Inspiration ~ Embroidered Monograms

Several years ago I remember finding a set of embroidered monograms at the AMVETS Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa ~ the dealer that sold them to me told me that they were used to personalize underwear. Well, I didn't plan on sewing those I bought on my underwear ~ I just thought I would buy them to use in an art or craft project. To tell the truth, I'm not really sure where mine are at the moment!

Yebisu, an Etsy seller, has an amazing array of these embroidered monograms ~ I am tempted to get one of the alphabet lots ~ they are just beautiful. According to the shop description, this is Swiss embroidery made between 1890 and 1950 in St. Gallen.

I think one could come up with many more creative uses for these other than underwear tags, don't you? If you want some for yourself, you can get them here. What will you do with your embroidered monograms?

Yebisu also carries a selection of these beautiful copper stencils ~ for embroidery and cross stitch. I SHOULD get the JR, shouldn't I?

{all images from here}

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Fabulous Finds ~ Set of Antique Maps

Saw this gorgeous set of eight pulldown maps from 1903 on Etsy. I don't know that I have ever seen a full set in its original wood case ~ that alone would be great to have on your wall! Check out the details ~ those little pull down rings are pretty wonderful even if it looks like several are missing.

Beautiful typography and graphics look to be on each map. The printed color of the maps looks glorious as well. While the price is rather hefty for my pocketbook, my real reason for passing it by is that I have no wall space for it. If you have the wall space, you can get this map set here. It will look amazing in your home!

{images from here}

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Decoylab ~ Maiko Kuzunishi

{image from decoylab}

This past Saturday I braved the 100 degree temperatures and checked out Ric Rac Roundup ~ a local craft show here in Kansas City. As I was looking for a small gift, I happened upon Maiko Kuzunishi's booth of modern, hand crafted goodies & designs, named Decoylab. I am familiar with Decoylab as I have seen the work on countless blogs and on Etsy ~ one of my favorite pieces is the clock above ~ isn't it lovely? Last week, there was an article about Decoylab in the KCStar ~ you can read it here.

Maiko is such a talented designer! In addition to the products she designs for Decoylab, she designs her packaging and displays as well. Check out her portfolio and blog for more of her wonderful work.

Here are two brooches I bought ~ while I set out to buy a gift, of course I couldn't resist and ended up buying one for myself as well! I love the simplicity of the stamped logo on her chipboard cards. Her business card is also quite lovely ~ a letterpressed cream colored round printed with her signature logo on front, more info in metallic silver ink on back.

Below, a new product ~ coasters of several colors of felt, recycled leather and bamboo (I think) ~ beautifully packaged. These would make a great gift as well ~ sounds like she will have these for sale online pretty soon ~ she told me she had just finished them up for this show. Wouldn't you love a set of these?!

{cream and pink felt coasters ~ images from here}

After such a hot shopping experience, I cooled off with my first fresher than fresh snow cone ~ Blueberry Lavender ~ a great way to end my shopping day! I can't wait to try some of their other flavors ~ green tea pear, watermelon basil or lime mint ~ it's a hot summer, so I'm sure to have many more opportunities.

{image from here}

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Snip, snip snip . . .

Hair appointment this morning! With this humidity, you can bet I won't be getting a permanent! My hair has a life of its own in this weather.

{getting a permanent ~ image from here}

Happy Weekend everyone!

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Delicatessen

I couldn't remember if I had ever seen the movie Delicatessen, so we ordered it from Netflix and watched it this evening. Once it began, I did remember that I had seen it before, but it had been so long ago, I was happy to watch it again.

Delicatessen takes place in a post apocalyptic world where a landlord and his tenants struggle to survive. Bits of humor break up the horror of the situation while inventive set design and surrealistic scenes make this a film not to miss.

A rather dark comedy, it is the first film of director Jeunet and designer/illustrator Caro ~ they also made The City of Lost Children ~ another film worth viewing. Jeunet also directed the movie Amelie as well as A Very Long Engagement.

See what you think ~ give Delicatessen a try!

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Spoils from the Schlepp Sisters Sale

Thought I would share with you a few shots of the treasures I came home with from the Schlepp Sisters Sale last weekend. As you will see, I made especially good use of one of the items already ~ an ancient bound book of sheet music ~ it is in terrible shape, but that makes it easy to utilize the pages in all sorts of ways.

Spotted this inexpensive onyx and brass brooch and couldn't resist ~ I just love the floral and mesh patterned border. The stone is loose, so repairing it will be another project to add to my "to do" list ~ at least it should be a quickie!

{mini collection of vintage buckles}

{beautiful black and cream transferware plate ~ another great prop for photos!}

{Old favorites to add to my collection ~ Hull & McCoy matte white pottery}

{spine of the "bound" sheet music book}

I was so surprised to find this book of sheet music since I had arrived at the sale late in the day ~ I cannot believe that no one else snapped it up ~ lucky me! While it is in rough shape ~ there are water stains, all sorts of foxing, and it is basically falling apart ~ this was the perfect state for me! The condition made it affordable and all of its imperfections will make for interesting backgrounds for styling photos or utilizing in artwork. So, guess what?! Another project for the "to do" list ~ this won't be a quickie as there are at least 100 pages (printed front and back) to scan ~ but, once scanned, will be a great resource for my personal library of images!

{great water damaged page and illustrated cover}

{samples of some of the beautiful typography in the book}

{lovely foxed page of music}

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Anthology Magazine

Print Is Not Dead from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

While I can't remember where I first heard about Anthology Magazine ~ probably on a blog somewhere, I did remember that what I saw looked interesting and that Anthropologie was carrying it. So, being the frugal person I am, I decided to pick up a copy to look through before I committed to buying a subscription. So, I came home with Issue #2, took a look and am now a subscriber ~ so happy there are some new magazines being published ~ I was having withdrawal from all those that have disappeared over the last few years.

Anthology Magazine: Living with Substance & Style is an independent magazine that launched in the fall of 2010. Each issue explores a different theme ~ below are the covers of the first three issues ~ click here for a glimpse of the content of each of the issues. Make sure to visit their blog and also don't miss the video above ~ it was for the launch of the magazine and it is just wonderful!

{Issue #1 ~ The Slow Life}

{Issue #2 ~ Where the Past Meets the Present}

{Issue #3 ~ Life is a Party!}

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Fabulous Finds ~ Vintage Metal Stencil Set

Wow! Saw these vintage metal stencils today on Pinterest ~ I would just love to own these! Wouldn't they come in handy for all sorts of craft projects? Aside from the usability, they would be lovely hanging on a wall in a group ~ the patina and the graphic shapes are just beautiful! Unfortunately these are not in my budget, but if you have a few extra dollars they are available here.

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Schlepp Sisters Sale

This weekend the Schlepp Sisters held their first antique event here in Kansas City ~ as Debbie Dusenberry (proprietor of Curious Sofa) was organizing the show, I knew it would be a show not to miss. Unfortunately, the show opened Thursday at 11:00am, so because of the day job, I didn't get there until 6:30pm! Even so, I still found some great treasures (will share in a later post)!

Since I arrived at the show so late on Thursday, I had to make a second trip back on Saturday so that I could take some photos to share with you. As you can see, there were still a nice variety of pieces to choose from ~ lucky I got there early on Saturday as it was 25% off and everything was flying off the shelves. Visit here for additional photos.

Above are a nice group of good advice prints ~ I think these were lithograph originals, but it was hard to tell. They would look great all together on a wall! Below, a good variety of record books ~ from Sunday school attendance record book to business ledgers ~ I always keep an eye out for these especially if they are early. The older they are the better the handwriting inside!

{pretty handmade little wooden wall plaques}

One of my favorite vignettes at the show was the display of old and decrepit cigar boxes and miniature liquor bottles in a glassless wooden cabinet. The graphics on the cigar boxes always attracts my eye, but I have never noticed miniature liquor bottles before ~ the combination of the two really caught my attention. This would be great in the "man room" if I had one!

As the Schlepp Sisters Antique Event was a group show, there was a good variety of antiques, vintage items, fabrics & trims, and vintage clothing & shoes ~ reflecting the taste and style of the 4 different dealers. Below are a few images from the colorful room:

{pretty silk embroidered piece}

{redwork pieces ~ love the naive quality of the deer!}

{pair of embroidered pillows ~ loved the use of the motif in the pillow design}

{small sample of the vintage shoes}

Already looking forward to the next Schlepp Sisters event! Keep tuned for a post on my finds from the show ~ coming soon!

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