Thursday's Unique Picks - Comforts and Joys

Tis the season for Comforts and Joys!

Yes, I am in full blown Christmas mode here at the nest…and that doesn’t mean everything is done and lovely…it means that everything is in utter chaos.

From one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, this appropriate sentiment from Clark, has been captured in this festive handmade embroidered ornament from Water Penny's etsy shop.

Oh the best laid plans of mice and men…totally go out the window in the weeks before Christmas. For all of you intellectuals, I know I totally just misquoted that line, but I like to repurpose things…even famous lines from classic poems...and have a heart, it’s Christmas.

The kind of mouse you don't mind having in your house. This mouse just plans on looking cute. This wee little vintage Christmas mouse can be found in Posh Totty Designz etsy shop.

Even with all of the headaches that the Holiday season brings, (and I totally admit to bringing the headaches upon myself) there are these little instances of comforts and joys. Everyone has their own definitions of comfort and joy…for me it’s a lot of little things that make the season bright.

This brings me to my Unique Picks this week, from great etsy sellers. This week’s finds are cozy reminders of the little things that I enjoy this time of year and maybe you do too.

When it looks like this outside…

 The view outside my kitchen window today 12/16/10.
All I want to do is enjoy the comforts of my home.

This lovely handmade pillow cover from Shann Spishak Art Studio's etsy shop pretty much sums it up.

Build a little fire…

How cozy is this little fireside scene captured in this original digital illustration print from Celeste Welch Designs?

No fireplace? No problem...You won't get burned with this vintage electric ambiance. Found in Antoinette's Whims etsy shop. This vintage find not only puts out a warm red glow through its high-definition plastic window, but also makes life like crackling fire sounds.

Get under a wool blanket ...

This vibrant vintage wool plaid blanket can be found in High Point Farm 2010's etsy shop.

This is upcycled baby hat was made using a wool blanket and vintage fabric. This great find is from kinchi's etsy shop. See, just because it's a hat, doesn't mean you aren't getting under a wool blanket!

Maybe enjoy a hot beverage

Two of my favorites...mini sized and hot cocoa. These adorable little printed winter greeting cards were created from original illustrations and can be found in Merry Blues Art's etsy shop.

Keeping your cocoa cozier. This knitted mug cozy is from mod dessert's etsy shop.

Cuddle = Comfort
When I was just a little girly, I was much happier cuddling this stuffed Santa than my new little sis. My mom can have her...

I have always been a big fan of cuddling plush toys...so maybe I am too old to be sitting on the couch with one now...but I still like to give them a hug every now and then...
(anyway, when you cuddle with a stuffed animal, they don't complain that you are making their arm go to sleep)

Everything about this cheeky bear doll by cozyblue on etsy is comforting. It's like a stuffed animal and pillow all in one!

But let’s be honest folks…we have a schedule to keep…it’s almost Christmas. Lounging around the house is not really an option, so enjoy these little comforts any chance you get!

The little Joys...
being able to cross something off my "to do" list...

 Maybe a dream...but wouldn't it be so nice! These adorable recycled paper notepads are from This is It! Creations etsy shop.

I am overjoyed, when I have finished writing my Christmas cards,

This great Holiday greeting card from goodgosh's etsy shop, happens to be one of my current favorite cards and may have found its way into the mailbox of someone very special on my Christmas card list.

When all the cards are done, I can place the stickers on the back of the envelope. I love stickers (or maybe I just love finishing the cards) It's the little things...and no, I'm not five.

These plaid envelope seals from Pinkie's Palace would be the "frosting on the cookie" for your Christmas cards.

Decorating my Christmas Tree

You know me, such a sentimental fool. I get so much joy out of hanging each one of my Christmas ornaments. Most of my ornaments have some sort of sentimental meaning. They are usually purchased or given to me as a reminder of something I did, somewhere I visited or something I love. We have quite an eclectic mix of ornaments, but some of my favorites are the handmade ones... especially this one.

Handmade by one of my favorite artists. The hubby. He made this for his Mom when he was just a kiddo and she passed it along to me...

These little handmade ornaments from Beer Can Darl's etsy shop are upcycled from vintage beer cans and would be the perfect gift for any beer connoisseur or breweriana collector.

Most of all, my favorite little holiday joy is finding just the right gift for someone on etsy...or anywhere for that matter. It’s always a bonus though,when the gift is delivered to your front door and handmade with care!

I would divulge some of this year’s holiday etsy purchases, but I have to refrain for the time being, on the outside chance that one of the recipients decides to read my blog.
No fair peeking at my purchases Snoopy Mc Snooperson.

This 1907-1908 postcard from The Old Barn Door's etsy shop, shows that the good little children (the non- peekers) get the good loot!

I Ho Ho Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and find lots amazing gifts picked uniquely for you, under your Christmas tree from ... Santa of course.

I love how comforting and joyful this original photograph print of a vintage Santa is, from CAPow! on etsy .

I will be back in a few weeks with some more unique picking, but next week I really need to buckle down. Santa needs some assistance wrapping gifts and Mrs. Claus can't make all the Christmas cookies herself.

Thursday's Unique Picks - Sing it Maria

Hope everyone is in the mood for a little ditty today...
This week's Unique Picks from awesome etsy sellers was inspired by a little tune that you may have heard before...

I may not be a musician but this awesome handmade brass Treble Clef and music note ring from Brilliance Found's etsy shop hits a high note with me!

This popular show tune comes to us from the song writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and debuted in 1959 on Broadway...any guesses?
 Hint:

1959 Sound of Music LP vinyl record, featuring the original Broadway Cast found in Lone Star Cypress' etsy shop. Don't have a record player? Just sing the songs yourself and look at the great album cover!

Yeah, I know they wrote a lot of songs but this one happens to get a lot of play time around Christmas and I have no idea why...
except the song mentions "snowflakes, mittens, sleigh bells...yada, yada"
Got it now? Great, because I am about to unleash some "Favorite Things" etsy style...
Sing it Maria!

Raindrops on roses

Lovely printed clutch designed and created by Red Ruby Rose on etsy.

and whiskers on kittens

This adorable little vintage plush kitty with whiskers can be found in moxie thrift's etsy shop.

Bright copper kettles

Chester Copperpot? No, Penny Copperpot. This is a 1940's tiny copper kettle made from a Canadian Penny from Vintage Home Recycled's etsy shop.

and warm woolen mittens

Love at first sight! These rainbow colored hand knit beauties are mini mitten ornaments from Art-by-Ana's shop.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings
No strings need to be tied around these lovely cameo style, custom made paper gift boxes from Favor Makers on etsy.
These are a few of my favorite things

Breathe. OK now for more...

Cream colored ponies

 Sweet little bobby pins created using vintage cabochons from Decade Design's etsy shop.

and crisp apple strudel
Vintage Apfelstrudel tea towel with recipe included from vakvar on etsy. It's like a twofer.

Doorbells
Ding Dong! This little handmade tile from Gretchen Kramp on etsy is fantastic!

and sleigh bells

This jumbo sized vintage Christmas goodness is found in forrestina vintage's etsy shop. This flocked red sleigh has Santa, gold bell, angel, snowman and gifts pulled by a team of reindeer. It has everything but the kitchen sink!

and schnitzel with noodles

Vintage Austrian Cuisine fold out cookbook from vintageworks on etsy. Not sure if this has a recipe for schnitzel because it is written in German but hey it's pretty rad! I bet any High Schooler taking German would just love getting this as a gift...and then they could translate for you.

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

Upcycled and awesome vintage seed bags turned into throw pillows from Pieces of Olde on etsy. I love the colors and the goose illustrations on them.

These are a few of my favorite things

oh yeah, there is more...

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Wedding day bliss with a little something blue included! Gorgeous vintage gown from IKHAN Vintage on etsy.

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Frosty vintage snowflake glasses from The Unique Bird on etsy. These little snowflakes may get a little closer to your mouth than your eyelashes...but I am not trying to tell you how to drink.

Silver white winters that melt into springs

I'm melllltinnng! Yes these are edible handmade fondant cupcake toppers from Death by Cupcake on etsy! Better than actual melting snow men because your cupcakes won't get all soggy.

These are a few of my favorite things

time for the big finale...

When the dog bites

Snarky and so true. It is just so much sweeter when it's said on a cross stitched magnet from SewSnarky's etsy shop. 

When the bee stings

This adorable print was crated from an original painting by Kris G. Brownlee and found in a Cagey Bee's etsy shop.

When I'm feeling sad

Let your family know when you are having a bad day with this printed cotton dish towel from Loud Mouse on etsy so they easily know when to be on their best behavior...
and then the "all clear" signal towel can also be found in their shop!

I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
I have to say, you are in great voice today!
 Who could feel bad anyway, when there are so many amazing finds on etsy!
If you can't tell, I have LOTS of favorite things. Just not Squirrels.

Turkey on my Back

Hi there folks!
Please excuse my lack of Unique Picking great finds from awesome etsy sellers AGAIN this week...
I am pretty sure that next week's post will be a doozie!
No, I haven't settled in for a long winter's nap.

You know how they say that some people have a "monkey on their back"...
Well, my lack of blogging last week was directly related to the fact that I had a "Turkey on my back".
O.K. you got me, here is a great vintage postcard from M Tipping Atelier Vintage on etsy. Pretty much illustrates how I felt last week.

Turkey on your Back: The fear of hosting Thanksgiving in your home for the first time for your parents, in-laws and Uncle and screwing up the turkey feast.
Not to mention my little factory needed to be shut down...A.K.A my home, and be completely cleaned of thread and fabric clippings etc. that may have accumulated due to the increased crafting in preparation for the two craft shows that I participated in the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

The Grandview Holiday Bazaar...
The Unique Bird's Booth at the Grandview Holiday Bazaar filled with vintage and repurposed vintage goodies as well as an awesome selection of handmade feedsack bags from Objet Adapte.

Some of my handmade vintage fabric wine wraps and cozies made their way down to Cincinnati that same weekend, with the talented Mother and Daughter team from Objet Adapte to the
Crafty Supermarket...

 Objet Adapte's booth at the Crafty Super Market November 20th.

The awesome news is that both shows were a success. We even almost sold out of vintage fabric wine bottle wraps and sweater cozies at the Cincinnati show!
Such great news...now back to work girly! I got that turkey off my back last week...and he was mighty delish!

I made that!

And promptly reopened my little sewing factory to make some great new items for this week's craft show...
So F.Y.I:

I love this collage from River City Artworks etsy shop. It pretty much sums up the state of my house.

This week's craftin show is
Montrose Elementary School on Saturday, December 4, 2010

from 10am to 4pm.
2555 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43209
Bexley, OH 43209.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the new handmade items from The Unique Bird that I have been working on this week that will be there tomorrow...

New upcycled Vintage Sweater pillow

New holiday inspired handmade vintage fabric appliqued place mats.

A great selection of  our handmade vintage fabric wine bottle wraps hot off the sewing machine!

Special thanks to my awesome label suppler Jennifer's Jewels on etsy! I got the custom printed labels I needed for all of my new items just in time!

Upcycled vintage sweater wine bottle cozies for you to delight your hostess with!

I am currently mad for garland!

Handmade using vintage novelty wrapping paper!

Yes, I am in love.

Not all holiday themed either. This strand with little brides and grooms would be adorable for a wedding shower decoration!

All in all, I feel like I have had a pretty successful week!
Hope that if you are in Columbus this weekend you can come out to the art festival!
Don't let a little snow stop you...it's festive!

Home for Christmas framed vintage print from The Unique Bird on etsy!