Vintage Christmas Apron

Matilda is ready for Christmas entertaining. Isn't she a lucky lady (mannequin) to be wearing this lovely apron! I found this wonderful vintage apron at Goodwill. I just love it. I think it must have been a kit. Kit probably included the netting, felt, ribbon, rickrack, beads and sequins. I hope my photos show the detail of the bell embellishments. It's obvious that someone spent hours and hours attaching sequins with beads. There is also a piece of the silver rickrack on each bell.

I always wonder about the history of things I find at thrift stores. Do you think someone actually wore this lovely little apron? Did someone spend all those hours making it as a gift? Did the recipient appreciated the hours it took to make it? How did it end up at Goodwill with a 99 cent price tag?

Chalkware/Plaster Nativity

Look what I found at Goodwill today. I love the pieces. They are rather large and heavy chalkware or plaster. Don't have any idea of their age. Joseph had an accident at some time and lost his head. It has been glued back and you can see the breakline if you look closely. Since they are to be displayed on the front porch, I'm not worried. Both Mary and Joseph had a few chips. I repaired them with Sharpie pen. What we do without our Sharpies!

Snowflakes in the Studio

I've been busy watching my Janome 11000 as it makes these lovely snowflakes. I am able to get four snowflakes in each hooping with the 8" square hoop. Now I will soak them in water to remove the wash-away stabilizer and air dry. They will be included in a few of our Christmas cards this year.

Monogram Pillowcases

I continue to work on Christmas gifts. This is a set of monogram pillowcase for my niece and her hubby. This year one of my goals was to make better use of my embroidery machine. Many on my Christmas list will receive items that are embellished with machine embroidery. I have both an older Bernina embroidery machine and a Janome 11000. I love the Janome because it allows me to download directly from the computer. My Bernina does excellent embroidery but I'm limited to a design card.

Grocery Totes

My friend found this pattern at a quilt shop recently. I spent a few hours this weekend making these Reversible Grocery Totes. The pattern is by Penny Sturges and goes together quickly. The pattern calls for either Cotton Twill Tape handles or fabric handles. I didn't have any twill tape so I made the fabric handles. Tote can be made from 4 fat quarters if you have twill tape. If you make fabric handles, you will need 1 1/2 yards of one fabric.

These are perfect for those little gifts that require mailing. My friend mailed one for less than $2.00.

Happy Pink Saturday

Beverly of How Sweet the Sound has selected the theme for this week's Pink Saturday - "Favorite Holiday Decoration". This little angel was on the top of my very first "family" Christmas tree in 1970. I believe I purchased her at Revco Drug Store. When new she had lights attached. Over the years the lights quit working. I took them off but saved the angel. As I was looking through my decorations, I realized that she is one of the oldest family ornaments in my collection. She will be passed on to my son at some time in the future.

To see more Favorite Holiday Decorations check Beverly's blog. Merry Christmas and thanks for visiting my blog on Pink Saturday.

Joy Full Tree

Our tree is now decorated. I finished this lovely tree yesterday afternoon. I decided to use off white poinsettias and copper ornaments. I purchased some of the ornaments at JoAnn's 60% off sale and others at Dollar Store. Berry Garlands were also from JoAnn's. It is our JoyFull Tree. No arrangement would be complete without a few "Snowmen". The snowman on the wall is painted on a cabinet door. I purchased him at a boutique a few years ago.