Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Fifth Day of Christmas...

Good Evening, Everyone!
 
It really is just the 5th Day of Christmas....(Five Golden Riiiiiinngs!)
 
You know, I had never really given it much thought until recently...
 
If pressed, I would have said that Christmas Day would have been the day
 
that all those lords-a-leaping and and geese-a-laying were leading up to,
 
but I would have had it backwards...
 
December 25th is actually the "First Day of Christmas",
 
and we go from there ~
 
all the way to January 5th ~ the 12th Day of Christmas...
 
Then, January 6th is The Feast of the Magi.
 
I actually did know that (about the Magi),
 
and have used it as an excuse for many years now
 
to leave the Christmas decorations up a little longer...;^)
 
(My family would jump in here and say that the tree has been
 
left up a lot longer than that, but that's another story...)
 

Anyway, I am taking full advantage of it this year for sure,
 
so I can show you a few more Christmas things...
 
the ones I was going to show in all those posts (that didn't happen)
 
before Christmas...
  
Like...
 
Pink Christmas!
 
One of these days I am going to have a girly, all-pink Christmas...
 
in one room, anyway!
 
For now, this will do.
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What could be better on a snowy winter evening

 than playing with the camera (with kitty-helpers) and

having a cup of Christmas tea, with wine and cookies?

I couldn't think of anything, either!
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I got the sweet pink Christmas plates (Williams-Sonoma) last year at Goodwill...

(Don't you love Goodwill?)

They are the exact shade of pink as my Spode Camilla dishes,

and I thought they looked so pretty layered ~

Do you like my little frosty forest?

They're a Pinterest idea that I actually did!

More on those in a minute...

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My celluloid Reindeer watches over the cookies with his ruby-glass eyes...

He is so old, and fragile (from the 30's I think) ~

he weighs practically nothing...

Those pretty shortbread and marshmallow cookies were in the

Mexican food section at the grocery store...I couldn't resist!

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I had a lot of help from Miss Tallulah!
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Okay, this was my Pinterest project.

It said that you could easily bleach the little green bottle-brush trees,

and turn them into that trendy cream color.

I didn't really think it would work without them

 coming apart and making a real mess...

But I tried it anyway ~

 I had a bunch left from a long-ago project, still in storage.

The Pinterest pin gave an exact amount of bleach to use per gallon,

but my mind doesn't work that way.

I was using my 4-cup measuring cup to begin with,

and just added a good shlosh of bleach to the water in the cup.

Then I dunked several trees in. (These are the little 2" ones.)

And lo and behold, it worked!

They began to lighten almost immediately,

and within about 15 minutes they were totally cream-colored!

So, I decided I would try it with a larger tree....

one of the pricier Dept. 56 ones I had.

Don't.

Evidently, the more expensive the tree,

 the more color-fast dye they use, I guess...

My big tree lost just enough green to look dirty.

I even went back and did it exactly like the pin said...

(Which is here, at The Creative Patch.)

But it didn't matter...

So, I may try a stronger bleach solution, or I may just write this one

off as a lesson learned...only bleach cheap trees.

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Here is my little creamy forest, drying.

(They also lightened as they dried.)

I rinsed them really well, but the original directions said to give them

a vinegar bath to get rid of all traces of bleach ~ I forgot that part.

I think it's okay without it.

Then I took the whole bunch of them out on my front porch,

along with some Elmer's spray adhesive

and a gallon zip-lock bag of mica flakes.

It was about 10 p.m. and snowing (the novelty of snow has worn off now, BTW)

and the wind was blowing and I was in my nightgown, but it didn't matter.

Things like this can't wait until morning...

I had to see what they would look like.

I just hoped those kids on the four-wheeler didn't come back by ~ (they didn't).

I sprayed them one-by-one and immediately stuck them in the bag of mica

and shook it, coating them ~ Shake 'n' Bake-style.

I took them out of the bag as soon as I got back inside,

and lined them up on the counter ~ good thing I didn't wait

too long, or I would have had a mica-covered blob of trees...

I hadn't thought about them sticking to each other...

But it worked out okay; they came apart fine.

I think they look really nice with the vintage reindeer!

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And, last but not least, look at what my dear friend Elaine made me...
 
A little cotton-batting hula girl; we're calling her "Miss Mele"~ ♥
 
(I told Elaine when I called to thank her that I had considered
 
just breaking into a rousing chorus of "Mele Kalikimaka" when she answered,
 
but I was afraid she would hang up...;^)
 
That's all for now!
 
Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone!
 
 
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38 comments:

  1. It would make sense that the 12 days of Christmas would start off with THE day but, of course, I never knew that and wasn't brought up to think anything other than the fact that the culmination of Christmas was on the 25th. I do have friends of other nationalities who have always celebrated the date quite differently. I can see that Tallulah is quite the helper. :) Your bottle brush trees turned out great. Wishing you a wonderful rest of 2012 and much peace, love, health and happiness in the new year. Tammy

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  2. Your cats are so beautiful--love these photos of your naughty girl getting on the table :) (a huge rule in our house, no cats on table or countertops..but they often forget) I love your dyed trees--I want to do some too. I am thinking there should be a lot on sale right about now :) Have a great 2013!

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  3. Hi Anne: I never knew that was the way it was supposed to be. I learn something new everyday from blogging! How cool is that? Speaking of cool, I really love the forest of little white trees and am going to $Store first thing tomorrow and replenish my stash. I have some sweet little white ones with sparkles and tiny pearls on the branches and I'd like some more. Sounds like I might just get my wish..Thanks for sharing, and those plates from Goodwill are just wonderful..Happy New Year..Judy

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  4. How sweet and pretty your table looks with your lovely dishes and little forest of trees with the reindeer! I love your description of bleaching the trees, you had me almost spitting out my cocoa picturing you out on the porch in your nightgown with the wind blowing and the 4-wheeler going by! I just love your enthusiasm that can't wait! Miss Talulah is a beauty and love your gifted hula girl. I hope you have a wonderful 12 days of Christmas and a Happy New Year in between! xx

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  5. Hi Anne,
    you are so creative. Miss Tallulah is a sweetie. Thank you for this wonderful tea post. Have a blessed New Year.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  6. Thank you, I did not know the true meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas. I had it backwards.

    Beautiful photos, but my very favorites are of sweet Miss Tallulah, oh that precious face!

    Sunday Hugs
    Prudence's Family ♥

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  7. I love your creative mind, bless you.

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  8. Everything looks so pretty. You did a beautiful job on those trees.

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  9. Such a cute cat! I wish you a Happy New Year and we'll see the 2013th

    hugs

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  10. Things to remember: buy cheap little Christmas trees! :) They are adorable, as is the whole pink Christmas setting. A Catholic friend (several years ago) told me about celebrating the Epiphany on Jan. 6, and that along with the visit from the Magi on that date, was all I needed to to hear to leave my decorations up until the 7th. :) Happy New Year to you and yours! xox

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  11. What a lovely frost look to the pictures! I love it! Your cat is beautiful, what a perfect face!

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  12. Love your little creamy tree forest..and Tallulah of course..Pretty tea setting..very formal for "just a cup of tea and cookies"...

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  13. I love your post and Miss Tallulah, now she's adorable and fluffy too! I love your pretty tea setting, specially because of the ever fave of mine..red transferware
    Have a happy and blessed new year 2013.
    FABBY

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  14. I do love Goodwill! And any thrift shop. How do you get that sparkly effect on your pictures? I'd love to try that. :-)

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  15. Oh my-I'm still smiling over the picture you must have made on the porch-in your night gown-shaking a bag with little trees in it!! And I agree-the novelty of snow has worn off!
    What a fun and wonderful post...I just love coming here. Thank you for your very sweet comments too.
    Happy Happy New Year!
    ~Debra

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  16. This is so impressive Anne, so beautiful. I love the dish set it's gorgeous! I never have that kind of luck in the thrift stores! Your display is so pretty, and I really need to try bleaching the trees, will have to get the cheap ones as I only have Dept. 56. Thanks for the tip on that one!
    Have a wonderful New Year, I look forward to seeing what you come up with in 2013!
    Oh, I think your cat is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen!

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  17. I always start dreaming of next year's Christmas Decor as soon as I store this one's (well, sometimes I start before but won't admit it in public ahahahah) and I might start thinking ;) in a Christmas Winter Wonderland so you can imagine how I've been scrolling down and up trying to absorb all your tips on this amazing crafty pin (Pinterest is the Best, isn't it?!).

    Merry Christmas, Dear Anne! And Thank you for all the Beauty and Inspiration provided.

    Happiest New Year (too).

    Yours,
    Teres

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  18. If my decorations looked as lovely as your's they'd be up till Spring! I adore Goodwill and thrift stores and as for your trees, they are adorable as are your lovely helpers.

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  19. I LoVe your Creative Spirit Miss Anne!!! I always learn something new and interesting. PLUS, I relish in your Eye Candy you enchant us with! How I wish I lived in your neck of the woods so we could venture in all your creative doings together! You make me SMILE and you Too Miss Tallulah!!! <3

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  20. Anne, I had to giggle at the thought of you outside at 10:00 in the snow on the porch in your nightgown working on those trees. :D You did a great job on them though. Love the pink Christmas idea.

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  21. I love your tablescape, so pretty. I am going to have to try that snow effect on Picasa.I can't believe you were out at night gluing trees-sounds like me!LOL.

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  22. We actually heard the reason for the writing of "12 Days of Christmas" this morning. It has a strong Bible connection, and was written when practicing the Catholic faith was banned in England.

    Miss Tallulah must have been excellent help because your table is absolutely beautiful!

    Happy New Year!

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  23. I am in love with your pink tablescape & those gorgeous dishes! Stunning photos too!

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  24. Beautiful tablescape. Of course, the kitties always want to help. That's why I got out most of my decorations one afternoon, during the major "nap time".

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  25. Such a great post, Anne! And, yes, I LOVE Goodwill! It's the bomb! And, you have pink stuff! Why the whole world isn't pink is beyond me. =0) I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Blessings to you this new year.

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  26. Such a great post, Anne! And, yes, I LOVE Goodwill! It's the bomb! And, you have pink stuff! Why the whole world isn't pink is beyond me. =0) I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Blessings to you this new year.

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  27. What a great post! So much fun! I love Goodwill too! Those trees turned out great! I have to remember, cheap trees! LOL! Give big hugs to kitty and have a blessed 2013 ;o)

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  28. I celebrate the 12 days too, otherwise it seems to short and I would miss the meaning.

    Those Pinterest projects!!! I've got some FAILS.

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  29. how special is it when you cn bring life back to something that others would discard....love it...Merry Christmas to you and yours and hope the new year is extra special for everyone in blogger land..XXXX

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  30. Your little furry helpers are sooooo very cute! I could just squeeze that little Tallulah to pieces! Your trees are very, very cute, too! I really appreciate all the little projects you share! Very inspirational! Happy New Year! ! ! :)

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  31. Dear Anne - your post made me smile - I would have loved to see you on the back porch setting up those trees - makes me smile to think of it - will have to email you a four wheeler story - it will make you smile too. Have a Happy New Year and thanks for making my day. xo xo Pixie.

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  32. You really do have simply the most beautiful cats! I love them! Happy New Year's Eve to you!

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  33. Your cat is a beauty, I love big fluffy ones I had one a while back, she belonged to my son but when he married and left home she didn't want to go so she stayed with us. I was in two minds about having her when she first arrived, we had three big dogs and I was worried, she was only a small kitten but she put them in their place very quickly and they all ended up the best of friends, she lived a long and happy life and outlasted all the dogs, all gone now. We have two short hairs now and dogs that only visit.
    Merle.........

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  34. I never thought of Christmas like that either...I will have to share it with my friends.I love learning new things. Your table is wonderful...the pink looks nice. Goodwill and Salvation army are amazing...I am thinking i may be making a trip this week. I pray you a blessed and joy filled New Year. Dee

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  35. Miss Tallulah is so beautiful! I love how your little trees came out, and your pretty pink table. What a treasure that reindeer is.

    I hope you have a wonderful new year filled with blessings!

    Victoria

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  36. Earlier when I was preparing a post of your post, I had scrolled and seen the Kitty baby photos -I've been back to read the post and savor the photos. Oh, that kitty is beautiful! Always great photos. And, how did you get the sparkles on the photos? I'm thinking screen or overlay or something. Sorry about your more expensive tree bleaching outcome! The little ones look awesome. And who knew that pink and white marshmallow cookies would look so awesome in a pink Christmas photo!

    I knew about the Magi tradition but not the 12 days of Christmas being involved. Hmm. I'll have to put a PS on my post! Check it out on the 4th. Hugs, Jenn

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  37. I am so going to do this. I love the cream colored tree look and then you can say they are just "Winter" trees and you can keep them up through February!

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  38. That cat looks exactly like I cat I had, Her name was Buttons lol

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