Digging into 'Bag of Old Paper'


Many of us have spoken about thrifting and antiquing being a lot like archaeology... Sifting through the remains of the past for golden treasures. Of course, those golden treasures might be something as simple as a missing saucer for a beloved old teacup... Or finding beauty in an antique print. Or uncovering knowledge and adventure, in the guise of hundred-year-old National Geographics.

Me, I'm fond of batches of ephemera. As regular readers know, give me an old cookbook, a 30s magazine or a quaint product brochure, and I am one happy gal.

Fortunately, the indoor flea markets and antique malls know the way to my heart, too.

Both the L&L Fleatique in Adamsburg, and the Ligonier Fleatique in... well, Ligonier, PA... have vendors who bundle vintage goodies into bags and sell them as a lot.

This week, I treated myself to...


... "Bag of Old Paper." And today, I thought you all might enjoy exploring it with me!

What was the clincher in the purchase of "Bag of Old Paper," for me, were these beautifully-designed certificates of graduation from Sunday School in the 1920s...



Just look at the detail on this!...


Sherman Dietrick is the name, and the date is 1924. Little Sherman went on to earn this next one in 1926, when he was promoted to the Junior Department of his Colorado Sunday School...


I loved the soft pinks and greens, the tangle of roses, and the central portrait...


By 1927, the Certificate of Promotion was smaller-- about the size of a postcard, versus a full 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. But it was full-color and equally ornate...


Here's a closeup of the figure here...


So who was Sherman Dietrick? Hard to say, exactly... But, if grouped properly-- I wonder if he isn't the fellow in this photo from "Bag of Old Paper"...


If so, this would be Sherman 20-some years on, in 1945. The same couple are found here...


Sherman's trying a bit of a Gable moustache here, I believe.

And again, if we can assume the Bag of Old Paper was owned by just one person, it would seem Sherman and his wife did quite a bit of traveling! We can assume two people went (Sherman and his wife above?) from the two copies of the same brochure included in the bag. And it appears like the Dietricks went to... Washington D.C.!...


Plymouth Massachusetts!...

(Love that 50s Massachusetts brochure-- we may come back to that some day for a Virtual Vacation!)...

And it appears that even Miami, Puerto Rico, Upstate New York, and Thomas Edison's home in Ohio was on their travels.


Like I said, we may take a more detailed look at individual items in future posts, but I thought it would be fun for you all to have a chance to dig into "Bag of Old Paper" with me today.

Before you go, I would really like to thank everyone this last week who took the time to respond to Sunday's post and share your own interests with me. I've found it very helpful, and it's given me some terrific insights into what tickles your fancies, and what fun things I can share with you in the future.

I'm serious when I say, I feel extremely lucky to have you all along for the journey with me each week.

Don't forget to pop back for this Treasure Box Wednesday, if you get a chance, because I think there will be some goodies that you'll enjoy seeing.

Cheers, folks!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Quacking Up With Spwing Fever



The daffodils have sprung up in the yard, and I admit-- I'm feeling a bit daffy! The fever has crept in, and I find the sunshine distracts... the warm wind whispers in my ear of antiquing roadtrips westward. But alas-- practicality wins out. Weekends await.

And I was, at least, very practical about the cost of these pretty aqua and pink placemats from Big Lots...

At $1 a piece, you can't really go wrong. I like them very much with the current diningroom theme. Just about the right shade with the McCoy planter and the glass on the mantle, I think.


Can I offer you a cup of tea?

I found another thing I thought you all might get a kick out of. Is it a Nancy Drew book?...


Nope! It's a nice lined notebook, precisely novel-sized. And look at the attention to detail with this. The inside cover is a replica of the endpapers in the original 50s book...


And then the nicely lined pages are filled with little illustrations from the novel...


I do so much writing, this just seemed like it would be really handy.

At the St. Vincent de Paul in Monroeville, I found this large Imperial Harvest centerpiece bowl in amber carnival glass...

My friend Scoobie had gotten me one for my birthday a year or so ago-- and I love it-- so I was thinking when Fall rolls around, it might be nice to have this second one. At $5, the price was right.

And so, I bet you're wondering... what's all this about quacking up?

Well, I was rooting around in one of my cabinets and I found a few of my feathered friends for Easter. How cute are these little ducklings? So realistically painted and whimsical, right now they're hanging out on my entryway lamp table, but we'll see where they turn up for the holiday.

They're there with these little ladies...


You may remember, they're the chicks I'd dubbed "the MacGuire Sisters" last year. They make me smile, too. Hey, would now be a good time to mention, I'm on Twitter?

Oh, and I found a little freebie for you folks, for this Treasure Box!...

You can download some public domain audiobooks for free-- one of which is a favorite of mine:

The humor story Right Ho, Jeeves, by PG Wodehouse. If you click here, you can download all or part of the MP3 files of this book. I actually ride around to this version on my commute sometimes.

Listen as Bertie Wooster and his brainbox of a butler, Jeeves, twist and turn in a hilariously confusing plot of angry aunts, wishy-washy chums in love, Mephistopholes costumes, Market Snodsbury Grammar School prize-givings, inebriation, and 18 mile bike rides.

Or, if you didn't get a chance to check out Sunday's post, Some of Your Favorite Things, click here.

Guess I'd better waddle on out of here! Take care!

A Few of Your Favorite Things


I know I do a lot of talking twice a week about the stuff that interests me-- and which I always hope will interest you all, too. You folks have joined me on antiquing trips, and thrift store adventures, and the occasional garage saling extravaganza... I blab about the stuff I collect, and the things that tickle my fancy.

But today I thought it would be a nice opportunity to hear from you dear peoples, and find out the things that are near and dear to your hearts.

What are some of your favorite things? The terrific find that made your day? The heirloom item you'd never part with? The great deal you got?

And are you a flea market maven? A veteran thrifter? A garage sale junkie? All or none of the above?

Is there any topic here at The Thrift Shop Romantic that you'd like to see in a future post? A collectible item you think readers should know about? Or a particular post topic you've enjoyed in the past and would like to read more about?


I appreciate that you folks have so kindly indulged me in my thrifty decorating obsessions. And today, I just thought it would be nice to find out the sort of things that make you happy-- that bring cheer to your rooms, that contain special memories, or that make collecting fun.

The comment capability doesn't require you to have a blog site, or anything, to participate. There's even an anonymous option, if you're more comfortable with that. (Spammers, however, will have their comments deleted, because Spam is not so tasty.)

Anyway, I think we can learn a lot from each other. And I can't wait to hear from you!


Have a good one!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Signs of Spring with Thrift Store Decor


Spring! I tend to approach Spring like Tigger on a caffeine high-- I love it, and my enthusiasm cannot be contained. So it's not any wonder I've been having some fun noodling around with my dining table and mantle again, giving it the ol' Spring Treatment.

Each year, I try to do something different, and wouldn't you know it?-- It was some thrift store finds that inspired me this go-around!

I mean, gosh, here almost everything you see is from one of my beloved thrift stores...


From the pretty vintage tablecloth in pink, aqua, green and blue, to the McCoy pot, and the swirly pink glass cups...


(I'm not done setting the table yet, but was just trying to get a feel for how things might be. Consider these just Coming Attractions... Hopefully, it'll get a little better).

Then on the mantle, I believe you're familiar with the $4 Goodwill candlestick lamps...


This cheery cottagey birdcage seemed so perfect for spring. This was a Red White and Blue Thrift Store purchase around Christmastime...


And inside? Two fluffy bluebirds. They're actually Christmas ornaments I got on sale at Michael's. So no-- not thrift store avians, exactly, but discount tweets at least...


I don't know what they talk about during the day, but they seem happy. Hopefully, if they start covering films, they get into things like Song of the South or Snow White and not, say, any Hitchcock Tippy Hedren films or anything.

Here on the mantle, you can also see the thrifted glass candy dish from just a week or so ago. Yep, I just had to try to work it into the theme...


And here, there's a very similar bowl on the other side of the mantle. I've had that a while-- I think that was from the Salvation Army on the South Side.


All in all, though, I'm liking the feel of it. This is just some interim decor until I break out the Easter sheep.


For anyone who wants to check out the Big Easter Lambie Whammy from last year, and get a laugh, you can catch that here.

And if you missed Sunday's post, where we took a peek inside a 1935 knitting magazine, click here.

Hope you're having a warm and wonderful week so far!

Getting Knit-Witty with Minerva Yarns

What says Parisian high fashion better than...er... Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, wisdom, and lots and lots of yarn? Yes, smart goddesses everywhere know armor and togas are out, and knitwear is in! And this "Paris Book" from 1935 showcases all the glamor.


Why just look at our cover model! So, some might say she looks rather severe. Or a little like a man in drag. But that's the nobility of Minerva, yarn for all occasions. I mean, just look how sexy knitwear can be...


Er, okay. So maybe she looks like the organist down at the church trying to catch the eye of the dishy new vicar. But this is French fashion, and we know it is so because the outfit is called "Angers." That's "ahn-jjairs," a city in France, and not a commentary about how hot and irritable you'll be in head-to-toe tightly-knitted clothing.

Need an outfit for the next time you're leaning on a wooden fence in the rolling French countryside? Well, how about this little "French Triumph" called "Champlaine"?...

Certainly rough and picky wood, and wool fibers, are always the perfect combination!

Or maybe the Champlaine is a little too much for your tastes. Maybe you're looking for something more demure... sweet... more girl-next-door. Then why not knit yourself the "Falaise" in dark coral "velveen" yarn?....

Yes, you might have to fake good cheer like our model here. But even so, in yarn up-to-your-neck, you'll be certain to get noticed! And isn't that worth it?

Ah, but maybe that's not quite enough yarn for you. Maybe the Falaise allows just a bit too much skin to breathe. No problem! That's why Minerva designed the Bordeaux Four Piece Ensemble...

Hat, blouse, skirt and vest, all of glorious knitting! Even the buttons are made of yarn-- a true knitwear triumph!

Well, what about those rare special occassions when you need a full-length gown and-- gasp!-- you can't wear knit?

Who says you can't wear knit? You'll be the belle of the ball with this "Antoinette" ruffled knit dress! Guaranteed that no other woman will have one like it!

And how about for a quick trip to the park? This "Rayole" pattern "has a charming restrained note and is fashionable for travelling and for crisp autumn days"...


It's restrained mainly because its sleeves are so tight it's a little hard to move in. But just look how thrilled our model seems to be in wearing this cheeky little number! No, she's not really gritting her teeth. No, she's not sweating through her girdle. Knit is It!

Just ask these two fine ladies, chatting away at the docks in their Minerva Paris Fashions...

Just a happy day in the sun for our models. Like this woman in the "Normandy"...


Look at that beaming smile, not at all forced or pained! And her friend in the "Touraine" looks... er....


Perfectly natural.

But what if you really like pattern? What does Minerva have for you then?

Why the "Toulon" might be just the thing you're looking for...

"The novel jabot collar and tie give an air of great distinction to this smart costume of Dusteen. The brilliant stripes of the combined yarns give a note of boldness to the design." And don't forget the Pinnocchio hat! A must-have to top off any stripey creation!

And lastly, what if you want a knit dress with just the right amount of cling?

You'll want to whip up the "Nancy," as modeled by Renee Zellweger here. It's made of special "Minerva Rayona," an exclusive new yarn with the rich sheen and softness of real silk, cool enough for the warmest climate."

Because when we think tropics, we think knitwear!

Well, that about wraps it up for today. I don't want to hold you all back any longer than necessary, because I know you've all been really inspired to pick up those knitting needles and make yourself some brand new couture.

PS- Don't forget the hat!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Books and Other Bargain Beauties


You really never do know what will turn up at the local thrift store! And in all my years of thrifting, it still doesn't cease to amaze me.

Things long forgotten... always wanted... that needed missing piece... or an item never even imagined... you just can't predict the sorts of things that will be unearthed by a serious thrifty treasure hunter.

One of my favorite recent finds were these hardback vintage Trixie Belden books...


I still have the Trixie Beldens I enjoyed as a kid (along with my beloved Nancy Drews), but mine were largely softcover and a bit worse for wear... So I was pleased to uncover these at the Salvation Army Superstore.

You know, our friend Trixie there was the character who inspired me to start writing in the first place. It was because of these books, a twelve-year-old Me decided to try my own hand at writing a mystery novel-- And what do you know? I've been hooked on tale-telling ever since!

And talk about great tales-- The Secret Garden...


I didn't have a copy of this myself, though am a great fan of the story. And what a copy this is! The cover is done in a burnished velvet. Great texture! Now all I need to do, it pull up a good chair, make a nice hot cup of tea... ahh!

Or, when cold beverages are in order, I'll be all set with these aluminum 50s tumblers...


I do have a couple of these already, but at $0.49 a piece, I hardly could resist.

Now thinking ahead to Easter, those who have read this blog for a while, probably know immediately why I picked up these little fellows...

Yup, a couple of teeny '50s sheep planters (well, the one may be a poodle, it's hard to tell), to go with my Easter lamb extravaganza.

I'm planning on busting out the big lambie whammie again this year (I think the sheep have multiplied, too!) so it should be fun unboxing it all and seeing just how many sheep there may be.

And lastly, for no special occasion whatshoever, I picked up this pretty aqua glass candy dish...


It's got a little bit of luster to it and I just, well, liked it. I probably need to like glass less, actually. But it's a harmless little enjoyment. And hey, it matches my entryway.


And maybe you all will have some happy thrifting yourselves this week?

Take care!