Decking the Halls

Here is one of the first Christmas things I made after I started quilting.  This is probably from the late 70's or early 80's.  Again, it shows the choice of fabric that you found back then.   This doesn't hang on my fireplace, but I just wanted to get a good picture of it.  I also had a big wreath I made by stuffing long tubes of fabric and twisting them together.  Can any of you remember those?  No idea of what I did with that one. 

This is a vintage wreath that was in my mother-in-law's things.  I'm pretty sure it isn't aluminum but could be wrong on that.  There used to be something we called "tinfoil" but it's been so long ago.  Anyway, no matter what it is, it's rather a pretty little thing.  As you can see, I have been putting out some Christmas in my house and have a pretty good little mess going which needs to be cleaned up.  Just needed to sit down and take a break so thought I would do a post.  This morning I did some shopping on line -  so some things are taken care of.   Time to get back to the job at hand.  Have a good weekend!!

The Three of Them

Here's a cute picture of the three girls some years ago.  I can't pinpoint the exact year, but I think Norah may still have been in high school and Molly in junior high with Hannah maybe in kindergarten.  This was back in the days when all three had bangs.  My, how everything has changed since then.  We will all be at Norah's home this Christmas - except for our Peace Corps volunteer.  We are hoping and praying she has some good friends to spend Christmas Day with and we think we will be able to talk to her on the phone.
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Old Christmas Cards

When we were living in Topeka, Kansas, in the 1960's, there were several years when we made our own Christmas cards.  Ray did some photography and would take "portraits" of us - some of which are pretty funny.  Anyway, this is one we sent in 1965.  I am sure that he did the drawing of the train and I know he did the lettering.

Here is another card that was done a year or two earlier.  This time someone cut out some snowflakes - and I can't remember how the lettering was done.  Maybe they were stencilled.   After the mockup of the card was done, he photographed it and printed them out.  Now it's a snap with the computer, printer and scanner.  I so love doing that sort of thing.  (Click to enlarge)

A Wonderful Vintage Chrismas Site

I stumbled upon a really cool Christmas website with wonderful old pictures.  I did a post on my Pieces of the Past but thought I would put one here, also.  This picture is from 1925, I think.  Enlarge it, please, to see all the wonderful people.   Santa is rather grungy, but looks real.  The caption spoke of some of children looking as if they had dirty faces, but noted that they had chapped cheeks which was a common problem then.  I remember having chapped legs when the lining of my "snowpants" tore and the wet wool would rub your inner leg.  That was an ouchey!  Try going to http://www.papatedsplace.com/Christmas1920s.html  and checking out all the fun different sections.  You will find Christmases in the 20's, 30's, WWII, and more.  Scroll to the bottom of the section you are in and you will find links to the home page, table of contents, etc.   If you have a minute, I think you would enjoy this.

A Long Ago Christmas Tree

I was so happy when my brother sent this picture some time ago - it is the living room of our grandparents' home in Peoria, Illinois, a long time before my siblings and I were ever in the picture.  I do remember the house very well and actually the piano and victrola!  The victrola was in the basement when I was a little kid and I can remember putting the record on the turntable, winding it up, and setting the needle to the record.  Back to the living room here,  they are decorated for Christmas and the gifts seem to be on the table in the middle of the room.  There also appears to be some filmy substance over the tree for snow.  Note the dog sleeping right by the table.  The little oval picture to the left of the window is identical to one (not the same one) that I have hanging in my living room - purchased it at an antique store.  The floor lamp is absolutely wonderful.  The first picture on the wall on left is one of my mother and I think the large picture of the lady is my grandmother's mother,  Annie Carroll.  I was actually named after Grandma Pearce's maiden name (only just Carol).  Mom wanted to call me Margaret, but grandma hated being called Maggie so it turned out to be Carol.  I remember so many things about my grandmother and just loved going to their house - it was almost like a second home.   They lived in that house forever. 

Here is a view of the piano in the living room.  I love the lacy covering over the top and all the family pictures displayed there.  There seemed to be plenty of up to date sheet music ready to be played.  I am not sure who played it - maybe my Aunt Nelle.  Also a nice plant on a stand to the right of the piano.  This picture was not taken at the same time as the first one, but thought it would be a nice addition to the post.   So here is another Christmas Piece of the Past for you.  (Click to enlarge)

From 1980

In 1980 when we lived in Overland Park in the KC area, there was a very nice little quilt shop in Ranchmart Shopping Center that was just a few blocks from our house.  One day when I was in there (and I went frequently) there was a Santa like this fellow and

his wife like this little old gal sitting on a chair in the shop.  I thought they were adorable.  Lo and behold, there was a

pattern for these darling little dolls which I immediately purchased.  I made three sets of them - and it took quite a while but it was worth it.  I did one for Sherry and one for Ann, my DIL.   Those two sets I did in a different plaid than mine but they were just as cute.  Sunday when I was at Sher's for dinner, her's were sitting on the bookshelf.  The face, legs and arms were doubleknit - remember that?  I misread the pattern and did the arms separately like the legs instead of in one long piece and tying it in the middle for hands.   However, it turned out just fine.  Can't believe I still have the pattern, but there it was in the drawer.  One of my favorite projects for Christmas.  (Click to enlarge)

Ain't They Sweet?

When I was putting things away (the bedroom where I sew looked like a hurricane went through) I found a manilla envelope with all kinds of little goodies in it that I must have set aside for something. It had some darling pictures of the girls, some letters and notes they had written, and other little bits of memorabilia that grandmas save! There were quite a few pictures - no time sequence - mainly just really cute ones of the girls that I had set aside. I just now scanned this one of Norah and Molly sometime in the late 80's when they all came back to Illinois from Michigan to visit grandma and grandpa for Christmas. I am pretty sure it was before Hannah was born. Anyway, they both had new haircuts and are as cute as can be! I just could not resist posting this picture! (Click to enlarge)

Hannah's Gingerbread House

During the Christmas season of 1996, I went with Hannah and Sherry to Hannah's school where everyone was making gingerbread houses. My contribution was to make royal icing for the mortar to hold the houses together. Had never made it and it was surprisingly easy to do. The houses were made from kits. Here is Hannah's house amidst the building scraps and she is painstakingly putting the M & M's on her roof. I imagine quite a bit of the material that went into the cute little structures was taste tested before it was applied.

What a lovely little house! Mom and daughter are both looking very proud of their creation. What a "sweet" memory! (Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

What the young mother and her two little girls wore on Christmas Eve in 1981. This is such a happy picture of all three of them. Norah is looking so cute in her little green dress with a white collar and cuffs plus a smocked insert in the bodice of her dress. Little Miss Molly is wearing what looks to be the same red nightie that big sister wore in an earlier picture, but Grandma could be wrong on that. Regardless, she is happy as can be. Wearing a hot pink sweater and a satinlike blouse, Sherry is her usual pretty self. Note that Uncle Bill has updated the reindeer's antler and has added an ornament for little Molly. In the lower right hand corner, there is a little needlepoint stocking that I made for Norah's first Christmas. That was the only one like that I did, but each girl has a strip pieced stocking that they still hang each year. The year Hannah was born, I scrambled and found some of the same fabric along with some newer pieces and made her one that came out very much like the original ones. (Click to enlarge)

Some Favorite Christmas Pictures

Here is my favorite youngest granddaughter, Hannah Alice, all dressed up in a little dress I made for her mother many years ago. There were lots of little snowmen in the fabric. How cute.

And here is Miss Molly Rose all dressed for Christmas dinner. We were all dressed very casual as we are most of the time, and before dinner Molly slipped out and came back all dressed in this pretty dress, tights and red shoes. What an "OOOOOOOH" moment for me. She is my favorite middle granddaughter.

And here is my favorite oldest granddaughter, Norah Lee, all dressed in lovely jewelry from the jewelry tin that was at grandma's house and that they all loved. Lovely reminders of Christmas's Past. (Click to enlarge)

Christmas with Our First Grandchild - 1977

Here is little Norah Lee all dressed in her little red nightie and nightcap awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. That was the beginning of a long string of fun Christmases with Norah, Molly and Hannah. Nothing like it when the little ones are around. Christmas is special all the time, but even more so when there are kiddies.Sherry and Uncle Bill beside the card Bill made for them with an ornament bearing Norah's name on Rudolph's antler. (An added note later: If you thought you may have seen this picture before, you are right! Senior moments are coming faster and lasting longer!! However, it's a cute picture and I am going to leave it. Will try to not repeat posts!)

More Christmas Artwork

Bill did this poster the Christmas after Sherry and Barclay added a new brand new member to our family. Isn't it awesome how much a darling little baby adds so much joy to Christmas - and more joy is added with the addition of each new little one. The ornament on Rudolph's reindeer is for Norah.

This is Uncle Bill and Norah - she was about 4 1/2 months old and already lots of fun. Later, Molly Rose joined us, and quite a bit later Hannah Alice arrived, both of them adding their special joys. Ray and I both absolutely loved being grandparents - nothing like it.

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Some "Handmade" Cards

Ah, the 60's! Bill has drawn from the time he was quite little, and he's good at it. Funny characters were a specialty of his - guys with warts on their noses, cigarettes hanging out of their mouth (this was the 60's!) and just all around funny stuff. Good perspective, too. These Christmas cards were done probably when he was in high school - can't remember for sure - and I have kept them all these years. Who can throw things like this away? I can't!

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My Pretty Daughter at Christmas in 1967

Posted a picture of Bill with his snowgirl the other day and some on his 7th birthday.....and I don't want Sherry to think I am ignoring her!! This was taken about the same time as the one of Bill. It was in Topeka. What a pretty daughter I have!! The stocking on the fireplace and it's companion were made when the kids were very tiny. I still have those ugly little things - could never get rid of them.

I Love this Picture

This goes way back to 1956 just before we moved away from our hometown to go to Ft. Madison, Iowa. Sherry was 5 1/2 and Bill was 3. Mom and I took the little kids to Peoria to Block and Kuhl's department store to see Santa Claus. They were so excited and so cute - this one makes me smile and tugs at my heartstrings. How did 52 years slip by so quickly?

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An Old Wallhanging and a New Christmas Cactus

Made from a pattern I bought long ago and finished two or three years ago. Wasn't happy with the string of lights as I felt they probably needed to be lighter. Do like the snowman, though.

Another Christmas cactus in bloom - different color and much smaller. Must have been a good year for them. Today I hope to get my Christmas cards ready for mailing. As years go by, my card list gets shorter, but I so look forward to the letters and notes in cards from the old friends and relatives I still hear from. (Click to enlarge)

More Christmas Projects from Years Gone By

Here are my little mice I made in Overland Park thirty - give or take a few - years ago. The pattern was in a magazine and there were lots of little pieces to sew, turn and stuff. Should have made her dress more interesting but they still are kinda cute.A profile of the little fellow mouse.

Needlepoint was a passion in my life for at least 11 years - lots of pillows, pictures, etc. Loved doing bargello, so when I saw this little angel in a magazine or book I wanted to do her. I am sure I did it with floss. The wings are needlepoint canvas stitched with a pattern. Her head is a piece of stuffed nylon stocking. She was a tree topper for a long, long time. (Click to enlarge)

I Love the Old Cards

Here are some fun old Christmas cards from years gone by.

This one has to be from the 50's - looks like art that was popular when my kids were little.

Life was simple then.

Aren't these tags cute? I didn't make these particular ones but have made similar ones with pictures of old cards that I have printed out.

This little card with the carolers could be cropped (unless you are actually giving it to a niece) and attached to a tag. There are so many great things to do and not enough hours in the day!

I have found so many neat things while looking on the web and have put lots of fun things in files on my computer. Retro items are a big favorite of mine--things from the 20's and 30's and 40's are wonderful.

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