A Mix of Finds

Seems like "just a few thrifts" is all I've been finding lately which is still better than zip, right? Two books and a made in Hong Kong plastic nativity ornament.

Although this one is shaped differently, I had a plastic nativity ornament when I was a kid. I wonder what ever happened to that?

The "Ho, Ho, Ho!" book is full of Andy Warhol's Christmas artwork. Kind of interesting.

Here is a page from the above cookbook-- whatever happened to this world?

I also found a Christmas tablecloth is nice condition. I must apologize for not ironing it, but I wanted to hurry and get it listed so I let that slide. Shame on me! What my grandmothers would think!!

Have a great day-- hope you live up to your grandmother's standards!

Wacky Pack Wednesday

Gnawing on chop sticks doesn't look too appealing to me, but that is what this week's Wacky is all about. Chun King was started in the 1940s by the same person who developed Jeno's pizza-- how about that?!

Have a good one!

A Few Xmas Thrifts

I had a wee bit of luck at the thrifts last week for vintage Christmas. A set of four linen napkins and four placemats.

Five small English plates. Very pretty scene. These are small, about 4" across-- what do you think? Butter pats? Bread plates?

A cute, made in Japan, planter. 

And one non-Christmas item, a 1978 sewing book.

In the back are some color photos of sewing projects. Thought I share this bedroom scene. Dig the light bulb light and record player?

Have a nice day!

Monday's Muster #46

Here is another collection that cannot compare to some out there, and was also started before Putz houses became hot collectibles-- I always seem to be ahead of my time (that's the only way I can afford these things!). And like I said last week, it's enough for me. Fits in one shoebox.

These are all the cardboard type. One is a newer repro-- pretty easy to spot due to its nice condition.

These two are rather large-- the bases are about 6" long.

These two are my faves. I bought them at an antique store some 18 or more years ago. They're in nice shape too.

Yep, this is the reproduction on the left. 

The red house in front is very small. And the red house in back has a major roofing problem.

These are plastic that I picked up at a thrift store a couple years ago for ten cents each. Not as cute as the cardboard ones, but they have nice detail. You can put a light in the backs of these too.

Hmm... Xmas is getting nearer!

December Daily 1-6

I have been keeping up with my December Daily pages-- how long that will last I have no idea. Here are days "one through six". The red and white numbers I printed off the internet somewhere a couple years ago and never did anything with them. I finally found a good use.

I buy an advent calendar every year for my daughter. To be honest, I'd buy one for myself even if I didn't have a kid-- I think they're neat!

Got my Christmas cards addressed and signed-- not mailed as of yet however.

I really did buy six flannel shirts for the men on my gift list this year. Found a good deal, and everyone seems to like them.

I made three cross stitch pieces to be made into ornaments this year. I finally finished the stitching, now need to complete them.  And, as I was making this page, I was wondering how many people would think: well, instead of scrapbooking a page about needing to finish a project, she could have been finishing the project! I would agree with you, but I tea stained them and had to let them dry-- so there!

I bought some old Christmas seals recently so even though this is late in the "Etsy listing" season for Christmas, I decided to hurry up and make a few things for the shop.

Lastly, a colorful page about putting out my grandmother's Christmas candles which I do faithfully every year-- wouldn't be Christmas without them!

On to number 7!  Thanks for viewing.

Mail Art Envelope How-To

When I posted my mail art envelopes a while back (see it here), a reader asked if I had a tutorial for it. Well, no, but I came up with this step-by-step to my process (which isn't necessarily the correct method; if there is one). It's very easy, and the sort of project where there is no right or wrong (unless you're the USPS-- more on that later).

First-- gather supplies. I used acrylic paint because that's what I have. I would think craft paint would work okay too but haven't tried it myself. Paint brushes. A palette (i.e. paper plate), water can (washed out juice can works fine), paper towel to dry off your brushes, and magazine pages. The higher end type magazines with nicer paper is what I used-- not sure cheap stuff would turn out, might ripple.

Ready? Go!

This is how I started. No reason. No formula. No goal. Just paint like a little kid. Personally, I like how the magazine image and/or text shows through. Keep in mind you can't work too wet or the paper won't hold it, and you'll have a mess.

This is what I ended up with for no reason whatsoever. Don't get too hung up on a design since some of it will be cut away and covered in the end, and folding it up totally changes the way it looks too. Allow it to dry on a flat surface.

And if your palette doesn't look something like this when you're done, you're way too neat when it comes to painting.

Use a "real" envelope as a template. Just carefully unfold it. Trace around it on the back (unpainted) side of your magazine page and cut it out.

Now, simply fold in all four flaps. 

Glue the bottom flap to the side flaps (in back). A glue stick worked well for me. Check your original (template) envelope to make sure you don't glue areas that should be loose-- you do want to be able to get something in there to send!

From here on out, it's totally up to you. Leave it, embellish it a little or a lot. I used scrapbook paper for address and return address areas. Just glued the edges with craft glue and used rubber cement in the middles. And I didn't measure these or any mundane step like that.

Here it is all finished. Why windows? I just spied them in a magazine and thought the colors went well with the envelope. The little text banner and the "TO" are scrapbooking stickers.

A couple notes-- I don't put any sort of adhesive on the upper flap. When it comes time to mail, I glue stick it shut. You could also tape or use stickers. If you do intend to mail yours, make sure it's not a weird size the post office will frown upon. Square envelopes take extra postage; there are restrictions on too big and too small so keep those things in mind. Ask your postal clerk or look it up online if you're unsure. I have mailed several so far with no trouble.

Have fun!!

December Daily

Most of you have probably heard about making a small album for December called a "December Daily." I have to admit I never quite knew what it was all about until Lauren at All The Good Blog Names Were Taken did a post on hers and answered my question (thanks again, Lauren!). The idea is to "scrapbook" a Christmasy/wintery activity, etc. that you did each day through Christmas. That is sort of a big project when you think about what all goes on in December-- I mean besides being extra busy, now I have to document everything!  So, of course, I decided to try it this year. Below are my blank covers and papers/pages I cut, ready to go.

Here is the finished cover. I could have gone in lots of different directions with it, but in the end Tim Holtz won out because I have his seasonal paper pad, and who doesn't like Shiny Brite? So now I just have to make 25 pages to attach to it! Actually, I do have some made.

I'm linking to Shopping Our Stash and their theme of "Free Is Good--" using something you received free. The ribbon and lace trims on the cover where given to me by an aunt of mine.  A couple years ago she gave me a shoebox full of old Xmas trims she was no longer using. Ya gotta love that.

Thanks for viewing!