GeorgiaPeachez

Vintage Christmas Monday

Two words I love to put together...vintage and christmas. 

I'm joining the list over at  Anything Goes Here.  It's a blog block party every Monday and I'll take any excuse to share my vintage christmas goodies.

Now you know I can't pass up christmas items from the past and I will stockpile them even if I have no clue what I'm going to do with them. 

Such was the case when I discovered a huge box full of old (and probably dangerous) strings of christmas light.  The colors really grabbed me, shades of orange and lilac, jadite greens and even pink.  Not those uniform primary colors in use today.

I tossed out the fraying electrical cords and started hoarding the bulbs.  The swirly C-9's being the most desirable.  I pondered on what to create out of my growing collection.  I knew a wreath was a logical choice but it was a few years (and more bulbs) before I had that aha!  (light bulb, ha!) moment and my first light bulb wreath was born.

I made a few wreaths that first year and then a couple more after that.  But I haven't made any for over 5 years now. 

It takes a long time to accumulate enough bulbs for these wreaths.  They aren't that easy to find (in quantity) and they go for big bucks on eBay. 

So I've made three bulb wreaths this year and that's probably it for a long time. 

Unless I hit the mother load at a future estate sale.  It could happen.  

No Turkeys Here

What? No turkey pictures!!  Got that right. 

We did eat our share of turkey in this house however, and it was good.  Smoked turkey from the local BBQ joint. yum.

We had two soldiers from Ft. Eustis come to share the feast with us today.

I want to thank them for their service to our country and I want to thank their families for allowing these fine young men to come to Virginia to do their service.

Here are some pictures of the guys for their families to enjoy.

Both of our soldiers are far, far from home. 

Beau Browne is from the island of Maui, one of the Hawaiian Islands.

Patrick Shaw is from Portland, Oregon.

I think the guys enjoyed the lunch that I prepared, and I KNOW they enjoyed the pecan pie.  Three pieces each worth of enjoyment!

The recipe is my grandmother, Montine Hammond's recipe.  My grandparents had pecan trees in their backyard in Hapeville, GA and I have fond memories of picking up pecans and cracking them to eat every time we went to their house.

I'm going to share her recipe here, in case our soldier's mom's want to try it next time they come home.  My southern tradition to pass along to them.

Montine Hammond's Pecan Pie

3/4 cup sugar,  1 cup light corn syrup,  3 eggs slightly beaten,  4 tbl. melted butter,  1 tbl. vanilla,  1 cup pecans chopped

Line pie plate with pastry.  Boil sugar & syrup together for about 2 minutes.  Pour this mixture slowly over the slightly beaten eggs, stirring vigorously.  Add butter, vanilla and pecans.  Pour into unbaked pastry line pie plate.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

Just Two More

I've managed to scrounge enough materials to make two more wreaths for 2009.

They will be in the shop at 3pm Tuesday.  Thanks to everyone that has been inquiring about more wreaths!! 

Those Lucky Young Ones

How awesome it would have been to have a place like Etsy in 1979 when I was < 20. 

I certainly could have used some extra money selling macrame belts or painted rocks online.  Postage would have been dirt cheap too.

But I'm much older (> than 20) and wiser now and I do have an Etsy shop or two myself.

But I have a friend, actually littlepeach#1's BFF, and she has a new Etsy shop, cdaltondesigns.

Our families first met as neighbors in New Jersey when she and littlepeach#1 were just tweens.

They are both in college now, studying very hard this exact minute I'm sure.

Miss CDaltonDesigns likes to make beaded jewelry and she's pretty talented.

How fun to be in college and have your own little online shop on the side.  

I wish I had thought to invent something like Etsy when I was <20. 

But then I would have had to think of the internet and personal computers and laptops and mini laptops and microchips and wireless access and... oh bother.

Our Booth

It was a quick trip, up to the DC area yesterday, craft fair today and now I am back home in Hampton.  Tired and ready for a rest.

Beth and I had a great booth space this year at the craft fair.

Colorful, yes?

Thank you to everyone that stopped by and made a purchase.

Thanks to friends that stopped by for moral support and some good conversation.

OK, I'm exhausted now, I can barely raise up my glass of wine.  Good night and sweet dreams.

It's a Deluge

Since yesterday I think we have gotten, oh I don't know, something like 50 inches of rain. 

And  it's  still  raining.

My yard has lots of puddles but at least we aren't flooding.

I'm holding my breath that the power doesn't go out.  I'm still sewing like a fiend, getting ready for the Falls Church Highschool Craft Fair this weekend.

Beth and I have a booth again this year.  I'm working on hankie bags right now, then I'm done.  Except to pack it up and price it all. 

whew. 

Gotta get back to work.

I'm Jonesin' for this One!

Check out this new addition to my Google Reader list.

J. Nichelle!

This girl has got a thing for the vintage Christmas that I have to admire (and covet). 

AND, she is having a giveaway.  Maybe you should stop by. 

You can stop by but don't think that you are going to beat me out of this giveaway.  not. 

The Perfect Pattern

I saw it on the shelf.

But I haven't sewn apparel in years.  I'm too lazy.  It's easier to go find something at Marshalls.

This one spoke to me though.  I'm fabulous! it cried.  Find some vintage fabric and make me.  I'll be to die for, you know it.

I couldn't resist.  I love it.

I have to say that barkcloth patchwork is pretty snazzy.  But I found the perfect fabric.  Vintage fabric.  Oh yeah.

Postman, please don't dilly dally or lose my package.  I'm patiently waiting.

Boxes of Fun

After making 8 wreaths this year from vintage christmas ornaments I was left with quite a pile of old ornament boxes.  I love these old boxes as much as the ornaments that came in them. 

I've been burning blisters on the tips of my fingers with the hot glue and I've got a big batch of them turned into fun and kitschy decorations themselves.

This is exactly the kind of thing I would have dreamed up to make when I was 10 yo.  Yeah, I'm thinking like a 10 yo these days.