...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Look how festive day 23's box is from Amy, of
PaperTrails

Christmas Eve and the box from Angela, of
Pages By The Sea
couldn't be more perfect! It's vintage charm...and that Santa Key stole my heart.

Speaking of heart stealing, Christmas Day's box from Becky, of
Don't Look Back
had this precious hand knit mitten inside!
Many thanks to Amy, Angela and Becky for wrapping up this countdown so beautifully.
And HUGE holiday hugs go out to our wonderful swap hostess, Linda, of
A Swap for All Seasons.
Linda had 75 of us, each making 25 matchboxes and gifts, and had them packaged and swapped out to all, with time to spare before our December 1 countdown began.

More Vintage Freebies & Days 20, 21, 22

Santa has some more sweet treats for me!

He brought this little gingerbread boy and house on day 20 from Becky, of
Patchwork Posse

And on day 21, this cutely decorated box from Genie, of
Buttons For Baga

Amanda, of
Whispering Christmas Dreams
asked the jolly old elf to leave this lace trimmed, sugared, tinseled parcel on day 22.

All wonderful gifts! Thank you Becky, Genie, Amanda and Santa!

Christmas Greetings to all!
I'm linked to All Things Merry & Bright at
All Things Heart and Home.

Christmas Cheer Freebie as The Countdown Winds Down

Let's play catch-up on the last few days of matchboxes.
This gingerbread cutie on day 16 is from Shannon, of
Quilting in Pinks, Bulldogs at My Side

Day 17 brought this creative toy train box, complete with holiday earrings from Denise, of
Christ is the Heart of Christmas

A sweet angel flew in on day 18 from Patty, of Blooming in Kansas

Michelle, of Faerie Dust Dreams
created this charming vintage box and bottlecap magnet.

Thank you all for these wonderful additions to the countdown!

And as promised, a bit of Christmas cheer... Enjoy!

It's The Little Things........

a cut glass bowl of eggnog potpourri...
Santa's timepiece nestled in the corner...
a reindeer in a birdcage...
another bowl of miscellaneous holiday sweetness...
a vintage picture loaded with charm (purchased for 10 cents at an estate sale!),
and even the harp gets a mini holiday makeover...
It is the little things that make you feel warm and happy.

It's time to catch you up on some other little things that are helping to make the season bright-Countdown to Christmas matchboxes!
Day 13 from Carol, of Heirlooms For You

Day 14 from Jill, of File Under Misc.

And Day 15 from Kim, of Blackberry Crows Prims

Many thanks to Carol, Jill and Kim for my new lovely little things!

Today I'm linked to White Wednesday at Faded Charm and
All Things Merry & Brite at All Things Heart and Home

A Silver Sunday Vignette as The Countdown Continues

I have this vintage-style silver tray I purchased at Michael's a few years ago that has evolved into my seasonal living room table top vignette. I didn't buy it with that in mind. It was one of those 'oooh that's pretty, don't know what I'll do with it, but I'll find someplace to put it" purchases. How funny that it's now a focal point! The candelabra is an antique store find that I dress up with a touch of greenery this time of year. The silver teapot is from a church rummage sale. I perched a gold glittery bird on top. A couple of silvery garlands are strewn throughout.
An old textile spool with glittered lace, pheasant salt and pepper shakers (estate sale find) and other assorted bits and pieces are thrown in. The Christmas topiaries are from my days (actually 11 years!) of selling Christmas Around The World. Anyone remember them?
I'm linked with Silver Sunday at Gypsy Fish where you'll find links to all sorts of wonderful Silver Sunday bloggers.

How about pinking it up a little with the next Coundown to Christmas matchbox from Tracy, of Sunset 97
I love the retro look and pink/green color combo. And the sugared earrings are adorable!

Kelly, ofLove of Laundry
made this cute Santa box and snowflake bobbypin.
Thank you Tracy and Kelly!

Very Vintage Christmas & Days 9 and 10 of Matchbox Swap

I discovered a new blog, and magazine Creating Vintage Charm.
The cover was enough to sell me but the testimonials from those who have already received an issue (this current issue is only #2) should have you clicking the "purchase now" button too. AND it's on sale through the end of the month. AND you can enter a giveaway to win 2 issues!

That find inspired me to share a little of my own vintage-style Christmas decor.


More to come as the season progresses.....

On to my Countdown to Christmas Matchboxes.
Day 9 brought me this little darling, from Erica,of
Zunky Chic.
Perfect timing for a snowman as we have a big storm heading our way this weekend!

My Day 10 box is from Amy, of
Crazy for the Country.
Some nice traditional red and green bling! Thank you both for the Christmas cheer!

If you're still in the mood for more Christmas (and who isn't?), I'm linked to
Debra & Common Ground

Tinsel & Company's Deck the Halls

Or scroll down through December's posts - lots more Christmas here!

It's a White Christmas Miracle on Day 8

It was meant to be! I received the most lovely vintage white and shimmery box from Freda, of
Sew What's New.
The part that's "meant to be" is today is White Wednesday at
Faded Charm and I planned on linking to show my Christmas Village. With that in mind, I sifted through my remaining matchboxes to discover Freda's little white gem intended for Day 8. Okay, maybe not a Christmas miracle, but let's at least call it a sign! So thank you Freda for your beautiful little gift and for the
tie-in to White Wednesday.

I've been collecting these village pieces for many years, and of all the holiday decorating I do, amassing the village (I believe it may have grown to city status) is indeed a labor of love. Just bringing the boxes up from the basement is a job! It's extremely difficult to capture the charm and serenity of this snowy vintage winter wonderland. I hope you enjoy visiting nonetheless.







I'm also linked with All Things Merry & Brite at
All Things Heart & Home.

"Home for the Holidays" on Countdown Day 7

One week in on our Countdown to Christmas matchbox swap, brings me a little holiday cheer all the way from the UK.
Holiday hugs to
Sherry, of SherrySimpleBlog
for this charming box and pendant!

No matter where "home" is, I think we all like to be there for the holidays. Here are a few of my atc's from a Home for the Holidays themed group swap I took part in.