February 2011 ~ Rudolph Day

Here's what I've been working on for Rudolph Day today!

For years, this Christmas throw has been on my "to-do" crafting list. Today, with the added ambience of a blizzard and some Candy Cane Lane tea, it got finished!

This shows part of the throw -- couldn't fit it all in the picture, but you get the idea.

This shows the backing fabric.

One of the pretty scenes that make up this fabric.

A second scene.

The third scene.

The fourth and last scene.

I am so pleased to have finished this at last -- all in one day, too! My fabric stash is lighter by about 6 yards -- 2 each for front and backing of throw, 2 of flannel sandwiched in between -- and this project is off my list!

More details from vintage cards

Here are a few more vignettes from vintage Christmas cards. I love this one of the skaters in the falling snow.

Here's a lovely vintage greeting. Notice the little star inside the capital "C"!

This whimsical illustration

was found inside of this card:

Here's a striking message:

I love this little poem!

Here's the card it came from:

This stylized greeting (1930s-vintage, wouldn't you guess?)

came from this card:

And look at the sweet vignette of a little red house!

Hope you have enjoyed this look at some of my vintage Christmas cards!

Details from vintage cards

Recently when I was taking the vintage cards off my Christmas ribbon board, I happened to glance inside the cards -- something I haven't happened to do for quite a few years, probably not since I acquired them. As I did, I noticed details that had escaped me then... how almost all of these small cards had small illustrations and details on the insides of them, too, not to mention the nifty sentiments in their vintage fonts and lettering. So before I put the cards away, I took time to scan many of these details. I will share some of these now and in future posts.

Isn't this Christmas message lovely?

I love this mailbox scene. I have no idea why I like the scenes of packages by a mailbox so much, but for whatever reason, I do.

Look at the detail in this tree trimming scene.

The outside of the card showed the family bringing home the tree.

And look at this sweet little red cottage.

Here are two vintage messages from the insides of cards.

Last of all is a sweet sprig of blue holly.

More to come... hope you have enjoyed this trip down a snowy memory lane!

Christmas mailboxes, 1950

I love this old photo, which I found in a 1950 copy of New Hampshire Troubadour. It reminds me of old family photos of this vintage in which one of my aunts, a college student at the time, very much resembled the girl approaching the mailboxes in this picture.

This photo just speaks volumes to me of the simpler, happier way life used to be. The day's mail has arrived, so the girl leaves the woodsmoke-tinged warmth of the farmhouse and heads out into the chilly December sunshine to get the mail. No snow blowers back then; just a simple path through the snow. The packages waiting at the mailboxes are simple too -- wrapped in brown paper or holiday wrapping paper and string, a no-no in the post office's book these days. No worries, either, about someone stealing the gifts. Life was so much simpler in so many ways back then. I'm thankful to have some photos like this one to remind me.

Vintage Christmas carol books ~ a small collection

I have a small collection of vintage Christmas carol books and recently scanned some of the images from them. I thought others might enjoy seeing these lovely old illustrations as well.

Here's one of the book covers.

The back cover of this book is pretty, too.

This one has an image of choir boys.

And lastly, a Victorian village scene.

This rather amusing illustration is on the inside front cover of the above book.

Here is the table of contents from one of the books.

Now for some of the songs. Here's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Jingle Bells.

O Christmas Tree.

O Little Town of Bethlehem.

O Holy Night. Love the printing on this one.

The First Noel.

Here We Come A-Wassailing.

This fun saying is a good way to end this whimsical post!

Handcrafted Christmas cards from friends

I would like to share a few of the lovely cards I received in a card exchange, plus one from a local friend. The creativity of these ladies astounds me! For the card exchange the cards did not need to be handmade, but many were. Some people also tucked in beautiful handmade bookmarks, crocheted snowflakes, etc. Enjoy a look at these lovely cards! (I scanned them, rather than taking pictures, so the quality of the pictures might not be as good this way, but it was the quickest way for me.) I'm sure you can get an idea of the amazing craftsmanship involved!

Love the vintage look of this one! Note the embossed snowflakes in the background.

Isn't this a nice design? Unusual color scheme, but lovely.

Love the cross stitch piece on this. What a wonderful idea!

Isn't this clever? Love the idea of using a Christmas carol.This interesting design had a tag covering the stamped tree. Two cards in one!

Here's a closer look at the tag.
A linoleum block nativity scene.
Love the trees -- some look as if it is snowing.

Love this one from my local friend. The designs and colors tie together beautifully.Isn't this one clever? The star at the top is a tiny sticker.

This is the inside of the above card. Love the snowflakes so just had to show them.

This one is just lovely. Again, a very unusual color scheme but beautiful!
Isn't this one meaningful? The scan doesn't do it justice. There is glitter around the heart.

Hope you have enjoyed this look at these handmade cards!