Vintage Junk in My Trunk

Really? Chaff?

This is the rest of my stash that is going to Clover Market on Sunday.

We also had a yard sale today -- the kind I steer clear of, with lots of kid clothes and toys. It was exhausting counting all those quarters and prying Little Miss VJIMT's fingers off the stuffed animals she had previously agreed to sell.

We've spent the last two weekends sorting and separating the wheat from the chaff. My back is aching and my nails are grubby.

But here's the wheat.

I'm pretty sure it will be worth all the effort, and a glorious day is forecast. Please stop by and say hi if you make it out. I hope to be posting some photos tomorrow on the VJIMT Facebook page.

Clover Market, 2012

It's that time of year again! Clover Market opens for spring on Sunday in Ardmore, PA. I've been feverishly readying my wares for the big day. 

Here's a sneak preview of my many vintage plate pedestals, just in time for Mother's Day.

I will also have a big selection of silver chalkboard frames and vintage doorknob wine bottle stoppers.

Not to mention the extraneous vintage treasure or two.

So come on by if you're local -- the weather is supposed to be lovely and there are a hundred vendors (double from last year)!

Her Easter Finery

This is about all the decorating I've done for Easter. I kind of like dressing up my vintage dress form for each season though. Fast and easy.

Here are a few of my vintage Easter postcards.

Click here to see February and December. And enjoy your celebrations.

Valentine’s Day Dress Up

I've been using the fabulous dress form I got here as my decorating go-to girl. Remember her Christmas outfit?

I think I forgot to show you her January attire; maybe there's a photo around here somewhere.

But here she is all dolled up for Valentine's Day.

oops, looks like one slipped!

Sweet little animal valentine day cards with just the right amount of bling.

Using my stash of rhinestone jewelry for pinning.

Along with my stash of scrapbook supplies. I've got a lot of stashes.

Some vintage Valentine-themed post cards I've picked up in my travels finish it off.

Hope your day is especially sweet!

Welcome 2012; Are You Here Already?

Happy New Year!

Wait, I'm a week behind ALREADY? How did that happen?

Well, best-laid plans and all that. I don't really have an excuse, other than I ain't as young as I used to be, and it takes me a little longer to accomplish things than originally anticipated. I'm still not back in the swing of things, but the Christmas decor is stored away, so I'm looking on that as a step in the right direction.

Our holidays were relatively uneventful, except for our toilet overflowing and the sewer line backing up.

On CHRISTMAS EVE.

At 5pm, as we were preparing to go out to some festivities. At least no one got a concussion.

Mr. VJIMT ran to Home Depot^® for some de-clogging supplies. He did his best Dustin Hoffman pounding on the glass…

…as they had already closed, but the employees took pity on him and let him in. A regular Christmas miracle, I'll tell ya.

He was able to temporarily resolve the situation, but we held our breath as we prepared Christmas dinner the next day, and hoped we would have enough water with which to shower and cook. (We did.)

I have a stockpile of vintage treasures and events to show you from the last month or so, which may make a frosty January and February a little easier to bear. In the meantime, here's a little collage of some of my favorite finds of 2011.

Click on the corresponding number below the photos to read each post…

1  •  2  •  3  •  4  •  5  •  6  •  7  •  8  •  9  •  10  •  11  •  12  •  13  •  14  •  15  •  16  •  17

It was a very good (junking) year. Sewage systems, not so much.

Holiday Happenings

Whew! We're winding down to the last minutes of this frantic season, and I'm almost afraid to say I think I may be done.

But I think I may be done.

Well, except for the second tree to decorate, a few more gifts to buy, some more to wrap, parts of the house still uncleaned, laundry that's backed up all week, and food to prepare.

So almost.

But while I had a minute, I thought I'd share a few vignettes of some of the vintage Christmas items around here.

I found these little packages of Shiny Brites at a spectacular yard sale last year. I originally bought them to sell but the boxes are just too darn cute, so here they stay.

I've been seeing these little toy cars and trucks carrying bottle brush trees all over the blogosphere, so I made a few of my own.

Also, red and green books tied up with twine.

I've always bought these cute illustrated Christmas-themed postcards, mainly to transform into our own holiday greetings. I tend to gravitate towards the same style, which I think is the work of the artist Ellen Clapsaddle. Unless you have another name for me?

This year they got displayed in vintage green flower frogs.

This sparkly white bottle brush tree is not old, but I like its vintage aspirations.

Well, I'd better get a move on. Hope you're "almost" done with all your preparations as well!

Buttons, Beads, Bells, Brooches, and Bling

That retro aluminum Christmas tree really put me in the decorating mode. 

Even though I have yet to do any real shopping, bake any actual cookies or breads, start my custom Christmas cards (an annual insane tradition which entails designing, printing, trimming, glittering, and addressing 100+ cards), plan the holiday meal, prepare the home for the holiday meal, wrap any presents, or play any holiday music.

So I'm ready! Not. But I was inspired enough to put out a few more vintage touches.

Christmas-themed kitty postcards, tinsel, pink mercury glass bead garland, rhinestone brooches, buttons and jingle bell cards were in my stash and waiting to be displayed.

I only have a few of those bell cards, but have you seen Magpie Ethel's collection? Woo-ee!

One gal around here is ready, at least.

Here she is in all her vintage holiday glory.

Stunning, and ready to party!

Pink & Silver -- the New Red & Green

You may remember this little beauty from here.

Or, as I like to say, Best. Yard Sale Find. EVER.

So this was the "before". Already pretty cool.

Stella thinks so too. At one point she jumped from the couch right into it. I expect it to be on the ground, with something shattered, almost every morning.

Good thing I have plenty of Shiny Brites^®.

Yep, just fabulous pink ornaments, in all shades and sizes. Some striped, some indents, some teardrops, some with written sentiments.

So here comes the big reveal.

In the daylight…

And sparkling in the evening, without any lights on it!

I LOVE THIS TREE!

Elbows Sharpened, Eyes Peeled

The best part of working the annual school Christmas bazaar?

Getting to hit the “flea market” section before the doors open to the crazed public.

Seen here: some pretty dishes, a heavy silver tray with handles, and a Redman hinged picnic basket with plastic accessories.

No injuries to report.

Gobble, Gobble

Wishing your family
a happy and healthy holiday!