ismoyo vintage playground

2nd world exhibition of photography: woman

2012-01-31T11:34:00.001-05:00

Great sculptural vintage hairstyle photographed by Irving Penn for French Vogue.

I kept telling myself to scan some of the gorgeous black and white photographs from the 2nd world exhibition of photography: woman book that i had for sale in the shop. When it sold just recently i had no more time to procrastinate on it.
The 60s exhibition catalog has such amazing vintage photos of beautiful women, this is my selection of favorites.

Model with big hair by fashion photographer Franco Rubartelli for French Vogue.

Sophia Loren resting against Carlo Ponti in between scenes of the movie Arabesque at the Kremlin. Photgraphy by Tazio Secciaroli.

Portrait of a Swedish girl by Kurt Berglund.

Model in mirror photographed by Henry Grossman for Life Magazine.

Actress Marisa Mell during the movie shoot for Casanova '70 in Rome by Tazio Secciaroli.

Ormond Gigly photographed the models at Ford Model Agency in New York in the 60s.

Model and actress Donyale Luna photographed by Charlotte March.

Flowers and a Vintage Chair

2012-01-26T15:52:00.001-05:00

My hubby came home from work and had brought me flowers and a vintage chair.
Love!

It's an early 80s Steelcase swivel chair. Burnt orange. How much better can it get?
Very reminiscent of a classic mid century chair design by Charles Pollock for Knoll. The chair is so comfortable and such good quality, still after all these years of usage, it's near perfect. Then again, back in the day, they made things to actually last you a long time.
The chair was just standing abandoned and unloved in the back of the theater where my love works and since nobody was using it anymore, he could take it home for me!

Margaret Keane: The Big Eyes are Mine

2012-01-20T18:03:00.000-05:00

Keane Big Eyed Art postcard - In the Garden.

Call it Big Eyed Art, or talk about the Sad Eyes Children, the Wide Eyed Waifs, or the Doe Eyed Orphans, it’s the genre that originated with the art of Margaret Keane and that was at its height of popularity in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Frowned upon by the ‘serious’ art community but loved by many. Margaret Keane is the Queen of Big Eyed Art. Her work and the big eyed art movement have been rediscovered by a new generation and have once again become increasingly collectible.

Keane postcard - A Boy and his Dog at the Beach early 1960s.

However, if you happen to come across one of her early paintings, you will most likely not see her name on it. It will be signed just ‘Keane’ or even ‘Walter Keane’. At the time, Margaret was married to Walter Keane. Walter didn’t only do the selling and promoting, turning the ‘brand’ into a mass marketed art phenomenon, he was also claiming to be the painter of the Big Eyes. His name was on all the work and it was he who did the interviews and taking all the glory.
In the beginning Margaret was unaware of what her husband was doing. "Every night Walter went down to sell the paintings … I stayed home painting a lot of children with different city backgrounds. It suited me fine. I was extremely timid and shy." When she discovered what he was up to, the sadness in her paintings intensified. "I was painting my own deepest inner feelings, and I was searching for answers. The eyes were asking 'Why are we here, why is there suffering? What is the purpose of life?' " Margaret admits that her husband had a real genius for promotions and selling. "But it was a nightmare when Walter threatened to kill me and our two daughters if we told anyone. The whole thing just snowballed and then it was too late to say it wasn’t him who painted them,” she said. “I’ll always regret that I wasn’t strong enough to stand up for my rights. However, it taught me the value of being truthful and that neither fame, love, money nor anything else is worth a bad conscience.”

Walter Keane credit on the back of a 1960s postcard.

By then millions of Keane paintings, prints and plates were being sold in galleries and department stores. When Walter put up posters with a painting reproduced on them to advertise their gallery, their popularity was so big that the posters were ripped down straight away by their fans.

Margaret Keane drawing her big eyes.

After a 10-year marriage Margaret couldn’t go on with the deception and left Walter in 1965 and moved to Hawaii. After a period of depression and little painting, she started to rebuild her life and later married again. It was in 1970 when she wanted to set the record straight. Walter had been talking to Life Magazine comparing himself to Rembrandt, El Greco and Michelangelo and saying that none of them could top him as a painter of eyes.
Margaret publicly challenged Walter to a painting contest, "Give us both paint and brush and canvas and turn us loose. We'll see who can paint eyes." A paint-off between the two was set up in San Francisco’s Union Square. Margaret was there, with brushes in hand. Walter was a no-show, but did state that he was flabbergasted and even somewhat amused by Margaret’s claims. Life magazine covered the event in an article that corrected the previous erroneous story that attributed the paintings to her former husband.
The dispute continued to simmer, and when Walter, in 1986, told USA Today that Margaret was claiming credit for what was his work, she hit him with a slander suit. Margaret and Walter hadn't seen each other for nearly 20 years when they walked into federal court. It became a heated 3½-week trial. Margaret brought some of the original paintings to the courtroom and subjects testified they posed for them. Walter kept calling Margaret a liar, so the judge set up two easels and asked them both to paint. Margaret painted in front of the jury, a small boy's face with those unmistakable big eyes. "They gave me an hour," she says. "It was the fastest I ever painted in my life." When it was Walter’s turn, he complained of a sore shoulder and declined to paint.
A unanimous jury awarded her all the credit for the work. Plus $4 million for emotional distress and damaged reputation she had suffered because of Walter's false statements.

Walter claimed to have no money and vowed to appeal. “I was painting these children 10 years before this woman had ever heard of me” he said of his former wife. Four years later, federal appeals court upheld the verdict that Walter had defamed Margaret, but overturned the $4 million damage award. Rather than endure a new trial on the damage issue, Margaret dismissed her claim for the money. "I didn't care about the money," she said. "I just wanted to establish the fact that I did the paintings."

Walter Keane died in 2000 at the age of 85, insisting till the end of his life he that he was the creator of the Big Eyes. As he told The San Francisco Chronicle in 1991, "I painted the waifs of the world."
Margaret, now in her eighties, makes her home in Sonoma County, near San Francisco. She is still painting, her subjects still have big eyes, but are no longer sad. Now there is happiness.

Big Eyed Art in the Shop
Big Eyed Art Pinterest Board

Hello January

2012-01-03T10:02:00.001-05:00

This cute 1967 calendar page comes from a vintage Jack and Jill children's magazine.
Sweet illustration by B. Werner of the animals celebrating New Years outside in the winter garden while the people are dancing inside the house.
There is a little space on the calendar to write notes on, but it is mostly filled with small graphics and pre-written comments. Like the warning on January the 7th, "For good luck take your Christmas decorations down.... now!", or the activity on the 15th and 16th, "Nice of you to feed the birds who stayed behind". I especially like the little sketch of a route marker at the bottom end showing the way into the next year "To 1967".
And did you notice, the calendar days of 1967 match 2012 exactly!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T11:31:00.002-05:00

December 25th already. Time to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Will be back on the blog in the New Year. With some layout changes and way more regular blog posts, pictures and articles. Hope you'll join me in making 2012 very vintage crafty special!

Ultimate Antique and Thrift Tv Show list updated

2011-12-04T11:53:00.007-05:00

Quick heads up, i've just edited and updated the list of Antique and Thrifting shows on television. New shows added and new links to watch full episodes online. For your viewing pleasure!
I think i should make a permanent blog button with a link to that post. Could make it light up and sparkle everytime the list is updated.
Or just write "updated" on it.
But i like sparkles.

Vintage Christmas Tree Decorations Pixie Kneehuggers

2011-11-30T12:23:00.003-05:00

Only 24 days left before it's Christmas. Time to show this years vintage Christmas ornaments decorating our (fake) tree.
Notice a theme? Mostly filled with cute Pixies and Kneehuggers Elves.
Before i came to live in the US i had never really saw a knee hugger before. And i must admit, when i first came across the little elves i thought they were kinda scary and i sold most that i found in the shop. But now, a few years of getting used to them, i'm starting to appreciate the little knee hugging elves. There are still some that look creepy to me, but i found that there are many different styles and sizes, and a lot have that adorable quality to them. I do still list some in the shop from time to time, because i'm not a hoarder and can't keep all the cuties to myself.

Most, if not all, of the vintage mid century kneehuggers were imported from Japan. They were hugely popular in the 50s and 60s. Lots of people are collecting vintage kneehuggers and there are still a lot of these little Santa helpers out there. I noticed over the last few years they are becoming more sought after and prices are going up. But if you're lucky you'll find some for a nice price at your local thrift shop or flea market.
These flexible kneehuggers with their sweet plastic or cloth faces and felt outfits are wonderful to hang in the tree, add to a wreath or display on a shelf.

Went to Amsterdam and Thrifted

2011-10-29T21:15:00.001-04:00

Who needs clothes when you can fill a suitcase with vintage treasures? I did use a few pieces of clothing as safety wrapping for some breakables. But this was my suitcase a few days ago after my trip to Amsterdam.
There are some vintage items that will stay here in my personal collection, but most will go up in the shop. There are some great finds in there. Will show some of them soon. For now i'll share some pictures of thrifting treasures that i did not bring.

This table only needs a little TLC and it would be a prize possession! Look at that shape! And those legs! And how those drawers open! If it could only have fit in my suitcase...

Even though i have no kids i would display a rocking horse like one of these in my living room. Not sure about their age, the one in the middle looked the oldest. I should have turned around that blue one in the back, it was an wooden rocking elephant!

In a small antique shop just outside Amsterdam i found this table full of old Delftware pieces. So typical Dutch! I do have an appreciation for pretty Delft's Blue, but it's not totally my style and the breakable risk is high, so none of these finds went in my suitcase. (although i was walking around with the kissing couple figurine for a while before i decided against it and put it back)

Only in my dreams would this huge shop scale fit in my suitcase and be under the airlines luggage weight limit.

My heart skipped a beat when i stood in front of this huge bookcase filled with antique children's books. No matter which one i pulled out, each one had amazing cover art. Again, that stupid airline luggage weight limit! Books are heavy. Oh the choices to make...

How do you call these? Vintage kitchen burners? To keep the food in your pots and pans warm, or a kettle of tea. There where many. Too many to choose from. I left them for someone else to find.

Dutch orange enamel Brabantia kitchenware always makes me happy. I would have emptied out this shelf was it not that this was on my last thrifting day and my suitcase was already pretty much full.

So far for my 'What-i-did-not-thrifted' pictures. But right now, next to me, on and around my desk are loads of wonderful thrift scores i did bring. All waiting to be photographed. Hoping for clear skies tomorrow so i can start and share!

He said sorry but I loved it - a vintage faucet story

2011-10-10T17:55:00.001-04:00

For awhile our shower faucets knobs had been leaking.
Finally we had enough of it and asked our super to take a look and see if he could fix it. The super is a sweetheart but he almost only speaks Spanish and i don't get much further than Cómo estás? Him and me talking is mostly a lot of laughing and hand gestures. Pointing to the leaking faucets knobs he said "yes, yes" he could fix it. He would replace them. I let him do his job and after a little while he called me to show his work. He had some sort of embarrassed grin on his face while saying "Fixed!" And making a semi proud tada!-gesture. I looked at the shower. No more leaks and gorgeous old porcelain faucets handles!
He said "Sorry... old faucets", but I loved them. I think he didn't understand, had a confused look and kept saying "sorry, old, old". I kept saying "its ok, bueno, bueno".
He left and I was a happy puppy.
Until the next day. Now it was the shower that was leaking. Time to call in the plumber.
He came in, took one look, and straight away wanted to break open the entire wall to replace those old faucet handles. Oh no! "I would like to keep those. I like them." The plumber looked even more confused them the super did. Wasn't my 40's hairdo styled in victory rolls sign enough to know I like things from the past? I didn't want an entire bathroom redo, and definitely didn't want to loose my beloved new old faucets! Eventually he fixed it by just putting new rubbers in. I saved our landlord a big plumber bill and my faucet handles are still in. Love! Ready to take a bath tonight. Oh yeah 3 cold 1 hot. I don't care. Adds to their character! I know there must be people out there who understand. Vintage porcelain shower faucet knobs are much better than new and chrome.

Antiques Picking and Pawning TV Shows

2011-09-15T17:54:00.029-04:00

Antiques, Thrifting, Vintage Buying and Selling Collectibles Auction shows on television are plentiful right now.
The Antiques Roadshow is the staple and American Pickers opened doors (thank you Mike Wolfe for diligently shopping your show idea). There are so many shows right now and more coming soon, that it is time for a rundown list plus links where you can watch the show episodes online.

American Pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz travel the country to rummage through the contents of garages, attics and barns hunting for antique treasures to sell in their shop. Currently in their fourth season on the History Channel.
Full episodes American Pickers

Canada has Sheldon Smithens and Scott Cozens, the Canadian Pickers. Haven't found any full episodes to watch from outside of Canada. They do have a youtube channel with short clips.

Antiques Roadshow was introduced by PBS back in 1997 (original English version airing on the BBC from 1979). Hopefuls bring their family heirlooms in hope of getting a jackpot appraisal.
Full episodes Antiques Roadshow

Cash & Cari features the charismatic Cari Cucksey hosting estate sales and upcycling old furniture. Second season started on HGTV.
Full episodes Season 1 Cash & Cari
Some full episodes Season 2 Cash & Cari

The Picker Sisters Tracy Hutson & Tanya McQueen crisscross America in search of materials to have recycled for their home decor pop-up shop. Just finished their first season on Lifetime.
Full episodes Picker Sisters

Fashion Hunters premiered in October on Bravo. The people of Second Time Around search the closets of New York's elite for designer fashions to sell in their consignment store in NY.
Full episodes Fashion Hunters

Buried Treasure Identical twin brothers Leigh and Leslie Keno, renowned antique experts and appraisers (also known from the Antiques Roadshow), travel the country helping ordinary people find treasures right in their own homes. Finished their 4 episode first season on Fox.
Casting call for the next season.
Full episodes Buried Treasure

UK's Channel 4 has Four Rooms. A show where people who believe they have a valuable artifact get a chance to sell it to four of the country's leading buyers, getting offers one by one. But, once they turn down an offer, there's no going back... Finished its first season and casting for the second.
Full episodes Four Rooms

Natural Born Dealers has its first season on Discovery Channel Canada and on Planet Green under the name Born Dealers. Father and Son Pasternak are treasure hunters who scour Florida for vintage gems to flip to their upscale clients in their Antique and Unique warehouse in Maine.
Full episodes Natural Born Dealers

Hardcore Pawn is about the Gold family running the biggest baddest pawn shop in the heart of Detroit, one of America's most troubled cities. Currently in their 5th season on TruTV.
Full episodes Hardcore Pawn

Pawn Stars shows the pawn business at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Three generations of the Harrison family jointly run the family business, and there's clashing and camaraderie every step of the way. On the History Channel since 2009.
Full episodes Pawn Stars

Started the first season is Cajun Pawn Stars, a Southern spin off of Pawn Stars, set at a pawn shop in Louisiana.
Full episodes Cajun Pawn Stars

Auction Kings auctioneer Paul Brown, owner at Gallery 63 in Atlanta shows how things are done behind the scenes at an auction gallery. Second season on Discovery Channel.
Full episodes Auction Kings

Storage Wars follows teams of bidders looking to score it big in the high stakes world of storage auctions. In second season on A&E.
Full episodes Storage Wars

A Texas version of Storage Wars called Storage Wars: Texas recently started on A&E. New group of bidders and auctioneer.
Full episodes Storage Wars: Texas

Auction Hunters Allen Haff and Clinton Jones buy abandoned storage units to find treasures to sell. Recently completed the second season on Spike TV.
Full episodes Auction Hunters

Storage Hunters former boxer Brandon Bernier and his wife Lori are fierce competitors in the storage auctions. Follow them as they risk a fortune to go head-to-head with hostile locals. Currently in their Second season on TruTV.
Full episodes Storage Hunters

In Real Deal people bring their collectibles in front of dealers to try and negotiate a deal. The seller accepts the cash, or chooses to go to auction and potentially lose money or exceed the dealer's offer. Recently finished the first season on the History Channel.
Full episodes Real Deal

The BBC has been airing antiques show for as long as i can remember. One of their shows can be seen in an American version on HGTV. Cash in the Attic host John Sencio ventures into homeowners' attics, basements and garages together with expert appraisers, to search for those not-so-obvious family heirlooms to sell at auction.
I couldn't find full episodes, not on the HGTV site and no uploaded streams. The show is in its 5th season and airs in the morning, so tune in early to catch it.
A few full episodes of the BBC version Cash in the Attic

Just finished on the BBC is Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. UK celebs team up with antique experts. Two teams in vintage cars on a cross country antique buying challenge. Who makes the most money for charity at the auction wins the show.
Full episodes Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

Also on the BBC is Bargain Hunt, a show in which two pairs of contestants are challenged to buy antiques at a fair and then sell them in an auction for a profit. On air since 2000.
Some full episodes Bargain Hunt

Discovery Channel has added Salvage Hunters to their line up. First season is now airing in most of Europe. Currently now scheduled to air in the US. The show follows Drew Pritchard, a modern-day treasure hunter, as he and his team searches the U.K. to discover hidden riches. Very much in the style of American Pickers.
Full episodes Salvage Hunters

HGTV aired a sneak preview pilot of the upcoming series Junk Gypsies. Sisters and designer decorators Amie and Jolie Sikes find junk and use it to transform homes. Full series scheduled to air in Spring.
Full episode Junk Gypsies

NBC jumped on the success of the collectibles tv shows with It's Worth What? A game show hosted by Cedric the Entertainer where contestants guess the value of objects found.
Full episodes It's worth what?

ABC ran a pilot of The Great American Auction early December. Hosted by Ty Pennington who travels the country with a group of antique experts looking for items whose owners are in need of money and have no idea of the real value. The best items are brought to the studio auction to find high bidders.
Full episode of The Great American Auction

Canceled shows
Dirty Money is show about two brothers, John and Jimmy DiResta, who turn NY dumpster-dive trash into works of art, and then sell them at flea markets and swap meets. There are rumors Discovery channel canceled the show, but they are looking for a new time slot for upcoming episodes.
Full episodes Dirty Money

Restoration Roadshow had one season in 2010 on the BBC. Antique restorers invite the public to a ‘roadshow’ and bring along their damaged heirlooms to get them appraised and hopefully restored. Finally, the owners decide whether they want to keep them or sell them at auction.
Full episodes Restoration Roadshow

Australia's ABC network had Collectors, exploring the many aspects of collecting; from how to get started, tracking down a bargain, spotting a fake, and what's hot and what's not. After it was reported one of the 3 hosts was charged with accessing child pornography, the show went on hiatus and returned later for one more season with a replacement host. The shows team is currently working on a new show, Auctions, scheduled to air in 2012.
Full episodes Collectors

Pawnathon Canada was a tv event in Toronto of four days of ultimate pawning. Aired on Canadian History Channel. People bringing in their treasures to have them appraised and possibly bought by the Pawn Masters.
Full episodes of Pawnathon Canada.
Unsure if there will be a second run of this televised event.

The Flea Man Jim Kaplow helps families decipher if they have gold or garbage and teaches the tricks of the trade on how to sell at America’s Flea Markets. Show unfortunately has been canceled by National Geographic after 6 episodes.
Couldn't find full episodes online for the Flea Man, NatGeo has some clips from the show on the site.

Hollywood Treasure hunts for showbiz and pop culture memorabilia. An inside view from the life of Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History and the world's largest auctioneer of original movie, television and pop culture relics. SyFy canceled the show after 22 episodes.
Full episodes Season 1 Hollywood Treasure

Big Brian the Fortune Seller "Big Brian" Elenson and his company, 2muchstuff4me, helps homeowners to liquidate in a hurry. See the action packed estate sales to clear out homes in one day. TruTV canceled the show after its first season.
Full episodes Big Brian the Fortune Seller

Auctioneer$ uncovers the fast-paced world of auctions at one of the busiest auction houses in the country, Phoenix-based Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers. TLC canceled the show after a few episodes.
No full episodes found online, clips on TLC site.

Pawn Queens Minda and Nicky reveal what it takes to run the only pawnshop that caters to women, as well as what's involved in the pawning process. TLC cancelled the show after one season.
Full episodes Pawn Queens

Auction Packed follows the lives of the eclectic Savo family who run an auctioneering business in rural Pennsylvania. NatGeo cancelled the show after 3 episodes.
No full episodes online. Clips on National Geographic.

What the Sell?! Three women running a Chicago-area antiques store named the Perfect Thing appraise and sell miscellany.
Cancelled after one season on TLC.
Clips from What the Sell?!

American Treasures takes a historical road trip across the country with archaeology professors, Dr. Jason De Leon and Dr. Kirk French. Discovery Channel canceled the show after 3 episodes.

Upcoming up antique shows:

January 15th the Travel Channel airs the pilot episode of Toy Hunters. Jordan Hembrough searches for collectible vintage toys to sell at the NY Comic Con.

PBS goes antique hunting the summer of 2012. The producers of its Antiques Roadshow are working on Market Wars, a new reality antiques competition series. 20 Episodes of antiques dealers hunting vintage valuables that can be sold for profit at auction. The dealer whose item snares the biggest profit at auction wins.

TLC is casting for Accidental Fortune. A series of stories of people accidentally finding items with value.

The History Channel is casting to find America's Best Amateur Pickers. Reality competition show to become America's Top Picker. Series will be made by the producers of American Pickers.

A pilot is being readied for Antique Warriors, starring a motley team of pickers who drive cross country in a vintage bus powered by corn oil. Their goal is try to open two start-up stores in a short period of time, one in New York City and one in Massachusetts.

Great American Pick Off were casting earlier this year. 2 Teams of contestants both go picking for a day and the team with the most valuable treasures at the end wins all the loot. Sounds similar to BBC's Antiques Road Trip.

Casting calls are out for show about extreme collectors on TLC, My Collection Obsession.

The Travel Channel were casting for a new tv show about airport baggage auctions, Lost Baggage. Think “Storage Wars” only with lost baggage.

This is a pretty complete list of antique tv shows, but if you know of one missing, please do let me know so i can add it here.

Continuously updated. Last update 1/15/2012.

Mice in my Mailbox!

2011-07-15T19:04:00.005-04:00

Look what i found in my mailbox! A whole group of sweet vintage 2" miniature flocked mice figurines! ~ Squeak ~

They are totally adorable so we can't say goodbye to all of them. My husband picked out two to add to his vintage flocked animal collection. Of which he says i should take pictures and show here on the blog. And he is right.
Flocked animal collection photos coming up soon!

EDIT: Some of them are now listed in the shop! You can get one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/77811635 or multiple: http://www.etsy.com/listing/77842489
Who wants mice in their mailbox?

UPrinting Free Postcard Giveaway!

2011-07-08T15:02:00.007-04:00

Looking for new ways to promote your (Etsy) shop or website? Have an event to share with the world? A party, a wedding maybe?
Would you like to have 100 postcards printed for free?
Lucky you! The people of uprinting.com have been kind enough to provide me with an awesome giveaway especially for my lovely blog readers!

One winner will receive:
100 5" x 7" Postcards
14pt Cardstock Gloss
No Folding, Front and Back Printing
Postcard design templates for inspiration.

How to Enter:
Leave a comment on this post, tell me how you’re going to use the postcards.

Get an additional entry:
Follow me on twitter @ismoyo and tweet about this giveaway for one additional entry.
Please include @UPrinting and @ismoyo in your tweet. You may use the following if you'd like:

@ismoyo is giving away 100 postcards printed by @UPrinting http://bit.ly/pVQdEF

This giveaway ~~will be open until July 16th at 5:00pm (EST)~~ is now closed. Thanks for playing through the blog and twitter! Winner will be chosen via random.org ~~before the end of this weekend and informed on Monday 7/17. EDIT: Winner has been contacted. Waiting for response. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.~~ Winner will be announced on this blog and on twitter after confirmation.

Congratulations Marilyn! Your name came up first in the Random.org drawing!

Disclaimer:
This giveaway is limited to US residents 18 years old and above only.
Winner cannot have won another UPrinting contest in the last six months
This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, an online printing company, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive postcards for hosting. See more information about postcards and available postcard designs on UPrinting.com.

Simple Sewing

2011-07-06T19:54:00.001-04:00

I love vintage sewing books. What i love even more are cute vintage children's sewing books! Like this adorable spiral bound Easy-to-do Book 'Simple Sewing', published in 1969 by the Singer company.

It has a very endearing introduction message inside:
You're smart to want to sew! Learn by doing and soon you can look forward to creating your own styles. Then you will feel that you have really accomplished something. You can have clothes that are distinctive and different, yet inexpensive to make.
Did you know that surveys show boys are impressed by girls who can sew?
Sewing is really "in." - The Singer Company

When you start out learning to sew, you have to start with the basics. Sew safely!
Protect your eyes by sewing in a well-lighted room. If you need glasses, be sure to wear them when you work.

And how to take care of your own clothes?
You could be wearing the prettiest, most expensive dress, but if a seam is ripped or a button is missing, you would look sloppy. One of the first things a young lady learns, to look her best, is to be neat.

Now go and impress those boys. Sew something today!

Talking about thrifting on Thrift Core

2011-06-26T19:50:00.007-04:00

Thrifting darling Vanessa asked me recently if she could ask me some questions on how i run my vintage shop and how i got to publish my craft book. I'm a big fan of her Thrift Core blog, so it was my honor!
Check out the full interview and while you're there, browse around the rest of the site, it's a wealth of information for any vintage collector or seller!

Fashion at Singer 1971

2011-06-21T15:35:00.001-04:00

On one of my latest thrifting trips i found this amazing little booklet called 'Fashion at Singer' spring/summer edition 1971. Lucky me!

A preview of Singer’s bright and lovely spring summer fabric collection. The pages assemble a sample of brilliantly colored, silky prints, fragile looking, cool sheers, soft, lightweight woolens, and infinitely wearable, packable knits.. all ready at the Singer Sewing Centers.
The booklet is an idea bank, full of suggested combinations of patterns, fabrics, buttons and trims to adopt as is or adapt to your individual taste.

Red, white and blue takes to the beach. McCall’s Misses pattern 2363 looks smashing under a red stretch terry sun.

How to look dreamy at home.”Water prints”, flower prints, or pastel knits look equally soft and feminine in McCall’s Misses 2711 pattern.

Bees and chickens, kittens and giraffes make happy dresses for happy little girls.

Geometrics, plan and fancy. Shown at their best in the simple slim lines of McCall’s sewing pattern 2740.

Now i have this sudden urge to go through my vintage fabric stash and spend some time behind my Singer sewing machine!

Snip and stick the Vintage Nursery

2011-05-28T22:03:00.002-04:00

Found this colorful Snip and Stick, make it yourself nursery carousel curtain in a 1970 home interior magazine.
A big attraction for a small baby's room. Cut out the shapes out of self adhering- or your favorite regular fabric, and attach it to the shade using a bit of fabric glue.

Nowadays you don't see that many orange decorated baby bedrooms anymore. But i think this would also look very pretty when done in pastels in a somewhat lighter toned nursery. Easy way to personalize plain shades!

Match the Vintage Easter Colors

2011-04-24T08:25:00.001-04:00

Some easter cuteness from my vintage coloring book collection.
'Match the Colors' is filled with the most adorable illustrations by Florence Sarah Winship.

Looks like it could be a Whitman coloring book, Artcraft, or maybe from Grosset & Dunlap. Unfortunately the book is missing its front cover and a lot of pages, including the title page, so i can't check the publisher or the year it was published in.

I keep thinking how perfect these illustrations are to use as embroidery patterns! So far haven't had the time, nor found that perfect project to incorporate them in. But one day i will. And it will be adorable!

Happy Easter everyone!

Vintage Collectibles on Youtube Video's

2011-04-15T13:49:00.007-04:00

So i finally did it. One of those things that was on my to do list for a long long time. Ismoyo is now on YouTube!

I wanted to set up a channel where i could share some of the wonderful vintage and historical videos i find from time to time, and of course to make my own clippies of vintage treasures from my personal collection and my Etsy shop.

My first video is a collection of cute ceramic figurines. If you have 2 minutes, please take a look and enjoy! And if you like the song you hear, it's the Powerstruggle Remix by my husband Gregg Green, featuring the wonderful Miss Indy. You can download the song on Sound Cloud for free if you want to have it.

Of course i must mention the real first appearance of me on YouTube. That was back in 2009 on my hubby's channel when he made a song especially about my Etsy Shop. I think it's so sweet, i still get butterflies in my stomach when i hear it. And i remember how excited i was when Etsy tweeted about it and left a comment with the video! All though his plea to get Ismoyo featured on Etsy hasn't happened to this day...

Oh yeah, if you take a few minutes and watch this video too, somewhere towards the end, i'm actually in there! When you see me talk, that was part of a shoot i had to do when the Martha Stewart show had asked me if i would be willing to come on the show. Just like the Etsy feature, this hasn't happened either.
A lot of other wonderful things did happen in my life since the video, so no need to feel sorry for me!

Stay tuned for more vintage related videos on YouTube coming soon!

Vintage Tupperware Gifts

2011-03-26T12:42:00.003-04:00

Tupperware advertisement from a 1977 vintage womens' magazine.

"Lock in freshness the Tupperware way.
A great way to give thoughtful gifts on any gift giving occasion. When you give Tupperware containers, you can give a little of yourself by putting something special in your gift.
Upper left, home made cookies in a 3 piece Canister set and the 20 oz Servalier Bowl set for someone nice in the office. Upper right, gay Christmasy cupcakes in the 12-inch Pie Taker… other holiday goodies in Tupperware containers… even educational toys like Shape-O for the kids in your life. Lower left, a beautiful birthday cake in our Square Fresh-N-Fancy for a special mom. Lower right, the Fix-N-Mix Bowl full of fresh fruit to make a housewarming even warmer.
When you want gifts that show extra thought, give the freshest gift ideas around. Give the Tupperware way."

I would welcome company bringing a Tupperware Servalier canister filled with homemade cookies any day! Or just the Tupperware canister. Or the cookies.

In Love in the sixties: Dress alike!

2011-03-07T09:23:00.001-05:00

A Vintage German woman's magazine called the Burda, predicted in the late 1960's that the new fashion trend for the 1970's would be for loving couples to dress alike.

And why wouldn't you match and show off that you and your love are a team?

Outdoors, but also in the kitchen! Look how much he is enjoying wearing his matching apron. Or is it maybe because his wife is threatening him with her rolling pin?

This wife almost made him wear a dress like hers. He agreed to the belt, but didn't want to go longer than a tunic.

Here the husband looks a little bit too happy wearing his matching pink sweater. Or is it just perfect bliss?
This is one fashion trend i don't predict returning to the streets any time soon.

I love Bambi, But Looove Davy Deer

2011-03-05T21:51:00.001-05:00

Davy Deer's New Red Scarf
Written and illustrated by Helen Adler (who also illustrated Tubby Turtle and Timmy Train).
A Rand McNally Start-Right Elf Book from 1967.

I want to share an excerpt and some of my favorite illustrations from the book.

Davy is so proud of its new red scarf, showing it off all through the forest. "Hi! See my new long red scarf," Davy shouted. "It's lovely, " said Chippy Chipmunk, "but it's too big for me." Davy raced on.

In his hurry he didn't notice that the end of his beautiful scarf had caught on a bramble bush. He rushed along, not knowing that the scarf was unraveling.

"Hi! Mr. Hoot Owl! See my new long red scarf," he shouted up into a big oak tree.

Davy ran past all his friends, deeper and deeper into the woods until he was lost and a wee bit frightened. Suddenly he met Buster Bear and said, "See my new long red scarf?" Buster Bear laughed and said "WHAT scarf? Is that red wool there on the fern what you're talking about?"

Davy didn't know how to get home anymore, but Buster told him to just follow the red wool and he would get back in no time! He hurried along and again passed all his friends.

He arrived home just before dark. His mother had been worried and asked him where the new scarf was that she had made for him.
Davy told her all that happened and mother said "It isn't your fault that the scarf unraveled. Tomorrow you bring back all the red wool an i'll knit you another scarf!"

So Cute!

Dressy Fireside Pyrex Ovenware

2011-01-10T19:57:00.001-05:00

Pyrex ware so pretty it'll dress up any recipe. And any table.

I adore my vintage Pyrex dishes. It feels like every meal i prepare or serve in them, just tastes that much better. Food just comes out better when baked in the oven in a pretty Pyrex dish. The food is sprinkled with all the history and all the cooking skills of the women using the dishes before me. Works the same with my Nordicware Bundt pan. All cakes come out perfect!

I don't have the brown glass Pyrex Fireside dishes from this advertisement in my collection, but it does look very pretty. I found the ad in a 1977 Woman's Day magazine and i definitely will be on the lookout for the Fireside during my next thrifting adventures. There is always room in my kitchen for another piece of vintage pyrex love!

In the meantime here are a few vintage amber-colored glass dishes available on Etsy.

1. Pyrex Fireside Cake Pan from RecycleBuyVintage 2. Smoky Amber Custard Cups from savagespider 3. Pyrex Amber Visions Cookware from bravetulipvintage 4. Vintage Pyrex Amber Mixing Bowl Set from whentheylovedorange

Vintage Vla or Dutch Desserts

2010-12-28T19:58:00.004-05:00

My recent Jello blog post made me think about desserts from the past. Like these Dutch pudding type desserts. These came as powder out of a pack, just add milk, stir and set. They also came ready-made in a carton.
They still sell these desserts, all though i'm not sure about this brand name, Saroma Dubbelop. This ad from a 1974 Dutch Women's magazine has such great vintage contrast, with the dark kitchen and the colorful puddings. The kids look utterly happy. But are they supposed to eat all of the puddings?

PS My favorite pudding combo was Yellow and Pink!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T11:28:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

The Joys of Jello

2010-12-09T14:42:00.001-05:00

I just recently sold this 1962 recipe book "The Joys of Jello" from my shop.
Couldn't let it go without scanning and sharing some of the amazing Jell-O dishes!

Jell-O Gelatin first shimmered its way into American dining rooms in 1897.
Housewives liked it so much they invented all sorts of ingenious recipes using Jell-O. Why not serve your shrimps inside a Jello bowl?

Crown Jewel Dessert as a mold, a pie, and a spring-form pan dessert.

Vegetable Salads – three of many Jello salads you can make.

A multi stripe delight is a good start to any party!

Hungry anyone?