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!