I always find it a bit sad that after the 15th anniversary, anniversaries are not list for each year, but are then acknowledged in five and even 10 year increments. Is say the 19th year, the 34th or the 62nd any less special and remarkable?
Friday, February 20, 2009
Anniversary Gifts & Colors
In Bridal Madness: Vintage Bridal & Baby Shower Party Plans, I show off some scans from vintage publications -- mostly mocking them. But one page, from The Bride’s Party Book (published by Dennison), has a "Dates To Remember" list. This page not only has the traditional anniversary gifts (paper for the first anniverary, etc.) but "suggested colors to use for each"; I'm guessing the colors are for gift selection as well as colors for party decorations.
I always find it a bit sad that after the 15th anniversary, anniversaries are not list for each year, but are then acknowledged in five and even 10 year increments. Is say the 19th year, the 34th or the 62nd any less special and remarkable?
I always find it a bit sad that after the 15th anniversary, anniversaries are not list for each year, but are then acknowledged in five and even 10 year increments. Is say the 19th year, the 34th or the 62nd any less special and remarkable?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Crafty Ideas For Needlework & Other Kits With Small Wooden Frames
If you're like me, you have a lot of those small needlework projects in frames -- some may be done, some may still be in the packaging. *wink* And if you're teaching your children needlework or they enjoy the hobby, then you have even more of them.
Wall space is a limited thing, so I'm always looking for new ways to show-off the works. This 1978 ad from Sunset Designs, "Needle Pointers" has "Crafty Ideas" for using your Needlepointers kits. I'm sure they can be used with other kits with wooden frames -- or just be used with wooden frames for photographs etc.
Shown here are ideas to add small hooks to hang hot pads, toothbrushes, etc., hinging frames together to make small boxes, and combining four frames together to form a box (in this case, set inside a hanging plant holder -- presumably with the plant already secured in a ceramic or plastic pot with no drainage holes).
Wall space is a limited thing, so I'm always looking for new ways to show-off the works. This 1978 ad from Sunset Designs, "Needle Pointers" has "Crafty Ideas" for using your Needlepointers kits. I'm sure they can be used with other kits with wooden frames -- or just be used with wooden frames for photographs etc.
Shown here are ideas to add small hooks to hang hot pads, toothbrushes, etc., hinging frames together to make small boxes, and combining four frames together to form a box (in this case, set inside a hanging plant holder -- presumably with the plant already secured in a ceramic or plastic pot with no drainage holes).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Frame Gardens & Other February Gardening Tips
Start your garden and other February gardening tips from Farm Journal and Farmer's Wife Magazine (February, 1943).
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Cloth Tote Bags
PETA preaches the virtues of taking your own shopping bags to the store; I concur with all of them -- except for the problem of "the clutter of saved plastic bags." We reuse our plastic bags:
* liners in small wastebaskets in the bedrooms and bath
* use for daily cleaning of the kitty's litter box
* to wrap and carry spoiled food from the fridge, taking it directly to the outside garbage can
* packing material for shipping things
* and while we've never used it, the old put your foot in a bag then slide it in a tight boot *wink*
However, cloth tote bags are much nicer for trips to the store when we walk (and we are known around our neighborhood for walking to the store!).
Using tote bags can also help with budgeting; if you only brought two tote bags with you, you're more mindful not to buy things you don't really need which won't fit in the tote bags. *wink*
The downside is you are spending money on cloth totes. But, as PETA mentions, purchasing a tote from your favorite organization helps support the cause you believe in and it literally helps you carry your message to others.
Since totes are popular, the four we have we received free from local companies; so super cheap thrift score!
* liners in small wastebaskets in the bedrooms and bath
* use for daily cleaning of the kitty's litter box
* to wrap and carry spoiled food from the fridge, taking it directly to the outside garbage can
* packing material for shipping things
* and while we've never used it, the old put your foot in a bag then slide it in a tight boot *wink*
However, cloth tote bags are much nicer for trips to the store when we walk (and we are known around our neighborhood for walking to the store!). Using tote bags can also help with budgeting; if you only brought two tote bags with you, you're more mindful not to buy things you don't really need which won't fit in the tote bags. *wink*
The downside is you are spending money on cloth totes. But, as PETA mentions, purchasing a tote from your favorite organization helps support the cause you believe in and it literally helps you carry your message to others.
Since totes are popular, the four we have we received free from local companies; so super cheap thrift score!
Make A Hanging Wall Desk
Another practical project from The Family Handyman (March 1956), this wall desk is a space saver, turning any small space in a kitchen (or other room) into a good workspace for making your grocery list -- or for the kids to do their homework while you're nearby supervising. It will easily accommodate such modern things as a laptop too.
Quilting With Obama - Literally
Barbara Brackman and Deb Rowden designed an Obama's Rising Star quilt block:
Here's more information on making your own Obama printed fabric:
Here's more information on making your own Obama printed fabric:
You can't buy this fabric but you can print it yourself and make your own Obama quilt. To celebrate the Inauguration I have put some downloadable PDF's here that you can print onto fabric with your digital inkjet color printer.
OBAMA Fabric
Obama Biden Bandana
You need 8 1/2 x 11" fabric sheets that are treated to make them light fast and wash resistant. Check out this web page for Electric Quilt's treated sheets: Electric Quilt.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Suburban Diva Bloggy Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Demmi of Lucky Rosie's -- she won my Bloggy Giveaway of Suburban Diva's book!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Crochet A Vintage Pineapple Apron
Got a copy of Old & New Favorites by Special Request (copyright 1947 The Spool Cotton Company, distributors for J&P Coats, Clark's, Chadwick's Red Heart) at a thrift store Saturday. I paid the same price today as the cover price -- a whopping 10 cents! I just had to share the instructions for making this Pineapple Apron (No. 7773-B) with you -- it's just too sweet!
(As always, click the images for larger, easier to read scans.)
(As always, click the images for larger, easier to read scans.)
