The T-Cozy

A Picnic, Presents, and a Parade

What a wonderful weekend! To celebrate Hannah's graduation and my birthday, we had a picnic brunch at the beach yesterday with family and friends. It was a beautiful day and John made pancakes on the grill. They were delish!

We asked everyone to refrain from bringing gifts, but that didn't stop them from bringing flowers. Look at all of these glorious bouquets!

John and the kids gave me some spectacular presents: a book that is just my style called Found, Free & Flea, the new John Mayer CD, and best of all, an iPad. Yay!

Or course the weekend wouldn't be complete without attending Rowayton's little Memorial Day parade. Here are my favorite views from the event: a 1958 turquoise and white Nash sedan convertible, a trio of Boy Scouts manning a vintage wooden go-cart, and the marching band from Hannah and Jacob's former high school.

What fun! But now it's time to get back to work. This afternoon, I'm photographing my new Elephant's Trunk Flea Market finds to prepare them for their Etsy debut. I promise to share them with you later this week.

Susan

Anticipation

I'm sorry to report that the estate sales I went to on Friday were disappointing. Even so, they primed the pump and got me in the mood to shop. So I prodded John out of bed at the crack of dawn on Sunday to accompany me to the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market. We arrived at 7 a.m., just as the gates were opening. 

With glorious weather, the line to get in was long and the dealers were plentiful. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air and my hopes were high for finding a few vintage goodies to add to my Etsy shop.

Is there nothing better than trolling the aisles of an outdoor flea market on a beautiful sunny morning? And best of all, I discovered some awesome items that I'm really excited about. I can't wait to share them with you, but with a crazy week ahead, it will have to wait until next week. Thanks for your patience...  :)

Susan

Catching Up and 20% Off on Etsy

Now that I've finished my Studios magazine article, I can get back to some neglected duties, such as planting my window boxes, going to estate sales, and working on Etsy listings. The window boxes are almost done and the rest of the garden is looking good. We even have a new stone wall that I'll share photos of soon. This morning, I'll be stopping by a couple of estate sales, and later today, I will finish listing the vintage items shown below. 

New additions to my Etsy shop include jadeite Fire King, old cameras, rustic foot stools, paper ephemera, white art pottery, and more. I even found another Sew Master toy sewing machine. It seems that every time I list one, they fly out the door. The last two shipped all the way to South Korea.

As a thank you to my loyal customers, and to patrons yet to come, I am offering a 20% discount in my Etsy shop all weekend. Usually, I have a birthday sale, but this year it falls on Memorial Day and things will be a bit crazy here. So please enjoy 20% off today May 18 through Sunday, May 20. To receive the discount, you'll need to enter the coupon code SPRINGSALE at check out. By the way, for those of you who don't like using PayPal, I now accept credits cards on Etsy.

I'm looking forward to a busy week. We'll be heading down to Hannah's graduation as well as packing up both kids' stuff at college. Lots to do!

Enjoy this beautiful Spring weekend,

Susan

Paper Doll Dress Up

You may have noticed that I love to buy and sell vintage toys. Not only are these relics a welcome reminder of my childhood, I can play with them a little before they get discovered in my Etsy shop and ship off to a new home.

Yesterday, in order to photograph them for their Etsy debut, I played dress up for a while with this 1940s set of sister and brother paper dolls. Aren't they super cute? I love Sis's pigtails and her brother's cowlick. And their vintage clothes are fabulous, with paper attire for every occasion.

So sweet! I like the ensemble with the rolled-up dungarees and straw hats that looks like a cross between Huck Finn and Beaver Cleaver. Which outfit is your favorite? 

Susan

Racing with the Clouds to Meet My Deadline

Please excuse my brevity, but time is tight for me today. I am shooting my upcycled vegetable bin for an upcoming Studios magazine article. 

Here's a little glimpse at its makeover . . .

I prefer to use natural light when taking my photographs. Luckily, today is partly cloudy with a few peeks of sun. With a forecast calling for rain for the remainder of the week here, this looks like the only day to get my pictures done before Thursday's deadline.

Ooh, the sun just came out. I better get going before I lose the light!

Susan

Azalea Colors, Crafty Projects, and A Garden Niche

While out on my morning walk, I couldn't help but notice the Azaleas in full bloom. 

I love their mix of vibrant colors, so much so that I believe I was influenced by them when I gathered together the materials, below.

These are just some of the things I'll be using to transform the vintage vegetable bin I shared with you a few posts back. It is getting a makeover this week. I will be repainting it, lining the inside with pretty patterns, creating magnets, and more. Just call me Crafty Sue! Then when it's all done, it will be making an appearance in Studios magazine.

Back outside, in the same garden as the Azalea bushes, you'll find this primitive garden niche. I have always been intrigued by it. 

Lined with little bits of turquoise tiles, this domed concrete structure is situated at the very edge of the garden, right along the street. 

Nestled inside is a porcelain figurine of a girl. Over the years, the elements have wreaked havoc on her, and she's missing part of her skirt. I can sympathize. Although my clothing is intact, I sometimes think the elements have gotten to me, too...  ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan

A Not So Lazy Susan

Last week, I found this vintage aluminum and glass serving piece. It's a Lazy Susan from the 1950s that will be making an appearance in my Etsy shop soon. She spins and can hold a variety of nuts or dips in her divided glass bowl, with plenty of room around the outside for chips or crudités. 

But before she gets discovered on Etsy, I had fun playing around with others ways Lazy Susan could be useful. Shown below, an old tea kettle-turned-planter is happy to employ her as a pedestal.

Miss Susan would also come in handy in a home studio or craft area. Her divided dish, and the addition of a few glass ramekins, can hold buttons, beads, or other small supplies within easy reach while working on a crafty project.

Or how about transforming her into a beach-inspired centerpiece? Arrange some sea shells around a vintage sand pail, and you can almost hear the ocean.

Well then . . . I guess this Susan isn't so lazy after all. 

Susan

Shelf Life

I am always on the lookout for appealing vintage shelves, like this folk art one shaped like a tulip.

Seeking a little inspiration, I worked on a new Pinterest pin board this morning. I titled it Shelf Life and is features some wonderful photos that I found online of shelves stocked with interesting items. I'll soon be trolling the internet for more. 

Shelves are a great way to bring focus to a group of items, be it a collection or things that just feel like they belong together. I use both large and small ones in many forms for display all around my house. Here are just a few . . .

Aren't these shelves perfect for displaying vintage items? Love 'em!

Susan

Changing the World

Last week, I finally got around to switching over the clothes in my closet from fall/winter to spring/summer. Then, I brought the items I no longer wear over to Goodwill. While there, this vintage globe caught my eye.

Although it has seen better days, I took the globe home anyway thinking that I would upcycle it. So yesterday, I searched online for some repurposed globe ideas. I came across many creative ways to change the world. Here's what I found . . .

An easy transformation is turning half of the globe into a decorative bowl. The one above, from Better Homes and Gardens, rests on a simple glass candle holder.

These pretty globe bowls were created by Cathe of Just Something I Made. I love their scalloped paper edges.

Maps on the interior and a cake stand were added to this beautifully done bowl by SweetWolf on Etsy. 

Here are two examples of globes embellished with decoupage. Artist Wendy Gold, of ImagineNations, creates these whimsical art worlds using recycled materials. Aren't they stunning? Be sure to check out Wendy's website to see lots more. 

Vintage globes can even become lamp shades. The pendants, below, are from Rosebud's Cottage.

This table lamp with a recycled globe shade is by giftbaskets4fun on Etsy. Love the beaded trim!

Fun decor in a dorm room, child's room or study, this globe turned chalkboard is by amysoldschool on Etsy.

A timely solution is this Northern Hemisphere clock by IMOTIME on Etsy.

And finally, a globe mounted in a shadowbox sports an assortment of vintage letter tiles by Beth Schaleben of Patina White. Such fun!

Aren't these repurposed globes wonderful? It's hard to decide what to do with mine, but I think I'm leaning toward trying my hand at decoupage. Once I give my Goodwill globe its facelift, you can be sure I'll share it with you.

To the artists of the global reinventions in today's post — thank you for the worldly inspiration!

Susan

A Vintage Vegetable Bin with Potential

As mentioned in my previous post, here is the additional item I acquired last weekend . . .

It's a vintage metal cabinet that was used to store vegetables. I've seen these before, but usually they are smaller and open in the front. This one has a door and is quite ample in size. It weighs in at 14 pounds! Generally, when I'm shopping for things to sell in my Etsy shop, I select pieces that are small and easy to ship. This relic would be a beast to pack up, so I just may consider it a "keeper" for now.

I've placed it along the wall of my sewing corner and I like how it looks there. Plus, this bin will provide loads of storage. 

The lid flips open to reveal a large area at the top. And there is even more storage once you open the cabinet door with shelves inside and along the door.

I love the large flower basket decal on the front and the bin's chippy blue paint with bits of jade-ite green peeking through.

Perhaps I'll use this bin to store studio supplies. Or maybe I'll fill it with books and magazines. Just for fun, I loaded it up with some newly found Franciscan Ware dishes in a pretty aqua color. 

I can envision this piece on a cottage kitchen counter filled with dishes like these. Or in a cottage pantry chock full of potatoes and onions. Or even in a cottage bathroom stocked with spare towels and toiletries. So may possibilities.

I've got the bin — all I need now is the cottage!

Susan

Massachusetts Mementos

This week, I've been working on listing the vintage items below, my latest discoveries from our weekend away in Massachusetts. I'm making progress. A few of them have made their Etsy shop debut; the rest will be making an appearance soon.

I'm quite pleased with these finds. Aren't they fun? And there is yet another relic that I'll share with you, as soon as I figure out the best way to photograph it. So stay tuned!

Susan

A Spring Weekend on Cape Cod

We had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Eastham, one of the many lovely towns on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Ours friends, Steve and Sue Ellen, invited us up to their beautiful home and showed us all the beauty Cape Cod has to offer.

From its beaches and glorious ocean views . . .

. . .  to its architecture, like this ornate house that sits atop Fort Hill. It was built in 1868 for whaling captain Edward Penniman.

On the other end of the architecture spectrum are these tiny beach shacks along the sea in Truro.

Don't they look just like a row of Monopoly houses?

A trip to the Cape wouldn't be complete without traveling to the outermost tip, Provincetown. While there, we had a delicious lunch at the Lobster Pot restaurant.

We also browsed Ptown's many shops. One of them sells these dazzling mosaic lanterns and hand painted boots from Turkey.

We also witnessed a picture perfect sunset at First Encounter Beach. This is the actual site of the very first encounter between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

Our weekend away was perfect— the weather was mild, Sue Ellen and Steve were gracious hosts, and I even found some wonderful vintage treasures that I'll share with you in my next post. 

Susan

Tray Story

I can never have too many vintage trays. And I seem to never run out of uses for them. Here's a peek at the array of trays around my house.

Even more vintage trays! These are offered for sale in my Etsy shop.

Trays are so helpful when serving tea, clearing the dining table, or treating someone to breakfast in bed. I like to tuck them behind items on a shelf or kitchen counter. Extra large trays transform an ottoman into a coffee table. Tiny trays provide a place for my watch and rings to rest at the end of the day. Vintage trays come in all shapes, sizes and materials. And best of all, they are both decorative and useful — the perfect combo!

Susan

Greetings from Charm City

This weekend, John and I are down in Maryland celebrating Hannah's birthday. We picked up Jacob in Delaware on our way and the four of us have had a fun time exploring Baltimore once again. I'm going to miss this city. It's hard to believe that Hannah will be graduating from Johns Hopkins next month. Seems like just yesterday that I was blogging about her going off to college.

It looks like another beautiful spring morning. We are heading to breakfast now and then back to Connecticut.

Whether you are celebrating Easter today or are in the midst of Passover, have a wonderful holiday!

Susan

A Day of Blissful Inspiration

I am still basking in the glow of the Etsy Success Symposium last Friday. What a fabulous event!

Just across the East River from Manhattan, Etsy is located in a section of Brooklyn called Dumbo, which stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass." Their headquarters are in an industrial building with a loft-like vibe. 

I was thrilled to be one of the 100 Esty sellers invited to attend the Symposium. I met people from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Toronto, Massachusetts, Missouri, Australia, and even someone from Cleveland who went to my high school! Most of the attendees were crafty types who create handmade goods. Only four other people who sell vintage items like myself were there. 

The Symposium's "Get Found" theme covered topics such as catching the eye of a curator, blogger, magazine editor or potential buyer; how to write better listings with a nod to an item's back story; the ins and outs of Pinterest; and so much more. I was treated to a one-on-one critique of my Esty shop and also had the pleasure of chatting with a literary agent to discuss a book I've been working on. She was very encouraging and asked me to send her my book proposal. Yay!

The Symposium was truly awesome — so chock full of inspiration! Now I know just what to do to take my Etsy shop to the next level. 

What impressed me most about the day was the dedication and creativity of Etsy's employees. They are forever tweaking and improving Esty to ensure it will always meet the needs of its sellers. I must say, I am proud to be one of them.

Susan

Etsy Success Symposium

I'm so excited! Today I'll be attending the Etsy Success Symposium in Brooklyn! I can't wait to see Etsy's headquarters, meet other Etsy sellers, and partake in the inspiring workshops being offered.

The theme of this year's Symposium is "Get Found" and it offers these six workshops —

Get Featured: Learn How to Grab the Eye of a Curator
Get Noticed: How to Romance Blog and Magazine Editors
Get Storied: Behind Every Product is a Story
Get Pinned: Build your Community and Brand with Pinterest
Get Out There: Using Craft Shows to Support Your Small Business
Get Found: Conquering Searches on Etsy and the Web.

For those Etsy sellers who can't make it to NYC, all workshops at the Symposium will stream live in Etsy's Online Labs for free, so anyone can participate, anywhere!

I'll share my thoughts, feedback and Symposium tidbits with you next week. Now I'm off to Brooklyn . . .

Susan

Miniature Eye Candy

I just can't resist these miniature dressers. Once used to hold doll clothes, today, these relics become a focal point when perched on a full-sized piece of furniture. And their little drawers are perfect for storing small items, from jewelry to art supplies.

Just like babies, puppies and kittens — isn't everything cuter when it's in miniature?

Susan

Let's Do Lunch

Lunchboxes have been finding their way into my Etsy shop lately.

As you may know, I adore and collect old picnic tins, and these vintage relics are a smaller, cuter version that I find equally appealing. They evoke memories of my elementary school lunch room, where my box contained a PB&J sandwich, potato chips, carrots, and a chocolate chip cookie, or two. Yum.

What was in your childhood lunchbox?

Susan

Pinterest Inspiration

Several times over my years of blogging, I've shared this special notebook with you. 

The cover is a clue to what is inside — page after page of tear sheets from favorite shelter magazines that never fail to inspire me. 

Not long ago, I pasted in pictures on the notebook's last page, so I was planning to buy a new one. However, that was before I discovered Pinterest.com.

What is Pinterest? As stated on their About web page...  Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  

I finally found some time to create a few of my own pinboards, but I've just barely scratched the surface. With 14 boards so far, my head is filled with all sorts of themes for more.

I love how Pinterest is connecting people around the world who have shared tastes and interests. Can I assume that if you are a reader of this blog, we have a similar style sensibility? If so, I hope you will take a peek at my pinboards. If you like what you see, please follow me. And if you are creating your own Pinterest pinboards, I promise to follow you, too.

Although my inspiration notebook has served me well, Pinterest has quickly become my preferred method of viewing visual inspiration. And whenever time permits, I'll be pinning new things and creating more boards. But let me warn you — pinning can be addictive!

Susan

Now Playing: British Women with Vintage Names

Imogen, Florence, Adele — these are names one might expect to hear at a retirement home. However, there are three young women with these retro names who happen to be some of the best female singers of today. And they are all from the UK. 

For your listening pleasure, here are a few of my favorites . . .

 

 

 

LOVE their music! Imogen, Florence and Adele are all I've been listening to these days when I walk with my iPod and while working in my studio. 

What have you been listening to lately?

Susan

A Place Where Time Has Stood Still

Where, oh where have all the variety stores gone? I suppose they have been replaced by Dollar Stores, those junk-filled shops that can't compare to Woolworth's or Scott's, the local Cleveland 5-and-10 up the street from the house in which I grew up. These establishments were general stores that stocked a little bit of everything — kitchenware, records, notions, sewing patterns, hardware, toiletries, school supplies, toys, and small pets like hamsters and fish. Allowance in hand, my friends and I would spend a good part of a Saturday morning browsing around. Often times, I would look through the McCalls or Simplicity pattern books to select a new dress that my mom would sew for me. I particularly loved the photo booth that my pals and I would all pile inside, pose, and then eagerly await the strip of four black and white pictures that would eventually emerge from a slot in the front. Then we would head to the luncheonette counter, sit on the tall stools, and down grilled cheese sandwiches before continuing to peruse the vast array of affordable wares. 

A couple of months ago, while poking around the historic New York village of Rhinebeck with John, I was thrilled to come across A.L. Stickle, a truly vintage variety store. They call themselves "a place where time has stood still," and it most certainly has. In 1946, Alfred Lee Stickle came home from serving his country in WWII and purchased the Ben Franklin Store in Rhinebeck that he renamed "A.L. Stickle." A few years later, he bought a property on East Market Street and built a new building to house his business. 

Over 50 years later in 1998, Mr. Stickle offered the business to his grandson Matt who, to this day, still operates the store the way his grandfather did. Everything is priced by hand, orders are written in simple spiral notebooks, and you always can count on a friendly hello when you walk in the door. 

The store, with its original fixtures and checkerboard tile floor, is chock full of new and old stock. You'll also find vintage toys and other relics displayed on a shelf just above arm's reach around the store. And in the back is the "Knitting Garage," a spot for crafty types to congregate.

How wonderful that A.L. Stickle is still around after all these years. It was a brilliant move when Mr. Stickle bought land and built his own building, because a shop like his could have never survived this long if it had to pay rent. I attribute the demise of this country's "mom and pop" stores (and my tea room, as well) to greedy landlords who care more about charging high rents than allowing small businesses to thrive. (I'll stop now and not rant on about this topic, as it makes my blood boil.)

So if you ever find yourself in lovely Rhinebeck, New York, make sure to stop by A.L. Stickle at 13 East Market Street.

Susan

M'm! M'm! Good!

This pull toy was one of my estate sale acquisitions this past weekend. Isn't it darling?

Made by Fisher Price in the mid-1950s, this wooden farm truck features none other than the cherubic Campbell Kids.

These rosy-cheeked characters were created by illustrator and writer Grace Wiederseim Drayton, who added some sketches of children to her husband’s Campbell's condensed soup advertising layout. The kids were a hit and they have been selling Campbell's Soup since 1904. 

At first, Campbell Kids were drawn as ordinary boys and girls. Later, they took on the persona of farmers, policemen, sailors, soldiers, and other professions.

This old toy has so much character. I can picture it holding alphabet blocks in a child's room or markers in an art studio. Or how about on the kitchen counter, filled with small pads of paper and pens for writing out the grocery list. Too cute!

Susan

Happy Leap Day!

An extra day — a welcome gift of time every four years. 

Have you ever played Leapfrog? I certainly remember playing it. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about this simple game:

Leapfrog is a children's game in which players vault over each other's stooped backs. Games of this sort have been called by this name since at least the late sixteenth century. They also played this in colonial America. The first participant rests hands on knees and bends over, which is called "giving a back". The next player places hands on the first's back and leaps over by straddling legs wide apart on each side. On landing he stoops down and a third leaps over the first and second, and the fourth over all others successively. When all the players are stooping, the last in the line begins leaping over all the others in turn. 

I like how this game is gadget free, low-tech and that each player is of equal importance. Do kids still play this today? I hope so, as it would be a good lesson in teamwork. To me, leapfrog's "giving a back" can represent the support we offer our friends, colleagues and family.

Wishing you a playful and productive leap day.

Susan

Photos by Fox Photos/Getty Images. 

Finding Your Happy Place

"Everyone should have a little space that is all their own. A quiet place to reflect on life, create, or simply take a deep cleansing breath at the end of a busy day. For me, it is a home within our home." This quote, taken from my web site's Studio Tour page, sums up why I believe it is so important to have a place in your home that is all yours.

Do you want a space of your own but don't have room for one? Don't fret. Just as I wrote about in my Studios Magazine article about turning a cabinet into a tidy 12-square-foot studio, you don't always have to devote an entire room to your creative endeavours. A corner of a bedroom, family room, or even a walk-in closet will do. Set up a simple work table or desk, place shelves filled with storage baskets on the wall, and you'll be well on your way to carving out a place that is just for you.

When it comes to shopping for studio storage, you'll never find me in the office storage aisle at Staples. What is the point of buying newly-made plastic or wire items when there are so many interesting old things out there that can be easily re-purposed? Instead, I can be found at the local thrift store or neighborhood tag sale searching for inexpensive planters to hold the mail, flower pots to corral markers, or picnic tins to store supplies. I surround myself with whimsical, wacky, wonderful things that inspire me and make me smile. These items are chock full of vintage charm and extra-good karma. 

However, my favorite thing about my studio can't be found at a flea market. It is the painted floor. A few years ago, when it was time to pull up the wall-to-wall carpeting, I had a dilemma. The upper portion of the room, which used to be a small den, had hardwood floors. The newer portion of the room, which is one step down, had simple plywood under the carpet. I didn't want more carpeting or the added expense of installing hardwood. I realized that this was my chance to get the checkerboard floor I had always wanted.

I got out my yardstick and measured out 16-inch diagonal squares on the bare plywood. Then I had Carlos, my talented house painter, work his magic. I selected an aqua and a warm gray paint that are similar in tone. I didn't use colors with a lot of contrast because the space is small and I wanted the pattern to be subtle. 

Most of all, my studio is my own personal think tank. I can work on projects and keep them set up for days without them getting in my family's way. To make the room even more inviting, I often have music playing, light a candle or two, and brew a cup of green tea to sip as I work. 

As you've heard me say many a time, "my studio is the one place in our home that is mine, all mine. Spending time here makes me happy each and every day." I hope my series of studio posts have inspired you to find that happy, just-for-you place in your home.

Susan

Let's Hear It for the Ladies

Without even realizing it, I have amassed a collection of "ladies" in my studio. Today, my tour continues with a peek at my gal pals.

A mini Minnie stands watch over my tea cabinet. We used to sell these figurines at my tea room. She's not vintage, but is fashioned after Disney's original Minnie Mouse. This one was our display model and she got handled by so many kids that eventually, her skirt fell off. Needless to say, she never sold, so I brought her home, sewed her skirt back on, and added the tiny red spoon in her hand.

Vintage lady-themed planters call to me, like sirens at sea. I can't help myself. My wallet flies open and they come home with me.

At the top of my shelves stocked with picnic tins is one with a nursery rhyme theme. It is very collectible and can be hard to find. The gal on its lid is Mistress Mary. It appears that I have a sub-theme in my studio of girls holding watering cans.

This flour sifter has an image of a 1950s mom baking pies with her two kids in the kitchen. Made by Androck, it's beyond kitschy and is highly collectible.

More watering cans. I have two of these charming wooden girls flanking the opening to the lower half of my studio. 

My kids think this lady mannequin head is creepy. I think she's divine, but others think she's disturbing, too. A number of years ago, when I photographed my shop for Romantic Homes magazine, she was in one of the pictures. They asked me to reshoot it without her. That really hurt her feelings.

Another lady planter. These are the perfect receptacles for my vintage button bouquets.

Two canisters, embellished with decals of a lady tending to her potted plants, sit on an antique child's dresser that stores my rubber stamp collection. I was so fortunate to be able to purchase this piece. One day, it literally walked in the door of my tea room, in the arms of the nicest woman who was downsizing. Lucky me!

My 1930s valentine of a girl with a watering can sits beside a tin toy plate of, what else — a girl with a watering can. (I'm starting to sound like a broken record.)

And lastly, next to the girls with watering cans is . . . a watering can! It has a girl on it, too. Let's hear it for the ladies!

Susan

My Sweet Studio

Earlier this week, I finally updated the Studio Tour on my website!

Here's what the page looks like now. However, to see the full effect, you'll need to click HERE to be redirected to the actual page. Be sure to give it a moment to load so that you can view the photos that are in a slide show format.

With my wonderful new camera, I took over 200 pictures of every nook and cranny of my studio. Then I had the difficult task of sorting through them all to pare them down to just 23 photos; 14 large ones that cycle through at the top, and 9 detail shots below that remain stationary. I selected my favorite ones, especially those that give a sense of the entire space.

What will I do with all of the photos that can't fit on that page? I'll share them with you and perhaps provide a bit of decorating and collecting inspiration. So the tour will continue! Please stay tuned for more posts about my sweet studio.

Susan

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love this 1930s Valentine of a demure girl tending to a garden where red hearts grow instead of flowers. It has a tiny metal rivet allowing her little sprinkling can to move up and down. This card is so sweet that I keep it propped up on my windowsill all year long. 

I'm looking forward to dinner out with John tonight. Are you doing anything special for Valentine's Day?

Enjoy! 

Susan

Studio Tour Revamp

With brilliant sunshine and great light today, I am devoting myself to a task that is long overdue: photographing my studio in order to update that page on my website.

My studio is always changing and it has been a couple of years since I've photographed the entire space. So if all goes well, I plan to have new photos up on my Studio Tour page by early next week. I hope you'll stop by and have a look.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan

Time Travel

I have all sorts of new vintage discoveries that will be making their debut in my Etsy shop this month. Here is a peek at three with a travel theme.

This past weekend, we drove Jacob back to school. I discovered this fabulous Tartan plaid train case in a shop near his college. When I opened the case, I found this badge pinned to the inside.

Before emoticons were all the rage, in the early 1970s, folks wore these smiley face buttons. This iconic graphic also appeared on coffee mugs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, with the accompanying mantra . . .

Have a nice day!  ;)

Susan

Literary Origami: The Folded Book

Time for a super easy project!

While browsing around Etsy, I've discovered many creative sellers who alter and recycle books. Some use their covers and repurpose them into spiral bound journals. Others transform the interior pages and fold them into cutting-edge art. I decided to give the latter a try.

I started with a small vintage book that had seen better days. On a flat surface, I opened it to its first spread and folded each of the four corners diagonally in toward the center (above left). Next, I took the following three pages and folded them in half, all together, toward the center (above right).

Alternating between these two steps, I kept going until I had folded all of the pages in the book.

All done! Doesn't it look like a paper lantern? Pretty cool! This altered book can lay flat, stand upright on its own, or be hung on the wall using a metal plate hanger. 

Here's a variation on a theme. I opened up to the first spread with the folded corners, and unfolded the upper right and lower left folds so that they would stick out. 

I did this to every diagonally folded spread, leaving the three-page sections alone.

When complete, this version's pages have a sculptural twist.

So simple! And there are so many folding possibilities. To see inspiring examples from Etsy sellers that are much more complex than my first attempt, click here.

How fun to take a book that was ready for the discard pile and transform it into literary origami. Give it a try!

Susan