The T-Cozy

First Snow

Yesterday was the first snow of the winter season here in our corner of Connecticut. Although only a couple of inches fell, it was my favorite sort of snow — the kind with big, juicy flakes that stick to everything. As I sat at my desk gazing out the window, I realized that I'd never seen our new house in the snow. So I put on my warmest boots and headed out to take a pic.

In the snow, our cottage was even sweeter than I expected. Classic Currier & Ives!

The reno project is progressing nicely here, but going a bit slower than I hoped due to waiting on building inspections to happen and kitchen cabinets to arrive. So our living room is doing triple duty, acting as our comfy TV-watching space, my studio, and even our kitchen. The most bothersome aspect of this arrangement is when we have to trek across to the other side of the house to wash dishes in a small powder room sink. It is sure to be even cozier when Jacob arrives home from London this weekend. Hopefully in another month or so, our new kitchen, family room and studio will be complete. I can't wait to finally unpack everything, spread out, and have space to entertain family and friends.

No more snow for today, but it is supposed to be quite chilly. I just may light a fire in the living room's large stone fireplace right across from my desk. Later, I plan to sort through my photos from our recent trip to Europe. I promise to share some favorites with you next time.

Stay warm!

Susan

Cape Cod Weekend

John and I got back last night from two glorious days on Cape Cod. Ours good friends Steve and Sue Ellen graciously invited us up to their beautiful home in Eastham. What a picture perfect weekend! 

The weather was sublime, and so were the sunsets.

We took a stroll along the saltwater flats where, at low tide, the sand is rippled and the beach stretches on forever. John was a sweetie to carry me across a deeper patch so that my jeans wouldn't get wet. My hero!

On another beach, we came across two talented "plein air" painters and their model. 

And of course, a trip to the Cape has to include a stop at the Wellfleet Flea Market located on the parking lot of the drive-in movie theater.

While there, I found this 1950s Marx toy kitchen set. Complete in the box, it appears to have never been used and has all of the little appliances, dishes, pans, flatware, and more. I'm going to explore my inner child this week and put the set together. Fun! 

Susan

A Collection of Cottages

Cozy, quaint, cute. What more can I say about the cottages of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association? Except that I adore them! Every year, I look forward to taking a stroll with my family through this historic community. 

Embellished with gingerbread trim and painted in every color of the rainbow, there are over 300 of these charming homes in Oak Bluffs. Aren't they the sweetest? 

Susan

Toleware Trays, Trinket Boxes, and Mother's Day at SoNo Marketplace

Just in at my T-Party Antiques booth at SoNo Marketplace — vintage toleware trays and sparkly trinket boxes! I put this vignette together with Mom in mind. Wouldn't these pretty things make nice Mother's Day gifts?

These trays are from my personal collection. I figure, if and/or when we sell our house, we'll be moving to a much smaller place. So I'm already starting to share many of the vintage goodies I've collected over the years. 

At SoNo Marketplace, we are gearing up for Mom's Day. Along with a delicious brunch on Satuday and Sunday, we are selling $1 raffle tickets for a fabulous gift basket worth over $600. Plus, we are offering 20% off in our booths for the entire weekend.

SoNo Marketplace is located at 314 Wilson Avenue in South Norwalk, CT. This week, the merchant shops will be open on Thursday from 11am to 6 pm, and Friday through Sunday from 10am to 6 pm. Hope to see you there!

Susan

What's New at T-Party Antiques?

I am always changing things up in my T-Party Antiques booth at SoNo Marketplace. Gotta keep it fresh!

Spring has sprung, so I put together this vignette of garden related items.

I am now stocking the Heavens to Betsy line of notecards, journals, magnetic notepads and gift enclosures. Created by my friend Betsy Goodenough, they feature antique engravings and woodcuts printed on 100% recycled paper. Don't they have the perfect vintage vibe for my booth? Love 'em! 

Last week, I was able to zip over to an estate sale. Lucky me — it had a basement full of antique books with beautiful cover art and typography. They really appeal to the graphic designer in me. 

Sorry so brief today. We are running out to catch the train into NYC for a seder with our extended family. Happy Passover!

Susan

This Morning's Prettiness...

Wishing you a warm and wonderful weekend!

Susan

Vibrant Views and a New Undertaking

Along with working at and maintaining my T-Party Antiques booth at SoNo Market Place, I have recently taken on the welcome task of keeping the market's Facebook active and updated. As you may know, photography has long been a passion of mine. So every weekend, I am on the lookout for inspiring views to share on its FB page. Here are a few of my recent favorites. 

I adore this glossy orange pedestal table, a reclaimed gem from ReFabulous Furnishings by Machette Restoration.

A wonderfully shabby old door is the perfect backdrop for hand painted mugs by Wirth Salander Custom Tile & Design.

Tag-n-Bundle, the booth next to mine, is chock full of beautifully displayed home accessories and unique gifts.

Third generation farmer Ed and his wife Lexi offer fresh produce, like these luscious radishes from Gazy Brothers Farm.

If you'd like to see more of what's happening at SoNo Market Place, I hope you will consider liking it on Facebook. To do so, please click HERE. Then once you are on the page, click the word "Like." Thank you!  :)

In addition to my FB role, I have another new endeavor that I'll share with you later in the week. Stay tuned...

Susan

The Booth Across the Way: Art by Annalisa

When I first signed on to have a booth at the SoNo Market Place, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, now that I've been there for over a month, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience — especially getting to know the other merchants. 

One of my favorite new friends is Annalisa, who has a stall just opposite mine. She is a talented young artist who is passionate about painting pet portraiture, still life and fantasy art.

As stated on her website, Annalisa sees painting as a way to point out "Hey look, this is beautiful!" Whether that beauty is found in a golden retriever or in a warrior maiden, Annalisa is eager to capture it in pencil and paint.

Over the past month, I have had the pleasure of seeing Annalisa in action as she has diligently worked on commissioned pet portraits, such as the brother and sister Scottish Terrier duo, shown below. 

It has been fascinating watching Annalisa's process, from a pencil sketch all the way to the finished oil painting. Her love of animals clearly comes through in her work, don't you think?

Annalisa's portraits are such a lovely way to immortalize a cherished family pet. You can view more of her pet paintings at this link. 

Now I'm off to begin work at the marketplace. Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan

A Poignant 1940s Scrap Book

One of the perks of having a brick and mortar shop again is that sometimes, wonderful items like this fall into my hands.

Chock full 1940s paper ephemera, this scrap book chronicles the 1942 marriage of Evans and Dot. It was brought to me by Claire, one of their distant relatives.

Filled with greeting cards spanning the decades, this devoted duo from Pennsylvania saved ones from their engagement, bridal shower, wedding, and every anniversary thereafter. There is even a photo of the happy couple on their wedding day. 

Here is what's inside: Newspaper clippings about their marriage...

An envelope containing Evans' boutonniere and part of Dot's bouquet...

Western Union telegrams wishing them "every good wish and all the luck in the world"...

And loads of greeting cards with endearing messages and charming illustrations.

What a wonderful array of vintage goodness! These days, folks aren't buying cards like they used to and I've heard that the greeting card industry is in trouble. So I believe scrap books like these will become quite rare. Many thanks to Claire for allowing me to become the caretaker of this poignant relic!

Speaking of anniversaries — I received this greeting card from my hubby today.

It is an anniversary of sorts for me and John. Twenty-eight years ago today, I met my true love on a New York commuter train. And I have felt so very grateful every day since.

Susan

Seasons Greetings!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday. For your viewing pleasure today, here is a little eye candy. Below are photos I shot of an inspiring space at the SoNo Market Place, where you'll find talented and inspiring merchants — like Leslie Rottner of Abbey Road Designs. 

Leslie is an accomplished photographer and mixed-media artist who also sells vintage items. Plus, she makes terrariums that are lovely miniature gardens under glass.

Have a look . . .

Leslie is a fellow "Etsian" with three separate Etsy shops. For her photography shop, click here. To see her mixed-media art, click here. And to view her vintage shop, click here.

I hope you are surrounded by friends, family and lots of love today. Happy Holidays! 

Susan

New York City Holiday Bling

Yesterday, after a full day spent sprucing up my daughter's new apartment, Hannah and I decided to take a stroll up Fifth Avenue to enjoy the holiday lights. First stop: Rockefeller Center!

The center's 80-foot Norway spruce is breathtaking. Covered with over 30,000 multi-colored lights, it is crowned by a Swarovski star.

Cartier, Bulgari and Harry Winston are three of Fifth Avenue's ritziest jewelry stores. Their holiday decorations are super bling-y. 

Spanning the intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, the UNICEF Snowflake is adorned with 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms. It is 23 feet in diameter, over 28 feet in height and weighs 3,300 pounds. Wow.

The window displays at Bergdorf Goodman are spectacular. They were inspired by the Ziegfeld Follies, Vaudeville revues and Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. 

So beautiful. New York City at Christmas time is truly magical.

Susan

A "Sticky" Project

Lights, heat, telephone, internet! After last week's hurricane, we are finally up and running at our house. But enough about Sandy. Let's move on to more fun topics.

Here is a sneak peek at my latest project for Studios magazine. It's an interpretation of the window display I saw last May at Baltimore's Trohv store. (I shared their fabulous display with you in a post at this link.)

For my craft stick valance, I chose to use 6-inch tongue depressors rather than the smaller Popsicle sticks used in Trohv's windows. My article will appear in the spring 2013 issue, so I painted the sticks in five springtime fresh colors.

I shot my tutorial-style article as a series of photographs that take you through the project step by step. You can read all about it and view the pictures when the spring issue of Studios hits the newsstands, probably sometime in late February.

On a different note, it was wonderful to have electricity back in time to watch last night's election returns. I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome. Congratulations, Mr. President!

Susan

Fall Colors

The leaves are just starting to peak here in the southwest corner of Connecticut.

They are proudly displaying their autumn colors, as are these vintage items culled from my Etsy shop.

We've had lovely weather over the past month. Crisp and cool some days, warm and balmy on others. I like fall almost as much as spring.

Susan

Tag Sale Tins

Yesterday morning, I stopped by a tag sale loaded with vintage goodness. It was a truly amazing sale, providing one-stop shopping for the collector.

Here's what came home with me . . .

This sale had four huge cartons filled with metalware items. I rooted around in them and curated an "instant collection" of English toffee tins. The large serving tray and talcum powder tin appealed to me, too.

These tin items will be offered for sale next month in my new SoNo MarketPlace stall. However, if you aren't local and there is something here you can't live without, let me know and I'll be happy to list it on Etsy just for you.

Have a lovely weekend!

Susan

Keeping Busy

It has been a busy week of projects. First off, I made these bark cloth pillows. They will be displayed in the antique baby crib in my SoNo MarketPlace stall.

The items below will also be joining me at the MarketPlace. Although they were threatening to take over my dining room, now they're all priced, packed in boxes, and ready to go to SoNo.

In my booth, I'll be perched on this vintage kitchen stool behind my little wrap desk. Isn't it cute? This week, I sewed a cushion for it out of the leftover apple fabric I used for the desk's skirt and swatch portraits.

And I made yet another pennant banner. This one has a scalloped shape to match the graphic on my website, blog and business cards. I may use it in some way in my stall, just not sure how yet.

Here's a peek at next week's projects . . .

Yesterday I found this oval, gold painted wooden frame for $3 at a local thrift shop. It will become another of my bark cloth tack boards.

Before this vintage globe heads to my booth at SoNo, I'm going to transform it into another decoupaged altered art globe.

And finally, I'll round out the week by heading to a couple of estate sales tomorrow morning. Wish you could join me!

Susan

This Post is for the Birds

For your viewing pleasure, here are recent vintage finds that'll have you seeing double.

These oh-so-1940s planters sport colorful Birds of Paradise.

It doesn't get any better than this double Peacock patterned chenille bedspread. 

And a sunny yellow McCoy pottery planting dish features two graceful Swans.

Vintage. Bird. Love. Times two.

Susan

September Sunrise

Happy Friday! Just thought I'd share a couple of sunrise photos with you . . .

This one was taken on my morning walk yesterday while crossing the Bluff Avenue Bridge in Rowayton. 

And this one was shot from the car last week while crossing the Whitestone Bridge on our way to LaGuardia Airport.

I'm happy that I am an early morning person so that I get to witness sunrises like these. And I love the feeling of a brand new day filled with possibilites.

Have a terrific weekend!

Susan

My Handmade Pennant Banners

Look what I made!

I've been mulling over how to liven up the SoNo MarketPlace stall shown in my last post. This rustic, raw space has a stained concrete floor, rough-hewn wood walls, and a chunky wooden lattice across the top. I want my booth to be extra fun and festive to reflect the unpretentious, whimsical nature of the items I sell. So I decided to sew up some simple pennant banners and hang them from the lattice.

First I searched through my stash of vintage fabric and pulled out six of my favorites. I chose a couple of 1940s bark cloth remnants and four floral textiles. Then, I added a cotton mini-print fabric on the reverse side, several yards of double-fold bias tape at the top — and voilà!   

I think they turned out really pretty! Which one is your favorite? I'm partial to the colorful one with carnations and red gingham on the back.  

Measuring over eight feet long each, I'm hoping these pennant banners will add just the right touch of whimsy to my booth. Once they are up later this month, I'll snap a photo to share with you.

Oops. I almost forgot to mention — the banners will be for sale!

Susan

A Quiet Monday Morning

My, it's quiet around here! John and Hannah left for work and Jacob is back at school. 

So I hope to have a very productive Monday. I've just listed the water lily vase and later I'll be working on an Etsy listing for this luscious chenille bedspread. (The book and foot stool are already in my shop.)

Now I'm about to hop on my bicycle and drop off a package at the post office. By the way, I have a new bike that I love! I'll share it with you next time.

Susan

Saying Goodbye to Martha's Vineyard

A few posts ago, I shared a beautiful sunrise from our house on Sengekontacket Pond. So it seems only fitting to end my series of MV posts with a beautiful sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. 

These are the red clay cliffs and lighthouse up-island at Aquinnah, formerly know as Gay Head. This mile-long expanse has revealed pieces of lignite from the Cretaceous period and fossils of sharks, camels, wild horses, and ancient whales. The Aquinnah Cliffs are a national landmark and climbing on them is prohibited. Instead, a lovely lookout point is provided for visitors, complete with coin operated binoculars that Briana enjoyed, below. 

We were treated to a most spectacular sunset, and a picture perfect week on the island.

To remember our trip, I have a couple of souvenirs: a 1948 postcard of cottages in Ocean Park and a very special scallop shell.

Jacob and Briana brought home an impressive array of seashells from the banks of Sengekontacket Pond. A couple of days ago, Briana presented me with one that she painted. So beautiful! Thank you, Briana!

It is always hard to say goodbye to our beloved Martha's Vineyard. As the ferry pulled away from the shore, John was particularly sad. He has been coming to MV since he was a baby and the island holds fond memories of time spent there with his parents, who both passed away when John was quite young. However, leaving is easier when we keep in mind that we'll be back next year, and for many summers to come.

This past week, I've been photographing the vintage items I found on my trip. I'll share them with you in my next post, so be sure to stop back. And have a nice weekend!

Susan

Strolling in Edgartown

Each year, on the last evening of our week on Martha's Vineyard, we have dinner at a nice restaurant in Edgartown. Then we stroll to the lighthouse to watch the sunset. Along our way, we pass stately antique houses that line the shore. These classic homes have white clapboard siding, black shutters, picket fences, glorious gardens and water views. Aren't they lovely?

At the end of the street is a small boardwalk leading to Edgartown Lighthouse. This annual stroll is the perfect way to end our stay on Martha's Vineyard.

Now that I am home, I'll be sharing more inspiring MV views with you this week, along with the array of fun vintage items I found at various flea markets around the island. 

Susan

The Colorful Cottages of Martha's Vineyard

Hello again from MV! For your viewing pleasure, here's a tour of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. Located in Oak Bluffs, this neighborhood is filled with gingerbread-trim cottages painted in every color of the rainbow.

For more views and infomation about this charming community, mosey on over to my other post here.

Tomorrow morning, the residents of these cottages are hosting their annual flea market. You can be sure that I'll be there!

Susan

MV Morning

It's another beautiful morning on Martha's Vineyard! As soon as I woke up today, I dashed outside to capture this glorious view of Sengekontacket Pond from our house.

So far, the weather has been perfect and we're having a wonderful time. I'll share more with you soon . . .

Susan

An Easy Peasy Apron Project

I'm happy to report that I made my Studios magazine article deadline. Yay! And I'm really pleased with how my refurbished vegetable bin turned out. 

For the article's photos, I styled the bin's interior with items that a crafter/painter might use. I dressed up lowly tin cans in pretty floral fabric and filled them with supplies like markers, paint brushes and colored pencils. I turned the cabinet's flip top into a mini bulletin board by adding handmade magnets. And I lined the shelves with a flower patterned vinyl tablecloth. It looks awesome! I wish I could show you, but you'll have to wait until it appears in the fall issue of the magazine.  

As a side project, I made an apron to go along with the cabinet. After all, getting crafty usually means getting messy, as least for me. In fact, I even wear an apron if I'm having soup for lunch because I invariably splash some on my shirt.

Making this apron was super easy. I started with an inexpensive vinyl picnic tablecloth, purchased as Home Goods for $4.99. It has a colorful polka dot pattern on the front and a flannel backing. Using an old apron as a pattern, I laid out the tablecloth face down, traced the body of the apron with a marker and cut it out. Then I cut two 25-inch strips for the ties and one 22-inch strip for the neck strap. I used two packages of white double bias tape as seam binding and machine sewed it to the edge of every piece. Then I securely sewed on the ties and neck strap to the reverse side of the apron body. 

Voilà! An easy peasy apron! I think I'll have soup for lunch . . .

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

Firefly Lodge

Feast your eyes on an adorable cottage that I pass every day on my morning walk. For a number of years, this little house has looked neglected. But suddenly over the past few weeks, it has been transformed into a charming oasis, complete with its own name, "Firefly Lodge."

I was so happy to see this home come to life and wondered what inspired its owners to spruce it up. Then last week, a "For Sale" sign appeared out front — the reason for the makeover.

Now that we are empty-nesters, John and I have been toying with downsizing. Always on the hunt for the cottage of my dreams, I decided to look at this appealing home's listing. Situated on a tidal inlet called Farm Creek, this house has water views and is located in the very desirable Rowayton neighborhood of Bell Island. Although it has 2,000 square feet, there are only two bedrooms which is not ideal. And then there's the price — a whopping $1,600,000! Wowza.

Aren't real estate prices insane in my area? Needless to say, this won't be the cottage of my dreams. 

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

The Case of the Upcycled Case

Every so often, I get the urge to transform an object that has seen better days and turn it into something useful once again. My latest project — a lighted makeup case from a local thrift store. Although its white vinyl, faux alligator exterior had seen better days, I was sure that this 1970s relic had potential. All it needed was a little upcycling.

I was so excited to begin working on this project that I completely forget to take a "before" photo. (Sorry!) So what you are seeing is the refurbished case that is now pretty as a picture. 

Originally manufactured by Dunston Leathers of New York, this makeup mirror's snazzy new look was achieved by applying vintage paper that was once 1940s curtains. (Yes, they actually made curtains out of paper back then!) It has a beautiful Asian-inspired pattern of branches, leaves and flowers in shades of pink, brown, black and green on a gold and cream background. Love it!

The case opens to reveal a round double-sided mirror and four bulbs that turn on via a switch on the cord. So theatrical! I've added a velvet ribbon at the bottom to help pull out the mirror section and place it on an angle for easy viewing.

Inside, you'll find a lift-up flap with a small compartment for storing makeup and one for the cord when the case is not in use. 

It also has two channels along each side which are where the bulbs go when the case is closed. 

I am very pleased with how this refurbished case turned out. Wouldn't it would look great on a vanity table or dresser? Just listed in my Etsy shop this morning, it is now a perfect mix of 1940s glam and 1970s functionality. I'm hoping it will be discovered by a girly girl with an appreciation for vintage things.

Susan

Morning Sky

On Monday, I shared a few lovely sunrises from my morning walk. But the very next day after writing that post, I witnessed one that topped them all. Mother Nature reached into her bag of tricks and came up with this . . . 

Breathtaking! The sky was covered with rows of rippled clouds creating a most spectacular effect. Isn't it amazing?

It's 6:30 a.m. and I'm heading out the door to walk once again. We'll see what the morning sky has in store for me today.

Susan

Really Rosy

It's February, and before you know it, Valentine's Day will be here. A dozen roses are often the gift of choice on that holiday. But who says they have to be in the form of flowers? Here are a dozen rosy items, both past and present, from my Etsy shop.  

Unlike expensive bouquets, these rose embellished relics won't wilt. And they're much more afforable, too!

Susan

Sunrise Serenade

I wake up way too early. Maybe it's because I'm hungry, maybe menopause is kicking in, or maybe I just have too much on my mind. I actually don't mind rising at the crack of dawn. I head downstairs, cook up some steel cut oats, and then I'm out the door for my morning walk. But I have no complaints, especially with views like these along my way.

If I were to sleep in, just look what I'd be missing! I am so glad I'm a morning person. 

Susan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retail Inspiration on Rittenhouse Square

Every so often, I come across a retail store that is ultra-inspiring. And the Anthropologie store I visited while in Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago is just that.

I'm usually a "mom & pop" shop advocate. However, I can't help but admire how this chain of stores adapts so beautifully to different, unique locations. Anthropologie is know to seek out unusual buildings, and none is more lovely than their flagship store on Rittenhouse Square, a lively upscale neighborhood right in the heart of Philly.

This ornate building, a Beaux Arts mansion, was once the Drexel family home. How often do you see carved ceilings and a stunning stained glass rotunda inside a retail store!

With three large floors, this Anthro location is chock full of inspiration. Check out the awesome room, below.

This room's majestic ceiling, at least twenty feet high, is covered in painted "ancestor" portraits. How cool is that?

What I love most is how Anthro's visual specialists incorporate salvaged materials and vintage objects into their displays, like the old skyway cable car, above.

Here is some more retail inspiration . . .

Even though this is a retail shop, I didn't feel compelled to purchase anything. Filled with so many creative ideas for the home, just walking around and soaking in the inspiring displays was enough for me. 

If you ever find yourself in Philadelphia, make sure to stop by Rittenhouse Square's Anthropologie, located at 1801 Walnut Street.

Susan

Butterflies and Apples

I passed this beautiful Monarch butterfly on my walk this morning.

This lovely specimen is probably heading south to Mexico for the winter. With over 2,000 miles to go, it was taking a rest on some Nantucket Daisies, one of the last blooming flowers of the season. 

On a different note . . . Because of my background in graphic design, I jumped on the Mac bandwagon very early and have been an Apple computer user and fan for over 23 years. I am so sad to hear about the death of Steve Jobs. The world will be a little less brilliant without him. My heart goes out to his wife and children. 

Susan

Breakfast is Served

My, it has been quite a busy Monday! Even so, I simply have to share my latest find with you.

John and I stopped by an estate sale on Saturday. We arrived with only minutes of the sale remaining and the house was just about picked clean. However, I discovered this 12-piece vintage breakfast set marked down half price. Yay!

Made by Homer Laughlin China, these pretty pink-rimmed dishes are in their Moss Rose pattern. I'm hoping that once listed in my Etsy shop, they will be discovered by some gallant guy who wants to treat his honey to an anniversary or birthday breakfast in bed. Wouldn't that be sweet?

One more thing before I have to run. I want to say thank you to Irina of the blog Sew and the City. She is a sewing enthusiast who wrote an idea-filled post titled Twenty Ways with Piping. This collection of piping projects from all over blogland is quite inspiring. And Irina kindly included my toaster cover. So if you happen to have a spare moment, please stop by her lovely blog and have a look.

Thanks :)

Susan

Brimfield Bonanza: Part Two

This next installment of Brimfield discoveries is of the textile variety. As you may know, I adore old fabric. And with so many creative sewists out there, I like to offer interesting vintage textiles in my Etsy shop. I always try to imagine what these remnants may become — throw pillows, slipcovers, tote bags, eyeglass cases, tea cozies, make-up bags, aprons, dresses and more. 

So wacky, these patterned drapery panels are from the 1950s. Great as curtains, I can also picture them as throw pillows sitting on a distressed brown leather sofa.

Perfect for a colorful kitchen, these curtain panels have a Mexican motif. They'd make fun napkins and would look especially good alongside vintage Fiesta ware.

I love the faded look of this floral pillowslip. In the right hands, it could be transformed into a charming throw pillow.

I think this flowery fabric would make a lovely tote or handbag.

These remnants have the same orderly leaf pattern in three different colorways. They are perfect for small projects like eyeglass cases or make-up bags.

These drapes are in a vintage Waverly fabric called "Danish Abstract." They are super cool and could be made into a whole host of things, to numerous to mention.

Aren't these fabrics fabulous? I wonder who will discover them. A while back, I sold several yards of lovely floral cotton to Louise Hedley for her shop called sohomode. She makes the prettiest retro-inspired bridesmaid's dresses. So you just never know what these textile beauties may someday become!

Susan

Bloom Where You're Seated

As we approach mid-August, my antique chair-turned-planter is just about in its glory. Have a look . . .

Located on my shady front stoop, I usually fill this piece with predictable Impatiens or Pansies, as shown in summers past, below. 

This season, I was slightly more adventurous and potted it up a little differently. Even though the Coleus has taken over, I'm happy with the result. 

Hankering for a project this weekend? If you'd like to make a chair planter of your own, check out my tutorial here.

Enjoy!

Susan

Bookkeeping at the Beach

Are you a "numbers" person? Not me. In fact, I'll do just about anything to avoid an encounter with mathematics. I'm not usually a procrastinator, but when the time comes for me to enter my sales and update my inventory list every month, I drag my heels.

This time, I decided to try a little experiment to make it less torturous. Could I do my bookkeeping at the beach?

Worth a try! I packed up my laptop, cell phone and paperwork, then headed down the street to our neighborhood beach on Long Island Sound. At 10:45 a.m., I had the entire place to myself, so I cranked up my iTunes. I even brought along a little snack. 

Lo and behold! I breezed through my bookkeeping in record time!

I discovered that I don't mind doing bothersome paperwork when I have this beautiful view to keep me company. 

Susan

Final Martha's Vineyard Views

I bet you're wondering when I'll stop gushing about my recent trip to Martha's Vineyard. Sorting through pictures and writing these posts about our beloved island has kept that relaxed, just-back-from-vacation feeling alive for me. So will you indulge me this one last time? I promise to move on to other topics after today.

Just look at this shot of the Edgartown harbor! Postcard worthy, don't you think? Here are more views of lovely Edgartown . . .

A trip to MV wouldn't be complete without breakfast at the Art Cliff Diner. It's a funky, intimate place that was established in 1943 and has retained a vintage vibe. I had one of their delicious French crepes filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Yum.

Flowers and more at the West Tisbury Farmer's Market. (Love that flower sign.)

Isn't this the most charming fish market ever? Called Larsen's, it is located in the quaint fishing village of Menemsha.

We attended a fabulous concert by Ben Taylor, the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. (He grew up on the island, that lucky guy.)

A final photo from our last night on MV. We had a delicious dinner at an Edgartown restaurant called Alchemy, took a leisurely stroll around town, and then headed off to see the last Harry Potter movie (which we all loved).

What a perfect trip! And the best part of all was that both of our college-aged kids, with their busy summer jobs and friend-filled lives, were able to join us. 

Susan

Views From a Lighthouse

Every year on our Martha's Vineyard vacation, we head up-island late in the day to Aquinnah and enjoy a beautiful sunset over Vineyard Sound. But on this trip, we ventured there mid-day, and for the first time in our many years of visiting MV, we were able to tour the Gay Head Lighthouse.

This lighthouse, a red brick tower that sits 170 feet above sea level atop the majestic Gay Head cliffs, is one of the most recognizable structures on the Island. For 155 years it provided a guiding light to mariners in what was once one of the busiest shipping lanes on the eastern coast of the United States.

This 51-foot brick concentric tower is threatened by the forces of nature. Experts say it is not in any imminent danger of crumbling down or falling into the sea. But they also agree it is only a matter of time because the cliffs lose several feet of land annually. 

It will probably be decades before the lighthouse is in any real danger — but officials do not want to wait for a crisis. So they are stepping up efforts to raise enough money to move the structure back several hundred feet from where it now stands.

Topped with a DCB-224 lens that flashes alternating red and white lights every 7.5 seconds, we were treated to a glorious view from inside. And we were more than happy to contribute to their fund-raising efforts.

The money raised will be used to shore up the tower structure and stabilize the bank on which it sits. Experts agree the lighthouse must be repaired and stabilized before it can be moved back from the cliff to a safer location.

On November 7, 1799, Gay Head Light was turned on for the first time. It wasn't until 1990 that it became open to the public for tours. On this trip, I'm so glad our timing was right. What a treat to step inside this historic beacon!

Susan

Gifts From the Sea

We are in the midst of our week away on Martha's Vineyard. The weather has been picture perfect and looks like it will continue that way for the rest of our stay on the island. At the moment, John and Jacob are off doing some night fishing on Chappaquiddick. Hannah and I are at our rental house relaxing after a fun-filled day.

The pleasantly warm and sunny days have enabled us to spend lots of time at the Atlantic Ocean. I have been taking my morning walks on the sand and have also enjoyed one of my favorite vacation activities -- beach combing. At home, I have a collection of gifts from the sea consisting of beach glass and sea shells.

For example, in our upstairs hall bath, you'll find some of the shells that have found their way into our pockets from vacations past. I like to store them in old blue glass mason jars.

I found this whimsical sea glass mermaid many years ago at a store right here on Martha's Vineyard. At that time, I had been making a variety of wired beach glass creations myself. I knew how difficult these pieces were to make and was particularly impressed with this charming mermaid.

More of my sea shell collection can be found gathered together in an old green pottery bowl in our screened porch.

As you can see, I have several hundred pieces of sea glass. Most were found locally over a number of years at the beach in Rowayton down the street from our house. For a while, I enjoyed making things with these finds, such as wired sea glass fish and stars. I wish I had a photo of one of the fish to show you, but I either sold them or gave them to friends as gifts. But I do have one last star I made which hangs in the window of my studio.

I also still have one of my more ambitious projects -- a sea glass lamp shade.

Hand made from chicken wire, copper wire and authentic beach glass in shades of green, white and brown, I crafted this piece using over 40 pieces of glass found on the shores of Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

Perfect for cottage or cabin decor, you can now find this rustic shade for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

It's getting late -- time to turn in for the day. We'll be up bright and early tomorrow to head "up-island" to the MV farmer's market. Then we will be off to spend the day in Menemsha, a lovely little fishing village with a few shops, eateries and a pretty beach. Perhaps we'll find more gifts from the sea on the sands of Menemsha Beach.

I will share much more from our week away with you once we are back home. Until then . . .

Susan