Vintage USA Election Political Party Pins

It's a presedential election year in the USA, which even when you're not American you hear about and take some interest in. From afar I had noticed that there was a Democrat Donkey and Republican Elephant but never knew the significance. In fact it seems a little unusual and slightly strange - as they're not two animals that would immediately spring to mind as a party mascot.

I thought it rather cute when I came across this pattern for felt Democrat and Republican pins in a McCall's Needlework & Crafts Magazine (Fall-Winter 1964-65). There really does seem to be something vintage and crafty for nearly every occasion! (Not sure about Australian elections - have to think about that).

Photos of my mother, in black and white

 

I love looking at old black & white photos - even if they're of people I don't know! I like to study the clothes, the scenery, the decor - I try to transport myself to another time and place. 

When I was little I would spend hours pouring over my mum's childhood photo album. The photos are small, sometimes faded and fuzzy, and you feel that you are seeing the faintest echo from a scene a long time ago. Each picture is like a piece of a puzzle - what was my mum like when she was young? 

The first photo is of my mum at a party when she was a teenager. I was particularly intrigued by it as a child as she still had the satin shawl in the picture. You wouldn't know it from the picture but it's a beautiful apricot colour &  when I was younger I would then try and work out what her dress would have looked like - did it match? Was it the same lovely apricot?  

We have so many photos now I'm not sure they have the same magic. Is the magic in the scarcity of images? I hope not. I hope my niece and nephews find the same joy looking at my sister's childhood album & feel transported to another time and place & wonder 'what was she like when she was young'?   

Happy Mother's Day to my amazing ma & all the mums out there!

Vintage Bluebell Needlework

Cute bluebell needlework pattern! Vintage crafty goodness. 

(Woman's Journal, April 1949, UK. Page 24)

It's A...Vintage Scottie Dog

Vintage mag I found on the weekend had these adorable illustrations of scottie dogs in it. Had to scan and share. (Woman's Journal, April 1949, UK)

Art Deco Sheet Music

I've often come across vintage sheet music online, and seen the gorgeous images and illustrations, but never thought of buying any. That is until...I went garage "sailing" on the weekend. It was national Garage Sale Trail day on Saturday. All across Australia people held garage sales on the one day. It was awesome. One delightful sale I went to had a whole pile of vintage sheet music. I couldn't resist their pretty art deco covers. 

Pictured above: two of my favourites that I found, going to get them framed and hang them in my studio. 

Garage Sale Trail Find

It was National Garage Sale Trail day on Sunday, 5th May 2012. People all across Australia were encouraged to have a garage sale on the one day. The Garage Sale Trail was: "about sustainability, community & creativity...making sustainability both fun & social and using the Internet to get people off the Internet."

This was my kind of day! I was very excited planning which garage sales in my area I would check out. I met some really lovely people and found some great items! I just wish it happened every week! I really hope they do it again next year.

I have lots of fab finds to post about over the next week. The first are these two gorgeous old paintings I picked up. This was one garage sale I wish I had got to a lot earlier!!!! There were some truly amazing things that had little red stickers on them by the time I got there - oh well, can't win them all. But luckily I got there in time to find these loverly paintings. They have a bit of water damage, some peeling/flaking paint, and no signatures, but I just love them! They have heaps of character and a fair pinch of mystery.

Will have to have a chat with an art conservator about how to stop them deteriorating further. Love a project :)

Fabulous 1950s Cushion Covers

I randomly came across this 1953 Stitchcraft magazine on etsy whilst looking for some vintage embroidery patterns. I instantly fell in love with some cushion covers it featured. They are so striking, and actually quite different from everything else featured in the issue. 

Whilst the templates/transfers from the original pattern are not included, I am going to have a go at trying to recreate them; thought you might like to as well!