Tidbits of Christmas: Jingle Bells by Abney Park

A new version of a classic favorite by Steampunk band Abney Park!  I may or may not currently be playing this on repeat...

Tidbits of Christmas: Waiting for The Doctor

Tidbits of Christmas: DIY Mini Hot Air Ballons

Epbot is at it again with a lovely tutorial for making Mini Hot Air Balloons!

For the complete tutorial head on over to the Epbot blog.

Tidbits of Christmas: Christmas Services

Christmas Services at Tabor Heights United Methodist Church:
6161 SE Stark St, Portland OR 97215

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24th at 11pm

Christmas Day Festival Service
December 25th at 11am
Bring a Bell!

Tidbits of Christmas: Simon's Cat in Santa Claws

This is a pretty good illustration of the Cat versus the Christmas Tree.

Tidbits of Christmas: Holiday Comics

Tidbits of Christmas: Trays and Trays of Cookies

The Sugar Cookies have been decorated!

Tidbits of Christmas: Return of the Christmas Lime Tree

Year two of decorating the lime tree that winters in our living room.  No lights this year but I found some spare ornaments and a shiny garland.

And here's a bonus shot of the Christmas tree.

Tidbits of Christmas: Cthulhu Christmas Tree

Christmas: Now with more tentacles...

More Information and Pictures over at Obvious Winner

Tidbits of Christmas: Semi-Formal Sunday Swing Christmas Dance

Christmas Festivities hosted by the regular Sunday Swing Dance!

Semi-Formal Sunday Swing Christmas Dance!
http://www.facebook.com/events/170350823058959/

The Scottish Rite
1512 SW Morrison
Portland, OR

3-6pm Open Level Workshop with Peter Flahiff
http://www.facebook.com/events/273006902736153/

--Schedule & Class Descriptions:
3:00 PM - Make It Comfy.
A class that takes everyone's dancing and makes it smoother, cleaner, clearer and more enjoyable for everyone. It's all about making your technique better in this one! 

4:00 PM - Make It Sharp.
Dancing comfortably is important, but let's face it: we all want to look better too. This class gives pointers on lines and looks in the moves we love. We'll make sure you look as good as you feel! 

5:00 PM - Make It AWESOME.
What would a workshop be without some SWEET new material to take away and work on? This class features some of Peter's favorite moves at the moment and some signature bits that you can use to surprise and wow!

7-11:00 Dancing to DJ Peter Flahiff



7-9:30 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest
http://www.facebook.com/events/292318277469243/

WIN AN HOUR PRIVATE LESSON w/ Mindy Hazeltine!!!
Bring your finished house to Sunday Swing Semi-Formal, December 18th. (If you come for the afternoon workshop w/Peter Flahiff & Mindy Hazeltine, feel free to drop your house off then.)
Everyone who votes on a house is entered into a raffle! 

Rules:
1) Entries must be 100% Eatable Gingerbread Houses:)
2) Be able to transport your house to & from the dance.
3) No mess on the floor etc.
4) You can name your house but don't use your own name or anything to identify it as yours. Votes will be anonymous.
5) Don't eat the houses. ;) 

--Feel free to work together as a team or on your own to construct a mansion or most anything else your hearts desire. If your team wins, you will share the prize:) Good luck to you all!!

 

Tidbits of Christmas: Rudolph the Autocorrected Reindeer by Jim C. Hines

Looks like Jim C. Hines has another fabulous alternative Christmas Song!

Rudolph the Autocorrected Reindeer
by Jim C. Hines 

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shifty nose.
And if you ever saw it,
you would even say it flows.

Read the rest over at Jim C. Hines' blog.

Tidbits of Christmas: Dalek's Letter to Santa

Christmas Daleks!  

Found here at Caycowa's Deviant Art.

Bonus: How the Daleks Saved Christmas

Tidbits of Christmas: A Steampunk Night Before Christmas

Another day, another bit of festive fun!  This one comes from Steamed! and is a fun little retelling of the Night Before Christmas.  With Airship Pirates!

A Steampunk Night Before Christmas © 2009 Suzanne Lazear 

‘Twas the night before Christmas and the whole ship was quiet,
Too quiet for the likes of this seasoned air pirate. 

The airship was festooned with frippery and green,
With nary a brass polished surface to be seen. 

Their stocking were hung by the crow’s nest with pride,
Along with homemade cookies and rum for Santa to imbibe. 

I didn’t have the heart to tell the crew
That Santa wouldn’t approve of what we do.

Read the rest over at Steamed! 

Tidbits of Christmas: Sunday Sweets - Gingerbread Goodies!

Cake Wrecks is a blog that never fails to make me smile and the Sunday Sweets posts are always breathtaking.  For this week's post, Cake Wrecks is featuring the most impressive gingerbread houses ever!  

Here's a teaser:

For more Gingerbread Sweets, head over to the Cake Wrecks Blog!

Tidbits of Christmas: Macy's Christmas Windows

Here is a lovely video that shows this year's Christmas display at the NYC Macy's.  It makes me very nostalgic for the years of visiting the downtown Portland Meier and Frank to see their Christmas displays.  I love the decidedly Steampunk aesthetic of the displays with a Holiday Flair!

Tidbits of Christmas: O Zombie Tree by Jim C. Hines

Another favored SFF writer, Jim C. Hines has taken his turn at getting into the holiday spirit with this alternative Holiday Carol.

Oh Zombie Tree by Jim C. Hines

Oh zombie tree, oh zombie tree,
How hungry are your branches!
I hear the screams of lumberjacks
Who tried to slay you with an axe.
Oh zombie tree, oh zombie tree,
How hungry are your branches!

For the rest of the Carol, click here to go to Jim C. Hines' Blog

Tidbits of Christmas: Tabor Heights UMC Advent Carol Service

An Advent Carol Service that will be hosted by my church.  I will be among the performing monkeys, I mean handbell ringers.

Advent Carol Service
Sunday December 11, 2011 at 4:00pm

Tabor Heights United Methodist Church
6161 SE Stark Ave
Portland, OR 97215

Organist Helen Hollenbeck is joined by brass, bells, and voices in the music of Bach, Gabrieli, Reger, and others in our annual Advent Concert.

The audience will be invited to join in singing hymns and carols of Advent and Christmas.

A freewill offering will be taken.

Tidbits of Christmas: Stumptown Artisan Emporium and Boneshaker Tea Parlor

An upcoming event put together by some of the Rose City Steampunks' Finest!

Stumptown Artisan Emporium and Boneshaker Tea Parlor

http://stumptownartisanemporium.blogspot.com/

Saturday December 10th 2011
12-8 pm
TaborSpace/Mt Tabor Presbyterian Church
5441 SE Belmont Street
Portland, Oregon

Findings, Finery, Frippery and Fashion for the Discerning Time Traveler!

Do your Yuletide shopping for unique & handmade creations
Be entertained by colorful characters!
Recharge and relax in Bone Shaker’s “pay what ye will” Tea Parlour
Music by: Faerabella, Professor Gall, Blair Vail & the What the Dickens?! Carolers
Gaming & Shanty-Singing with the PDX YAR Pirates
Hands-on Crafting Activities and Demos
Runes, divination, cards & tea leaf reading in the tea parlour
Tarot cards by Janet
Enjoy a visit from a jolly old elf!

FREE!

Ample free parking in the lot on SE 54th

Tidbits of Christmas: DIY Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments

Stephanie Lynn of Under the Table and Dreaming has a lovely tutorial on creating your own Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments.  

Tidbits of Christmas: Steampunk Ornaments

I recommend that you pop on over to Epbot and check out this post on Steampunk Ornaments and Inspiration for creating your own.

Here's a sample: