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Since I've been blogging, my world has really opened up. I have new friends, new ideas and new artist discoveries. Today by way of The Angry Chicken, I found a Jen Corace print for purchase at Tiny Showcase. I can't wait to receive it.
It's called "Dressm' Up".
I also found a new favorite Etsy shop. It's GroggyFroggy. Her art is very colorful and expressive. I bought this today as well. 
Mom and I went to Salisbury today and boy did I find some cute stuff. Cute dolls from Poland, ornaments and misc stuff.
I found these box sets of vintage Christmas cards. They are so wonderful. 
The tinsel is pink and gold. I love all of these vintage things.
One of my FAVORITE Etsy artist, The Black Apple, always has the sweetest things in her shop. I received these three prints I bought today. 
I love getting stuff from Emily.
Today has been a good day and now I get to put all my new things up!
When I was a child, we didn't start decorating until around December 15th. I'm not sure if it's because we used a real tree or that Christmas wasn't as BIG back then, simpler and less commercial. It was big to me and it still is. I know the real meaning of Christmas but I can't help getting exciting about the decorating, celebrations, and all over thrill. After Thanksgiving we start putting up decorations and trees. I love pulling out the vintage decorations I've collected and things from my childhood. Here are a few of some old wrapping and stickers...napkins and such.
I have more for later.
During the holidays, Paige and I have a tradition of reading Christmas stories. Now I know she's almost 15 but there are some books she'll never get too old for. First is our favorite Westie, McDuff. 
Then, there's the story about it being better to give than receive. Follow Santa's sister Auntie Claus as she helps Santa get ready for Christmas. The illustrations are wonderful.
If truth be known, I enjoy reading this books as much as Paige.
At Thanksgiving day, My sister-in-law gave me this awesome vintage tree dish. The photo doesn't do it justice. I LOVE IT. 
Like I said in the beginning, boxes are coming out filled with elves, ornaments and santas...even Ashes is getting in the holiday mood. 
This semester Paige is taking Art 1 in HS. She is very creative and I think talented. In Art 1, she is learning the basics but who knew the basics could be so art worthy. Here's her practice sheet of facial parts. 
An up close shot. Next she is drawing herself from a picture. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Today is going to be busy, but a good busy. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving at my mom's but I'm bring the desserts and green beans, green bean casserole and crescent rolls. I'll make Chocolate Delight, a cream cheese and pudding dessert, in honor of my Sister-in-law's birthday. I'm also making a Chocolate wafer and Whipped Cream (homemade) for my brother. It's his favorite and only the best for him. He's the GREATEST brother ever. Around our house we snack from Wednesday night until Sunday. I'll make the sausages in grape jelly and mustard, sausage balls, chex mix, cream cheese mints, ham and turkey breast. Paige is going to make some of the stuff and we'll also start putting up the decorations.
As the kids in our family grew up, things and traditions change. I love the past and sort of want to hold on to the way things were, but time goes on and as long as we are together in body or spirit, memories will be made. My niece and nephew are grown and on their on and Paige is in HS so the things we do to celebrate are different. Paige has three books to read for fun, a football game Friday night and we'll watch Hairspray DVD instead of holiday cartoons. My nephew will play golf with Randy and my dad. My niece, Paige and I will talk about our upcoming trip to Asheville. Change isn't so bad after all.
Lately I've been crafting a lot. I have make several ornaments for my den tree which I call my homespun tree. It's filled fill old ornaments from my childhood some Paige has made and misc items. I think of it as retro/vintage lodge. 
The first four pictures are little paper cups that I'll fill with goodies. The next 3 ornaments are beads and adornments. My 2 favorites are next made out of vintage buttons and adornments. The yarn ball is a multi colored yarn glues to Styrofoam balls. I made some as ornaments and put 3 on my new front door wreath I made. 
I get so much satisfaction out of making things and it's such a good way to unwind. I could craft for hours.
Yesterday I made me a fall scarf out of vintage tablecloth scraps and material from a chenille bedspread. I bought the scraps on Etsy from Shabbyvintagemom and I had the bedspread. I love the soft feel of it and I think it turned out nicely. I even put the fringe back on the ends.
While I was out today, I picked up 2 magazines to read. Paige has Art Club today so she'll be staying after school. 
I also found this vintage looking Santa shoe and some kitschy greenery picks. 
I'm ready to create this weekend.
Today I've been going over my Christmas gift list and wrapping my purchased gifts. I buy gifts through the year so December isn't that crazy. Although I NEVER buy Paige's gifts until the end because she's likely to change her mind or add something. Today I whipped together these magnets for my friend who is going to be a teacher. I used old but clean bottle caps and a Dick and Jane like scrapbooking paper. I used modpodge to glue the paper in and to coat the top. I also used heavy duty magnets. The picture isn't that good but they turned out good. 
They were really fun to make and you could use any subject.
Here are 2 books I'll be flipping through while in parent pick-up for inspirations. 
One is Making Memory Boxes by Anna Corba and the other is Vintage Christmas Crafts by Sara Toliver. They both are filled with eye candy and ideas.
Yesterday I went with 2 friends to the Rowan County Fairgrounds Flea Market. Today I feel like a truck hit me. It was cold and long but VERY enjoyable and successful. We were suppose to go Saturday but due to schedules ending up going Sunday and getting a lot of bargains. My goal was Christmas balls and I found a lot.
I also found some pixies and Christmas kitsch.
I normally don't buy thrifted and used shoes, but I found these cool boots and couldn't resist.
I bought a bag of vintage clip-ons for .50 and found a surprise inside. There was a sterling silver choker in the bag. 
Some misc goodies are this old tin.
Here are 2 old books. Can you tell I love pixies?
I found this old painting a frame someone did because I loved the colors. 
This teal and black thermos had to be added to my collection.
I bought Paige these 2 rings made out of resin or something but they were funky and looked like her.
Yesterday was a big time but I was glad to be home. I'm certainly a home body and an occasional day trip is wonderful and does me good, I yearn to be home.
Saturday night we ate dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Here is my husband before we went. 
He cleans up well after building race cars all week. Oh yea! He's a veteran too. Thanks honey and all the other veterans and men and women who protected us and protect us and fight for our freedom. Happy Veteran's Day. Be proud of what you did and are doing!
One of my favorite colors is brown. The warm hues of chocolate brown and carmel. I collect brown pottery and such and here are 3 new additions. 
I think I'll use these as vases on a fall table.
Vintage Christmas is my Favorite thing to collect. I have elves and ornaments from my childhood and I like to find items from the 50's and 60's. I found these old ornaments at a small shop in Concord called Brownies. 
When I was 5 or 6, my neighbor gave me a Santa mug filled with candy. I wish I still had it but I found these yesterday in Salisbury. 
It's fun what I remember and finding those made me think of Mrs. Aiken. What memories!
