Children's book, 1958

I found this vintage children's book at a thriftstore and fell in love with the illustrations.
The text is in German.
According to Babelfish, the title says, "glad beginning"

The book appears to be nursery rhymes and seasonal festivities.
This looks like a May Day celebration






This one is about taking a bath

rough translation:
The bath
Bruno may in the bath
Raus from the trousers
raus from the shirt
in the Water to the belly
to the neck brrr
Soap ago mummy soap
I am clean



This one appears to be Ring-around-the-rosey

Update: someone on Flickr just commented that I was incorrect.
"...it was an exercise game of the easiest sort. There was going in a circle holding hands the first two lines, hunkering down to the floor for the third, jumping up and clapping hands at the fourth or some such. Most I remember wondering about the second line, saying "we are three children" as we did it with the kindergarten teacher in a circle of at least 25 people (and never a shrub in the middle)... :)

The second is some kind of sensory finger counting game for people from newborn up to kindergarten age, referring to each one that is touched as if they are little brothers at harvest time, telling a little story:
This one is the thumb ( touch thumb)
This one shakes the plums ( touch forefinger)
This one picks them up ( touch middle finger)
This one carries them home( touch ring finger)
And the tiniest, he eats them all alone. ( touch little finger)"


The book was $5--rather expensive by thrift standards.
But I love illustrations.

Thrifts and Misses

Sometimes I go to thriftstores and I find incredible items, yet elect not to buy them.
Maybe I can't afford the price, or maybe I don't have the storage space, or maybe for some reason it's not appropriate.
These are some of my passes (sorry for the fuzzy cell phone quality, but I figure it's fun to share anyway).

Gorgeous chair. I love simple lines on furniture.
I love Shaker and Mission style furniture, with very little hardware.
I think this was around $150, and I was too poor.
It may of even been sold already--I can't remember.
I do remember it killed me to pass it by.


Eek, this one made me squeal with joy, but again I lacked the $79 required to purchase it.
Vintage record player/stereo cabinet.
Incredible.


Toy horse


Really interesting table made up of multi-colored real horseshoes.
If I remember correctly, they wanted over $30, and I didn't have the cash on hand.


English tea cart


Rooster-shaped mailbox.
I may have picked this up for my sister-in-law were it in better condition.


Cute mouse-shaped bank.
I considered picking this up for Jen, but I doubt she needs or wants another "dust collector.
It's a cute shape that may inspire a future pin cushion or something.


Cool stuff in an antique store in Temecula.

Thrifting, auctions, and gifts

Okay...just a quick hello before I get back to the sewing machine.
I am not a fast sewer.
Even if I was, I don't see how people finish so many things when there is work and errands and...life.
I mean, yesterday I worked five hours, rushed up to the north county for more fabric, got my taxes done, and spent two hours at the dentist's office.
Not much time was left for sewing.
How do some people do it???

Between appointments I had a few minutes to kill yesterday, and made a stop at my favorite resale shop.
I got this set of 27 dominoes for $2!

I don't know anything about age or quality of dominoes, but I do know I want to learn about collaging on dominoes to make pendants, magnets, etc.

On another fun note, I just got this today in the mail (an ebay purchase).
I love it so!

The Dis-glo Whistle. It lights up when you whistle! (excuse the light reflection from the scanner)
Ha! This just makes me giddy.
The suit! To use for "rollerskating"!
Love love love this funky 70's memorabilia.

Speaking of mail and 70's, the ever magnanimous Mary Ann sent me yet more goodies in the mail.
Can you believe it?!

Vintage necktie patterns.
Like Mary Ann said...who knew?!

(click on image to enlarge)
Three neckties: McCall's #2568, 1970
Tie and Ascot: McCall's #3434, 1972
I think the model here cracks me up the most.
Oooh...foxy (lol)

She also sent me several pet-themed greeting cards, from the
etsy shop Good Morning Sunshine.



Then today I received yet ANOTHER package from my fairy blogmother--a cache of seven pretty neckties (not scanned right now because I need to get back to sewing).
Geez, Mary Ann--you spoil me!
Thank you.

A thrifting we will go...

I haven't talked about thriftstores in awhile, but it doesn't mean I haven't been shopping there.

In fact, three of my friends and I decided to lower our standard dollar limit this Christmas (usually we spend around $40 or so for each gift).
Now, each gift will be around $25, PLUS we are to give a gift we got at a thrift (or similar) store.
And no dust collectors or items for funny or shock value (though that might be fun too).
It has to be something the person would actually like. And use.
Since at least one of those girls reads this blog, I can't divulge what I found,
but I can post a couple recent finds.

I buy stuff all the time, but without a camera, it's hard to capture things that are three-dimensional, so I often forget to post here.
But I recently got this art nouveau-inspired frame for $2.95

Actually, I found another almost identical to it, but less finished looking, and silver in color. I'm going to give one of the girls that, even though she's not a silver person, because she loves frames so much.

And of course I always look for sewing patterns.
I just found this timeless nightgown pattern, dated 1969.
I paid 29 cents.


And this cute little handmade felt angel ornament.
I love the red hair!
Price: 25 cents.

"Trash" to garden treasure

My mom and I went to the 20th annual plant sale at
Buena Creek Gardens in San Marcos the other day.
We went last year and were so charmed by the place.

What we didn't know until we got there this year, is that the home and nursery are up for sale.
I hope the new owners are able to keep the same magical atmosphere.
My photos aren't great quality, but I hope you get some ideas about how to take common thriftstore goodies, and make your garden something special.

Here they transformed an old clock into a planter.
See what I mean by magical?

They also have a lot of hanging mirrors throughout the area.

Or a wheelbarrow becomes a perfect place for a mini garden


An old barbeque, painted blue, earns new life


Consider displaying plants at varying heights, using thrifted stools and tables,
and accenting with miscellaneous items of interest (like this pineapple glass)

Chair seats can also be planted upon directly, using moss and soil (especially good for succulents).

Consider architectural salvage like old window frames to add interest, or dividers, or storage areas (they make great cabinet doors).
Too, items like old balusters make interesting focal points, fence posts, or columns for plants or other objects.


Here they used thrifted silver pieces as planters.
Also consider planters from old tea cups, bean pots, or any interesting container. On the left are blue bottles set onto the tines of a rake, so they can dance in the sunlight.
The spool-like table once stored phone cable (I think. Either that or it was electrical cable, and either way it is recycled trash)
But here and there throughout this area there are fun surprises--twinkling lights, moss strung on an old chandelier, faux birds in a nest...
I think it gives this garden character and personality.

When you decorate your home, it should be a reflection of who you are.
Do the same for the exterior of your home--let it speak.

Thrifted quilt

Wow, look what I found while thrifting the other day!

They labeled it a child's quilt, but I'd call it a lap throw, or a great picnic blanket.
Handmade patchwork of Hawaiian fabrics

(click on image to enlarge)

Different fabrics on both sides


It was at a little hole-in-the-wall thrift shop that keeps its fabrics stuffed in drawers, rolled up, and taped.
I knew this one was special right away.

Thriftstore price: $3.50

I got other goodies too--check it out here.

Rummage Sale!

This weekend was the 80th annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale.
Of course I scored some fun novelty ties.


Luscious Jerry Garcia "Banyan Forest" design, silk handmade plaid by Polo, and World Wildlife fund elephant design (I am making an African animals block right now, so perfect timing)
Price: 25 cents each!

More fun prints:


See more of my finds on my thrift blog.

Major Cookbook Score!

Oh my...
check out my incredible find--I posted to my thrift blog.

Here's a tidbit:

Ha! These food-to-catch-a-man recipes crack me up.
Read the key statement (and you can click on the image for an enlarged view too)