Crocuses, Finally! And Easter 2013

After a cold and cloudy week, we finally had a sunny, tolerable Thursday. My few crocuses finally bloomed.  I really should buy some more. They bring to mind this sweet thought and sweeter drawing from the Joan Walsh Anglund book Morning Is A Little Child.

Have a grand Easter!!

Mom's Doll Buggy

I'm sure you can tell this doll buggy is old.  I know my mother had it in the 1930s, but I don't know if it was new to her or a hand-me-down; she had several things from an older cousin.

My sister and I played with it, our cat slept in it, and now my daughter occasionally takes some of her stuffed animals for a stroll.

My husband and I did some repair work before turning it over to our daughter a couple of years ago. The original canvas hood (a matching dark gray) and "pocket thing" were in terrible, disintegrating condition.  I replaced it with this plaid fabric that, believe it or not, I had on hand (and I don't keep much fabric on hand either). Matches very well.  Ever wonder if certain things were just meant to be?  Anyway, replacing the pocket was pretty easy-- the hood?  Ugh!  A real pain, but it came out well.  It does tip and collapse too.  Pretty neat.

They sure don't make toys like this anymore!

Such a family and interesting piece has to be a favorite thing today!  Linking to Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Steampunk ATC

The current theme at Collage Obsession is "Steampunk and Beyond."  I've never been a fan of steampunk; in fact, I find some of it kind of scary. However, Order of the Opus Gluei has a theme of "Go Where You Haven't Gone Before" running.  I think someone was trying to tell me something.

I stayed away from the scary side.  Mostly scrapbook paper plus an old mechanics book I have which is full of numbers, diagrams, and other usually mundane info. Here it looks pretty good.

Happy Friday!

Wacky Answer

The Wacky Package yesterday (3-27-13), of course, was Jelly Belly candies.  Jelly Belly does go back to 1976 and now has 50 official flavors. Toasted marshmallow, strawberry cheesecake anyone?

Bunny Playing Card

I haven't posted any playing cards from my collection in quite awhile.  So here is a very timely card.  Kinda cute, kinda odd.  When you stop and think about it... rabbit with a giant carrot on a playing card??  Maybe we shouldn't think about it and just enjoy it.

"Hoppy" day!

Wacky Pack Wednesday

I hope you don't find "Jelly Bullies" in your Easter basket this weekend.  This is a newer Wacky, obviously since this candy wasn't around in the mid 70s, but it's still pretty funny.

Thanks for stopping by!

TT/Letter L

The letter "L" at Tag Tuesday this week gave me a chance to use another favorite, the comedy team Laurel and Hardy.  Very iconic, very funny, good for what ails ya!

Have a fun day!

Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present

A rather timely children's book from my childhood collection today.  Actually this is from my sister's childhood.  She was going to get rid of it a few years ago so I kept it.  I really never was a fan of this book as a child, and I don't think my sister was either which is why she decided to unload it.  I always thought the story was a tad dull.  However, the pictures are very pretty; more appreciated by adults perhaps. Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present was written by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (yes, Where The Wild Things Are author).  It was published in 1962. This copy is from the mid-70s.

I recently read a review of this book and the illustrations were described as a Monet, impressionism style.  That is right on.  They really are lovely (oh, a tie in to the book title!).  It makes a lovely Easter decoration too!  I have it sitting amongst some of my Easter decor at the moment.

Have a "lovely" day!

Wacky Answer

Everyone recognized Tootsie Roll as the Wacky Pack yesterday (3-29-13), I'm sure. And most everyone knows that brand of candy has been around a long time.  It goes all the way back to 1896 and was the first penny candy to be individually wrapped. Penny candy?  Might have to explain that phrase to your kids or grandkids.

Fashion ATC

I made this ATC for the current challenge at Think Monday Think ATC.  The theme is "Fashion."  Lots of directions to go with that.  I thought of making your own creations and sewing.  It is fun to pick out a pattern and fabric.  Although I haven't sewn for a long time, in my younger days, I made a lot of my own clothes (when it was economical to sew!).

All the elements here are from a couple 70s sewing patterns.  The larger image was from the black and white instructions; I colored the outfit with good ol' markers.

Have a fun day!

Wacky Pack Wednesday

Nothing like a bad pun to sell a product!  I'm sure most of you will recognize this Wacky.

Good day!  (Got tired of saying "Enjoy!")

TT/Letter K

At Tag Tuesday this week, I had another chance to showcase one of my favorite actors, Buster Keaton, for the letter "K."  Remembered mostly for his silent films, he acted, wrote, produced, directed, did his own stunts (which are amazing).  Quite the talent.  

Enjoy!

The Case Of The Handmade Bookmarks

Clever post title, eh?  Just thought I would follow up a post from January 11th of this year.  A friend of mine gave me Nancy Drew fabric/fat quarters.  I made these bookmarks for friends and family (and one for myself, of course).  Just the thing for when reading "The Clue Of The Whispering Bagpipes."

Enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

A Shamrock plant-- front and back.

Enjoy!

Easter Postcards

Posting about postcards today.  Easter to be exact.  I don't have many-- enough.  I place some around every year for decoration.  Here are a few:

Very fun, postmarked 1914

Postmarked 1916

Unused and so pretty

This fold-out card was made in Germany.  It is used but not mailed so no postmark. The rooster slides up in between the front and back of the card.  It's also embossed.

I tip my Easter bonnet to the card makers of yesteryear (or yester-century).  Such sweet, enduring designs.

Linking to Mockingbird Hill Cottage and "A Favorite Thing."

Enjoy!

Wacky Answer

There probably is not an adult in the U.S. who could not recognize yesterday's (3-13-13) Wacky Package sticker.  McDonald's Big Mac sandwich was introduced nationwide in 1968 at a cost of 45 cents each.  Wow!  Can you imagine if the fat content had risen that much too through the years?!  And just for the record, min wage in 1968 was $1.60.

F-I-N-D-S

I scored a few finds while thrifting this week.  Actually, I donated more than I brought home which is a good thing.

The letter cards are from a Probe game.  I've seen them all over Etsy and blogville; now I finally have some to play with.  The sweet, shabby plate has lots of vintage charm.  Such pretty flowers.

And how about this odd little candle? I've never seen one like it before.  No label or maker mark unfortunately.  I picked up a couple other Easter goodies but am saving them for gifts so I better not show them.

What do you think of this planter?  Not my usual taste, but the squash seemed unique and I don't have much Fall decor.  My daughter liked it so it found a home on my front porch for the time being.

Have you found anything good thrifts this week?

Enjoy!

Sharing with the Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday.

Wacky Pack Wednesday

"You deserve a break today..."  If you know the rest of that jingle, you're probably older than you look!  I know I am.  Ha, ha...  I'll also admit I like these but don't buy them any too often!

Enjoy!

TT/Letter J

"J" this week at Tag Tuesday, and I couldn't live with myself if I didn't include James Dean. I have many books about him, have seen his movies a thousand times, have many pictures, drawings, posters of him; I even traveled to Fairmount, Indiana back in the early 90s to visit his gravesite.  Yeah, safe to say I was a BIG fan.  My admiration has mellowed a bit with age, but you can't argue his acting ability or good looks. I've always felt audiences were cheated because he died so young (only 24).  Think of what could have been.

Enjoy!

William Morris Style

I'm sneaking in another post today so I can participate in Frilly and Funkie's challenge "William Morris Style."  I just came across it today and wanted to play along.

I happened to have scrapbook paper by Prima that I thought was perfect.  The corner flowers are more paper I cut out, and the bird is from an old book.

The book above is a volume of cross stitch patterns using William Morris designs. Actually it is in my "to sell" pile, but since it is still here, I thought it made a good prop.

Enjoy!

ATC House

The new challenge at Unruly Paper Arts is simply "House".  As fate would have it, I just finished this ATC using (what else?) a house theme.  The design is from a funky sheet of scrapbook paper.  I colored in the darker pinks with a marker.  The top and bottom papers were taken from an old address book I bought at an estate sale last year.  Funny the things people sell (and buy, right?).

Enjoy!

Easter Crafts

My daughter was off school two days last week for a state holiday and a rare snow day so I had to come up with a couple crafty projects to do with her.  Thank goodness for ye olde internet.  Great ideas floating around out there.

I had seen examples of these cute bunny pots just days before I found 6 small pots at my local thrift store.  I guess it was meant to be.  These really are cute and easy. Especially if you have some old silk flowers on hand. I did have to buy the pom poms* and felt.

I picked up an unopened package of peat pots at an estate sale late last year.  I had thoughts of making jack-o-lantern type decorations this year.  However, when the snow day suddenly arrived, I volunteered the pots for Easter decor instead.  They came out pretty cute too.

All of the images are from The Graphics Fairy.  I Mod Podged over the whole thing so the glitter would adhere.  A few notes: 1. Take it easy on the glitter or you obscure the image.  2. Don't punch a hole too close to the top or the pot can crack (one did).  3. I used 6 inch pipe cleaners because that was all I had, but longer ones might be cuter.

Not counting the pots which were in the well under a dollar range, the only money spent on these was the Easter grass which I found at a thrift store for 50 cents.  Not bad!  Thrifty and easy-- my kind of craft!

Enjoy!

* Did you know pom pom can be spelled just like that or pompon or pom-pom?  Kind of odd.  And when you really stop and think about it, isn't it a strange word in the first place?

Rome Apple Cake

My dad recently commented on an apple coffee cake his mother used to make.  Of course we didn't have the recipe, and Grandma is gone.  So I asked an aunt of mine if she had it.  She did some digging and found it in an old church cookbook (it was even credited to my grandmother).  How about that?  So I gave it a try, mainly to give some to my dad.

It turned out really good, and I'm not a big fan of baked apple recipes.  It's easy too, and makes the house smell wonderful while it bakes.

Here is the recipe if you want to try it:

Lillie's Rome Apple Cake

1 1/2 C flour

1 C sugar

1/4 t salt

1/2 t baking powder

1 egg

1 t vanilla

1/3 C melted butter

1/2 C milk

3 (or so) apples, peeled and sliced; Rome, Jonathan, or MacIntosh

(I used Mac)

Topping ingredients

2 T flour

2 T softened butter

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 C chopped nuts (opt)

Mix the dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center; add egg, melted butter, milk, and vanilla.  Mix well. Spread into a 9" greased baking pan.  Arrange apples on top.  Mix topping ingredients.  Sprinkle over the top of the apples.  Bake at 350 degrees (325 for glass pan) for one hour.

I did not try this, but my dad said Grandma would take any leftover cake the next day and make rusk.  Okay, I admit it, I did not know what rusk is.  Old-time term, I think.  She would rebake the cake, sliced, I guess, to make toast out of it.  My dad said it was really good.  Hmm... sounds like a "dad" thing to me.

Enjoy the cake (and rusk)!

Linking to Mockingbird Hill Cottage and "A Favorite Thing" since tracking down an old family recipe doesn't happen too often!

Game Day And Giveaway Winner

I lucked out at a local thrift store on Wednesday.  Someone must have cleaned off a closet shelf.  Cool old games.  Great for collecting or paper crafting.  The upper right game is a newer picture Bingo game that I gave to my daughter.  She is enjoying it.

I also picked up a couple of sewing patterns which this store almost never carries and a Little Golden book just in time for Easter.  Some of these purchases will end up on Etsy.

My daughter drew the winning name for my blogivesary giveaway yesterday.

Congratulations to Cranberry Morning.  Please email your mailing address so I can get your prize on its way.

Many thanks to all who participated.  It was fun!  It really is better to give than receive!

Enjoy!

Sharing with The Thrifty Groove today.

Wacky Answer

So everyone knew yesterday's (3-6-13) Wacky, yes?  Lipton tea bags.  I'm showing a picture of an old box since many of you may have forgotten (or are too young to know) Mr. Lipton used to be featured.  Obviously that is why Topps put the black and white hippie on Hipton.

Incidentally, Thomas Lipton was a pretty interesting man.  You can learn more at Wikipedia; briefly, he was born in Scotland, brought tea to his grocery chain, and was quite the yachtsman.  He is even in the America's Cup Hall of Fame.  Who knew??  And who knew Wacky Packs would lead to a history lesson!

Double Vision

The current challenge at Collage Obsession is "Double Vision;" pairs of anything.  I used a vintage playing card with these two spaniels.  Seemed appropriate.  I must say this little card gave me more trouble than usual.  I had a dickens of a time getting the elements I chose to come to some sort of acceptable composition.  I finally decided on this:

Enjoy!

Wacky Pack Wednesday And The Weather Outside Is Even More Frightful!

Here we are on another Wednesday.  This Wacky Package is definitely in my top ten list.  Maybe even top five.

You might recall last Wednesday I posted some snow pictures.  Well, yesterday topped that; it snowed all day long.  Schools were closed.  Folks left jobs early. You get the picture.  Just what you want when the mind turns to Easter, flowers, shedding the winter coat.  Oh well.

My daughter enjoyed it.

Enjoy (and I better not have snow pictures to post next Wednesday!)!