Merry Jo-Ann

Our new Jo-Ann Fabric And Craft Store here in Sonora has been busy, busy, with so many great deals on our first three weekends, and shoppers (patiently) waiting in long lines to have their fabric cut, and to check out at the registers. I did a little shopping myself on one of my days off last week. I felt compelled to buy some of the fabulous Christmas fabrics, despite the fact that I have no real plans for them yet.
I am mostly attracted to the ones that have a vintage or retro look, but I waited too long to get the cutest Santa one, and it was gone. I chose this gorgeous ornament fabric:

And this pretty red and white design with a Nordic look:

(These fabrics are Trademarked, Designed and Produced Exclusively for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores).
I could not resist the one below, either - isn't it the CUTEST?
("Merry Main Street" The Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection, copyright 2009)
I have had my eye on this Martha Stewart Glitter Set, below, for a very long time. I simply couldn't afford to buy it at full price. but Jo-Ann will accept Michael's store coupons, as well as their own and others, and I had one for 50% off, so I finally "splurged" on my glitter!

I do wish I were getting to work more hours, but for now, I am just glad I have a job at all!

I only wish I could take pictures in the store and show you all of the fabulous stuff we have!
Guess you will just have to come on in!

Models From The 70's - Shelley Hack

Today's featured model is the totally gorgeous Shelley Hack, seen here on the cover of Seventeen magazine:

And here she is in an advertisement for Chanel, from 1972. ( That sure looks like actor Richard Shoberg, who played Tom Cudahy on "All My Children", with her.)
And one for Bobbie Brooks clothing, also from '72:
A J.C. Penney advertisement featuring a pattern from McCall's:
Wearing a wool jumpsuit (cute! - and the cape worn by the other model is fabulous, isn't it?):

A fresh face for Noxzema Skin Cream:

In an ad for Ship 'n Shore, from 1973:

In a pretty dress of purple panne velvet, from 1970:

A Sun-In ad:

You may, of course, also remember that Shelley was played the character of Tiffany Welles in Charlie's Angels, back in 1979 and 1980.
She was also in the commercials for the "Charlie" fragrance (no relation!.)
Another lovely lady, and yet another of my favorites from the pages of my vintage Seventeen magazines.

More From The Thrift Shops

Just a few more of my recent finds - including a little more Christmas:
A couple of Betty Crocker cookbooks:
A vintage tin; I had always hoped to find one with this pretty design on it!
More vintage patterns:
And some paint by number horse paintings:

This one has a little touch-up - providing I can match the paint! (Sing it with me now "Goodbye, Old Paint, I'm a' leavin' Cheyenne....". Does anybody else even remember that?)
A pretty polka-dotted tablecloth, crocheted pot holders, a recipe box, and a pretty pair of mugs:

It's always fun to discover little treasures!

Santa's Circus

Sister Lori here: I went over to Heidi's for Thanksgiving, and while she was working on Black Friday, I ran around to a few of the thrift stores. I found the cutest book, "Santa's Circus, published in 1952.

It's really colorful, and has great illustrations:



Some of the pages even have the original little "extras" still attached, like the Lifeguard's "Lifesaver", below:

And the pencil, shown in the next illustration with "Doodle-The-Great", below:


Pretty darned cute!

What's Penny Wearing? #56 A Poncho From The Past

I have had this sweater poncho since the late 1970's. I used to wear it a LOT.
It makes me happy that it is truly "back in style" these days - not that I mind wearing things that aren't - I tend to wear what I like and am not terribly interested in whether or not other people like it. But I guess it really is true what they say about if you keep something long enough, it will be back in style again! Funny.
My poncho was in storage, and I was happy to find it again. I even have the perfect color of long-sleeved tee to wear under it. The tie belt that came with it is missing, but a small belt will suffice for now.

As I said, I wore it all the time back then - it was definitely a favorite. And I swear still like it just as much!

Cool Stuff From My Friends

My friend Jamie had some angels that she wanted to trade me for a Danish teak candle holder I had. I was thrilled to get them:
I feel so lucky that sometimes she will pick up something she sees at a thrift store, just because she knows I would want it! How nice is that? Among those items were this pillar candle holder for my growing collection that she found at Salvation Army (which just recently closed here in Sonora, by the way.):

And this glorious trio of angels she found recently in Pioneer:

And my friend Faith in Michigan sent me boxes full of stuff!
Included among the treasure trove was this pair of See's Candies vehicles, which happen to look pretty great displayed with my See's Barbies:

This pretty little clip-on lace piece that looks lovely at the neckline of this vintage sweater I found at a yard sale:
A gorgeous vintage barkcloth pillow cover:

She sent me a ton of vintage needlework and crafts books from the 70's and 80's, and a bunch of neat vintage patterns, too - like these:

Thank you so much to my girlfriends - I appreciate not only your friendship, but also your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Thanksgiving Greetings

Thanksgiving Greetings to you!

I'm raising my glass in a toast to all of you, with the grandest of Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
And though I can't be there in person to sing it, I'll leave you with this little song:

Have a happy Turkey Day, from the Gold Country Girls.

It's Almost Time For Turkey On The Table

Do we really have to wait one more day?
Oh, all right - then let's enjoy these yummy pictures until the big day comes, shall we?
From "Holiday Celebrations", a Williams-Sonoma cookbook:

From "Betty Crocker's Old-Fashioned Cookbook"

From a vintage magazine:

From "Better Homes And Gardens New Cook Book" (1965):

And from Better Homes And Gardens magazine, 1969:

Hungry yet?

Spirograph, 1967

I remember how we loved playing with our Spirograph when we were kids. I was tickled to find one yesterday at one of our local thrift shops!
There are a few pieces missing, but I was so glad to find the original booklet still inside. As you can see, below, it used to belong to Steve:
But now it is MINE.

There were a few examples of Spirograph art inside, along with some extra paper:



I want to feel like a kid again.
I'm going to have fun playing with this!!