Christmas in the Kitchen Swap!

Cutest Swap Announcement Ever!

 

I just participated in a Christmas swap sponsored by Erica of Golden Egg Vintage.  The swap was one-on-one with Erica assigning the partners.  My partner was Marci of Parsley Vintage.  I like meeting new bloggers through a swap...they soon become new friends.  Marci's blog is a lot of fun...she has a wise-cracking sense of humor that I really enjoy.  I have a hard time being serious myself...as some of you have probably noticed. 

 

The point of the swap was to make two Christmas decorations with a vintage Christmas theme, along with a card or tag and a favorite Christmas recipe.  Of course we'd also send a treat and a few crafting or holiday goodies as well.

 

Marci's Fun Creations!

Such Festive Swap Goodies!

 

I am still in awe of this totally unique snowman scene.  I wish I had thought of it...lol!

 

It looks so cute on my kitchen counter.

Tart tins make the cutest decorations.  I have it on my curio shelves near the stove.

 

Marci included some German scrap Santas for my German Christmas décor.

This is one handsome fellow!

 

 

Yummy card from Pinterest!

 

Kitchen Treats for Marci...

This Spice Tin Santa was made with a large cinnamon tin...8 oz. size.

He's a shelf sitter.

Aunt Maurine's Sugar Cookies.

My kids' favorite Christmas cookies.

Toy Pan Snowman...simple but cute!

Some of the swap goodies...the treat box is filled with truffles.

 

 

Looks tasty enough to lick the computer screen...lol!

 

A Little Bit Country Porch

 

Front porch on a 65 degree December day.

This is the second year I have done a rustic/country kind of thing.

 

Baker's rack by the front door.

 

 

I put my little red truck outside this year. 

Every thing is wired to the rack so it won't blow away

I found this wooden sled at a new thrift store in town.

The packages are chunks of wood left over from building the pergola.

Not much else is new.

 

I love this darling Candy House cover.

 

Thank you, Marci and Erica!

May visions of Sugarplums dance in your head!

Love,

 

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.