Dreaming of Christmas in the old house

<div style="text-align: center;"> A dream I have had for years would be to build back the old house my great grandfather bought here as his summer place. My dad was born in and grew up in that beautiful old house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Mtsf5SEHuhLmG8ftqZQ4JJ9YV4uCZVxmrhwk-3SWIDZNVjZgGj5tRy3sEwr8umAcNPf7lG6loX-GwQWEbqI_ApuF5KtxrQarjvMnMIi3k7bhhylB_F12Q0XkJuJLGbpYcxs-I5C_I0/s1600/2012christmasbuffet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Mtsf5SEHuhLmG8ftqZQ4JJ9YV4uCZVxmrhwk-3SWIDZNVjZgGj5tRy3sEwr8umAcNPf7lG6loX-GwQWEbqI_ApuF5KtxrQarjvMnMIi3k7bhhylB_F12Q0XkJuJLGbpYcxs-I5C_I0/s640/2012christmasbuffet1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luckily, when my grandparents tore it down to make way for a new house, my grandfather carefully took out all the trim, doors, windows, etc., and carefully bundled and stored them where they sat untouched until Luis and I moved onto the family property. If you have ever visited here, you know that we are taking some of those things and adding them to our house little by little. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZGP0qGT3Va9n_t1KCSElwG81g9lWf8-NTVIIw93HlYRfAKZW_9rE08BTC6fhDQ7ROWwPtx2HPN1loLXIzaqEGH8p8THQ0ThY6gF7NbO4-8d1hIvrVE7cnV6I-Ugg3sCSeQwtogW_OB8/s1600/2012christmasbuffet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZGP0qGT3Va9n_t1KCSElwG81g9lWf8-NTVIIw93HlYRfAKZW_9rE08BTC6fhDQ7ROWwPtx2HPN1loLXIzaqEGH8p8THQ0ThY6gF7NbO4-8d1hIvrVE7cnV6I-Ugg3sCSeQwtogW_OB8/s640/2012christmasbuffet3.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I became fascinated with the Putz cardboard houses from Japan post WWII and tried to get some on ebay for my vintage Christmas, but kept getting outbid. Plus, they are pretty small at 4" high. I decided to make my own.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I thought why not make the old house? So, I gathered up some cardboard -- which in my case is easy as I recycle *everything* and usually have stacks of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5YC6hsL8zSToVaKkjaQ4E6x1oziTdTDVBZ4zYXIGZ_TdxV3m8W1v4-kN8mwg4ZhFhzoWqAU3NRZspVMpbNTfSd58HwYDIr00aIn8FZS8glRmwWE68rSklQmmBKdk8XWfWj8w0-uN8Zs/s1600/oldhousewinter052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5YC6hsL8zSToVaKkjaQ4E6x1oziTdTDVBZ4zYXIGZ_TdxV3m8W1v4-kN8mwg4ZhFhzoWqAU3NRZspVMpbNTfSd58HwYDIr00aIn8FZS8glRmwWE68rSklQmmBKdk8XWfWj8w0-uN8Zs/s640/oldhousewinter052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started cutting and glueing and finally ended up with this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG9yxHZnNzBNc6_ZY4ejtuWjCRhyE7GsAJEvyTQf8EFsLptvrJlQ_O9Ms-gDJUkLySlFTVJsVy9aWXIF6iPZ9nj20XrzobpNP0mugJEWSMLgvouYhYdFtohWZTDkcZr5Q6gXWZ7q8IUE/s1600/2012christmasbuffet7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG9yxHZnNzBNc6_ZY4ejtuWjCRhyE7GsAJEvyTQf8EFsLptvrJlQ_O9Ms-gDJUkLySlFTVJsVy9aWXIF6iPZ9nj20XrzobpNP0mugJEWSMLgvouYhYdFtohWZTDkcZr5Q6gXWZ7q8IUE/s640/2012christmasbuffet7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My dad recognized it right away and told me I needed the bottle brush trees as my grandmother apparently had them. So I found some vintage ones on ebay. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oMwDp8dvmTZZQaQ5iU6LGtrtmAsfOGG_-04KMZxMidjfT3c5MZbikOSBNpnSlik3e8Ce3OeMNkpvdLOm24NDWKwiay3CbdkfokS5tqaL119hJrNUJ3mDsEuy7kjS97Ghmn2LyPsJLp4/s1600/2012Christmasbuffet12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oMwDp8dvmTZZQaQ5iU6LGtrtmAsfOGG_-04KMZxMidjfT3c5MZbikOSBNpnSlik3e8Ce3OeMNkpvdLOm24NDWKwiay3CbdkfokS5tqaL119hJrNUJ3mDsEuy7kjS97Ghmn2LyPsJLp4/s640/2012Christmasbuffet12.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought the house needed a snowman out front.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8z6cPvJOYWanmnsVZgHt_IFCzNZGXNyq8WtwicPm9lFnJIn7h4PdNF4LM7zA6jtiK4V-3u71c4odWpWwywUOBWBfUl0rlB_4XEiILO07szZRJfXh2kK27DZcwJ0r17dbQF6cvkqA5jI/s1600/2012christmasbuffet13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8z6cPvJOYWanmnsVZgHt_IFCzNZGXNyq8WtwicPm9lFnJIn7h4PdNF4LM7zA6jtiK4V-3u71c4odWpWwywUOBWBfUl0rlB_4XEiILO07szZRJfXh2kK27DZcwJ0r17dbQF6cvkqA5jI/s640/2012christmasbuffet13.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used tissue paper for the windows and Christmas lights for the inside. I dusted everything with "snow" and lots of glitter, which I was amazed to find these products "Made-in-USA." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The old rock wall still stands around the new house my parents live in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2Pb3sRHkY3W13aiTE8P4rUkt3YbyP6FbpivYQLmeob41B8mng0Fh4cYjomvA0f-8GAgg19Bd07vBp84p4xYAk1QuRmv2py-a1VhgawS5cvb32WDbpQ24rGjGmNId2_rIM8NHgBlPI4/s1600/2012christmasbuffet6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2Pb3sRHkY3W13aiTE8P4rUkt3YbyP6FbpivYQLmeob41B8mng0Fh4cYjomvA0f-8GAgg19Bd07vBp84p4xYAk1QuRmv2py-a1VhgawS5cvb32WDbpQ24rGjGmNId2_rIM8NHgBlPI4/s640/2012christmasbuffet6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I used a window from the house to showcase old photos of the house and my dad and his family here in Balsam. I made cardboard panels to fit behind each window which I covered with vintage pink-flowered paper from my parent's basement. I put some of the copied photos on sheet music or black poster board so they would stand out against the background. I then trimmed the edges with vintage lace from my grandmother's sewing room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ms95itAONtrSVGsAREWTnRHAjvFRcAbiYvF70XPKZwuzdR3HoIY1MiVU4_hjjsCd7bEq3wwmxAcLLkYfXH3RDKvbObpKMKioEL6syQoEAMUOxHil0CqJBzeQ7aH8dt8hRiK2RrA1rl0/s1600/2012christmasbuffet8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ms95itAONtrSVGsAREWTnRHAjvFRcAbiYvF70XPKZwuzdR3HoIY1MiVU4_hjjsCd7bEq3wwmxAcLLkYfXH3RDKvbObpKMKioEL6syQoEAMUOxHil0CqJBzeQ7aH8dt8hRiK2RrA1rl0/s640/2012christmasbuffet8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These photos include my dad, his brother, sister and my grandparents in front of the house. I wanted to add the photo of my children as it was taken in front of the little guest house that once stood behind the "big" house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNUz6iduLnIMEDZi_0CWEE3bThdt2TLaNbtAZLy536ADamjIW8tK9q89nLVpjJnFxTSWN_gnneC1iqDqILf-VRiUUhCg-7r45S-v6RDydOdxisyFMjKk7mSSBFV77EBskgK7x4uyN4eM/s1600/2012christmasbuffet9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNUz6iduLnIMEDZi_0CWEE3bThdt2TLaNbtAZLy536ADamjIW8tK9q89nLVpjJnFxTSWN_gnneC1iqDqILf-VRiUUhCg-7r45S-v6RDydOdxisyFMjKk7mSSBFV77EBskgK7x4uyN4eM/s640/2012christmasbuffet9.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3APdmqSOVbEVMJVx90KFfxvkDxGoMD7g5P8QnDAzk8xAnF3UrktueYhyphenhyphenWYWm_ACPT6fjHTL7MMmN845xK2WoFh0FNRAnevtBmtz_yl_7JBQ-RhSiowt_uY3A4yoGvqaMBPvgneNC3t0/s1600/2012christmasbuffet15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3APdmqSOVbEVMJVx90KFfxvkDxGoMD7g5P8QnDAzk8xAnF3UrktueYhyphenhyphenWYWm_ACPT6fjHTL7MMmN845xK2WoFh0FNRAnevtBmtz_yl_7JBQ-RhSiowt_uY3A4yoGvqaMBPvgneNC3t0/s640/2012christmasbuffet15.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided to use this burlap runner I had made for my etsy shop then topped it with white pines in old vinegar bottles from the "store."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4UknxgznuUS5YaIBaZD1AjQ-Z0QL7-GZAUxj8v0Vd74KPGEwGnUsImGoG3riyXta03gkQc2TChbIv7LNtpr1qTrAPwsiGJjWURDxRdNZw0TMdxWIH3jDDZc5jPFk1fLVEaZ_eSQKNFs/s1600/2012christmasbuffet10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4UknxgznuUS5YaIBaZD1AjQ-Z0QL7-GZAUxj8v0Vd74KPGEwGnUsImGoG3riyXta03gkQc2TChbIv7LNtpr1qTrAPwsiGJjWURDxRdNZw0TMdxWIH3jDDZc5jPFk1fLVEaZ_eSQKNFs/s640/2012christmasbuffet10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An antique family lamp along with my great aunt's handmade gown make every element in this vignette not only vintage, but part of my family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYMTMQSOQqbXLksL86yqJHeoQWFFhEXeOS3ibGje23GtjV0aeSG5IG5T7yGiB5M3s1CwwW4va32ir4T26wVgSpAWkkMvZXSJCmPckIPJ7DiJYsu4gniS2hcQ04wdtChmFO7R9KF3gnY/s1600/2012christmasbuffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYMTMQSOQqbXLksL86yqJHeoQWFFhEXeOS3ibGje23GtjV0aeSG5IG5T7yGiB5M3s1CwwW4va32ir4T26wVgSpAWkkMvZXSJCmPckIPJ7DiJYsu4gniS2hcQ04wdtChmFO7R9KF3gnY/s640/2012christmasbuffet.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that, for me, is one of the most important parts of Christmas -- family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love taking trips back in time, and Christmas is such a wonderful time to remember. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks so much for stopping by:-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anita</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be joining:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://atthepicketfence.com/">Inspiration Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/">Vintage Inspiration Friday</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sandandsisal.com/2012/11/countdown-to-winter-party-kickoff.html?spref=fb">Countdown to Winter</a><br /><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/12/clay-filigree-ornaments-link-party/">Holiday Craft Link Party</a><br /><br /><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">A Homespun Christmas/Vignettes and Mantel Party</a><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciC9S7SP93_pq9Z0J3kuoDWzvofPHpNm_89zZLlSrGUQaFMXO5hbXwMeU_ysREdxG97zxjXru5sgV0lwiAUCNKGqZlv18H_UowMD_Kg5ZTPJNIoL5ZPd60XHuXq1moqBbeKDrq3Wf1nQ/s1600/Homespun+Christmas1+(1).png" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br /><br /></div>

Dreaming of Christmas in the old house

 A dream I have had for years would be to build back the old house my great grandfather bought here as his summer place. My dad was born in ...

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