Sunday, March 4, 2012

Infomation Overload, Time Shortage

If this seems like de ja vu, it is.  Too much time has passed much too quickly.  I feel like I am back in school (don't ask about how long ago that was!) putting off things I need to do, not getting the things I want to do done.  We have found so many things in the latest batch of boxes and trunks to be excited about. 


My photos don't do them any where close to justice and there are so many new finds.  I got overwhelmed by the possibilities. I got carried away by the research of the wonderful history of these things.  I lost track of time.  Isn't odd that people who are involved in vintage things seem to study about them as well?

I can appreciate the find for itself but it stokes my curiosity to know about it. The where, what, who and the why are all so important to me.  I can write reports about most of the things I have in my collections. Worse, I do not intend to stop, it is part of the joy of collecting.  Regrettably, when there are so many new finds it tends to over take my mind.  I guess I should find a obsessive research support group.  Then again I think of it as keeping my mind working, I am getting to THAT age group according to the calendar. 

People are beginning to collect antiques - read things - I grew up with.  Makes a body feel ...collectible - if you thoughI I was going to say old you are not over 40.  So I will continue to prepare the posts to share these wonderful items. I will work around the unending remodel of our mid century modern (not so much) house as we get our items put into their places to share photos with you. I am still celebrating getting the roof replaced! 

Balancing work, collecting, home and family & friends are too rewarding and much to dear to cut back on any of them. So I will continue to count my blessing of being overwhelmed and keep on learning but I will also get better about sharing. 

So on that note, because I know your life is most likely busy too, I have included a couple of teasers of "things" I am working on.  Have a great day and find a few moments to think about your memories and to make some new ones. 


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Where do the days go?

I can not believe it is December already. I feel like I missed November completely. Well, for this blog I DID! I had so many ideas to share and new finds too but far too little time to post them out.

We have decided to pare down the general stuff in our house. So we opened the shop on ETSY for a controlled way of selling our vintage extra stuff. Today's goal was to list some Christmas things. The velvet reindeer are on the block. Sad to see them off to a new home but the little sleigh I had them with is no more. So here is a picture of the herd for perhaps the last time. If they don't sell - well guess I will be shopping for a new sleigh for next year. So it will be all good.

Funny how these things bring so many memories to mind. They make yesterday seem so close at hand. I am certain that is one of the reasons I so cherish vintage things. Today people scrapbook, an activity I can relate to and practice to a modest extent. Me, I will collect my vintage 'stuff' and remember all the yesterdays each time I use or just look at them. 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Vintage finds do not always mean well planned transport…

If you have ever found an ‘OH I have to have it’ item you understand this tale.  It did not start out as one of our vintage hunts but things happen.  So we went to meet a friend to pick up our 65 pounds of honey. Trip up was pretty uneventful UNTIL we passed the architectural salvage store.  To this day I remember seeing the trellis as we passed by and the OH I have to have moment but tempered with a rational thought of we should check that out on our way back. Thinking back this was most likely the first error in this trip. 
Honey pickup achieved now back to the salvage shop for THE FIND! A large fleur de lis trellis made of rebar – sigh!  Perfect for the garden – sigh.  Okay, the right price after a bit of discussion, which I am rotten at but it worked out.  Purchased – oh I bought a seven foot trellis over an hour from home and driving a ’04 Chevy Classic.  [hint – it does not fit – ANYWHERE].  No bungees.  No wrappings. No twine. So Rose is off to the local hardware store for transport stuff. I stay with the trellis.  Once she returns we strap it down and protect the car roof with the cloak and chair cover found in the car.  Head for home!!

Driving in the slow lane at about the minimum speed limit, we kept hearing a creaking. The images in my head were of lovely gouges in the roof of the car.  People passing us pointing and laughing. Hmmm, is it really so odd to have something tied to the roof of a car? Suddenly we noticed that the point of the fleur was no longer visible – which would mean a slide of over a foot – oops.  We pull over and put on the emergency lights. Timing is everything I have long believed it but never really appreciated as much as I did on this day. 
This being near Halloween, a local corn farm has done up the corn maze and has an inflatable giant that people can walk through. Our roadside stop happened to be right next to the giant inflatable – well – sleeping giant.  Once out of the car what did we discover?  The true reason that all those people were pointing and ;aughing at my poor little Chevy – it looked like it had been crowned – literally.  Did you know that rebar creates a fairly simple frame that will bend when it hits the highway air flow?  The fleur part of the frame was bent into a 45 degree angle like a crown on the roof.  WOW!  Remove the trellis from the car.  Rose is carefully bending it back into position while I explain to the nice State Patrol Officer that we are not stopped to take pictures of the giant but that we bought a trellis that won’t fit in my car and seem to be having issues.  He laughed – me not so much.  Slow speeds down to the very minimum we can with getting killed and made it home. 
It does really fit into the garden perfectly. It’s story of how it came to be there is finally entertaining rather than embarrassing. Lesson learned. We now carry tarps and bungees in the car ALWAYS.  Better that than have to pass on a treasure we have to have.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Appreciating Art in Threads and Yarns


I have made an effort of learning crochet. I can make a heck of a chain. I just never got past the chain part. It is mostly due to the fact that I can not remember the starting steps to save me.  I know I'm a sad case. I do, however, love the results. I am currently attempting to learn bobbin lace, time permitting. Work has not been cooperating this summer but with any luck after the 1st of the year will allow for more dedication of time.

We recently listed on RetroVintiques some doilies that are so delicate and and I admit to being torn to see them go. They are not quite colors that are easily used in our home so they are offered.


The workmanship that go into these handmade doilies are so amazing. Delicate, precise, and perfectly even. My hats off to these artisans for their patience and for sharing their art with us. These works are made to last and to be shared with those who appreciate them; and especially for those of us that can't seem to manage the talent.

So here are a a couple of them to share their finery. Enjoy! If you do this type of work - Thank you! If not, join me in treasuring this ability's end results.


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Vintage Valentines


While enjoying vintage cards is joy unto itself due the incredible art they provide. It means so much to hold in your hand a sentiment from a by-gone age. It seems to give you a connection and allows your mind to picture a romantic scene playing out when the intended received the card either by mail or by hand. Holding one that has a relatives name on it with a date opens not only the imagination but links you to a part of your relatives' life before you. Sometimes the names are sweetly endearing knowing that was from your uncle to your aunt or your grandmother from your grandfather; but occasionally there is a mystery. Who is this gentleman writing musings of love to your grandmother? Was she a heart breaker? Did your grandfather steal her heart from another? As we go through our found box of missives, we are enjoying the time travel to our families past romantic side.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Updates and the clock

Gradually going through the box of cards I mentioned yesterday. An amazing instant collection contained in that box - or a fabulous addition to our meager one! 

Updated the blog list, FINALLY figured out how not to have to post them one at a time! (hint - the help features works quite well) I did have to sort out some of the non-vintage blogs I follow but they are now listed. Sadly, I had to opt to not list several blogs I followed while they were active. 

Following a RSS feed, I never realized how long it had been since some of these bloggers had posted. It was sad to notice this.  Sure I realized that they were not updating but since I would and still do go back to favorite posts, I did not take the time to miss them. Now they are silent and I have missed my chance to thank them.

I gained information, had some laughs, shed some tears and drifted away.  I have had so many friends in my many travels that this is true for also. Time is our enemy, it seems to slip away so easily.  I lost friends I never knew and failed to miss them.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Box of Sentiments





Rose unearthed this very nice box but inside is the FIND.  A box full of vintage Valentine and other holiday cards. We have not had a chance to go through them yet.  But stay tuned I will share some special ones later.  I know that the larger top one has a seemingly fine condition honeycomb....I am so excited!!!! They look near perfect, but did not want to take them out too much in the garage.