Faux Vintage Enamelware Bells

 

 

Enamelware was the first mass-produced American kitchenware

Production began in the 1870s, and continued through the 1930s.

It comes in many colors. In my experience white is the most popular

and the easiest to still find. I usually find pieces with red trim and that has

always been my favorite.

 

Here is an example of the Red and White Enamelware.
I saved it from someone's junk pile because the lid was missing...who cares not me....
just used it as a planter anyway : )



I found some white Enamel-type Christmas bells

at the Dollar Tree.

The bells looked pretty good as is but I decided they needed

a little something to make them even better.

So I got some ribbon






 

and a red

and black Sharpie.

I used a red Sharpie first to draw along the middle of the bell

where there would be a ring of color.

Then I came back over a few places with the black Sharpie to give it a

more natural aged, chippy farmhouse look.

I made a small bow and hot glued it over the existing burlap bow.

I made some black and some red enamel and I used black and white ribbon and

red and white ribbon.

The red enamel bells were my favorite.

 

I like to carefully hold the lighter close to the ribbon to seal the edge.

This only works on synthetic ribbon.

I hung them over the mantle.

https://freshvintagebylisas.blogspot.com/2018/01/how-to-paint-buffalo-check-plaid-on.html

Put them on the tree.

 

 

 

Tried them out on the door knobs.....

I hung them over stockings.

I added them to my table setting.

 

 

I like the Red best !

 

I hope you enjoyed this little upcycle from the Dollar Tree.

Thanks so much!
xo Lisa S







How to Display Tree Toppers

 

                              Some people like to hand their Christmas tree toppers down from

                         generation to generation, others prefer to change their topper every year.

                               Some households like to pick a theme for their tree and then find

                  a tree topper that matches that theme. The most popular toppers are Angels or Stars.

                                             Tree toppers are even used as decorations

                                            over the fireplace or on a dining room table.

 

This post is really just a quick share with you on how I like to display some

 

of my Tree Topper collection. I know...... I have too many and the rule is only one per tree !

 

 

So it's get more trees or figure out another way to use them.

 

 

 

 

Bud vases are inexpensive and easy to find. The varying heights give visual interest.

 

 

 

 

 They stand up nicely in bud vases !

 

 

 You can almost always find Milk Glass or clear glass

 

 Bud Vases when you go Thrifting!

 

 

 

Candle sticks can also be used but I find the vases to be more stable.

 

 

 

 

An Antique candle mold

 

 

 

  What is your family Tree Topper tradition ? Share your story with me.

 

 

 

I guess our family changes our Topper to match our theme. This year I used only my

 

Putz House collection and a newer house for the Topper.

 

 

 



Thanks for letting me share my decorating idea with you.

 

xo Lisa S

 



Use a Screen Door to Display Ornaments

If you are like me, then you probably have enough Christmas ornaments

 

to completely cover more than a couple trees!

 

 

 

I find it difficult to ignore Christmas Decorations at any Estate Sale or Thrift Shop....

 

especially the SHINY BRITE ornaments.

 

 

 

 

 

For our display we need a screen door or a repurposed wood frame with wire.

My door was from an old chicken coop and it measures 70'' x 27''.

 

You will also need some Glass Ball type ornaments, assorted shapes and sizes

 

and some wire ornament hooks....I also love to collect boxes of Ornament Hooks.

I place them under the tree like tiny packages.

 

 

 

 

Prop your screen up against a wall where you can work safely and not

 

accidently drop and break any glass balls.

 

If you have small children or animals you may want to hang your screen on the wall

and out of reach. Hang before you add your ornaments.
 

  I  planned to make a tree shape. I just estimate where I want to end and add my star.
 

 

 

 

 

Start at the base of the tree shape and work from bottom to top.

Taper in as you move upward.

 

This way the hooks are hidden by the next row up.

 

 

Almost done...keep going !

 

 



Here it is finished, I added a metal star that I found at the Dollar Tree.

 

 

NOTE : When you are ready to take down your display, you will remove the balls in reverse.

 

Start at the top and work down.

 

 

I think it makes a nice display!

 

 

 Thank you for stopping by today !
xo Lisa S
 



Thanksgiving Greetings !

 

 

Hello Friends !

 

I  hope this message finds you well. I am writing with a heavy heart.

 

I have struggled with words that seem so empty.

 

This has been a tragic last few weeks  in my small town.

 

We have suffered an incredible loss. From a senseless mass murder of 12 people to

 

wildfires of epic proportions surrounding our community the very next day.

 

The amount of loss is inconceivable......and at this time we are still missing hundreds

 

who are unaccounted for because their entire town is gone.

 

It is difficult to get through but we will choose to think about the positive,

 

the heroes at Borderline, the first responders, Firefighters, the churches that

 

 have come together to help those in need.

 

Neighbors helping neighbors.

 

At THIS Time and ALWAYS give Thanks !

 

 

Have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving.

 

xo Lisa S

 

 

 

 

 

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

 

 

 

 

 

 



Make your own Thanksgiving Cards

 

 

I shared this Vintage Postcard with you....and maybe you are thinking,

 

''What am I supposed to do with that?"

 

Well this is the card I came up with and here are the steps I used -

 

 

I used this printable, save to your computer and decide how many you will need to make.

 

 

 

I just loved the vibrant colors in this Post card.

 

I wanted to make 4 cards.

 

 

Carefully cut apart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



I used a glue stick to attach post card to a thin scrap of cardboard.

 

You probably have a stash of cardboard...am I right?

 

 

 

I cut along the edge.

 

 

 

I wanted to darken and distress the edges. Ink works well but if you don't have any

 

a felt tip watercolor pen will be fine too.

 

 

Then used Tacky glue to attach postcard to another layer of corrugated cardboard....

 

more scraps right?







 

I had ribbon that I added with glue and a couple of buttons.

 

 

 

 

 

I added a bit of glitter to the foliage. I keep a bit of everything...it just happened that I had extra

 

envelopes with gold lining saved for some reason. The envelopes were 5 1/2'' x 7 1/2''.

 

 

I have more cards here that you can choose from.

 

If you used a standard size, the cards are light weight and should mail fine.

 

It is probably best to double check with the Post Office for weight to be safe.

 

You can write a note on the back side or just sign your name.

 

I think it will be greatly appreciated by your loved ones and friends.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

xo Lisa S

 







Vintage THANKSGIVING Postcard Printables

 

           

 I wanted to share more beautiful examples of postcards from Artist

 

Ellen H. Clapsaddle (1865-1934)

 

   Ellen was an American illustrator/ commercial artist from New York,

 

 in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

  Her style is easily recognizable and greatly admired.

 

           She is known as the most prolific souvenir/postcard and greeting card artist of her era.

My favorites include the adorable children's faces that are in

most of the illustrations, and  I love the blue and white dishes !

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. Wouldn't these make  beautiful

placecards on your Thanksgiving table or tucked in a Fall Display.
 

 Here is an example of a card I made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope these bless your little heart as you prepare for Thanksgiving!

I am so grateful for you, and I am happy you stopped by.

Enjoy your day ! xo Lisa S