Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas Past

Can you stand the sight of one more Christmas related item? I couldn't show these to you before Christmas because that would have been like peeking for the people I gave them to! Can you believe I made these trees from rope?!?!? My incredibly clever friend Rosann hosted another one of her craft & coffee days and taught us how to make these bottle brush trees using sisal rope. They are really quite simple once you get the hang of it, and there are thousands of ways to color and decorate them. Our minds were spinning!



I also decorated a cardboard/paper mache house box for my sister Joan. It's about 9" high. From this:





to this:

It was really fun to do. I put some of those battery-operated tealight candles inside so it glows! Just be careful when you knock on the door if you visit--those icicles are about ready to crack and fall off!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas-Vintage Thingies Thursday

Merry Christmas! I hope your day is as happy as this small (about 4" x 10") painting I found at a garage sale that captures a happy, child-like winter's day. I estimate it's from the 1970's. Doesn't it make you smile?

Find more vintage thingies every Thursday at Colorado Lady's blog!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday


More postcards from Emma. These are from 1900-1920. Someone was writing very frequently from college. I have about 30 postcards that have a Holiday theme, and 4 that wish the recipient a "Happy New Year", but only ONE for Halloween. Why is that? Did devout catholics shun Halloween?

See more vintage items every Thursday at Colorado Lady's blogspot!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

'Twas Days Before Christmas and All Through My House..

How would you finish this line? Well, today I can finally say that my holiday decorating is finished, I think. So while things still look uncluttered, I'll take you on a short tour. Here's a few pictures of areas around the house.

I've been waiting for months, like a good little house maker, to set up this pine garland and lights on top of my headboard, now that I have a headboard! Saw it in a magazine, and I love the way it turned out, although the article failed to warn about "pine" needles littering my pillowcases! The Santa pillow is one that I found a few years ago at the local flea market, and is JUST LIKE the one my mom had when I was growing up. The wreath on my hall tree is made of metal charms! (You can click on all the pictures to make them larger) And behind the front door where we hang our coats is the shelf where I always set up my gold bottle brush trees.


Next is my little snow scene that I set up on top of a buffet every year. The metal skaters are JUST like the ones my mom set up when I was growing up. There's lots of bottle brush trees, new and vintage. I put lights under the "snow" and it makes everything GLOW like crazy. The church has paper windows and it lights up and plays music. The blue house was a bird house before I plugged up the hole, and it's KINDA like the one mom had when I was a kid. The dog chewed up that old one (because someone was playing with it and left it outside), and I have no idea where the metal people ended up.

Above the snow scene is a round mirror on top of the buffet where more pine garland with lights and bare branches that the glass bird ornaments sit in and the icicles dangling from. My original Wendy Addison "Merry Christmas" glittered sign is front and center.

And the aprons are gone from the kitchen window for now. Instead, there is a curtain of stars that end in piles on top of more pine garland. Tucked into the boughs are something new this year--vintage holiday gnomes! I was lucky to find a shoebox full of them for just a few dollars! Most have gone to good homes after being sold at the shop last weekend, but I kept these little guys to serenade me with their musical instruments, as I do the dishes.


And the snowman is a fellow I can't wait to unwrap every year just to see his grin. He was made by a good friend, and he always reminds me to take time out from the rush and smile--JUST LIKE I did this time of year when I was growing up.

Monday, December 8, 2008

You'll Be Blown Away...


by all the great stuff we've managed to cram into the warehouse for December's sale at the shop! This little guy will be there too. He's another one of the pom-pom characters I've been busy making. I made black cats for Halloween, and now Mr. Snowman is ready to make his wintry debut. He holds onto his top hat as his scarf blows in the chilly wind, but the brave-hearted little guy is determined to present you with a tree for the holidays, and his personal invitation to come see us on December 11, 12, 13 & 14th. Ski you there!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving


May it be filled with warmth!


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday - Buttons







I've got a lot of vintage buttons! Recently (being the anal person that I can sometimes be) I organized them all by "likability" factors; meaning how much I favored each one. (Hey, I'm still out of work and have a little time on my hands!) The three categories were as simple as "premium" , "so-so" and "oh you can find those anywhere". Shown here are the premium ones that I hope to soon incorporate with my vintage lace collection, into something I'll be selling in a(yet to be set up) Etsy shop.
Want to see more vintage goodies? Check every Thursday at Coloradolady. (I know I'm posting this on Wednesday!)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Accidental Collection











I didn't start out to collect vintage children's books. I hastily grabbed some at a busy estate sale once, and jammed them in my box. Once I got home and actually looked at them, I knew I couldn't part with them! Now I'm hooked... (The oldest one I have is from 1882!)
Find others who share your obsession every Thursday at The Apron Queen.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Good Things Are In Store!











November is always an exciting time of year for me at the shop. All the consignors and owner, Susan, go "all out" with vintage holiday and Christmas items, and have fun with our displays! Everything looks so festive and cozy, it makes browsing through the shop so fun. This month I made some ornaments from sheet music, crepe paper and German dressen from "Castle In The Air" in Berkeley, where I spent a beautiful afternoon last week with friends (I'll be blogging about it soon!). I also painted an old window with doves, holly, and pine branch silhouettes, making a nice Christmas art piece. The sale starts this Thursday evening at 6 PM, and continues through Sunday. Hope you can make it!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Vintage Thingies - Emma's Jewels
















These are jewels that belonged to my father-in-laws mother, Emma! Find more delights like these every Thursday at The Apron Queens "Vintage Thingies Thursday"!

Friday, October 31, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Customized Pumpkin from The Generator Blog! Make your own!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday






For five bucks I got a gallon zipper-bag full of lace! See that strange rope trim in the last picture? It's muslin-covered ball chain and it's heavy! What the heck do you suppose they used to use that for?!?!
Find more vintage curiosties over at The Apron Queen every Thursday.....

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday



This makes me happy: bits and pieces picked up for a song! I found one of those collapsible metal cups like Mom had for trips in the car!
For more nostalgia visit The Apron Queen every Thursday!

Friday, October 3, 2008

October's Treats Continue!



















Let's take a stroll to a secret little town and then through these doors...




look down and see the trail of glitter on the threshold that leads into the portal of magic!





Our hostess is busy arranging an array of glittering curiosities to delight her many guests




who happen upon MYSTERY...

skeletons in sashes and oddities under glass


Welcome to Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams!
You have one more day to make the journey, so tarry not!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday - A Blue Note


How sad is the day when you come to realize that you have run out of wall space and have no place to hang something anymore! I bought this robin's egg blue shelf from a fellow consignor at Room With A Past because I love it, but it's been sitting on the floor in my laundry room for over 6 months! Gotta find a home for the poor dear and stuff it with some great junk!

Look for more great vintage items being shared today and every Thursday at The Apron Queen's blog!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Treating The Tricksters

In honor of the first day in the trickiest month of the year, here's a little treat to get you started with some sinister possibilities! Your Own Newspaper Clipping Generator

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday -- Baby Booty




Here is the rest of my "haul" from last week.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday

Out and about last weekend searching for treasure, I was disappointed to have driven all over town and only found a few things, stuffing them all into a little bag. Last night I pulled them out; a few baby clothes, knit booties, and a child's apron. I hadn't noticed before, but the cute little pleated apron with blue rick rack was still stiff, like it had never been used and there was a crinkling sound in the tiny pocket--a note! It reads "Victoria with love from Great grandmother Georgia- every stitch hand sewed." Treasure indeed...


Humbled and A Little Shocked


So, uh, I actually won the Mind Wide Open Challenge #3. I still can't believe it! There are so many talented people who entered, I mean have you read any of their blogs and seen what beauty they display?!? Gail, Sherry and everyone over there were so kind and supportive.
I feel like I gain a little something every time I make something that makes me happy, but to know that other people appreciate what I've done is pure magic to me. Thank you to those who took the time to vote for me or drop me a line. It's pure magic I tell you........

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday--Curtain Call

I love love love old linens! I have quite a few old aprons, too, and most of them are all stashed away in a box in a closet. "What a dope!" I thought to myself when I finally had an idea on how to use AND display them! So they ended up as curtains! These are two I have over my kitchen sink.