Christmas Time is Here

Hello and Welcome one and all.   Thank you, Lori for putting this blog hop together for us all to enjoy.

My God Jul quilt made for my Danish husband, Rich.  He's my biggest supporter and the center of my world.

This is the view from our bed.  My Nana had a ceramic tree and I've come to love them for their kitschy vintage aesthetic.

Here is my new Christmas Quilt for 2019.
Toile' the Night Before Christmas in our guest room.

This is always the Red and White Room so it works naturally for Christmas.

Little Mary Engelbreit houses I've had for years and a little red and white quilt.

I am cutting down on wrapping paper because it isn't great for the environment, so here is a cardboard box that just needed a little embellishment.  The whole box can be saved for next year :)

Here is an upcycle idea.   I use Christmas cards that I receive as gift tags.  I love to receive old fashioned cute cards and adorn packages with them.

A few little wooden things to decorate the windowsills.

Tin windup toys and another a red and white doll quilt.

Here is a little humorous moment in the kids/guest bathroom on another little quilt.    "You'll Shoot your Eye Out Kid".......ha ha

Rich requested my Jubilee quilt for the eating area in our kitchen.  I also like to layer tablecloths with vintage card tablecloths.

 This is a little sweet log cabin gift quilt from a friend in Illinois, Mary, made for me.

 Another little log cabin doll quilt that I made years ago.

the backing print.  I wish I had more of this one!

Because of Nutmeg, the new kitten, I did not put up my full Dickens Village, but  opted for a mantel display this year.  Here is a short video.

In the Dining Room I have our collection of Nissemen, which are Danish Elves.  Also on display is just a small part of our Danish Christmas Plate collection.

My Big Giant Tree!  Every year I say to my patient husband, "Rich I want a BIG tree. If they don't have a big tree we're leaving"  well friends, my dream came true!

 Here is a video tour of ornaments and bubble lights.

The little elf in a green plastic ball is a gift I received from my kindergarten teacher.  I treasure it.

My favorite Holiday Craft Tradition is making Pomanders.  I just love how they smell and look in a bowl on the table.

The magic tool that peels the rind so the fruit will dry.  You can find them at gourmet cooking shops and also on the all powerful amazon.

I cut a design groove into the citrus.  This year I'm trying lemons, lime and a clementine. 

 I also use a nut cracking tool to poke little holes into the fruit.  Remember Nut Bowls?  It used to be a holiday tradition.

I use it make little holes to insert the whole cloves.

 You can also just let the little peel swirls breath and insert cloves between the lines.

 This quiet old timey activity just makes me happy.  This year I tried a little clementine.

 I like this design which I used on a lime this year.

A few more Christmas moments from around our home.
the hall table~

My German Creche was a gift from my Mother in Law.  I put the baby in on Christmas Day.

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A collection of handmade Christmas Mice from our friends, Susan and Owen.  Aren't they sweet?

I was so inspired by Kelly's post, that I made a mason jar vignette myself.  I used pink Himalayan salt and kosher salt and a few vintage pieces.

I put it next to "my spot" where I have my Remembering Jill quilt on the table top.

I have a great view of the room from this seat.  It is where I watch TV, stitch quilts and pass evenings.

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Blessed Holiday Season!

xo

Be sure to visit all the wonderful Holiday Favorites Bloggers

 Dec 9- Lori, https://humblequilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 10 KatyQuilts, katyquilts.net

Dec 11  Beth, [https://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com

Dec 12 Diane, butterflythreadsquilting.com 

Dec 13 - Kyle,  https://kyleredente.blogspot.com/

Dec 14  Kelly,  https://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 15  Juliann, https://chasingstories.wordpress.com/

Dec 16   Knitty Quilter, https://suehoover.blogspot.com/

Dec 17  Lizzy,  https://gone2thebeach.blogspot.com/

Dec 18 Barb, https://funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com/

Dec  19 Judy, https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 20-  Kevin, http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/

Relax...It's almost Christmas

Take a page from Coco's playbook!

I usually have my vintage pink tree in the sewing room, but this year it is in the Living Room.

 I used piece of vintage linen for a skirt.  It looks pink here, but it is red.

I have a mix of vintage and new red and pink ornaments.  I love when they have glitter.

 or snow.

One of my favorite holidays crafts is making Pomanders.  I use a citrus spiral tool to make designs and make it easier to push the cloves into the orange.

From the internet:
Pomanders were first mentioned in literature in the mid-thirteenth century. They were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century. Also a version of the pomander with oranges, cloves, oils, and a golden ribbon can be used as a recovery charm in witchcraft.

 I recommend you check dollar stores or Job Lot because the whole cloves can be really expensive.  I rotate them to dry them out evenly.

While enjoying a sip of Christmas Cheer I like to take a walk down memory lane with my View Master reels.    Click here to see a post from 2009 on how we made these hat boxes.

 I have my mother's collection from the 1940s, mine from the 1960s/70s and my kids from the 90s/.

 these were my Moms.  I have everything from Nursery Rhymes, World Capitals, Animals and Bible stories to Sesame Street and  Spider-Man.

I'll close today's pre-holiday post with this sweet photo of Coco.  She is such a dum dum.  I love this look on her face.  It is mostly blank but with a mild confusion.

 I put it on the freezer so she can enjoy it.  She was born on Christmas Day and will turn 9 this year.

Wishing you a little piece and quiet during this busy time of preparation.
xo