Friday, December 28, 2012

Happy Christmas Time!

 I hope you all had an absolutely wonderful holiday!!  Christmas is all about the perfect blend of family and friends, good food, good conversation, resting, fun, and of course, presents!

 Our holiday was really lovely.  Ben and I hosted again this year (which we love!) and this time Ben's mom and step-dad joined us, which was so special.  

The vast majority of my holiday season was spent in the studio, but two weekends after Thanksgiving I snuck away for a day to cut down a tree with Ben and my family and to decorate the house!  The tree trunk wouldn't fit in my tree stand, so I had to think fast and wound up putting the tree in a big galvanized tub with a smaller bucket inside and tons of rocks from outside.  It worked like a charm! 

 Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to put all of my ornaments on the tree (there's still a whole giant box that was untouched!), but I got a good amount on.  The tree branches didn't droop quite as much as it did last year though, lol. 

 I got all the gifts made and bought and wrapped up just in the last few days before Christmas...talk about cutting it close!  Phew!

 My grandmother's old china cabinet sprouted a pine forest!

 Antique batting skiers hang out on top of the piano.  For Ben's gift, I had the piano tuned....the guy said, "well...jeez...that's a really old piano!"  But now it sounds even more beautiful.

 I've had my prized feather tree up all year.  Ben is ready to take it down himself, but I'm glad to have enjoyed it for a prolonged period of time.  This winter hopefully I'll be building a new mantel for this fire place that will go to the ceiling.  I'll be putting shelves in the cubby where the tree is and the tree will hide in a secret panel in the back until next Christmas when it's time for it to show off again.

 All the little elves, snowmen, and santa's came out to play again this year.

 Even Mr. Scare E. Squirrel was getting festive.

 For the past few years I've baked myself a holiday treat...hersey kiss thumb print cookies!  

Num num num!  I just ate two while writing this post!

 When I was playing around with the china cabinet display, at first I had this complicated scene...then I decided to keep it simple. 

 Sometimes it's refreshing to see just a few gnomes frolicking in a bottle brush forest and that's it.  I imagine the white finish of the cabinet to be snow...an imaginary wonderland!

 The putz villages, both large and small, completed construction on the book shelves.

 I sure wouldn't mind living in a library village where the hills were stacks of books instead of rock and dirt.  Think of how scholarly all the townsfolk would be!

 Santa goes down vases just as often as chimney's.

 And speaking of chimney's, the front hall fireplace is swagged in vintage pinecone garland, bleached bottle brush trees and old paper mache boots.

 Ben's old camera's are still at home among the holiday goodness.

 Antique German glass tree toppers line up on top of the mantel.  They are being held by antique paper stabbers...the perfect marriage between two items meant for different purposes if I don't say so myself! 

 The kitchen mantel just got a very simple holiday sprucing up...

 A single putz house and some bottle brush trees nestled among the mirrors and cloches.

 The kitchen window sill always has an ever changing collection of goodies. 

 This time it's a set of vintage German Erzgebirge that I got at the last estate we went to (the house was filled with German stuff!!).

 The living room got a very mild dose of holiday spirit this year.  Some retro reflector wreaths...

 ...and my two glass trees and little white church.

 Christmas day!!!  

You can tell our family arrived by all the gifts!  There's barely room to walk!  The biggest tallest one was mine!  (A new vacuum cleaner from Ben...not thrilling for most, but thrilling for me!).   

  I didn't put very much effort into the table settings, but I think it looks nice.

 Ben and his mom did most of the cooking...and it was delicious!  My mom made chicken and they made stuffing, mixed roasted veggies, greenbean cassarole, mashed potatoes, and I made the cranberry sauce...yum yum yum!  And we still have lots of leftovers!

 It was a fun and fulfilling Christmas day!  People talked, got silly, took naps in the kitchen, and just hung out.  Perfection!

And the puppy and kitties relaxed after table scraps and lots of new toys.

That was our Christmas!  I hope yours was magical and fulfilling as well!  Best wishes to all!!  :)

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Update!

 Santa on a Car - SOLD

Christmas is just around the corner!  Whoohoo!  For me it's time to break out the eggnog and do a little last minute shopping.  We're having Christmas at our house again this year and the house is all decked out...I've even kept a few more spun cotton goodies for myself this year than usual.  And based on today's update, you can see why.  I've been literally burning the midnight oil to make enough goodies for everyone who wants them and then some!  There are 122 pieces for sale today and I hope you find one or some that just tickle your fancy and put some pep into your holiday step!   Merry Christmas everyone!!  :)

As usual, blog readers get first dibs on my new spun cotton one-of-kind figures. If you see something(s) you love, just email me at vintagebycrystal@yahoo.com and I'll let you know if they're still available. First come first served! I'll update item statuses in this post as often as I can to make it easier for you to know what's available. Items often get scooped up quickly, so make your selection as swiftly as you can, you can always add available pieces to your order later. Also feel free to include second choices in case your first choice is unavailable, but make sure you label them "second choice".  Click on photos to enlarge and pieces that can hang as ornaments are marked (orn).

Shipping is $3.50 for one item and $1 per additional item up to $6.50, then additional pieces are free. All paid orders will ship out immediately and should arrive within a few days.  I ship via 3-4 day first class mail, however if you're concerned about having it by Christmas, priority shipping is $1 extra.  I send Paypal invoices via email unless you specify that you'd rather pay via check. And of course email me if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!

The Decorator Elf - SOLD
Pam on a Bell (orn) - SOLD
Candy Cane Bunny - SOLD

Miss Merry Christmas (orn) - SOLD
Princess Star (orn) - SOLD
Little Miss and her Dolly (orn) - SOLD

The Gift Giver - SOLD
Atop the Presents Kid - SOLD
Miss Drummer - SOLD

Peppermint - SOLD
Miss Santa Bell - SOLD
Up on the Rooftop Kid - SOLD
Miss Choo Choo (orn) - SOLD
Bella Basket (orn) - SOLD
Sunny Sled (orn) - SOLD

Miss Jingle (orn) - SOLD
Pretty Pointsettia (orn) - SOLD
Miss Rag Doll (orn) - SOLD

Tree Trimmer Owl (orn) - SOLD

 
Miss Cardinal - SOLD
Miss Star (orn) - SOLD
Scotch Gift Kid - SOLD

  
Miss Wreath - SOLD
Barbara Basket - SOLD
Miss Good Tidings - SOLD

Candy Cane Clinger (orn) - SOLD
Miss Advent - SOLD
Miss Shooting Star (orn) - SOLD

Miss Nutcracker (orn) - SOLD
Wreath Angel (orn) - SOLD
Miss Leon (orn) - SOLD

Miss Cookie - SOLD
Miss Rum Pa Pa Pum - SOLD
Sally Santa - SOLD

Miss Sylvia Snowflake (orn) - SOLD
Miss Balsam Fir (orn) - SOLD
Miss Sammy Snowflake (orn) - SOLD

Peter Pringle (orn) - SOLD
Blue Spruce Santa - SOLD
Jump Rope Jimmy (orn) - SOLD

Miss Blue Ice Cypress (orn) - SOLD
Miss Glittered Candy Cane (orn) - SOLD
Icy Santa (orn) - SOLD

The Ice Fairy - SOLD
Miss Mary - SOLD

Sweet Angel - SOLD
Pinky Bird - SOLD
Flower Juggler - SOLD

Miss Dove - SOLD
Pretty Posie - SOLD
Miss Nativity - SOLD

Carolina Sapphire - SOLD
Miss Earmuffs - SOLD
Miss Pink Dove Rider (orn) - SOLD

Miss Butterfly Garland - SOLD
Miss Shiny Brite (orn) - SOLD
Miss Purple Pine Tree - SOLD

Miss Monarch (orn) - SOLD
Miss Birds Eye Wing (orn) - SOLD

Miss Navy (orn) - SOLD
Blue Rocket Rider (orn) - SOLD
 
Flower Santa (orn) - SOLD
Miss Bethlehem (orn) - SOLD
Miss Silver Snowflake - SOLD

Little Chickie - SOLD
Yellow Butterfly - SOLD
Miss Cheery Elf - SOLD

Gold Star Santa in Boot 1 (orn) - SOLD
Gold Star Santa in Boot 2 (orn) - SOLD
 
Miss Cow Rider - SOLD

Gerry Gingerbread (orn) - SOLD
Miss Gingerbread (orn) - SOLD
Freddy Gingerbread (orn) - SOLD

Lamb Rider (orn) - SOLD
Polly Pine Cone - SOLD
Snail Rider (orn) - SOLD

 
Angel Santa - SOLD
Pointy Penny - SOLD
Eve - SOLD

 
 Miss Dasher - SOLD
Goldie Angel - SOLD
Miss Eggnog - SOLD

Mr. Frankincense (orn) - SOLD
Miss Puppy Pinecone (orn) - SOLD
Berry Cluster Kid (orn) - SOLD

Miss Glitter Boot (orn) - SOLD
Miss Holiday - SOLD
Polar Bear Rider (orn) - SOLD

Santa Shoe (orn) - SOLD
Snow Kid Shoe (orn) - SOLD

Powder Puff Girl (orn) - SOLD
Silver Star Angel (orn) - SOLD
Ballerina Star (orn) - SOLD

Santa Silver Boot (orn) - SOLD

Miss Snow Drift - SOLD
Silver Rocket Rider (orn) - SOLD
Miss Reflector - SOLD

Lacey - SOLD
Bunny Bell - SOLD
Chopping Down the Tree - SOLD

Noel - SOLD
Piney Santa (orn) - SOLD
Little Miss and the Wee One (orn) - SOLD

Miss Glass Snowflake - SOLD
Betsy Bunny - SOLD
The Ornament Juggler - SOLD

Miss Cherub (orn) - SOLD
Silver Wing Angel (orn) - SOLD

Sitting Bells Santa (orn) - SOLD

Balsam Bunny - SOLD
Miss Red Boots - SOLD

White Reindeer Rider (orn) - SOLD
Santa in Sleigh (orn) - SOLD
Reindeer Toy Rider (heads turns) - SOLD

Jenny Snowgirl (orn) - SOLD
Sara Snowgirl (orn) - SOLD
Mimi Snowgirl (orn) - SOLD
Victoria Snowgirl (orn) - SOLD

Missy Snowball (needle felted wool) (orn) - SOLD
Naughty and Nice Snowchildren (needle felted wool) - SOLD
Jumbo Sized Pinecone Santa - SOLD