2007 already! We had a relaxing break at my folks place in the Blue Mountains. It was the most wonderful Christmas and relaxed New Year. The 1000km road trip up the Hume in a day was actually lots of fun. Eloise travels really well — animal spotting, crazy loud singing, laughs and a little bit of sleep thrown in. Dan Zanes was definitely the soundtrack to this holiday. Eloise has taken a particular shine to ‘Malti’ (demanding she wear her sunnies to sing it), ‘Sidewalks of New York’, and ‘Pay Me My Money Down’…sounds funny hearing such a little one singing these but she sings them with great passion and conviction! Christmas morning was lovely with a two year old, such pure joy and such appreciation for every single present opened. Many nights were spent cruising the local Christmas lights. Lots of ooooing and ahhhing.

Santa was kind to me this year. I now have a truckload of new books (which I will post more on later) and… I now have a sewing machine!!! It’s been a while since I put my foot to pedal…so watch out world! Lets see if I have the patience…I was never the world’s most patient sewer!

This year has already been a lot of fun on the thrifting front. Here’s a little taste of my favourite finds so far (click image for larger view)— five sherry/port(?) glasses featuring a silhouette of a lady blowing a dandelion; an old sweet tin; three circular Bakelite frames. I’ve also been lucky with a lot of fantastic clothes for Eloise including this Lilly Pulitzer shift dress covered in bright pink unicorns (for all of $3 mind you!).

On holiday I discovered an antique shop with a leaning toward ephemera and collectibles. You can bet that will become a regular haunt on future visits North! I picked up a swag of old family snapshots that will be great inspiration for some themed collages. The ‘Plum Pudding’ shot was very timely. On the back it says “The Plumpud in all it’s Glory. It did not stay like this for long”. Mmmm plum pudding. I always get a little twinge of sadness when I see so many family photos tossed away…someone’s memories, special moments, key life events…

Before I forget, a big thank you to all who took part in the Christmas postcard swap organised by Nikki-Shell. These are always such fun. I have been a little bit slack with my thanks as most of the cards came while I was on holiday and I am still trying to catch up! More soon…

Featured Gem 10
Real Photo Postcard

‘Friends on the Moon’

Date: Unspecified
People: Unidentified
Studio: Unidentified
Postcard Back: Blank
(has been trimmed )

Notes: I once read that if you have three or more of anything you have a ‘collection’. So it’s official, I now have a collection of vintage paper moon images (well okay I have three!). Rummaging through a box of old photos in an antique store, I came across this gem.

It’s a shame there are no details on the back! I wonder if they’re friends or sisters. Where they at an event or a fun fair? Their dresses and shoes are fabulous!

This style of image was often shot in portable photographic studios at carnivals and fairs, so they’re often not the best quality — sometimes out of focus and so on. I think that this adds to their charm. The one of the two ladies in hats (below left) says on the back: “Whitney Bros ‘Electric Postcard Studio’ Souvenir, Bendigo Easter Fair, 1913. Australia”. The faces are a little out of focus and there are scuff marks from swinging feet below the moon…but it’s a special piece of history.

NB: I have had some feedback regarding the copyright attribution of the vintage photographs on my website. All of the digital files are copyrighted to me and have been taken from original images in my collection. Please feel free to get in touch if you’d like to inquire about image licensing or obtaining larger image files. The watermarks were put in place because of some previous issues with image theft. I am temporarily trialling the copyright information below the large clickable image file only, so that the images can be enjoyed watermark free. Please don’t spoil it for everyone else by reproducing the image elsewhere.

Featured Gem 9
Real Photo Postcard

‘Clowning Around’

Date: Unspecified
People: Unidentified
Studio: Unidentified
Postcard Back: Blank

Notes: Clown/Pierrot and carnival costumes are another favourite theme of mine, so I was excited to find this wonderful ‘gem’ whilst scouring a toy fair with my sister. I know very little about the image as there are absolutely no identifying markings! It appears to have been kept safely in an album for many years (yellowing in the bottom left). It is in lovely condition!

I do love the detail of this costume and the pose is perfect.
Just check out that wig!!

I found these cups (?) in my local op-shop on the last day of September and I think they’re my favourite find this month (besides the ‘Weldon’s Fancy Dress’ magazine of course!).

Discovered last week: Board game ‘Crosshand Poker’ with tiles like scrabble, owl motif pottery cups (can’t read the markings underneath), vintage tin coffee canister, small dish with delicate green edges (marked Pareek, Johnson Bros, England), 1970’s pewter figures, porcelain orange owl (candle holder/cover missing base?), kitchen canister with butterfly and flower motif. Also a nice little button haul. Not as good as these, but a nice addition!

So that’s it for my month! I must say Selena’s $99 dollar Thrift Challenge was a wonderful excuse to go op-shopping! Check out all the other thrifty finds in the flickr group.

Ohhhhh how excited was I when I found these in amongst the patterns in my local op-shop!?? Those of you who are familiar with my blog are probably aware by now that I love collecting vintage imagery of fancy dress costumes (like this)…so yes…I was just a wee bit giddy to find three vintage fancy dress guides! The ‘Weldon’s Fancy Dress’ is a bit tattered and I think it’s missing a few pages…but for 60c I don’t care! Just look inside…

I did buy a lot of sewing patterns as well, including some great Weigel’s patterns (they have the best illustrations on the front) and various craft orientated patterns including dolls, doll clothes, Christmas crafts and Easter crafts. I also scored an Enid Gilchrist ‘Toddler Clothes‘ pattern book!

During September I collected the books below from various op-shops. Some for their ideas/content and some for the illustrations.

‘What Can I Do Today?‘ by Linda Nichol, 1973. ‘Over 100 projects for girls 6-12’

‘Daily Sketch Modern Girls Annual‘ with articles such as ‘Breeding Budgerigars for Pocket-Money’!

‘The Sleeping Beauty‘ Illustrated by Arthur Rackham, Told by C.S.Evans. (New edition 1987. Original edition 1920) Gorgeous silhouette illustrations.

‘Our Favourite Story Book‘ 1940s or 50s. Illos such as this and the price tag made it find it’s way into my basket…

‘May I Bring a Friend‘ (orange cover/no dust jacket) by de Regniers/Montresor 1964. Lovely graphic black line illustrations and strong flat colour.

‘The Children’s Party and Games Book‘ compiled by Joyce Nicholson, 1979.

‘Children’s Parties‘ by Tessa Webb, 1973

‘Educational Origami‘ (no imprint/publisher/details available) Very simple graphic instructions.

‘Colourcraft‘, 1976 (red cover, no dust jacket) — Various crafts including pet rocks, fabric painting and other decorative ideas .

‘Woollen Dolls‘ by Madeleine Banier, 1974. ‘Knit them, crochet them, make them from skeins!’ This amused me, as did the ‘wedding dress’!

More September Thrift Challenge to follow…