Stay.See.Make.Do.

These Are the Sheep, or $5.30 of Cute

What made me decide to spend $5.30?

This:

Sealed in a plastic envelope, I could not resist this 1929 copy of Needlecraft magazine. I didn't even ask the seller if I could open the bag and see the pages first. I knew no matter what the magazine was like on the inside, I wanted that cover, and I could see it was faded but in good condition.

And ach, TEH CUTE. 

These are the sheep who gave the wool.

These are the men who sheared that wool.

This is the woman who spun that wool into yarn.

This is the man who wove that yarn into cloth.

This is the tailor who made that cloth into a gown for my Lady to wear.

My Lady's Gown.

The artist is Mary Sherwood Wright Jones. I can't find much about her, but you can see where Mary Engelbreit took some inspiration. 

There's another issue at the antique store with a MSWJ illustration on the cover. I might have to spend another $5.30 and bring that one home, too. 

More is Less.

Today I decided to go shopping instead of mucking about in my craft room.

I passed by many items that were tempting me. I was proud of myself for that, but I did get captured by one thing. It cost $5.30 and I'll show it to you tomorrow.

Here's a hint:

The man at the antique store also deals with coin collectors. He gave me my change including a $2 bill and a 50 cent piece. Cool. 

Reading Wall

For a few years now, since before living in this house, I have wanted some face-forward book storage. At one point I had purchased some gutters to make shelves, but the project never came together and the gutters were left behind in the move.  We left a lot of things behind that we now say, "What were we thinking?" Alas.

This year at the county school surplus auction I purchased a few pieces, but was also given permission to return a few days following to pick and choose from whatever had been left behind. After loading two impossibly heavy room dividers, my son and I wandered up and down looking at the remaining items. And at the end of one row, with two shelves on the ground (the auction is held in the yard behind the warehouse with everything on pallets) and another attached crookedly, we spied a magazine rack. After ascertaining that the pieces all fit and were in relatively good repair, we added the thing to our pile.

It's ugly. It's that industrial beige color of so many metal office desks and file cabinets. It has large black legs. The front of each shelf is covered in peeling wood-toned contact paper.

In short: I love it.

When I decide what color to paint it, it will get a fresh coat. But for now I have washed the thing up and assembled it and put it in a corner of our dining area.

And my son asked, "So, now when you cut our hair is it going to be over there?" Yes, dear. And you can pay me twenty bucks for the privilege of looking at magazines that are current. HA!

And that quilt on the wall? It's from a kit. I cut out the pieces, and my talented mother sewed it together and gave it back to me. Love.

 

Seed Chickens

Sorry for the delay in my return to this blog. We had a very full August, to say the least. Here's a picture I took during a trip to the Twin Cities and eastern South Dakota. My aunt (that's awwwnt, not ant) has these hanging in a corner of her laundry room.  Rather magnificent, aren't they?  I forgot to ask who made them.

A Gift for Mom

I found this tin at a yard sale and bought it for my mom.  Velvet tobacco is what her dad used, and she and her siblings would cut the cans up and make whistles.  She actually got one of these tins a few years ago and couldn't resist taking the snips to it to see if she could still make one of those noise makers.  She did do it, but was sorry she had to sacrifice the tin.  I saw the whistle and heard it, but I can't tell you how to do it.  I will ask her next time I'm home, and hopefully get a picture of the one she made.

Berry snappy

I stopped at a small craft show the other day and couldn't pass up this strawberry pincushion for $3.  Cute and clever.  Made, I believe, of wool felt.  She had two small baskets of these in different sizes.  Love those seeds!

(Oh, beets.  The photo won't load.  I'll add it tomorrow.  Sorry!)

In other news, have you seen this?  You can now use Photoshop Express online for free!  Yippee!  As soon as the internet access starts behaving itself here, I'm in.

Green Rooster Dishes by Scio

I have been trying not to stop at the thrift store as much since we found out we'll be moving, but when I found myself alone on a Saturday driving around town I just couldn't help myself.

I thought I'd just look for a few items I've been hunting for...
I spent over $40. 
Guess I found a few things, eh?

The two things that stand out from the haul are several packages of rick-rack for 15 cents each, and these dishes which I absolutely did not need, but felt I would always regret missing out on if I left them behind.  It is a four place setting (plates, small bowls, cups and saucers) and I got them for $12.50 total.  My poor husband just rolled his eyes, but since I was able to find cupboard space to store them we are both happy.  Aren't they great?  The flowers.  The little ring of hearts.  I just love them.

It's a... a... ???

What to call this thing.  Hmm.  It's an apron.  It's a bonnet.  It's an aprett?  A bonron?  It's ... retro?  funky? ugly?
I found it at a church rummage sale, and once I figured out what the buttons were for I just had to buy it.  It cost a whole quarter and I think it's made from an old sheet.  The brim?  It becomes pockets.  Oh, so handy. 

Embroidery and Barbershop

I found this dishtowel at a thrift store.  I love it , for so many reasons.  For want of better phraseology, BARBERSHOP ROCKS.

This is the strangest barbershop I've ever seen/heard:

Cupie dolls

The one in the white dress is vintage '70s, made for me by Elizabeth Waldron, God rest her soul.  What a woman she was.  The nakie one and her twin were found at a yard sale.  I crocheted the yellow and orange dress on the one, and then for Christmas found the tiny ones at Hobby Lobby and did three for gifts.