Nothing beats Christmas, I could shop for Christmas items all year long and be happy. Above are some of the miniature items I've created. Several are inspired from things i remember from my childhood. The little book was one of my favorites growing up. And the Sing-Along with Mitch Holiday record was something my grandmother would play evry year on Christmas Eve and when I would come over to help decorate the tree. Though the version she had was on 8-track...talk about a flashback to the 70's ^^

Vintage Christmas Placemats

Cindy Character, Copyright Grand Award, Boston U.S.A. MCMLXXV (1975)

I have a set of these four laminate placemats. All with different Christmas images, featuring a character named Cindy. They were wasting away in my mother's basement and I couldn't resist them. I've been trying to find any information on the character and if she's been used for anything else, greeting cards, figurines, etc. because I think she is so adorable ( and the cat is cute too lol ) The only information I have is listed beneath the picture and that's what was given on the back side of the mat.

After Christmas Bargains

I have to admit I'm a sucker for a really good bargain. Especially after Christmas, and while out shopping with my mother in late January I was surprised to come across a couple real goodies. While shopping for my son's birthday we decide to just take a quick stop in the Christmas Tree Shop on the way home and they were just marking down whatever was left of their Christmas to 90% off. And below are a couple of the goodies I picked up.

I couldn't resist these little stars. They're Dept. 56 and the tags say suggested retail $4.50 (Way too much to pay for cardboard and sparkles if you want my opinion no matter what name brand is on them) ...they were $2.50 at Christmas Tree Shops but at 90% off and 25 cents each that was just the price. I bought several of each color and plan on making them into a garland to decorate my kitchen next Christmas.

I also picked up what Dept. 56 calls "Jewelry for the Tree" and the suggested retail price on it is $17.50...( I think someone had a touch much to drink before they thought up that price ) at any rate, Dept. 56 or not the quality of them is far far from being worth anywhere near $17.50...and even at Christmas Tree Shops where they were $4.99, that was still in my opinion more than they were worth...however, at 90% off and only 50 cents each I have a plan to take them apart to make something else of them. Most likely for my own Christmas ornaments. The fact that they came in sheer little drawstring bags is just a plus ^^.


And to top they day off we decided why not stop at The Hallmark Shop...and we hit the jackpot. They were just marking down all of their Christmas ornaments from 75% off to just $1, $3 and $5 each. Of Course... i went straight to the $1 ones lol. I did however pick up three that were $3 each only because one was a gingerbread house and I can't resist anything gingerbread. And the other two I knew my daughter would adore. So about 30 or so ornaments and $40 later ( The price I would have paid for 2 or 3 before Christmas) I came out all smiles with a huge shopping bag overflowing with ornaments.