vintage finds

After my last post I thought I'd show some of my recent vintage finds from my recent travels.














These two pretty vintage hats were in great condition. The one on the bottom is from the late 1930's- early 40's. The haberdashery flowers are a luscious satin and velvet mix of taupes and muaves. The bright, springy piece on the top is from the 1950's-60s and it to contains velvet and silk flowers. I cannot bring myself to tear these apart, so I'll have to think how to repurpose them.

A several days later and a few more excursions I found this cute 1940's doll. Her cheeks are so rosy and lips a little red bow. When her eyes are open they are a deep blue with long painted lashes. I will have to fix her crocheted dress. Her hairdo will definitely need attention too! The over sized hankie is from the 30's, as you can see, has already begun being highlighted with embroidery around the leaves. I think I found my inspiration for this angel. Combine all this with the vintage hat as wings and voile'. It's not a traditional valentine color scheme, very monochromatic, but with the copper hearts and some other embellishments, she'll say 'Love'. I'll post a pic when she's completed.
Alas, the other hat will have to wait. I still have to find an inspiration for it. I'm thinking maybe flower fairyish? Have to cut it for wings...can't bring myself to put a scissor to it. Maybe as a topper of some kind with the doll..( still to be found) ....standing in the center? It's just pipecleaner and net frame..it's wouldn't support much. Getting ahead of myself. I still have to find a vintage doll and fabric to match the hat...I'm off!

Vintage Alphabet

Since this is the beginning of a new year I would like to thanks all those Bloggers and Typepad typists who have visited my website/etsy site/blog in 2008, and (who have become fast friends) for adding me to their Blog Lists and/or linked us together through their websites. I didn't think when I began a blog in November of 08 that anyone would be interested in my thoughts, etc. but you all have given me such encouragement. Again a BIG thank you

Now onto my post..........

Since this is January I thought that I'd do some blogs that contained a little vintage alphabet. So, since this is the first month the corresponding letter should be

A for apron. That quintessential hostess staple of the 30's-60's. I suppose with the arrival of Women's Lib in the 70's this little piece of material was synonymous with tying women to the kitchen, thus the ties that bind must be broke. Fast forward 30 years and several stained and grease spattered frocks later, the apron is back and gaining popularity. Just type a search for

a-p-r-o-n and view the myriad of offerings, clubs, and blogs dedicated to the lowly fashion accent.

Here are a few of my fav examples,

This frilly 50's find was just a plain cotton jane, but I hand-embroidered the pocket motif and added a couple of fluttery butterflies. Also included with this apron is a 1950 Cookie Book published by the Culinary Arts Institute. The cook book fits perfectly in the pocket.

Don't you just love the graphics of the vintage books?

My next choice is a little appluscious find. A 1940's apron with apple applique pockets that were placed over a hand-embroidered brick wall. I added hand-embroidered blossoms covering over small stains making this find just like new. In the pocket I added a 1950's Pies and Pastries Cook Book. There are a lot of interesting recipes like Alphabet Pie using Alphabet noodles or Cottage Cheese pie. You should be able to enlarge a pic to view the recipe. I have some new ideas on the worktable that I will have on my site soon. Now, Do you have a fav apron that you own or that is on your website for sale. Let's see your finds!

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a very Happy New Year!

What a great vacation we had. Didn't go far from home, but made little jaunts to area antique malls and rides through the area countryside. It was warm on several different days, so these rides were quite pretty. Creeks were tinged with ice, trees were bear to see hawks, deer, trails not usually visible. Some trees already have buds formed, which is quite early for here. Keep a watch I'll have pics of some of the wonderful antique places we stopped. I'll also have pics of some of my finds and there will also be pics of new projects.

Back at work today. Changing displays....cleaning.....really wish it was like a website, click a button...buckets clean, click a button...christmas tree is gone,

click a button...window is changed to valentines.

(sigh) My first New Year wish did not come true..the clicker is broke.

Did you do something different for the new year, make a new year wish on the first star of 2009?