Thank you so much for entering my Vintage Paper Garland Giveaway.  Without further ado, the winner is #16…Also Jen!

(Jen, I’ll be emailing you shortly to get your mailing address.)

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Gosh, I can hardly believe Christmas is only 10 days away, how the holidays are just zipping by.  Luckily I’m pretty much done with gift shopping, shipping, etc.  And in just about 2 weeks I’ll be turning 35, which really hasn’t sunken in.   I mean, I don’t feel or act 35 that’s for certain!

The weather has cooled off again (it just doesn’t feel like Christmas to me when it’s 80 degrees outside) and I’m very glad of it.  We’ve been enjoying a parade of warm and hearty soups here at the Fabled Needle house including shrimp wonton, Whaler’s Stew, chicken cilantro and, most likely today, split pea with bacon.

I hope you are enjoying the holidays, or at least our official transition into winter (or summer for our Southern Hemi friends)!

I plumb forgot to post about these paper doll swans when I listed them in my Etsy shop.  These are being offered as a PDF for you to download and print.

I think they would make lovely gift tags…or ornaments.

OK, until tomorrow…when the giveaway’s winner will be announced.  Happy Tuesday!

This year we got a little tree, an “elf” tree if you will.  Maybe 3′ tall, it’s so cute!  I was afraid it would be “enough” but my husband and I really like it.  I kept the decorations simple and mostly red: homemade magic mushrooms, glittery poison apples, Seuss-ian candy globes, fairy lights and, of course, my vintage paper garland.

Speaking of, if you haven’t already, make sure to enter the Vintage Paper Garland Giveaway.  It’s a short run (ends later Tuesday night) so I don’t want anyone to miss a chance to win your very own paper garland made by me!  A winner will be randomly selected Wednesday, December 15th,  and announced on the blog.

Happy Weekend, folks!  I’m working on a big-ish illustration project that is consuming most of my creativity right now (although I might stop for a sewing break at one point).

I hope it’s not too late to incorporate a little handmade something into your holiday decorating!  Here’s a merry little giveaway just for you…

A few years ago I stumbled upon this vintage 1940s gift wrap in the $1 bin at the flea market.  The vendor seemed more than happy to be rid of it and even made a comment like “Well, if you think you can do something with it.”  Granted, the paper was quite fragile but the sweet illustrations more than made up for that.  I knew immediately what I would make of it but alas, during the rush of the holiday season it never became a priority.  But finally I decided to check it off my mental to do list so I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore!

Here it is, a 9′ garland (plus a little extra string at the ends) made from vintage Christmas wrapping, kraft paper, red & white striped candy twine and a dusting of gold glitter.  I had so much fun making it, I made 2.  One for me and one for a lucky Fabled Needle reader.

All you need to do is leave a comment and tell me what your favorite DIY holiday craft is.  It could be anything really: decor, food, clothing, cards, etc.  It could be something you’ve made, something you’ve received or something you hope to make!  (And like me, it’s taken you a while to get ’round to it.)

Because the season is upon us, this giveaway only goes through Tuesday, December 14th and closes at Midnight PT; open to everyone.  I hope you’ll participate – good luck, dears!