February 27, 2013

Thrift Shopping Remorse ~ Vintage Sewing Patterns

Thrift shoppers remorse, I have had this problem many, many times, have you ever experience it?

While you are shopping for thrifty treasures you find an item that is perhaps priced a little to high for your liking or budget, or you just don't need another one for your collection, but after you leave the store the treasure is stuck in your mind, and you get thrift shoppers remorse. 

Well, that is exactly what happened with me the other day. I had an early morning errand, and on my way home there was a Goodwill. Not many cars were in the parking lot, so I checked my clock to find that it was a few minutes past nine. Of course, I turned into the lot and scurried into the store. 

I found a Pier One wrought iron plant stand with a wooden top for my daughter that was only $3.99. I guess the proverb "The early bird gets the worm" is true.

I decided to take a second walk around the store when the three tier metal rack in front of the cash wrap caught my eye. Sitting inside of the three tiers where sewing patterns, I would estimate that there were over one hundred fifty patterns with illustrations on the patterns that were vintage. 

I stood for over fifteen minutes looking and removing the patterns with illustrations that caught my eye. With at least forty patterns tossed in my cart, I headed for the table that all the husbands of thrift shoppers wait while their wives shop. Fortunately no one was at the table. 

I don't know how to sew, so I was purchasing these patterns for the illustration because I love ephemera. I narrowed the patterns down to 13, changing out different patterns several times. How I hated leaving those marvelous vintage patterns behind. 

These are the patterns that caught my eye and came home with me.

Fashionable maternity wear in 1934
Ladies and Misses Smock
1943 maternity dress/pinafore 
Skirt and blouse from 1942
Couldn't find an exact date for this one
1947 dress
Design from 1948
This 1948 dress has a detachable peplum.
I wouldn't need the extra pieces around
my tummy and rear end.
 This is what young ladies wore in 1948
1953 showed off fuller skirts
 1953 summer fashion is much like
what we wear in 2013
I'm glad I was just a baby in 1957, I wouldn't
have been able to pull off that waist line.
Teens were wearing this dress in the 1960's
With his 1940's pattern you could make
a camisole and a slip.

I went back the next morning to the GW to look through the patterns again, and the three tiered rack had different merchandise in it. I couldn't believe that so many would be purchased in less than 24 hours. I asked a clerk where they moved the patterns, and she told me some lady purchased all of them the night before.

There were a few patterns that I regretted not getting when I had the chance. I have finally learned that if I genuinely like the item I should just get it. No more buyers remorse for me. 

Cheerfully,
Paulette

February 25, 2013

Thrift Share

The shelves have been sparse at my neighborhood Goodwill, and the price tags on items continue to be high. I am looking forward to spring, and the garage/rummage sales that warmer weather will bring. I did manage to snag a few items this week.

Four mid century modern Danish taper candle holders from Stelton designed by Arne Jacobsen.


The candle holders are triangular shaped with upswept corners.

Stelton is known for their modern and simple linear lines.

Made with 18 gauge stainless steel.

They came in the original box and a store price tag of $4.99. Goodwill priced these beauties 99¢.  Look at all of the tape they used to secure the box!

We will be celebrating Read Across America also know as Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2nd. So I was thrilled to see these yellow eyes and the green fur staring at me from a hook at the Goodwill.


This yellow clear vinyl backpack has never been used and still has its original tags.


This 1997 Grinch backpack will hold special treats for my grandsons first grade class to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday.


February 22, 2013

Today's Music Earworm

Someone sent me this YouTube video of
Celtic Thunder Heritage singing
A Place in the Choir

This song has been stuck in my head all day long.

What song gives you a music earworm? 



A song with an 'addictive' element (hook, melody, lyric) that draws people into listening multiple times. Song doesn't have to be good or bad, it just needs to have that 'addictive' element.


February 21, 2013

Can the Leprechaun and the Easter Bunny Coexist?

After putting away my Valentine decorations, 
I pulled out my St. Patrick's Day and Easter decorations. 

This green little Leprechaun and all his little friends 
are not terribly pleased that they have to share the lime light with 


. . . the Easter Bunny and all of his little friends.


I like it when we celebrate Easter in the month of April much better.

Cheerfully,
Paulette

February 20, 2013

Remembering My Trip To Poland Via a Novel

Last Thursday, I received an email from The Polish Center, a Polish heritage club that I belong to, announcing upcoming events. An Author's Night was to be held featuring two authors who's books deal with Polish experiences, James Conroyd Martin, and Dr. James Pula.

A list of books followed the author's name, James Conroyd Martin's name was listed first, so I Googled the title of his first book.

I have confessed this in other blog posts that I judge a book by its cover, and I typically do not like to read male authors; however when I found that Push Not The River was based on the diary of a Polish Countess I decided to read it.

First novel by James Conroyd Martin
published in 2003

The summary below is from The Polonia Portal 
"Anna Maria is only seventeen when she loses both of her parents and must leave the only home she has ever known to go live with her Aunt Stella. With this new life she is quickly thrust into a world of love and hate, patriotism and treason, life and death. As neighboring countries threaten to tear Poland apart, Anna finds strength in her new guardian, who comes to personify for Anna Poland’s courage and spirit. 

Anna finds love in her new home in the person of Jan, a brave patriot and architect of democracy. But she finds conflict, too, in the darkly sinister intentions of her beautiful, enigmatic, and shape shifting cousin Zofia.

With time, Anna learns that in politics and in love she must place herself in the way of destiny. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, Push Not the River paints the emotional and unforgettable story of the metamorphosis of a nation—and of a proud and resilient young woman."

Despite my prejudice about male author's writing styles, I admit I did enjoy this book. The story line of romance held my interest, but it was the historical references to places in Poland that held my interest. 

In 2009, I spent ten days touring Poland, and, in fact, had visited a few places written about in the book. After finishing the book, I searched for my photos from Poland. 


The White Eagle is the oldest of Poland's national symbols. It is the emblem, and coat of arms. The white eagles origins are both legendary and historical. This eagle decorated a building in the Old Town Market Square in, Warsaw.


Old Town Warsaw's Market Square, or Old Town Market Place, is the heart of this historic district.  The square was reconstructed after WWII back to it's Renaissance era look.  Each building has architectural details that signify something about it's history.




The Royal Castle and King Zygmunt's Column located in Castle Square, Old Town Warsaw. The castle was the residence to the kings of Poland, and an important part in the history of the city. The Royal Castle now serves as a museum.


Zygmunt's Column, is one of Europe's oldest secular monuments, it was erected in 1644. Zygmunt is remembered for transferring the capital of Poland from Krakow to Warsaw in the late 16th century.


King Zygmunt is dressed in armor and holds a cross in one hand and a sword in another.


The Black Madonna of Czestochowa is Poland's holiest and most important relic.

Since I had visited these places, when they were mentioned in the book, in my minds eye I could imagine what they must have looked like during the 1700's 

James Conroyd Martin has authored two more books that are set in Poland, perhaps I will give them a try.
 
Cheerfully,
Paulette

February 18, 2013

Thrift Finds

I am finding the thrift shops shelves bare and what is on the shelves is outrageously priced.  I did manage to find these reasonably priced items.

These gold rimmed, vibrant orange Blendo glasses, were priced at 49¢ each. I searched the shelves for the matching pitcher but wasn't able to find one.

Blendo glasses

I found this hammered metal casserole holder/carrier, tossed on the bottom self priced at just 99¢. It will hold round, rectangular, or oval bowls and bakeware.  I had just read a blog that had featured this carrier, and now I was lucky enough to find one.

You can carry your casserole to the table without  burning
your hands. No need for a hot pad when you this carrier.

The carrier will hold any size ...

small
medium
large

Can't wait to see what everyone else has found while thrift shopping.

Cheerfully,
Paulette

I will be linking up with:
Costal Charm
Knick of Time Tuesday
Young Heart

February 15, 2013

The Sun Made Me Want To Do It

Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me.

The sky is a beautiful blue with cotton candy clouds, and the sun is shining.  I though what a perfect day to hang out my sheets. I didn't realize that it was only 25 degrees outside. The clothes line pole was frozen into the ground. Do you think the sheets will dry?

Seemed like a good idea while I was looking out the window.
Looking forward to spring!

Cheerfully,
Paulette

February 13, 2013

Hearts by Page Hodel ~ Monday Hearts for Madalene

Since Valentine's Day is approaching I wanted to share with you some incredible hearts made by Page Hodel, from her book "Monday Hearts For Madalene." The book contains 100 photographed hearts made with everyday objects.




When Page met Madalene it was love at first sight, as a way to express her love for Madalene, she made  a heart with objects she had around her house. She placed the heart on Madalene's doorstep for her to find the next morning.  Madalene love the heart so much that Page continued to make one for her to find every Monday.  

Sadly Madalene died from ovarian cancer. Before she passed away, Page promised Madalene she would continue to make hearts for her for the rest of her life. You can read Page Hodel's story about the hearts here.

I hope you enjoy her incredible creations as much as I do.

“Bungee Heart” 


“Cray-o-la Heart”

“Pink Stamps"

“Letterpress Heart”

“Lovevolution”

“Fish on Fire"

For more information about this book 

February 12, 2013

Today Polish Americans Celebrate Paczki Day!

Paczki is a delicious Polish pastry, pronounced "POONCH-key" in the plural and "POONCH-kah" for one of them. The name paczka means "little package."

Paczki dusted with powdered sugar and granulated sugar. 

For Polish Catholic communities in America Paczki Day is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

The baking of Paczki was traditionally a way to use up all of the fat (lard - now called vegetable shortening), sugar and fruit in the house as they were forbidden during Lent.

Paczki is an extra large dough ball, rich in egg yolks and deep fried, like a donut. Overfilled with raspberry, strawberry, custard, lemon, cream cheese and the traditional filling of prune, they are topped with powdered sugar or granulated sugar.

A Paczki is not a jelly filled doughnut, it is much richer, and people of Polish decent thinks it tastes better!
Smacznego
polish for bon appetit

Cheerfully,
Paulette

Today I am also linking up with
for

February 11, 2013

Thrift Finds

I found the coffee pot on the bottom shelf mixed in with the pots and pans, the snack trays were a few shelves over, around the corner mixed in with all of the coffee mugs/cups were the matching cups, and mixed in with all of the plates, saucers, and, bowls I found the sugar bowl and creamer.  I was a happy thrifter!

Such vibrant colors.  The handle design is
attractive, and I love the pedestal bottom.
The sleek snack tray holds the cup and your nibbles.
Matching sugar bowl and creamer.

This finial topped coffee pot stands eleven inches tall.
I believe that this Carlton Ware was
produced during 1960 - 1970.
Here is my my Carlton Ware orange and cream service for six snack set.
The prices at my local Goodwill have skyrocketed, and I have passed by several items because of the higher prices. I couldn't believe my eyes when I say the prices tags on the pieces of this Carlton Ware.

The sugar bowl, creamer, cups, and snack plates were priced at 49¢ each while the coffee pot was marked $1.99. Purchase price for this set was $7.85. 



Cheerfully, 
Paulette