Sugar Plum Houses

Vintage Putz Houses, or paper houses, are favorites of many people. I've seen so many imitations in stores in the last few years. I purchased a few from the Martha Stewart Macy's decoration line last year. This year I decided to try to make my own.

There were many instructions for houses online and in magazines but being the non instruction reader than I am, I made up my own pattern. :)



Basically, I took a 4 x 6 jewelry box lid and cut out a 3 dimensional paper house to fit inside. (Thanks to my Mom for letting me take pictures of her working on a house!) It took a few tries to get the house template to work out the way I envisioned it. Then I added a roof, fence and windows.



The next step was to "paint" the house with a mixture of glue and water and then glitter the whole thing.



Add a glittered bottle brush tree and voila! A Goodness Sugar Plum House. :)



I also made a church . . .



and a town house. I made a green barn style house as well. I am very happy with the way these houses turned out and all in all they didn't take that much time or money. I'm really hoping to make a few more for the shop if time allows.

I can't wait to display them on my fireplace this year!

Cheers
Rebecca

Tea, Anyone?

I participated in Diane's Falling {Tea} Leaves swap and was matched with Danielle. Boy was I lucky! She sent the most wonderful swap!



Gorgeous hot pads and tea cozy that match my house perfectly! You can see my glass tea pot modeling the cozy, it fits perfectly! Some lovely hand stamped note cards, English Breakfast Tea, which is a favorite, autumn leave shaped sprinkles (which will look great on the gingerbread cupcakes I'm making) and spiced sugar cubes! I can't wait to try them, they are soaking up their spices now. Oh and THESE:



The most delicious pumpkin hazelnut biscotti I have ever had! And I am not exaggerating! I love it and so does the DH.



Here's a closeup of the gorgeous cozy. Danielle said she had a hard time giving it away but I am very glad she did!

Here is what I sent Danielle:



Vintage napkins, tea cups, tea towel and a pale blue milk glass creamer. Plus one of my tea cup pot holders, a variety of caffeine free herbal teas, a tea ball and my favorite tea party recipes!

Thank you, Danielle, for the wonderful swap and thanks, Diane, for pairing us up!

I also did a personal swap with my dear friend Sid. However, I didn't take any pictures except this one:



She made these gorgeous earring from pearls she got on her trip to Alaska. I've already worn them several times. I hate that I have no photos to share, I've already dispersed all my wonderful gifts into my home, but Sid posted a few photos here of what she sent me and what I sent her (which I also forgot to photograph, doh!)

I've got some really cute crafts to share this week. We had our first annual holiday crafting tea over the weekend and we made some fabulous things! I'm hoping to have time to write up a few tutorials as well.

And where is my usual gratuitous puppy shot?



:)

fondly ~ Rebecca

On the Way to Holly Jolly

First . . . the winner of the yarn holder is . . . Jenn! Woo hoo! Jenn, send me your address. I've been using my yarn holder quite a bit, I think you'll enjoy it. :)

Now on with the Holly Jolly . . . Christmas has come to the Thrift Store.



All of a sudden K Mart cast offs have been showing up in the thrift I frequent most often which means Martha Stewart Everyday items. I was quick to snatch up this fun silver wreath and . . .



. . . this super cute flocked Santa tree topper and sweet pine cone beaded garland. A few weeks ago I also picked up 3 feathered cardinal ornaments as well.

Now while I like much of Martha's holiday line you know my heart skips a beat for vintage!



To say that I was excited to find this box of Shiny Brite ornaments is an understatement! These are rare in the thrift, particularly still in the box. My favorite Shiny Brite balls are the ones with words on them and there are quite a few in there!

I'll be heading to my Mom's for a long weekend of thrifting and crafting. I'm hoping to happen upon some more fun holiday decorations. When I return I'll be listing quite a few vintage Christmas items in The Shop so stay tuned!

fondly ~ Rebecca

Vintage FOUND

As you know, I am always on the look out for vintage in the thrift store. While it is readily found in antique stores and at flea markets, thrifts are a different story. So it's such a thrill to uncover vintage articles and of course I always pick them up either for myself, friends or the shop.

Usually my "route" in the thrift store includes stops at the linens, books, jewelry and housewares. I rarely look at clothes anymore though something possessed me to peek at the costumes last weekend.



A vintage little girl's communion dress complete with veil. I know I didn't NEED it but I couldn't just leave it there either. (I'm sensing a pattern with me, are you? lol) And see that hanger? It's covered in crochet in gold thread and has a soft green velvet ribbon. The dress was hanging on it at the thrift and I didn't even have to ask the lady if I could have it. :)



Sweet buttons on the bodice and eyelet lace . . . so cute!



Also found at the thrift, two vintage beaded bags. I doubt I'll be parting with these! :)



This is the same thrift where I found that gorgeous seam binding. I wrapped some up to send to The Queen and hope to offer some cards like this in The Shop soon. It really is lovely and I have more than I'll ever use. :)

And how is little Lincoln doing?



Spending some quality with our larger version of him. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

RR

NEW

A new president? Yes. But that's not what I am talking about.

I went to the mall last night to buy a new laptop. But that is not what I'm talking about either.



Meet Lincoln. Our new puppy. I'm turning into the crazy dog lady over here. But I couldn't leave him behind. Lincoln is a 4 month old Sheltie who weighs about 6 lbs. We named him for President Lincoln since we got him on Election Day. I wish I had better pictures but it's hard to get him to sit still. Wish me luck and if anyone has any handy house training tips, let me know!

Rosey Posey Scarf Pattern and Give Away!

I'm over here patting my self on the back. Finally this year I have FINISHED some hand made gifts for the holidays. Every year I start with great intentions and can usually only manage to finish a hat for my sister and even then I'm working on it on Christmas Eve. But this year, I have a big pile of warm yarny goodness to bestow on my family and friends.

As I mentioned last post, I was inspired by this scarf made by Diane. So I decided to try to make my own in a similar pattern. When I told Diane that I totally copied her she was so nice and happy that I could manage to write a pattern! Ah shucks, thanks! It's a very simple pattern and I hope some of you will give this scarf a try. It really is super cute.

Rosey Posey Scarf



This is another stash buster project and can be adapted for use with many types of yarn though I recommend something soft with a slight sheen. You can also adapt the length and the width to suit you or the recipient. For the red Posey Scarf I used 2 skeins of TLC Cotton Plus, for the pink I used 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft and for the blue (pictured at the bottom) I am using Bernat Cashmere Blends and I think it will take 3 skeins to complete.

Supplies

2 to 3 skeins of worsted weight yarn
Size H hook (or size that suits your yarn, make a double crochet swatch to see what you like!)


Abbreviations

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet


Chain to desired length - start making chains and determine the length of your scarf by wrapping the chain length around your neck. You can make it as long or as short as you like.

dc in 4th chain from hook and every chain until the end, turn

ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each dc to end, turn

Here is where you can customize the width. The red scarf only has 2 rows of double crochet on each side of the chain. With the scalloped edging it measures about 5 inches wide. I designed this one for a young girl and didn't want it to be too wide. The pink scarf has 3 rows of double crochet on each side of the chain and measures about 7 inches wide with the scalloped edging. You can make as many rows of double crochet as you like, just be sure to put the same amount on rows on the other side of the chain to match.

Once you have determined your width:

ch 3, 4 dc in first dc, skip one dc, sc in next dc, skip one dc *5 dc in next dc, skip one dc, sc in next dc, skip 1 dc* repeat from * to * until last dc, 5 dc in last dc, fasten off and weave in end.

Attach yarn to first chain on OPPOSITE side of where you started your first row of double crochet (you'll now be working down the other side and making a mirror image of your completed side. Questions? Leave a comment!)

ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each dc to end, turn

Add as many double crochet rows as you did on the opposite side

ch 3, 4 dc in first dc, skip one dc, sc in next dc, skip one dc *5 dc in next dc, skip one dc, sc in next dc, skip 1 dc* repeat from * to * until last dc, 5 dc in last dc, fasten off and weave in end.



See how easy? Now to give it as a gift, roll it up and tie a ribbon around it with a gift tag. This pattern would work well with Bernat Satin which is only $3 a skein at most craft stores. What a nice gift for $6!

Here is my blue scarf in progress:



It will have 3 rows of double crochet on each side but for the middle row I did crossed double crochet to give it a more lacey look. Wanna try? A tutorial can be found here.



And now for the give away . . . see that nifty Knitpickers Yarn holder I'm using to tote around my in-progress posey scarf? Want one? Leave a comment and next Monday I'll pick a winner! It's a good size and has a hook in case you want to clip it to your knitting utility belt. ;) Oh and Diane, I have one for you, too, for letting me be a copy cat. Email me your address!

Oh and if any one makes a scarf, let me know!

xoxo
rr