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 doily,  a 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