Congratulations to Pam!  She is our "Guess What I Paid" contest winner!  She guessed the closest at $17.50.  I paid a grand total of $1.20 for this book at my local Goodwill.  I had to look through a bunch of old smelly books to come across this gem, but I really got a steal!!  Thanks to those who played along and took a guess!  :)

Guess What I Paid????!!!!!!

Happy Spooktober!! :)  Everyone ready for Halloween?  Any ghosts or ghouls out there wanna win some sweet little...I mean....spooky scary.....Halloween stickers and a $10 gift card to my Etsy shop????  All you have to do to be eligible to win is guess what I paid for this book::::::

 

It is a first signed limited 1999 edition of Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes.

It is signed by Ray Bradbury, Joe Lansdale, and Peter Crowther.

It includes pages from Ray Bradbury's screenplay for Disney with notes and corrections.  

This is the inside of the book jacket...when I saw the original price...I couldn't believe it.  Needless to say...I did not pay that much for it!!!! :)  I'm a picker (of the vintage/antique/weird junk variety... although I have picked  a few guitars, never any noses).  In other words....I'm cheap.

Since I did not get this from a high-end book store and it's been around for a few years, one thing is missing.  Like the tray case it came in originally.  Also....it is a little weird that it is not actually "lettered".  I've had a tough time trying to valuate this.  I usually buy things to resell, but this is one thing I will probably hang onto!  I love that it has Bradbury's signature.  

So....anyone care to venture a guess as to how much I paid for this???  Step right up folks...write your guesses in the comments section below.  The person who guesses the amount closest to the actual price I paid wins a $10 gift card to my Etsy vintage and scrapbooking shop and a set of these spooky scary Halloween stickers (click on the pic to get some more info, pictures of the stickers):::::::::::

You have until Friday Oct 5th at noon (Eastern-New York time) to guess the price.  I will be announcing the winner Friday evening on this blog and on my Facebook page .  I ship around the world so my international friends are welcome to play along!  Good luck and have fun!  

Fresh Picks!

Here are some recent vintage finds that I haven't added to my shops yet.  A few may get in eventually...others may just stay with me!

 

The Dirty Medicine Bottle-Found this beauty while digging through loads of junk at our local Goodwill!  Going to clean it up and list it with a bigger glass medicine bottle as an "instant medicine bottle collection".  Might even wait to list these until I find one more medicine bottle...that would make more of a collection! Also have to do a little more research to figure out what year this is from.  My guess is early 20th century.  

                                           

The French Book with the Beautiful Cover- Love the embossing on this old book.  Not sure of the date (the copyright page is missing), but it looks like it could be late 19th century - early 20th century.  Going to so some research on the title to see what I can find out.  I'm leaning towards keeping this book in my personal collection.  The binding is coming apart, the spine part of the hardcover is torn, and there are massive age spots on the pages inside.....so, for me, this book is ripe for upcycling.  I really want to use the covers for the front and back of a handmade journal.  I've never created a journal before, but have a binding machine that's been sitting patiently waiting for me to use.  I've been itching to create with it!
There are also some great illustrations in this book that I would love to frame or use for a mixed media project.  Here are a few::::::

                                         

The Unique Frame- Love this tiny frame!  It's a Levi....probably mid 20th century.  My idea for this piece is to frame either antique paper ephemera or lace.  I'll probably list it...although....I may just keep it to add to the  millions of tchotchkes on my desk!  

The 100 Year Old Magazine-  I think I'll read through this one before I list it.  It's got some short novels by various amateur writers of the early 1900's. This is thin enough to frame, so I might try to find an an antique frame to put this in when I list it.  I love the illustration on the front....it would make a great display piece! 

The Porcelain Trinket Box and the Art Deco Design Linen Napkin- I've got to look into the trinket box before I list it.  I think it's probably from the 1960's, but want to make sure before I put it into my shop.  I am keeping the pretty art deco napkin.  It will be repurposed as a doily for a small table in my sunroom.  

The Cute Porcelain Map Decorative Plate- Keeping this one!  Going to find a plate holder that will fit it and display this in my sunroom.  This will be a fantastic complement to the map prints that are already in the room.  Now...hopefully the kids and the cats won't play with it!  

Lastly.........

    

Let's just call this one....The Dupe-  I found this at a local estate sale the other day.  I had both of my little girls with me (read...my lovable distractions) and the house we were in was a bit dark....these are my excuses for buying a brass letter holder that I THOUGHT (and was told by one of the guys holding the estate sale) was from the 1940's or 50's.  I DID turn it over and look at the bottom for a mark...but could not see it that well.  I got the price down from the $45 they were asking to $10.  So.....I bought it...thinking I could sell it in my vintage shop.  Well, got home to my brightly lit craft room and checked it out...the sticker says "Global Views Made in India"....not vintage!!  I checked them out on the web and they are a current company that was probably not even around in the 1940's!!   So...I will just keep this and add it to my desk!  It's really pretty, but I am disappointed that I didn't check it out a bit more before purchasing it.  Oh well.....thank goodness I only spent $10!! :)

That's all for now!!!!  More fresh picks next week!

If you stop by my Etsy shop this week, feel free to use coupon code BLOGFRIEND for 15% off any items in my shop!

Happy Hunting!!!!! :)

                                            

LAST SECRET ITEM OF THE DAY!!!!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!  Today is the finale of SECRET ITEM OF THE DAY week!!!!  I've saved the best deal for last!!!  Here's the last Secret Item of the Day from my ETSY SHOP.......

The beautiful six piece set of Lomonosov china is marked down 50% for a LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!!  Its regular price is $49.95.....from now until noon EST Nov 19th it is only $24.97!!!  WOW!!!   Take advantage of this while you can!!!

Happy shopping and have a great day!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

Thursday's Secret Item of the Day-For the vintage book lovers!

Happy Thursday everyone!!!  It's cold and rainy here.....the perfect time to cuddle up with a good book....or three!  Today's Secret Item of the Day fits the bill perfectly..........

This bundle of 3 books comes with a pretty ribbon so that the books can double as a unique display when not in use!! :)  Instant book collection!  Click the picture above for details on these interesting (and diverse) books!  This bundle was $25!  From now until noon EST Nov 18th, it is marked down 50% to $12.50!!!!  Take advantage now and snap this up before it goes back to its regular price!!!!!!


Have a great day!

Lisa

Secret Item of the Day!!!

Today's secret item is...........

This beautifully illustrated book was published in 1943.  It's a wonderful children's book and would look great displayed in a nursery!!!  Its regular price is $25....I've just marked it down 50% to $12.50....this offer ends at noon EST Nov 17th when it will go back up to its regular price!  There is also FREE shipping to all U.S locations for this item!!!!  Click on the picture above for the book's listing in my ETSY shop.


Have a great day everyone!!!  See you back here tomorrow for the next SECRET ITEM OF THE DAY!!!

Tuesday's Secret Item of the Day

Hello everyone!!!  The secret item of the day today is.........

This vintage Delft Blue porcelain trinket box would be a great stocking stuffer....or a unique way to gift wrap a set of earrings or other small gifts.  The regular price is $18....from now until noon EST Nov 16th it is only $9!!!!!!!!!!  Just click on the picture above to get to the listing in my ETSY shop.


Happy shopping everyone!  Have a great day!

Lisa

Secret Item Of the Day

Hi folks!  Happy Monday!!! :)  Today I am kicking off  "Secret Item of the Day" week!  Each day I will highlight an item from my ETSY shop I have discreetly marked down a mere 50% (!!!!)  ;).  The item will be on sale until noon the next day...when it goes back up to its original price.

The first secret item of the day is.............

This is so cute!  It's The Happy Christmas Story Book, published in 1961.  It's full of retro illustrations, Christmas poems and stories!  It's in excellent vintage condition and would be a fabulous gift for a vintage book lover!  You could also display it as part of your Christmas decor!!!  This book is now only $15!!!  It will go back up to its original $30 tomorrow (Nov 15) at noon!  Don't miss out!!!!  Click on the picture above to get to the listing.


Have a great day everyone!

Lisa

Saturday NIght Special!!!!

It's here.....the Saturday Night Special!!!!  From now until Sunday Nov. 13 at 6am EST (New York time) you can use coupon code snspecial to receive 20% off everything in my Etsy shop!!!  Get your Christmas gift  and craft supply shopping done for less tonight!!!!!!

Here are some of the goodies you can find in my shop (all for $25 or less!)........

This print has a 3D effect.....looks like you are peeking into a tiny palace room!!!

Cute book with a lotta character!!!  Vintage from the 1930's!!!!

Beautiful German hand-painted bowl!!!

Vintage 1950's advertising pamphlet....great to frame or to use in your crafts!!!

Use these cute stickers to seal Christmas card envelopes, for decorations on gift wrap, or to embellish a scrapbooking layout or other Christmas craft project!!!


Click here for more vintage, paper crafting, and sewing goodies!!!!  Remember to use coupon code snspecial for 20% off tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!  To all the brave men and women who serve our country we give a heartfelt "Thanks".  We appreciate all that you do!

Why I Love Vintage Advertising

Hi all!  Happy Thursday!  The topic for the day.....

The Top Five Reasons Why I LOVE Vintage Advertising


5. Vintage ads are fantastic little works of art-great to frame!
 4.  Some vintage ads are just too darn cute!
  

        
       3.  Vintage ads are a great way to add a retro feel to scrapbook layouts.  I've used vintage camera ads like the one below to "set the mood" for some heritage scrapbook layouts I've created.
            

           2.  Vintage ads are fabulous to use as authentic embellishments for handmade cards, gift tags, and can even be used as unique gift wrapping!


AND...the NUMBER ONE reason why I love vintage ads....


                   1.  I LOVE history! Looking at a vintage ad is like peeking into a time capsule and discovering pieces of our cultural past!  


DEAL OF THE DAY........save 15% off anything in my Etsy shop when you use coupon code blogfriend.  


Have fun shopping and crafting!!!!!!!!


Lisa

Deal of the Day

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!  Got a great deal today for all the paper crafters out there!!!  Buy any two of the following paper craft supplies from my Etsy shop and get one of equal or lesser value FREE!  You can choose the free item from ANY of my paper crafting supplies...not just the ones listed here.  Just tell me which one you would like for free in the message to seller section at checkout.  If you have any questions, please contact me via my shop on ETSY or leave a comment below.  This offer ends Oct 10 at noon EST (NY time).

Scalloped paper circles created from pages from a vintage German book from the 1920's.  Has some great classic looking font!  

Little Christmas trees created from the same book that I used for the scalloped circles above.  Tiny enough to use as confetti for table-top decor or Christmas cards!

Tiny Glitter Christmas trees made from beautiful cardstock!

Scalloped circles created from pages salvaged from a 1920's hymnal.

Vintage sheet music hearts.

Vintage sheet music blossoms.

Primitive Cream Colored Trees created from the tops of vintage/antique sheet music pages.


Happy crafting!!
Lisa

Preparing for Christmas

It's that time of the year again!!!  Time to start (if you haven't already) making your Christmas decorations, cards, gifts, etc.  Here are some items from my Etsy shop that can help stir up those creative juices and help you get those Christmas projects finished..... AND let you have a little fun in the process!!  Just click on the pics to get more info on the items.

These crafty books from the late 1980's are full of delicious recipes and patterns for sewing, quilting, woodworking, and paper projects!  Lots of fabulous ideas!!

Great paper ephemera to use in your crafting projects!  The calligraphy type font of the pages in this vintage softcover German book just beg to be used for making embellishments for cards, ornaments, and gift tags!

I made these cute little trees and scalloped circles from pages of a book that was similar to the one pictured above.

Here are some cute postcards and old advertisements with Christmas themes.  These are wonderful to frame or use in paper crafts.

Add these cute books to your Christmas decor!!!!!

Now....for the Deal of the Day!!!

Buy one of the items featured above and get one item from my shop (at equal or lesser value) for FREE!  Just let me know which item you would like in the "message for seller" section at checkout.  If you have any questions, just contact me on Etsy or leave a comment below.  

Have fun crafting, cooking, and decorating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

Lomonosov China and....DEAL of the DAY!!!

Happy Monday vintage lovers!!  I've been researching some really interesting china I recently listed in my shop.  My youngest daughter actually spotted this china while she was with me on one of my vintage hunting trips.  She's got a fabulous eye for vintage treasures!

Pretty, isn't it?  It's also a great little piece of history!  The mark on the bottom of the saucer (see below) has the signature Lomonosov stamp and says Made in USSR.  This made it easier to date it as a vintage item, since the USSR  dissolved 20 years ago.  Love it when vintage items display something concrete about their age!!!  :)


The Lomonosov factory was founded in 1744 and was the first porcelain factory in Russia.  It was originally called the Imperial Porcelain Factory, but became the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in 1925.  In 2005, it reverted back to its old name Imperial Porcelain Factory.

I learned that the stamp on the bottom of the saucer dates the piece from the 1970's -1991.  It also denotes the quality.  The red color signifies that it is rated top quality for that company.  The fact that it states that it is Made in USSR means that it was meant for export to other countries.

The stamps on the back of each cup are all in green and just contain the Lomonosov monogram, and "2c" followed by the numbers "411-00" on the bigger cups in the set, and "47-50" on all of the smaller cups.  From what I've read, it seems like the items with the green stamp are of slightly lower quality than the red stamped ones.  I am still trying to find out exactly what the numbers mean. From the lack of any "made in" marks, I believe these were made for domestic sale only.  These should also date from the same time period as the saucers.

Not sure why the marks are different on the saucers and cups, but they all have the same pattern and beautiful cobalt blue color!


NOW for the DEAL of the DAY>>>>>>>>>>>>

Use coupon code blogfriend to receive 15% off of the Lomonosov china in my shop>>>>>>>>>

Have a great day everyone!!!

Lisa