Magpie Ethel

Estate Sale Saturday

Please don't leave me in that wet, dark basement.  Take me home and do something clever with me.  I need to be loved again.

Don't leave me either.  I need a new home as well. 

These two little gals whispered to me as I hit an estate sale this morning. Armed with my flashlight,I searched for treasures in a rather nasty basement.  It was dark and very, very damp.  Little furry creatures had obviously been living down there as well.

I brought the pair home, along with some other treasures.

I don't usually bring home dolls, but I took pity on these two.  Had to add my usual Christmas to the mix as well.  Also found some old jingle bells, plastic cocktail toothpicks in great colors and some old pipe cleaners (again in terrific colors).  Not a great sale, but enough to bring a smile on a very rainy day.

I added the jingle bells to my stash in my studio.

Looks like I may have some sort of problem with jingle bell hoarding (especially if they are on the original cards).

Off to the studio on a rainy, gray afternoon...I think one of my little doll friends is begging to become a well loved Valentine cupid.  Time to work some magic.

Thoughtful Gift Giving

Estate sales were pretty non-existent today, so instead of estate sale finds, I am sharing some recent vintage gifts. With Christmas and my birthday in early January, I get alot of gifts within a two week period,

I love that people "get" me and often give me some unconventional gifts not available at your local Macy's.  Often it is an estate sale or thrift store find.

Two vintage plastic Santa heads.  They are about 12 inches tall and you know they have plenty of Santa friends at my house.  (Thank you Sally)

A silhouette from Ebay.  I collect them if they have images of children. (Thank you Mom)
This one will join these.

A pair of Humpty Dumpty salt and pepper shakers.  I am not sure if they are old or not, but they have that look about them.  They will live on the back of my vintage stove. (Thank you Linda)

A vintage bed jacket...in pink.  I love that it has the name of the woman that owned in written inside - Mabel Mosey.  Isn't that a wonderfully old fashioned name? (Thank you Pam)

A vintage cream colored baby shoe vase.

That will join this collection of cream colored figural vases. Each vase holds a handmade bouquet. (Thank you again Pam.)

A lovely green metal tin pocket for my kitchen wall with original pencil. (Thank You Mom)

A green metal tin for mints (bottom one).  I have two now...the start of a collection...altho I think I will limit it to mint tins only. (Thank You Mom)

Fun stuff.  I appreciate the thought and the hunt that went into finding these treasures for me.  I know alot of people may have rolled their eyes if they received some of these gifts, but these items all have a special spot in my heart...they are absolutely perfect for ME!

Vintage Game Boards

Another item I have trouble passing by (if the price is right) is vintage game boards.  I collect them willy nilly, often without their original box or game pieces...just the playing board.  I have no purpose for them at this point in time...I just add them to my pile.

Think of the hours of fun family time that were spent playing these games.  Ahoy, a pirate game

This is my favorite board for Tripoly.  Love the simple images and colors.

Diver Dan Game

So many titles I have never heard of.  I have been playing around with possibly making a "rug" out of the game boards.  Piecing them together and using them out in the studio instead of the sisal rug I currently  have.

   Just an idea.  But until I come up with a concrete plan, I'll just keep adding to my pile.

A New Home

Just a reminder that these gals and a bunch of other treats are headed to Etsy land.  They are all very well behaved and are looking for new homes.

Birdies and Hearts

I do love Valentine's Day.  Red and Pink and happy hearts. 

Smiling spun head figures.

 A little lovebird ready to perch in your window.

A silly little ornament made from a vintage cupcake pick. The heart head is original as found.  I added a little heart shaped ornament body and pipe cleaner legs and arms.  She is clutching a little floral posie to her chest.

 And those party birds are finally making their way to Etsy land as well.

Silly, happy stuff. It will be listed on Etsy on Tuesday, January 12th at 6 p.m. (pacific time).  Pop in and pick up a little Magpie Ethel love. 

Estate Sale Frigid Friday

Thanks goodness I was number 16 to get in the estate sale today and didn't have to wait too long out in the cold. I was in with the first wave of people.

Not an amazing sale, but still gave me that warm feeling after going without a sale for awhile.

A bunch of Christmas ornaments including quite a few small ones (which I love), a pink tree topper and an oval metal frame in a great shade of chippy blue.

This is the third one I have found of these birds lately.  Had never seen them before and now they keep landing in my hands. Silly huh?  I think they are manufactured.

Would you believe three boxes of Birthday candles.  They truly yell at me from the sales...I can't believe how often I find them.

A great Children's songbook dated 1935. Cute illustrations and songs...like this gem called "Curly Locks".  I wish my husband would have sang this song to me when he proposed...my life would have been so different!

"Curly locks, curly locks, wilt thou be mine?  Thou shalt not wash dishes nor feed the swine, But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam, And feast upon  strawberries, sugar and cream." 

I do have curly hair after all.

A ton of vintage Christmas stickers. Including one (upper left) that features a rather bewildered Santa looking at Superman flying out of the chimney (1980 date)

I have not seen these darling birds stickers before and am loving the ribbon spools.

Fun stuff and it put me in a happy mood. 

I also want to thank a couple of friends for some blog love.  Lynn from Rocky Creek Scottie Adventures for the "Superior Scribbler" award for my blog. More blog love from Sue from It's a Very Cherry World for her "Very Cherry Blog" award.  Both these awards added to my birthday week fun! 

One last thing...items will be listed on Etsy on Tuesday evening. More info and a sneak peek will be coming this weekend. Happy day to all...

Such a Funny Flock

My backyard is gray and gloomy in the winter.  A frigid wind has been blowing all day.  However, a bright spot in the day was this silly flock of birds that twittered around the yard.

They landed here and there with their silly little party hats atop their heads.  A bit of color scattered about on an otherwise gray day.

They hopped on rusty wheelbarrows...

 and hid amongst my watering cans...

 They landed on moss covered fences... and peaked out from amongst the ivy.

This unusual flock of bird won't be flying south for the winter. but will be headed off to Etsy land early next week. (along with some valentine goodies) 

Tweet! Tweet! They sang as they flew away.

Vintage Clues

Detective Magpie Ethel here again with a few vintage clues about the significance of today.  Here are your clues.
Two vintage spun head figures ready for a celebration.

A vintage metal cake plate top.

A special birthday record.  The flip side of the 45 plays "Open Your Gifts".

Old paper plates for a birthday celebration with a darling bird theme.

An assortment of plastic cake decorations.

A party book on how to throw themed parties...this is the page for birthday party ideas. (book was a give away from Staley's Syrups and Cream Corn Starch...can't find a publish date) A vintage birthday candle box from my collection.  You may remember this post from last year with my birthday candle collection.

Some vintage birthday wrapping paper in very cheerful colors.

A couple of old metal pins to wear on the big day...altho I passed the age of seven quite awhile ago.

A spool of old "Happy Birthday" printed ribbon for that special gift. 

A old flashcard. 

A old party loot bag to bring home those goodies from a birthday party.
I am sure your detective skills have been put to the test.  And yes, it is my birthday today!  Happy Birthday to me!  If you really had your detective cap on you would have noticed that one of the photos also contains my age...and it isn't 7.  Thanks for playing along on my birthday.

First Collection of the Year

Only fitting that I start out the year sharing a collection and once again wearing some of my vintage glasses. 

I have a love affair with vintage bed jackets.  I like to put my pajamas on in the early evening and don't like to wear a bulky bathrobe..the bedjacket is the perfect solution to keep my cozy and I love the vintage charm and variety of styles they come in .

This is one that I picked up at an estate sale a few years ago.

It has great detail like this little tie closure.

My mom and dad gave me this one for Christmas this year.  My mom found it on Ebay for me.  I don't think it had been worn before.  It is deliciously pink.

This is one of my favorites that is also an esate sale find.  It is super silky soft (and judging by the photo, brings out my wild side).

I also like the original labels that they still have.

Another favorite came from my neighbor. The flowers stitched onto the pockets are wonderful.

A small, but fun collection and one that I actually use daily.  You can bet I'll be on the hunt for more this year.