Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I've been out-of-commission the last few days as I had knee surgery on the 23rd. I'm feeling better now and wanted to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas. Here's some fun pics of my vintage inspired Christmas decorations.

I hope your Christmas was filled with friends, family, and love.

Di

Sewing Up a Star Storm

Hello.

I’m not sure if it’s the economy or just a desire to give something special and unique to those you care for, but I’m joining the large number of people who are making Christmas gifts this year.

I love these adorable star and moon pillows. I haven’t sewn them for years and wasn’t even sure the old sewing machine would fire up. It was so fun to browse through the fabric store and pick-out the perfect fabric and buttons to match each of my friends/families décor. For example, I picked a furry brown fleece with pink spots and a silver Eiffel Tower button for one of my nieces in college to match her bedspread (she’s going to Paris this spring).

I’ve got all the patterns cut-out and am now onto the sewing frenzy. It helps to have a glass of wine and HGTV on. I’ll post more pics again when they’re completed.

I'd love to hear if any of you are planning on sewing, crafting, or baking this year's Christmas gifts. If so, leave me a comment and we can all share your great ideas.

Happy Christmas Crafting!

Di

Christmas Treasures from the Thrift Store

Hello!

I hope you're doing well and ready to stuff yourself on Thursday and shop-till-you-drop on Friday. This time of year, I crave pumpkin pie (especially for breakfast with a cup of coffee). Well, I couldn't wait until Thursday and made one today 4-days-early (to the excitement of the guys in my house). It totally hit the spot with a dollop of whipped creme and will be even better in the morning!

I stopped at the thrift store on the way home from work on Friday and found the cutest Christmas treasures. A few will stay home-for-the-holidays at my house, but most will go to the antique mall and wait patiently to be adopted by other vintage loving gals like myself.

The first is a 1960s vintage plastic light-up Santa (I remember these. Maybe you do too!)

An adorable 1960s metal snowman tray with white rick-rack and red plaid and polka-dot trim. The deal of the year-a beautiful cast iron ornate red tree stand (for $6.99)!

A cheerful Christmas tablecloth with red rick-rack trim. It would be sooooo cute on the kid's table.

A pretty hand embroidered Dutch Christmas linen that says, "Boas Festas" (Happy Holidays).

I was feeling festive and put up my tiny red Christmas tree with silver and white penguins and black sparkly balls. It's not too early is it?

Have a good night and get some rest. You'll need it this week!

Di

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Hello!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas-at the Antique Mall.

Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier every year. Our Christmas open house at the Antique World Mall in Boise, Idaho (where I have a booth), was November 1st!

I love the charm of vintage Christmas items. If you haven't Christmas shopped at your local antique store yet, you need to grab your best gf and go. You can find adorable santas, angels, and sparkly silver aluminum trees that will whisk you back to Christmases past. Here's the added bonus: vintage items are usually less expensive, better quality, and much cuter than anything you can buy at a department store.

I snapped a few pics of my antique booth to share with you. I hope they have you humming Christmas carols in no time.
















The "JOY" is made of old plastic store letters I found at the thrift store for .25 each. I dug through the pile of broken and scratched ones until I found a J O Y and a N E S T.
A sweet shabby white baby doll crib waits patiently to be taken home while a 1950s ladies blue hat with dotted lace sits on it's edge saying-please wear me to town.
Several old black vintage birdcages are all dolled-up with silver stars and white dove inhabitants.
A pretty pink tea set and pink jewelry box sit in front of a shabby white spice shelf.
Vintage garden items hang with Santa on the top shelf.
The glass display case is filled with blue world globe banks, sweet pastel children's planters, and flower hankies.
A New York snow globe rests next to the Eiffel tower and Christmas cookies sit on a black and white enamelware plate. Will Santa ever come?

Happy dreams of a vintage Christmas!

Di

Happy Halloween

Hello. I hope everyone has a frightfully fun Halloween on Friday!

What's really scary is my baby will be turning 18 on the 30th. I can't believe it! The time has gone so fast. I'll probably bawl all day.

In the meantime, I thought I'd invite you inside for a Halloween treat and maybe a monstor martini or two in the bar!

Have a safe, spooky day.

Di

Vintage Decorating With Pumpkins

Hello!

I've been awhile since I've posted any fun vintage decorating ideas. Things have been a little crazy with work, family stuff, and a new writing class I'm taking.

A fun, easy, and cheap way to decorate your vintage items is to stop by your nearest farmers market or pumpkin patch and buy a variety of pumpkins in different shapes and sizes. Set these out around the house, in the yard, on the front porch-anywhere you need a little Harvest color.

The beauty of the pumpkin is that uncarved, it can be both Halloween and Thanksgiving decor.

Here's a few pics of some pumpkins around my house.

Take care, and see you again soon!

Di