Sheep Tricks with Funny Knits

Sweaters. On a cold winter day, they warm us... Comfort us... And-- if the thrifted knitting instruction books we discuss today are any indication-- they can also make us look like giant psychedelic sheep in heat.

Join me today, as we examine the groovily 60s "Bernat Book of Irish Knits" and the awesomely 80s "Fashion Knitting."

...Because nothing says true sex appeal like being completely encased in a field of yarn livestock.

We'll start here, with the Rainbow Mills "Dolman Bomber Jacket"...

What exactly we're bombing with this jacket, I don't know-- one of Willy Wonka's cotton candy vats maybe...

If you thought the Augustus Gloop Chocolate Assault was a horror, imagine trying to get 100 gallons of spun pink sugar out of your fleecy outerwear.

Oh, and speaking of films, here we have the little-known prequel to Goldie Hawn's Overboard...

This was done when Goldie was still in Laugh-In, and her Overboard character Joanna was trying to get a sense of how good she might look in a yacht.

"Just hold this steering wheel up, darling, like we're traveling somewhere exotic and pretend you see something exciting off the starboard. Like a place we can stop for caviar."

Then we have these fine fellows. "Every detail is genuine, and every look is right," the book tells us...

So right, apparently, that they each wanted to try it on the same day. A bold move for their era, really-- coordinating matching outfits for themselves like this. And right down to the identical mock turtlenecks, too! I wonder what the folks down the pub think?...

Of course, in Knitland, you never know-- maybe no one will notice...

"Pssst, look at those lads wearing matching outfits, Siobhan. Who'd do a daft thing like that?"

"Um, well-- us, Meg?"

"Ah, right so... But... well... Let's laugh at 'em anyway. They look like big eejits."

Meanwhile, across the field...

"Pssst, Kate, all those people are wearing matching outfits over there, but even they're laughing at us. I know your mam made these hats for us, but I've had mine on for four hours now, and my forehead's starting to bleed. Can I not take it off?"

"Not yet, Sean, wait until mother's had a few more pints. Her observational skills won't be so keen then."

Clearly, the Mike Nesmith Monkees wool-hat look isn't quite suitable for everyone. Especially not, if you've just gotten a totally awesome homeperm, and you want a sweater to really show it off...

One just as soft... just as gravity-defying... just as frizzy as a pink-dyed poodle in a Miami Beach hurricane...

Yep, that's when you whip up this this Reynolds' Taboo sweater... As modeled by Art Garfunkel's long-lost daughter...
I bet Art was grateful for "A Hazy Shade of Winter" after seeing her sporting this colorful little number. Anything to block out that so-special "Yeti in a Punk Band" styling.

Well, that's all I have for you today, folks. I hope you'll join me again Wednesday when we take a peek at a couple of fun thrifted finds.

And I promise you-- there's absolutely no yarn involved. Stay warm!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Partying with Fiestaware

While here at The Thrift Shop Romantic, we typically delve into vintage resale finds, there happens to be one so-functional collectible that is still being produced, and hasn't changed much since its birth in East Liverpool, Ohio in the 1930s-- decorative, art deco Fiesta.

I've been picking up pieces of this, both new and used, to balance out the plethora of purple pottery plates I'd found at Big Lots over the last few months. I love the big deep mugs and bowls, but the sheer purpleness of it all was a bit much. It was starting to look like Tim Burton's kitchen cabinets.

But most interestingly, this last week, retail stores actually came through to give me the balance I'd wanted-- and in a huge way. (I know: it gave me a little unnerved shiver, too.)

Department stores Kohls and-- of all places, the normally-pricey Macy's-- have had big sales on the dinnerware. 40% off in the case of Kohls, and Buy-One-Get-One-Free at Macy's.

So I chose some colors I knew would work with my kitchen, and was able to pre-order some to be picked up this very Wednesday evening. It's going to feel a little bit like Christmas, I suspect.

One thing worth noting-- the "Lemongrass" color above has photographed much more yellow than it appears to be in person-- in my kitchen it looks like a bright lime/Depression glass green. Lighting is funny that way...
Which is why I recommend anyone looking to buy Fiesta who hasn't done so before, and might not know what the various color names mean, to make sure you see it in person to start.

I'd noticed the new Kelly Green that's out appears actually way more green-green than it looks online as well. So just a word to the wise.

The other nice thing about the newer Fiesta is that, beginning in the 80s, the Homer Laughlin company began making sure the glazes were lead-free. You can identify many of these pieces by the "lead-free" mark on the bottom.

So tonight, I'll be putting on my sombrero, gathering up my maracas, and having myself a Fiesta! And as always, you're more than welcome to join the party. :)

Have a great rest of your week!

Wonderland Mad Tea Party

Today's post will be a bit short, as I've been running around working on various projects and haven't seemed to have gotten any of them quite complete and up-to-snuff. (Why snuff is the verbal barometer for quality only the annals of time and perhaps Skoal knows.)

Anyway, one of the things I was messing around with was a Valentine's table with a mad teaparty sort of feel to it. It's not done yet-- much messing still to go on and madness to add-- but I thought you all might enjoy seeing where it is at the moment...

Every piece of china on here is mismatched, and even the lusterware teacups had their saucers swapped for ones of another color.

While I did this with various pieces of floral luster transferware-- most of it dating from around 1910-- you could do just as well with crystal plates of all different shapes and styles, pottery pieces like Fiesta and its brethren... Really, the possibilities are endless!

It helps if they have some sort of common theme, though, so the look isn't too jarring.
You can see here the plates, cups and saucers are in pinks, greens, golds, reds and peaches.

You'll notice even the candlesticks don't match-- one being a candleabra filled with candles of all colors and sizes, and the other being a single candlestick... They're both metal, so it seems to work.

You might have also noticed the little glass tophats on the table. I've picked these up over time at thrift stores, thinking I might have a use for them some day. And now I'm suspecting it would only be appropriate to use them at a Mad Teaparty and serve in them.... mixed nuts.I'm not sure what else will come of this, but time will tell. I hope to coordinate the mantle in the same room.
Hmmm, time to brew the Earl Grey and get that toast ready for the thrifted toast rack there on the right. Would you prefer butter, jam or a little dormouse?

Hope your coming week doesn't drive you too mad. :)

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase Unknown

Anyone who thrifts regularly knows that thrifting for something specific is typically as futile as trying to herd cats. Or to use a metaphor, the Gods of Thrift are generous, yes, but they have quite the little sense of humor. And they seem to believe that their followers should be grateful for what the gods have deemed they can have-- above what they might actually have hoped to find.

It's a bit like discovering things washed upon a sandy shoreline. The stranded pirate might want a case of rum. What he gets might very well be a ladies' bonnet and a message from the stranded pirate two islands over asking someone with a ship for help.

Over the weekend, I went thrifting hoping I might run across some Fiestaware.

Now, you might be saying, "What? C'mon. You can't find Fiestaware at thrift stores!"

Only I have before. I live not far away from the land o' Fiesta's birthplace. So it's not quite as common as Pyrex, but it does lurk among our household items occasionally.

But, ah... the Gods of Thrift were on their game that day-- so it was not to be. No, instead I found myself with two Mystery Vases.

This intricate red jobbie had McCoy written all over it to me...
...Only not literally, or it wouldn't be an unknown vase. But the finish, the color, the organic lines with a bit of art deco to it... All the stylistic qualities of McCoy.

Yet my McCoy book doesn't show it. That's mystery number one.

Mystery number two is this little blue pottery vase....

Also organic lines, also the matte finish associated with some McCoy, and also with no mark on the bottom, I couldn't find this one in my book, either.

I love both of the vases just as much for their own innate qualities. But it would be nice to know who made them. Alas, that may take more time!

What won't take time is this--
My little vintage sheep planter from Japan which I found at the Goodwill. Folks who are long-time readers know I use these at Easter as part of a display. And this happy little sheep will be a nice addition to the collection.

I also happen to know where this tumbler and cereal bowl came from...
This is part of a Hazel Atlas Platonite dish set I've been pulling together, from the Depression era. I think I only have one other bowl, and the cup represents my first tumbler. At $1.25 each at the L&L Fleatique, I felt I did pretty darned well.

So that represents this week's Treasure Box!

Have you all had any interesting finds at the thrifts, and other resale venues? I'd love to hear about what makes you happy.

Have a great week, and I'll see you Sunday with a brand-new post!

Victorian Magnet Calendar Giveaway Winners!

Ah... today's the big day! The day I pull the names of three winners for last Treasure Box Wednesday's Victorian magnet calendar drawing.

I want to thank each and everyone for responding, and for sharing what it is you do to decorate for various holidays. It was a lot of fun getting to read how different people celebrate by decorating their homes-- and I hope it offered a whole new bunch of possibilities for you all, too, getting to see what other folks are up to, year-round!

Anyway, I won't hold you in suspense any longer. I took the name of each person who responded to me-- including you folks who emailed me directly-- and wrote it on a slip of paper which I folded equally and put in this hat...


Then, closing my eyes, I drew three names. And they are, in no particular order...

• Lola LaFayette
• Andrea
• and Linda!

Congratulations, ladies! If you email me your addresses and full name at thriftshopromanticAT macDOTcom (replacing the AT with an @ an the DOT with a . ) I will get your calendars out to you.

Thanks so much, everyone, for playing along!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Time Flies Calendar Giveaway

My, my, time flies!

Okay, so that's the name of an Enya song. But it's also one of the reasons three of you good people can get a little bit of treasure for yourself on this Treasure Box Wednesday.

You see, I happened to have gotten entirely more cute Victorian Trading Company magnet calendars than I needed. And I figured, a couple of you folks should benefit from my mistake!

So here's how it's going to work. I'll put anyone who responds here (who is not a spammer, mind you-- spammers get no goodies) into a drawing for one of these three nifty calendars. Just post your response to the following question by midnight Pacific Time Saturday, January the 16th.

Then Sunday I'll put all of your names into a suitably vintage container and do the drawing.

And the question is:

• What holidays or occasions during the year do you decorate for other than, possibly, Christmas? And what do you do for them?

I thought this might be a fun conversation to get going!

Or, if you'd rather, you can always check out Sunday's post on "The Little Things"...

I've greatly enjoyed reading your enthused responses to it-- I had suspected you were a group of people who appreciated the small joys of life, too. And know I know for sure!

The Little Things

The saying goes, "It's the little things that make a house a home." Some of them are that beloved dog, simply brimming over with joy because he just can't believe you've returned for the evening-- even though you go through this same routine every day. Sometimes it's a quiet moment with family, where home becomes the haven from a harsher outer world.

And sometimes, it's just the little details of home, that make life prettier, make tasks easier, and make everything just that much better.

I got to thinking about this as I was doing some overly-optimistic -Pre-Pre-Spring Cleaning, and I caught sight of the pink glassware in the dish drain...

The light was hitting it just right, illuminating its delicate color. And it was strangely pleasing. Just dishes, of course-- and thrifted ones at that. But a little nicety that made the task more enjoyable.

The same went for the Pyrex, now residing prominently in my open cabinets...
What are they but color and glass, and a little bit of pattern? Yet, for me those casserole dishes symbolize everything from comfort food and memories of my mother's marvelous home-cooking, to simplicity and the joy of the finds themselves.

Some little things please, not by what they are, but what they can be. Like the thrifted silver napkin holder that now houses filters for the all-important coffee!...

And some, like the vintage jar opener next to it, bring joy through decades of reliability and ease.

You have vintage containers which do the job today, as well as they ever did, yet add an unexpected burst of color to an otherwise boring refrigerator...

And you have moments of silliness, where a whimsical cherub chotchkie gets plopped into a bowl as a joke, yet it never ceases to make you smile...
Some details have stood the test of time and become a testament to the house's history-- like this original push-button lightswitch. Every fleck of paint, every scratch and smudge attest to its past...
And some details are just made to fit in... to create an illusion of what might have been... Like this vintage-style faucet...

Any draft dodger would do, to keep out winter's chill... But why not have one that adds a little color as well as function?
Or other color that shifts and changes as the light of day passes... from early morning, to noon, to dusk...
And sometimes, what makes the most difference is the very smallest thing. One warm glimmer that reminds you you're home, safe, and done with another busy day...

Thanks for visiting today!

• If you missed this last week's Treasure Box Wednesday post, where we try to document what post-Christmas sales have brought for next year's decorating, click here.

If not, grab that nice warm blanket, a good cup of your favorite hot beverage, and have a good one!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Party isn't Quite Over

Ah, before the winter winds whipped up and temperatures plummeted into the single digits, I'd gotten a chance to pick up just a few after-Christmas bargains.

And while I do love sharing great finds with you, I hope you won't find me too selfish in admitting their appearance here is probably as much for me as for you, my friends. Because how many of us have bought something after Christmas, put it away, and then completely forgot about it?

It was only last year's post on my mercury glass discoveries that reminded me what new goodies I could display for 2009!

So sometimes it takes a village... a discount bin Target Christmas village that is...

At 75% off, they might as well have just said, "Here, Jenn: put this under your coat and leave the building quickly."

I also snagged this large pink light-up vintage style church...
That probably would have made the coat bulky.

Other finds included some things for next Christmas and an assortment of things I can probably use throughout the year.
This angel was just $1.50 at the Goodwill. I thought she had such a pretty face, and she reminded me of antique religious statuary, the way her wings were done...
This little flocked child ornament seems to be made of plaster. It appears as if it might have come from a Victorian Christmas card illustration...
And a sale on scented candles brought a variety of inviting scents, some for the next holiday season and some, like the "Greenhouse" and "Herb" tarts, which should serve nicely any time during the year.
Well, that about wraps up this Treasure Box!

• If you missed Sunday's post on the Valentine's Day Tree, click here and check that out if you have a moment.

Keep warm, everybody! And let's think Spring, okay? Maybe if we all do it, it'll have some sort of effect. :)

Putting My Heart into the Valentine's Tree

As 2010 made its grand entrance with a wintry blast and a shiver, I found that while I was well-ready to say goodbye to the tinsel and Santas and angels and stockings for another year, there was one holiday guest I wasn't quite ready to bid adieu... The livingroom Christmas tree.

The truth is, I'd grown quite fond of the warm light it produced in the evenings. It was like a smoke-free fireplace in a way, helping chase away the blues of Seasonal Affective Disorder better than any candles I'd ever had.

So it occurred to me that this welcome holiday visitor didn't need to go quite so soon... if it had a little makeover. And that's how the Valentine's tree was born...
Green ornaments were traded for pink ones. Gold, for fuschia. Peacock feathers were replaced by small pink feathery birds. And Valentine's Day ribbon, which I'd gotten last year after the holiday for virtually nothing, worked its way in place of more Christmassy strands...

The red medieval-styled tree skirt has been exchanged for the pink, rose-printed Shabby Chic one I normally use in my guest room...
And some of the birds from that tree perched down here as well...
I already had some heart-shaped ornaments, which I use on the Christmas tree every year. They stayed...
And I added some with pink roses embedded in them, for a little extra Victorian flair...
The bow up top, printed in hearts, also was something I'd put away from last year. The angel that was there has been relieved of duty until next Christmas season...
In between putting the rest of the decor away, I've also been noodling around with my blue sitting room, transitioning it from Christmas to everyday. I'm still working on it, but it seems like it might be a good place for some fairy figures I have...

A little floral garland hides the lamp cords, while the "Joy" and a "Believe" are left from Christmas and seem to apply equally well to the fairy theme...
The white and blue Christmas tree has been replaced by a salvage yard cherub lamp and thrifted fringed shade. It still looks like it isn't quite right, but I imagine I'll figure out what it's missing in a few days...
Wishing you all a wonderful 2010 filled with warmth, happiness and inspiration!