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What's Happening in the Attic

Summer Dept. 56 Displays

With moss and summer trees, a wintry village can be transformed into a lush and green summertime display. Dickens’ houses can be used, but we found that there are more pieces from New England Village that are more suited to summer and beach side displays.

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Pumpkin Pancakes

Oct 23, 2009 Kitchen Magic 2 Comments 1,400 views   

On a crisp Autumn monring when the leaves are falling, what better to warm your inners than a comforting breakfast of pancakes and sausage? For an autumnal twist to this standard breakfast fare, add in some spice and pumpkin puree.

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The Fete of Halloween

Sep 29, 2009 Seasonal Celebrating No Comments 1,479 views   

It’s twilight and the brisk autumn air is filled with the fragrance of waning leaves and bonfires. Off in the distance, lantern-light is seen dancing in the darkness. People have gathered to celebrate the end of the harvest and to honor the dead. Guided by the light glowing from within carved turnips, they leave apples and other scraps of food for spirits.

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Autumn Dept. 56 Displays

Sep 24, 2009 Department 56 No Comments 3,943 views   

At one time Dept. 56 houses were just for Christmas, but with the introduction of the Haunted Mansion into Snow Village, a whole new holiday was targeted for haunting. In our fall displays we combine pieces from Dickens’ Village and Snow Village to make frightful scenes.

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Halloween Handiwork

Aug 16, 2009 Crafting No Comments 1,625 views   

The craftiness becomes creepy at Halloween time here at The Old House Attic when the acrylic paints and wreath making supplies come out.

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A Glorious Victorian Christmas

Jan 2, 2009 Seasonal Celebrating No Comments 3,639 views   

Outside, the air is cold and crisp, and the trees rest silently in their slumber against snow-laden hills. The family busily gathers evergreens in the countryside and places them atop a giant log that’s tugged on a long journey home. Inside, the air is incensed with gingerbread and freshly cut evergreen. Father places the Yule log on the hearth and soon a roaring fire begins to crackle.

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Caroling by the Byers’

Dec 30, 2008 Seasonal Celebrating No Comments 1,808 views   

Byers’ Choice carolers are festive and addictive to collect. Ours find a home on the piano every year in several variations.

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Trees of Many Types

Dec 30, 2008 Seasonal Celebrating No Comments 1,851 views   

Christmas trees come in all shapes, sizes and methods. Here are some of ours that were artificial, bought at the local garden center, shipped to the door via FedEx and just plain old curly willow twigs decorated for the season.

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Christmas Time Illumination

Dec 30, 2008 Seasonal Celebrating No Comments 1,550 views   

There is nothing more magical on a snowy night than the glow of Christmas lights. Truly, the effect is magical as the snow covers the ground it transports you to another world filled with magic and beauty.

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Christmas Sweets for Gifts

Dec 2, 2008 Kitchen Magic No Comments 1,446 views   

One of the best gifts you can give for the holidays is something you make yourself. We always make extra sweets and wrap them up to give as holiday gifts. Last year we presented this whole tray as a single gift.

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A Dept. 56 Centerpiece

Nov 28, 2008 Department 56 No Comments 1,361 views   

With a little bit of effort, you can use Dept. 56 houses for a table centerpiece and have them lit as well! Your table must be able to separate in order to insert leaves. Feed your wires through the gap and gently close so that there is as little space as possible, without pinching the wires. Using a tablecloth especially for the display, cut a hole in the center to feed the wires through. You can opt to assemble on a platform or directly on the table.

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Egg-cellent Endeavors

Apr 1, 2008 Crafting No Comments 1,527 views   

The egg is the eternal and quintessential symbol of springtime. Here are some of our favorite egg crafts using blown eggs. Blowing an egg is very easy and creates an empty palette to do any number of wonderful things with.

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The Quintessential Workstation

There’s a small corner in my living room that conceals my home office. Masked by old-fashioned charm, it’s a fully functional computer workstation, complete with printer, scanner and other ubiquitous computing-related paraphernalia.

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