Quote of the month - December 2009

"Love from the center of who you are, dont fake it. Run for dear life from evil, hold for dear life to what is good. Be good friends who love deeply...discover beauty in everyone."

The Message/Romans 12:9, 10 & 17a.

As the old year (and decade!) fades away, LOVE is what I want to hold to stepping over the threshold into the decade to come.

I have been doing some soul searching between Christmas and New Year, and I have come to the fresh realisation that

A parents ultimate goal is that their children grow up knowing they are loved. The goal of a happily married couple is the same: That their spouse continually knows that they are loved.

These are my New Years Resolutions - that I find time each day in some small way to make sure those I care for most dearly know that they are loved.

May you find love this year, in surprising places, in both little and big ways.....and may you have eyes to see where a little love is needed around you everyday.

The wonderful art of Haddon Sundblom....

Imagine a western Christmas with no jolly man in a red suit ho ho ho-ing at us in every window and at every Christmas Carols event! We owe our modern day interpretation of Santa Claus to the magical artistry of Haddon Sundblom.....never heard of him? (especially my Australian counterparts)? Well, you are sure to have seen his images gracing countless Coke Christmas advertisements at Christmas time over the years......let me tell you a little about this inspiring artist.........

Haddon was born in Michigan in 1899. His family was a mix of Swedish and Russian in heritage, and Haddon was first generation American. He studied at the American Institute of Art and began painting advertisements for the Coke a cola company in the 1930's.

It was at this time that he turned to the 1822 poem "The night before Christmas' for inspiration for a Christmas advertisement, creating his interpretation of 'jolly old St Nick'. Sundblom based the rosey faced, beaming Santa on himself, and fitted his atire and merriment to the poetic description. For the next 33 years, he painted many many portraits of Santa that have etched themselves into popular culture.

Haddon was also a revered glamour and pin up artist, inspiring the likes of Gil Elvgren and Joyce Ballentine.His many stunning vintage pin up images were used in advertising, calandars and Playboy magazine. Haddon passed away in 1976 leaving what would have to be the most recognisable image in all popular culture, Santa Claus himself

Christmas Giveaway Competition

With Christmas on the doorstep, I decided it was a perfect opportunity to host my very first giveaway here at Alice Jean's !!

I have been very very busy sewing sewing sewing, and the end result has been some darling little girls pinnies in all sorts of colours and fabrics - just ready for your daughter, neice, grandaughter or friend to play in. Here is a picture of my own little baby doll modeling how they can be worn - with jeans and a long sleeve top - but they would look just as darling on their own or with a summer t-shirt underneath.

To win this adorable little Christmas pinnie, simply put a post on your blog, with a link to this competition, and share your favorite childhood outfit. Post a photograph or draw a picture of it if you wish, or simply describe it. Once you have done this, leave a comment on this post with the URL of your post so that I can check it out. The winning entre will have this pretty little pinnie sent to them in the mail - what a lovely Christmas pressie !!! You have until the 18 December to get your entre's to me.......I cant wait to see all your sweetest childhood frocks, costumes and duds !!! (The prize is a pure cotton, size 18m to 2 y.o., fabric covered button and contrast hem pinnifore, in festive Christmas colours. Normally valued at $28)

If you do not blog but would like to enter, simply send me an email with your entry and I will post here at Alice Jean's for you.

If you are not into competitions, feel free to browse these other little pinnies I have created. They are for sale for very reasonable prices - please spread the word !!!! (Click on images to enlarge for detail)

Pink and white daisy dress

Size: 18months - 2 years

Price: $28

Vintage 1970's Fabric

Size 3-4
Price $28

Yellow Pinnie with wooden buttons

Size: 3-4

Price: $25

Roses and stripes

Size 3-4
Price $28

Blue ribbon dress

Size: 18months - 2 years

Price: $25

Pink Stripes and Roses

Size 3-4
Price $28

Navy 'Holly Hobbies' pinnie - vintage fabric

Size: 3-4

Price: $28

A very vintage Christmas......

Re-creating a vintage styled Christmas is the ultimate goal of every vintage loving momma like me! I want my children to delight in the romance, magic and sheer beauty that Christmas can be - just as I remember it was when I was a child. The house decorated fantasticly in merriment (often home made decorations too - even better !!), Jim Reeves crooning carols on the stereo, a trip to church to celebrate the reason for the season, extended family around - happy, laughing and dressed in their 'Sunday' best, and the dinner table weighted down with decadent delights for everyone. And, of course, what should be the 'piece de resistance' - the Christmas cake topping off a fine time.....and yet, my memories of the cake are a bit disapointing I must say - it was too super rich, crumbly and dry. I don't know who made it in my family but it is time that aspect of my reminiscent vintage Christmas was updated - to something all vintage loving domestic divas would nod in approval over ! Even if you don't particularly like Christmas or fruit cake (like me), you simply MUST try this one! To have a true heritage, vintage Christmas, you must have Christmas cake, so why not have one that everyone at your Christmas party will drool over....and while you are nibbling away, enjoy my little tribute to the vintage beauty of Christmas - the movies, the images, the advertising (!), the food, the elegance, the parties, the fun - HAPPY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !

'Aunty' Hannahs DIVINE Christmas Cake

1 medium tin crushed pineapple with fruit juice
500gms of dried fruit of choice (apricots, sultanas, apple etc) – diced.
½ cup Sherry
1 cup juice of choice
125gms butter
1 cup raw sugar

Place all together in large saucepan and boil for 5 mins. Let cool for ½ hour or so.

Add 1 ½ – 2 cups of SR Flour
2 Large eggs whisked
1 Teaspoon nutmeg and cinnamon

Mix all together. Place in a lined and greased large spring tin. Bake at 160 degrees Celsius for 1-1 ½ hours. Allow to cool in tin. Ice and decorate as creativity desires !!!

(Dear Candice, Please accept my recipe and little Christmas song as my entre into your wonderful Christmas Competition - the rest of my post is over 200 words! The link to your competition I posted here at Alice Jeans a couple of posts back - Thankyou for a wonderful competition, and a merry Christmas to you, Darling Vintage Vixen ! XX)