vintage betti

Happiness in a box..

2010-01-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

I've been spending quite a bit of my free time lately rummaging around at local thrift stores. I usually come home with something either for the shop or to sell on line. And once in a while I splurge on something for me. Last week I happened upon two boxes that look like this..

Colorful ceramic circles, what could be more fun? I am sooo not a crafter but once I laid a few out I knew I had to do something with them.

Unfortunately there are not enough for the bathroom floor (tiny as it is) but... Maybe a table? Or something to hang on the wall? Hopefully I'll find the right inspiration so stay tuned!

If I've said it once..

2009-12-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

It snowed today which came as a surprise to me and to many others too, I suspect. But then came the news it was to be short lived, probably gone by morning. So I decided to sneak a picture or two before it all disappeared. Then came an even bigger surprise. Something that looked very much I was being paid a visit from Glenda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. There was no full moon in the sky, just blackness, snowflakes and this..

Just another reminder that indeed there really is no place like home. Now if I only could find my ruby slippers..

Christmas Day

2009-12-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

I've been grumbling quite a bit the past few weeks about how much I dislike the holidays, and how I can't wait for the new year to begin. And, how I long to be living back in my old neighborhood. In spite of myself, this morning I woke up feeling happy. Calm, content, grateful and happy. Looking out my kitchen window I am at least satisfied that for now, while I may not be living back in the old 'hood, this place has it's own little something to offer..

With my brother, wife and nephews up in Seattle and parents in Arizona, we aren't surrounded by the usual family, craziness and gifts that one generally associates with the holidays. Nice in the sense there's no rushing around trying to find that perfect "something" for people who seem to have everything they need and more.. Not so nice in the sense I won't be getting the Wii I've been wanting. But once in a while something small comes along to surprise you and it means more than any store bought gift. One such thing is this wonderful vintage plastic Christmas pin which I love..

A holiday adornment I will wear and cherish for years to come. Thank you Pam.

The other gift is something I can't photograph, but it means the world to me..
A rekindled friendship with someone I've missed having in my life for years. A kindred spirit who is like a sister to me. It's these things that put the spirit of Christmas in my heart.

And so today, I am enjoying gifts of love and friendship. And a man who doesn't seem to want to get his butt out of bed.. I say good for him :)
Merry Christmas!!

It's a Wonderful Life..

2009-12-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

I don't deal well with the holidays, or gray skies, or most of all getting older. Not to mention aging parents, the fact that sometimes "doing what you love" isn't exactly as lucrative as one might hope, and coming to the realization that in the end, father really does know best. All of these things can define your experience as you navigate through life and admittedly for me it does, more than it should. Yesterday was one of those days. Today, however, is a new day.

Lately Jim has been in the habit of leaving me little notes in the morning. It's the first thing I look for on my way to the kitchen. Today I awoke to this:

How sweet is that??

Continuing on with my morning regime, I made an espresso and settled in to check my email. That's when I came upon this in a message titled "From a Friend":

I know that things have not been easy for you in the last couple of years, and I know getting older has been hard on you so I thought I would let you know what other people see in you.

Astrid you are beautiful and you still look like Meg Ryan.

People like you - you can talk to any one - gift of gab

You have a big heart

Just by being nice to people you have made a difference in lives you will never know.

You are unique! There is only one Astrid!

You have taken risks - most of society will go to a 9 to 5 job every day that they hate. Now I know that probably sounds good to you about now. But it takes a very brave person to start your own business's.

It comes from someone I'd sort of lost touch with until recently. A person whom I love and respect. Someone I definitely look up to. We haven't spoken in a week or so but I guess that doesn't mean we're not communicating. So, I'm feeling a wee bit like George Bailey today, thanks to two very special people in my life. I love you guys..

There's no place like home..

2009-12-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

In my previous post I had mentioned I was going out in search of a pull down map. I wasn't kidding. There's a shop in S.E. called Really Good Stuff and I'd heard through the grapevine they had a few in their inventory so off I went. But before I continue, a little back story:

About this time last year, October 2008 to be exact, in the throes of what had all the markings of a midlife crisis, I packed up my car and headed north to Seattle. My intention at the time was to move back "home" permanently, maybe. Having grown up there I had family and friends to welcome me. I also had an empty house and a seemingly amazing job awaiting. What could be better? It wasn't 24 hours after I arrived when reality hit. Like a ton of bricks. I was incredibly homesick, not only for Jim and his loving companionship, but for Portland. The city I have called home these past 17 years. Eight grueling months later I quit my job (from hell) packed up the car and headed south to Portland. Home sweet home. That was May 12th. The happiest day of my life. Which brings me back to my quest..

As I entered Really Good Stuff thinking I was looking for a vintage map of the world, or at least a continent, or at the very least a state, I saw this.

It is HUGE and cost twice as much as all the other maps they had but it was Portland. In great detail. It now hangs in my office as a constant reminder that there really is no place like home.

Live and Learn

2009-12-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have come to gain a whole new appreciation for education. More specifically, things that help us learn. Vintage things that help us learn.. In keeping with that theme, pictured below is my favorite find of last weekend. A large 16" globe in a mismatched but totally worthy metal stand. To die for..

Otis, always one to be in on the action especially when a new object comes through the front door, is the size of a raccoon. Just to give you some perspective.

Last week I purchased this wonderful piece made by the Ideal School Supply Company from one of our vendors at Found on Fremont. I love the simplicity, and the patina around the edges from decades of being touched by tiny hands..

This Playskool airplane was purchased by Jim (I guess that means it's his) at a church rummage sale a few years ago. He keeps threatening to sell it. I won't let him. Not ever. It's large enough for kids to ride around on and believe me, they have. Now we put it away when little people come to visit. So much easier than having to refinish the floors..

And finally, my favorite educational find of all.. The Walter Foster art book collection. It all started with a trip to the annual flea market in Packwood, Wa. The whole town turns into a huge treasure hunt every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. On one of our outings I stumbled upon this.

The booth was closed so we high tailed it back there first thing the next morning. I happily forked over the $$$. It was mine.. There were only a few books in it at the time but I knew finding more would be easy. So began my love of Walter Foster books. I have about 75 now. Here are a few of my favorites.

These books are fairly common but as a group, with the display rack, they make quite an impact. At least for me they do. And who knows, maybe I'll take up painting one day? For now I'm off to an undisclosed location to check out their inventory of pull down maps.

And so ends today's lesson in education. Class dismissed.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life..

2009-11-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

I chose this title as the introduction to my blog for two reasons. First of all, it's true. Secondly, it was a popular phrase back in the 1970's and retro is pretty much what I'm all about. I also like kitschy slogans. They usually hold a fair amount of truth..

For the past few months (years?) I have been wanting to share with anyone who might be interested, the fun and unique items we come across on our weekly quest for treasures. Or if nothing else, piece together a journal for myself to remember not only the "things" but the experiences and stories behind them. Early on, Jim and I used to come home after a weekend of shopping and spread our finds out on the lawn to review what we'd purchased. Those were the Klickitat house days.. Sooo much fun! That was long before I had a shop but anyone living within a 5 mile radius will tell you I had the best garage sales ever. I wish I'd had taken pictures back then. Many treasures have come and gone since. Who'd have though it would be these darling little apple pie plates that finally pushed me over the edge. Small, but somehow important enough to blog about. Finally.

We've all seen the Apple, Pumpkin and Cherry deep dish pie pans made by the Watkins or Royal China company but this is the first time I've ever come across the matching plates. They measure 7" and are about as cute as a plate can possibly be.. I searched the internet high and low (to no avail) to see what other designs might have been produced. Maybe Cherry and Pumpkin? Doubtful I'll be finding any Quiche Lorraine, Italian Cream or Dutch Brownie pie plates but who knows? For now I'll just cherish my little treasure and look forward to the next thing I never knew existed but will be thrilled to find!

Thanks for checking out my very first post! Please be sure to visit our store blog Found on Fremont for more vintage, retro and crafty good fun!