Making A Folk Art Family Tree

Looking for a special and unique holiday season project that is focused on family history? Something that could also be a centerpiece at holiday meals? Take a look at this antique piece of Victorian Americana: A folk art family tree! 

This is most definitely not your Styrofoam & glitter family tree craft project!

Yes, this rare item is for sale in our Etsy shop; but I mainly post it here as an inspiration. You'll have to make a wooden base (in pyramid style, with flat sides), but the rest is plaster, some frames with family photos, and seashells. (Of course, you could embellish it however you like.) Finding small glass frames, especially those with fancy gold frames or mats, may take a bit of time...

You can search for tintypes and other antique photos with frames; cheaper yet, search for broken cases, like this. You can search for antique metal picture mats. If you're especially crafty, you can probably create something out of metallic gold picture mats. There's also Modern Day Antique, where they make & sell reproduction gold picture case mats (from resin). Prices range from $5 to $25, depending upon size.

In any case, once you get the matting and/or frames, you'll need to create photographs in the sizes which will look great in those frames. (Pretty easy with today's scanners, tech, and even image services.) Then you'll need to get glass and/or frames cut to fit too. Now those antique photograph cases don't seem so expensive, do they? *wink*

Of course, you can also just search for some small picture frames that capture the look and feel you want. (Sometimes the dollar stores, the craft stores, and even WalMart have lots of cute little frames -- for cheap. Usually not when I am looking for them lol) Just remember that you want to make sure that they are not too thick, with flat backs (no easels) so that the plaster can hold them; and that they are sealed nicely so the plaster won't damage or distort the images you place inside.

I'm sure this all can sound overwhelming... But once you're done, you'll have a family heirloom piece for sure!

PS Make sure you keep a record of all the family members in the photos and keep it with the family tree. (Perhaps adhere it to the bottom of the piece.) That way future generations will know who is literally on the family tree!

More Things To Do With Cookie Cutters

From making cake decorations to clay projects, from batik works to felt ornaments, there's a lot you can do with cookie cutters!

This project idea comes from Brown Lillie Antiques & Vintage. There are no instructions, but it looks like a simple cut & paste craft with some additional items glued inside as well. Then just tie some lace loops for hanging.

Simple Table Setting Ideas

These photos were found in an article entitled Sit Down to Handmade Table Settings inside the October 1980 issue of Decorating & Craft Ideas magazine. Since the holidays are nearly upon us, and entertaining is ever-certain at holiday times, I thought these were pretty nifty.

The first idea is to use a large pottery bowl as an ice bucket. On large tables, you can have several of these with individual bottles for guests. (Also a great game day idea!)

The second idea is to use wooden chopping blocks or bread boards as placemats.This would be ingenious any time of the year -- especially when reheating leftovers in the microwave. I remember my grandma using wooden boards to carry casseroles and hotdishes out to the table; using individual ones for carrying and serving food on plates from the microwave is the same idea. And wooden boards are not only very stable to carry, they are easy to clean, economical to reuse, and most often considered the healthier choice. (Wood cutting boards are also easier on your knives.)

Making Insulator Candlestick Holders

I was helping out at Antiques On Broadway (the long story is here), when I was reminded of old article on making candle holders out of old glass insulators. I posted part of it, along with more info on collecting insulators, in one of my old Collectors' Quest columns -- but I left out the other crafting instructions. So, I dug them out and here you go!

Rest On Your Laurels With Blue Ribbon Pillows

Whatever you, your family, your friends do to win so many ribbons, why not stitch them into a great memory more worthy of display than simply stringing them along the bookshelves? For example, you can sew all your county fair ribbons into a pretty pillow.

Save Up to 50% On Magazines -- Plus Win Subscriptions! (Enter My Giveaway!)

Zinio has top magazines from around the world from which you can browse and purchase subscriptions or single issues instantly and read on your computer or mobile device. Right now, they have a sale, where you can save 30% on Better Homes & Gardens publications and 50% off other magazines. There are a lot of titles to choose from (some of my favorites are shown here), so you'll probably find some you like for yourself -- and a few to gift to others as well!

The kind folks at Zinio have also given me nine magazines to give away!

That means there will be nine winners!

Entries must be received before December 23, 2012 (midnight, central time, on December 22, 2012). Only entries listed below, with email address for contact, will be included in the random draw on December 23, 2012. Winners will be notified by email on December 23 -- and will have 24 hours to reply or another name will be drawn.

There are three ways to enter -- use one or all, everyday!

Enter by leaving a comment stating which magazine subscription you'd get -- and be sure to leave your email address, so I can contact you regarding you should you win.

and/or

Post your entry at your blog -- if you do this you must include in your post both a link to this post and to Zinio and email your link, or post it as a comment, so that I don't miss your post. (Be sure I have your email address!)

and/or

Tweet your entry -- to do this, you must include a link to this post -- here's a cut and paste tweet you can use:

I entered @DPopTart's contest because I want to win a magazine subscription from @zinio! Enter here http://bit.ly/UEVHWJ

(Follow me on Twitter, or leave a comment with your Tweet and email address so that I can contact you should you win!)

Full disclosure: I was given a digital magazine subscription in exchange for posting this contest.

How To Whip Wax To Frost Candles

Instructions on how to frost candles with whipped wax from The Glo Candle For All Occasions, The Glow Candle Co., Kansas City, Missouri; copyright 1952 and 1956 by Consumers Cooperative Association. ("Special credit is given to Noma Glahn whose ideas, experiments and cooperation helped make this booklet possible.") Note the tips for decorating with sugar, glitter, and paint too.

How To Get Your Curtain Tie-Backs Even

A "foolproof" tip for getting the ties for your curtains and drape even -- use the window shade! Supposing you have no window shades, blinds or even the window sash will do. In fact, the window sash might be the best option as you can easily place a level on it. Found in the 1967 American Farm & Home Almanac, edited by Ray Geiger.

Guilt Free Romantic Roses For Needlework & Crafting

One of my antique botanical scans has been featured in the Romantic Escape treasury at Etsy!

KapKaDesign featured my roses. (But I have others in my Etsy shop as well -- and more to come!)

I offer these botanical prints and other vintage and antique images as downloads for use in crafts, needlework, etc. -- so that you can use them without ruining the fragile old pieces. No guilt!

Tip On Storing Folding Chairs

From Household Help, vol 5 -- this tip was sent in by Mrs. A.W. Tychsen of Riverdale, NY.

Hide A Hem Change

A tip on disguising a hem adjustment on skirts, from Modern Woman magazine, volume 17 number 1, 1948. (I can tell you from experience that this works for curtains too.)

Make A Scrolled Wooden Wall Shelf

Instructions and pattern for a pretty wooden scrolled wall shelf from Deltagram (Volume 22, Issue 3, May / June 1953), published by Delta Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Deltagrams are awesome sources for vintage woodworking projects.)

Vintage Lily Of The Valley Star Doily Pattern

This beauty comes from The American Thread Company Star Doily Book No 137, 1955.

Vintage Polka Dot Lace Tablecloth To Crochet

The pattern and instructions for crocheting the Page Polka Dot tablecloth, a two-tone lace tablecloth, from New Table Topics, Book No. 185, H-9009 C-42, Copyright 1942, The Spool Cotton Company, second edition.

Vintage & Retro Style Crafty Project Ideas

Other crafty DIY projects I've posted elsewhere recently...

Crochet yourself a record album throw pillow.

An idea I had for rescuing those solo gloves and mittens left in the back of the closet.

Using vinyl records to salvage those shabby tidbit trays and plate holders.

A-Salt Your Lampshades

An unusual tip for cleaning your lampshades with salt, from Modern Woman magazine (volume 17 number 1, 1948).

Fluffing Chenille

Another tip on keeping chenille fluffy; this one comes from Modern Woman magazine (volume 17 number 1, 1948), where I found this vintage ad for a Lucite tray.

Vintage Christmas Tree Tips

Tips on helping your real or natural Christmas tree last longer, from an October, 1960 newspaper clipping.

Vintage Slip Cover Tips

From How To Be Your Own Decorator, by Helen Koues, Director of Good Housekeeping Studio (copyright 1926 by Good Housekeeping Magazine; second edition, printed April, 1927), "Slip Cover Points."

Tips On Buying Rugs

Tips on selecting the proper size rugs and how to place them found in several 1940's issues of Modern Woman magazine.