Saturday, March 31, 2012

Keeping Occupied

"Made in Occupied Japan" is a collectible category.  Here are two small pieces that occupy a bedroom shelf in my house. 


They originally belonged to my mother, but she gave them to me when I was a child; rather trusting of her.  They have survived a child's hand and all this time. The top of the chest actually does come off for storing teeny treasures.

My mom also had a collection of dog statues (that I will show some day), and I think there are a couple of "Occupied Japan" pieces in there.  I also have a little jewelry dish shaped like a leaf that is "OJ."  It is packed away in my basement which is why I did not shoot it.  Maybe I'll get ambitious some rainy day and unearth it (don't hold your breath).

Enjoy!

Friday, March 30, 2012

A Good Year For Lilacs


I shot these photos a couple of days ago of the three lilac trees in my front yard.  I planted them myself about a dozen years ago.  Three of the few things I've planted that have actually survived more than one season!  Don't lilacs smell Heavenly?








Enjoy!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Gurley Easter

I inherited a nice collection of Gurley (and a few Tavern) candles from my grandmother.  Ninety percent of it is Christmas, but here are two Easter candles. The "running" rabbit has always been a favorite of mine.  It just makes you happy.


In case you don't know, the New York based Gurley company put out novelty candles from the late 1940s to the 70s.  Most of mine are from the 50s.  They are considered collectibles today and can be found at antique stores and on Ebay, etc. Many of them still have the original prices printed on the paperboard bottoms-- such as 10 cents, 15 cents.  Can you believe it?

Enjoy!

Wacky Answer

So did you know Pam cooking spray goes back to the 1970s? Well, yesterday's (3-28-12) Wacky Pack is proof of that! I hope the exploding chicken made you smile too.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wacky Pack Wednesday


I've always liked this Wacky.  The chicken exploding out of the pan makes me smile every time I see it.  I guess I'm easily amused.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

TT/Easter Eggs

 

Another picture book to the rescue!  This book belongs to my daughter; I bought it for her at a thrift shop. I thought the title would work well for the "Easter Eggs" theme at Tag Tuesday this week.


I added short pieces of raffia to suggest a basket, but it looks more like a nest which is okay.  This week's contributions ought to be interesting.

Enjoy!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The Password Is 'Boring'"

So while en route to a local thrift store yesterday, I spied a garage sale sign.  A nearby street-- so I head that way and pass five more signs for the same sale.  I couldn't read the house number but figured I'd find it-- not a very long street.  Well, I drove the length of said street and never spotted any sale.  Turned around and followed another car in search of something; probably the same sale.  Neither one of us saw it while going in that direction either. What-- they sold out by 10:15 a.m.? Changed their minds?  Forgot to take down the signs last week?  Have a warped sense of humor?  Oh well.  On to the thrift store.  No Holy Grails there either. "Thrift" findings have been very slim in my neck of the woods lately.  Here is the big haul (for fifty cents).




Not sure it was worth that much.

Enjoy!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Spring At The Old Homestead


Spring has definitely sprung in and around my dad's yard.  Take a peek...






Enjoy your Friday!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Wacky Answer

Yesterday's (3-21-12) Wacky Pack was an easy one. Everyone say it with me: Grape Nuts cereal!

Vintage Flamingos


When I started this blog, I planned to post vintage pieces every once in a while.  I suddenly realized I haven't done that yet (been too busy going through Wacky Packages!  Ha, ha...).  So here, finally, is a vintage post.


This pair of flamingos belonged to my grandmother.  When she broke up housekeeping, they were among the very few things no relatives wanted.  Hmm... Left behind in an empty china cabinet, my mom and I rescued them.  Now they are mine.  I had them in storage for several years, thinking them kind of kitschy and not my style, but a couple of years ago I got them out and have enjoyed them ever since.  The sublte colors are kind of pretty.  They now reside on the top of my bathroom cabinet.


You can probably see the taller one was broken at one time.  This is how my mom and I found it.  The repair job isn't half bad-- more than likely done by my detail-minded grandfather.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wacky Pack Wednesday


This Wacky Pack should not be too hard to figure out.  This cereal has been around for a loooong time. Even I like it!

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

TT/Goosey



This week's theme over at Tag Tuesday is "Goosey."  Ducks and geese.  I immediately thought of a somewhat odd picture book I have called Leander the Gander.  The story is about a goose who changes necks with different farm animals.


Odd or not, I've hung onto the book since I was a kid and so made my tag using a copy of the cover.

Enjoy!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Pattern Girl Tag


I recently made this altered tag from scrapbook paper and a cute 70s girl cut from a sewing pattern envelope.  So fun to look back at the fashions of yesteryear.  And, boy, do I wish I had my mother's old patterns!  She made tons of clothes.

Enjoy!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Finished Cross Stitch

Since I posted a photo of a work-in-progress on 3-8-12, I thought you might like to see it completed.


It is a small design-- the cross stitching is only 2" x 2".  I used 18 count Aida cloth-- why didn't I chose 14??  The pattern is by The Prairie Schooler from their "Welcome Spring" leaflet (#153). Below are a few more I made from the same leaflet.


Enjoy!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

St. Pat's Day

This Shamrock plant is one of my very few houseplants.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  Enjoy!

Friday, March 16, 2012

St. Pat's Card

I made this card a couple of years ago but thought it suitable to post today.



Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day Eve!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Wacky Answer

I pretty much gave away yesterday's (3-14-12) Wacky Pack product, but in case you didn't quite get it-- it is "Wacky Packages!"

Upside Down?


No, this photo is not upside down.  It is the reflection in my neighbors' manmade pond.  I shot this just a few days ago.

Enjoy and relax (it's Non-Productive Thursday!)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Wacky Pack Wednesday

This Wacky Pack has never been one of my faves, but I am showing it early on since it is a direct parody of Topps' own product.  Apparently nothing was sacred to them!



Enjoy!

TT/Mad March


Here is my tag for Tag Tuesday.  I must admit I was a bit stumped at this week's theme of "Mad March."  The description listed "March hares" so I went with that. What would you have done?



Enjoy!


Sunday, March 11, 2012

Simple Sunday

I thought I might share a simple nature type photo once in a while.  A nice break from Cyber World and an excuse to get my bustle outside.

Sandhill Cranes back in the skies-- a good sign!


Enjoy-- and get that hour back from DST; go take a nap!!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Spring Ahead

In honor of Daylight Savings Time, here are a few Spring-y photos:

 Old, wooden toothpick holders that belonged to my mother.

 A metal tray my dad gave me about 15 years ago.

No flowers yet, but the jonquils are about to bloom.


Yes, these are Beanie Babies.  Would you believe they are eight and nine years old already?

Enjoy!



Friday, March 9, 2012

Lab Collage



Above is a collage of Labrador Retrievers that I made for myself last fall.  It's decoupaged on a 7" x 6" piece of wood and one of the first collages I made.  I've been in to art all my life but only recently began dabbling in collage/cut paper thanks to the wonderful scrapbook papers now available.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Non-Productive Thursday

So what is "Non-Productive Thursday?" It is a very unofficial holiday established by my sister and I years ago. We decided there was one too many days in the week, and by the time Thursday rolled around we were tired and ready for a break. I still keep this in mind most Thursdays and try not to overexert. Of course this rarely pans out. Here is a Non-Productive Thursday appropriate photo--


My photo guru husband thought this picture slightly soft (out of focus), but I didn't reshoot it; after all it is Non-Productive Thursday!

Enjoy and relax!

Wacky Answer

I thought I would wait until the next day to state what product the posted Wacky Package is representing. Some are more obvious than others. Amazingly, most products are still around today! So the Wacky from 3-7-12 is Minute Maid orange juice, but you knew that already, right?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Wacky Pack Wednesday

Welcome to my first themed post.  While blog hopping, I've noticed lots of daily themes.  Since I have quite a collection of Wacky Packs and feel there is a real lack of satire in today's world, I decided there should be a "Wacky Pack Wednesday."

So what are Wacky Packs?  If you are Wacky Pack deprived, read on--  Wacky Packages were produced by Topps from 1967-2008.  Their heyday was the early 70s during which most of mine were made.  Wackys are stickers the size of baseball cards and were sold in a similar manner; several in a pack along with a chalky, pink stick of gum which I never tried to chew.  Each sticker is a pretty funny parody of a familiar product.

If you are dying for more Wacky info, Wikipedia has a lot and there are several websites devoted to Wacky Packages.

For the record, most of mine were purchased at a local Ben Franklin (dime store) and a local liquor store that also sold candy.

To get the most out of your Wacky experience, be sure to read the fine print.



I chose this one as my first post because it was my first one!  And how do I remember this 500 years later?  I actually wrote "1st one" on the back (so much for "mint condition!").

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Tag Tuesday

I contribute to a new-ish blog called Tag Tuesday.  For the entire year participants make an altered art hang tag with a designated theme.  This week's theme is "birds, etc."  Below is my effort.  The image and text were snagged from an old craft magazine.  I added actual embroidery floss and twigs.


If this type of art is up your alley, take a gander at Tag Tuesday-- you'll be surprised at the different approaches and styles.  Really nice work.  By the way, we are allowed to post our tag any day of the week so you might want to check back now and then as new tags appear daily.

Enjoy!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Spring Is Near

Trees are still bare, winter coats are still worn, steering wheels are still cold, but Spring can't be far away as yesterday was the Chicago Cubs first spring training game (they lost to the A's 10-12, hmm...).

I've been a Cubs fan all of my life thanks, or no thanks, to my dad and his side of the family.

Below is some of the Cubs "stuff" I've saved since way back when.



How about some of these prices from 1973?

Cap $1.75
Adult sweatshirt $3.75
Roster book .50
Pennant .75
Color team photo .75

Can you believe there was ever a time like that???
GO CUBS!!!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

First Things First

My first post-- how exciting... for me.  I'm certain the established community of Blogland is less than thrilled.

First things first: my name is Diane, not Lydia.  Lydia was the name of my great-grandfather's horse used to pull a mail wagon in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I came up with "Lydia's Post" several years ago to market my papercrafts.


The clown doll was a Christmas present given to me as a tot, about 3, I think.  By the looks of it today, everyone must think I'm 112!  Well, not quite.  I chose this as my first photo since that clown has been with me for so long.

So get set for some smiles, maybe a few laughs, nothing too heavy.  And some cool memories.

Thanks and enjoy!!