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This was my favorite vintage-book score of the whole year. Copyright 1966. That cover is freakin’ gorgeous.
This book exemplifies all the things I love about vintage BHG books. It’s as if the creative team sat around the office, striving to find the most outlandish, out-there ideas ever. The results make me giggle sometimes, but I will say this: to this day, my vintage BHG books are still my go-to inspiration and brainstorming books.
So, when I laugh here, I laugh with love and respect. This soldier, my friends, is six feet tall. A great way to enforce good behavior in your home during the holiday season.
A biblical reference gone just a little wrong, perhaps? The roaring fire underneath does not help.
Wow! Hitchcockian!
Donut Tree – awesome! Is Paula Deen coming to dinner? (Look closely, and you’ll see that it’s flanked by boy-and-girl snack-racks, also festooned with food.)
BHG was always so great about crazy alt-trees like this. This one’s a fantasy of thread spools.
And this one’s a fantasy of string-art and pegboard. I actually quite like this one.
Here’s another thing I really like – these adorable little house ornaments. I can’t resist sharing some of the typical-for-that-era vague instructions:
“Village house ornaments are carved of solid pieces of balsa wood. …Bits of paper and toothpicks decorate the sides which are then painted. The… roofs [are] cut from plastic foam cups.”
Oh. So THAT’s how it’s done.
To balance things out, a few of my big loves – like these burlap-and-trim trees.
…And this ruffly pop-up card!
And honestly, this wacky butterfly tree. Made much smaller – say, 4 ft tall, I think it’d be adorable.
Keep an eye out for this title on eBay!
OK, I gotta ask: if that book is vintage, does that mean WE just might be vintage too?
That donut tree made me squeel. I know what I’m asking Santa for this year!
OK, I gotta ask: if that book is vintage, does that mean WE just might be vintage too?
That donut tree made me squeel. I know what I’m asking Santa for this year!
WOWZA! This is a winner! The freaky crafts are making me laugh, but I am with you in love for that peg board tree. I’ve been hankerin’ to do something with peg board lately … maybe for next year. ;) The donut tree is just making me hungry. Freaked out … and hungry.
Thanks for sharing! :)
WOWZA! This is a winner! The freaky crafts are making me laugh, but I am with you in love for that peg board tree. I’ve been hankerin’ to do something with peg board lately … maybe for next year. ;) The donut tree is just making me hungry. Freaked out … and hungry.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Liz, I’m feeling more vintage every day! :-)
Liz, I’m feeling more vintage every day! :-)
I can’t stop laughing! The fireplace decoration is unforgettable. The butterfly tree is the stuff of nightmares, even more so IMO than the Hitchcockian bird tree. Did they really make tomato red artificial Christmas trees? I love vintage craft books. You did well!
I can’t stop laughing! The fireplace decoration is unforgettable. The butterfly tree is the stuff of nightmares, even more so IMO than the Hitchcockian bird tree. Did they really make tomato red artificial Christmas trees? I love vintage craft books. You did well!
I remember all of these pictures! Never dreamed I should have been saving all my books and magazines for you! I was thinking about making the donut tree – for about 5 minutes!
I remember all of these pictures! Never dreamed I should have been saving all my books and magazines for you! I was thinking about making the donut tree – for about 5 minutes!
My oh my God Diane, what did you bring home this time!!
Talking about freaky! Are you trying some new drugs by any chance?
1.Jesus Christ on a mantel piece with a burning fire.. well, okay.. those things happen when decorating enthusiasts are home alone.
2.A giant soldier in the hallway, could help to scare burglars or visits from unwanted guests. I understand, so far..
3.A donut tree, well.. it’s an idea
4.The thread spool tree, I say: Why not, it’s recycling age anyway.
But that blood red tree with those scary birds in it, I wouldn’t have that thing inside my home, it would scare the hell out of me every time I’d step into the room.. imagine that with flickering lights on it!
But you had me laughing during this whole post…thnx!
???
My oh my God Diane, what did you bring home this time!!
Talking about freaky! Are you trying some new drugs by any chance?
1.Jesus Christ on a mantel piece with a burning fire.. well, okay.. those things happen when decorating enthusiasts are home alone.
2.A giant soldier in the hallway, could help to scare burglars or visits from unwanted guests. I understand, so far..
3.A donut tree, well.. it’s an idea
4.The thread spool tree, I say: Why not, it’s recycling age anyway.
But that blood red tree with those scary birds in it, I wouldn’t have that thing inside my home, it would scare the hell out of me every time I’d step into the room.. imagine that with flickering lights on it!
But you had me laughing during this whole post…thnx!
???
keep the pictures coming – I’m really enjoying them!
keep the pictures coming – I’m really enjoying them!
Oh my goodness gracious, that book looks totally AWESOME! Very inspirational, and I am not even kidding, because although I won’t be making an exact replica of the donut tree this year (although given infinite time, doweling, and donuts I probably would) I LOVE that these crafts are just really outside the box of the stuff we see right now.
Also, in regards to your recent post on yam stuffed oranges, I would like to chime in and say that my family ate these with our Christmas dinner every single year I was growing up, only brown sugar wasn’t sweet enough for our family, so we topped these little yummers with MELTED MARSHMALLOWS. Seriously. Because what could be a better combination than root-vegetable, citrus fruit, and gelatinous candy? Oh, one or two things, would be my guess.
Oh my goodness gracious, that book looks totally AWESOME! Very inspirational, and I am not even kidding, because although I won’t be making an exact replica of the donut tree this year (although given infinite time, doweling, and donuts I probably would) I LOVE that these crafts are just really outside the box of the stuff we see right now.
Also, in regards to your recent post on yam stuffed oranges, I would like to chime in and say that my family ate these with our Christmas dinner every single year I was growing up, only brown sugar wasn’t sweet enough for our family, so we topped these little yummers with MELTED MARSHMALLOWS. Seriously. Because what could be a better combination than root-vegetable, citrus fruit, and gelatinous candy? Oh, one or two things, would be my guess.
Diane, I can’t stop laughing over these marvelous things brought to life with your priceless commentary — THANK YOU! I needed that!
So awesome. Seriously! I think the soldier takes the cake, though he has some tough competition.
Diane, I can’t stop laughing over these marvelous things brought to life with your priceless commentary — THANK YOU! I needed that!
So awesome. Seriously! I think the soldier takes the cake, though he has some tough competition.
truly unsettling.
truly unsettling.
I’d like to see that donut tree covered with Voodoo Doughnuts…
http://voodoodoughnut.com/menu.php
Of course, it’s a little difficult to find the hole on some of them. Hmmm…
I’d like to see that donut tree covered with Voodoo Doughnuts…
http://voodoodoughnut.com/menu.php
Of course, it’s a little difficult to find the hole on some of them. Hmmm…
I have to admit that I love the red tree all covered with white birds . . .
I have to admit that I love the red tree all covered with white birds . . .
Too many things to comment on …
I love that you enthusiastically expose us to kook-craft. On one hand, I’m totally thinking, “I could spray paint a whole damn tree black and silver stripes and cover it in skulls!” and on the other hand I’m totally thinking, “These people are insane.” Not only do they open up your mind to possibilities, but they make you feel like taking risks because no idea could be worse than the ones they’ve already thought up.
Too many things to comment on …
I love that you enthusiastically expose us to kook-craft. On one hand, I’m totally thinking, “I could spray paint a whole damn tree black and silver stripes and cover it in skulls!” and on the other hand I’m totally thinking, “These people are insane.” Not only do they open up your mind to possibilities, but they make you feel like taking risks because no idea could be worse than the ones they’ve already thought up.
Wow. My opinions pretty much line up with yours. That doll is terrifying. I’ll have to keep my out for this one!
Wow. My opinions pretty much line up with yours. That doll is terrifying. I’ll have to keep my out for this one!
Wow! I’m loving that soldier! LOL!
Wow! I’m loving that soldier! LOL!
I pretty much love everything you picked in this post. Hilarious, but genius. Who WOULDN’T want to attend a party with a doughnut tree?
The baby Jesus thing is hilarious.
This does look like a book to keep an eye out for!
I pretty much love everything you picked in this post. Hilarious, but genius. Who WOULDN’T want to attend a party with a doughnut tree?
The baby Jesus thing is hilarious.
This does look like a book to keep an eye out for!
Hey, my coworker built us a donut tree for our Christmas Party! Check it out on my flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckylisp/3122875867/
Thanks for the inspiration!!!!!!!
Hey, my coworker built us a donut tree for our Christmas Party! Check it out on my flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckylisp/3122875867/
Thanks for the inspiration!!!!!!!
I was inspired to find one of these vintage BHG craft books of my own – 1966 Stitchery and Crafts. It is full of crazy stuff! I had a good laugh the other night reading through it – the text is as good as the pictures.
Even though some of the projects are pretty crazy, they could definitely be updated for today…
I was inspired to find one of these vintage BHG craft books of my own – 1966 Stitchery and Crafts. It is full of crazy stuff! I had a good laugh the other night reading through it – the text is as good as the pictures.
Even though some of the projects are pretty crazy, they could definitely be updated for today…
I was wondering where I left the baby!
I was wondering where I left the baby!
Yay donut tree!
Yay donut tree!