Seasons Greetings

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful, peaceful, and magical holiday ... and thank you again for your continued support of this little thing I love to do ... creating.  Merry Christmas! M.

Favorite Things

Over the years, I have collected many favorite things that I display during the holiday season.  For some of them, it is like seeing old friends again.  Many of them have been made by local artisans and friends.  So much talent that I thought I would share a few of them with you.

 

 

Pillows by Denise Biggins of Pink Postcard & Janet of Whatevers;

a soft, creamy star made by Linda Marcov of Willow Nest;

and a woolen snowman made by Emily Engle of American Country Mercantile.

They look right at home in my guestroom.

  

 

 

These adorable houses were made by Karen and Steve of Cottage Gate Antiques;

the trees were created by Julie Stabler of Cottage Pines.  I acquired the trees over 10 years ago and the houses just last month. 

 

I love to get all of my collected treasures out  - adding a few new things each year.

Just like friends... treasuring the old and getting acquainted with new!

 

Christmas is just around the corner.  Are you ready? M.

The Stockings Are Hung ...

Yep, it's that time of year again - the holiday season is officially in full swing.  Lots to do:  decorating the tree, cookie baking, and shopping!  Diane (Molly Mo's) and I have filled her little barn with fresh greens (I had forgotten how wonderful fresh fir boughs smell!) and lots sparkle and glitz that we know you all love. 

 

It all begins this Friday evening with our annual Holiday Treasures Early Buying event, 5 pm - 8 pm.  $5.00 provides the opportunity to shop while you nibble on wonderful sweet and savory treats and sip a little wine or enjoy a cup of coffee.  The best part is we get to visit with all our friends  - shopping and a party!

 To entice you - just a little, I want to share a few images from this afternoon. 

Mercury glass candlesticks and sparkly trees ...

a decked-out angel with fluttery wings ...

an antique secretary with a sweet chalk ware kitty ...

 

lots of bright and shiny vintage ornaments ...

a MERRY message and filled cones to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas ...

a bejeweled candlelier ...

a beautiful angel with an important message ...

lacy trees frosted with mica  ...

and a few "signs" of the season!

 

Remember, these are hand-picked antiques and collectibles and one-of-a-kind pieces that you will only find in this charming, little barn.  SO, help Santa a little this year

 and kick off your holiday shopping at the

Holiday Treasures show

co-hosted by me (Vintage Trifles) and Molly Mo's.

 

440 NE Cherry St.

Sublimity, Oregon

 

P.S. If you just can't make it out Friday evening, we will be open again on Saturday from 9 a.m. 



to 3 p.m. 

Holiday Treasures Coming Soon!

I realize that Halloween was only a week ago, but when you offer handmade creations, you have to begin making items waaayyy in advance.  Many times not as early as you need to, but earlier than most, none the less. 

 

So, it seems like I'm jumping over Thanksgiving completely.  Not really.  It is still one of my top three holiday celebrations.  It's perfect.  Not much (if any) decorating, wonderful food and leftovers, a day dedicated to family and friends, a time to reflect and be grateful.  I am a big lover of Thanksgiving, but you gotta do what you gotta do to have sparkly Christmas creations ready to go!

 

I haven't posted many pictures because I have been working simultaneously on many different things.  They are all in various stages of "being done".  So once I have a few days at home, they will all come together!  I decided to go ahead and give you a peek at the doily trees I've been working on.

 

They don't have their layer of "snow" yet, but you can get the general idea!

 

 

A wonderful way to re purpose grandma's lace doilies!    I will continue to complete post projects, but make sure you mark your calendars for the Holiday Treasures Show co-hosted by Vintage Trifles and Molly Mo's!  The "when and wheres" are below.  Keep checking for more and also follow Vintage Trifles on Facebook! M.

 

 



 

Halloween 2012

Why is it, for most of us, that Halloween is such a fun day?  I guess it is because when we were little it was a day of parties, costumes and candy.  As adults, we are given permission to dress out of character and act out - a little. 

I grew up outside of town - "in the country".  We didn't get many trick-or-treaters.  The road was a little too "lonesome" and dark.  My parents would put me in the Chevy and go in town to my aunt and uncle's house to join my cousins for trick-or-treating.  It was always so exciting!    

Of course there was the ringing of doorbells and the anticipation of what kind of treat would be behind the door.  We would keep going until our bags were bulging and my dad was ready to call it a night.  He was great.  He didn't mind staying out a while.  He always found someone he knew to talk to and I think a few car deals were made on Halloween night!  Being a Chevy salesman it was a bonus for him!

The other part, that I look back on fondly, were the special things that my Aunt Letha created just for that night.  She always made luminaries out of brown lunch sacks and had them lite around the perimeter of their yard and driveway.  The effect was magical and stunning! 

Then - there were her homemade popcorn balls!  She couldn't make them fast enough.  I think everyone came to their house because they knew there would be those fabulous sweet, buttery popcorn balls.  YUM!  She rocked it!

Hope you all have a fun Halloween and get out there and make some memories of your own.  BOO! M.

Treats

We subscribe to the local newspaper and the Portland newspaper.  One to keep up with work-related activities and events.  The other for the sports page and the crossword puzzle.  It is our little - now, not-so-secret indulgence.

Once in a while a recipe catches my eye.  This one was entitled "A smaller, but sweet, take on caramel apples" by J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press.  I love caramel apples, but I can never eat the entire thing and certainly don't need the calories.  However, this seemed like a good compromise.  AND IT IS !!!  Wooo Hooo! 

You use/make dried apple slices and drizzle them with melted caramel, white and dark chocolate.  Whats not to like - right?  It is so easy and the result is decadent.  You can be calorie conscience and only have one - they are rich.  One lets you enjoy the fall flavors without totally wrecking your diet.  If diet is not a concern (wish I could remember what that was like), then you can consume the entire plateful - the equivalent of two large apples.  Apples!  Wasn't there something about an apple a day keeping the doctor away?  Probably not in this case, but I thought I would try to find some justification for splurging!  Maybe I should share these with my doctor?

The recipe is below with a couple of changes.  I found that I needed to dry the slices longer in the oven than the recipe directed.  I dried my slices for 1 to 1 1/2 hours at 250 degrees instead of 45 minutes.  I also found that the amounts for the "drizzles" covered 4 sliced apples instead of just one.  Bonus! 

Ingredients

1-4 large apples, cored
1 Teaspoon cinnamon

Half of a 14 ounce package of caramel candies, unwrapped
1 Tablespoon of water

3-4 "squares" of vanilla almond bark (recipe listed 1/2 cup white chocolate bits)
1/2 Cup of semi-sweet chocolate morsels (recipe listed 1/2 cup dark chocolate candy melts)
1 Teaspoon vegetable oil

Wash and core your apples.  Then slice them in 1/8 inch rings.  Place them on a baking sheet covered with baking parchment paper in a single layer, without touching.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Place in a 250 degree oven and dry for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  I check them once or twice and turn them over once during the drying process.  The smell is de-vine!  When slices are dry and slightly crisp (not crunchy) - still a little pliable - remove from the oven.  Cool by sliding the apples with the paper onto cooking racks.

When the are cool.  Begin melting the caramel candies with the water, on the stove over medium heat.  Stay with it and stir as needed.  Don't let it get too hot and begin to burn to the bottom - not so nice.  Once the caramel is melted, stir with a fork.  Take the pot of melted caramel to the apples.  Using the fork, drizzle the hot caramel back and forth over the apple slices.  Let cool and set.

After caramel sets, melt the almond bark according to directions on package in microwave.  Using a fork, drizzle it over the apples slices like with the caramel.  Let cool and set.

After almond bark sets, melt the chocolate morsels with the vegetable oil in the microwave as directed on the back of the package.  Using a fork, drizzle the melted chocolate over the apple slices.

Wait until these are cool - if you can - and dive in!   Truly a fall treat!  Applie, cinnamony, gooey, chocolaty goodness.   I think you could purchase already dried apple slices and add the drizzles to speed up the process.  However, I didn't mind the oven drying and the house smelled fabulous!

Give them a try and hope you enjoy them as much as we are.  Happy Autumn! M

WOW !

 

 

 



Yes, WOW about the only word I can use describe my Halloween Bootique!  Your response was phenomenal.  It always stuns me to see the images in my head come to life.  And ... it more than stuns me to see everyone enjoy it as much as I do.  I appreciate the fact that you like what I love to create.  Your validation means the world to me.  Thank you all.

 

So here are a few pictures taken on Friday night. A big THANK YOU to Sarah of Roost Reimagined for grabbing my camera and getting some last minute pictures.  I was so shocked by the line of people waiting to come in that I forgot everything and stood there like a deer in headlights!  Believe me I wasn't being aloof.  I was in SHOCK!

 

 

"Mr. Ed" greeted everyone at the door.  He proved that you can glitter just about anything.

 

These gals "dropped in" and made the show.  Once I saw this idea on Pintrest, I knew I had to make them for the tall ceiling of the Carriage House.  They certainly got every one's attention!

 

 

Skelly and his Mrs.

 

Pumpkins and more pumpkins ... all sizes and shapes.

 

 I know that all the many hours of hard work were worth it, but those of you that do this type of event all know that it takes a village to make it happen.

 

I want to thank everyone who helped make this not-so-little soiree possible.

 

 

Elf Patty, aka Sparkle...

 

 

our little, sweet Mama-to-be, Sarah...

 

my junkin' buddy, Diane...

 

 

 

my sis, Ellen, who is always here when I need her ...

 

and all the others I didn't get pics of :  Marilyn, Deborah, Betty, Terri,

and last, but certainly not least, my sweet hubby Mark.  Couldn't have done this without him.

He jumped in with both feet this year.  Not only that, he "hung" the witches for me!  My hero.

 

Now that this is behind me, I am starting on Christmas and preparing for the

Holiday Treasures 2012 Show

co-hosted by me and Diane of Molly Mo's!  See the details below

and check back for sneak peeks!  Happy Halloween!  M.

 

 

 

 

 

Only Days Away ...

 

 

 

Bats and

 

 

crows, plus

 

 

owls equal ...

 

 

MAGIC

 

My Vintage Halloween Bootique

is just days away. 

 

 

Event details listed on the left.

Don't miss it! M.

Moon Dance

 

It was pointed out to me that there will be a

full moon next weekend.

What a perfect time for a Moon Dance!

 

 

Imagine dancing under the moonlight with your sweetie

in a field pumpkins.  How magical!

 

 

 

You can see "Moon Dance" next Friday, September 28th and

Saturday, September 29th at my

Vintage Halloween Bootique. 

Event details are listed above on the left.

 

Hope to see you there!  M.

 

 

 



Vintage Halloween Bootique!

Only 12 days away - EEK !!! 

 

 

 Lots and lots to do so you can enjoy

the best vintage collectibles and Halloween whimsies

 to come out of the Vintage Trifles collection.

 

  This year the Bootique will be situated

in the Carriage House at Historic Deepwood Estate. 

You can't find a better venue for a Halloween event:

a lovely, old structure located on a historic

property that is so unique in itself. 

 

 I hope you can make it to either the Early Buying opportunity

on the 28th ($5.00 admission) 

 or come for more fun on the 29th. 

All the info is below.  Be there ... or Beware ...

'cuz you'll miss all the fun and shenanigans! M.

 

 

 

A Vintage Flea Market at Historic Deepwood Estate

Historic Deepwood Estate will be presenting a

Vintage Flea Market and Soiree

with co-host Roost Reimagined. 

 

Image courtesy of Kris Lockard Photography

 

This whimsical event will be held next Friday evening, September 14th, from 5 - 8 p.m.   With a $15.00 admission you will get an Early Buying opportunity, a beverage and the appetizer buffet!  This was a fabulous event last year with almost 200 in attendance.  Did I forget to mention live music by Bohemian Enclave?  I also heard mention of a

certain Mad Hatter frenzying about the evening!! 

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Paypal using the Deepwood link above or by calling 503-363-1825.  Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on Friday evening.

 

On Saturday, September 15th, the Vintage Flea Market will open with FREE ADMISSION from

 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Cafe Venae will be on site serving espresso, yummy sweet
treats and lunch selections. 

 

Where do I fit into the picture?  I am one of  a long, long list of fabulous vendors from all over the Willamette Valley.  (See listing below).   This year Deepwood is even opening up the Carriage House and it will be filled to the rafters with treasures! 

You can find me in the south end of the garden

under the "Bird Cage" gazebo.  Look for the illuminated floral lanterns. 

Don't wait -- purchase your tickets today!  Who wouldn't enjoy shopping for unique antiques and collectibles in beautiful Deepwood formal gardens with an Alice in Wonderland twist?!?  Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and maybe even an appearance from Alice herself! 

 

See the vendor list and details below. 

 Don't miss this "very important date"! M.