{scissor variations}

favorites: small + medium

 

 

tiny sewing case + moth, found in the bottom of a dusty old box.

a dictionary or thesaurus with thumb notches. irresistable.

missoni collection by value village

 

 i had a few Barbies growing up, but i could take them or leave them. i was more enamored of the portable cases and closets, the plastic scrolled hangers and shoes, and the tiny details on the clothing.

 

 

now when i find myself in a thrift store i quickly peruse the bagged up Barbies to see what they're wearing. and i check their hair. i search for matted, tangled hair. this can be a telltale sign that it is an older Barbie--and if you're lucky they'll be sporting a retro outfit.  

 

last fall Missoni created a collection for Target.  i remember, as a kid, that my mother had some Missoni clothing.

   

one day in the VV Boutique i did my usual Barbie scan. my eyes became fixated on the dress of one Barbie.

Matted hair? Check.

Cute dress-and pink + orange, no less? Check.

Missoni?

Indeed the dress was reminiscent of Missoni, with some chevrony-craziness going on.

 Hmmm.

Missoni in miniature? Check.

Frameable? Check.

my Missoni.

 

(this post on Blair's blog is what actually opened my eye spy eyes to Missoni again)

 

**when i find miniature clothing pieces i gently wash them in a delicate detergent, rinse and press out the excess water. you can then "block" the clothing -like you would do after washing a quilt or afghan--pinning the perimeter so it will dry flat, or simply place the piece between 2 towels to dry--a heavy book on top helps.

(no. 3) holiday display revisited: trees + jars

 

 i have a fairly large personal collection of vintage alka seltzer jars. i love their turquoise blue lids.

usually i have them filled with what-nots and nestled inside of a vintage seed packet display box.

 

 

during the holiday season i like to remove the bottle lids, insert tiny trees, replace the lids and stand them up in a cluster. here, there and everywhere.

if you have some stray jars you can do the same:

gather an assortment of jar sizes + simply paint the lids.

instant cloche!

 if you prefer an upside down cloche ...you could cut out some stars from some special decorative paper scraps, adhere them to some pretty silver thread. tape or glue to the interier of the painted bottle lid. replace the lid and have them "dangle" down into the bottle.

 

baby food jars would work well for these types of project--i see these often at the thrift store. or simply gather an assortment of various sizes + shapes of  bottles.

 

hotel condiment jars used for room service would also be interesting. the jars can be larger of course, whatever suits your fancy. i also like the idea of mixing lid colors. i would love silver + turquoise or a red + turquoise combination.

 

 these would work perfectly for other seasonal celebrations--just pick something interesting + meaningful to you to "showcase" within the jar.

 

(holiday revisited is a random series devoted to project ideas from holiday past that i am currently re-sharing'  + adding additonal notes + ideas)

{ no. 47 } interlude

 

 

as someone who is not particularly of frilly mind, i find it hard to resist these small decorative squares--vintage hankies often exhibit the most beautiful handwork.

i am also obviously someone not of the 'ironing mind'--as laundering + pressing awaits to brighten these up to their full potential.

some day.

 

 

to have + to hold [an ongoing theme]

 

i unconsciously developed a theme early on in the yard sale marathon:

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

i have a weakness for vintage school + office supplies, and perhaps an even greater weakness for  vintage containers.

combine the two and i'm hopelessly smitten.

a little rust? who cares?

a ding?  a dent?  not a problem.

still totally functional in my eyes.

[and in my office]

 

also in my returning luggage were vintage school locker baskets (at only $5 bucks each I could not resist) + vintage metal bakeware pans.

....all in the name of office organization, of course.

 

 

the 5,042 km yard sale

 

 

the phone conversation went something like this:

 

me: i haven't watched the actual tv show, but did you know you can watch episodes of that Canadian Pickers show online?

sister #2: i haven't had a chance to catch it on tv yet.

me: i just watched the episode they filmed 'at home'. there's a new shop that we HAVE to go to. just have to figure out where it is. now everyone is going to know about our secret antique spots.

sister #2: that big yard sale is this saturday.

me: what big yard sale?

sister #2: you know, one of those 50 mile yard sales.

me: where?

sister #2: right-by -OUR- antique shops

me: i never knew there was one out there. uggh. why did you tell me that?

sister #2: well, if i had told you next week when you come home, you'd be mad that i didn't tell you this week before you came.

me: yeah, i guess (resigned sigh).

 

and so that was how i found myself yard sale-ing along a favorite country road with my sister headed towards OUR antique shops a week earlier than my original scheduled departure. 

ah, kismet.

 

photo is of one of my favorite finds a 3 -1/2" twee trophy dated 1926, found at the "new" place.

 

[5,042 km = 3,132.95 miles]

 

hankering after handkerchiefs

 

 

 

i seem to suddenly have a collection. with a heavy leaning towards monograms.

tip:

if you see a hankie in an antique shop or thrift store, take the time to unfold it as there may be a monogram lurking beneath the folded layers. often hankies get tossed into a pile or folded and refolded-or not folded at all. you could be missing out on a wonderful monogram detail.

 

rainy day perk up

 

 

raining, raining, raining

+ raining some more.

i do love the rain.

but it does not make for great picture taking

n

i love wrapping tiny summer bouquets in bits of fabric + simply cannot pass up a pretty hankie. looking at this particular pile i'm thinking i have the makings of an instant garland.

 a perfect quick project for a rainy day.

 

 

 

{vintage office} big + small

 

i have a particular fondness for industrial office type furniture + finishes.

you too?

 

last week this beauty came home with me from the thrift store.

the unit was made up of 4 drawers that stack on top of one another with an end cap for the top unit--i moved it a bit so you could see for yourself in the above photo.

 

i could not stop running my fingers over the embossed logo situated above the card holders.

i left the thrift store without the cabinet. but could not stop thinking about the 4 embossed logos.

so i went back.

as usual i have been having that recurring sandblasting dream for certain pieces in my collection.

although the cabinet is not that brushed steel surface that i prefer i would be okay with this grey for the time being.

so many projects. you know how it goes.

 

i also l-o-v-e black bull dog clips with embossed handles.

much easier to carry home from the thrift store

+ no second guessing if i should buy them or not.

 

i have a few ideas for the card holder inserts--i'll keep you posted.

 

precious littles