Our Christmas Tree and My Stitching Space

Merry Christmas Everyone, I had some time today so I took some photos of our 2008 Christmas Tree. This photo is of "My Stitching Space" in the living room. Here I can sit and stitch for hours. When the tree is not up I look right out onto the front yard where I can admire my flower beds in the "Blooming Season" and usually heaps of snow in the Winter.

The Quilt behind my chair is the very first and last quilt I ever bought before I started quilting back in 1994. the quilt pattern is called the Texas Lone Star or Bethlehem Star. It was made by an Amish lady in Indiana. The hand quilting stitches are absolute perfect except for in the bottom left hand corner where one of the blossom pattern is not completed. I was told by this lady that all Amish woman do this because the only person who is perfect is "God"... Also the Amish lady stitched 1987 in the bottom of the quilt so I will always know when she made it. Also the very lovely quilt rack was made for me for a Christmas a couple of years ago by "My Sweetie".

You can see in the above photo that today is a very snowy day with Lake Effect Snow warning for this evening where we are told we will get up to 12 inches of snow. very sad face. Most of the Christmas Ornaments are from a village called Lauscha in Eastern Germany. The Krebs Glas Ornaments are the first known company that made the glass blown ornaments. The "Krebs" link above will take you on a lovely photos tour of Lauscha and the place where these lovely ornaments are made. There is also several ornaments that my Kindred Spirits friends have made and given to me over the years.

I am a huge fan of Anne of Green Gable and another "Kindred Spirit Friend" named "River" gave me this wonderful Glass Ornament for Christmas this year. It is truly beautiful.

A Very Dear Friend Thea made this "Christmas Quilt" for me in 2003 and it has hung in the living room every Christmas since. It is machine embroidery which I have never attempted because I love to sit and stitch. It is truly beautiful.

This ornament I also bought in Lauscha Germany to remind me of all "My Wonderful Dear Friends in Australia and My Sis Lyn who also lives in Melbourne Australia.

I stitched this Folk Art Christmas Ornament back in 2002.

I also made this Folk Art Penny Rug Christmas Tree a few years back. Next week I will take you all on a tour of the Christmas Market in Stuggart Germany. Have a great week everyone.

Hugs Judy

My Seiffen Germany Christmas Scene Display

Today is December 1st 2008 and I have finished most of my Christmas decorations. I love this time of year when I can bring out all my lovely Christmas Decoration I bought when I lived in Germany.

The frosted Christmas Tree in the above photo is called a "Doppel Schwibbogon" which I bought in the lovely village of Seiffen, Germany. Seiffen is the official Christmas village in Germany. Seiffen is located in Eastern Germany in the "Erzgebirge Mountains" near the border of the Czech Republic. To me Seiffen is a "Magical Winter Wonderland" that I will remember forever through all the lovely Christmas decorations I have to admire when I bring them out every Christmas. Also you will see a Santa, Snowman and Christmas Tree Smokers which give off lovely smells from the scented cones.

The Christmas village of Seiffen in the winter time. In the far background you will see the Octagon "Mountain Church of Seiffen" which I have a replica of in the first photo above.

A bit of history about Seiffen. The toy village of Seiffen owes its name to mining. It is from the winning and washing out of tin that its name "Seiffen" ( mining of tin) originates. In 1324 the name was mentioned in a document for the first time. When mining became more and more unprofitable and miners got into serious difficulties, the number of wood tuners increased from year to year. Seiffen has a link to a lovely video that shows many of the wonderful toys they create. I only wished I would of brought home with me some lovely Christmas music from Seiffen.
The "Mountain Church of Seiffen" in the Spring time.

Above is a photo of the "Kurrende" singers. Historically "Kurrende" was a poor schoolboys choir singing before houses for alms. They are also included in the top photo of "My Seiffen Christmas Scene Display"!! I hope you all enjoyed the wee trip to Seiffen Germany. I have several more lovely Christmas places to take you in Germany in the weeks to come. Hugs Judy