Monday 12 December 2011

Being Creative - Vintage

I knew this post would be slightly late...but I didn't realise how delayed it would be!
We have only just got the big bulging box of decorations from the shelf, I was looking forward to exploring and reaquainting myself with the happy memories of Christmas past...already planning which ornaments would adorn this post:

 
Grandma's swan and bell - blue was her favourite colour!
Both still have some genuinely ancient wiring!
 


one of many retro designs from my childhood tree...
...and another


I remember helping to make these....there was one that had a purple velvet band with pearly sequins and some of mum's tatting;  a large one with  strings and a (made by mum) basket attached -  in which Santa perched in his hot air balloon, given to Grandad; and Grandma had a ...blue one covered in tatting and sparkles. 
The sparkles came from a small flat screw top jar full of jewels of all colours shapes and sizes which I think is still in operation in mum's craft collection.

Right at the bottom of the large decoration storage box lays a box that is unopened each year..I thought it contained Grandad's tree lights, which are no longer viable. I intended to photograph the lights as they were so quirky - a smiling Father Christmas face, a green parrot, a pink chinese lantern...
however I found these instead....


ornaments from his shiny Christmas tree that stood on a blue patterned plinth, they are wrapped in THE most soft toilet paper!!

I also found these:

I had to warn RW Junior that if you poked the tempting indented ones they break easily....I remember that well!!
The bottom row third from the left is a nutmeg shape!
I'm not sure where the lights are but I am soooo pleased these saw the light of day.

We have many decorations on our tree - old and new...each has its own well loved story and I hope we will pass on those tales to the next generation.....and beyond.

My favourite vintage decoration is from my Grandad's tree and hangs on mum and dad's tree now..my brother and I love it - and I'm sure it will appear in a post over Christmas......
in the meantime Happy Advent to you all. xx


5 comments:

Tracey said...

Ah yes, I remember how those glass decorations would break at the slightest touch ... probably why my sister had the job of putting them on the tree while I was in charge of tinsel :)

Linnhe Mara said...

I'm sad to say that while I have many memories of decorations from my childhood none of the actual decorations are in my possession. How lucky you are to have them.

Starfish Studio said...

Same here Linnhe - maybe my parents have them tucked away somewhere but I'm pretty sure they went for the sleek, co-ordinated look a few years ago and chucked out all the old, mismatched stuff.
I do have many memories of opening the decorations box to find broken bits of glass baubles :(
Ali - have you seen this blog about some amazing knit graffiti in Birmingham?
http://stitchesandhos.wordpress.com/

Melody said...

Beautiful ornaments...beautiful memories.... Ahhhhh Christmas time. :)))))
I find it's also the time of year i waver some place between giddy delight and out right panic over what needs to get done! ha ha
Have fun, and enjoy your vintage baubles! :)))))

Donna said...

These are beautiful. I didn't keep any of our decorations - went through a phase of only wanting things in certain colours - I'm very sorry now that I didn't keep them. Yours have brought back a lot of memories - we used to have some lovely glass boots that were my favourites.