Monday, December 29, 2008

Xmas Sigh...

Well, it's over... and we're finally home!
Here are the last of the Xmas pics (I hope)...
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Jamie's Xmas Gift
Jamie's present... a bookbag/accessory set- not quite as good as the gift she gave us- she took Chris & I to Of Montreal, which was for sure added to the Top 5 shows of all time for me. The image set I used was from the lovely Danielle Thompson, here.
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Xmas Candy 2
Xmas Candy 1
Xmas candy gifts, 'cause we be poor. And it wouldn't be Christmas without me trying to throw my back out over ridiculously involved food gifts... There is peppermint bark, fudge, peanut butter balls, and spiced nuts in there. Cute Martha packaging from Michael's.
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Cranberry Orange Vodka
Cranberry Orange Vodka
I'm big on the food gifts... surprise...
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Xmas Table
Table set for Xmas brunch for my fam. My new tablecloth is so freaking adorable that I want to leave it out year-round! I suppose I feel that way about all our holiday decorations, though. The Roseville castle has been leaving their lights on year-round... maybe I should join in...

Monday, December 8, 2008

Swedelicious!

This Christmas I decided to make some Swedish themed decor... Every Xmas Eve in my life has been spent at my Swedish grandmother's (and non-Swedish grandpa, but you know, he didn't decorate) house, until this year (Chris & I have decided to start switching locations year to year instead of trying to do both family celebrations). Anyway, I decided to have a brunch for my family before we leave town to make up for it, and thought I needed some Sweden in the house for it...
Swedish Hearts
Swedish Hearts
Wool felt with blanket stitch edging.
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Julbock Cards
This year's Christmas Cards
I carved a block for printing these and finished them with stardust pen details.
For non-Swedes, the Julbock (or Yule-goat):
"is a ubiquitous symbol of the winter holidays in Scandinavian countries"... continue at Altreligion
Now, it's mostly thought of just as a cute Xmas decoration, though...
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Lucia Doll
Swedish Xmas
Lucia Doll
This is the first doll I've made with yarn hair, which was a bit tricky, but she really have to have the braids. The crown-wreath is loop knotted yarn with felt/tiny pom-pom candles. And she's even got Dala horses on her tights!

"Lucia Day, December 13th, initiates the Christmas season by marking the beginning of brighter days to come in Sweden. It is customary that the eldest daughter as Lucia... dresses in a long white gown with a red sash around her waist and wears a crown entwined with sprigs of myrtle greens on her head. Five or seven lighted candles in the crown spread a luminous glow around her."
-American Swedish Institute
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Next year, I'll make some tomte... I just ran out of time...


Friday, December 5, 2008

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...sweetness.
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Christmas Brunch Invites
Invites to my fam for a Holiday brunch... made with Martha Stewart stamps- on my new (repro) Christmas tablecloth... I'll post another pic of it, I'm sure.
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Christmas Wreath- Outdoor
Our outdoor wreath... it's very sparkly. I bought the base wreath (which is glittery and has pinecones and dried leafy stuff) and put silver sparkly leafy stuff in it... Here's a pic you can see it better in:
DSC_0182
Yes, White Kitty is trying to eat it.
I leave it up all winter, since it's not strictly "Christmas-y".
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Christmas Wreath- Indoor
Our indoor wreath. Hmmm... as I look at it now it doesn't seem terrible Christmas-y either. Maybe I should leave it up all year! I made it years ago, with a grapevine base, moss, sparkly fruit, leaves, berries, and glitter.
Both wreaths have a Labyrinth-y (as in the movie) look to me... natural, mossy, glittery... sigh.
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Christmas Decor
We don't have a mantle/fireplace, so I started using our new (to us-thanks D&K!) entertainment center as such.
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Vintage Christmas Tree
Vintage Christmas Tree Close
My Grandma gave me this a couple weeks ago... it's been up at her house every Christmas for as long as I can remember and I love it sooooooo very much. I'd hug it if it were more cuddly.
I lucked out! I was explaining to her how Ebay works & told her I had been looking for a tree like that one there, and she said something along the lines of "that thing? You can have that! Take it home today!". Yaaaaaaaaaay.
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Gingerbread House Ornament
This is a cardboard ornament I just finished painting... I made a hole in the bottom so you can poke a tree light though to make it light up. There are more handmade ornaments a couple posts down...
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Christmas Tree
The whole tree. Sorry it's not a great view, but honestly, it's shoved between three pieces of furniture, and I just couldn't get a good shot. You get the idea, anyway, right?
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Next up, I'll be posting more X-mas stuffs... all along the Swedish theme! Yaaaaaaaaay Sweden! Uh, you'll see.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

For Alanah

Sweater set for Alanah Armijo:
Baby Sweater Set for Alanah Armijo
Baby Sweater Set for Alanah Armijo detail
She's Chris's cousin's baby-to-be... due soon!
I finished this awhile ago, but I had to wait
until after the shower to post it.
I hope I get a modeled pic!