My Mom's Next Project: A Crochet Queen of Hearts Doll Outfit

My Mom called recently to ask if I had her old 1950's pattern book "Dolls and Dolls". You see I took ownership of most of her patterns books when she thought she wouldn't be using them anymore. She is turning 80 this year and keeps saying she is going to give up knitting and crocheting. Yet, she is more prolific than me at turning out fiber creations.

Right now, she is knitting the Ribbed Lace Bolero which she liked after seeing mine. She just finished Nicky Epstein's Little Red Jacket which she saw in my "Crocheting on the Edge" book.

She always finds something she likes and wants to make. This is the Queen of Hearts Doll outfit she plans to crochet:

It's being made as a prize for one of her social groups.

My mom crocheted this dress for my Barbie when I was a girl. Barbie looked ravishing in it!

Keep on fiber arting Mom and Happy Mother's day!

Vintage Metal Buttons: Brass, Silver and Gold

I was searching through one of  my old button tins and found myself picking out some interesting vintage metal buttons. These brass buttons are threaded together with old string strung through the shank. Embossed on them in french is "Canal de Vieux" which means old canal. I can imagine them on a navy blue blazer!

Here's a beautiful silver button with lots of flowery detail. This one would be pretty on a flouncy white blouse.

A gold dragon embellishes this oriental themed button perfect for a silk jacket.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Button Collecting!

Using My Stash of Finished Objects: My Crocheted Vintage Circle Bag

My crocheted vintage circle bag was rescued from my unused stash of finished objects. I crocheted this bag last spring. All it needed were buttons. This week it became the owner of two chunky white vintage buttons. One button for the front pocket, and...

...one for the top closure.

Now, it is ready for me to use!

This is the picture of the bag from the original 1950's vintage pattern.

Using single crochet and Bernat cotton yarn, this bag was an easy inexpensive crochet project.

I wonder what my fellow fiberistas are up to this Fiber Arts Friday? See you over at Wonder Why Gals to find out!

Happy Fiber Arting!

Christmas Ornaments This Vintage Thingies Thursday!

These vintage 1950s Christmas ornaments were made in Japan. Each hung on my tree as a child and still do every Christmas since my Mom gave them to me. I have more, but these represent some of my favorites.

My carolling snowman is showing his age. But, he's always singing!

This glittering house is one of many I use to play with on the Christmas tree entertaining myself by rearranging an imaginary village.

These silver birds are the only two left now. The one on the left has a body made from a pine cone. The right bird has sticker on it's bottom saying Made in Japan 1956.

Are any of these vintage ornaments familiar to you VTT visitors?

Now hurry over to Coloradolady to see if there is more festive vintage to see today.

Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday!

My Christmas Sock This Vintage Thingies Thursday

I know this empty and tired vintage Christmas sock doesn't look like much, but it is full of memories being my childhood Christmas sock.

It is a reminder to me of how Christmas can be a magical time of year for children waking up to find gifts under the tree and surprises in Christmas socks. I was always amazed that this guy called Santa was responsible for filling this sock.

I have tried to give my children that same magic at Christmas. Only time will tell.

Visit Coloradolady today for more vintage goodness.

Happy VTT!

NFL Trading Cards This Vintage Thingies Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving to my American VTT visitors! I know that watching NFL games on Thankgiving day is a part of American Thanksgiving tradition for some. Thanks to my hubby, I'm sharing a couple of vintage NFL trading cards.

Joe Namath's 1972 NFL card when he was the quarterback with the New York Jets is a bit battered.

However, what really matters about his card is the info that Broadway Joe was a "very eligible" bachelor that year!

Here is Archie Manning's 1972 NFL card. The father of the Manning brothers Peyton and Eli had quite the football career himself.

Obviously, Archie isn't the only Manning "endowed with special talents".

Visit Coloradolady for more vintage fun this VTT.

Happy VTT!

Go Broncos!

1950s Red Party Dress This Vintage Thingies Thursday

This lipstick red 1950's vintage party dress makes you want to head out to a dance! My mom sure danced in this in the 1950's.

The red bodice is sprinkled with red and pink sequins and covered by a patterned lace. You can see some of the sequins sparkling. The bodice is form fitting to the hip where the skirt begins to flare out. It's hard to see from the photo, but a layer of flouncy toile covers the skirt. I would have modeled this for my VTT friends, if the dress still fit. It's just a bit too small.

The label says it was "styled" by Ricky of Toronto. Ricky can style for me anytime (if he's still around!).

Even when I could fit into this pretty red dress, I wouldn't have worn it to a party. The sequins are fragile and so is the toile. After all, it is vintage!

See what other vintage fashions may be at Coloradolady this VTT.

Happy VTT!

Red Rose Tea Figurines this Vintage Thingies Thursday

These vintage ceramic Red Rose Tea figurines are from an early 1970s Canadian figurine series. They came in specially marked boxes of  Red Rose Tea. Since my mom drank Red Rose Tea, I had fun collecting them. Wade of England maufactured these ceramic creatures. They didn't become widely available in the United States until the early 1980s.

This tropical fish has the Wade stamp at the bottom of the base. Most of the ceramic animals were in neutral tones and not as colorful as this fish.

This kitten  has a bit of color in its pink ball of wool.

If I show a feline, then I must in good conscience show a canine. The expression on this cute puppy's face suggests he's mischevious.

Finally, a fawn with a speckled coat.

While I am no longer a collector of these figurines, I have a small box full of them which are now memories from my childhood.

I'm sure Coloradolady has more vintage thingies to discover.

Happy VTT!

Vintage View-Master this Vintage Thingies Thursday

This is a well used vintage 1960s View-Master. I remember the fun I had as a kid entering the three-dimensional worlds offered by this toy.

My particular favourite View-Master reel was this 1965 Barbie’s Around the World Trip. I was fascinated by all of the spectacular locations travelled to by Barbie, Skipper, Midge and the perfect boyfriend Ken.

On the cover of the reel packet, see Barbie surf in Hawaii. See Ken get ready for a dunking.

Hey, hey, then there’s the Monkees! Anyone remember having a crush on Davy? Me neither. In this set of 1967 reels, the boys have an adventure called The Last Wheelbarrow to Pokeyville. Davy gets in a mess with a local yokel girl and has to be rescued by his fellow Monkees from a shotgun wedding! What was my mother thinking?

Who doesn’t love Peanuts? This 1966 reel packet shows the ever lovable Charlie Brown enduring more misfortunes. Snoopy has just ruined Charlie Brown’s attempt to get Pig-Pen out in a game of baseball.

Anyone have memories of looking into other worlds with their View-Master?

Get over to Coloradolady to discover more memories hidden in vintage treasures.

Happy VTT!

Los Angeles Pottery and Flintwood Salad Servers this Vintage Thingies Thursday

A vintage 1956 “Spaghetti Dinner” pasta bowl reminds me of delicious potato salad which was often served in this bowl by my mom.

This bowl was in mint condition until I got my paws on it! I chipped the edge a few years ago. I still cringe at the memory.

The bottom of the bowl says it was “Made in U.S.A.” in 1956 in Los Angeles, California. I cannot make out the manufacturer.

These chipped and worn 1960’s orange Flintwood melmac salad servers are inseparable from this bowl. They were used to serve the potato salad. I understand they too were made in California. I guess their pairing with the pasta bowl was meant to be!

Now, go on over to Coloradolady to see more vintage treasures!

Happy VTT!

Japanese Luster Ware this Vintage Thingies Thursday

This vintage Japanese luster ware seasoning set with mustard pot, salt and pepper shakers in a handled base spends most of its time in my cupboard. I bought this set in a small antique store too many years ago.

You can see that the spoon for the mustard pot is missing which is how I bought it.

I like the blue and orange color combination.

I don't know when this would have been made in Japan, but I assume it is post 1940's.

Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday at Coloradolady!

Delft Tiles this Vintage Thingies Thursday

These vintage Delft tiles were bought at a yard sale over 13 years ago from a lady who was clearing out her late mother’s home. She told me that her mother had them for many years, but she did not know their history. The question is are they authentic tiles or are they 20th century tiles simply made for the tourist market?

This first tile may be decorated with the image of a broom-maker.

I'm not sure who this image represents on this second tile, but it appears to be a nobleman.

This is a close-up of the ox-head corner motif.

I like speculating about the origins of these tiles. Are they English or Dutch? How old are they? I haven't be able to answer these questions yet. May be some day...

Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday at Coloradolady!

Vintage Thingies Thursday: Vintage Kenmore Sewing Machine

This is a vintage 1950's Model 48 Kenmore Sewing Machine. This warhorse is a tough machine that has done everything from making Barbie doll clothes to altering kilts! It is heavy and sturdy and still sitting in its original solid wood cabinet. It's in use today. The last job it did for me was to sew the lining into one of my crochet bags.

This is the original vintage buttonholer attachment that came with the machine. The buttonhole templates fit inside the buttonholer and guide the needle around the fabric to make different sizes and shapes of buttonholes. I have used this attachment with great success!

I have never used this vintage decorative and embroidery stitch attachment which makes a variety of unique stitch patterns, as you can see if you look closely at the manual. You put the plastic discs into top of the machine. They tell the needle where to stitch. No computers here!

Finally, here is the original manual. I understand they can be hard to find. I'm very fortunate to have a such a complete package with my vintage sewing machine thanks to my Mom who gave me the machine!

I enjoyed sharing this vintage thingie with you. For more vintage thingies, visit Coloradolady for Vintage Thingies Thursday.

Happy Vintage Thingies!

Inspired by the Past: Vintage Patterns

I love vintage crochet and knitting patterns. Perusing a stack of vintage pattern books while drinking copious cups of tea is a great way to pass the time. I love flipping through the pages looking for unique designs and techniques that cannot be found in newer pattern books.

My latest creation for my Etsy shop is inspired by this crocheted green Jewelled Collar Necklace. It is a pattern from 1954 Coats & Clark's pattern book of knitting and crochet projects. It is worked in crochet thread and embellished with sequins and beads.

I like the idea of these collars. They are great for dressing up white t-shirts, cardigans or collarless dresses. Of course, they are also quite pretty worn on bare shoulders. They are so versatile.


My Jewelled Collar Necklace is crocheted in soft organic cotton yarn. You can see how I was inspired by the shape and embellishment of the 1954 version.

I modified the pattern to take into consideration the gauge of my yarn which was larger than the crochet thread of the original version. I kept the pattern the same for the first two rows, so I would have spaces between the double crochets to weave my white satin ribbon. The remainder of the pattern I modified to suit my yarn and myself. My thicker cotton yarn could not achieve the same detailing like the delicate picots on the 1954 collar which were easily made with finer crochet thread.

As for the embellishments, I thought sequins would be too over the top for my pastel blue yarn and feminine ribbon. But faux pearl vintage beads from the 1960s complimented the feminine feel. I'm very happy with the outcome of this project.

Vintage patterns can be a great source of inspiration for your crochet or knit designs. So, give those old pattern books a second look. You never know what will inspire you.

Happy vintage pattern hunting!

My Mother's Vintage Buttons

My vintage buttons are special. From the 1960s into the early 70's, my mom sat at her Kenmore sewing machine often making clothes or doing alterations for others. But, she also found the time to make me clothes. My vintage buttons are those buttons she never used or had leftover from her many sewing projects.

Rummaging through her old cardboard button box often gives me the feeling of deja vu, as if I've met certain buttons before. I'm certain many of the buttons were used by my mom on dresses and coats she tailored for me when I was a child. Much to my frustration, I can never bring to my mind the full memory of what childhood clothes the most familiar of the buttons were lovingly sewn on.

One old card of Lady Fashion buttons bought for 39 cents, with two of the once four buttons missing, gave me the strongest feeling of deja vu. Where had I met these brushed gold tone shank buttons before? Staring at these buttons, navy blue was all I could think of while foolishly willing them to speak to me of their past.

Then I remembered, my navy blue jacket that my mom had sewn for me in the 1970s! My navy blue Nehru style jacket that I could remember wearing to school. Didn't I have a photograph of myself in that jacket? Sure enough, after flipping through my old photo albums, I found the black and white photo of me posing in the mall photo booth wearing my navy blue Nehru jacket with the brushed gold tone shank buttons. My buttons on the Lady Fashion card were still just as shiny as those buttons in the photo.

My jacket with all of its buttons is now long gone. The ability of that old card of buttons to draw out such an old memory from the very back of my mind is amazing.

None of the other old familiar buttons have been able to bring back any such memories of the clothes my mother made for me. I pass them on to others sewn onto my fiber art creations. Old buttons have stories to tell and mine continue on to gather the stories of other lives.

I said that there were two buttons left on that Lady Fashion button card. There is only one in the photo above. The other brushed gold tone button I used as the closure for a small felted pouch which I designed and made for myself. Now, I can literally carry that memory with me.

As for the other button left on the card, it will not be put back into the button box. It sits on my desk waiting to be sewn onto a special project just for me.