Vintage Red & Green Gelatine Christmas Squares Recipe

Vintage Christmas treat recipe and illustration from that December 1932 issue of Woman's World magazine.

Vintage Christmas Tree Tips

Tips on helping your real or natural Christmas tree last longer, from an October, 1960 newspaper clipping.

Edible Place Cards For The Holiday Table

From the December 1932 issue of Woman's World magazine, a "new idea" to use cookies as place cards for the Christmas dinner. I'm sure Martha et al have suggested this, but that doesn't diminish a more original source; and it's still a better way to engage children in holiday baking and traditions, as well as avoid wasting paper for cards that just end up being tossed out.

How To Brighten Furniture

A vintage newspaper clipping that answers the question, "How can I brighten furniture?" by suggesting a wash, a rinse, and a dry -- followed by a homemade "polish" and a final rubbing with an old piece of silk.

Jackie O's Potatoes Suzette

A recipe said to be from or used by Jackie Kennedy, as published in the 1962 Dell Purse Book, The Jacqueline Touch.

How To Hang Laundry Outside To Dry - Without Freezing The Clothes In Winter

If you've been thinking of trying to save some money by hanging your clothes out to dry even in winter, and your friends think you're crazy, remind them that once upon a time, that was the only option! Then look at this tip found in Watkins Household Hints by Elaine Allen (copyright, 1941, by the J.R. Watkins Company, Winona, Minnesota).

Simple Sewing From Patterns For Children

Beginning Arts and Crafts by Renee Seville (1971) is a book assisting and encouraging arts and crafts in the classroom. This selection is on sewing, specifically clothing for dolls. While this section is short on actual patterns, I found the cardboard folders with envelope pockets for patterns and printed instructions rather cool, in an old school kind of way.

Better Grip For Non-Slip Glasses & Baby Bottles

Both these tips come from that 1940s Hint Hunt booklet. The first is on making glass baby bottles less slippery; the second on making drinking glasses with a better grip for small children (and, I dare say, for older folks too!).

Teaching Your Children To Sew

You readers know that I'm shocked by the lack of sewing instruction in schools -- and at home. While I've forgotten so much from my official home ec classes, I know how to do simple repairs -- but not many do.

Since I've been talking with artisan-crafter behind both I Sew Cute and As Luck Would Have It, I thought I'd ask her what she thought about it...

I realize as a crafter, you might want to sell finished product, but since you do sell those nifty patterns, I thought perhaps you could comment on this situation.

I grew up learning about sewing and knitting from my mom and Nana. My other grandma who didn't sew at all -- but she always encouraged me in my creativity. It was a good combination of watching and learning as well as being supported and encouraged. I was lucky to have that.

Since you have children, I'd also like to discuss crafting with children. Do you have an advice for teaching sewing at home? Any products, kits, etc., you'd recommend? For any/all ages.

To start kids off learning how to sew, I'd start them on lacing cards to get the hand coordination down as preschoolers.

Stringing beads is also a fine motor skill to prepare them for future sewing.



After lacing cards, I'd then move on to teaching them how to sew a button onto a piece of fabric, or sewing 2 pieces of fabric together by hand to make a simple pillow.

I don't believe sewing is just for girls either. My father and grandfather worked in leather and had heavy duty machines for sewing it. If my boy wants to sew, I'd encourage it!

What are the ages of your children? How many do you have?

I have a six year old boy and a four year old girl.



Aside from keeping them busy with creative activities (as opposed to passive entertainment like TV and video games), what other benefits do you see for children who make crafts and sew?

I know my kids are going to grow up to be happier people because of their love of working with their hands. The real benefits are they will never be bored, will have an outlet for expressing themselves, and will have satisfaction for contributing something to the world by using their creative voices, whatever they may be.

I think all children are naturally creative and it's up to us as parents to nurture that.


Not to mention, those kids will grow up able to sew their own buttons back on their shirts, mend a seam, or even hem a pair of jeans. And be able to teach their own children to do the same. *wink*

I'd like to thank June for spending so much time with me -- including sharing her vintage children's spoon collection!

Vintage Coffee Percolator Tip

Another tip from that Hint Hunt booklet; this one about avoiding grounds in your coffee using a thimble:

This Week's Vintage Home Ec Links

Over at Past Life, Miss CherryBubbles experiments to create a recipe for Apple Cider Pancakes.

The Retro Housewife has tips on apples.

At 50s Times, 50sGal shares vintage advice on planning, shopping, and budgeting meals.

And a very special "Thank you!" to Vixen Vintage for her lovely comments about this blog in her Learning From The Past post!