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The white and blue Christmas tree has been replaced by a salvage yard cherub lamp and thrifted fringed shade.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!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Thrifted and Wired

No, no, no... Don't worry-- the lamps above aren't mine. They'll be heading off with my bud Scoobie, as she moves into her new house early next month!

Ah, but they needed rewiring first and a bit of TLC. And, since you all probably know by now how I have Lamp Addiction, I was more than happy to take a little time to help them work and look their best.

The green luster lamp with the courting couple scene was something Scoobie had gotten at Construction Junction for $5. Structurally, it was in pretty good condition, but the more I got to looking at it, I didn't care for how mottled and rusted its base was...


So after rewiring it, I busted out a nice shade of gold leaf paint, and gave it a careful coating! Looks much cleaner and fresher, no?...

Normally, I don't mess with the metal bases unless they're really looking poorly. Generally, I like the more worn, vintage patina to them. But in this case, I think the gold leaf was the right decision. Here you can see the full lamp...


And here you can see the lamp trio I rewired that day. Now all Scoobie will need to complete the look is a couple of cheerful shades! (Oh, and to close on her house next week. Y'know, those piddly things...)

At the Salvation Army thrift store this week, speaking of these courting couple items, I'd uncovered this red tin bowl. This'll be headed off to Scoobie's new place, too-- possibly to hang out with the lamps...

Sort of an early housewarming!

And then this, this is for me...
Just a cute little vintage Valentine's Day figurine I'll use in my holiday display in February. Hey, when you thrift, it's always good to think ahead!

And that about wraps up this week's Treasure Box.

• If you didn't get to check out all the drama, the sweaters, and the angry, angry 60s skiiers of Sunday's "Slope Opera" post, click here for a bit of a chuckle.

And if you already did or you simply have to run, well, perhaps I'll see you on Sunday for something new! Take care!

Thrifty Valentine's Day Tablescapes and Other Decorating

Valentine's Day: love it or dread it, it seems to sneak into our stores the moment Santa has turned those reindeer Pole-bound.

Yet, if you're looking for a little post-New Year's zip for your decorating, Valentine's Day tablescapes can be a cheery, inexpensive, and even non-commercial way of brightening the home with sweet sentiments.

As mentioned in a previous post, heavily-discounted Christmas reds can transform for Valentine's Day with no work at all-- and at a fraction of the cost of actual Valentine's Day decor. And for the decorator who plans ahead, thrift stores turn up some heart-warming finds.


This tablescape was done with vintage china in pinks and greens which I already had, plus a pink-and-red roses printed tablecloth from the Salvation Army thrift store...


The centerpiece bowl was a Christmas ruby glass from Target a few years ago. It's filled with silk flowers I'd had from some other projects, but you could fill it with fresh flowers, red marbles and a candle... even stacks of small Valentines.


The 50s aluminum tumblers were from the Goodwill at about a quarter a piece. The heart shaped placemats were my one brand-new splurge last year, but were an affordable price at Target.


Virtually everything on the coordinating mantle either came from a thrift store, or was bought post-Christmas at Target. The shimmering red tree in the center was one after Christmas sale find. Ironically, you'll see almost identical items now for Valentine's Day at four times the cost...


Here you'll see a couple of empty chocolate boxes picked up at thrift stores for just $0.99 off-season... Not as much fun as emptying them yourself, of course! But entirely too pretty to pass up.


A satin vintage pillow from the Christian Laymen thrift store, a pink china candlestick from a past decorating swap, and a few 50s Valentines I got as a $6 lot from Ohio's Pottery City antique mall help complete the effect ...


For fans of romantic decorating, decorating for Valentine's Day might be easier than you think. If fact, you mayhave the makings for a display without buying a single thing! Roses in any color-- but particularly pinks and reds-- are perfect for the holiday. Fresh, silk, or paper, gather 'em together and display them in anything from ruby glass, to crystal to inexpensive milk glass.

And what about photos of loved ones, alive or long passed? Combined with Valentine's colors, working them into a tablescape can be a nod of honor to the people who touch your life.


Have you saved Valentine cards over the years? Why not display them? It's a wonderful way to share cherished memories.


Try playing around with pinks, reds, purples and whites. Just because an item wasn't made specifically for Valentine's Day doesn't mean it won't work nicely for the holiday.


And if you don't feel you have enough to work with currently? Keep your eyes peeled at thrift stores, flea markets, antique malls and post-holiday retail. In the 40s-60s, for instance, holiday planters were popular for almost every occasion. Here you'll see a little girl dressed in hearts and a heart-shaped cupid planter...


By picking up things like this around the year, you'll have what you need for a cheerful display in no time!

• For folks who missed Wednesday's post, "Even More Brow-Furrowingly Funny Vintage Ads" click here.

And me, I'm going to pretend now we don't have all that white stuff falling outside and have a nice hot tea. Hope to see you this coming Wednesday, friends!

Hearts and Thoughts: Victorian Valentine Postcards

Cheeky cherubs, the secret language of flowers, shy glances and bawdy wit... You'll find it all in Valentine postcards from the early 20th century. But this delightful vintage ephemera offers a collector more than just vivid images, symbolism and little bit of humor. It tells a story, too-- giving us a quick peek into the lives of the people who posted the cards-- those who took a moment to jot a note, share a thought, even subtly say what could not be said in person. So today, I'll share with YOU just a few cards from my collection, and the little stories they carry with them. I think you'll agree, it's a look at history and humanity, all on a 3 1/2 by 5 scrap of paper.


"To My Dearie." Oh, I love it!-- We just don't phrase things like that anymore. And on the back, we get a quick view into the social life of Goff, PA, during 1909. It reads:

Hello Harvey-
There is a dance on Friday night, November 5th at Edward Thomas. You are invited and would you please and tell Mr. and Mrs. McCurre. And if you see James Richard tell him and Allen Ruffner. Please try and come.

From
Anna

Did Harvey show up? Did he invite the others? Was this a casual invitation, or a subtle way for Anna to let Harvey know she wanted to see him? Did the "To My Dearie" have any relation to the message on the card, or did Anna just use whatever card she had on hand? It makes you wonder.


The front of this card , which bears a couple in close discussion, tells us:

The old, old story so often told, to hearts and souls its tales unfold.

And on its back is the note:

M.G.-
I arrived to Pittsburg yesterday after noon. I think always about you and how you? I am with best regards yours,

M.K.

I think it's an interesting reflection of how our world has grown that the writer here makes Pittsburgh (which was spelled without the ending "h" in 1910) sound like it's a country away. When in fact, this card was sent from Pittsburgh to Alverton in Westmoreland County which is, at most, an hour drive by today's standards. In 1910, however, that distance would, indeed, have seemed like a real adventure!

Now THIS card actually IS communicating over a distance...


The card itself bears no note, just the name and address of one young serviceman-- Pvt. Wyon N. Taplain, at Bovington Camp in Dorset, England-- to one Miss Doris Wheeler. Perhaps the verse in French on its face side was meant to say it all. In French, it reads:

Au Crepuscule
L’ombre du soir descend sur la ville endormie
Mais l’ombre du passe surgit devulan mes yeux
Et j'ecoute attentive en mon coeur anxieux
Comme un echo lointain, vibrer ta voix amie
Dans l’ombre qui descend du ciel silencieux

Tapping into my dusty high school French, an online dictionary, and some very welcome assistance from Sujatha over at Fluff-n-Stuff, it translates to say:

At Twilight
The shadow of night descends on the sleeping town
But the shadows of the past spring up before my eyes
And I listen, attentive to my anxious heart
Like a distant echo, your friendly voice vibrates
In the shadows descending from the silent sky.

Did the Private make it back from his service? What did he experience during his time overseas? Is the recipient his sweetheart, or a relative? We get only a slice of the story.


The card above appears to have been used as a bit of an in-joke between two close sisters. The front says:

Love’s Token
When lips met lips
In one sweet kiss
The world seems fair
And full of bliss

You'd think this card would have been used as an expression of sentiment between a couple in love, right? But the message on the back, in the penmanship of a gradeschooler, seems to label the action shown on the front:

Billie and Grace Mind
Billie looken.
SIS

I wonder if Billie or Grace ever caught wind of this little exchange? The ornery sense of humor shines through decades later.



Now here, this one above is among my favorite cards. On the front it reads, "For my Valentine." And on the back, we see some thoughtful greetings from an aunt and uncle to their beloved niece.

To Mary
With love to a dear little sweetheart
Aunt Ettie, Uncle John

I love the "dear little sweetheart" line, I wonder how old Mary was when she received this piece of mail. I find myself picturing this ringletted Shirley Temple, bubbling over with joy at receipt of an actual piece of post for herself.


As for this card, the front is in Italian and reads:

Linguaggio d'amore
Come il Giglio
simbol di candore
tu sei per me il mio
sacro amore

Which, using a handy-dandy online dictionary and a translator, seems to say:

Language of love
Like the lily,
symbol of candor,
you are to me
sacred my love

And the inscription on the back reads:

My beloved, I received your letter of the 9th I am well, hope you are the same. The answer to it will follow this evening. I haven’t the time just now. Everything is O.K. out here. Best wishes, love and many kisses XXXX from your faithful Josie

It's addressed to Miss Mary Travaglio, and came from Houston, Texas to the Butler, PA area. Are Mary and Josie sisters? School chums? How did a card from Italy come to be used by Josie in Texas to send to Pennsylvania? We may never know.

Well, here's hoping you all enjoyed this little glimpse into the past today. On Valentine's Day, when you receive those cards from your nearest and dearest, you may find yourself wondering-- in 80 years, who will be reading and enjoying your cards anew?...

How long will these Valentine sentiments endure?

Thanks for stopping by today! And if you have an extra moment, click here to connect to last year's Valentine's Jam Tart recipe (because it's yummy). Or click here if you missed last week's Treasure Box Wednesday post featuring "Deco Delicacies, Gracious Gravyboats and Others."

Hope to see you again this coming Wednesday for a whole new Treasure Box post! Until then, take care.

You Gotta Have Heart: Impromptu Valentine's Decor

Vanished! Gone was the garland and angels and bright bejeweled fruit... The Shiny Brites and Santas and the horns that go toot.... Away went the hozwanglers and the zangdoodles, and the tootonkas and trees--

(I'd no idea how many hozwanglers and zangdoodles I'd picked up at the thrifts this year. Took me forever to put 'em away.)

And as I looked out on my hollow halls, my empty mantle, my wistful walls, where once there had been happy shiny Christmas decor, well...I'm afraid my own heart felt two sizes too small.

(Sniff)

Okay, for, like, FIVE SECONDS. Until I put that heart into some serious Valentine's Day decorating!

It started with a fake potted rose or two I'd put away before the holidays.

Then some little rose topiaries. And this nifty little 1950s Valentine's girl planter I got from the Good Samaritan Thrift Store back in August.


And then some, er... more...velvet roses. (Apparently, I pick up velvet roses the way some people pick up extra packs of toilet tissue.)

I added a flock of white thrifted cherub vases... (Cherubs come in flocks, you know.)


And cards, cards, cards! These vintage Valentine's cards were a set I'd bought back in July at the Pottery City Antique Mall in East Liverpool, Ohio. There was a ton of them, all for about $4. I'm glad I'd thought ahead.


What I like about them in particular is they appear to be all of the cards collected for different members of one family.

We have the husband...


The wife...


Son...


And Mother...

For the table setting, I broke out my pink glass dishes, and made a minor investment from Target for the beaded heart-shaped placemats. The candlesticks, candles and the previously mentioned cherub vases all were things I'd already had, purchased over time through thrift stores.


And just to get truly carried away with the spirit of things, I changed the shade on my vintage cherub lamp to a red rose embossed one I'd gotten for $1 from the U.F.O. in Greensburg.

Now I enter the dining room, and there's really no chance for the post-Christmas blahs to take hold. And it's another sunny day in Whoville!

Anyone else do any decorating for Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear about it.