Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Merry Miscellany!

 
Darling deer wish you Merry Christmas!
 
I love collecting vintage porcelain Christmas figures...little Santas, elves, choir boys, etc.  I miss the shininess and the fun details of four pretty angels that spell "NOEL."  Whoever invented resin should be put in a "Time Out!"  Luckily Wal-Mart and Target always seem to get the cutest salt and pepper shakers...all shiny porcelain!  This year I found the most darling deer S&Ps, along with pine trees that go perfectly on the curio shelf with my Christmas porcelain figures.  The deer were just begging to become part of a fun vignette. Best of all...they were only $2.97 a pair.
 

I found this hand-made farm wagon at an antique store in Oatman, AZ.
The price was so reasonable and I knew it would be perfect for a Christmas display.
 
I filled the wagon with squares of florist foam and covered it with white batting.  I didn't glue anything inside the wagon so that I could re-use it for another purpose.  But I really liked how the cute little deer looked so peaceful and sweet.  The handle of the wagon was broken off, but I was still able to "hitch" it up to Santa's polar bear buddy with candy-striped tinsel. 

Every farm vehicle deserves a Christmas wreath!
 
Christmas Winter Wonderland!
Vignette in the "Lookee No Touchee" Living Room.
 
Most of the newer homes in my area have a room in the front of the house that nobody sits in.  It is called the "Visiting Teachers Room" or the "Music Room" if there is a piano.  My children call it the "Lookee No Touchee Room."  That is because I was always telling them (or their kids) to "look...but don't touch...my nice stuff."  This is the room with the sparkliest ornaments and the tree with the presents.  It's always a Christmas Winter Wonderland theme in the LNT Room.

Vintage Suitcase Winter Scene.
My DIL Lori gave me the suitcase when I pinned a similar scene on Pinterest.
She's the best!
 
A few magical goodies.
I made the Rudolph shadow box and the village box maybe ten or so years ago.

LNT Tree...gift wrapping still in progress.
Hope you didn't notice my "S" is upside down.

Meanwhile back in the kitchen, neighbor gifts are being assembled.

Shhhh! This is a Secret!
Pincushion Girl/Tea Cup Doll.
 
Since my oldest daughter doesn't read my blog, I thought I could safely share with you a little surprise gift I made for her.  At a vintage flea market, she saw some dolls made with pincushion half-bodies and various household items.  So I decided to make her a doll using one of her grandmother's violet cups and saucers.  My mother had collected them before her marriage in 1954.  I am not a big fan of purple, but the cups are so pretty.  I had a hard time finding lavender trims and flowers, but I finally found a small selection of miscellaneous wedding flowers at a thrift store.
 
A Pretty Face.
 
A Little Bustle in the Back.
I really hope she likes it.
 
Merry Miscellaneous Christmas!!
 
 
P.S
I just wanted Tammy N. to see her little German Boy.
Background is an Advent Calendar Village.
The original was a gift to Pres. Eisenhower after WWII.


10 comments:

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh Shirley, talk about being creative girl. Love, love the suitcase! The little vignette with the wagon and deer is super sweet as well. I found my deer last year and have not done anything nearly as creative as you. Mine are just in a vintage candy dish filled with snow. The gift for your daughter is darling! I'm sure she'll love it. Love your tree too!
hugs,
Jann

Tammy's in Love said...

The teacup doll is adorable and the fact that it's Grama's dishes makes it the best gift ever!

vivian said...

I just love your christmas decorations! Wonderful collection! And your tree is adorable too! So uch sweet stuff. I lve the clock base piece. I've seen it in magazines or catalogs. It always catches my eye. Have a grwat week my friend!
Xoxo
Vivian

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Cute deers in the wagon!! Cool vignette in the old suite case. Looking all set for Christmas with your pretty decor.
warmly,
deb

Margaret said...

SO many incredible things to see I don't what to comment on first. I love those deer! the wagon..everything. Your kitchen looks so Christmas-ey..Love it all! Love you! Hugs! Maggie

Musings from Kim K. said...

So glad I'm sneaking a peek at your blog before my first morning faculty meeting. So many wonderful inspirations. Your daughter is going to love her gift. That Vintage Suitcase Winter Scene is wonderful! What a fun idea. You make the best shadow boxes too. Thank you for the tour. What a fun way to start my morning. Christmas hugs!

Marci said...

Your home and decorations are lovely. Thanks for sharing!

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Hi! Your feet are awesome! I don't like resin either. It seems like a shame to me to make something pretty put of this stuff. I wish I would have seen those deer out! I would have bought them, too! But I did get a new set of mr and mrs Santa!
Your LNT room looks great! Love that vintage suitcase scene!
All you stuff lookes great! I think your daughter will be thrilled for her tea cup doll! It is so pretty!
Blessings
Susie

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! What's not to like about this, I LOVE it all! That little suitcase is so adorable, The wagon decorated for Christmas, and that Pincushion doll made from Grandmother's violet teacup!!! Almost made me cry, my grandmother loved violets so. Every Spring, we would go looking for violets in bloom under the pine trees. We always got excited when we found the first one! Thanks for the memories, Shirley.
Merry Christmas~
Dorothy

vintage grey said...

Your home is so beautiful! Cute suitcase idea!! And, you tree is so pretty! Merry Christmas! xo Heather