The T-Cozy

Vintage French Seed Label Goodness

Now in my Etsy shop, an array of handmade items that feature original 1920s flower and vegetable seed labels! Found in unused condition, the labels are new old stock from a seed merchant in Burgundy, France. 

Great for sketching, journaling, to-do lists and more, my handy pocket notebooks measure 3.5 by 5 inches, the perfect size to slip into your back pocket, handbag or shirt pocket.

They can be purchased singly or in sets of three and are fun stocking stuffers for gardening enthusiasts.

For your gift giving pleasure, I also created sets of kraft-colored tags with jute twine cords for tying onto wrapped presents, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, gift bags, a house plant and more. They’re blank on the back to provide room for a handwritten message.

So pretty! You can find these items filled with vintage French seed label goodness in my Etsy shop HERE.

Susan
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Sew Fun! Fabric Ditty Bags for Clothes Pins and More

My latest creation is inspired by a clothes pin bag I’ve had for ages. Using it as a pattern, I sewed up a bunch of new ones for my Etsy shop.

I made my ditty bags out of a fruity textile from my stash. A cord on either side serves as a simple, low-tech way to cinch them closed. And even if you don’t hang wet clothes outside on the line, they can be very useful.

I picture one displayed on a hook in a laundry room... holding sewing supplies, toiletries or small toys... or as an eco-friendly, reusable gift bag filled with goodies for a cherished friend or family member. 

Measuring 9 inches wide by 7 inches long, each 100% cotton bag, complete with ten new wooden clothes pins, is for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

Susan
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Hi There! I Know It has Been a While...

Not sure where the time went and I apologize for not posting sooner. Weren’t the past two months crazy? Have you enjoyed spending more time at home? Since I normally work out of my studio, it hasn’t been that different for me — except that I’ve quite happily had my family working here, too. 

What have you been up to? My Etsy shop has kept me busy. I’ve also spent time sewing face masks for labor and delivery nurses and ICU health care workers at a local hospital.

I have enjoyed having the opportunity to read more, organize my studio, and draw in my sketchbook. Three of my drawings were inspired by vintage kitchenalia.

I like how they turned out so much that I featured them on spiral notebooks in my shop HERE.

And here is my latest sketch, inspired by current events...

I’m very grateful that we’re healthy and safe here. I do hope all is well with you and yours.

Susan
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Dear Diary

My latest sewing project: fabric covers that dress up classic composition books in vintage style. Using a 1940s floral from my personal collection, this textile came from the estate of an avid sewer who lived in a stately Victorian in my neighborhood. Her charming fabric is one of my all-time favorites. 

Using a coordinating cotton on the interior, I added crocheted pansies and rick-rack bookmarks to make these retro covers extra special.

The composition book is filled with 100 blue-lined wide-ruled pages. The cover is reusable and, when needed, can be placed on a fresh book easily found at stores like Staples or Walmart. 

The perfect gift for a budding writer, student or teacher, these can be found in my Etsy shop HERE.

🎉 Happy 2020!

Susan
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The Well-Dressed Tote Bag: Vintage Overalls Reinvented

If you’re like me and can’t seem to part with special things from your past, this project is for you . . .

In my college days, my favorite garment was a pair of Lee bib overalls. Beautifully embroidered by my art school friend back in the late 70s, I wore them like crazy until overalls fell out of fashion. So I stored them away for a while.

When I came across them more than a decade later, they brought a smile to my face. I tried them on and soon realized that although I worked hard to keep my girlish figure, after having two children, they would probably never fit me again. 

So I cut off the bib and turned it into a pillow that happily resided on the sewing chair in my former studio.

Just recently I decided to refurbish my beloved overalls once again. This time I used them to dress up a Land’s End canvas tote bag.

Using waxed nylon thread and a large tapestry needle, I hand-stitched on the bib and straps. 

I left the back “V” open to form a handy pocket.

My reinvented vintage-overalls-turned-tote resides on the Hoosier cabinet in my current studio where I can see it every day. And since my laptop fits inside, it often keeps me company when I’m out and about. 😊 Yay!

Susan
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Join My T-Party Antiques Mailing List❣️

I am happy to announce the launch of my redesigned website. I’ve been working on it for the past two months. It has a new layout, lots of studio pics, a little about me, my Etsy shop, and more. For a closer look, visit the site at this link.

While you’re there, I invite you to join my mailing list. Simply enter your email in the box (shown left) that is located at the bottom of the Home Page. Once you sign up, you will receive my monthly newsletter where I’ll share innovative ideas to help make your home and studio a fun, cheerful place. From whimsical craft projects to handy storage hints, charming antiques and seasonal decorating ideas, you’ll also find out about new items and sales in my Etsy shop as well as receiving exclusive coupon codes for even more savings — just in case there is a little something you’d like to call your own. 😍

Susan
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What It Was Then, What It Is Now

I found this rusty old wire basket last weekend. Any idea what it might be? 

It’s the rack that holds glass baby bottles inside a sterilizer pot. Although the pot had seen better days, when I looked inside and saw the empty rack, I knew it had potential. 

I decided to repurpose it into a supply caddy. So I headed to the grocery store for seven small cans of tomato paste. I emptied their contents (spaghetti sauce anyone?), scrubbed them and soaked off the labels.

Off to my favorite fabric store where I purchased a fat quarter in a cotton mini flower print. So cute!

After carefully measuring a can to determine the exact size, I cut out seven pieces of fabric. I measured just under the top and bottom lip of the can. 

Using craft glue, I wrapped the body of each can with the cut fabric and let them dry. (If you prefer, decorative paper can be used, but fabric will hold up better over time.)

Once dry, I popped the gussied-up cans into the holder. I love how the cans’ ridges are still evident; it gives them a nice texture.

Voilà! Ready to corral the various items needed in a busy studio, sewing room or home office. And so easy! 

The listing for my repurposed creation can be found in my Etsy shop HERE.

Susan
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Cottage Garden Shadow Boxes and My 12-Year Blogiversary

Behold my cottage garden shadow box series!

Incorporating vintage Martha’s Vineyard postcards, tiny plastic flowers, beautiful handmade papers and more, each cigar box has been transformed into a miniature, magical, smile-inducing world. Here’s a closer look.

Aren’t they fun? Hard to believe that they started out as ordinary cigar boxes. For a post about how I made them, click HERE.

Today marks a dozen years of blogging. My, how time flies! To date, The T-Cozy has had 1,073,704 lifetime views and received 7,234 comments from loyal readers. Plus, I have written 1299 posts! Wow — how did that happen?

Many thanks for your kind support over the last twelve years. Please know that I truly appreciate it. 

Warmest regards,

Susan
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The View from Here

Today, this is where you’ll find me — at the work table in my studio. Filled with all of my favorite things, this happy room never fails to inspire me.

Time to get back to making more shadow boxes. I can’t wait to show you how they turn out! Until next time...

Susan
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Making Something From (Almost) Nothing

It all started with an assortment of vintage plastic flowers discovered at a local thrift shop. Loads of tiny faux blossoms in a rainbow of colors  — and only $2.00. How could I resist? 

Driving home from the shop, I mulled over what I should do with my latest find. Making a garden-themed shadowbox immediately came to mind. So I took a detour and drove to a cigar store where the owner kindly leaves stacks of empty cigar boxes near the door. Free for the taking, I selected several small wooden ones and headed home to my studio.

My favorite go-to craft is decoupage, so I decided to cut out an array of flowery images to line the sides of the box. I gathered my supplies (glue, Mod Podge, brushes, cutting tools, thread spools, embroidery floss) along with vintage postcards, floral paper and tear sheets from old gardening books. 

The cigar box had a slide-off top which I removed. Then I painted the box a vibrant turquoise. Although the lid was no longer needed, I realized that the same grooves could hold glass instead. So while the paint dried, I headed to the hardware store and purchased a piece of glass cut to size for just $1.00. 

Back in the studio, I chose a vintage postcard of Emily Post’s cottage in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard as the focal point in the box’s interior. I covered the sides with garden imagery and used a map and sunflower on the back. Next, I applied five coats of satin Mod Podge to the exterior of the box, giving each coat at least 20 minutes drying time.

After making a small platform from florist foam, I arranged and glued down an array of plastic flowers to simulate a colorful garden bed. On the top of the box, I added a tiny bird perched on a mound of moss.

I wanted my shadowbox to be free-standing, so little legs were in order. I rooted through my stash of empty wooden thread spools, found four of the same size, and glued embroidery floss in vibrant colors around each. Then I coated them with Mod Podge and secured them to the bottom. When everything was dry, I slid the glass in place and my thrifty shadowbox was complete.

Here are pics with the glass removed so you can have a closer look. Oh, I forgot to mention — I painted tiny white clouds on the blue sky inside.

Isn’t the little bird adorable?

I love the back of the box and the little spool legs, too.

My new shadowbox barely cost a thing and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. It certainly looks right at home in my studio.

Plus, I still have four more cigar boxes. Perhaps my shadowbox will be the first one in a series . . .  Stay tuned!

Susan
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It’s an Etsy Shop Sale!

Save 20% on all handmade items in my Etsy shop through Monday, November 26.

Happy shopping... and Happy Thanksgiving, too!

Susan
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Cute, Cuter, Cutest

Introducing my latest, and perhaps cutest, find...

A dear friend (who knows of my affection for both Hoosier cabinets and child-sized vintage furniture) guided me to her friend who is moving. Lucky for me, she wanted to part with this charming cupboard! 

After a good cleaning, I edged the shelves with trimmed-down shelf paper — the same pattern that’s in my full-size Hoosier. Then I filled it with studio supplies and mini pottery pieces so that it’s pretty to look at as well as useful.

When I shared pics of this charmer on my Instagram feed, several folks begged to buy it. Needless to say, it’s a keeper. However, due to my weakness for vintage doll dressers, mini kitchen appliances, toy sewing machines and child-size cabinets, I search far and wide so that there is always an array offered for sale in my Etsy shop.

I love how these endearing relics look displayed on a kitchen counter. And sometimes they can do double double, like the pink toy refrigerator that can be used as a magnet board to hold the grocery list, a love note, to-do list or reminder.

One afternoon in my studio (when I was in need of distraction from boring paperwork), I set up a vignette featuring an Ohio Art toy stove from my shop, a handmade mini pennant banner, and other Etsy shop items. Super cute, right? Check out what’s in the oven...

Vintage toy sewing machines are by far the best sellers in my Etsy shop. Ones in good condition are getting very hard to find. Here is the little darling (complete with its original box) that is in my Etsy shop right now...

Over the past seven years, I’ve sold a total of 49 of these little beauties! Each cuter than the next...

When I found the vintage doll dresser below, it was in a shabby state. A little white and aqua paint brought it back to life.

I lined the drawers with pretty floral paper so now it’s ready to keep small desk supplies or jewelry stashed away and organized. You can find it for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

Here’s one last look at my baby Hooiser sitting on the “lap” of my full-size one...

Makes me smile. How about you?

Susan
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👋🏼 Hello from T-Party Antiques’ Studio!

Welcome to where you’ll find me most days . . . my studio. Filled with all of my favorite things, this special room never fails to make me smile. Come on in!

Alongside my worktable and cottage gallery wall, a shabby wooden ladder showcases four vintage tablecloths. They are but a small portion of my textile collection; a few others are neatly folded nearby in an old metal shopping basket.

My studio is where I work on a variety of creative pursuits. One of my latest projects: lace garlands made from vintage crocheted doilies. So pretty! 

To me, vintage + made from wood + shaped like a teapot = irresistible. Hence my collection of handmade soap powder dispensers and teapot-shaped ring holders.

The collections continue: picnic tins and world globes, some of which are for sale in my Etsy shop HERE and HERE.

I love to find fun ways to store and display supplies. Small drawers from a vintage doll dresser corral thread that belonged to my mom. And a Harlequin sugar bowl sans lid now holds my pin cushion. 

Needless to say, the centerpiece of my studio is the whimsical 1950’s worktable — truly perfect for a former tearoom owner.

So, are you smiling yet? 😍

Susan
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Showering the Bride-To-Be with Love

It has been a while since my last post. Sorry, April was a bit of a blur. I spent most of my free time planning and preparing for my daughter’s bridal shower.  

I worked on lots of fun projects for the event which took place in late April at The Twisted Tail in Philadelphia. We rented their Club Room that has a rustic vibe featuring two fireplaces and a chalkboard spanning the length of one wall. What a great space! 

For party guest favors, I ordered an assortment of mini succulents from The Succulent Source. Once the adorable plants arrived, I made origami boxes for them out of patterned paper in shades of blue and green. 

I then placed tiny “Let Love Grow” tags in each one and used moss as filler. Aren’t they sweet?

To keep costs down, my daughter and I did the floral arrangements ourselves. Using an array of flowers from the grocery store, we placed them in vintage blue glass mason jars gifted to us by a neighbor. We were very pleased (and a little surprised) with how well they turned out.

Another dear friend with mad cake decorating skills made the cake. Sherri does this as a hobby that began when she helped me make a birthday cake for my daughter nine years ago (shared HERE). Starting with that very first one, Sherri caught the fondant cake-making bug and has since made over 50 amazing cakes for family and friends.

With help from Sherri and her daughter (who is the maid of honor), we came up with a few fun party games.

There were questions to answer, faux engagement rings to steal, ages to guess, and more... 

I also asked each guest to fill out a card offering “Advice and Wishes for the Soon-to-be Mrs.” that I placed in a handmade album for Hannah to take home and share with her fiancé.

Speaking of her fiancé, he showed up near the end of the shower with a beautiful bouquet for his beautiful bride-to-be.

What a fun afternoon!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Susan
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My Etsy Listing To-Do List

I like to spend my days finding, making and sharing items with you in my Etsy shop. My latest acquisitions are shown below. Once these treasures are in hand, I begin to create their Etsy listings. That’s when I truly miss my brick and mortar antiques shop. I long for the days when a patron would simply walk in the door, fall in love with an item, buy it, and take it home — all in a matter of minutes. 

Now that I sell online, the process is a bit more complicated. Each item you see in my shop is cleaned, photographed and written about with the utmost of care. Once it is purchased, it must be securely packed for shipment to virtually anywhere around the globe.

So... if you ever see something on this blog or in my Instagram feed that you can’t live without, please feel free to contact me before it makes its Etsy debut. I’d be more than happy to sell it to you directly and circumvent the time-eating listing process entirely!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Susan
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Susan
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Snow Day = Sew Day

We have had quite an abominable winter so far with super cold temperatures and lots of snow. And it’s only early January! Just last week, normal activity ground to a halt when a massive East Coast storm blew in. 

If I have to be housebound, there is no place I’d rather be than in my cozy studio. So during the storm, I decided to hunker down and spend the day channeling spring by sewing pennant banners out of cheerful vintage textiles.

I have saved snippets of favorite fabrics for years. Most were once useful kitchen items (tablecloths, tea towels, curtains, etc.) but they had seen better days. However, they still had lots of usable bits, so why not cut them up and repurpose them?

Usually I make my textile garlands out of triangular flags of all the same fabric. But this time, I chose to mix things up resulting in a fun, happy medley of color and pattern. I had just enough to make three different lengths of bunting. Aren’t they pretty?

I love how they turned out. Soon all three will make their Etsy shop debut, perhaps by the end of the week.

Stay warm and safe this winter. And when all else fails . . . get creative!

Susan
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West Elm Pop-Up Prep: Making Vintage Textile Collages, Zippered Pouches & More

Did you know that West Elm graciously offers artists the opportunity to sell handmade wares at their home decor stores? How great is that?! My local Westport, CT store is hosting pop up shops throughout the holiday season and I am so pleased to be one of the artists this year. With my first pop-up fast approaching, I’ve been busily making things to sell. Here is what I’ve been up to...

In my Etsy shop, I sell Swatch Portraits utilizing humble embroidery hoops that frame vintage fabric. To shake things up a bit, I began making textile collages featuring remnants of favorite fabrics, embroidered bits and rick-rack sewn together in a happy design. And once I got started, I just couldn’t stop! 

For kicks, I put them up on the wall of my studio. I love how colorful they are and how they look all grouped together.

In the spirit of the season, I decided to make a bunch more using a Santa Train textile from the 1960s combined with a whimsical dotty fabric and yellow rick rack.

Aren’t they fun? I then embarked on another sewing project that enabled me to learn something new...

In all my years of sewing, I had never put a zipper in before. So I decided to be brave and create an array of zippered pouches made from a stash of yummy fabric remnants.

I am happy to report that zipper installation wasn’t nearly as hard as I expected. Here are my finished pouches...

Today, I am gathering, organizing and pricing all of the handmade items that will accompany me to the sale.

If you happen to find yourself in my area on Saturday, December 9, stop by and say hello at West Elm, 35 Main Street in Westport, CT. I’d love to see you! And for some last minute holiday shopping, I will be there again on Sunday, December 17.

Susan
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Tray Transformation

When I’m feeling crafty, I like to use the ancient art of decoupage as a way to inject new life into vintage objects that have seen better days. At a local thrift shop, I discovered a green metal serving tray that was just waiting to be refurbished. I realized its potential and scooped it up for a mere dollar.

The next day, I gathered materials for the project: tear sheets from old garden books, Mod Podge, an X-acto knife, a cutting board, and a collection of flower-shaped vintage buttons magnets.

After selecting various garden-themed images to use on the tray, I carefully cut them out. 

As I often do, I decided to use book pages with text as a background. I glued them in place and coated them with light beige paint to soften the black typography. 

Next, I arranged colorful wildflower drawings and black and white illustrations on top of the background, as well as the Latin names for the flowers I had chosen. When all of the elements pleased my eye, I coated the front of the tray with five layers of Mod Podge.

Now this tray is all ready to be of service in the kitchen, embellish a dresser, or grace a coffee table. And by adding six of my handmade button magnets in matching colors, it can do double-duty as a message board.

And there you have it! Of course, if you actually want to have it, you can find it for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

Give this fun and easy decoupage project a try. If you do, be sure to let me know. I’d love to see a photo of your handiwork.

Susan
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My Custom Art Globe in Germany’s Glamour Magazine

A couple of months ago, I was contacted by Nina, an editor at Glamour Magazine in Germany. She came across my Altered Art World Globes online — the ones that feature images from vintage primers of picket fences and friendly children at play. The upcoming October issue of Glamour was to have a piece on the European Union and Nina kindly asked me to create a custom globe with the same vibe for the article. But instead of having the usual words “We Are Neighbors,” she requested that it say “Wir sind Freunde” which means “We are Friends.” We searched far and wide for just the right  image of neighborly people about the same age as Glamour’s readers. Luckily, we found the perfect retro illustration at Getty Images.

I got right to work on the globe and here is the result...

And here it is in the October issue, now on newsstands in Germany. So exciting!

It was such fun to do a custom globe and so very nice to be discovered by someone from afar. Many thanks to Nina, and to Glamour Magazine!

Susan
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Labor Day Savings in My Etsy Shop

Enjoy 10% off in my Etsy shop this Labor Day weekend! You’ll find reduced prices on an array of fun, whimsical items that are chock full of vintage goodness. This T-Party Antiques sale goes through Monday, September 4.

Have a nice holiday weekend. Happy shopping!

Susan
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Introducing T-Party Antiques on Society6.com!

I am pleased to announce the opening of my Society6 shop! Filled with fun products chock full of vintage goodness, you’ll find art prints, stationery cards, throw pillows, tote bags, wall clocks, shower curtains, wall tapestries, travel mugs and notebooks bearing my favorite T-Party Antiques images!

I'm having a blast working on this new venture and there will be more items with additional images to come. To view my shop, click HERE.

Happy shopping!

Susan
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Postcard Pursuits

I am having the best time feathering our new nest on Martha’s Vineyard! Although it can be a bit daunting furnishing a vacation house from top to bottom, I am relishing every moment of it. The biggest challenge, aside from decorating on a shoestring budget, is the logistics of getting everything to a house located on an island that is reached via steamship. Through a variety of means (renting a van, hiring a moving company, and more), we have been able to get most of the large furnishings there in record time. Why the hurry? Because we want to be able to enjoy it with family and friends this summer. And eventually, we will rent it out during the high season in summers to come.

For the next few weeks until we return to MV, I am focusing on finding small home decor pieces. I’ve been attending estate sales like a madwomen, and last Sunday, we went to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market. In a couple of weeks, I will make a pilgrimage to Brimfield with a friend to see what I can find there. In the meantime, I am working on budget-friendly wall decor projects.

When we moved into our 1925 cottage in Norwalk three years ago, I noticed a small casement window leaning against the wall in the basement. Original to the house, it is no longer needed, so I planned to replace the panes of glass with mirror. However, when I came across my collection of vintage Martha’s Vineyard postcards recently, I decided on another use for the window.

John sanded, scraped and cleaned away all of the window’s loose paint. I then adhered six of my favorite cards to the back of the glass using Zots which are small, flat adhesive dots. Easiest project ever!

A neighbor of mine kindly gave me a couple of 1950s floral lithographs in curvy wooden frames. Unfortunately, the prints had seen better days, so I took the pictures apart and painted the frames white to match the window. I enlarged two more vintage postcards on a color copier and placed them under glass in the refurbished frames.

Below are the finished projects on the wall of our MV abode. Cottagey and fun — I love the postcards’ bright colors and kitschy images.

These projects were super easy. And best of all, they were virtually free. I love free!

Susan
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The T-Cozy is Ten Years Old... This Calls for a Giveaway!

How time flies. This month, I’m celebrating the T-Cozy’s 10th blogiversary! From whimsical craft projects to charming antiques, from storage hints to seasonal decorating ideas, my hope is that this blog has provided you with innovative ideas to make your home a fun, cheerful place. I’ve loved sharing my flea market finds and treasured collections with you over the years. 

Speaking of vintage treasures, this altered art world globe, decoupaged with charming illustrations from a 1940s primer, is up for grabs. Made by yours truly, the paper ephemera features images of friendly children, houses, picket fences and all the activity that goes on in a neighborhood. 

For a chance to win my upcycled globe, on Instagram, “like” this photo, then post a picture of your all-time favorite vintage find on your IG feed and make sure to tag @tpartyantiques. If you’re not on Instagram, you can leave a comment on this post about your favorite find instead. The lucky winner will be notified Monday evening, April 3. 

Thank you to those who have come along on my blogging journey over the last decade!

Susan
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Elevating the Classic Composition Book

A while back, I came across a charming cotton textile made in Japan by Yugyoku. Created by Kokka, it has a whimsical pattern of flowers, circles and well-dressed chicks. Isn’t it adorable?  

Since I sold several of my handmade composition book covers at West Elm’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop, I figured it was time to finally put this fabric to good use and make a few more.

How I love my new Janome sewing machine! It makes any project a breeze.

I had just enough fabric to make three covers.

Just for fun, I added a rickrack bookmark embellished with vintage buttons at the end. 

Sewing composition book covers like these are super simple. I watched a tutorial by the Craft Genie to learn how. But if you’re not into sewing and are pining away for one, you can purchase one of my creations in my Etsy shop here.

Susan
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Pretty Pictures

In case you didn't know . . . I adore photography. Always have, always will. How nice that I get to share my favorite pics with you right here on The T-Cozy. Lucky me!

Here are some new shots for your viewing pleasure.

Our cottage looks extra cozy when covered in a blanket of snow.

Step inside. Want a cup of tea?

Our kitchen is bright and sunny. And just beyond it is my sweet little studio, also known as My Happy Place.

I can’t help but smile when I’m in here.

It has space for all of my crazy collections.

Needless to say, I have a weakness for things made from wood that are shaped like teapots.

My desk is chock full of vintage eye candy. This is where I work on listings for my Etsy shop.

I’ve spent this week listing valentines from the 1930s. Adorable.

My latest acquisition — three metal trays in the perfect shade of aqua. One is already in use as a message board in my kitchen. The other two are in my shop and come with four handmade button magnets.

It’s hard to believe that my 10-year blogiversary is this March. Wow! How did that happen? Whether you are a new reader, or one that has been with me for the long haul, my hope is that The T-Cozy has been a respite for you, a place to relax during your busy day and enjoy my quirky brand of home decor with a vintage twist. 

I am ever grateful to you for being here. It has been an honor to provide you with decorating inspiration and to share my love of photography with you. Have you enjoyed what you’ve seen and read here? I do hope so.

Susan
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All the Best to You in 2017!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Ours was chock full of fun with family and friends. One more day to chill, and then it’s back to business as usual...

May your 2017 be filled with peace, good health, and much happiness!

Susan
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I Like to Make Things

I have been an artistic person for as long as I can remember. Art was always my favorite subject in grade school and I proceeded to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in college. After graduation, I put my creative talent to work as a graphic designer for 24 years.

In 2003, I longed for a change, so I laid my design business to rest and opened an antiques shop and tea room. When it closed in 2008, Etsy became the perfect place for me to share my love of vintage items as well as the things I like to make, shown below...

Vintage button magnets

Mixed media primer pictures

Vintage book cover journals and handmade note cards

Pennant banners sewn from vintage textiles

And altered art world globes.

Recently, I had the good fortune to be one of the local artists featured at West Elm Pop Up Shops around the country. I did one in Westport, CT in mid-November and they asked me back for another. So I happily popped up again last Saturday where I brought along this array of handmade goods with a vintage vibe...

And here they are on display at West Elm...

I’m happy to report that my items were well received. Top sellers were my repurposed book cover journals, fabric swatch portraits and Flower Fairy note cards. 

I so enjoyed popping up and meeting West Elm’s friendly sales staff and super nice customers. Many thanks, West Elm!

Susan
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My Upcycled 🐌 Mail Holder Project

There is something about a gray day that makes me want to hunker down and get creative. So on a cloudy Saturday morning, while John was out getting groceries, I began a crafty little project in my studio. 

I’ve been wanting to transform a vintage mail caddy that I found a while back. It was already awfully cute, with three wooden pockets and a scallop at the bottom. But what really captured my heart was the writing on the back saying “Love, Dad, 1980.” So sweet that someone’s dad made this for them.

Time to start the project. I gathered my materials: Mod Podge, brushes, vintage postage stamps and a wonderful old letter dating back to 1945. Handwritten on airmail-weight paper, the letter’s wrinkly, translucent quality would allow stamps placed under it to show through.

First, I adhered a variety of stamps in spots; these are the ones that would be covered by the letter.

Next, I covered the entire front of the holder by decoupaging segments of the letter at different angles. Looking good so far...

I then adhered more postage stamps on top of the background. Finally, once everything was dry, I coated the holder with several layers of matte Mod Podge.

Ta-da! Presenting my spiffed up mail holder! Easy peasy and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. 😊

Susan
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What’s New in My Studio

It has been a busy summer and it’s going by fast. Hard to believe that it is already mid-August.

On summer days when I’m not off traveling and spending time with family and friends, you can find me here...

A great way to start the day, especially because the window above my desk faces east and lets the morning sunlight stream in. After I check my email and do a bit of bookkeeping, I often head over to my work table for a little sewing project.

I am obsessed with cherries lately. So when I discovered vintage cherry-embellished fabric at a local estate sale, I knew just what to use it for...

... an itty bitty pennant banner. Isn't it adorable? If you, too, have a thing for cherries, this mini flag garland is for sale in my Etsy shop here.

Recently I found the prefect rug to protect the floor beneath my sewing chair. Lucy likes it, too. This sweet pooch belongs to Jacob and stayed with us in July. She’s a wonderful dog and we had lots of fun puppy-sitting. 

There is something else new in my studio that I’m very excited about. Say hello to my brand new Janome sewing machine! 

Although my aqua 1960s Singer is fabulous, it only sews a straight stitch forward and back. So it was time to get a machine with a few more bells and whistles. I spent a day last week reading the manual and getting to know my new machine. It sews like a dream. I think I’m in love!

With “back to school” days fast approaching, I decided to make a few composition book covers using my favorite 1970s floral textiles. Aren’t they pretty? They can be found for sale in my Etsy shop at this link.

This week’s project: throw pillows for Hannah’s new apartment. 

Happy Monday!

Susan
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It’s a Pennant Banner Sale!

I created this array of festive pennant banners out of cheerful vintage textiles. Aren't they pretty? And so perfect for spring!  

Hang one of these lovelies wherever you want a spot of color and whimsy… at your next birthday party, backyard picnic, in your studio, child’s room, porch, craft space, office, bedroom — anywhere! 

For your springtime shopping pleasure, I've just reduced these handmade garlands 20%. You can find them in my Etsy shop HERE.

Don't you just love a sale? Happy weekend, 

Susan
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Making Things

Last week, the bright sunshine that flooded my studio motivated me to spend time working on a few fun projects.

First, I got out my old Singer sewing machine and fashioned a festive pennant banner from a vintage tablecloth with a Vera Neumann vibe. Then I used a bit of the remaining fabric and made an embroidery hoop art swatch portrait. This textile is sunshine personified!

It had been a while since I combed through my vast collection of vintage buttons. So out they came. Before long, I crafted sets of button magnets from translucent yellow flowers and added colorful carved buttons for the centers. Aren't they sweet?

These whimsical magnets would be a cheerful springtime addition to a fridge. Or place them on a metal tray, washboard or cookie sheet and you'd have an instant message board.

Since another of my handmade altered art globes sold last week, it was time to create a new one. 

Using a vintage Replogle Land and Sea Globe, this one sports a gold metal stand with a Meridian band attached at the North and South Poles allowing the globe to pivot on its axis and adjust it to any angle.

My, how I love my studio! As I always say... everyone should have a little space that is all their own. Mine never fails to inspire.

Now I'm off to run errands. But before I go, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Spring!

Susan
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Basket Beautification

Presenting my latest crafty project . . .

When I found this basket purse, its flat wooden top was unadorned. I decided to embellish it with vintage millinery elements: cherries, green leaves, red flowers, and a tiny black bird. I also added miniature red loop braid trim along the top edge.

At an estate sale several years ago, I discovered a large stash of milliner’s bits and bobs; leaves, flowers, birds, fruits, ribbons, and more. I've been incorporating these wonderful elements in art projects ever since.

Made from what I believe to be woven hickory, this 1960s basket purse has metal grommets along the top edge that have dulled to a nice, dark patina. Sporting a bent oak handle, it has a leather tab that snaps to securely close the lid. Unlined on the interior, I covered the inside bottom with vintage fabric in a pretty floral pattern.

These adornments have certainly raised this relic’s cuteness factor, don’t you think? Now it’s super sweet and would look great displayed on a dresser or vanity. It would also be happy to store supplies in a craft studio, home office or sewing room.

If this beautified basket has captured your heart and you want it for your very own, it is available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE.

Enjoy your Thursday!

Susan
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Primer Projects

You may have noticed over the years that I adore vintage books, especially children’s primers from the 1930s to the 50s. The main attraction for me is that they are brimming with charming illustrations of kids from a time when things seemed simpler and less complicated. In my thrifting travels, I often come across primers that have seen better days; perhaps they have scribbles inside from over zealous students, or their bindings are shot from too many little hands turning their pages. However, if those books have nice covers and appealing pictures inside, you can be sure I'll take them home and find other uses for them.

When these worse for wear books have attractive covers, I turn them into spiral bound journals. Or sometimes their drawings catch my eye and spark an idea, like my altered art world globes.

This week's inspiration came in the form of a tattered primer filled with adorable drawings by Mildred Lyon Hetherington. They captured my heart, so I was determined to make something with them. I've been saving some unfinished wood frames I found a while back. Now it was time to put them to good use.

First, I covered the frames with bits of text from the book. I selected five of my favorite illustrations, mounted them on thick cardboard and placed them inside the frames. Then I added a simple word relating to each image using green letter squares that were once pieces from a vintage board game. Lastly, I decoupaged them with several coats of matte finish Mod Podge.

Perfect for a child's bedroom wall, these pictures would also be happy to grace just about any room of the house — like propped on a shelf among favorite books or tucked behind a farmhouse mixing bowl on the kitchen counter.

What a fun project! I love how they turned out. You can find them for sale in the Home Decor section of my Etsy shop HERE. 

Have a great weekend,

Susan
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Curating the Norwalk Historical Society’s Museum Shop

A new Museum is opening in my town this weekend! Part of the Norwalk Historical Society, it celebrates Norwalk's history and diversity and is sure to be an asset to the city. Located in a stately brick building behind City Hall, it offers innovative and educational exhibits and will be used as a gathering place for exciting events.

The Museum's curators have been hard at work on the exhibits. I, too, have been a curator of sorts, as I was asked to create a Museum gift shop from the ground up. For the past nine months, I’ve been meeting with local artists, going to the gift show in NYC, searching for display pieces, and finally, setting up and styling the shop in a bright, spacious room on the Museum’s first floor.

My goal is to have the store be a shopping destination featuring gifts for all occasions, filled with interesting and unusual items that you can't find just anywhere. I have used it as an opportunity to feature 25 local artists’ work and their affordable paintings, mixed media, photography, home goods, greeting cards, jewelry, ornaments, housewares, toys, books, accessories and more.

You’ll also find custom tote bags, aprons, dish towels, soaps, hats, tee shirts and hoodies, all with the Norwalk Historical Society’s lovely new logo.

And for the holidays, a very special Norwalk globe ornament has been created just for us. So pretty!

I had such fun putting the shop together and I’m very pleased with how it turned out.

If you are in the area this weekend, shop local and stop in. The Holiday Open House (and ribbon cutting) is on Saturday, December 5 from noon until 4 pm. Hope to see you there!

If you can’t make it this Saturday, please note that regular Museum hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 pm with extended Holiday shopping hours on Friday, December 11, noon to 7 pm and Saturday, December 12, 10 am to 4 pm. The Museum is located behind Norwalk City Hall at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk CT.

Susan
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Meleen and Charlotte’s Vermont Getaway

Recently, I spent a long weekend away in southern Vermont. On a sunny fall morning, two friends and I made the 3-1/2 hour drive north from Connecticut through some of the prettiest countryside I have ever seen. We traveled along the Green Mountains and Adirondack foothills to our destination: Arlington, Vermont. Meleen Dupre and her good friend Charlotte Lyons have been hosting craft-based getaway weekends since 2012. For four days and three nights, a group of creative women from across the country gather together to stay in Meleen’s side-by-side vintage farmhouses, eat her home-cooked meals, do a few crafty projects, and experience whatever else lovely Vermont has to offer. 

We arrived late Thursday afternoon and were warmly greeted by Charlotte and Meleen. After getting a tour of both homes and settling into our respective bedrooms, comfy wicker chairs beckoned us on the porch. More introductions were made and we chatted while snacking on grapes, Vermont cheese and crackers. Later, we headed inside to the great room to enjoy a scrumptious dinner at communal tables among the array of distinctive antiques that Meleen and her husband collect.

After dinner, it was off to the craft room for our first project: handmade journals. Meleen repurposed vintage books as the covers and it was our task to decorate and fill them with blank pages. Before arriving, we had a little homework assignment to make tags with our contact information. Now that we were together, we exchanged those tags with one another and placed them in our journals. 

The next morning, we enjoyed a hearty country breakfast and lounged for a bit in our PJ’s. Then we got ready for the next project: a workshop led by talented guest artist Jenn McGlon of Noodle and Lou. Jenn showed us how to paint little wooden boxes in her distinctive style. So sweet, just like Jenn!

That afternoon, we went on a field trip to Wing and a Prayer Farm. We met fiber farmer and baker extraordinaire Tammy White, her beautiful sheep and alpacas, crazy turkeys, and three very energetic dogs. Tammy showed us how she creates a variety of fabric dyes from plants and other natural elements. She also graciously gathered an array of fresh herbs from the garden and instructed us in a fragrant project: lovely little herbal wreaths for us to take home.

The next day, the always inspiring Charlotte Lyons led us in our most challenging project: a shadowbox fashioned from a cigar box and filled with personal trinkets we brought from home. Classes took place in a well-appointed craft room that took up the entire first floor of one of the houses. Chock full of every sort of art supply, it was the perfect place to get to know everyone while crafting. My four-seasons-themed shadowbox, featuring fun vintage pics of me and my sister, turned out better than I expected!

Late that afternoon, we took a shadowboxing break to visit and shop at Battenkill Pottery, the studio of ceramic artist Jessica Putnam-Phillips.

Although our days were full, we still had time to explore on our own. We hit up a few Saturday morning tag sales and antique shops and visited Bennington Potters. We enjoyed Manchester, Vermont, with its outlet stores and one of the best independent book shops around, Northshire Bookstore. We also stopped at Manchester Woodcraft, a family-owned business filled to the brim with affordable wooden gifts, toys and household items. 

On the way back to Arlington, we stopped at Hildeen, the spectacular estate of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln’s son.

Hats off to Meleen and Charlotte for creating such a fun-filled and inspiring weekend! Where else can you stay in vintage farmhouses, eat wonderful meals, explore the picturesque New England countryside and craft to your heart’s delight? 

Even though I am not a crafter by nature and the projects were challenging for me, I truly enjoyed working on them. It was nice to learn something new in a beautiful setting surrounded by friendly and talented people. What a pleasure it was to meet and spend time with Charlotte, Meleen, Jenn, Kana, Tammy and all of the women who ventured from near and far to attend this very special fall getaway.

Susan
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Cut, Paste, Repeat

To me, there is nothing more relaxing than spending a sunny summer afternoon getting creative in my studio. A few days ago, I turned on my favorite music and settled in to work on another up-cycled art globe. Crafty bliss!

First I cut out charming 1940s illustrations of children, houses and picket fences. Then I used a vintage Cram's Imperial World Globe as my canvas and artfully decoupaged the neighborly images onto it.

I love how this one turned out. Having just made its appearance in my Etsy shop, hopefully someone else will, too!

Until then, it is in good company on top of my Hoosier cabinet alongside my other worldly creations.

Susan
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Soap Powder Holder Revamp

You may have noticed that I love to collect obsolete things. And one of my favorite collections is my array of wooden soap powder holders. They can be hard to find, so whenever I come across one, I immediately snap it up.

A few weeks ago, I was trolling around eBay and found a pair that was less than stellar. Even so, I saw their potential and bid on the auction. Plain wood embellished with primitive sailboat stencils, these rustic gems were probably the handiwork of kids in wood shop class or dads tinkering in their basement workshops. Once constructed, I'll bet it became mom's job to paint them and/or apply decals to match her kitchen decor.

I thought it would be fun to do the same and give my handmade soap powder holders a paint and decal facelift.

These 1940s relics received several coats of cream paint. Then I perused my stash of vintage decals and found four large ones with vibrant poppy flowers. Once the paint was dry, I lightly distressed the surface and applied a decal on each side.

What a difference a little paint and a few pretty decals can make! I'm so pleased with my refurbished dispensers. Now they are real charmers, all ready to make their début in my Etsy shop soon.

Susan
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Destination: Etsy

I have been a busy bee — finding, crafting, photographing, listing! Here's a peek at what is destined for my Etsy shop . . .

I made three fabric swatch portraits using vintage bark cloth with a woodsy scene.

Some recent finds: a classic King-Seeley thermos, a tabletop corner shelf with birds, a pair of Sears roller skates, a set of three teapot-shaped tea bag rests with mushrooms, a green depression glass dish, an Androck sifter with a checkerboard pattern and a teapot-shaped shelf with hooks for potholders or keys.

I had the good fortune to acquire more soap powder holders. They can be very hard to find. However, these five found me! Someone read about my collection here on The T-Cozy and offered them to me. Yay!

More finds: an aqua Pyrex mixing bowl, another copy of Susie's New Stove, a vintage carrying case, flower-shaped curtain tie-back pins, a 1950s picnic tin, a pair of toy dump trucks, a blue Shawnee Pottery vase and a pretty pressed glass dish.

I have been contemplating selling off my large collection of vintage Sta-Brite flatware with red Bakelite handles. What do you think I should do? Keep or sell?

Plus — there is one more very special vintage find that I plan to share with you in my very next post. So please stop back soon!

Susan
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Global Endeavours

I spent Saturday morning happily working on a crafty project in my studio — another altered art world globe!

This time, I transformed a 1970s Rand McNally World Portrait Globe. I once again used charming 1940s primer illustrations of friendly children, houses and picket fences.

This particular globe has a Meridian band attached at the North and South Poles. It allows the orb to pivot on its axis and view the decoupaged images from any angle. Love it!

You can find my latest creation, along with other freshly listed items, in my Etsy shop.

Hope you are having a good week,

Susan
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Button Bouquets for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are the adorable vintage button bouquets that were won in a giveaway on my Instagram this morning . . .

Congratulations to sorrythankyou79 and her friend melmom5. And thanks to all who entered my giveaway!

Wishing you a LOVE-ly day,

Susan
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Button Bouquets Revisited

Whenever the temperature drops, I feel the urge to hunker down in my studio and do a little crafty project.

I realized that it had been ages since I made any button bouquets. So on Wednesday, I brewed a big mug of green tea, cranked up Pandora, and combed through my jars of colorful vintage buttons.

I gathered all of the necessary materials on my work table. And before long, I had made a couple of little bouquets. Aren't they sweet? They've just made their Etsy debut, here.

We're supposed to get a fair bit of snow tomorrow. More crafty projects? We'll see . . .

Have a good weekend!

Susan
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My Latest Artfully Up-Cycled Globe

Presenting my newest creation . . . I really love how this one turned out!

Starting with a Cram's Imperial world globe with pastel land masses, I carefully cut out images from a favorite 1940s primer. I then decoupaged the paper ephemera so it encircles the vintage globe in an interesting fashion.

The "We Are Neighbors" theme is conveyed through the oh-so-charming illustrations of friendly children, houses, picket fences and all the activity that goes on in a neighborhood.

My latest artfully up-cycled world globe has just been listed in my Etsy shop. I bet once it finds a new home, it's sure to be a conversation piece.

Susan
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Please Follow Me on Instagram!

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I did, one of which I'll share with you today . . . T-Party Antiques is now on Instagram! And although I may have arrived a little late to the Instagram party, it is something I have wanted to do for some time. Thankfully, my darling daughter is a social media whiz. With her prodding, I finally have a T-Party Instagram feed. This free online photo sharing and social network platform is a fun, quick and easy way to view and share visually inspiring images. You might be asking: Isn't that what Pinterest provides? In a way. However, Instagram has a format that organizes photographs and videos in sequential order, so it functions like a mini-blog of sorts, allowing you to experience moments in your friends' lives through pictures as they happen. You can "favorite" and comment on the photos, too.

Yesterday's Instagram photo shows me in the midst of an altered art globe project. The one I had listed in my Etsy shop sold, so I have my work cut out for me, so to speak. ;)

Although my Instagram is only one week old, I plan to post frequently and load it up with lots of eye candy brimming with vintage appeal. I hope you will consider following me, at this link. Thanks a bunch!

Susan
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Rescued Relics

I never pass up tattered old books with beautiful covers. Why, you may ask? Because I like to repurpose them into spiral-bound notebooks brimming with vintage appeal.

Here are my latest rescued relics . . .

Sunny Bunny, a darling children's book from 1918, sports an illustration of the title character playing a flute on the front and a group of his friends on the back. The inside has pictures of Sunny's family in the garden of their adorable pink cottage.

The First Book of Magic, a fun children's instructional book, was originally published in 1953. With a graphic of a top hat and magician's wand on the front, it also has magical illustrations on the inside front and back covers.

Heidi, this classic children's chapter book by Johanna Spyri, was published in 1954 as part of Doubleday's Junior Deluxe series of kids' books.

This Dana Girls Mystery Stories chapter book is from the 1950s. I like the illustration of the Dana Girls holding a holding a flashlight on the green tweed front cover, as well as the drawings of the sleuthing duo on the inside.

In 1931, The North American Almanac was considered the aristocrat of almanacs. It features a wonderful illustration of Viking ships at sea on the front and back covers.

These reclaimed books-turned-journals, along with other items made by me, can be found for sale in my Etsy here.

Susan

Little Green Letters

Ever wonder what to do with orphaned parts from vintage board games? At estate sales, I often come across ones where there's just enough of the game missing to render it un-playable. However, I rarely pass them by if they have usable pieces that can be up-cycled into something else, like Scrabble with its little wooden squares that creative folks incorporate into mixed media art. Or these cardboard letters, below, from an old game called Dig that I found at a recent barn sale.

The game had seen better days, but I knew its letter pieces would be fun to use in crafty ways. In a nice shade of Jadeite green, several have areas that have faded to a soft brown color. Shabby perfection.

Yesterday afternoon, using red and white baker's twine thread through a large embroidery needle, I began stringing together letters to make a little message garland. Sitting at my work table with my favorite music on, this simple project was very relaxing. Fun, too.

I think the finished garland is super sweet, perfect to place across a mirror, on a wreath, or just about anywhere. When time permits, I plan to make more with different messages like Happy Holidays, Welcome, etc. Then I'll list a few in my Etsy shop to see if they are sellable.

Any ideas as to what else I should spell out? If so, please let me know . . . Thanks!

Susan

The World is My Canvas

I recently found two old globes that are ripe for repurposing. Both are in rough shape and no longer geographically accurate, making them perfect for some crafty projects. 

A vintage primer, titled We Are Neighbors, provided the images for my upcycled globe on the left. It features charming illustrations of friendly children at play in an active neighborhood. This fall, I think I'll use these images, once again, to transform my newest finds into earthly art. 

I enjoy getting crafty every once in a while. How about you? 

Susan

Grime Time

I've never been afraid of a little dirt, which is a good thing because you wouldn't believe some of the estate sales I attend. Many take place in neglected houses that are grime-encrusted from attic to cellar. But to find the good stuff, you have to be fearless.

I often purchase things which haven't been cleaned for decades that most estate sale goers pass by. My latest find is a case in point: this darling doll dresser, the kind of endearing item that usually sells within the first few minutes of a sale. 

I guess its schmutz must have turned people off. (Or perhaps it was just waiting for me.) 

Caked with dirt, this charming relic was in desperate need of a new home — and a good cleaning. A little elbow grease really brought it back to life. 

I even lined its two small drawers with pretty vintage paper making it all ready for its Etsy debut.

This little dresser looks so happy now. If it could, it would be smiling.

Susan

The House Where Harold and May Lived

One last detail was added to the exterior of our cozy cottage last week. A Rowayton Historical Society plaque was installed. We are officially living in the Harold and May Wilson House!

The RHS plaque program calls attention to the historic character of Rowayton and gives recognition to early buildings and to the people who built or resided in them. Along with our new plaque, the Historical Society provided us with a list of every owner since 1925, as well as drawings showing how the property lines have changed over the years. We learned that when the original owners Harold and May lived here, the house stood on 30 acres. Wow! Today, this sweet little abode nestles on .39 of an acre. And that is just the right size for us.

Susan

Sew Happy

This past week, it felt great getting back to sewing. I haven't done any projects since before we moved last fall, so this was a good test to see how well my studio's sewing area is set up. 

My red vintage kitchen table is perfect for my sewing machine and the Hoosier cabinet's pull-out tabletop affords me even more room to work. So I was able to create five new pennant banners in no time at all.

While sewing, I listened to an audio book, At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. I need to read it for my book group next week and it's been hard to find time to devote to it. A truly enjoyable book; here's what Amazon has to say about it: With his signature wit, charm, and seemingly limitless knowledge, Bill Bryson takes us on a room-by-room tour through his own house, using each room as a jumping off point into the vast history of the domestic artifacts we take for granted. As he takes us through the history of our modern comforts, Bryson demonstrates that whatever happens in the world eventually ends up in our home, in the paint, the pipes, the pillows, and every item of furniture. 

Listening to Mr. Bryson was great as it made my sewing time so much happier. I was even able to photograph and list my new creations in my Etsy shop. These pennant banners are fun to hang wherever you want a spot of color and whimsy… in your studio, craft space, office, bedroom — anywhere! 

Enjoy the weekend,

Susan

What I'm Up To

What a busy Monday! Now that my new sewing area is all set up, this week I'm making pennant banners for my Etsy shop out of vintage floral fabrics. Aren't they pretty?

Look what I found! It's a 1920s child's step-back cupboard that matches the doll cupboard for sale on Etsy HERE. So adorable! 

This charming relic will be listed for sale soon, joining the items shown below — many of which have already made their Etsy debut. I'll be working on listings for the others over the coming days.

That's what I'm up to this week. How about you?

Susan