golda's butterscotch pie

One of the things that I can't seem to stop collecting is other people's recipes. I scour thrift stores for what I like to think of as "potluck cookbooks". You know, the spiral bound collections of recipes from members of a church or women's organization. If I'm really lucky, I'll score someone's actual recipe box with actual personal recipes, like Golda's Butterscotch Pie. Usually they are handwritten, but this recipe was actually typed! I love it, typos and everything (unless that is a proper spelling of butterscotch I've just never encountered!). It reminds me of when I was a kid and would use just about any excuse to use the typewriter. I can't be the only one who did this, right? I love that a little bit of the recipe's history is included, though complete instructions would have been nice. I assume you're supposed to pour this into some kind of pie crust...! The cut off part at the bottom is what I assume to be the typist's name followed by 1987 in case you're wondering.

1. Ohio Arts Metal Recipe Box, 2. Flower Recipe Box , 3. Vintage Recipe Box, 4. Recipes

These metal types of recipe boxes are my favorite. I actually have two like the one on the upper right and one like the one on the lower left!

I have a hard time passing up a cute recipe box (and I'd buy an ugly one if it is full of recipes!), so this means that I have way more boxes than recipes to put in them. To justify my collection, I use the extras to store spices, odds & ends, and craft supplies like the vintage trims & bias tape in this large box with a clear lid below. The green one underneath it contains greeting card blanks.

sci fi paperbacks

Old sci fi paperbacks have the best covers. I've scanned some of my favorites and added them to this flickr set. I wish I knew who the artists were, but in most cases, they aren't indicated. Why did the covers of paperbacks have to become so boring? Check out these newly released covers by designer Sanda Zahirovic. Pretty cool!

flower girl pen holder

flower girl pen holder
Originally uploaded by Adaiha

Another thrift store find. Kind of cute and yet kind of creepy.

dorothy moore's pattern drafting and dressmaking

dorothy moore's pattern drafting and dressmaking, originally uploaded by Adaiha.

This is one of my favorite finds from this year's Friends of the Library book sale. I have yet to use the book to actually draft a pattern, but the illustrations are awesome. The clothes they picture remind me of the old sewing patterns my mom owns and Barbie clothes she used to make for me.

vintage cups and glasses

vintage cups and glasses, originally uploaded by Adaiha.

My favorite is the Sabrina the Teenage Witch one in the forefront. It must have been a jelly jar or something because it has a little stamp on the bottom.

Since I'm from Tennessee, I was excited to add this one to my collection.

found cross stitch sampler

I found this cross-stitched sampler at a second-hand store. I'm going to make something out of it; I just haven't decided what yet. Maybe a little zipper pouch or two. The background fabric is my favorite linen tablecloth.

quilted potholder and placemats

I found this pretty potholder and two of these placemats this weekend. The potholder looks like it could have been made from a kitchen towel, but the stitching is so perfect that I figure it was not homemade. How are you supposed to use fabric placemats without getting them horribly stained? I've never figured out how to do this.

vintage lotus bowl

Adding to my collection of lotus bowls. I had never seen a plastic one before, but here you go. I love the olive color!

the most awesome feedback ever

I made my first sale ever on my etsy shop a couple of weeks ago. I dolled up my package and included a few fun extras, nervously wondering if the purchaser would like it or not. Like probably everyone else, I have moments of panic and doubt about the stuff I make. I anxiously checked every day for feedback about the transaction though none ever showed up on my account. Then Friday, in the mail I got a wonderful thank you card and the pretty pink felted bowl from my buyer. Now I can never doubt that she loved her purchase because she took time out of her day to thank me and made me something in return. So awesome.

Holly, if you ever read this, I just want you to know that you have made my day. More like my year! I love your fuzzy bowl, and I'm thinking of new ways of using it every day. I think I may have found a new pen pal. :)

tupperware

Check out the vintage Tupperware and awesome Thermos I picked up this weekend.