vintage Christmas decorating

I have a 3 tiered stand from Pottery Barn that I love to decorate for the holidays.  It was time to switch over from owls to Christmas.

I started with a set of vintage candy cane glasses on the top.  I filled them with candy canes.

My friend Sherri gave me these reproduction Shiny Brite Christmas houses years ago.  I've been collecting these little Christmas elves and snowman to go with the houses.  Last year I found a package of snowman heads and made them into little snowmen by adding them to styrofoam balls.

These little carolers were a goodwill find.  I love their little faces.

I'm hoping to meet you at my Christmas sale... I am bringing lots and lots of cute stuff... new and vintage!

Santa Mantel

HoHoHo... have you started your Christmas decorating yet?  I got inspired to do my kitchen mantel when I got these vintage lawn decorations at How Quaint http://www.how-quaint.com/  It is an old Santa and sleigh set.  I saw it and I had to have it... I love old stuff like that!  I added a little bit of double stick tape to the back of the pieces to secure them to the fireplace.

I added some fake pine greenery and pinecones, a vintage chalkware Santa bank...

a few of my vintage Santas, some white, pink and red fireking...

an old Santa golden book, some red bead garland and I'm done!

Nesting Doll mantel

Happy Monday!  I am a guest at Handmade Success today... check out my post here...http://handmadesuccess.com/blog/
Today we are going to do a super simple nesting doll mantel.  I started with 2 big star candleholders.

Next I added these nesting doll plates.  I got them at Cost Plus World Market.

Next I added some a few more nesting dolls, some berry garland... and I'm done!

This chair sits right underneath the mantel.  It is a thrift store find that I had recovered.  Surprisingly comfortable... I wish I would have bought the second one.

My husband and I recovered this ottoman this summer.  See the post here...http://jennicanknit.blogspot.com/2011/08/nesting-doll-footstool.html

I'm participating in a craft sale this weekend... I hope you will stop by and visit!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Today is my middle daughter, Olivia's birthday.  She is turning 15 years old!  I still think of her as the goofy kid who wears rubber boots and carries around a pair of goggles and a box of mac and cheese.

She loves hockey and soccer.  When she makes up her mind to do something, nothing gets in her way. She is determined and full of fun and energy.

She has been best friends with Nathan since 3 year old preschool...
She loves to laugh and goof around with her sisters.

She is a loyal, amazing friend.  We loooove you so much Olivia!

Baby Jesus ornament

Well, I've made it... 24 Handmade ornaments ends today.  This one is what Christmas is all about.  I made this little Baby Jesus in the car on the way home from Phoenix.  This would be a great project for Sunday school teachers if you substitute glue for all the stitching I did.  Luckily I had a big stash of felt in the car with me.  I started by cutting out a very simple baby shape and manger shape.

 Next I embroidered a sweet little face on baby Jesus.  I put 2 circles together so you can't see black thread through the front of the face.

Stitch the manger together and put a little stuffing inside.  I used this yellow yarn for the hay.

I stitched it down but you could definitely glue it.  Last of all, add a little gold pipe cleaner halo to Baby Jesus and you are done.  This ornament would be cute set on top of the branches of your Christmas tree.   

Happy crafting everyone!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Are you running around Christmas shopping today?  I'm trying to avoid the crowds!
Every year I put up my Dept. 56 snow village... it is a big job and I always say I'm going to skip it, but it's a tradition!  They have a cute website you can check out here... http://www.department56.com/content.aspx?cid=VLSV&ms=PRD&msi=59005
When I put it up I always start with cake plates to give the houses different heights.

I didn't have room for all of them so I put one inside the china hutch with my fireking dishes.

Next I start adding snow to the village.

I add some trees too...

and some cars and people...

I got this church as a wedding present 21 years ago!  It started such a nice tradition.