Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Deck the Halls

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re going caroling this year! 

This delightful carol has been around since 1877, but the Welsh melody it is based upon has been around since the 16th century and belonged to another carol (aka – dancing song) all together. 

I will bet that somewhere it was a drinking song, since much of the hymns, carols and other older songs that we know seem to have begun in a bar somewhere. Fa la la was a remnant of the original song and may have been part of a medieval ballad. I can see raising a pint of grog and yelling Fa La La! Maybe after a few pints that’s the only words you have left.

Here are the original words before they went all decking the halls on us.
Oh! how soft my fair one's bosom,
fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:
Oh! how sweet the grove in blossom,
fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:
Oh! how blessed are the blisses,
[instrumental flourish]
Words of love, and mutual kisses,
fal lal lal lal lal lal lal lal la:
Here is the original carol before we got ahold of it.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
While I sing of beauty's treasure,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Laughing, quaffing all together,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
See.. there’s drinking! Lots of it and bosoms, too.
Let’s strike the harp and join the chorus (as the more modern version goes), and do some holiday shopping from these wonderful artists and their colorful wares.

Blue Green Aqua Terra Jasper Beaded Gemstone Bracelet

ElunaJewelry

Blue Green Aqua Terra Jasper Beaded Gemstone Bracelet

Blue Pink Flower Bead Necklace, Freshwater Pearls

PrettyGonzo 

Blue Pink Flower Bead Necklace, Freshwater Pearls, Handmade Jewelry

Beaded Window Crystal – Swarovski Crystal Rainbow and Asfour Crystal Prism

SolanakaiDesigns 

Turquoise Bracelet, Beach Jewelry, Charm Bracelet, Ocean Jewelry

Treasures of Jewels

Turquoise Bracelet, Beach Jewelry, Charm  Bracelet, Ocean Jewelry

Pretty Poinsettia Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties

HollyKnitterCreation

Pretty Poinsettia Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties

Purple Flower Bracelet

BlueMorningExpressions 

Personalized Circus Carnival Favor Tags or Thank You Label Party

Adorebynat

Personalized Circus Carnival Favor Tags or Thank You Label Party

Spirit of the Sea Brass Wire Wrapped Handmade Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant

Umeboshi 

Spirit of the Sea Brass Wire Wrapped Handmade Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant

Classic Irish Crochet Roses in White Lace

RSSDesignsinFiber

Opaque Medium Cobalt Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads With Raku Frit
Covergirlbeads 
Opaque Medium Cobalt Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads Raku Frit fb242 Shiny
Coffee Cup Sleeve, Tie Dye Doggie Bones, Cold Drink Wrap, reusable, eco-friendly
Sew Amazin
Tie Dye Doggie Bones Coffee Cup Sleeve | SewAmazin

Granny Square Afghan

Cathy Creates

HandmadeTwisted Multi colour neck warmer

tricotetcuivre

HandmadeTwisted Multi colour neck warmer

Chakra Rainbow Handmade Earrings Swarovski Zen Beaded Jewelry Cluster

Shadowdogdesigns 

Swarovski Chakra Rainbow Handmade Earrings Sterling Cluster Zen

Fish Charm Bead Weave Purple and Aqua Two Strand Bracelet Petite Size

DianesDangles

Fish Charm Bead Weave Purple and Aqua Two Strand Bracelet Petite Size
Handknit Neckwarmer Ladies Rich Berry Irish Cables Caron Simply Soft
Jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy 
Scarf Irish Cable Neckwarmer Burgundy Wine Caron Simply Soft Yarn Sunset

Guitar Wall Hanging Clock Handmade From Cherry Wood Fender Stratocaster Style

KevsKrafts

Guitar Wall Hanging Clock Handmade From Cherry Wood Fender Stratocaster Style

Multicolored Seed Bead Earrings Wire Wrapped Spiral Med Hoop Leverback

TheSingingBeader

Multicolored Seed Bead Earrings Wire Wrapped Spiral Med Hoop Leverback

Aztec Ethnic Double Cord BOHO Ladybug Charm Burgundy Artisan Bracelet

Katsallthat

Aztec Ethnic Double Cord BOHO Ladybug Charm Burgundy Artisan Bracelet



See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list? Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast! 

Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at: 

Week 1
Week 2
Here We Come A’Wassailing

All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them! 

Enjoy,
Julie and Blu


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Here We Come A’Wassailing

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wassailing,
So fair to be seen:

Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you,
A happy New Year,
And God send you,
A happy new year.

The Holly Man
To wassail: to drink ale! 

This guy here is the “among the leaves so green” part with a bowl of wassail from which you drink and yell “wassail” to your friends. This honey-based drink is served in large pewter or silver bowls. These bowls can also be known as “loving cup” and are passed around the house to all of your guests. Another way to wassail is to bless fruit trees or celebrate the harvest of apples. 

The word wassail is derived from an Old English word for “be well”. In Saxon times, the lord of the manor would take the time out at the start of every new year to meet with the peasants. He shouted out “waes hael” or “be well” to his people, and they would respond “drinc hael”, which was translated to mean “drink and be healthy”. 

At some point, people began going door to door to offer this greeting to their neighbors. In exchange, they were given drink and food that would normally be reserved for Christmas festivities like mince pie. This exchange was thought to give everyone good luck for the upcoming year. 

The ale drink varied from region to region, but it generally consisted of hot ale, spices, sugar, roasted apples and cream. 

Wassail has been known to be used to anoint apple trees in an effort to ensure a good harvest. Followed by the scaring off of demons and the raising of the Tree Spirit by shooting off shotguns and rattling pots and pans. 

You may commonly see the Holly Man during the Mummer’s parade on the Twelfth Night. 



Since we’re singing and raising a ruckus, let’s add sparkly things and holiday dress to the mix and wave our green and reds to all those that we meet today. 

Let’s go wassailing!

Dog Collar Christmas Bandana
SewAmazin
Christmas Golden Reindeer Over-the-Collar Pet Bandana, Small or XSmall
Celtic Bracelet
SolanaKaiDesigns 
Silver Celtic Bracelet, Celtic Knot Bracelet, Celtic Green Bracelet, Adjustable Length Bracelet, Handmade Sterling Bracelet,
Gingerbread Dog Tag Necklace
BlueMorningExpressions 
Christmas Gingerbread Necklace,  Handmade Necklace, Artisan Jewelry, Fashion Jewelry, Designer Necklace
Holly Bell Christmas Ornament
Kevs Krafts
Holly Bell Shaped Christmas Ornament Handmade From Cherry Wood
Holiday Gift Tags
AdorebyNat
Christmas Tags - Set of 12
Antique Christmas Card
ButterflyintheAttic
Antique Postcard Christmas Poinsettia and Santa Clause - Digital Hand Designed Art - Scrapbooking, Card Making & Crafts - PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD
Candy Cane Earrings
PrettyGonzo
Candy Cane Christmas Earrings with Green Crystal, Red Coral Cluster, Sterling, Handmade
Christmas Beadwoven Bracelet
KatsAllThat
Red Green and Gold Holiday Beadwoven Superduo Cuff Handmade Bracelet
Green and White Dichroic Post Earrings
Umeboshi
Green and White Handmade Dichroic Glass Post Earrings-Sterling Silver
Jingle Bell Earrings
The Singing Beader
Charming Red Jingle Bell Wirewrapped Earrings Surgical Steel Ball post
Green Leaf Charm Bracelet
TreasuresofJewels
Victorian Beaded Bracelet,Pearl Bracelet,Patina Jewelry,Edwardian Jewelry, Fall Jewelry
Green Neckwarmer
Jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Neck Warmer Green Hand Knit Shield Pattern Dark Sage Caron Simply Soft
Hand Knit Red Cowl
CathyCreates

Christmas Holiday Bracelet
Diane’s Dangles

Red Candy Jade Bracelet
Specialtivity
Red Candy Jade Swarovski Crystal Pewter Charms Christmas Bracelet
Niobium Earrings
ElunaJewelry
Tiny Green Niobium Hoop Earrings, Green Backward Hoop Earrings
Table Runner
RSS Designs in Fiber

Lampwork Beads
Covergirlbeads

Soul Journey Encased Glass Lampwork Bead Pair Green Dots Silver - Click Image to Close
Snowman Earrings
ShadowDogDesigns 
Handmade Christmas snowmen earrings created with Swarovski pearls and crystals


Since we’ve already started drinking this Christmas season, let’s commence to shopping! 

Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at: 

Week 1
 























All of our handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!

Enjoy,
Julie and Blu


Friday, September 18, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015 Week 1


Here we go! You know 12 weeks only seems like a long time when we first start, but how many of us will be saying, "WOW, that sure went fast!" when it's over. Let the reindeer games begin!
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