My Weblog

Small Town Living

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A Simpler Life in Small Town America

December 08/January 2009

Another amazing issue of Small Town Living is out and you wont be disappointed. This month's issue is busting at the seams with great articles on living a more simple, conscious life. Something I think we are all looking for these days! Don't forget that the magazine is FREE and full of information for all small town and big city gals.

How to Get Rich Quick by Paul Wilson: Don't let the title fool you. This article is all about attracting richness to your life by leading a simple, honest life. The steps include Live Consciously, Tune out Fictional Expectations, Buy Less/Pay More, Information Diet, Get Outside, Try New Things and Redefine Rich. I love the point he makes about watching to much TV. “If your measuring stick for yourself and others is based on fiction then you'll never be satisfied with reality.” Boy, isn't this the truth!

The Fresh Air Fund: This story really touched my heart. Debbie and Scott Pain of Norwell, M.A. Participate in a program that provides country vacations for city kids. This is a must read story. To find out more information about this wonderful program visit their web site: www.freshair.org

  The Gypsy's Daughter by Theresa Babylon: I have to give a shout out to a fellow etsyian and a fellow Northern Coloradoan. Theresa makes these incredible eco-friendly Sweeper Sweaters to replace those not so eco- friendly Swifter pads. I love them. You'll find her at www.thegypsysdaughter.etsy.com

My Alpaca Adventure by Katy Spears: Alpacas are big here in Colorado and Katy's article just reinforces my thought that I will never own any because I just don't have the space or the time. But if you've ever been interested in an Alpaca business you must read this article. It is inspiring and chalked full of business information. We've been around alpacas before and they really are special. For more information about Katy's alpacas go to www.alpacafarmgirl.com

Homemade Clean: I've already used the borax and soda recipe for the dishwasher and was pleased. Dish washing soap is so expensive so I love having an alternative. I've used vinegar to clean windows and counter tops on a regular basis for about a year now and I love it. It's especially good for pet mishaps. Check out the great recipes. You could even mix some up to give as wonderful homemade Christmas presents. Go to your local thrift store to find containers to put your solutions in to make them even more eco-friendly.

American Artisan's Guide: Small Town Living is a big supporter of etsy artisans and this month they provide a guide of various artisans they have worked with. You'll also find information on how to submit an article. Hello, hello... Did someone say FREE promotion for your store. A big thanks to Small Town Living for their support of etsy artisans.

Vintage Indie Supporting Small Business: I have to give a BIG shout out to my friend Gabreial Wyatt's interview. If you haven't found Vintage Indie yet, I just have one thing to say. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! www.vintageindiemag.com and check out their Holiday Shopping Guide www.vintageindiemarket.com

You'll also want to be sure to read articles on Natural Snowflakes, Small Town Southern Christmas, Raising Angora Rabbits and Frontier Christmas. I like to download my magazine, hole punch it and keep it in a binder.

I also wanted to mention and provide a link to the new Small Town Living social networking group. Boy that's a mouth full. I know what you're thinking: not another networking group. But this one is a little different. It's not so full of  business type people, like me, wanting you to buy something. It really is about networking and sharing information. I think you'll enjoy it!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Lavender Sachets

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

My lavender sachets have been very popular this Christmas season but I still have a few left in my store. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind Christmas present with plenty of vintage charm, you'll want to check them out. Many have been created from recycled vintage tablecloths and all were created by my own two hands. Did I mention the FREE SHIPPING! All handmade items at Back Home Again ship free for the rest of the Holiday Season. But don't wait, I'm closing my store on December 14th and all orders must be in by then.

Happy shopping everyone!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Vintage Cashmere Coat SALE

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Vintage Christmas Shopping

BRRRRRRRRRR  It's really starting to get cold out now. I have a vintage cashmere coat that will keep you warm and toasty in style! I reduced the price and relisted it at Back Home Again today. It's sure to please come Christmas morning...

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Back Home Again

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Shop Back Home Again and delight your family and friends with gifts that are handmade and full of vintage charm --- many under $20!

FREE SHIPPING ON HANDMADE ITEMS: From now until December 14th, Back Home Again is offering free shipping to USA on all handmade items.

Click now because I will be closing up shop on December 14^th to concentrate on my family and friends for Christmas. I still have plenty of handmade items created from vintage tablecloths and a few aprons left. All sure to please come Christmas morning. Next week I'm going to be focusing on my vintage quilt project so stay tuned for that update. I'm also participating in another swanky giveaway on Vintage Indie, next week. Until then I hope you're keeping your head above water and enjoying your holiday season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Recycling Vintage Quilts

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

There's nothing more gratifying than rescuing and recycling vintage quilts, except maybe doing custom work for the quilts owner. An individual contacted me this week about making some tote bags, from her grandmothers vintage quilt. How in the world was I going to say no! When I explained to her that I can only cut on quilts that are damaged she indicated that this quilt had plenty of damage and not to worry. She wasn't just kidding about the damage. It really is in pretty bad shape but I'm quite sure I can cut enough good pieces to create embellishments for 3 different bags. I'm going to cut some strips and create a simple mosaic on the front panel and attach an individual square on the back panel. The body will be made of European linen, the lining will be muslin, and I will create some pockets from reproduction quilt fabric. Oh yes, they will be topped off with large mother of pearl buttons. What's going to make these bags really special is that they will be given as Christmas presents to the original artisans daughter and grand daughters.

The big picture....

Here's an example of some of the damage but there is much more than this...

Here's a sample of what I have to work with. I love the colors....

I'll keep you posted. I'm going to start cutting her up this week and I'll show you pictures of the strips and the squares....

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Vintage Santa

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

He's called Santa Clause, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas or Kris Kringle and he is the magic of Christmas. The image of Santa was changed forever by the Coca Cola advertising campaigns of the 1930s – 1960s. It's this image that sticks in our minds when we visualize the ole' man bringing presents to good little boys and girls. The jolly face, fur trimmed suite and the twinkle in the eye. I am lucky enough to have an original Coca Cola Santa Advertisement framed and hanging in my front entry way. I absolutely love it and consider it one of my most prized possessions, next to my family of course.. It measures about 3 ½ feet by 5 feet and I found it at an antique mall near Lafayette, Indiana. I paid less than $40 for it. Of course, it cost me an arm and a leg to have it framed but it was worth every penny.

You'll find these Coca Cola Santas on Kings Road and Times Passages. Both online vintage stores.....

I'm still working on the ornament project and will be posting the results, along with instructions, in a couple of days. Until then...

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Vintage Indie Magazine

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 If you're not familiar with Vintage Indie Magazine, you've really been missing out. Gabreial Wyatt has an amazing eye for vintage and can snoop out the most amazing designers and dealers. You'll also find some great Swanky Swag Giveaways to have fun with. As a matter of fact, the retro apron that is up for grabs right now was made with my own two hands. If you're a gal that loves aprons or if you're looking for a great Thanksgiving hostess gift, you might want to head over (offer ends soon) and throw your name in to the hat. Good luck!

I've been working hard on a craft obsession this week and will blog about it on Friday. It involves vintage photos, decorative paper and Christmas! Until then....

Be inspired to create, collect and use vintage!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Treasure Hunt

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Back Home Again Treasure Hunt

Like many of you I have a couple of shops on etsy. One for my handmade items and another for my vintage finds. One of the things I really don't like about etsy is that stupid treasury thing. Although I do not like the word stupid and discourage my children from using it, I'm going to use it to describe etsy's little treasury thing. You set by your computer and wait, wait, wait for a treasury to come open and then you can't get in. Or you get in and get your treasury only to somehow loose it because of some obscure little thing you did wrong. Yuk... It reminds me of waiting for your  ebay bid and getting outbid at the last minute. Seriously should this stuff cause such anxiety. I know we're here to make some money but shouldn't this be fun! So I decided to do my own little treasury from time to time. After all, I have a blog I can do with it what I darn well please. So I went on a Back Home Again treasure hunt today on etsy. I searched for Christmas Vintage Retro items... Here are some of my favorites...

1. I love this vintage Christmas ornament from CurlyQues

2. This retro greeting card is really cute from 1453designs

3. RikRak made these darling coasters from recycled vintage tablecloth

4. And finally, I just love these cards from Shartreuse that remind me of the Christmas reinders my mom use to have when we were kids....

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

VINTAGE SALE

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

VINTAGE SALE

I'm having a vintage platter sale at 300 N. Mulberry St. Just in time for the Holidays! Vintage Edwin Knowles, Mikasa and Metlox all at really great prices! You'll find a wonderful assortment of vintage goods for the holidays at my vintage store. I hope you enjoy browsing...

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Vintage Coats!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

It's time to pull out the vintage coats! We all love our vintage coats and there is nothing more fun then pulling them out at this time of the year. I especially love this plaid 1960s vintage blast from the past. I found it at an antique mall a couple of years ago. The label reads L.S. Ayres, which was a higher end department store. It was big in Indiana during the 1960s and 70s. Of course, they are no longer in business so when I found this coat I had to snatch it up. Much to my sister's dismay, I wore it around the store while we shopped. She hates it when I do stuff like that...

This coat has some minor damage but is very special because it belonged to our friend and business partner's mom, Margaret. After her passing a few years ago, we were going through her estate and I ran across it. I tried to get John's wife to take it but she is really tall and has long arms (I secretly hate her because she's beautiful) so we both laughed when she tried it on. The sleeves were about 3" too short. I know sleeves on vintage coats tend to be shorter but these were up to her elbow. It was pretty funny and how lucky am I! So I hang on to it in hopes that one of their girls, Margaret's granddaughters, will want it some day. In the mean time, I look at it and think of her. You should see the blanket I got from her... another day maybe...

I snatched this coat up thinking that I would use the buttons! They measure about 2” and are just perfect for embellishing a handmade bag but I just feel like the coat is in very good condition and I couldn't remove the buttons. I listed it in my shop today at a great and I mean great price. So you might want to snatch it up. The camel color is a perfect neutral to wear with anything. A Vera Neumann scarf and big vintage brooch would make the perfect accessories for this vintage fashion statement.

 

Until next time, be inspired to collect, create and use vintage!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::