Gathering Dust

The Post without Buttons--but I do have some other vintage goodies to show you....

My hubby surprised me with flower this morning- it's our 23rd anniversery.  (I was very young when we got married.)  He knows that I'd rather get a bunch of hand carried daisies from the grocery than a dozen red roses from the florist- we had that discussion a long time ago.  I'm very pragmatic, and also thrifty- and flowers is flowers and it's the thought that counts- and for our anniversery dinner, I want what i had for my birthday dinner- pizza from Spin! Neopolitian Pizza.  It is soooooo good.  I guess I'm pretty low maintenance about that kind of thing.

Even though I'm still sorting out from auctions and estate sales past, I had to do a little shopping this morning.  Next week if a holiday week, and that might through off the auction/estate sale schedule, and I don't want to risk withdrawl.

I found this pretty quilted drawer organizer and thought it would be perfect for holding Victorian scrap and calling cards.  I think I got this idea from Heather, who has lots of good (and pretty) ideas.

I love matte white pottery and found these three pieces- one was 50 cents, one was $1.50 and the BIG Haeger flower pot was $2.  (I'm not showing you all of the Haeger flower pot because I still have to clean the dirt out of it- but its one of the biggest I've even seen).

And of course, it wouldn't really be a shopping trip if I didn't get SOMETHING sewing related.

Like a tin of wooden spools with great graphics.

And now onto something completely different.  When Karla and I shared an antique booth, I bought a bunch of these wooden folding deck chairs.  I took them to Karla's farm and we used her paint sprayer to paint them in pastel colors- pink, blue, minty green.

Then we hung them on the wall of our booth for a really cute shabby summery cottage display.  This rogue chair had been hanging around my garage for a few years, a left over from that display- I'm guessing it didn't sell because it's white.

 

I covered it with a patchwork of wallpaper using watered down gel medium and a sponge brush.

It still didn't look finished- so I added some contrasting paper, and paper lace.  Now I better polyurethane the heck out of it, so that paper will stay down.

What Lies Beneath

Nothing better than winning a lot at an auction that you're pretty happy with (i.e. the lace and spools above), and digging a little further and finding some even BETTER stuff.

Like this card of Austrian glass buttons, mother of pearl buckles, a cube of German Toliet Pins and an advertising needle threader.

Can you stand one more post about buttons?  I got this box of buttons at the auction I went to on Saturday, and I've been using it to sort my jars of buttons.

I've labeled some of the drawers- red, green, blue- pretty clever, huh?  But I also have a drawer labeled "SPARKLY".

And a drawer labeled "SPECIAL".

I've sorted and packaged some of my buttons to sell at my booth at the antique mall.

Here's another bit of vintage sewing paraphernalia- I just love this old pincushion, full of hat pins.  I used the hat pins as an easel to prop up an old photo. 

Thanks for putting up with my going on and on about my buttons- next post, I'll try to keep the button talk to a minimum.   My cherry tomato plant has some ripe tomatoes- maybe next post, I'll share a recipe for one of my favorite summer salads- tomatoes with mozzarella and basil.

Is this Button Heaven?

 

Today,  I went to an auction where I'd guess there were a MILLION buttons.  About thirty  feet of tables, six feet across, piled high with jars and jars of buttons. 

 

Actually, I don't think this could be button heaven- button heaven would have shade trees, comfortable places to sit, something to eat besides 1/4 hot dogs and pork burgers and accommodations besides a Port-A- Potty.

But as far as auctions go- this was the most buttons I've ever seen in one place.  But it was kind of sad, because 95% of the buttons were in jars or tins.

 

Now, don't get me wrong- I have  a lot of buttons myself in assorted nooks, crannies, bowls and boxes, but I also have a lot sorted into apothecary jars, wine glasses and bowls.  In other words- I don't just collect buttons- I play with them.

There were a handful of button goodies that showed signs that someone enjoyed there buttons- a few cards with buttons sewn on- and this group of sorted red and blue buttons.

And this group of pretty buttons- some carved mother of pearl and filigree Victorian buttons were threaded together on some household string.

I'd like to think these buttons were lovingly strung by a 1930's Kansas farm wife as she salvaged them from worn out clothing.  In those tough depression times, the good pieces of out grown and worn clothing were saved for quilts, and the buttons were saved for use on another garments.

I'd LIKE to think that- but I found an orange plastic Levi button circa 1990 on the string....oh well...

Did I ever mention that I like buckles, too?

I did find some other fun stuff at the auction... a 1930's (I think) plastic red white & blue pin.

 

Vintage valentines and postcards.

 

 

 

 

And baseball cards....where did those come from?  Wow- that's a Billy Martin PLAYER card.

Congratulations to Brenda at Dragonlady on winning my Auction Box Lot Giveaway.

Guess what's going to be in my next giveaway?  Seven letters, starts with a "B".

And now, I'm going to spend an exciting Saturday night, sorting buttons, and it will be FUN.

Why Do I Knit?

Generally speaking, I'm a fairly shallow person.  I don't spend a lot of time philophosizing, contemplating or analyzing- other than financial statements- love to analyze those- but that's a different story.

I've never really thought about why I'm so drawn to knitting.  I know it started with being seduced by the wonderful textures, color and metallic fibers they started adding to yarns, but that was just a tease.

I find I can be just as happy knitting some plain white acrylic yarn if I get the chance to put a pattern in it- like this little bit of eyelet.

But no matter what, if my hands are free, I'm generally knitting- in the car, watching TV, visiting, I've even brought knitting with me to the movies.

I was at the library yesterday, looking for a book on CD to listen to in the car.  The particular library branch I was at has aisles and aisles of craft books- I found this out because I always like to check out a craft or decorating book from the library before I buy it, just to make sure it's something I really need to have for more than three weeks plus renewals.

I wandered into the knitting section, looking for a book or poncho or wrap patterns.  

Besides some pattern books, I checked out a couple of "reflections on knitting" books.

In Beyond Stich & Bitch by Afi-Odelia E Scruggs, I found my answer:

Knitting brings me great peace and joy.  I know in part that the craft appeals to my Protestant work ethic.  My labor yields a tangible and, more importantly, useful product: a hat for winter, a blanket to huddle or cuddle under.  

 

 

 

 

 

DEEP huh?

This is the finished capelet I knit for Karla- it's held closed with a vintage pastel brooch.

Shopping with Beth & Karla

Karla and I always celebrate each other's birthdays with a day of shopping.  Karla's birthday is always around the big flea market in Sparks, so we head there for her birthday.  For my birthday it's  usually shopping for junk, too.

Karla painted this wonderful watercolor of my boy Milo, who we had to put to sleep last week- it's on an Altoid tin and the clasp has a cute jeweled bone shaped charm that says Milo.  Karla does these on commission, so YOUR pet could have one, too- and she does them all from pictures, so no lengthy portrait sitting sessions for your pet in her studio.  She completely surprised me with this- she painted it from a picture on my blog. Karla paints portraits on Christmas ornaments, too- and they aren't just any dog- they are YOUR dog- she captures their personality.  If you're interested you can get ahold of Karla here.

Karla also made this beautiful wallpaper book out her BEST wallpaper and postcards- I'm going to have fun adding some goodies to it.

We went to some fancy estate sales and some kind of sad estate sales- the kind where you can just tell the house wasn't very happy.

I got some pretty ironstone, a big shell, a nice wedding day prayer book and a cool frame.

Also got some fun jewelry.                                    

And some more fun jewelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some sparky jewelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this pretty coral set. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And it has the cutest little lady bug on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I brought my camera along, but got so caught up in shopping that I didn't even take it out of my purse.  So I just drew some highlights of the day- the fancy and not so fancy estate sales; lunch at Pei Wei, where I used chop stix and Karla used a fork; a stop at some REALLY expensive antique stores.

NOTE:  This picture is exactly why you want Karla, a professional, to paint your pet's portrait.

I missed the turn to the antique mall that was going to be our next stop, so we ended up going to Briarcliff Village- a shopping area that doesn't have any chain stores!  How refreshing is that?

We went to Nell Hill's, the store started by nationally known decorator and author Mary Carol and Garrity.  And right inside the door, there's Mary Carol.    She has to be one of the hardest working gals around.

We also stopped at Urban Arts & Crafts,  a paper arts, scrapbooking, knitting, needle felting, soldering & jewelry making store.

Karla bought this awesome ball of yarn so I could knit her a shawl/scarf.  It's variegating pastel colors with a big swatch with gold thread in the center.  That sounds kind of like Tom Sawyer getting his buddies to paint his fence- but I'm thrilled to work with such beautiful yarn.

Don't forget I have a "Box Lot" giveaway going until Sat Jun 21.  You can read about it here.  Just leave a comment on any post between now and Sat about 6 pm and you'll be entered in the giveaway.

 

Box Lot Giveaway

Since I've gotten so much junk  ..er....great stuff at auctions lately, I thought I should share some of my loot by having a "Box Lot Giveaway" on my blog.

I put together a box lot with a sampling of some of my favorite box lot finds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And to keep the fun of the mystery of the box lot- I'm just showing some peeks here.

Just leave a comment on ANY post on my blog between NOW and next Sat, Jun 21.  I'll pick a winner about 6 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be adding to the box lot through out the week- and I'll probably find some JUNK to throw in, so it will be a TRUE box lot, but I will promise the winner will get a NARROW BUTT.

The Rest of Lot 271

 

When we last left our auction box lot 271, it looked liked this.   Before you read any further, let me warn you, I think the really pretty stuff had floated to the top of the box and you saw on my last post.  If you've got important stuff to do, like sort your sock drawer or wash your driveway, you're excused.

But for you hale and hearty junkers who WANT TO KNOW, here we go, patches with wings, an umbrella that doesnt't open, a wood scotty dog and men on tractors.  Actually, I don't think the men go with the tractors- I just arranged them that way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think there's something kind of scary about these guys- like they belong in a Stephen King book- They may go back in the box and STAY in the box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pair of Mickey's- one minus a foot- speaking of minus a foot- check out these doll parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some more odd playthings from the Land of Misfit Toys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, now we're getting to the sort of good stuff- or at least stuff you might want to keep. Some vintage tin noisemakers and a cute Christmas snowwoman card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Two wire and pearl tiaras and a green heart shaped candy box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some little trinkets that I found in an old check box.  I think they're Cracker Jack charms- and the baseball charm is metal.  (Metal= age= good)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's the biggest prize of all- unused vintage Halloween crepe paper!

Thanks for sticking with me to the bottom of the box.

I think I should share my good fortune with a blog giveaway- so if you'd like a tractor man or scary toy of your own, check my next post and I'll announce a blog giveaway.

(Just kidding about the tractor men- I'll try to make the giveaway stuff that we retro vintage antiquey crafty girls would like and actually use!)

Lot 271- or Inside Al Capone's Vault

Remember back in the early 1990's when Geraldo Rivera hosted that  TV special "Inside Al Capone's Vault"?  The TV special was live, and featured the recently discovered underground vault that supposedly belonged to Al Capone.  While they showed clips and segments about Al Capone, they had a crew excavating the vault and at the end of the show they were going to reveal what was inside the vault. 

Would it be jewels, stacks of cash, guns, possibly a body? 

Nope, all they found were a couple of old bottles. 

I'm going to do the same thing here on my blog with Lot 271 from the auction I went to on Sat.  I have one big box that I haven't gone through and I'm going to open it LIVE for you on my blog- ok, not really LIVE- but as close as I can get.

The box is about 15" x 15" x 20" and FULL. 

(By the way, the doll furniture in the top picture wasn't in the box, but it was from the same auction- and it was so stinkin' cute, I had to show it)

The first thing out of the box- wooden checker board.  Not exactly  a treasure- but maybe I could hang it on the wall?  Anyone have any other clever ideas?

Next thing out of the box- some kind of ratty pendants- they may be headed for the trash- but I love the vintage Halloween decoration.

More Halloween- these old Beistle paper decorations can sell for up to $15, especially if they are in good condition.

More Halloween- I think this is a garland, but I didn't take the time to unravel it.  And more holiday decorations- Valentine's nut cups, Dennison cupid stickers and lots and lots of hears with little holes that make them look like buttons.

And what is this?  It's a gentleman's collar box, complete with collars. 

These collars are STIFF, I can't imagine wearing one for very long.

Well, that was one layer- here's what the box looks like now.  I only paid $10 for the whole box, and I already feel like I've more than gotten my money's worth- so everything else is just bonus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't usually shop for Fisher Price toys, but this is kinda cute. And here's Mickey.

This is an old crumbly copy of Practical Housekeeping along with a nursery rhyme dish.  

The book isn't in great shape, but look at the fabulous handwriting inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one more goodie- a bag of little pink dancers.

You know what, we aren't even to the bottom of the box, but I have to get ready to go to Karla's  REAL bloggers tea party.

Here's what the box looks like now:

Ready to keep digging?

My Dog Died So I Went to an Auction

I had posted about my dog Milo not doing so well last week, and got lots of nice emails and I'd cry with every one I read, so I deleted the part about Milo from my post because I didn't want to cry everytime I read my email.

But we did have to put him down last week- we don't really know what was wrong- something digestive that pretty much lead to a whole system failure and he couldn't even walk anymore.  It all happened pretty fast and I don't think he was in any pain.

He wasn't the smartest dog in the world, certainly not the handsomest, but he had his own kind of a charm and was a part of the family.

I felt a little bit guilty about going to an auction but as DH pointed out- Milo would have wanted me to go - Milo loved it when I brought home new things to smell.

 

So, I went to an auction - a really good, fill your car to the roof auction- which is a good thing when you resell for a living. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

I have boxes all over the living room floor, couch & chairs that need to be sorted- so this is just the stuff that was easy to get to- the top layer.  Love the old sewing stuff- tatting shuttles, needlebooks, and celluloid crochet hooks

 

 

I did splurge on this group of sterling silver sewing tools- I kept hearing Karla's voice saying "It's ok, your dog died"- WHY I was hearing this is a whole other story....

 

 

 

 

Some pretty old picture frames and candlebra.

 

 

 

 

I love the detail on the daguerotype case.

 

 

 

 

And dolls- I got lots of dolls- including my first Kewpie doll.  He's kind of rough- but he's dated 1913, I think he's entitled.

I don't like this doll so much, but I love the box she came in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, now I have to decide- do I go to Part 2 of the auction this afternoon, or do I clear off my floor, my couch & chairs?

The Latest in Swimwear

 

To get you in the mood for days at the beach and summer boating parties, I thought I'd model some of the latest in swimwear for you.  Blue looks wonderful against the ocean water.

But really, so do orange, red, yellow & white.

Guess what?    Those really aren't pictures of me- this is a little index card book I made.

The images are from The Vintage Workshop.

 

I was rummaging through a drawer of old sheet music to find some backgrounds for these and noticed how pretty the typesetting and covers were.  I know it sounds like a cliche, but they don't make 'em like that anymore.