Sunday, December 14, 2014

My Little Christmas Giveaway and Its Story


The day has arrived when I really need to get with the program and announce "My Little Christmas Giveaway." I try to do this every year...when I possibly can.  And, this year...well, I can!  I hope you will be interested in these items:  A copy of "Vintage Style" magazine, a copy of "Christmas Ideas" from Better Homes and Gardens, and from the flea market (of course) a cross-stitched rose/crocheted doilya string of vintage buttons, and a Post Card.  Then, there is a Christmas Ornament made by me.   It's an odd assortment, but given with the best of intentions. 

 If you are interested, please comment on this blog post by Midnight, Wednesday, December 17th. 
 
My friend, Sherry, tells me that there can never be too many photographs on my blog posts.  I hope she's right.....so here are a bunch concerning this Giveaway!


 This is what I have chosen to give to one of you out there.....Two magazines and other items. To me, nothing beats a good magazine to spend time reading when it's cold outside, it's quiet inside and you want a little inspiration!


I found this combination Cross-stitch and crochet doily at the flea a while ago.  It was framed in an awful frame. When I bought it, I figured I would remove it from the frame and use it somehow, but the other day, I took it out, deciding YOU should have it rather than it remain framed poorly and in my collection of 'stuff' to do something with, who knows when.  These things should be enjoyed.


 A close-up.  It's very pretty!


 I managed to buy this Post Card at the flea also.  You know...my 'home away from home.'  I'm always and forever attracted to roses....and I had these little red bird stickers...so just added one to the Post Card for the fun of it!



   
I made this Christmas Ornament, and several others with different photos....back in 2007.  I think I only used them once....so, decided to use them this year and that meant I needed to include one in my Giveaway.  I hope you like it.  I'll tell more about it in this post.


 Here I am showing you the back of the Ornament.  Just because. And, by the way, it measures 3 1/2 inches x 4 1/2 inches.  I really did like that fabric I used for the backing.  And then,  here is the string of buttons.  One can never have enough buttons!!


There are some Mother of Pearl buttons in this string...they don't show up all that well, but are there.  I have found "several" strings of buttons at one of my favorite flea markets...actually, I'm pretty sure I have single-handedly purchased just about all the buttons, over a period of time, that the booth owner puts in there to entice us.  Well, I'm allergic to chocolate....there has to be something for me to crave!!!


 You may have noticed that there is a quilt in the background of all these photos. It is a small doll quilt I made many years ago.  It's 22" x 26" and I thought it would make a good background for these photos.  Why I wanted to make a photo like this, I don't know.....I think I just liked that Ornament being surrounded by all that quilting! 


 Here is a full shot of it.  Not very big....and certainly, if I were making a full size whole cloth quilt, it would not have all that un-quilted space in it, but, hey, I didn't think the doll would mind and there were other quilts to get to work on!


 A couple of close-ups.  I drew this pattern and really didn't know how I was going to use it at the time....as you can see, I like hearts on quilts...and just about everything I make, truth to tell.  And, it's made from muslin, front and back.  A simple thing.


 I no longer worry about the size of stitches and stuff like that.  Having them pretty even is a good thing though.


 Yeah....hearts.  I've made a million of them...hoping to start making them again in January!!


 A heart in a heart.  Makes my heart beat faster!!!


 Then, there is this little quilted 'feather' design.....a scallop on top of that.  I should use this one again!


 Three of the Giveaway items....just because.


 I haven't put up a tree of any kind for the last few Christmases.  I won't go into why.  But, this time I thought I needed to do 'something,' so I have put up a little 'sliver' of a tree.  There is just me here and I didn't want to spend money on one....maybe next year.  So, the very skinny one in the attic seemed to do the job for me.  The other Ornaments I made to this 'set' are on the tree now.  (These ornaments are way too large for this little tree....but, since I wanted to use what I had...it turned out ok with me!)


 Here is a better photo of one of the Ornaments. 


 So, here is the STORY of the how these Ornaments came about.  Naturally, it involves a flea market.  I found three boxes of vintage Christmas Cards several years ago.  They were quite pretty and I figured I would use them for something...a couple of dollars...and they became mine.  At some point, I decided to print some of them on fabric and make something from them.  Well, we DO seem to have printers and things that need to be used!  So, that is what I did.  Some of the cards have glitter on them, so after doing all the sewing of the ornaments, I decided to use a touch of 'glitter paint' rather than sprinkling the glitter.  No telling what kind of mess I would have made.   They were such sweet, old-fashioned pictures, I decided to 'frame' them with a small width of fabric and embroider a feather stitch around each one.  Oh, how I love to do those simple stitches!!!!   


 This is actually a photo of one of the BOXES!  I LOVE the embossed border on this box...so very pretty!!!


 The box with some of the cards so sweet, so NOSTALGIC!!  I'm a sucker for that sweet, old-fashioned stuff!!  Well, someone has to be.....


   Love the log cabin....and the tiny little squirrel...glitter on the trees !!


 Likewise, the little kid with a sled and the tiny dog....tiny birds...


 And, here is the card I chose to make this Ornament from....Dad walking home....in the snow...so love it!


I love the sentimental greeting inside the card.   And this is my wish for YOU this year:

"With the best of all good wishes
For Christmas and the New Year"

***Please remember to comment on this post if you'd like to win the Giveaway....by Midnight, this Wednesday, December 17th!! 

Also, make sure I have a way to get in touch with you should you win the Giveaway!!!!


Until next time, ♥ pat




















21 comments:

Hope Mitchner said...

I love your giveaway. The ornament would be perfect for my tree and the doily is so cute, I'm sure that it would fit perfectly on my vanity.

Gail said...

I love the ornament and like you I am a sucker for buttons and magazines. I'm glad you are putting up a tree. We didn't for a few years because I thought we didn't have any reason to, but last year I realized that I really needed to have at least a small tree. We will put ours up tonight.

Pat S. in Lebanon said...

The giveaway is such a great
combination and expression of
your personality. I'm so glad
you put up a Christmas tree....
one step at a time. And making
hearts will be a wonderful way
to start the new year!

Cheryl said...

Hi Pat, You have quite the eye for beautiful things. :-) I can't bring myself to throw away those types of cards either, but love what you did with yours! Thank you for sharing about it. I shall put this idea in my projects file.. # 487,929 i think.. haha! I should live so long eh??? ps.. doesn't everyone love roses??? ;-)

Christy said...

You're a crafty little person, Pat! You give me such good ideas. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

botm2@yahoo.com

http://thankfullga447 said...

I love the idea of the card made into an ornament. The cards are beautiful and all the other gifts.
gasuski@mac.com

Stephanie said...

Very Nice giveaway!

Unknown said...

Pat I love your idea of giving to others and the items you are including are so very special. Like you I love hearts, buttons, hand made items, birds and flowers. I would love to win this give away, but I am just as happy looking at the lovely pictures on your post. Wishing you a Merry Christmas with family and friends.

Fibre Optics Group said...

Pat, your generosity of spirit at all times of the year is wonderful and this Christmas offering is lovely.
Merry Christmas to you! Meredith

Gill said...

Can I join in your love giveaway Pat?
I'm in the UK!

my2siamese said...

I enjoy all your crafty ideas and would love to win your giveaway. I wish you a Happy New Year! Seems like today, it's getting harder and harder to stay positive ....reading craft blogs help a lot. Jill

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Of course I love your commentary on each item and why and where it came to you. Lots of my fav things here..I collect postcards, love red birds, save all buttons, keep all magazines of the crafty sort and review them when I need a project.

We have our living room stuffed with chairs...a couch, three recliners, MY chair that no one can eat in. We have two patio doors in there and brought the porch glider inside and put it in front of one of the doors because we don't use them in the winter. Sound like there's no room for a tree? Well barely. So I went to the attic and found one of my many that was small and covered with plastic. It still had all the lights on it. That was the one I grabbed. Pencil thin and small enough not to block anyone's view of the TV, which is Terry's gauge of the perfect tree.

Put me in the draw please. I love all your precious gifts and will keep them precious at my home too.
xx, Carol

Sheila said...

Love your giveaway. I just love books & magazines, I wonder if we ever have too many. Oh and the little ornament is just beautiful.
Take care

Katkat said...

What a lovely giveaway! Your quilting is exquisite! I love your attention to detail--those of us who love what others might consider trash also appreciate those tiny squirrels!
Kathy

Jane S. said...

What a wonderful giveaway! It is you, through and through, you love small treasures and sharing them with others. :)

Your little tree is lovely, just the right size.

Jaybird said...

Once again, I am in love with your goodies!! And that doll quilt is so beautiful...you need to find a place to use it!
Loved your story too!
Blessings,
J

Vicki Boster said...

Hello my sweet Pat--
You must be all settled into your new home by now. It is wonderful that you are blogging so regularly again. Your giveaway is beautiful --- you are sharing such lovely gifts for your friends. Someone is surely going to be thrilled to win your treasures.

The guilt is beyond gorgeous. How you can so patiently make those stitches is beyond imagination. You truly are talented and gifted in your crafts.

You know -- I think what I love most is the way you always tell a story to go along with your photos.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday in your new home--

Love,
Vicki

ps --- I dont wish to enter the contest. I am already so blessed with your gifts and friendship. I would like for someone else to have the chance to win.

xoxo

Jodi - usairdoll said...

What a darling giveaway! I love all the different items and the story that goes with them. All are great! Thanks for thinking of us.

Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Thistle Cove Farm said...

What a brilliant idea...making textiles out of the old cards! If I ever figure out how to do that, I've got some old cards. Lovely giveaway, thanks for the opportunity. I'd like to find a small, very small, tree I could pop out of a box each year.

Linda said...

LOVE it all....such good ideas...thanks for a good giveaway and a chance to win...Linda realear2@msn.com

Louise Doney said...

Oh Pat,we are such kindred spirits, I love everything you picked for this giveaway and wonder how you can even think of parting with them, but ever so thankful that you did !

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.