Spring is here in full swing and it was almost 80 yesterday. Last week at the estate sale I got a box of vintage plant labels.
The box got to me thinking that I have a fun array of vintage garden/floral items that make up a fun collection. Most of it is collected due to the graphic nature of the item or its quirkiness.
The Garden Club must have been a big manufacturer of various garden related items. Pole Pins in original packaging.
Garden Club company again. Vintage crumple wire in original packaging.
This collection has to include an assortment of floral frogs. I like the variety on the left as they work well to hold a card or paper item for display.
This box was empty when I got it. Love, love the graphics on it tho and would have loved to know EXACTLY what was in it once upon a time.
This handmade flower fund container was handmade. It has a slot in the top to put coins in.
This note was tucked into the slot when I bought it. It reads, "Dad made this for Powell Valley Sunday school birthday offerings about 1925. They repainted and discarded it". I am glad that it was saved and I found it.
I always pick up vintage flower catalogs when I find them. The illustrations and colors in the catalogs are amazing. This one dates from 1961 and is from Jackson and Perkins.
It also contained a huge color insert in the catalog. It is poster size and the colors are vibrant.
Even more awesome is the flip side of the poster. Daffodils!
From the LA Times Home Magazine, October 1958.
And last but not least a metal floral powder duster (for spraying insecticides). I love the graphics on this and it may become a lamp base someday!
Fun stuff and how I love spring and summer and all the flowers that come with it! If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____." You never know what a new season will bring.
happy day!
Fun as always to see your blog in the morning :-)
I'm going to be heading out to the garden later on and finish my flowers in the front planters....Very inspiring blog you have to get me motivated.
Such cool things like the flower fund container and the floral powder duster.Of course everything else is interesting too!!
Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful day
Posted by: Doreen | May 08, 2012 at 07:02 AM
I love vintage floral items too. You have some great ones in your collection. My weakness would tend to be the old metal frogs...love them!
In answer to your question Laurie I picked up that bench at Martindales. It's always nice to purchase something especially when you're not the first one through the door. (o:
Posted by: My Shabby Roses | May 08, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Love all the fun vintage floral goodies!! That flower fund is so neat!! Love the history!! The metal flower powder duster has some great graphics!! Have a lovely day!! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | May 08, 2012 at 08:46 AM
The pump reminds me when Black Flag came in a thing like that! I bet you love those rose catalogs! We used to play tennis on the courts up by the rose gardens...a happy memory of PDX.
Tammy
Posted by: Tammy | May 08, 2012 at 09:03 AM
I sometimes try to imagine what it would be like to live someplace where you were able to garden year around. I wonder if Spring would hold that same excitement that it does for us here in the PNW!
Posted by: Kathy | May 08, 2012 at 11:58 AM
You had me at Vintage Garden/Flower things! I have a huge collection in my potting shed (a place to go to relax...not pot flowers). Thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Annette | May 08, 2012 at 11:59 AM
we have so much in common! Love this stuff too! Thanks for posting... :-)
Posted by: Emily | May 08, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Be still my heart. We surely would fight all over these. This is such a weakness for me. Having majored in Horticulture in college I could never leave the need for plants behind....thank you for the smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | May 08, 2012 at 05:35 PM
You really have the BEST collections...I love flower frogs and only have a few but I think it is time to get more. Hugs to you my friend.
Posted by: koralee | May 08, 2012 at 09:10 PM
I too love the vintage garden doodads and illustrations although I haven't allowed myself to collect them since I sense I might go a little berserk. I think the flower fund + note is my favorite -- so sweet someone wrote that down after being reunited with their dad's creation (and darn that Powell Valley Sunday school for discarding it)!
Posted by: Into Vintage | May 08, 2012 at 09:11 PM
I remember receiving those flower catalogs when I was a kid and begging Mom to get some seeds or starters. I PROMISED to plant them and water them and blah blah blah. Of course she knew I'd either wind up killing them or she'd have to take over so needless to say we never ordered anything. And she was right about me killing plants, unfortunately. Great collection of stuff as usual, Laurie!
Posted by: Chris P. | May 11, 2012 at 05:56 AM
Love this collection! I am also glad someone saved that homemade flower fund item.
I also collect dusters and have quite a collection of metal and one big glass one.
Posted by: Gina | May 13, 2012 at 05:00 AM