Some vintage treasures . . .

Hello friends! 
Can you believe the year is almost over?
We put away most of the Christmas decorations today, including the tree (sigh), but it needed to go; it was very dry.  I got all of the ornaments put away, purged and organized.

Hubs [okay, he doesn't like to be called hubby or hubs . . . and husband sounds too formal . . . any ideas? . . . or maybe I'll just call him Kevin] . . .  Kevin and I have been busy after Christmas antique shopping and picking up some vintage treasures I'm using for crafting. I'm working on some unique Christmas shadowboxes and ornaments. (I can't believe I'm still in the Christmas crafting mode). 

 This is a large (24"x28"x6") antique gilt frame shadowbox with original glass. I have listed it for sale on craigslist to, hopefully, avoid shipping it.

If I get some of the ornaments done, I'll add them to my etsy sale. I'm having a 15% off sale on everything in my etsy store through New Year's Eve, and I'll be adding some of my left over items from our Christmas Winter Market. 
 

Thanks for stopping by. I would love to hear your comments on the shadowbox.

Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

~ Julie

Today I'm linking to:
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/feathered-nest-holiday-2010-happy-new.html
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-inspiration-friday-18-counting.html 
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/12/show-and-tell-friday_30.html 
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2011/01/masterpiece-monday-linky-guidelines-1.html 
 

Christmas . . . past

I hope you all had wonderful Christmases with your families.

We had the blessing of celebrating Christmas early (Dec 13) with our daughters in Boise.

They surprised us with this . . .

Murray espresso now open

We look forward to having mocha nights with friends. Thank you so much, Whitney, Reed, Chelsey and Dean!!!

We enjoyed walking around with our granddaughter, Tayvee; just now taking her first steps!

She got a new hat . . . . .

her dad and family are from Canada

{doesn't she look official adorable in her hat and jacket?}

it's a tradition

She loved pulling things out of her stocking . . . . .

Wishing you a Happy New Year of . . . 

 wonder . . .

love . . .

joy . . .

(our great-niece)

and

I look forward to blog visiting you soon!

~ Julie

Merry Christmas . . . in lights

Last night, my husband and I went on a date night . . . in Portland . . . to the beautiful and well-known Peacock Lane.  Each year the two block street goes all out with Christmas lights. If you live there, you have to decorate for Christmas. And, of course, he packed along some of our homemade Christmas cookies.

Sharing some Christmas lights and wonder with you . . .

Happy Christmas eve! May you find Christ in your Christmas this year; the reason we celebrate.

Thank you for taking time to read and follow me. I appreciate every comment and follower. You are all so kind and wonderful, and I look forward to getting to know you better this year.

~ Julie

A Victorian Christmas Tree

Over the years, I've always enjoyed having our tree decorated by our children with all of their ornaments and special memories of ornaments given to them . . . . . Whitney always putting her hamburger ornament front and center and Chelsey's love of dill pickles and the competitive searches for the pickle on the tree . . . . . but, I also love having a Victorian tree with bows, ribbons, roses and everything Victorian and vintage. 

I've had this magazine pic in my Christmas boxes for years. 

Isn't it fantastic!?

I just love all the beads, ornaments and baby's breath.

Here is our tree this year. 

It is not yet to this level of beauty . . . {I could not find gold beads this year anywhere, did not have any baby's breath on hand, and I had to stretch our pearl beads as our tree is very big}  . . . however, I just love our tree!

 It is covered with . . .

lots of Victorian ornaments  

 

vintage ornaments

Victorian ladies

 teapots and teacups

an old book page ornament new this year from a friend

and, of course, lots of angels

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

~ Julie

Today I'm linking with:

Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tea-time-tuesday.html

The Plumed Pen Tea for Two Tuesday http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/2010/12/62nd-tuesday-tea-for-two.html

Breath of Fresh Air Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/34th-tea-pot-and-tea-things-tuesday.html  

Martha's Favorites Teacup Tuesday http://www.marthasfavorites.com/2010/12/tea-cup-tuesday-no-41.html

Element's Interiors Christmas Party http://www.elements-interiors.net/2010/12/looksie-at-more-vacation-home-florals.html 

Wreath Tutorial

A few weeks ago I taught a wreath making class at Starting Grounds Church . . .

 

Mothers and daughters, friends, and family all having a great time making wreaths.

 HOW TO MAKE A WREATH

First you need a pile of evergreen branches . . . . . 

Okay, not this big . . . these were leftover from the wreath class.

You can use any evergreen branches, fir, cedar, noble, pine, holly, or whatever you want. Be creative, you can use rose hips, twigs, branches, pine cones, camellia leaves, etc. 

Supplies needed: A wreath frame, pruners, 22 gauge green wire, gloves (optional)

 After you cut your tree branches, trim the side branches from the main limbs and separate by type. The branches you'll use to make your wreath need to be approximately 8-10 inches long.

 Begin by twisting and securing the wire to the metal wreath frame.

Take 3-4 of your cut branches of the same kind and wire them to the frame by wrapping the wire twice around the branches in the middle and pull the wire tight. 

Add another layer by taking another clump of branches either the same type or different and place them a couple inches lower than the first and secure by wrapping wire around twice and pulling tight.

Continue this process until you have completed the wreath. If you want to mix in holly or twigs, just add them in with the greenery as you make your wreath.

When you reach the end tuck the bottom of the last branches under the tops of the first branches and wrap with wire twice and pull wire tight. End your wire on the back side of the wreath frame and secure the wire by twisting it to the frame and cut.

You can add a bow or pine cones if you want. To add pine cones, wrap the thickest/bottom part of the pine cone with wire and attach  to two other pines so you'll have a clump of three. Leave the wire ends long enough to wrap around wreath and twist tight on back side.  Clumps of three look better than one or two. You can add three or more clumps to the wreath. 

Now you can make one of these, or any other wreath you can dream up . . .

With this same technique you can make a wreath with hydrangeas, leaves, etc. You can also make garlands by wiring branches together without the frame.

Hope you enjoy making a wreath. I would love to see your wreath if you want to share it.

Merry Christmas!

~ Julie


Today I'm linking with:
Element's Interiors Christmas Party @ http://www.elements-interiors.net/2010/12/looksie-at-more-vacation-home-florals.html