Doodle A Star For Your Christmas Tree Or Holiday Decor

Doodle A Kitschy Holiday Ornament For Your Christmas Tree 

If you have a lot of energy you need to use up, try spending some time doodling on a star to use as a kitschy holiday decoration.
You can buy cardboard stars in most craft supply stores or cut out your own form.  The star shown was colored with Sharpie markers, paint pens including metallic gold as one of the colors.
Both sides of the star were worked on. It takes a lot of time to doodle but it's fun and it's good therapy!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Kitschy Collector's Vintage Holiday Gift Suggestions

Shop Vintage And Retro: Old is Kitschy And Collectible 

Ho Ho Ho, it's that time of the year when cute Santa's are snoozing almost everywhere you look and Christmas songs are still playing in your head even when you do not have the radio station turned on.
I'm not even Christmas if you catch my drift, but I sure have a great time shopping...anytime!  Yes, I have been to Home Goods and Marshalls more times that I would like to admit this past week, but there is nothing in my mind more exciting like buying VINTAGE. Here is a list of great gift ideas that you can easily find for fair prices at Antique Malls and group shops.

 Kitschy Collector's Vintage Holiday Gift Suggestions 

1. Glass or silver entertaining serving dishes.
2. Wine glasses, barware, decanters
3. Antique or collectible jewelry
4. Vanity sets or perfume bottle(s)
5. Vintage handbag, clothing, scarves
6. Children's books, puzzles, toys
7. Holiday ornaments and decorations
8. Aprons, potholders, dresser scarves
9. Cookie jars, ovenware, pyrex
10. Art books, Coffee Table books, art, phootography, prints,  globes, desk accessories  

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Using Handmade Silk Scarves As Window Decor For The Holidays

Beautiful Artist Designed Silk Scarves 
Featured At The Farmington Valley Arts Center 

Fabulous ARTISTIC "Holiday Window Treatments" In FVAC Gift Gallery

During the holiday season,  The Farmington Valley Arts Center is very busy as studios and galleries are transformed for the Candlelight season  A beautiful preview gallery was set up for artisan made holiday gifts. Look at how one-of-a kind artist designed silk scarves made by textile artist Rosalie "Lia" Lee  were used as window decor. What a clever way to brighten up any space and add a colorful engaging display to showcase these grogeous scarves.

Also see   http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-tie-and-wear-hand-painted-silk.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Using Vintage Holiday Tins for Your Cookies, Cakes and Candy

Gifting With Vintage Tins

Vintage cookie and candy tins make lovely containers for holiday gifts, especially when giving home-made cookies, cakes and candies or popcorn. While some antique tins are very special and fetch a lot of money, the tins I am talking about can be found for a few dollars.

Vintage tins come in all sizes, shapes, patterns and colors. You will discover squares, rounds, ovals, rectangles and canisters shapes. I adore the tins with handles that often were used as lunch pails after the goodies were eaten.


Tins in Holiday Colors or Special Themes

Around the holiday time, you may want to look for reds. greens, plaids, Christmas and winter themed tins. Or perhaps if you are giving a gift to a child, you might consider a container with an animal theme or perhaps a popular character such as Mickey Mouse , Garfield, Snoopy etc.

Florals Make Lovely Patterns for Tins

Ladies may enjoy their goodies packed into a pretty floral patterned tin. While the gentleman may get a kick out of a tin with a sports or hunting theme . Pet lovers might find tins with doggy or kitty images a sweet idea. There are so many options for special tins for special people.

In fact you can even personalize a plain tin with the person's name or a warm greeting. Visit you local craft or art store and pick up a paint pen designed to write on plastic and metal surfaces.

Buying Older Tins

You can find older tins in thrift shops, flea markets, tag slaes, antique stores, on-line auctions for a few dollars. Sometimes you can even pick up a whole box lot of tins for next to nothing. I have bought plenty of tins for pocket change. Be sure to clean the tins carefully, drying them real well with a towel. Be careful about getting any paper labels wet. After your tin is cleaned, and dried, you may want to line the tin with either foil, wax paper, plastic wrap before placing your cookies, cake or candies inside. Many people also use a layer of colorful tissue paper, decorative paper napkin or a cloth napkin in additon to the first layer of lining. This is a way to keep your
goodies nice and fresh.

Photo of cat tin courtesy of http://grannysthimble@etsy.com

Photo of Santa Tin Courtesy of HummingbirdHideawa on Etsy.com

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Celebrating a Nostalgic Holiday Using Vintage Christmas Cards and Gift Tags

Unpacking Vintage Holiday Cards and Tags

This is the time of the year that vintage shops unpack all of their holiday collectibles and decor and get them ready for display. While there are many different types of Christmas and holiday collectibles, one of my favorite categories is everyday vintage paper.

This article covers the paper goods that were used as note cards, wrapping paper, gift cards etc. Today folks are still enchanted with these
festive reminders of good cheer.


Older paper goods and notions with winter and Christmas themes are sought after by many. . Buyers look for vintage tags, gift wrap, cards, postcards, wall hangings, embellishments, paper ornaments etc. with clear, crisp colorful images. When you do find these popular collectibles, scoop them up because these treasures are in demand by collectors, crafters and others who enjoy mixing the old with the new.

Attaching Vintage Cards to Gifts

A friend of mine who owned a vintage inspired floral shop, attached old Christmas greeting cards to purchases made before the holidays. This was such a colorful and warm gesture.

Tags, greeting cards, ribbons, post cards can be easily found on on-line auctions and vintage sites. They are generally sold in small "lots" and are usually priced very fairly.

When you are buying "lots' on-line, be sure you know how many "older' cards you are getting.

Buying Vintage Cards in Lots

Often dealers mix in one or two early cards with a whole bunch of later holiday cards, so know what you are actually buying. Also review whether a tag or card has been used and shows earlier personalized greetings. On the other hand, if you are just after the image for scrap booking, collage or other craft projects, it may not matter to you if the vintage paper item has writing on the reverse side. Happy holiday hunting!

Photos shown are the courtesy of Pink Grape Fruit Style on Etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkgrapefruitstyle

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Celebrating the Holidays With Vintage Accessories and Decor

Bringing a Warm Vintage Country Cottage Look Inside

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time when many families like to bring a warm vintage country look into their homes.

While writing my second book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes, I was introduced to many talented collectors who turn ordinary vintage objects into charming
holiday decorations. Pam of http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.com/ keeps plenty of dried flowers on hand and makes lovely holiday arrangements using vintage tins, ceramic vases and wash bowl sets as her base. This is the time when a slightly cracked or chipped antique or vintage vase can be re-purposed into a charming holiday centerpiece.

Also consider adding other vintage touches to your table decor such as old picture frames, vintage clocks, old framed prints or postcards etc..

Holiday Decorating Using Architectural Salvage

Re-using salvaged materials is a lovely way to add attractive and inexpensive accessories to your holiday decor The candle sticks shown were made from old wooden railings.

Re-purposing older materials to evoke a vintage country look adds warmth, character and nostalgia to any home during the holidays.

Using Natural Materials for Holiday Decor

Country cottage collectibles mixed with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, tree branches, pine cones, berries etc. are lovely easy obtainable ingredients for a fresh and cozy holiday.

The key to country or cottage style is to be comfortable with what you own and to allow yourself free reign in experimenting with new ideas .



Photos courtesy of
http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/
http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.