Compliments of the Season

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season! 

 

Santa Clauses Are Comin'

This delightful collection of resin Santa Clauses belongs to my mother. Two years ago she had 47 of them. I haven't counted them this year, but I'm sure there are several more. They reside in a beautiful antique corner cabinet, along with many other delightful miniature objects. She found these St. Nicks at flea markets, thrift stores and dollar stores. Said she never paid more than a dollar for any of 'em.

This being The Season, let's take a look. 
Be sure to turn up the volume too!
(please be patient) 

Happy Holidays!                                 Happy Hanukkah!
* * * * * * * * * *

Merry Christmas!                            Joyous Kwanzaa!

Silhouettes on the Wall

Recently I decided to hang up this darling antique silhouette of children watching a puppet show. I remember it on the wall when I was growing up. The figures are faded now and curling slightly off background paper, but it is delightful nonetheless.

 

 Called Scherenschnitte in German, which means "scissor cuts," silhouettes are featureless images in solid shapes, cut from paper, usually black, and are placed on a lighter background for contrast.

 reevpapercuts

 They used to be called cutting portraits and require quite a steady hand, as well as a love for the intricate. 

 PatchworkPosies

Traditionally they were black on white, but may be done in any contrasting colors.

yellowcabvintage 

 

 Silhouettes are also done in various mediums, like this crosstitch stocking.

twinpinesstudios

It is difficult to find authentic handmade portraits to purchase. Most modern ones are done digitally, or are rubber stamps. 

 Here is a modern one that is authentic and rather magical.

SugarplumSilhouettes

Old Toys and Dolls Are the Best

I had lunch a few days ago at the Taft Museum in Cincinnati, a beautiful art museum with a rich, interesting  history.  The food, I must say, was so-so, but afterwards we went upstairs to see the Antique Christmas exhibit, which includes antique ornaments. toys, and cards. 

As a lover of old dolls, toys, and miniatures, I was in my element browsing throughout the richly decorated rooms to see the various displays.

I found a lovely blog, written by a man who donated many toys to be displayed. 

It is called A Home for Dolly and it shows other photos of what was there. 

What a sweetheart!

This gives you an idea of how richly decorated the rooms are at the museum.

A tree decorated with paper fruit!

 

These dolls had the most wonderful, lifelike expressions on their faces.

A patriotic Christmas.

Another cutie...

A huge thank you to FOX19.com for posting these photos on their website. 

Merrie Christmas

"The stockings deck the chimney,

The goose is hanging high,

And Mother's in the kitchen,

Baking Christmas pie!

Sister pins the mistletoe,

Hoping to be kissed,

Mother bastes the turkey,

And trusts she won't be missed!

 

Brother trims the Christmas tree,

Loops the boughs with snow,

 

While Mother, busy, Mother,

Is always on the go.

Father's in the pantry,

Sampling Yuletide rum,

Full of inner happiness,

Can't you hear him hum?

Come, leave the kitchen, mother,

We want to drink a toast!

Here's a Merry Christmas,

To the one we love the most!

The Merrie Christmas Cook Book

1955

Wordless Wednesday... Reindeer

Reindeer Ornament, 1950s, Made in Japan

Wordless Wednesday... Christmas Tree Pins

...made from old buttons.