The T-Cozy

Polka Dots & Morning Glories

This week, I acquired three vintage kitchen canisters with a most charming design. Embellished with morning glories and polka dots, I adore their 1940s vibe. Unfortunately, two of the canisters have seen better days. They have tons of wear and one is missing its lid. But the largest canister is in great shape. 

I like to share, so I listed it in my Etsy shop. Then I repurposed the smaller ones. Now they hold a couple of plants in my studio.

They are so cheerful — even on this rainy, gray day in Connecticut.

Have a nice weekend!

Susan

Speaking of Love

When it comes to vintage valentines, the 1930s is my favorite era. Many cards from that time have frame-worthy illustrations on their covers. But what I love most about them is what they have to say on the inside. (Click on any photo if you'd like a larger, more readable view.)

Aren't the verses sweet? The little drawings inside are adorable, too. As Valentine's Day approaches, my Etsy shop card stash from the 1930s is dwindling. So in the coming months, I'll be on the lookout for more to sell next year.

Susan

Playful Vintage Finds

I love old toys. They are whimsical and fun, and perfect to display in a sewing room, studio, kitchen, child's room — anywhere!

Here are some of my latest playful finds . . .

This is my fourth toy sewing machine. I prefer the Sew Master ones, made by KAY-an-EE, that have colorful floral decals on them.

This toy refrigerator also has a decal on it, but I'm fairly certain that it didn't come that way. I'll bet it was applied by its original owner back in the 1950s.

The inside of this fridge is awesome. Stocked full of realistically lithographed groceries, it even has a crisper drawer.

I found another 1950 first edition of Susie's New Stove. My all-time favorite Little Golden Book, whenever I come across one of these charmers, you can be sure it will come home with me.

To complete the toy kitchen, I found this 1950s Wolverine toy stove and Marx toy sink. 

Moving on to music — this 45 record from 1960 has the cutest little cowboy on its paper sleeve.

Here is something I've never come across before — a 1950s portable phonograph made by Zany Toys. It consists of a stand, a circular platform on which to place a record, a needle arm, and a crank to hand wind the record and make it play. So ingenious!

This 1930s print is titled "All Tuckered Out." After all, a full day of play can be tiring. 

By Maud Tousey Fangel, the premier children's artist in the U.S. during the first half of the twentieth century, this piece was lithographed in relief, and has a puffy, three dimensional surface.

Fun stuff!

Susan

My Own Little Corner, Revisited

I'm so pleased. My sewing corner photos were a hit! Christelle's editor even asked for an additional picture. She was particularly taken with my button jars that line the window sill. So I just took this photo and hurled it off through cyberspace to France.

When I was tidying my sewing corner in preparation for the photo shoot, I decided to spruce up a plain jane basket. It stores all sorts of mending supplies and sits in the bottom tier of a Victorian-era sewing stand. Voilà! A makeover was achieved with spray paint and a new knob. Easy peasy.

Yesterday, I found a charming chair cushion on sale at Pier 1. Isn't it the sweetest? So much zippier that my old one. And since I was already photographing my button jars, I figured, why not re-shoot the whole area with my new chair cushion in place? To see these new photos, they have been placed in my original post for your viewing pleasure here.

Help! I can't seem to stop tweaking my sewing corner! It's such fun. And I am truly enjoying my new camera. Between my blog, website and Etsy shop, I take several hundred photos per week. How nice to finally have a decent camera. And how nice to have loyal readers like you. Many thanks!

Susan

The Mother of the American Valentine

Have you ever heard of Esther Allen Howland? I hadn't either, until I researched the history of Valentine's Day Cards for my guest post on the Etsy Vintage Team's blog. It was then that I learned that Howland is thought to be the mother of the American valentine. While she was not the first to create this type of greeting card in U.S., she is credited with having popularized the intricate, multi-layered lace valentine, and propelling it into a major industry.

Esther was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1828. After her graduation from Mount Holyoke College in 1847, she was inspired by the fancy lace-covered English valentines that her father sold in his store and decided to make some of her own.

Using what she knew from the family's business (her father operated the largest book and stationery story in Worcester), and her own considerable artistic ability, she began by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England. Then she went to work with paste and paint and created an array of valentines. One of her brothers was skilled in penmanship and she persuaded him to inscribe sentiments on the cards. Another brother was a salesman for the family business. He agreed to try to get orders for the next season's trade, so she gave him a dozen samples which he added to the inventory for his next sales trip.

Esther's valentines proved more popular than she could have imagined, for her brother returned with an astonishing $5,000 in orders. Undaunted by the size of the task before her, Esther recruited several friends, put an add in a local paper, and established a revolutionary all-female assembly line to help her fulfill the orders.

Her creations were an instant hit. Despite their high price tag — many at $5 to $10 each, and some truly extravagant ones, bedecked with ribbons, satin, and silk, which cost up to $30 — the business boomed, yielding more than $100,000 annually. After over thirty years, she sold her business to the George C. Whitney Company in 1881, and retired to take care of her aging father. Esther died in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1904.

While other card manufacturers competed for the affection of the public, none could compete with the quality, taste, and style of Esther Howland. She was a visionary who had a lasting impact upon valentine history.

Susan

My Sewing Corner Goes to France

In early December, I was contacted by Christelle, a French author who writes books about sewing. Her latest project, for the French editor Eyrolles.com, will be a book devoted to sewing rooms. Christelle plans to include a few American rooms in the book. She thinks my little sewing corner is cute, likes its vintage style, and wants to feature it in her book. Oolala! 

This morning, I sent Christelle these photographs, so now my sewing corner is a world traveler.

Having to shoot the pictures was a good excuse to tidy up. I went through all of my sewing baskets and reorganized everything, even though you can't see inside them in the photos.

A new addition is this vintage corner shelf with bird cut-outs. Its top level is the perfect place to put my tiny, sombrero-shaped needle case. A pin cushion sitting in a Harlequin Pottery sugar bowl now has a home on the bottom shelf.

I particularly like this photo of colorful, large spools of thread, below. Some reside in an old Fiestaware mixing bowl; a drawer from a vintage doll dresser holds even more.

How do my photos look? I ask because, this past weekend, I finally treated myself to a brand new digital camera. My old one, a Pentax Optio S4i, was my constant companion for the last seven years. However, it was definitely on its last legs, so after much research, I now have the beautiful Canon PowerShot S100. Yay! 

Sprucing up my sewing corner for this photo shoot has inspired me to tackle the rest of my studio. I've been wanting to update the Studio Tour page of my website, and now that I have a terrific new camera, I'll be doing just that. 

I can't wait to see my sewing corner within the pages of Christelle's book. It is scheduled to be published this fall, so when my copy arrives from France, you can be sure that I'll share it with you. 

Susan

Sweet Vintage Finds

Now that it is finally feeling like winter here in Connecticut, tag sale season has turned into estate sale season. And oh, how I love a good estate sale! What fun to walk through wonderful old houses and search for vintage goods from attic to cellar. 

When a sale sounds promising, I do my best to go, even if it is far from home. But it can be a bit of a risk, and certainly a huge time eater, when a sale ends up having nothing of merit. However, other times it is worth the long drive, like yesterday, when I ventured thirty miles from Rowayton to a couple of great sales. 

Here are a few of the many vintage goodies that came home with me.

Such sweet vintage finds — a pretty book with Mountain Laurel blossoms on the cover, two die-cast toy pickup trucks, the tiniest green ceramic pooch, a couple of 1940s curtain tie-back pins shaped like flowers pots, and a round tin with a beautiful geometric pattern.

I love finding wonderful things to sell. Back when I had my antiques shop and tea room, I enjoyed arranging my latest finds into interesting vignettes in the store. Now that I sell my items online, my time is spent photographing them and writing detailed descriptions for their Etsy listings. So if you'll indulge me, I may set up and post little vignettes like this one from time to time, just because I miss doing it so much.  :)

Susan

Repurposed Inspiration on Etsy

Yesterday morning, while having my breakfast, I dined in front of my laptop and browsed around Etsy. Before I knew it, my ten minute meal turned into a two hour Etsy foray! As you may know, I am a fan of using vintage objects in new contexts, and the talented sellers on Etsy always inspire me with their upcycled transformations. 

Here are my favorite discoveries. Some are complex, others are easy peasy — all are inspiring. Enjoy!

Reclaimed kitsch: Vintage Kettle Lamp by BeeJayKay. This colorful table lamp is composed of an aluminum tea kettle, croquet balls, Lite-Brite pegs and a metal spring. Made to look as if it is blowing its lid, the metal candle holder spring in the spout resembles steam. An added touch is the Lite-Brite pegs which glow when the lamp is turned on. 

Getting personal: Suitcase Cabinet by BenclifDesigns. This upcycled custom creation is made from a vintage suitcase. Complete with wall hanging hardware, lights, shelves, mirror, collectibles, and cork board, this seller gathers information regarding the buyer's personal style and creates a customized wall cabinet reflecting their interests.

Yardstick redo: Business Card Holder by RobertaGrove. This business card holder is made from 100% vintage, repurposed parts. Its perky green and yellow color combo is guaranteed to brighten up any office. 

Folk art with a story: Junk Fairy by krodenbach. Named Tripoli, this Junk Fairy is made of vintage recycled parts including a children's block, glass knob, bottle cap, veggie steamer, game pieces, dominoes, electrical caps and beads. Tripoli was given his name in honor of the high occurrence of the number "3" in his family. He is one of a set of triplets and always sneezes in threes.

The repurposed wrist: Mixed Tin Bangle by eaststreetpins. This colorful bracelet is made from a variety of tin cans; paprika, coffee, and olive oil to name a few, with several stripes from upc codes mixed in. The bangle's interior is tin with copper rivets, steel wire and embossed edges. 

Plaid whimsicality: Tartan Plaid Thermos Birdhouse by thedustyraven. When the wind blows up the kilts and your wee chickadees are chilly, this unusual birdhouse will keep them snug. It was created using a vintage thermos, a couple yards of barbed wire and a fanciful metal lid for the roof. 

Red gingham goodness: Magnetic Memo Board by ivorybird. This tin magnetic memo board sports a charming red and cream gingham and floral print. It is rustic, shabby, and very worthy of a place in a country style home. 

Makeover magic: Reclaimed cuckoo clock by bloomsburyloft. By using paint, bits of sweaters, fabric, vintage buttons, ornaments, enamel flowers, and a pretty bird, this upcycled cuckoo clock gets a charming makeover. 

Calm under pressure: Upcycled Doll Art by gjarvisjewelryetc. A little wall hanging to watch over you during those stressful days, this charmer is made from a couple of large plastic jar caps, a vintage doll, and other found objects cast in resin.

Aren't these Etsy sellers so inventive? I hope you have enjoyed this peek at their inspiring repurposed creations.

Susan

Going (Jadeite) Green

When I'm out trolling for vintage treasures to sell and keep, I invariably gravitate toward things that are Jadeite green.

For instance, last Friday, I found this 5-piece set of metal trays at a consignment store. Not only are they in the perfect shade of — you guessed it — green, they also have red cherries painted on them, and sweet scalloped edges, too.

How handy that the four small trays fit inside the large one. These will be useful for storing small bits and baubles in my studio.

I also found this lovely Hall China "Connie" teapot at the same store. It's just like one that I have in my collection. 

I'm pretty excited about this discovery, as I rarely come across these Victorian-style Hall teapots anymore. Destined for my Etsy shop, I'm sure this one will make some teapot collector very happy. 

This trash can is a new addition to my studio. Yes, it's green, too.

I sold this old rotary-dial telephone on Etsy last year. Great color.

Called the "Benjamin," this is another Hall China teapot from my personal collection. It's in the same lovely green shade. 

What can I say? I love green!

Susan

All Buttoned Up

Once upon a time, I acquired a lot of 25 vintage Japan salt shakers. I bought them because I knew they could become "vases" for my handmade button bouquets.

Little by little, when I was feeling crafty, I created a bouquet for each tiny shaker and listed it in my Etsy shop. Now there is only one left! 

I saved my favorite one, a salt shaker with colorful flowers, for last. It holds a button bouquet made to match in vibrant hues.

Gone but not forgotten, the three arrangements, below, sold last month. One shaker had a tiny landscape with a cottage painted on it in muted tones.

This shaker had a rather unusual design with a seagull flying over the waves and a yellow, black and orange color scheme.

I'm partial to the color aqua, so I particularly like the bouquet I put together for this windmill embellished shaker.

If you're like me and have a large stash of buttons, try making a button bouquet. You'll find a T-Party tutorial here. If you make one, or come up with other ways to up-cycle vintage buttons, please email me a photo and I'll share your creation in a T-Cozy post.

Susan

Sunrise on a New Year

For most of us today, it is back to work, back to school, back to some semblance of routine after the holidays. I started out my day as I always do — with a very brisk early morning walk. Here in Connecticut, the temperature is very brisk, as well. But despite the frigid cold, I bundled up, headed out, and was rewarded with a glorious sunrise.

I took this photo mid-stride with my iPhone. Although it is probably best not to shoot a picture while moving, I was too cold to stop or to take off my heavy gloves. The result is a shot that is soft and completely out of focus. To me, this happy accident resembles an Impressionist painting. Click on the photo to view it larger. Isn't is beautiful?

Time to get to work on the mound of paperwork on my desk. I'll spend the day catching up in my studio, where it's warm and cozy, with a hot cup of tea by my side.

Wishing you a wonderfully warm, productive and enjoyable day!

Susan

All the Best to You in 2012 . . .

Wishing you a year of abundant happiness!

Susan

A Little Bit of Paris in Philadelphia

A you know, in late October, I tagged along on John's business trip to Philly. One morning, while he walked the isles of a trade show, I walked the streets around Rittenhouse Square, a most lovely and fashionable neighborhood with a pretty park at its center. 

As lunchtime rolled around, I found myself in front of  Parc, an oh-so-French brasserie. 

This bistro pays tribute to French café culture. Along the sidewalk are dainty round tables with rattan chairs that are lined up along the windows, making them prime spots for people watching. But since the weather was a bit chilly, I chose to eat inside. 

As I entered, I felt like I hopped across the Atlantic and stepped back in time. This place has the look and feel of a 1930s Paris café. What a treat! 

After a delicious meal, I chatted with one of the restaurant's managers, telling him how impressed I was with both the food and the decor. My mouth dropped open when he told me that Parc has only been around for three years!

Usually I'm not one to embrace the "vintage-inspired" trend of new things made to look old. However, this place won me over. From floor to ceiling, it feels absolutely authentic. 

Parc uses an inspiring mix of antique and new elements. Old light fixtures hang from a ceiling covered with a hand-stenciled design. Even the big, round air conditioning vents are retro.

The newly tiled floor has a delicate mosaic pattern that looks like it has been around forever.

French lace frames many of the windows. Below, the coat check window is also adorned with lace. I was told that it was once a ticket booth from a French circus.

Parc's baguettes and breads are made in-house and you'll find them casually stacked on sideboards.

Background music, provided by a classic Wurlitzer jukebox, comes out of vintage wooden speakers on the walls. The walls are also adorned in gorgeous tiles.

Even the exit sign has a French feel.

As I walked out and headed down the street to meet John, I noticed one last thing.

The ten-digit telephone number on the awning is split up to look like a Paris number. That kind of attention to detail is impressive!

Susan

Vintage Textiles, Table Lamps, and More

As promised, here's a quick look at more of my latest finds . . .

Lovely linens: Risqué ladies, flowers baskets, sailboats, and a nifty comb and brush holder.

Vintage illumination: Decorative and whimsical ceramic table lamps. 

From the Roaring Twenties: A Wright's Bias Tape how-to booklet filled with darling, frame-worthy illustrations.

Chenille shenanigans: Cozy crib quilts and "cutter" bedspreads.

I'll be pretty busy over the next week or so doing the listings for these vintage goodies. Once they find their way into my Etsy shop, it will then be time to list an array of sweet old valentines. 

Susan

My Latest Vintage Finds

Gleaned from several estate sales and our recent trip to Rhinebeck, NY, these new vintage discoveries are trickling into my Etsy shop. Have a peek . . .

 

Home decor with a history: Some fruity finds, a swell sewing tin, a hard-to-find soap powder dispenser, a glass pitcher with daffodils, and 1940s art pottery.

Packing it up: A wonderful paperboard suitcase once used by a Zanol Products traveling salesman.

Just for kids: A nursery rhyme print, grade school work books, a tartan plaid lunch box, a Little Miss Seamstress sewing set, a laptop desk for the budding artist, and a darling toy sprinkling can.

Good reads: A girl's chapter book with a lovely cover, a 6-volume set of The Mother's Encyclopedia, more chapter books with pretty covers, books for the bird lover, and a bound set of The Home Garden magazine from 1947.

I am really jazzed about these latest finds. And I have even more fabulous relics that I'll share with you tomorrow.

Susan

Holiday Greetings

Sending along my best wishes to you and yours . . .

. . . for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday. I hope you are surrounded by good friends, cherished family and scrumptious food today.

Enjoy — and have a very Merry Christmas!

Susan

Clip art: The Graphics Fairy.

Celebrate the Light

At our house, it's time to celebrate the Festival of Lights, the eight-day-long holiday of Chanukah. And contrary to what it may seem, Chanukah is not the Jewish version of Christmas. It is actually a very minor Jewish holiday with a very major theme. 

Chanukah is a classic underdog story that celebrates the triumph of faith over military might, a tale of courage, where the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, defied incredible odds and risked their lives to reclaim what was sacred to them.

Spiritually, it is a life lesson in risk taking, faith and remaining true to one's beliefs and practices, even when they are unpopular or even forbidden.

Today, the story behind Chanukah can be thought of as a cautionary tale, an important reminder to not stand idly by when a minority's rights and freedoms are taken away. 

Happy Chanukah!

Susan

The Vintage Handyman

Isn't this a crazy time of year? So much to do! I have piles of yummy vintage finds that I had hoped to have in my Etsy shop by now. But it has been super busy around here and I still have loads of things to list — like this array of items featuring the vintage handyman. At estate sales, you'll usually find me rummaging around in the basement where I often come across interesting relics for the do-it-yourself-er. 

I found this kitschy dish towel featuring a Mr. Fix-it with issues.

I also found a 1955 volume of Popular Mechanics Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia. It is chock full of useful projects with detailed instructions for making lamp shades, mail boxes, a Lazy Susan, a knitting table, lawn furniture and so much more. 

Pretty cool stuff! I'm certain that many of the items I sell and collect were handmade by some gent in his wood shop using a book like this for reference.

This Family Handyman magazine is from 1954. It has the subhead "the do-it-yourself magazine that tells you how in language your can understand."

Here is the other side of the towel. More problems for Mr. Fix-it . . .

Another how-to book, called It's Fun to Make It Yourself, was published in 1944. 

In its introduction it states: This book is essentially for the reader who enjoys doing things for himself — and to the average man there are few pleasures comparable to that which comes from the completion of a piece of work by his own hands.

I'll bet books like these were given as gifts to handy guys by their wife or kids. On this day fifty or more years ago, you'd probably find them all wrapped up and waiting for dad under the Christmas tree.

Susan

A Room-for-the-Whole-Family Room

Hannah and Jacob arrive home from college tomorrow. John and I can't wait, and our revamped family room is all ready for them.

It's so nice to finally have a comfortable couch that all four of us can sit on at the same time.

Remember how I couldn't show you the entire family room before our kids came home for Thanksgiving? That's because we had a big surprise for them — a new flat screen television. You should have seen the look on their faces!

Our new sectional sofa is big. In fact, one of my friends described it as an ocean liner! Although it has taken me a little time to get used it, I now like how it provides some definition to a room that is otherwise wide open to our kitchen.

The exposed back of the sectional is such a large expanse, so I had to do something to break it up. It is a perfect spot for a console table, or in our case, a rustic bench piled with books and candles. 

My favorite part of the room will forever be the built-in shelves chock full of my ever-changing collection of vintage pottery.

I am always tweaking the arrangement of the items on these shelves. 

I recently acquired this charming little oil painting. I love how the artist placed it in a vintage wooden frame that tilts.

More new additions: a couple iron masonry stars . . .

. . . and a few old books sprinkled here and there.

Although our antique dollhouse isn't played with anymore, it will always deserve a place of prominence in the room. 

Along with art pottery, the family room has a small collection of picnic tins. (I have gobs more in my studio and master bedroom.)

I arranged a selection of tins that are in tones that blend with our new sofa and pillows. Love these colors!

A comfy sofa, a cushy ottoman, a great TV, and our children home with us. This winter break, we four will be spending lots of time together in our cozy family room. I couldn't ask for more!

Susan

A Weekend Away in Rhinebeck, New York

Last weekend, with the kids not yet home for winter break, John and I headed to a truly wonderful place for a little R&R — the Olde Rhinebeck Inn. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this structure was built around 1745. From the beautifully furnished rooms to the sumptuous gourmet breakfast, this Early American bed and breakfast is first rate. Innkeeper Jonna Paolella has done a spectacular job creating a relaxing and most inspiring place.

We stayed in the Plow and Harrow room, a spacious upstairs suite with a separate sitting room, a queen size pencil post bed, gas fireplace, large windows, bathroom with converted primitive dry sink, a two-person shower and antique claw-footed tub. Perfection!

Doesn't my laptop, above, look out of place in this rustic setting?

Click here for more views of the Olde Rhinebeck Inn.

John and I had fun exploring Rhinebeck and its surrounding Hudson River Valley towns. So many charming restaurants and shops! I even found a few vintage treasures for my Etsy shop.

Before we had children, one of our favorite pastimes was traveling to cozy country inns along the East Coast. Now that we are empty-nesters, it's nice to have the time to do it again. 

Susan

HGTV's Etsy Treasury Challenge 2011

This holiday season, HGTV has challenged Etsians to create their own HGTV-inspired Treasury. Did you know that "Treasury" is Etsy's ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery? And any Etsy member can do one. 

This is my HGTV inspired collection . . .

My Treasury relates to an HGTV show called Dear Genevieve where folks write a letter about a problem room in their house. If they are very lucky, the talented designer, Genevieve Gorder, stops by to completely transform the room. Wouldn't that be awesome? 

It's such fun to play curator. And there are so many amazing Etsy sellers. Please help me promote them by clicking HERE to view my latest Treasury. Thanks!  :)

Susan

Popular Recipes of the 1940s

While rooting around in the drawers of the kitchen at a recent estate sale, I came across a Gold Medal Flour booklet filled with popular recipes from decades past. From the 1880s through the 1950s when the booklet was produced, it also shows trends of the times along with news headlines and popular songs for each era. Fun!

Here is the 1940s section . . .

And here is what folks were cooking up back then . . .

My mom was quite a baker and she used to make a mean Chiffon Cake. If you'd like to try baking one, here is Gold Medal's recipe.

A few more sweet treats from the 40s . . .

To see the ingredients more clearly, click on the photos for an enlarged view. Happy baking!

Susan

Vintage Gifts for the Sewing Enthusiast

Is there a sewing buff in your life? If so, here are a few offerings from my Etsy shop that would make great gifts for them.

Toy sewing machines are fun to display in a craft room, studio, or little girl's room. I think this 1940s one is super sweet, especially because of its pink color and charming rose decals. 

I always keep a nice selection of vintage textiles on hand in my shop. Etsy is helping to keep the crafting culture alive, so I offer old fabric for those who like to make their own throw pillows, tote bags, and more.

This notions box is filled with 24 Coats & Clark's wooden spools of thread in a rainbow of pretty colors. 

Perfect to store sewing or knitting supplies, this little cabinet would also be sweet in a little girl's room, or even next to a favorite reading chair holding books or magazines.

In my Etsy shop, you'll find an array of vintage buttons still on their original cards.

For those who like stitchery: the images in these Aunt Martha's embroidery patterns would look lovely sewn onto tea towels, aprons, pillow slips, quilts, clothing and tablecloths.

It doesn't get any sweeter than my Home Sweet Home embroidered picture! I offer the pattern of this design for purchase in my shop.

Recently sold: A musical sewing box with a lift-out plastic tray and a nice array of vintage sewing notions. This item is now on its way to Northern Ireland.

Many of my items have found new homes around the globe. They travel far and wide — and spread the vintage love!

Susan

Vintage Gifts for the Bibliophile

These days, many are choosing eReaders as their preferred reading device. But nothing can take the place of an actual book, like these vintage ones that you'll find in my Etsy shop. 

For the dog lover: Practical Dog Keeping, a 1929 book and a ceramic puppy companion.

An instant collection: a trio of old gardening books tied with antique lace and a rusty skeleton key.

More for the gardener: from 1961, the Better Homes & Gardens New Garden Book.

Classics from the Bard: The Temple Shakespeare, a set of six works bound in dark red leather.

Bird watching: two books and a ceramic bird vase for the ornithology enthusiast. 

Another classic: The Canterbury Tales, a 1946 special edition with portraits-in-miniature.

Read and bake: The Gingerbread Man, a 1954 children's book and a 2-in-1 cookie cutter.

Another instant collection: three chapter books embellished with a skeleton key and lace.

Learning to read: the charming 1939 children's second year primer titled We Grow Up.

Recently sold: Three rare Louisa May Alcott Books from the late 1800s.

Another recent sale: the 1957 Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book.

These well thumbed tomes may not be the latest best sellers, but they offer a look into the past and the sensory enjoyment that only a real book can provide.

Susan

Stepping Into the 1940s

In October, John and I attended parent's weekend at Jacob's college, located in a quintessential college town. While there, we came across this little gem…

It's not often that you find a shop that looks just as it did when it opened 65 years ago. But Bing's Bakery does.

From the slanted front windows to the aqua color scheme and original cases filled with luscious baked goods, entering this store is like stepping into the 1940s. 

Bing's has somehow resisted the urge to renovate and update. Thank goodness! I think it's perfect just as it is.

When I was little, I used to accompany my mom to a neighborhood bakery. It was located right next to the butcher and we would stop in both shops every week for sweets and meats. At the bakery, I could always rely on being given a free melt-in-your-mouth butter cookie with chocolate sprinkles on top. So scrumptious.

Bing's Bakery reminded me of that hometown shop which sadly closed several decades ago. 

How wonderful that Bing's has survived all these years. Are you hungry yet?

Susan

Turn Your Vision of a Dream Studio Space into a Reality

Hot off the press! A best-of compilation of articles and creative inspiration from Studios magazine, Inside the Creative Studio is chock full of innovative ideas to help you create your own one-of-a-kind artistic environment. Experts show you how to repurpose furniture, integrate recyclables, and showcase vintage items to establish a space with purpose and personality. Artists and crafters of all types share their stories, tips, and creative spaces. From spacious oases to cute and compact retreats, each studio offers countless ideas.

I am thrilled to be included in this fabulous book! You'll find my piece, titled "Organizing with Vintage Collectibles," on page 80.

You can special order Inside the Creative Studio, by Cate Coulacos Prato, at your local bookstore, or online here.

Susan

Some Favorites from My Etsy Shop

Now that the holiday shopping season is officially upon us, I'd like to share a few favorites from my Etsy shop.

Isn't this primitive child's doll dresser a charmer? I'll bet it was made for a little girl by her dad, or someone else who loved her a whole lot. How do I know? Because they added a carved heart on the back. How sweet is that?

What a cutie! This little vase is shaped like a watering can. Made by Shawnee Pottery in the 1940s as part of their miniature vase series, these hard-to-find smaller pieces are highly collectible.

Here is a puppy that needs a new home. But this rustic old doorstop doesn't have to be relegated to the floor. It's perfect to display on a shelf, too. 

Check out those baby blue eyes and the matching bow on its collar. Simply adorable.

I think this fluted pottery vase is in the most sublime shade of aqua. LOVE IT.

Called 'Kant Slip' Spiral Tidy Fasteners, the little push pins shown below were used to hold crochet doilies in place on the arms and backs of sofas and chairs. As stated on the package, they are guaranteed to keep tidies straight and smooth. I never knew doilies were called "tidies." Did you? What a hoot!

These are just a few of the oldies but goodies gracing the shelves of my Etsy shop. Aren't they fun? Lately, I've been hitting the road and searching far and wide to find items that are brimming with vintage goodness. And there's lots more that I'll share with you soon.

Happy shopping!

Susan

Home for Thanksgiving

Yay! Our nest is a little less empty now that Hannah and Jacob are home from college for Thanksgiving.

I am so happy to have them home again. And I am so very thankful for these two terrific kids. They have grown into amazing young adults who make me and John proud each and every day. 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan

Susie's New Stove

I recently acquired the dearest Little Golden Book ever!

You'd never know it by the amount of cooking I do today, but when I was a little girl, one of my favorite pastimes was pretending to cook on my toy stove. This book, titled Susie's New Stove, is a nostalgic look back at those days.

Even though this first edition book was printed before my time in 1950, its charming illustrations by Corinne Malvern take me right back to the mid-1960s, when I was called "Susie."

I've never seen a Golden Book that features an actual toy available for purchase in the story. However, in this book, Susie cooks on a "Little Chef" made by Tacoma Metal Products. It is similar to the toy I have listed in my Etsy shop. But Susie's stove is electric, has a plug and can really cook food.

Inside, the author, Annie North Bedford, includes a page on cooking safety along with easy little recipes for things like cocoa, scrambled egg, frozen vegetables, boiled frankfurter, canned soup and more.

Sometimes Susie gets creative in her toy kitchen with her brother Mike. Or she invites her friend Carol over for a culinary play date.

So sweet! This vintage book has truly captured my heart. 

Susan

Cute as a Button

This week, I sold my last vintage salt shaker and matching button bouquet. It has been a while since I've gotten crafty, so I brought out my button stash yesterday and made this . . .

Isn't it the sweetest? I love this old Nippon shaker with its tiny cottage and muted colors. 

I filled it with 13 of my handmade button blossoms to match.

This cute-as-a-button item is now listed in my Etsy shop. Plus, to get ready for the holiday rush, I've recently added all sorts of new listings. I'll share some of those vintage goodies with you next week.

Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

Susan