About Collectibles

The Saga of the Upside Down Tree, cont'd

2009-11-06T12:47:03Z

Continuing on with my upside-down tree saga - the redwood (okay, not a redwood just feels like it when trying to move it) has been relocated about 30' to the other side of the living room and is now in it's permanent Christmas place. It only took moving one large bookcase, one small bookcase and installing three heavy duty eyebolts into the wall. Suffice it to say with the wire and bolts, the wall will come down before the tree does.

Next on the agenda is the lighting -- that will happen this weekend!

More:
Part 1; 2

The Saga of the Upside Down Tree, cont'd originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 12:47:03.

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Three New Toys in the Hall of Fame

2009-11-05T19:12:38Z

From the Strong National Museum of Play:
The Ball officially joins the Stick (among last year's toy inductees) as it bounces into the prestigious halls of the National Toy Hall of Fame at Strong National Museum of Play along with the iconic Big Wheel� and innovative Nintendo Game Boy�.

The three toy honorees were selected from among 12 toy finalists that included: The Ball, Big Wheel, Cabbage Patch Kids�, Game of Life�, Hot Wheels�, Nintendo Game Boy�, Paper Airplane, Playing Cards, Rubik's Cube�, Sidewalk Chalk, Toy Tea Set, and Transformers�.
Read more

Three New Toys in the Hall of Fame originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 19:12:38.

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Make it Merry!

2009-11-05T08:48:47Z

Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders
What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.

Make a Gingerbread House
Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.

How to Draw a Christmas Tree
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.

Paint a Glass Ornament
Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.

Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern
Don't just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Stitch a Pear Trio
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free 'Pear Trio' needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.

Easy Christmas Ornaments
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborn has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.

Print Thanksgiving Placecards
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying 'awwwww'. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.

Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.

Make a Miniature Christmas Tree
Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.

Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins
Sometimes you just can't commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you're ready for pie...and when you're overstuffed.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make it Merry! originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 08:48:47.

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Mystery Antique of the Week

2009-11-04T00:01:47Z

Text on the gadget has been purposely blurred.

Post your guess in the comment section below.

Last week's Mystery Antique.

Mystery Antique of the Week originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 00:01:47.

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The Saga of the Upside Down Tree, cont'd

2009-10-31T13:37:15Z

For now I am going to interrupt my story and interject comments from the seller on their shipping adventures:
"The post office and FedEx thought we had a body inside (the box). It was a hoot sending it. We had a small car and I had two people helping me get it in, we had a blast with the people at the desk. It is one of those shipments we will remember and laugh about for a long time!"

Part One

The Saga of the Upside Down Tree, cont'd originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 13:37:15.

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Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T09:54:36Z

The countdown is over and to finish up this month of Halloween, please check out this ecard from my favorite place for email cards. It's a perfect fit for Halloween.

Happy Halloween! originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 09:54:36.

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Halloween Gift Tags -- Countdown to Halloween

2009-10-30T15:51:48Z

Halloween Gift Tags
Collectibles of the Day

Obviously most treats don't need a tag, especially if you get over 400 costumed kiddies ringing the doorbell like we do here. But if you have a few special gifts to give out, print out these freebie tags for the treats.

See Printable Tags

Day 30 >> Day 29

Halloween Gift Tags -- Countdown to Halloween originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 15:51:48.

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The Saga of the Upside Down Tree

2009-10-30T08:17:15Z

Yes it's time to start decorating, but I really wasn't planning to start with a 10' tree in the living room. I should have had my first warning that this was a Christmas tree to be reckoned with when I found out the shipping on the tree wound up costing $139. My second warning could have been when the box on the front porch had to be pushed into the house and then took two people 30 minutes just to open and remove the tree from the box. And it was only in three pieces.

It really looks so innocent, looks like it is just waiting to be fluffed and lite. It looks ready to be put in the proper place and become sparkly with glass ornaments.

But it's not.

It's a wolf in sheep's clothing! We won't talk how long it took to get it upright, but suffice it to say it wasn't as easy as it looks it should be and it's so heavy I cannot move it by myself. A ladder is needed just to reach the darn top to fix the top branches which are askew. The two trunk pieces have about 3/4" gap that I cannot close and probably needs a sledge hammer just to pound it down. And to top it all off it's top heavy and needs to be secured to a wall, after it's moved to the final resting place where ever that might be.

To be continued . . . . .

The Saga of the Upside Down Tree originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 08:17:15.

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Fireplace Display - Countdown to Halloween

2009-10-29T20:48:16Z

Fireplace Display
Collectibles of the Day

Cookie jars, a Halloween lava lamp, Beistle diecuts and folk art all make a great display on the mantle.

See larger image and more information.

Day 30 << Day 29 >> Day 28

Fireplace Display - Countdown to Halloween originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 20:48:16.

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Sarabella Spider Web -- Countdown to Halloween

2009-10-28T18:22:14Z

Sarabella Spider Web
Collectible of the Day

Known as the World's Most Expensive Ornaments, Sarabella Ornaments.

See larger image and more information.

Day 29 << Day 28 >> Day 27

Sarabella Spider Web -- Countdown to Halloween originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 18:22:14.

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