What I shop for when I *should* be Christmas shopping...

Well, it's Monday morning and my tree is only partially decorated; my living room is still covered with boxes of Christmas decor, my cards haven't been written much less sent...and here I am at the computer.  That's how much I love you guys!

Seriously, I did do some Christmas shopping last Tuesday and bit more yesterday (but only a bit!)  But, I was more attracted to the Holiday Open Houses and all the bargains at the thrift and antique stores this weekend.  Is anybody with me on this?

Here's what I picked up:

For actual use, I found these beautiful soft antique leather gloves, with black and white cross stitches.  They fit, well, like a glove!  Hooray for the smaller hands of yesteryear!

Here is a beautiful robin's nest needlepoint that will become a lovely pillow.

Beautiful, beautiful handmade lace -- the piece on the left is about 4 feet long and 10" wide; the folded piece on the right is torn from a tablecloth, I think, so I won't mind cutting it up for pillows!

This little pillow came in a gold box and is a souvenir from Brussels...

or so it says on the tag, which I think is the real prize here!

Then I was tickled to find these two pieces of ephemera; on the right, that wonderful green embossed cover on a tablet of daisy "very exquisite stationery."  Next to it, a black leather ledger...

I *love* how the owner left page 1 blank -- that is so something I would have done, too!

And then from page 2 on, they all look like this, monthly entries beginning September, 1923.

 More pretty lace, this time roses and daisies in a row, and then an antique advertising and calling card.

Cones for thread, that will become a craft -- just wait and see!

Here's a sweet match holder -- I love these anyway, but especially in this color!

 A gorgeous celluloid soap container, marked Paris.

And who can resist an old pocketwatch for $5?  Then, since Silver Bella I have a special place in my heart for Silver Bells, and this one is inscribed "Merry Christmas" and has that shabby red silk bow!

Okay, time to pay some attention to that Christmas tree.  Remember, for the rest of this week you can comment for an entry in my Blogaversary Giveaway!  Click here for more details!

I'm joining up this morning and tomorrow with these linky parties!  Go visit for more thrifty finds!

Thrift Share Monday

 Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Her Library Adventures

 2nd Time Around Tuesday