July 2011

Sadly, this is the last of the blog tour posts… I have so enjoyed being able to do a group project like this with you all! I have gotten many emails too asking if I plan on doing this again, and the (tenative) answer is yes! I’m hoping to do something similar (with a few tweaks) sometime after the first of the year—just when a little inspiration is welcome post-holidays! Thank you everyone who has taken the time to blog about their collections, as well as those who have commented.

Firstly is Lholy-chan of Amelie no mori who shares her lovely collection of vintage buttons (house in equally eye-catching and beautiful tins! How I wish mine were as attractively stored…). She also talks a bit about the sort of person who tends to collect things… which I loved reading. She also shared a snapshot of her lovely (vintage and some not) lace collection—gorgeous!

Ashley of Bramblewood Fashion has so many amazing collections to blog about! It was hard choosing what to show you; between her vintage movie magazines (which did win in the end), old sewing and knitting patterns, and gorgeous antique and vintage books, it was a tough choice. She has many collections similar to mine, which was fun to see what she has unearthed over time!

Christine at Crafting: Plus-Sized Edition has one of the most fun collections yet: Betty Boop! Collections of cartoon or comic book characters always have a soft spot in my heart (SH collects GI Joe’s; having grown up watching the cartoons…). They’re so colorful and I think speak of a sense of fun the collector has.

Bonita of Depict This! has a really special collection—her pearl jewelry pieces she has acquired over time. I absolutely adore pearls (or pieces that have a pearl or two for accent), and seeing all her lovely accessories was a delight. The piece above she even made—so much talent!!!

Erica of Experiments and Accidents posted a collection that I almost squealed over (well, I may have actually squealed at my computer screen) in delight! She shows off her collection of Cherry Ames and Bobbsey Twins books, the latter of which I fondly remember reading as a child (along with Nancy Drew and a few Hardy Boys mysteries). Seeing this post makes me want to redouble my effort to collect up some of my favorite childhood books.

Sarah at Gypsy Skirt Vintage had a similar conundrum to many of us who have posted their collections over the past week—which one to share?! In the end, she decided to write about vintage buttons. Ladies (and gents—any guys reading these posts?)—prepare to drool if you have a weakness for colorful and intricate old buttons!

Jackey of Northwest is Best had a neat collection to share—one that appeals to my desire to travel (especially outside the US) one day—coins! She said that most have found their way into her collection via friends who travel—isn’t that neat to have something easy-to-pack to request from friends who are visiting another country? I loved looking at (and reading!) this post…

Peggy at Plush Nest has the most eye-catching silver compote collection—truly a dramatic one too (as she points out). She also discusses a bit what it’s like to put limits on one’s collecting instincts (I sympathize… especially as an ardent thrifter!)—but how to also enjoy one’s collection on a daily basis.

Katie at Under the Red Umbrella showcased a collection of vintage glassware she has. I love that these pieces are thrifted, colorful—and useful. So often collections easily get stashed away and forgotten, but she manages to utilize these beautiful pieces for everyday storage use!

Finally we have Andi of Untangling Knots, who has a very fun collection of movie ticket stubs! I too have a habit of hanging on to old ticket stubs (though I rarely go to the movies these days… I admit Netflix has made me a bit lazy about the whole thing!), and appreciate keeping them for the memories. I think I still have all my stubs from seeing the LotR trilogy years ago! Important dates with SH too—or movies that proved to be riveting (like Hurt Locker). Go take a peek at what she’s saved up!

I feel like I’m repeating myself, but again a big thank you to everyone who has joined in this fun blog-tour! I can’t tell you how much I feel like I’ve gotten to know some of you better, and I hope this has been an enjoyable week of collections for you as well.

Be back tomorrow with the usual inspiration post—and the winner of the Sewaholic giveaway!

July 23, 2011 · 15 lovely thoughts
posted in inspiration · tags: cherished-collections, inspiration

Firstly is Kit from Curly Frizz who shares her beautiful collection of old vinyl records! As a fellow record collector (purely of the casual sort—I mostly check the thrift shops to see what they have for a  dollar!), it’s always fun to see what sorts of music others collect, and perhaps find some new-to-me titles and musicians to search for!

Kristen at Kristin Makes has what is perhaps the most intriguing collection I’ve seen in this tour yet! Pebbles she collects on visits to various towns and spots. As much fun as collections of manmade objects can be, there is something so beautiful about natural objects that remind you of a time and place you visited.

Reagan of Lil’ Vintage Homemaker is one stylish, vintage-lovin’ gal! She shared her beautiful collections of vintage hats and gloves, as well as some inspiring images of how she has worn these pieces out and about. I especially love some of the large, 50s hats she has!

Clare of Magpie Makes shows off her lovely collection of vintage jewelry pieces, as well as a beautiful little seashell box that was once her grandmother’s. I loved seeing what pieces she had inherited, and some of the stories behind them! A very beautiful and special collection!

Blanka at Minor Swing of O’Sullivan’s Girl caught my eye right away with her Beatles memorabilia collection! My sister is quite a Beatles fan, so perhaps I have had it ingrained in me (after years of hunting down Beatles records at thrift stores) to always take notice when I see something along these lines. She also shows off her fun collection of beer mats (coasters for us in the US)—so neat!

Renee of Nana Nay’s Garden shared so many of her collections—it was hard for me to pick which to picture! (But just having been thrifting today and on the hunt for dishware, you can guess what won!) She shows off her collections of old photos, Pyrex, dishes, stamps and cookbooks (love!). So fun!

Kristen of Summer Sets In showcased her collection of newer, but simply charming and beautiful, pottery. Each is unique in it’s own way—and I love all the soft colors that Kristen has picked for many of the pieces. The elephant teapot is my favorite!

Rebecca of Tales of A Wannabe Seamstress has the most lovely collection of vintage cookware! She says that she has lots of midcentury pieces, but adores the colors and patterns of 70s pieces too (me too, Rebecca!). Lots and lots of amazing patterns and colors in this post—prepare for a visual feast!

Next up is my Sister at A Two-Bit Jeremiah with her collections of rubber ducks and vintage vinyl—both of which are thoroughly her! We often have gone hunting for old records when she visits and thrift stores (and be sure to read about her neat finds at a garage sale last summer!). The rubber ducks are probably my favorite though—also because I look for them when SH and I travel! (They’re just plain adorable too—who can resist a rubber duck?!)

Ashley Louise at Yammering Muse shared her beautiful collections of singing figurines (be sure to click through—they are so charming and sweet!), Scottish bits and pieces, as well as the darling pins pictured above. I adore the pins—but also because I have a soft spot for Scottie dogs; I couldn’t resist using this photo!

Be sure to stay tuned for the fifth and final installment in the Cherished Collections Tour tomorrow!

July 22, 2011 · 10 lovely thoughts
posted in inspiration · tags: cherished-collections, inspiration