Making the Most of the Thursday before Christmas.

Good morning friends,

I'm sorry it has been such a slow week around these parts. To be perfectly honest I'm feeling lost without my camera this season (it was ruined on our cave tubing adventure in Belize, this past October). I've been busy in the kitchen and decorating our home for guests this year and no camera to show it off. Usually I would have come here to show you the delicious chocolate Christmas bark I've made for the second year, the banana bread my oldest son and I bake every year (we're going on six years of this tradition) and the vintage decorations I've managed to get up. We've also been getting crafty with tissue paper, and greenery.  I've also had a problem with my back. I've been to the Chiropractor, now I'm just waiting "prayerfully" for the pain to go away so I can actually bend and move and ya know, lift laundry baskets.

Photograph © Kristybee

I've also been feeling very melancholy this December. Do you get this way around this time of year too? It seems like waves and waves of emotions tend to take over and I start to reminisce more and more during December. It feels just like the other day " January 1st, 2010, I felt this deep emotion in my heart and whispered to my husband, this will be a year of celebration. Looking back, it seems as if my heart was right. I anticipated a need for celebration, it just took the last few months of this year to come to fruition. And although it wasn't the kind of celebrations I was thinking of, it was the kind of celebration God had planned for us and for this my heart is full of celebration and gratitude.

I'm taking some time off to celebrate Christmas with my family. To cherish moments and memories and to  celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My family would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope for celebrations to come in your life.

Blessings & Love,

Gabreial & Family

 

On the Road with Contributing Editor Elizabeth Young: Alley Stuff Corbin, KY

On the way to Asheville, NC this past summer, my husband and I stopped in Corbin, KY.  After visiting the original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, we headed downtown to their quaint shopping district on Main St.  My favorite shop was Alley Stuff located at 109 Main St.  This 2000 square foot store was packed full of antiques, collectibles, jewelry, vintage clothing, home and garden decor and more.  They also carried a nice selection of local art and handmade goods.

They are open Thursdays 12-6, Fridays and Saturdays from 10-6. 

Contact information:  109 Main St., Corbin, KY  40701        Phone:  606-524-1472

Website:  www.myalleystuff.com

 

Tis the Season to Give

Often times Christmas brings out the best in people and creates a generosity in hearts that can't be matched. This year our home school co-op is planning a Single Mom's Night Out. A chance for moms in the community to get some time away for themselves and for us a chance to give our time freely to those moms. I asked the handmade community to get involved to help make this evening a special one for the moms. Two companies came forward and generously offered their goods up for donation.

Please help me in thanking Betsy & Bess. Betsy & Bess creates beautiful eco-friendly bags and accessories. They donated a beautiful diaper bag/bag in corduroy lined with yummy fabric.

Betsy & Bess

 

Please also help me thank Barbara Doone. Barbara is a current sponsor here at Vintage Indie and an owner of two Etsy shops. BeJoyfulVintage

Barbara donated yummy distressed gift tags that double as book marks!

Barbara is offering 15% off on all orders with bejoyfulvintage.etsy.com from now until January 31, 2011

Thanks so much ladies! I truly appreciate your support and I'm sure the moms will too!

 

Deck the Halls: Christmas Party Fashion

Vintage and handmade blend like a dream for a classy Christmas look.

Shop these great stores for the items above. Top Left: lilyladyblue Top Right: allencompanyinc Bottom Left: ninu Bottom Right: prizysebastian

Deck the Halls 2010: Gifts for Bird Lovers

SHOP: Prince Design UK

 

Deck the Halls 2010: A Wreath A Day 12-8-2010

A Peppermint Wreath in Burlap!

SHOP: Paper Made Necessities

House & Home: Wire Art

Handmade and hand sculptured these unique wire creations make lasting gifts.

Snapshot French Cafe

Cuckoo in Wire

Shop: De Beaux Souvenirs

Unbelieveable Art from Elly MacKay

Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce you to the art of Elly MacKay also known as theaterclouds. Elly MacKay resides in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada with her family and creates these magical works of art.

 Elly says, "I make these images by inking yupo paper and cutting it into layers that I set up in a miniature theater. I play with the lights and filters to create atmosphere and then photograph the scenes."

Aren't they wonderful! Pick up your print at theaterclouds over at Etsy!

Deck the Halls 2010: Christmas in Burlap!

 

LaFamilleAtHome

 

Nana Montana Studio

 

Dulcitas

 

Ramona Owen Designs

Handmade Crush: For the Person who Loves Blue & White

It seems like there is almost one person in every family that loves the classic blue & white combination.

Artist Harriet Damave creates beautiful porcelain delft jewelry and ornaments. These would make a great one of a kind gift, all the way from Amsterdam.

SHOP

Harriet Damave

Plan Ahead Events: 2nd Saturdayz Market in Seattle this Weekend

Coming up this weekend:  

The gals who promote this shindig call themselves "The Junk Tribe" and are about the nicest and most talented bunch of creative types around.

To give you a taste, here's a little video I shot at the 2nd Saturdayz last month:

 

   That was Deb Bock and Linda Morrison's booth. For more info click here.

Happy Hunting!

Malia

Deck the Halls 2010: A Wreath A Day 12-6-2010

Elegant Woodland Wreath

 

Lunatique Boutique

 

Deck the Halls: Gifts for Guests

Looking to make your guests feel right at home this Christmas season? I have a few ideas help you do just that!

Guest Soaps

Left: Mediterranean Fig & Lemon Right: Peaches & Honey

Shop: Orange Thyme

Slippers

Shop: The Happy Feet

 

Nougat Candies

Shop: Kettle Confections

 

 

The Daily Swank:

I love shopping online for vintage! Sometimes you don't need to visit a fancy antique shoppe or an antique show to score some great finds. Today's Daily Swank is full of delicious vintage goodness that you can purchase in your jammies!

 

SHOP: Captain Cat

All Photos Copyright © Zelda English Of Captaincat

Deck the Halls 2010: A Wreath A Day 12-5-2010

Yarn Wreath & Felt

 

ItzFitz

Deck the Halls: Vintage Christmas with Grand & Taylor

Some shops just know how to pull together the most perfect blend of items and colors for a vintage Christmas.

Shop Grand & Taylor for these items and many more!

 

Grand & Taylor

(link should be working now)

Plan Ahead Events Local: Christmas Town, Creation Museum Petersburg KY

If you're looking to start a new tradition with your family, I highly suggest visiting Christmas Town at the Creation Museum in Pertersburg KY. My family and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of lights, live drama, a "Bethlehem" market and so much more.

Christmas Town officially begins December 10th!

 

• What: Christmas Town: Free Live Nativity & Garden of Lights
• When: December 10, 11, 17, 18, 27, 28, 31; January 1, (6–8 PM)
• Where: Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY 41080 (directions)
• More Info: Call (888) 582-4253

For more information visit the Creation Museum's website. 

Merry Christmas!

Handmade Crush: Hand Knitted Cowl

If you're anything like us here in Northern Kentucky, your town is turning into a winter wonderland. What a beautiful time of year, but also very cold! How about bundling up with a handmade cowl from Taylor House. They create warm accessories and other various hand knit items.

Store owner Chaucee is saving up to travel abroad to Israel and every penny will go towards helping her pay for her spring semester there.

Support handmade this Christmas season!

Taylor House

Sandpoint Antique and Design Market

Hi Friends!

If you're in the Seattle area there's a great show to check out this Sunday 8-4:

Here are some photos from the last show to whet your appetite.  Meet Deborah from Ormolulu:

Peek at her fabulous displays:

A Touch of Mink features Vintage French and Equestrian Style... delicious!

Mad for Milk Glass at Circle Creek Home.

This is Rachel and Greg from Sweet Bee... 

And here are some of their goodies:

Cake Couture Vintage had terrific ticking...  and always gorgeous displays.

Beautiful Bottles from Greatfindz by Dawn Oscar...

Sara Joens had a clean and serene space featuring this little vanity:

And Patty Thompson's booth was chock full of comfort...

And a little kitsch.

Thanks for coming to the Sandpoint Antique and Design Market with me. See you there on Sunday?

Malia

VI Headliner Sponsor Feature: BeJoyfulVintage

Vintage Indie would like to welcome BeJoyfulVintage as one of our newest sponsors. Please help me in sending this small business a warm welcome by visiting their shop.

Christmas is such a wonderful time to purchase new to you family heirlooms to make the holiday season special.

An instant collection can be found at BeJoyfulVintage, this would make a great gift set.

A SPECIAL OFFER: TAKE 15% off all orders from now until January 31, 2011 use code XMASJOY2010 during Etsy's new checkout process. 

A special thank you to BeJoyfulVintage, Vintage Indie wouldn't be possible without generous sponsors like you. Merry Christmas!

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring Vintage Indie, we would love to have you!