Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Horse Drawn Combine

This silent movie from 1938 is of a horse drawn combine.  It is quite fascinating to watch.  I read somewhere recently that these combines could only go as fast as the bag man could sew.  I knew what the book meant, but I never thought I'd get to see it happening!  The bag man had to sew those bags of wheat up by hand, in a jiffy! 
 
 
That's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy vintage day!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

A Little Catalog Shopping in 1954

People don't do much catalog shopping anymore, but at one time, it was one of the main ways people could buy the goods they needed.  I've seen many a Walton's TV show where Olivia Walton is waiting for her Sears Roebuck package to arrive at Ike's General Store and Post Office.
 
Sears and Roebuck was like Walmart in book form, except most everything was made in the good old USA.
 
I was given a 1954 Catalog, by my uncle, last Christmas.  Many of the pages are not in color.  I suppose color was more expensive to print, but how did you know if you were going to like the look of the "Sea Foam Green" dress if you couldn't see it in color?  I guess women just took the chance.

Here is a sampling of color pages from 1954.  Let's go shopping!
 
The blue coat is pretty, especially if paired with black boots.
 
These are "Misses" dresses.  I'm not sure if women of my age wore these or not.  They ARE quite young looking.
I like both of these dresses for "everyday".  *sigh* I sure wish my figure was that small!  Ha!
And here are a few choices for little girls.  I like the little plaid one, in the upper right hand corner. 
That's all for now.  It's been a busy week.  Hope to post again soon.
Until another time, have a happy, vintage day!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Rockin' Relics and a 1938 Wurlitzer

While on a trip to visit the folks, we stopped into Rockin' Relics café in downtown Rugby.  This particular café used to be an old hardware store, and the owners have put many hours of work into the old place to create one of the most fun and creative cafes I've ever visited.  You can check out their progress and daily specials on their Rockin' Relics Facebook page. 
 
Here is the café back in 2012 during our first visit.
 
 
That's my daughter (way back in 2012) with her jaw practically on the floor as she spies an antique jukebox.  She has a thing for jukeboxes just like her Momma.
 
A "real" soda from the soda fountain!
Not only is the food delicious (this last time, I had a cheese burger and baked curly fries), you get to eat it at a 1950s chrome and formica table!  The ambiance is wonderful, and it's like stepping back in time to the late 40s or 50s.  There are tin ceilings, and antique shelves full of fun little collectables, most for sale.
 
 
But the one thing I LOVE the most is this 1938 Wurlitzer Jukebox. (1938...No wonder I love it.) 
 
What a beauty!
This is not your typical "chome and bubbles" jukebox, much like you see from the 1950s.  No sir, this one is special.  I like the antique wood look this one has.  And take a look at the songs inside!  Songs like "Ole Buttermilk Sky" (one of my favorites) and "When the Lights Go On Again" (another one of my favorites) "A String of Pearls", and "Alexander's Ragtime Band".
 
 
It's SO cool!  I would love to know where it came from and if it still works. I'm sure needles for playing the old 78s are getting hard to come by, much like the Victrola needles.
 
 
Apparently, after a bit of digging on the internet, I found out that this is a 1938 Wurlitzer 500 Multi Select.  There were around 12,000 of them made, and they are a favorite among Jukebox collectors.
 
Here is a YouTube of one that is in tip-top shape, playing Life is A Dream.
 
 
Look at those amazing lights on the side!  Can you just imagine this beauty in a small, dimly lit canteen in the early 40s, ladies with victory rolls and pretty dresses and shoes, gentlemen in uniforms, dancing to a slow tune.
 
In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favorite tunes from the 1940s, Vera Lynn singing "When the Lights Go On Again".  Have a box of tissues handy. 
 
 
I can't wait to return to Rockin' Relics, this time for a malt, and to visit my favorite little Jukebox.
Until next time, have a happy, vintage day!
 
 
 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Krazy Ikes

My dad brought me this little box the other day.
 
 
What could be inside? 
 
 
No WAY!  Krazy Ikes. 
 
 
My dad has had these Krazy Ikes since he was a kid.  When my brother and I were just knee high to a grasshopper, he would sometimes let us play with them.  We always had to be careful and we always had to give them back.  Playing with them was a special treat for us.
 

I have to admit, when I was little I thought the man's head was a little creepy...or spooky (still do).  Those hollow eyes with that worried expression that makes you wonder if he just witnessed something worthy of a Stephen King novel.
 

 
I'm not sure if these are from the 50s or the 60s.  Some of the "bodies" have a marble-pearly look to them and some of the smaller pieces are more rubbery than plastic. But they are for sure "keepers" and very special to me.  So, thank you much, Dad!
 
 
According to the internet, Krazy Ikes were produced by Whitman Publishing Company from 1954 to 1965.  The box below is an image I found on Ebay.  The seller has the date of 1954 on this entry.
 
 
Krazy Ikes also came in tall canisters.  This image is from Pinterest and it says 1954-57.
 
 
It would be fun to find them in a catalog, or to find an advertisement for them, someday.
 
Well, that's all for today.  Until another time, have a Krazy kind of day!
 
 
 

Friday, December 11, 2015

Turqoise-Blue Art Deco Clock

This was a flea market find from way way way back in October 2015.  It's an Antique, Art Deco clock.  There is no date on it, but its design looks very 1930s. 
 

 


It's in pretty rough shape, but it spoke to me.  The price was right, which helped.  I sure wish I knew its history.  The man I bought it from was very busy so I didn't bother him with questions.  A permanent place to display it has not been found but I'll find a place.

That's all for now.  Until another time, have a happy vintage day!
 
 

Monday, December 7, 2015

Vintage Christmas Tree

This year, I decided to put my little vintage tree on top of the large dresser in our bedroom.  Thanksgiving night I set up and carefully decorated my little tree.
 

 
 
 
My little Walton's house tree ornament sits under the tree.  It plays the Walton's TV show theme song.  I was a little disappointed because the ornament was advertised online as having a recording of the characters saying "goodnight" to each other (along with the song).  When I got it home, it only played the theme song.  I think there might've been some copyright issues with the "goodnights" or maybe the recorder couldn't hold so much information...I don't know.  But I still love it!
 
 
The dime store manger scene (below) is one that I found at the flea or a rummage sale.  It's very "late 50s" with all of it's glitter. 
 
 
 
When I was a little girl, my Grandmother used glue, glitter and A+ grade in penmanship and made everyone their own, personalized Christmas ball.  Earlier this summer, I found mine at my folks' house and brought it home to live with my vintage ornaments.
 
 
Well, that's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy, holly-jolly day!


Saturday, December 5, 2015

November Flea Market Finds Continued

Time to finish up my vintage finds of November!

A few weeks ago, at the November flea market, I spied this little book from the 50s, and have to say, it's pert' near the cutest little farm book I ever did see.  I was tickled to find it too, because the one I already own is not intact and has pages torn or missing.  This new one is almost perfect!
 
 
 
The pictures are so nice and bright!
 
 
 
 
 
I suppose there aren't too many farm words that start with "Z"  I mean, it's not like farmer Brown raised zebras.  Maybe it should read, "Mother planted zucchini, and it's taken over the garden, grown over the clothesline, and we can no longer see the house."  OR  "The children are full of zeal as they chop through Zucchini vines to find the front door".  But none of those rhyme, so I guess Whitman Publishers won't be dialing my line any time soon.  Not sure what Zero means, unless they mean Zero Degrees temperature. Our temps haven't gotten down quite that low yet, but you can bet the farm, down to that green chair she's sittin' in, that we'll see sub-zero temps eventually. 

The Harker, Apple Pear, salad set was a great find!  I almost squealed when I spotted them amongst all the other little knick-knacks and what-nots, but managed to maintain my "poker face".


Dominoes!


Yep, I can always use dominoes...the daycare kids love them! 
The box is in pretty rough condition, but I love the message, written in pen, on the back. 
"To: Gerald & Dale  From: Clara  Dec. 25, 1956"  How cool is that!?  I wonder who Clara was...maybe a babysitter, or maybe Gerald and Dale's big sister who was in high school and had plenty of babysitting money to spend on a Christmas gift for her two little brothers.  Maybe Clara had been doing some Christmas shopping downtown, and decided to visit Peterson's Drugstore and Soda Fountain, (because no trip downtown was ever complete without stopping into Peterson's to see if any of the gang was there, and to have something to drink).  And while trying to decide between a Dr. Pepper or a Coke Float, she casually walked down the toy aisle and spotted these dominoes, sitting on the shelf.  She figured they'd be the perfect gift for her two younger brothers, who liked to fritter their Sunday afternoons away by playing games.
Then again, Dale could've been a woman, like Dale Evans, and maybe Clara was a neighbor lady. 
Who knows, but it's fun to imagine and guess.


Those were most of my finds at the November flea market.
 That's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy vintage day!

Thursday, December 3, 2015

S is for Sunday Project Finished!

Here is the completed S is for Sunday Project.  At least I hope it's completed Ha!  Sometimes I take a closer look and realize I missed something. 
 
 
I just need to toss it into the wash for a good washing and then iron it and it'll be ready for duty as a dish cloth.
Lately, the dishcloths that I have been buying from our local drug store are turning yellow if they sit for any length of time.  I wonder if there is any way to remedy that without having to use bleach.  I stitched some red work chickens awhile back and haven't washed them yet, and the towels are turning absolutely YELLOW!  I don't dare bleach newly done red work, so I think I will wash them in cold first (to colorfast them) and then try bleaching them after that.  Hopefully the red will not fade with the bleach or I'll try "color safe" bleach.
From now on, I think I will try washing the towels right away, in bleach, when I get them.  Maybe they will stay white for longer.  We'll see.

Oh!  And I haven't forgotten about the rest of my goodies from November's flea market...I'll be posting them on Friday, so stay tuned!

That's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy stitching day!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

S is for Sunday Embroidery Project

It's been a long time since I've embroidered (seems like I start most embroidery posts that way, these days). Life has been so busy, there has been very little time for embroidery.  And can you BELIEVE it's been a year since I stitched the "M is for Monday" towel!  Wow, time flies.
 
I really like these "Days of the Week Letter" motifs.  The actual transfers are not in my possession, therefore, they have to be traced onto fabric using the light-box.
 
Yes, just like it says, I found this pattern at Tipnut.com--it's a fun site!
And here is my little project, so far!
 
 
Much of my embroidering is done while my daughter is in choir practice.  This time of year, they practice 1.5-2 hours on certain evenings, and I sit and embroider.  This project has been a special treat because her choir has been practicing with our city's Symphony Orchestra!  It's such fun to sit and embroider while listening to such wonderful music!

That's all for today.  Until another time, have a

 

Friday, November 27, 2015

Flea Market Finds November

Here are the goodies I found at the first November Flea Market (There is another one tomorrow!  Two in one month!)
 
 
The little Schilling Jar, below, is probably my favorite "little" thing.  I just love the graphics, and the way the letters in the word "Decors" are spaced a few up, a few down, and it's little blue lid is so cute!
 
 
Here is the back side of the bottle.  I'm not sure of a year, but I'm thinking 60s or 70s.  Some on Etsy say 1950s.  But here's the cherry on top of the sundae...I paid WAY less than what they are asking on ETSY. I guess that's just the beauty of the flea!
 
 
Now for something completely different (you wouldn't want to put this stuff on a cake).
I couldn't pass up the cute little Vaseline jar.  I really like the dark blue of the lid, and even though it doesn't have its original label, I still love it!  And the Band-Aid box is probably the oldest I've ever seen!  They will live with my other medicine cabinet collectables.

 
 
The purse (below) was an AWESOME find.  It's diffidently 1960s and has a Naturalizer label on the inside. I love that's it's red, white and blue.  Now if I only had a red or blue dress to wear with it!
 
 
The large, daisy pin was also purchased at the same booth.  It matches the little daisy earrings I'd bought in Fargo, this last summer!  The beads I also had from before.
 
 
This was a terrific flea and there are more photos to come, so stay tuned!  Until another time, have a happy vintage day!
 

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Turkey Cookies

Last week, Husband asked if I'd like to participate in a cookie swap.  The girls at his work invited me, and seeing as how I'd never done one before, I decided to give it a try.

This cute little image from Vandylee Vintage Shop on Etsy.  She has many CUTE vintage cookbooks for sale.
While browsing Pinterest awhile back, I had stumbled across these cute, frosted, turkey cookies.  They used a 7 petal flower cookie cutter (or maybe it was an actually turkey cutter), and as luck would have it, I had a 6 petal, flower shaped cookie cutter, which would work perfectly!

Below are the ones I found on Pinterest.


They have fancy polka dots on their feathers, but I decided to keep mine plain.

So here are the step-by-step pictures of the turkey cookies.
I used a royal icing recipe that contains meringue powder.

 
 
 
 
 
The pans above contained the best, Grade A turkeys.  I saved another dozen or so, off to the side.  These were the lesser quality, Grade B and C Turkeys that had tiny mistakes in them (bubbles in the frosting, not enough frosting for adequate cover, etc). 
 
When husband came home Monday evening, he brought 5 dozen of the cookies the other girls had made!  What fun!  There are pumpkin ones, chocolate fudge ones, Nutella cookies and even pretzels with almond bark and Hershey kisses pressed onto them, and peanut butter blossoms, which are a family favorite. They are all SO YUMMY!
 
 
No, I'm not going to eat the ALL.  In fact, we've already given a few away.  Plus, they will be a nice addition to the Thanksgiving meal we will be having on Thursday.
 
That's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy baking day!