On The Vintage Table

One Piece Standing

Folk Art Rooster from 4EnvisioningVintage

There it is. A very striking piece. You think you have never seen it, but in fact you have. This time you see it as a single work of art.  No fanfare, no pretense, a lone piece, just standing on the table. You are mesmerized.




When there is just one, that is all. And with the table as the pedestal, it is like a museum's cherished prize. And to think this one piece is simple folk art, or just a cup and saucer. Just by itself, beauty on the vintage table.

Casserole by Ben Seibel from reconstitutions

Lenox Bellevue Demitasse from InaMaeVintage

Poodle Dog from VintageRetrievers

It is a party. (Not a "getty", which is short for a get-together.) All these carefully, hand-selected, vintage items, and each getting a turn on the table. A party, when at the end of the night, each of us takes a turn to stand on the table to rise above the crowd, and we become the one announcement.

Enjoy these single pieces, all from the EveTeam, an elite vintage shop on Etsy.

Pulley from TheNewtonLabel

Tiny Teapot from RushCreekVintage

Large Display Encyclopedia from jaysworld

Gold Filigree Box from SeasideRoseCreations

Vintage Decanter from LuccaBalesVintage

Strawberry Jar from SCAVENGENIUS

Jumbo Brush from HilltopTimes

Mid Century Chafing Dish from TheVintageResource

A Collection of Printers Blocks

Thinking Backwards

Wood Type from MonkiVintage

I'm arranging my printers blocks. Numbers precisely hand carved from wood. Shiny, textured copper faces fastened to a solid wood block. There are letters, a small bird, a row of intricate musical notes used to print lines for an old hymnal. Darkened with ink that has seeped and spread along grain lines. Several blocks have penciled marks on the back, "MST", "Taylor", a small, scribbled "2X". I've invented stories about these marks. My three favorite wood blocks are tall, a little taller than my hand, self-standing, a red X, Y, and a Z cut from blond wood. The X and Y are symmetrical, so when I see the Z, for a second I wonder why it looks slightly odd. It's reversed, and I must think backwards to an old letterpress.

Stamps of Boy and Sister from FrenchAtticFinds



Pen Nibs from thescreenporch

A Doctor's Bill Print Block from Modred12

My collection of blocks can be arranged and rearranged, a single letter standing above other old, wood pieces. A small stack of vowels silently speaking their sounds, and they prompt the kids to sing their abc's. Words spelled for someone's name, or a celebration. Once I received six blocks in a special package, "be mine", spoken from his heart. I don't own the whole alphabet, yet, or lots of initials for all our names. I just mix my different shapes and fonts, of simple m's, and d's, and curvy s's. A wonderful mix to match and mix to arrange and rearrange, and read and use every season back and forward.

Number Print Blocks from Mylittlethriftstore

Letterpress Type Set from HilltopTimes

Letter T from gazaboo

Relief printing, letterpress printing, movable type, reverse print, linotype. Wood, zinc, paint, metal tools, engraved, embossed. Think Gutenberg (and the forward of the civilization of the world).

Punctuation marks (these are always special to collect and admire). Capital letters. Numerical symbols, fractions, advertisements, engraved prints, and batik and block fabric designs and painting (these are amazing!)

From A to the Z, keep your letters around, the backwards type is really forward.

Please click on the captions of the photos for more pictures and information. All these beautiful selections are from the EveTeam, an elite vintage team on Etsy.

Postmark Letterpress from LuccaBalesVintage

Capitol N from fallaloft

Litho Print from marybethhale

Silk Batik Print Necktie from ArmourOfModernMen



Photo Blocks for Printing Press from Modred12

A Doctor's Bill Print Block from Modred12

Wildlife Print from Mothrasue

Brass Numbers from CabArtVintage

Typewriter Keys from aniandrose

Knife Engravings from SummerHolidayVintage

Letter Z by charliesnest

The Vintage Table - Afternoon Tea

With the Olympic games in London fast approaching (only a few days away!), everything British seems to be "in". And what could be more British than an Afternoon Tea?

If you didn't know, there is an entire etiquette around having Afternoon Tea. For example, you should ask for a new saucer if you spill tea on yours, but it is ok to just place a napkin on it if it is a more informal occasion. Also, you should stir your tea without touching the cup with the spoon and therefore making noise.

But what really matters, besides the delicious food and drink, is having the table set with beautiful china, silverware, teapots and trays! And there is no better way to set a beautiful table than with vintage items!

China tea set from InspiritVintage

Silverplate teapot from HilltopCottage

Serving tray from 4EnvisioningVintage

White linen napkins from RosaMeyerCollection

Hammered Aluminum tray from 86ForTheHome

Milk jug from lefrenchshop

Silverplate spoons from epochco

Silverware caddy from CalloohCallay

Silverplate tong from AloofNewWhimsy

Tea strainer from RosaMeyerCollection

Napkin holders from SeasideRoseCreations

Camping -- Vintage Style!

Now's the time of year to go camping, preferably somewhere cool to avoid the city heat.  Get your gear together and let's go!

1. Printable DIY Personalized Camping Invitations from partypapers
2. Lavender Vanilla Oatmeal Mint Travel Soap Sticks from prunellasoap
3. Marimekko Picnic Blanket from SewnNatural
4. Vintage Coleman Steel-Belted Metal Ice Chest from LuccaBalesVintage
5. Vintage 1940's Military Backpack from aniandrose
6. Vintage Audubon Water Bird Book from CalloohCallay
7. Vintage Igloo Water Cooler from RhapsodyAttic
8. Handmade Snail Ukelele from celentanowoodworks
9. Vintage Wood Folding Chair from 86home
10. Vintage Classic Ring Toss from wretchedshekels
11. Vintage Evergreen Single Fold Toilet Tissue from InaMaeVintage
12. Large Rustic Vintage Farmhouse Forks from Modred12
13.  Vintage Striped Camping Canteen from mothrasue
14.  Vintage Red Lantern Flashlight from LuccaBalesVintage
15. Airstream Trailer 5x7 Giclee Art Print from redtilestudio
16. Turkish Bath Towel from TheAnatolian

In Grand Picnic Style

Peterboro Picnic Basket from marybethhale

The Picnic

Picnics have never gone out of style. We've added more possibilities, but the pleasures of a picnic are as constant as the wicker picnic basket. Instead of white bread sandwiches and glass soda bottles, we now pack sushi and Sunner Kolsch.  Once picnics meant summertime, but we've broaden to greater stages and seasons, from the neighborhood park to the bedroom, from summer to fall, winter, and spring. Our style of picnic has changed, but the picnic is still very much in style.

The Summer Picnic, Vintage Style

L'il Sunpacker Cooler by wretchedshekels

Coleman Metal Ice Chest by LuccaBalesVintage

It is the heart of July, and this means a summer picnic, great grilling, and the sights of the wide outdoors. Where is that old picnic basket? It is the first necessity. Made of wood, spliced strips neatly woven, swivel handles, from the 1950's, and used for storage (and decor) when not part of the picnic. Pack it backwards, some say, dessert on the bottom, main entree, then the starters on top, and you'll have your goodies in eating order when it's time to flip the lid. And for ice, and cold, pack that determined and perfectly wonderful Coleman or Thermos ice chest you've had for many years. The best way to keep things cold is to fill it half with ice, half with food.

Picnic Trays by Modred12

Grill ready? Place the rosemary-salmon skewers on the lightly oiled grate. These were prepared at home the night before, and when grilled for six minutes they will be ready for your guests. Serve them on your vintage stackable picnic plates. Plastic tableware is still best for a picnic, and looks almost elegant on a vintage tablecloth.

Outdoor Cook Book by Mylittlethriftstore

Picnic Tabletop by LittleRedPolkaDots

Picnic Tablecloth by fallaloft

Hope you'll remember to bring the frisbee, and take along the horseshoes. It's summer, remember, and these well-known games are still in style. And after games, a shady spot for your blanket, a nap for a few of you, a walk for the lovers, and free time for the summer free kids. Enjoy your vintage picnic, and know that you are right in style. 

 This blog is from the EveTeam, we are always in style. Click on the item captions and you will see more information to stay in style.

Picnic Basket from SnapshotVintage

Picnic Trays from TheInspiredTrader

Vintage Photo Picnic Napper from BallyDingRevue

Antique Cast Iron Horseshoes from gazaboo

Vintage Blanket by WhimzyThyme

Food Carrier from Circa810

Plaid Cooler from thewhitepepper

Summer Straw Hat from RockySpringsVintage