Monday, March 30, 2009

Insignia Buttons

Buttons are a weakness of many a collector... Their diminutive size and variety of subjects/types make buttons one of the most collectible items, alongside stamps and coins. I thought I'd do a series of posts on the topic of buttons since I myself love them and can't seem to get enough!
One of my favorite type of buttons are insignia pieces. This field ranges from old store buttons to policeman and railroad pieces. It's an intriguing puzzle to figure out exactly what the button's design means and how it was used. Some are quite easy to interpret (such as the police force button shown).
Others, such as the button above, are rather tricky to interpret. But that's part of the thrill - A little research never hurts!
Another police example


So, I hope I've encouraged you to look a little closer at these wonderful pieces of history. Buttons are a fascinating topic and connect us to the past in a way few other collectibles can.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

My Thing for Books - and my Emotional Ride

Ever since I can remember, I have had a fascination with type, fonts, and books. I can't explain why really - I don't read as much as I should (blogs and magazines dont count), my parents are not readers and the only person I remember as a reader during my childhood was my Grandmother. She, however, always had harlequin type paperbacks by the side of her bed and we got in trouble if we even got near them (and their seductive covers)!!! But I digress.

So, today, I had a chance to go the the flea market and was instantly drawn, as usual to the boxes of old books. I am always still fascinated by the fancy binding (especially the gold lettering), the different font types, and most of all, the embossed covers. I love it when a french book has notes, when there is sentiment to/from on the cover, or the beautiful school taught penmanship of the past that we all sigh over deep inside. Plus, the fact that leather was used to present a book still seems somewhat magical to me. Any how, I have had to narrow my collection to anything as close to 1900, and if possible, to certain colors. I thought I would share with you some of my collection.

My oldest book is this little school Grammer booth from 1823....isnt it beautiful?

So - the best thing about garage sales is taking the time to learn about each piece. I thought my 1823 book was the crown of my collection - however, she has been temporarily replaced. Today I stopped at a sale here in Roseville. Nice family, lots of books - newer. But in the stacks and stacks, I found this little childrens book with tons of character - it was only $1.

As I checked its date and started to pay for it, I noticed a stamp inside: St. Marys Orphanage Galveston. The book was dated 1900. My heart began to sink. I told you I dont read much but the ONE book I have been reading lately, to my kids for history class is Isaacs Storm by Erik Larson. This book is a history of the worst storm in American history - the hurricane of 1900 that wiped out the town of Galveston, Texas. Some of you may know about it. If you dont, its a story of the perfect storm and the story of Isaac, the US Weatherman stationed in Galveston and how the storm was missed. After the storm, you could imagine the life lost. The worst story was that of the orphans and the nuns of St. Marys drowned in the rising water and how they were found. I am welling up writing this - you will need to go out and find out how they were found because I cant write it without crying. The book that I found today was published the year of the storm, prior to the storm and somehow, survived the storm. To think the nuns read to the children from this book really hits my heart. I talked it over with the my family after showing it to them and the book will stay with me only until I can get it back to Texas somehow. By the way, the gentleman I bought was from Galveston. His father was carried on the grandfathers back in the flood waters to safety as they survived the 1900 storm. He started to cry this morning telling me the story. And yes, I did ask to leave the book behind but he refused it knowing I knew the history of the orphans and St. Marys. I never knew my love of books would take me on such an emotional ride but you never know the history you carry in your home. Take the time and meet the people you buy from - everything has a story.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Vintage Pink

This is the front of a really old cabinet. As seen in the photo below.



Some vintage pink photos.

Friday, March 27, 2009

It's Party Time!! And You're Invited

Ha! I bet I gotcha' with that title. Drew you right in didn't it? :) Just a little post today on the vintage party line. Everyone loves to attend a good party, from the food to the music, parties are a great time. One important feature can be the decorations since they can really set the mood for the party. They can liven up any party. I once was invited to a "tacky party"....... interpretation left up to the attendee. I made a platter of spam and cheese squares on vintage floral picks. They were a hit! Throwing a retro vintage party is a great way to celebrate a milestone party particularly for the big 40. Or how about a child that loves whistles and trains? Vintage party favors are the way to go. Remember the pink ballerinas from years past? What modern little girl of today wouldn't love a pink ballerina birthday cake. I recently was very lucky to run across a stash of "new old stock" party items, most in the original packages. Most of these can be found at OneLittleCandle.etsy.com or TheVintageNest.com.



What's not to love about pink? Particularly these vintage pleated crepe paper nut cups or my favorites, the waxed pink and white stripe baskets.

Check out this hostess Party Setting package. It says it's for the perfect hostess. It's a 40 piece ensemble that includes matches (love the fleur-de-lis design), coasters, napkins and drink stickers. This is from the 1960's. Absolutely love the Mod styling. What a great set to use at a lady's bridge or card party.



Perfect vintage charm.......whistles and pink ballerinas for the little ones.


How charming are these party toppers? Perfect for stacking cheeses and fruit or as cup cake toppers. The little red hatted ladies are spun cotton with hand painted features and have chenille arms.


And look at these adorable little pink bonnet girls. They are candle holders. Perfect cupcake toppers and keepsakes.

Life's a Party! Have fun!

Best Wishes, Lynn @ TheVintageNest

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Green Wednesday

Worn shades of green are among my favorite colors!
Last weekend I thought I'd try my hand at decorating some bottles. Since they're just for me, I put all the stuff that I like on them ~ lace, rust, & old jewelry.
How do you recycle/reuse/repurpose your green?
posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings/French Cupboard

Monday, March 23, 2009

Thoughts on Birds

On Birds by Francis Duggan
The more I learn of birds the more my wonder of them grow
And I come to realize how little about them I do know
And though I recognize many by their chirp or their song
On bird recognition I've often been wrong
You could live for five hundred years and study birds every day
But if you are honest with yourself I am sure you would say
That I know a lot about birds but not everything
Though I've studied their breeding habits for many a Spring,
Migratory birds travel the World from north to southern shore
And I know if I lived for five centuries or more
And when to the scythe of the reaper I eventually would fall
Of birds I may know a lot but I would not know it all
And the more I learn about birds the more I come to realize
So little I know of them and is that a surprise?

As we have made it to spring, and in honor of Erikas love of birds, we have accumulated quite the collection of birds both inside and out the shop over time. I thought it would be fun sharing some with you.

These ducks came over from the creek behind the shop last spring and spent some time with us. We gave them water to drink (some instinct on our part to give an animal water, isnt it?)

We also have a new artist in the shop, Jennifer Normann. Jennifer, who found us through her friend at The Vintage Rabbit, creates wonderful pieces of art using fabrics, glitter, and found pieces. This spring, her mermaids will be featured in Somerset magazine. You can see her well known mermaids at the shop but these are a few of her birds sitting in our chandelier and under the glass cloche on the pedestal. Check her out at http://guineveresfolly.blogspot.com/ And finally, back by popular demand are the little glitter birds with gold crowns!!! We had them at Christmas and they blew out the doors. We feel they are perfect any time of the year. Aren't they cute for only $5.99?!!!!

I know with Brett, aka The Vintage Husband about town around here (Erika's husband) , I feel constantly challenged in what I know about birds. I challenge all of us to take some time this spring and learn just a something more about these wonderful and amazing creatures. They truly are an inspiration.



Sunday, March 22, 2009

Junk Weekend

My friend Linda made this vintage display cabinet. She is the mastermind behind LaMaison Rustique.








I do like the saying on the chalkboard.

Such lovely junk. I took my new friend to the barnsale this weekend.


Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring is Blooming in Vintage Ways







A simple flower arrangement nestled inside a vintage beaded purse makes for an elegant spring display. Perched atop a rustic stone pillar? A breath of fresh air!

Pull out those vintage purses, bags, and clutches, Ladies! Usher in the spring with style!



I would be remiss in my blogging duties if I didn't mention the giveaway @ WhisperWood Cottage. Come celebrate 100 posts! Click here to learn more!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Junk Market Book Signing & Blog Party


Sue Whitney's new book, Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition, will debut this Spring. She will kick off the debut of her book and will be arriving in Texas for the Round Top/Warrenton Antiques Week. She will be attending several book signing events and attending the Garden Antqs Vintage Blog Party scheduled for March 29 at Zapp Hall. Her book is full of ideas for creating beautiful outdoor settings and many ways to use what you have to create that one of kind atmosphere that only you can add your touch to.

The Book Signing Tour starts on Friday, March 27 at the Gatherings Antique Shop in Georgetown Texas and continues in Austin Texas that evening at Uncommon Objects Antique Store. On Saturday, March 28, the tour will continue at the Leftover's Antiques Shop in Brenham Texas.

Her tour then brings her into Warrenton that Sunday, March 29th at the Garden Antqs Vintage booth at Zapp Hall for the blog party which starts at 2:00 pm! The Blog Party will be held during the Book Signing Event and everyone is welcome to attend. Even if you do not have a blog, but maybe you are thinking about starting one, or you just want to hang out with a great group of people and have a great time, please stop by. You will no doubt laugh until your side hurts, have a glass of wine to toast being in Warrenton in the middle of so much wonderful things and people, you'll think you've gone to JUNK HEAVEN!!

If you want more information about the book signing tour or the Blog Party, contact Theresa at Garden Antqs Vintage. There will be several drawings to be held by Theresa and Sue is having a giveaway of her new book and magazine. DON'T MISS IT, YOU'LL REGRET IT!!

Sue will continue with her tour at Marburger Farms Antique Show on Tuesday, opening day, from noon until 3:00pm by the Cafe. At 7pm that evening, you can find Sue at Royer's Cafe in Round Top. You better go early if you want to get a piece of their pie!! And a seat for that matter...

Her tour will end on Friday, back at Marburger Farms, but of course Sue would not miss the JUNK GYPSY prom on Thursday, April 2, for anything. This is a NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!! Only at Zapp Hall at the Junk Gypsy booth. Don't be late!!

Click here to check out her Texas schedule and you can read more about her book here. See you real soon!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Yeeee Haw.....

Photo Flickr Artist
It's Round Top Texas time BABY! This Spring, Round Top is the place to be.... Flickr Artist

OK....it's just almost tooooo much! We are sooooo excited! It's not to late to make your plans....you won't be disappointed, TRUST ME!

The Dealers are spectacular, the merchandise seems endless and
the ideas are oh so inspirational, to say the least!

If you've never been, just ask some of these fantastic bloggers and each and every one of them will tell you....if you love Antiques, Junque', Vintage or just plan unusual stuff....
it is a MUST ATTEND!

The antique week kicks off at the end of this month....
for more information visit the following sites:

Original Round Top Antiques Fair
Marburger Farms Antique Show
Cole's Antique Show
Zapp Hall Antique Show
The Red Door Antiques
Garden Vintage Antiques (The official news of all the great Texas Antique events) :-)
Junk Gypsy Co
The Leftovers Antique Destination
Magnolia Pearl
Royers Round Top Cafe

and this is just a short list!!!!! So Plane, train or car....just get here!
Please come out and support all of the great dealers & bloggers and meet some new friends....the junk comes and goes but the friendships last a lifetime!