Longing For Home
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Sunday, October 6, 2024
Longing For Home
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Messiah has come for us all . . .
They journey over the hills of Palestine to find a baby King in Nazareth... |
Christmas
OVER the hills of Palestine
The silver stars began to shine;
Night drew her shadows softly round
The slumb'ring earth, without a sound.
Among the dewy fields and rocks,
The shepherds kept their quiet flocks,
And looked along the dark'ning land
That waited the divine command.
When lo! through all the opening blue,
Far up the deep, dark heavens withdrew;
And angels in a radiant light
Praised God through all the list'ning night.
Again the sky was deep and dark;
Each star relumed his silver spark;
The dreaming land in silence lay
And waited for the dawning day.
But, in a stable low and rude,
Where white-horned, mild-eyed oxen stood.
The gates of heaven were still displayed
For Christ was in the manger laid.
"Messiah" sung by Francesca Battistelli
A Feel In The Christmas Air
James Whitcomb Riley
When the Chris' mas time sets in,
That's about as much of a mystery
As ever I've run agin! -
Fer instance, now, whilse I gain in weight
An' gineral health, I swear
They's a goneness somers I can't quite state-
A kind o' feel in the air.
They's a feel in the Chris'mas air goes right
To the spot where a man lives at! -
It gives a feller an appetite -
They ain't no doubt about that! -
And yit, they's somepin' - I don't know what -
That follows me here and there,
And ha' nts and worries and spares me not -
A kind o' feel in the air !
Is it the racket the children raise?
W'y, no! - God bless 'em! - no!
Is it the eyes and the cheeks ablaze-
Like my own wuz, long ago? -
Is it the bleat o' the whistle and beat
O' the little toy drum, and blare
O' the horn? -No! No! - It's jest the sweet -
The sad sweet feel in the air.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
The Christmas Play Coloring Page
Description of Coloring Page: children dressed in costume as Mary, Joseph and an angel with a trumpet, Christmas play for school or church, Nativity, a doll plays baby Jesus, shepherd staff, paper stars, theater curtain
Of the very first Christmas day.
Each actor's in his glory
And he knows just what to say!"
Friday, December 8, 2023
Craft Vintage Inspired Cone Figures
Finished vintage inspired, cone angel figures. |
- Roll heads from cotton batting and white glue.
- Cut out skirts from patterned Christmas papers.
- Shape and paste the paper skirts into cones.
- Glue the head on top.
- Stuff the cone shaped skirts with acrylic batting.
- Glue a cardboard disk to the bottom of the cones.
- Glue the pom pom features to the top of the head(s), one or two.
- Wrap the string around the pom poms and above the forehead areas to make the hair design.
- Cut the wings from decorative papers and glue these on.
- Wrap cotton batting around thin wire and let dry.
- Cut small pieces of that wire for arms and attach these with hot glue.
- Hot glue tiny gifts for angels to carry: holly and berries, bows for presents, snowflakes, bottle brush trees etc...
- Smear on touches of white glue and sprinkle angle wings with glitter.
Left, tiny cone angels hold: holly, bow and snowflake. Center several have bottle brush trees. Right, one has wings cut from a doily... and many have transparent glitter stuck to their wings. |
Left, are miniature angels with tulle skirts playing harps. Right the very same hold lights, seen in catalogue. |
Pattern for making a cone angel and one version of wings. |
More Examples of Vintage Figures from The 1960s:
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
DIY a cotton batting spider and web!
One of many Christmas spiders that hang on our trees during the holidays. This one is made from wire and cotton batting and a tiny bit of paint. The face is modeled from Sculpey pressed into a factory made mold. I'm not sure whether or not one of these may be found just anywhere... So crafters may need to paint a small wooden bead and attach it to their spider's body for a head.
This cotton batting spider hangs on a white Christmas tree ordinarily, however, this year she has been hung on a woodland themed tree in our study. |
Supply List:
- Sculpey (oven-bake clay)
- thin wire or chenille stems
- acrylic paint
- white cotton balls
- white school glue
- hot glue and hot glue gun
- white thread
- transparent glitter.
- First, cut long lengths of a thin wire or chenille stems to wrap with cotton batting. If you are using chenille stems, trim off excess fuzz, before wrapping these stems.
- Unravel several white cotton balls and dap on the glue to the surface of the wire.
- Twist the cotton fuzz around the sticky surface of the wire. You can roll the wire between the palms of your hands to get the cotton to adhere evenly.
- Now shape the spider's web twisting and trimming off ends as you go. Hang the web and let dry.
- To make the spider, cut eight short legs for the arachnid and wrap or glue these to a oval shaped bead.
- Glue on a head, I molded one from Sculpey.
- Cover the surfaces of the spider with a bit more cotton batting and glue and then attach the spider to the web using thread or hot glue.
- Paint on a few details if you like. I painted stripes on this spider and highlighted eye-brows.
- Brush more white glue on the entire surface of the spider and web to sprinkle on transparent glitter.
Left, the spider prior to painting. Right, the painted version. |
The spider get a shower of glitter after painting. |
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Preserve Cherished Ornaments
Give a gift of memories on a Christmas wreath this year! See this collection before it was wired to the wreath. |
The Christmas Holidays
The Christmas Holidays by D. M.
The snow lies thick upon the ground,
The leaves have dropped from off the trees;
Of woodland songs we hear no sound,
For ice-cold is the bitter breeze.
The singing birds are silent now,
With mournful look and drooping wing;
Starving of cold and hunger, how
Can they with mirthful music sing?
But winter has its charms for those
Who live in happy homes. Our boys
Our girls, who know nor grief nor woes,
Ah! winter has for them its joys:
Its happy Christmas holidays,
When home, so dear, seems dearer yet;
With mother's kiss and father's praise,
Ah! who such joys can e'er forget?
And then the Christmas visit paid
To Granddad in his country home;
Where many a merry boy and maid
Will cry, 'Granddad, we've come, we've come!'
Dear youthful days, how bright they seem
To happy-hearted girl and boy!
In after years they're but a dream,
But still, a dream of love and joy.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Legend of The Christ Child
I want to tell you to-night a story which has been told to little children in Germany for many hundreds of years...
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Age of Wonders
G. K. Chesterton from our collections at Christian Clip Art Review |
The King of Love My Shepherd Is...
Child Illustration by Gustave Tenggren |
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth
The Sheet Music, simplified Baker and Dykes Hymn. |
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Santa Head Scrap Restored!
Use this Santa head scrap for personal craft projects only folks. I've restored it from a vintage ephemera collection. Paste old St. Nick's portrait into ornaments or gift cards as you need him...
Smallest versions of antique Santa Claus scraps. |
Larger versions of antique St. Nicholas scraps for crafting. |
Monday, October 30, 2023
Deck The House With Green Boughs and Wreaths
Of the many ways in which we can give expression to the Christmas spirit there is none more lasting than the attractive decoration of the house. The pleasure of exchanging gifts is soon over, as is the enjoyment of each of many festivities, but the home decorations remain throughout the holiday season, always reminding us that it is Christmas and of what the season means.
On this post are shown a few simple suggestions which can be inexpensively carried out. Holly wreaths are always identified with Christmas, but in connection with them very effective use can be made of other evergreens, such as hemlock and laurel. Why not try to make the home more Christmas-like this year than ever before?
Above is a long pine garland draped down the banister of the staircase. Small clusters of holly and berries also between the garland. |
Festoons of Christmas greenery also decorate more mantles in this home and pots filled with hemlock and small conifers. |
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Coming
by M. J. Savage
The Taper
The Taper by Hezekiah Butterworth
Amid the gloaming cold;
Before me was the chancel
And unlit lamps of gold.
From the mullioned window's chalice
Was spilled the wine of light,
And across the winter valleys
Was drawn the wing of night.
The frescos of the angels
Above me were unseen,
And viewless were the statues
Each pillared arch between.
The chancel door swung open;
There came a feeble light,
Whose halos like a mantle
Fell over the acolyte.
And one by one he kindled
The silver lamps and gold,
And the old Cathedral's glories
Before my eyes unrolled.
The jet of light was feeble;
The lamps were stars of flame
And I could read behind them
Immanuel's wondrous name.
The taper - light's evangel -
Touched all the chandeliers;
As if by Heaven transfigured.
Appeared the Saints and seers.
Along the sculptured arches
Appeared the statues dim;
And pealed the stormy organ
The peaceful advent hymn.
And as the form retreating
Passed slowly from my sight.
Eclipsed in lights it kindled
Was lost the taper's light.
One taper lights a thousand,
Yet shines as it has shone,
And the humblest light may kindle
A brighter than its own.
And if within these pages,
One touch of sympathy
May to a heart more helpful
An inspiration be,
Not vainly moves the taper
O'er life's cathedral floor,
Though it may pass unheeded
Without the chancel door.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Christmas In The Woods
Christmas In The Woods
by Henry Clayton Hopkins
What season can it be but Christmas Eve,
When drowsy Nature's icy fingers weave
Such pure delights in frost-bound earth and sky
As warm the heart and captivate the eye?
The sunset burns across blue-shadowed snow
And gilds the trees, all blackened, with its glow;
The azure heaven sparkles as it fades
To deeper hues that herald nightly shades.
In all the bracing air a gladness floats,
As sweet as music from the swelling throats
Of summer birds, and Nature's children feel
A witchery of concord o'er them steal
Deserting burrow, nest and hollow tree,
In fur and feathers, Little Folks in glee
Dance down the meadow path and forest lane,
And thoughts of cruel traps and guns disdain.
To many a festal tree their gambols lead,
Where stored against the barren winter's need
The golden corn and rosy apples peep
From drifts of snow in luscious, tempting heap.
In jolly circles round and round they go
In step to merry shout of Jay and Crow,
And whistle of the Red-bird, as they flash
Among the trees in many a headlong dash.
Perhaps they do not know 'tis Christmas Eve,
Nor in its vague enchantment sweet believe,
But on this day they feast without a fear,
Who live as foes thro' all the changing year,
Till stars look down with laughing eyes that seem
To send a joyful message on each beam.
The Illustrated Printable Copy Below
Lovely illustrated poem in color of forest animals. |
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Our Town Library by Bailey
What child doesn't love to visit a small town library? And... librarians are some of the kindest people I have ever known! Don't forget to take your children to the library this weekend and share in one of life's simplest of pleasures... a story read together.
A classic design for a small town library; it would look perfect in your Christmas village! |
Detailed pattern and sizes for a miniature library building. |
Our Town Fire Station House by Bailey
For as many things that do change over time, this fire station is amazingly similar to those that are built today, particularly when these are tucked away in areas near homes. Many fire stations in St. Louis look just like this one! Except for the finishing on the exterior. That, has a tendency to be brick.
This fire station has living quarters on the second story and Giant "stable like doors." |
Very detailed plans for a miniature fire station house from 1927. |
Our Town Movie Theater by Bailey
Long ago, every small American town had it's own movie theater. Now that we all have big screen T.V. monitors these are fast becoming a thing of the past. I still enjoy an occasional night out to see a movie, eat popcorn, and enjoy the company of friends, although it is getting pretty expensive for my thinning wallet... (Bailey Town Prints, 1927)
The outside of the theater should look like this one shown above. |
The inside of the theater, minus seating should look like this. |
Friday, June 9, 2023
A Puppy to Color for Christmas!
"This year, please bring us a pet."
Under the tree we looked, quick, quick,
And saw that Santa didn't forget.
Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.
Vintage coloring of children decorating the tree...
Description of the Coloring Page: ornaments, lights, stars, electric bubble lights, stars, bell, small boy and girl, brother and sister, Christmas tree, decorating
And oh, how pretty it will be
With Christmas ornaments so bright
And every bough aglow with light.
Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Glory to God, The Light of The World!
"I am the light of the world." This is one of those short, pregnant statements of our Lord characteristic of this Gospel, which impress us at once by their brevity, their beauty, and their largeness of meaning. Statements of a similar kind, of equal terseness and force, occur to every one - "I am the good shepherd"; "I am the resurrection, and the life"; "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
"I am the good shepherd" from our family Christian clip art blog here. |
Craft tiny sea horse ornaments for the feather tree!
Miniature sea horses made from cotton batting in four colors: pink, lavender, coral and blue. |
- acrylic paints in pastel colors
- white cupcake liners
- translucent glitter
- white school glue
- hot glue gun and glue
- one chenille stem per sea horse
- puff paints for eyes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cut a chenille stem into approx. half length.
- Unravel several cotton balls and set these aside.
- Shape the bottom end into a spiral. Shape the opposite end into a hook for the head of the sea horse. Both of these ends will be reworked later but having them bent early will help you to understand the proportions of the sea horse as you work.
- The belly of the sea horse will require you to build up more batting than you will need at either end.
- Layer white glue and batting fuzz around the belly first.
- Now unbend the hooked head and gradually twist batting around the chenille end to bulk up the head area. Bend this end back in place and compare it with the photos of mine. When you are satisfied with your results let the head dry and harden.
- Now do the same for the spiral tail. You will need far less cotton batting for this end. Make the application of cotton far less and gradually smooth it down from the underside of the sea creature's belly.
- Bend the spiral tail back into place and let it dry completely.
- Add pastel color washes to your sea horse.
- Cut small rippled sections of the white cupcake liner for the dorsal and pectoral fins and glue them in place with hot glue.
- Paint the fins
- Paint on the eyes using puff paints to make them more dimensional
- Smear on a bit of white school glue and sprinkle on glitter.
The March of The Chocolate Soldiers!
The March of The Chocolate Soldiers
by Margaret McBride Hoss
The Chocolate soldiers are marching to-day
Through the heart of Candyville town.
Down Marshmallow Street,
With measured beat,
Stride the ranks of butternut brown
Tramp-tramp-tramp-tramp-
To the roll of sugar-plum drum,
Heads erect.
Step correct,
The chocolate soldiers come!
Not a chocolate soldier lags,
Left . . right . . .
They pass from sight
'Mid a flutter of peppermint flags!
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Simple and easy to make hydrangea under glass...
Delicate hydrangea petals in a Christmas bauble. |
- hollow, clear bauble and clip on cap
- dried hydrangea petals
- vintage lace