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. . . Well, okay – I acquired a lot of vintage Christmas books this year. What’s wrong with that?
McCall’s didn’t have the crazy-amazing design sensibilities of BHG, but this book harbors a number of interesting ideas. (And don’t worry – I’ve saved you a little more classic BHG for later.)
This one’s copyrighted 1961-1975, by the way.
I’m totally intrigued by these thread-wrapped ornaments. They start with a cardboard form, and then you wrap pearl cotton around it in a specific pattern. Just the sort of nerdy craft I like.
This wrap-around for your Christmas tree stand makes me think about Sesame Street, for some reason. Sing it with me: “Who are the people in your neighborhood . . . in your neighborhood . . . in your neigh – bor – hooooooood!”
Slightly strange, and yet still kinda cute. A whole tree of pot holders? Isn’t that like, say, a whole tree of shampoo?
This one approaches BHG-level wonderfulness. I wonder how long it’ll be before someone’s ring snags on the macrame and brings that punch bowl crashing to the ground?
Apple dolls! Do you remember these? Does anyone still make them? I did as a little girl. And as a result, had a whole colony of fruit flies living in my bedroom closet for a while. (Sorry, Mom.)
Since we’ve been having assorted conversations here and there about salt dough ornaments, here are some very cute ones.
. . . And I love the look of these cards! I went to see what special process makes them this intricate. And there isn’t one – the instructions tell you to trace the basic outlines and then full them with pencil and pen doodles.
Step-by-steps were apparently just less of a priority in the 60′s and 70′s.
Apple head dolls! I actually found an apple head doll that I made in the 4th grade in a drawer at my mom’s house a few months back. It was horrifying. They turn rather black after, oh, 20+ years. Mom wouldn’t let me chuck it, unfortunately.
Your holiday books have been such a fun blast from the past, Diane… Thanks!
~Sarah
Apple head dolls! I actually found an apple head doll that I made in the 4th grade in a drawer at my mom’s house a few months back. It was horrifying. They turn rather black after, oh, 20+ years. Mom wouldn’t let me chuck it, unfortunately.
Your holiday books have been such a fun blast from the past, Diane… Thanks!
~Sarah
The lack of step-by-steps was an outstanding feature of he old BHG publications (and crafty pubs in general), in my opinion. Kind of like they were saying “look, here’s a cool idea, now you go make your own version.” Awesome. Besides, they usually have a diagram if there’s a really tricky bit or some secret way to do stuff.
(Long time reader, first time commenter, by the way. Love your blog!)
The lack of step-by-steps was an outstanding feature of he old BHG publications (and crafty pubs in general), in my opinion. Kind of like they were saying “look, here’s a cool idea, now you go make your own version.” Awesome. Besides, they usually have a diagram if there’s a really tricky bit or some secret way to do stuff.
(Long time reader, first time commenter, by the way. Love your blog!)
I must admit I find the thought of a holiday tree covered with fruits and vegetables delightful!
I must admit I find the thought of a holiday tree covered with fruits and vegetables delightful!
I like the potholder tree! It’s cool! Love your comparison too, ha ha! :)
I like the potholder tree! It’s cool! Love your comparison too, ha ha! :)
Oh wow, my granny had a doll collection from places she’d visited and it included an apple head doll from Canada. I was absolutely fascinated by it.
Oh wow, my granny had a doll collection from places she’d visited and it included an apple head doll from Canada. I was absolutely fascinated by it.
WOW. I am totally loving this series. That macrame/felt tablecloth actually had me exclaiming out loud. Unbelievable. And hilarious. The neighborhood stand is really cute, or could be. On a smaller tabletop tree. And those cards and yarn ornaments are awesome. The potholder tree really only makes sense to me if you collect them or are displaying, then giving them are party favors. But listen to me, since when do 60′s and 70′s crafts need to make sense? :>
WOW. I am totally loving this series. That macrame/felt tablecloth actually had me exclaiming out loud. Unbelievable. And hilarious. The neighborhood stand is really cute, or could be. On a smaller tabletop tree. And those cards and yarn ornaments are awesome. The potholder tree really only makes sense to me if you collect them or are displaying, then giving them are party favors. But listen to me, since when do 60′s and 70′s crafts need to make sense? :>
I too adore those thread-wrapped ornaments, let’s try to figure out how to make them.
Keep Stitching, Janet
I too adore those thread-wrapped ornaments, let’s try to figure out how to make them.
Keep Stitching, Janet
*laughs* I love your vintage craft book posts. The macrame thing made me laugh right out loud. I would totally be the person to catch my ring on the tablecloth and cause a ruckus. My penchant for big tacky jewellry will likely cause my death.
The potholders are cool – I’m wary of a tree of them, but individually they’d be super cute.
…and apple head dolls. Oh my! Yes, I totally made those as a kid, and they scared the crap out of me, kinda still do. They remind me of the scary characters from the Labirynth.
*laughs* I love your vintage craft book posts. The macrame thing made me laugh right out loud. I would totally be the person to catch my ring on the tablecloth and cause a ruckus. My penchant for big tacky jewellry will likely cause my death.
The potholders are cool – I’m wary of a tree of them, but individually they’d be super cute.
…and apple head dolls. Oh my! Yes, I totally made those as a kid, and they scared the crap out of me, kinda still do. They remind me of the scary characters from the Labirynth.
Very inspiring. My favorite have to be the chenille bird on the log and the glossy salt dough ornaments.
Very inspiring. My favorite have to be the chenille bird on the log and the glossy salt dough ornaments.
Very cute! I've actually been making the thread wrapped ornaments based on the tutorial linked here. http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/117 I like the idea of using the pearl cotton thread better, as I'm finding the wool (synthetic – Vanna's Choice) a bit too thick. I'm going to try the cotton thread now. Thanks for posting those! I love the apple dolls. I never made those but always meant to try my hand at it.