Finally, A White Christmas Tree!

I have had small tabletop trees that were white before, but I have wanted a full sized, white Christmas tree for quite a while now.

I finally found a nice one six feet tall at a thrift store last December, but it was after I had already done my decorating.
Today I'm posting photos of my tree, but I'm running late and I will have to come back and add the whole story behind it as soon as I have time.
Meanwhile, here are pictures of it, in progress and then finally the finished tree.

I hope you''l revisit in a day or two, because I need to add details about this whole white tree "thing".
For now, I'm just going to tell you that it was kind of a big deal.
Details to follow.........

All Wrapped Up

When I have the time, I like to try and make the gifts I wrap look as nice as possible.
Some of them are simpler than others:

Some are more whimsical and colorful:

I have a thing for wrapping paper with lots of color on a black background:

This blue and green paper is vintage - and reversible!

Simple really can look very stunning, don't you think?

This paisley paper is another favorite:

I think the next one, below is one of the Martha Stewart Everyday papers I still have from KMart - oh, how I loved her themes every year - I still miss those!

The package below is for my friend Heidi - I always try to do something special on her packages, when possible:

Another red and green one, with a little different touch:

And last, but not least - it really isn't quite Christmas without Charlie Brown and Snoopy, is it?

...yes, and Woodstock , and a tree, and.....
Happy Christmas Eve everybody!
Try and get some sleep!

Special Vintage Finds For Christmas

I just wanted to share a few of the most special finds I've managed to bring home recently.
Let's start with this gorgeous Nativity trio, below:

I had seen a photo of this very same set in a copy of magazine, the current issue of "Vintage Holiday", on page 56.  It was in an article about Brynne Delerson of "The Gathered Home".
Honestly, I had just stared at that photo more than once, thinking to myself how lovely the figures were, and that I'd never seen anything like them - not in a photo in print or online, nor anywhere in real life.
I truly could not believe my eyes when I walked into a thrift store and found the VERY same set!
At the same time (same place), I found the beautiful papier mache angel below, also:

 I have quite a collection of vintage angels - but I did not have one like her.
All of those were certainly wonderful additions to my collection, and very special, indeed!
Lori actually found this ceramic cottage cookie jar you see in the next picture, and picked it up for me:

Thanks so much, Lor!
It's perfect - and it's the only one I have that truly looks "Christmasy"!
 I love it.
And it needed to be here to join the other cottages in my collection - but you knew that!
I found these two Wise Men, below made of burlap at a local thrift store.
The one on the left was missing his crown, so I fashioned one for him with things I had on hand:

Believe it or not, I walked into the same thrift shop over a month later, and who do you suppose was sitting there on a table, looking like he was waiting there just for me?
You guessed, it, the OTHER Wise Man!
I was very happy to bring him home, and unite the trio:

And I also found this lovely Christmas tree pendant:

I didn't have anything like it, and the sparkle of rhinestones makes me happy!
Hope you've managed to find some special vintage Christmas items, too!

A Christmas Craft Fair

Hi! Sis Lori here, today.

This past fall I sold my items at two different craft fairs.

One, unfortunately, was not well attended, but the other

was better.

 I make a variety of crafts, most using vintage items.

      I have a very good friend who shares the table and fees with me.
      She makes beautiful beaded jewelry, bracelets, earrings, etc., as you can see below:

 I finally made a few vintage baby block Christmas trees, so that was a new item this time for me:

Also new were vintage tart tin ornaments with vintage Christmas
seals used in the background and other added adornments.

 I made some glass garland candy canes, too - that idea came from the talented Magpie Ethel!

Also seen in my photos are key fobs, vintage button rings, snowman tea lights, etc.
 The snowman Hershey nuggets shown at the bottom in the photo above are very popular; it seems I can never make enough!!! These are my standard, repurposed clothespins made  with washi tape tiny strong magnet on back. I also make the "skinny" note pads.

A couple more close-up photos:

I also tried some designs for Christmas corsages w/vintage items I have collected.
Heidi gave me some great ideas!
 She has a flair for décor!!!!!

             We will probably do it again next year.

(And just a note to end on: If you have a Square reader for accepting credit cards, that can be really helpful!
 After all, who wants to lose a sale after all your hard work?!
Not me.)

What's Penny Wearing? #146 - A Christmas Ensemble

 Today, Penny wanted to show you the pretty sweater and skirt I found that would be just perfect for Christmas.

A crocheted cotton sweater in a pretty green:

And the skirt is red cotton denim, brand new with tag:

My tree brooch is missing a rhinestone or two, but it still sparkles, and I added a lone tree earring to be it's little "mini me".

I thought they'd all look pretty together for Christmas!

Christmas Finds, Much To My Delight!

It's so much fun to discover vintage treasures, and I have gotten lucky lately, and have managed to find some wonderful Christmas items.
Angels are one of my favorite collections, and the ones in these two first photos on my post made me very happy!
This little candle-hugger is from Fitz And Floyd, and so is the candle holder holding the candle she's hugging!

I could NOT believe my eyes when I spied this lovely trio, below!

(Because I am OBSESSED with these colorful painted angels. Whenever I find any to add to my collection, I believe my heart skips a beat.)
I also found this cutie-pie snowman bell, and the little angel alongside him:

A vintage red reindeer Dream Pet, his little red-flocked reindeer friend, and a dear little elf:

Let's all dance and sing while Santa plays the accordion!
Found him at the Vets Thrift - he's a music box:

I added vintage bottle brush trees to the lamp posts after buying this adorable pair at the flea market:

And here's another pretty angel!

Santa and some reindeer, along with vintage wrapping paper as a background:

And a papier mache box in red and green, which doesn't necessarily have to be just for Christmas, of course:

I think I paid fifty-cents for a plastic bag containing all of these special angel ornaments......

   ....  along with these birds:

(I couldn't add that bag to my basket quickly enough!)
Four more Santa mugs are always welcome in this house, especially with smiles as sweet as these:

Colorful vintage tags:

Whew!
I think that's it for today, only because I need to get this post up, and work on other things!