Childhood Memories

Often as a child I was told not to put too much value on material things.  Although I agree it is not good to put an emphasis on material things over people, what I found was that it wasn't the item so much as the memories attached to the item.  It could have been the plainest thing you ever saw but if it came from my Grandpa, Grandma or my Uncle it was a cherished treasure.  They were special people in my life so even if it was a card, a flower, or the gift wrap I wanted to save it.  I am sure that I am not the only person that feels that way because I found things that my children have saved that surprises me but to them it is a treasure.  So I went on a search for images of items from many generations all the way up to my children's childhood that were a meaningful part of our lives and maybe yours too.  

I am so excited I found this item from Shane's Treasure Chest.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShanesTreasureChest?ref=seller_info
Now here is a funny image for you: this is exactly like the one I had growing up and I would ride it while I watched Star Trek (the original with William Shatner, who I had a crush on, FYI)  I would ride it as fast as I could trying to get to warp speed.  I'm blushing as I write this but I would do it again if I could!

Found in ETSY Shop Fresh Retro Gallery at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshRetroGallery?ref=seller_info
These are from my childhood too.  They were the real Pix-up Stix not those phony blunted plastic ones.  I never poked my eye out because people made sure I didn't run around with them.  I miss the wood ones.

Found on ETSY Shop Abe's Basement at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbesBasement?ref=seller_info
One from my husband's favorites.  He loves the Green Hornet (the original with Jackie Chan.)

Found at ETSY Shop Retro Reaction  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroReaction?ref=seller_info
I had this exact game.  I remember being really unsure about the images on one hand they were intriguing on the other hand the heads bothered me.  My daughter loved to play Old Maid too.  But she always wanted to be the Old Maid and would cheat to get it; giggling the entire time she was doing it.  She wasn't very good at being sneaky.

Found on ETSY Shop Old School Productions at http://www.etsy.com/shop/OldSkoolProductions?ref=pr_shop_more
Wow!!! Another great find.  I so wanted this set growing up...I loved Star Wars.

Found on ETSY Shop Bargain Mom Of 3 at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/bargainmomof3?ref=seller_info
My daughter loved Strawberry Shortcake but she fell right in between the time when they first came out and when they started making the reproductions.  So I would search every garage sale I could for these sweet smelling little babies.  They really made them well because they usually still smelled like strawberry.

Found on ETSY Store Happy 2 See U at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/happy2seeu?ref=seller_info
OK one more from my childhood.  When I found this I had to add it.  I was older when the new technology of Scratch n' Sniff stickers came out but wow did I love them.  They were so cool and "so out of this world!"

From ETSY Shop Sew Busy B at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewbuzyb?ref=seller_info
My son was torn between the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Biker Mice From Mars.  Eventually the Mutants won.

Once again there were too many wonderful items to include in this post so I created a couple treasuries with more.  I found so many things that I can remember one of us playing with or talking about. 

If I were a kid again...


Childhood Memories...From a Mother's View


Please don't forget to vote for me on I am #19 with the sweet Lavender Bath Salts.  Thanks

Tooting My Own Horn This Friday

Good Friday Morning.  In honor of surviving a really long week I decided to be a little self centered and show off some of my favorite postcards from my store Postcards In The Attic.  I created a treasury featuring all of the illuminated night scene postcards that I have.  They vary quite a bit from age some from the early 1900's and one as young as the 70's or 80's.  They also vary in what kind they are some are Litho, some are Linen, and the youngest of the group is the traditional kind that we see today.  I do think they are lovely and they really make me feel like traveling even at this age.  I hope you enjoy.  Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Friday - In Honor Of TGIF

Wow, what a week...I always want to keep my blogs positive.  And with that in mind all I am going to say about this week is as much as I love technology, it can sure turn on you in a minute.  I am glad to be back, although I am quickly finding that where I now live power, phone, and internet will come and go as it pleases.  Say La Vie. 

With this little adventure it has made me think back at the course of technology in my life time.  It truly is amazing to me, a person who crumbles at not having internet access 24/24, that I was born during the dawn of colored TVs.  As a child I could not have imagined the high technology of microwave ovens, VCRs, Cell Phones and more.  In fact my teen years were filled with technological advances such as: the 900 pound video camera that you could hardly get a good shot with because you were falling backwards as you held it and let's not forget the also heavy (but a mere 10 pounds) hip, got to be rich to have it, Cell Phone that now looks to me like a giant box with an antenna. 

I love looking back on all this change because to me change is good and so most of the time I just go with the flow and don't really notice it too much.  I do get excited about what new gadget is up and coming but once in hand the old technology is quickly forgotten.  So I think today would be a great day to reminisce about black and white TVs and transistor radios.   This could be a wonderful collection to have, especially for those of us who are electronically inclined.

Before we move on to the images I do have to say I am disappointed that the Jetson's technology seemed much more fun than ours has turned out to be.  But although we are not in 2D and Technicolor some of those things did develop:  moving sidewalks, holographic images, and now even robot companions.  The one that has not yet appeared (and I so wish for that day) is the giant mail tubes to transport people from living room to car.  How fun would that be?



Mine were Yellow...Ultra Cool!!!
From ETSY shop Clean Out The Closet
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cleaninouthecloset?ref=seller_info




I had one of these and along with that you needed the infamous attena (below)
From ETSY Shop Lea's Vintage at http://www.etsy.com/shop/leasvintage?ref=seller_info



I definitely had to add this...Worked Great.  I stood for hours trying to tune in cartoons with these...Fun Memories...Bugs Bunny was worth it.
From ETSY Shop Circle The Square at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/circlethesquare?ref=seller_info



Love It!!! I spent hours with my cousins writing HELLO and trying other words on this little wonder (for those of you that are too young to know what I am talking about the numbers spelled out words if you turned it upside down)
From ETSY Shop Attic Trunk http://www.etsy.com/shop/AtticTrunk?ref=seller_info



After years of playing with the calculator we advanced to video games using these high tech controllers.
Found at ETSY Shop Recycle Buy Vintage at http://www.etsy.com/shop/RecycleBuyVintage?ref=seller_info



I still think these Rock!!!
Found at ETSY Shop Farmor's Shop at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/farmorshouse?ref=seller_info

 Here's to technology

Friday's Treasuries

Well, my computer was down for a little bit.  I seem to never realize how important this tool is until I don't have it.  I am so blessed to have it back.  I am limited on time today so we will dedicate this wonderful Friday to ETSY Treasuries.  I would like to share with you some of the wonderful little shops that are located on ETSY.  Please visit them, even if it is just to window shop.  Many are so pretty they are bound to brighten anyone's day.  I know they do mine.

Winter makes me feel a bit OWLY!


Chartreuse and Cherries


The Frog Prince...

ESTY Tuesday Treasury Fun

I must have spring fever...all I can think about is bunnies, Easter eggs, jelly beans and peeps.  I hope you enjoy todays ETSY treasuries and visit my fellow Estian's shops.  They are truly wonderful and so much fun.
Duck...Duck...Peep!!!


All I want is Jelly Beans


Eggs...I will take them in a nest or out of the nest


Easter Joys

Beauty Is In The Details - Soap Containers

Many of us have a theme to our home.  At one time my entire house was done in an old Victorian style since the home was from the late 1800's and the design fit.  I personally love the Victorian style of decorating; there are many rich tones and patterns, lace and doilies, it makes for a collector's haven. 

I picked up a little soap dish the other day that reminded me how important every detail is.  I am not sure if you are fan of Martha Stewart or not, personally I am, aside from that a number of years ago she had a side conversation with her guest on Martha Stewart Living.  It was a 2 second answer that left a large impact on my decorating style.  Her guest asked what she would do if she saw a dish detergent bottle sitting out on someone’s sink and she replied she would gift them a decorative bottle.  She showed a lovely vintage vinaigrette cruet with a rubber stopper.  At that moment I realized how right she was and what a difference two more seconds to fill up a fine bottle with detergent would make.  I have since then replaced my soap bottles with a decorative container of a variety shapes and sizes.  Not only does this make your sink area look beautiful it can have a positive impact on the environment.  You will be more likely to buy the environmentally friendly packaging (usually a refill pack) because you will be transferring it into a reusable decorative container.  I have a few examples from fellow Estians that I would like to share below.

From Willow Tree Pottery  http://www.etsy.com/shop/willowtreepottery?ref=top_trail

From Just Smashing Darling's Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/JustSmashingDarling?ref=top_trail

I also have taken that simple conversation Martha Steward had and expanded it to other areas of my home.  In my bathroom we use a vintage dish to store our bar soap and a decorative hand soap pump.  This is my most recent find that will go into my store for someone else to enjoy.

The photo is featuring Soap Deli's Banana Oatmeal bar.

Not only are the soap dishes important so is the soap.  I spend a significant amount of time trying to find just the right scent for my liquid hand soap and equally long to find the right bar soap.  I want them to be both functional and eye appealing.  I have found a high quality and lovely bar soap from an ESTY store called SoapDeli.  I purchased her Tequila Sour Salt Bar and absolutely love, it along with her Banana Oatmeal Salt Bar; I have attached her information in case anyone else is interested in purchasing a lovely item from her also.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapdeli?page=5

I find that when life is stressful or more serious than we are comfortable with that the more we can surround ourselves with positive things the better we feel.  They are just items, but we live with them and combined can create a powerful energy in our home.  We should make conscious choices when picking out even the everyday items, focusing on how it makes us feel when we touch it, smell it, look at it.  Never chose items based on how you think others will respond because you have to live with it.  Taking time to care for ourselves will make us happier and thus more efficient.

So to all of you have a beautiful day full of fine details and comforts.

Please Vote For My Featured Item

Good Morning Friends,  I would like to request your vote for one of my featured items.  It is a handmade sachet mix with a beautiful vintage potpourri holder, shown below.  You can vote me at http://byhandgiveaways.blogspot.com/
This blog is a wonderfully fun site to visit so it will be worth your time.


If you like what you see, please check out my store and my fellow Estian's stores.  It is amazing how tallented these artist are and what wonderful vintage things you can find.  I love shopping there myself.


I greatly appreciated your support and thank you in advance.

Attract Attention to Your Collection With a Beautiful Display

So you now have your collection; it is safe and tucked away in your closet.  Every time someone visits you eagerly tell them proudly about all the work and effort it takes to create this collection.  After your long exciting speech you say, "so would you like to see it?"  Next are those crushing words that so many of us have heard, "Maybe another time, I have to __________ (fill in the blank.)"   Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to force people to look at your wonderful collection?  You know they will love it once they look because others have. 

There is a way to share your collection without feeling like you have to drag people kicking and screaming to view it.  It is all in how you store your collection.  Instead of storing your collection by packing it away create a wonderful display.  Just like in a retail setting, your display is an extremely important way to showcase your hobby and attract attention.  You have put time, effort and care into your collection show it off in the same manner.  I have a variety of collections some are the traditional items and some are not so traditional but most are on display.

My very large collection of postcards are mainly for my business but I do have some personal favorites.  I love sharing my passion for collecting but most people would not want to thumb through boxes of cards no matter how organized I have them.  So I have taken my favorite cards and placed them in a beautiful (but not costly) photo album.  When doing this remember that the acid from old and antique albums will ruin the postcards just like they do with photographs.  There are many inexpensive acid free albums that look antique for sale.  The one that is pictured below is from the Hobby Lobby Arts & Craft Store.  You could also make your own, just make sure that the materials you use are acid free.  Once you have organized your cards in the album simply place it on your coffee table with a nice doily underneath and you will see that many people will pick it up to take a look.

 

I also love to Rockhound (find and collect gems, fossils and minerals.)  You can imagine how challenging it would be to get someone excited about looking at your collection of rocks.  I have several ways that I incorporate my collection into the everyday decor of my living space.  One way is to have a cabinet and/or a shelf designated for them, but as you will notice in the following pictures that even this simple method has some better, more attractive, ways to set up the display. 

  

 




Piece of Amethyst

without a stand


 


This is the same piece of
 Amethyst with a stand

 



  

Since collecting minerals feels scientific I like to display some of them with a science feel.  I thought these spice jars looked like specimen jars.




This simple metal basket was turned into a stunning lamp filled with quartz minerals.



I have too many gems and minerals to display in my living space.  I categorize them and create displays in plastic units with drawers that I tuck away.  This is a practical way of storing them and still be able to keep it attractive in case I have peaked someone's interest with my other displays.

I use simple card stock and Elmer's glue (water soluble) to catalog each specimen
I keep record of where they where and when
 they were found along with any other important information.



 

Travel is one of my passions and aside from collecting postcards many souvenirs tend to become clutter for me.  I have started a magnet collection in the last few years to remind me of all the places I've traveled to.  This collection is perfect because they are easily packed away if necessary and they take up very little space.  It seems that a person's refrigerator will end up with at least a magnet or two so I might as well make them meaningful.  I have also discovered that the acrylic state magnets, shown, fit together to form a map of the nation.  My new goal is to visit all the states and have complete the map.  Sometimes it is the simple things in life that can bring us the most pleasure.

Collecting antique jewelry brings me much pleasure, but since this collection is more for business reasons I store mine in tackle and pencil boxes.   They now make some tackle boxes in girly colors that are purple and trendy colors; what fun!  By storing the collection in these boxes I protect them from becoming damaged and keeps them well organized.  But I found a wonderful display of vintage jewelry at a local thrift shop.  When making a display like this a person would have to take special care when fastening the pieces to the medium, but it is beautiful. 

My personal experience has been that half of the fun is finding your treasures and the other half is bringing it to life.

Until next time, Happy Collecting!