the awesome quality of her work.

She has several in her house that she's finishing up right now that are just STUNNING! There's one Santa in blues and white wools, with silver accessories, who is holding a silver chain with a cute little dog in front of him. As always, her Santas are carrying various Christmas items, and have goodie bags full of more of her detailed toys and such.

When my children were little, they always had wonderful handmade presents for their birthdays and Christmas, that they looked forward to each year; stick horses to ride on, puppets of all kinds to play act with, a castle tower with Rapunzel in the top, and many more that I can't even remember!

Keep watch, to see when I announce her new items for my website, and bring a drool rag or bib, because I tell ya, you are going to be flabbergasted at her works!

I'm so proud of my sister - she's the oldest in our family, and I have always looked up to her and the incredible talent God has given to her. I always wanted to grow up to be just like her... :)She has always been a strong source of encouragement for me in my own art.

Janelle

New Extreme Primitive Black Santa

I don't know why I've been wanting to do more extreme Prims lately, but I whipped up this 19" Santa today and listed him on Ebay for a 3 day listing.

He's dressed in vintage feedsack, which I've added some coffee staining to in various places, to give him a well worn look.

He's holding a tree made from the same fabric; stained and embroidered with little white stars. A cinnamon painted and glittered star hangs from his other hand.

He has a loop on the back of his cap to hang from, or he can be seated alongside your other Prim Christmas decor!

His opening bid is only $19.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250328509245&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=015

New Americana Santa Ornies

I'm working on a few of these little Americana Santa ornies/bowl fillers. I have one listed on Etsy, and you can see him along with the rest of my things by clicking here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5609503

God is SO Very Good!

I am floored by an email I just received! A girl named Angie, whom I do not know, sent me this link - http://www.santacollectors.com/santa_figurines_cloth/folk_art_ooak_santa.html , saying I was featured with one of my Santas!

This is truly an honor, and I give all glory to my Father in Heaven!

Janelle

New Items In My Etsy Shop

I'm adding new items to my Etsy shop, and hope you'll stop by and take a peek! :)

Here's the newest Santa I've done - adapted from a Kentucky Primitives pattern. He's only $21.00 + shipping!

Click Here to see all my listings on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5609503

My Love for Santa and All Things Old

Oh today was a wonderful day! I picked up my oldest sister, who doesn't drive, and took her to run some of her errands. After that, we went thrift store hopping - something all of my sisters and I just LOVE to do! The ones we go to, all are run by local churches, and one is a store for Habitat for Humanity, so the money they get goes to good causes.
I found some great fur fabrics to use for Santa beards, a red and white throw ( I LOVE RED), an old wooden bowl, some little vintage Santa ornies that I collect.

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, because I found an aluminum Christmas tree, like I had when I was a little girl in the early 60s, but it was broken in a couple of spots, so I passed on that and got a small white table top sized one to put on my screeen porch, to fill with vintage ornies.
My best "scores" of the day were these that I'm posting pics of - Santa is my favorite thing to collect, and anything old and beat up are right up there with him on my list!
Normally I don't look at the purses and handbags, because my dear Hubby bought me a beautiful Coach handbag a few years ago, and I rarely use anything else, but when I saw this alligator (might be croc) handbag, I just HAD to have it! It's in MINT condition, inside and out, and costs me a whole 50 cents! It reminded me of something my mother would have had, and probably the shoes to go with it too. Had I have found the matching shoes in my size, they'd now be living here in my home as well...lol

I can't wait to get started decorating for Christmas!!! If I had the room here, I'd leave one section of the living room or my spare room as my "Christmas Room". I don't think my houseguests would much like to stay in a room filled with a Christmas Tree and decorations when they come to visist though!

New OoAK Santa Listed Today

I just finished up what has turned out to be my favorite Santa thus far, this season!

He is now listed on Ebay : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250315534569 with a starting bid of $64.99 with FREE SHIPPING! He measures 23 inches, and can be displayed with or without his hat. I left the top of little round head bald, and it just gives him so much character!

Now, back to sewing! :)

Janelle

New Americana Santa on Ebay

I managed to crank out a Santa today - decided to do him with a little Americana twist.

Lord knows we can never have too much patriotism in this great country of ours, and with all that's going on in our economy, we need to stand up and be proud that we CAN have a voice in our government. BUT.......we HAVE to STAND UP and make our voices HEARD!

Click this link and it will take you to the listing on Ebay, where you can see more pics and hopefully BID on this guy! :) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250300168136&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=015