Well, guess what? I was a Runner Up in last month’s Anne Taintor caption contest –> I am so doggone proud, I could just burst. But, I did not win. And that darn Teresa McIntyre is way ahead in the number of final-finishes. There’s always this month. Dare you compete? Jump over to Anne Taintor’s blog to show us your stuff. And, while you’re over there, check out Anne’s new — limited quantity – boxed sets. 12 blank cards — 5 different sets — for $16.99.
Enter Anne Taintor’s May caption contest
Posted by: • May 14, 2011
Re-Store in Springfield: Amazing. 37 photos
Posted by: • May 13, 2011
I had to drive to Chicopee on Wednesday to get an insurance form stamped. I was not going to stop at the nearby Re-Store, because my Dear Husband would KILL ME if I rescued any more vintage and brought it into the house. But then you know what happened? Heck yeah there is more →
Win a copy of Cathy of California’s new book, Vintage Craft Workshop
Posted by: • May 11, 2011
Update: Congratulations to Jill Browning – her number came up and she is the winner of a free copy of Cathy’s new book.When I was home in Kentucky recently, I of course rummaged around drawers in the kids’ bedrooms at Mom’s house mining for vintage. How about this? An American Pie needlepoint pillow top that I made — yes, me! — circa 1975, I’d guess. Clearly, I did not care much about needlepoint. Not only is the entire canvas askew, I missed stitches at the top, and never bothered to finish the project. I was a macrame girl, and sewed up a blue streak. How about you? Were you crafty when you were young? How about today?
Leave a comment and on Friday afternoon, I’ll random-pick one to win a copy of Cathy Callahan’s new book, Vintage Craft Workshop: Fresh Takes on Twenty-Four Classic Projects from the ’60s and ’70s
, provided courtesy of publisher Chronicle Books. U.S. residents only.
, provided courtesy of publisher Chronicle Books. U.S. residents only.Vintage Craft Workshop: An interview with Cathy Callahan — Cathy of California
Posted by: • May 10, 2011
It’s a small, small world: It turns out that Cathy Callahan – of the blog Cathy of California – and I were born the same year, six weeks and 20 miles apart in Southern California, and likely went to the same Girl Scout camp. Same time, same place, so I guess it’s not surprising that we both spent our girlhoods doing the same kinds of things – namely: Crafting, crafting, and then some more crafting.
While I consider my entire Wonder Bread years to have been defined by crafting, and this influence that has stayed with me through adulthood, the impact on Cathy was even deeper: She became a professional window dresser and now, has published her first book, Vintage Craft Workshop: Fresh Takes on Twenty-Four Classic Projects from the ’60s and ’70s
Chronicle Books asked if I would like to participate in Cathy’s national blog tour to promote the book, and considering the coincidences, I jumped at the chance. So today — day #2 of the 20-day blog tour — here is the first online interview with Cathy.
Aleene Jackson - crafting entrepreneur, whose Aleene's Tacky Glue is still sold today
My questions weren’t so much about crafting – rather, they are mostly about all the women-crafter-entrepreneurs that Cathy profiled throughout the book. Seems to me that crafting how-to books are kind of a dime a dozen, and you can get craft ideas all over the blogosphere, free. The crafts that Cathy features in her book are lovely and all that, but I think that what sets this book apart is the historical research: As Cathy started collecting vintage craft books, she discovered that the whole world of 1960s and 1970s “handicrafts” was created then dominated by women entrepreneurs – in some cases, “ballbusters” who were making it against all odds in the men’s retail “hobbies” world. In the book, she offers up 24 different craft projects inspired by vintage designs of the 1960s and 70. Moreover, she profiles and underscores the defining contributions of these nine influential women: Aleene Jackson… Hazel Pearson… LeJeune Whitney… Jean Ray Laurey… Erica Wilson… Patricia Nimocks… Jan Meyerson Wetstone… Gemma Taccogna… and Enid Collins.
To me, Cathy’s spotlight on these women is the reason to buy this book. Read on for my interview with Cathy Callahan, taken from our phone conversation last Wednesday, May 4: Heck yeah there is more →
Replacement windows for a 1950s house
Posted by: • May 9, 2011
Should you install replacement windows in a house from the 1940s, 50s, 60s or 70s? And if so, what style? Reader Kathy writes to ask:
I am at a crossroads. I must order in the next few days. I have a 1200 sq foot custom ranch. It has original windows single pane and aluminum storms. My husband does not want to restore them as I do. He wants all new windows. I have agreed to Andersons again. “A” series and trying to get them to be the same. 1 horizontal muntin in each sash. The glass will be low E though as that is what you get now. Originals are clear. The carpenter said get 6 over 1 on top sash none on bottom. I am thinking that the 1 over 1 will feel more correct as this house is on a horizontal look. Clapboard and low profile are horizontal. What do you think??? Here is the house now before remodel. The one kitchen window is new and no grilles. It replaced the 3 tiny vinyl ones the former owner put in. We are in CT.
Cindy, Jed and Jim Pearsall: On growing up in Adrian Pearsall’s 1964 masterpiece house
Posted by: • May 8, 2011
The official sales listing for Adrian Pearsall’s 1964 house in Forty Fort, PA, is now “live” on Sotheby’s. When I first saw and wrote about this house, I was so stunned that I could not even imagine what it would have been like to grow up there. So, I asked Jim for his recollections, holding my breath the whole time hoping that he would not be “bothered.” Quite the opposite: Jim… then brother Jed… then sister Cindy Pearsall Sussman… each were amazingly generous in offering memories of living in this wonderland. I am kind of speechless reading, and then thinking, about this little piece of paradise their parents created for them.
Over the past several days I have have conversed by email with the three… Following are their memories about the house and about the life that their mother Doris — known as “Dorie” – and father Adrian created for them…. Heck yeah there is more →
1970s style vinyl flooring from Mannington
Posted by: • May 6, 2011
When I was in Kentucky visiting Mom, I had some time to poke around local stories. I stopped by Corvin’s Floor Coverings in Elizabethtown — it was a surprisingly big store, and they were very nice – and I shutterbugged away. Right quick I spotted this Mannington vinyl sheet flooring. “Tuscan Sun”, 99 cents a square foot, and soooooo 1970s, I wanted to redesign my mom’s 1974 house all around it. However, she is into 1940s design, as you will recall. Heck yeah there is more →
When Harry Met Sally and the topic was wagon wheel coffee tables
Posted by: • May 5, 2011
When I spotlighted the wagon wheel chandelier festooned with antlers yesterday, Jeff over on the Facebook Fan page pointed us at this clip from When Harry Met Sally. Okay. So maybe wagon wheel coffee tables aren’t all that. But, who are these meisters of taste anyway, what with that hair and those jeans hiked up above their waists like ole granpa Walton. 1989. That era of great taste. Thanks, Jeff, for the fun tip.
Become a fan
