YAY I'm shop of the day

Have you checked out papernstitch yet?It's an online community of buyers and sellers showcasing the best  in art, handmade, and vintage.  Today ImSoVintage has the honor of being the shop of the day. Be sure and check it out.
Thanks Brittni.

some recent additions to the shop

Have a great day!

a sunday ramble in the mountains

Sunday was a beautiful fall day. The first cool day of the season and a perfect day for a trip to the mountains. I am lucky that an hour's drive takes me from the beautiful rolling hills where I live, up to the gorgeous Appalachian mountains.  After arriving at the lodge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park we enjoyed a 4,000 calorie (at least) southern buffet featuring fresh caught catfish and that fine old southern dessert, banana pudding.  Oy!! You just have to forget the diet and healthy eating habits on days like this.

view from the restaurant

I think I temporarily scared off the gold finches

After lunch, we waddled on back to the car  and decided to continue our day's trip on the back roads of the Kentucky mountains, south to Buckhorn Lake State Park. It was a tad difficult trying to get photos on the way with Mario Andretti (better known as my 86 year old mother at the wheel). Mom has a hard time stopping for photo opps. The trip was magnificent, weaving through hollers of trees touched with early Autumn colors and cliffs loaded with black Kentucky coal.

view from the lodge at Buckhorn

You never know what kind of dangerous wildlife you might run into in the mountains. (Okay, one was stuffed and hanging on the wall and the other one was metal, but there are black bears up there and I don't want to meet up with one)

On the way home, Mario, I mean Mama decided to let me drive, so I was able to stop and get a picture of  this wonderful little post office in a place called Gays Creek Kentucky. Gays Creek seemed to consist of the post office and one house.

do you think they have overnight delivery from here?

 It was a lovely day and I enjoyed my first day off in a while.  Hope to go back soon.

So how did you spend you first fall weekend?

sneak peek saturday

Another wonderful evening was spent at the auction last night, and of course I came home with some more great finds. Here is a sneak peek of just some of the things that will soon be appearing in ImSoVintage and GossamerMemories. 

Some more great estate silver and there's even more that i haven't photographed.

Fabulous 1912 illustrated book of The Civil War.

Box full of vintage greeting cards.

Magazines, prints, and frames.

An old pie basket and a duck.

I have the greatest job!!!  Tomorrow I hope to be taking a trip on the back roads to Natural Bridge State Park and I'll share that trip with you the first of the week. Until then, have a great weekend.

a visit to Berea Kentucky

I thought I would do a follow up of my trip to Berea, Kentucky to see Gloria Steinem. For those of you who have never been to Berea and love handmade and folk art, Berea is a must see.


"This community’s tradition in crafts began in 1890 when Berea College’s President Frost brought a crafts production program to Berea College to assist students with paying for their college education. This fine liberal arts college continues its tradition of enabling students to "pay" for their education through "labor" in crafts production and other activities on campus. Visitors can see students weaving, making wood products, making brooms, and other crafts on campus, and purchase items made in the college’s Log House Gallery." via Kentucky Artisan Center

Log House Gallery

 Berea is full of artists studios, galleries, shops, and antique malls to give the visitor hours of interesting and fun places to visit and shop.  Everything from corn husk nativities to beautiful jewelry to finely crafted "Birds Eye Maple" furniture is available. 

wooden folk art animals

woven stools

 

Handmade brooms and games

kitchenware

fabulous furniture

If you find your self feeling a bit hungry while browsing and shopping, there are plenty of places to stop. However, if you want a true southern dining experience, you must dine at Boone Tavern.

Boone Tavern

Here you will find amazing southern cuisine, including the famous Boone Tavern spoonbread.  Yummy!!

All I have left to say is I will definitely be rambling on down there again soon.

Have a great day!

an evening with Gloria Steinem and bell hooks

A weekend visit from my two daughters happened to very nicely coincide with an event that I very much wanted to attend. There was a lecture scheduled or as they referred to it, a conversation between Gloria Steinem and bell hooks, at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. It has been a dream of mine for many years to see Gloria Steinem in person and having bell hooks there was an added pleasure. My 86 year old mother was quite appalled at first that we were going, but when she listened to the definition of what a feminist is, she thought it over and said "I guess I'm a feminist". WOW!!

It was a beautiful day, so we took a leisurely drive across the ferry and along the back roads to arrive in the lovely town of Berea. For those of you who aren't familiar with Berea, it is known for its beautiful folk arts and crafts and we spent a wonderful afternoon browsing the small shops and having coffee and muffins before the big event.

We were definitely not disappointed when we arrived for the lecture. There was a packed house full of excited women and men, who seemed as eager as I was to hear the conversation.  How uplifting to hear talk of a positive future, of a society where everyone respected others because of and despite of their differences. I know that I look forward to that future and am grateful to women like Gloria Steinem and bell hooks for the work that they have done and continue to do.

Gloria Steinem via her official website

bell hooks via bell hooks on education

The evening served as a reminder to me that as an individual, I have a responsibility to contribute my own small part in helping to make our society a better place, not only for myself, but for everyone who lives around me now, and who will be coming into this world in the future. It left me with a profound hope, that even though our country is suffering turmoil, there is hope for the future, for a place where all people feel respected and loved.

decorating with quilts

Decorating with quilts is back in fashion, and nothing could make me happier. Okay there are things that could make me happier, but I have always been a big fan of creating a warm and cozy look in your home with quilts. Quilts can be used in any room. Hang one on the wall in the dining room for a dramatic statement. Drape one across the back of a sofa or chair for a warm throw in the colder months. Hang one in the bathroom for a pretty shower curtain. Display a collection of quilts in a cabinet. Keep several in the bedroom for some extra warmth.

A pretty headboard

 I love the idea of using a quilt as a headboard. So easy to change the look with the seasons and a great way to showcase your collection.

on the fence

 Hang a group of your quilts on an old ladder or picket fence.

changing times

I love how this vintage changing table has been re-purposed into a showcase for a quilt collection.

best seats in the house

This is a great way to use those imperfect cutter quilts.

cottage look

 Perfect for an antique wood day bed.

Do you have a unique way that you've used a quilt in your home? I'd love for you to share it with me.

Have a great weekend. My daughters are visiting me this weekend so I will be having a wonderful time.

Laura

it's sale day

The sale has started. As a way to say thanks for my 1000 sales.

Customer Appreciation Sale. Buy one item, get second item 50% off. 26 hour sale starting 10 am Sept 15 and ending noon Sept 16. The kids are back in school and fall is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time for Mom to go shopping for her favorite vintage items.

The BIG Sale

 Customer Appreciation Sale. Buy one item, get second item 50% off.  26 hour sale starting 10 am Sept  15 and ending noon Sept 16 (EST). The kids are back in school and fall is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time for Mom to go shopping for her favorite vintage items.

Shop will be closed from 8 am until 10 am the morning of the sale to get the shop ready.

Terms of Sale:

Buy one item and get your second item (of equal or lesser value) at 50% OFF!

Any two items that you purchase during the sale will be combined for the discount.

Shipping charges are not included in discount, but I will do my best to combine shipping to give you the best price.

Payment is due at time of sale or transaction will be cancelled.  The 50% discount will be refunded via Paypal on day of purchase.

sneak peek sunday

WOW, I can't believe it is Sunday again already. You know what that means. It's time to get a peek at what is coming up in ImSoVintage this week. Here are some of the new finds that will be making an appearance over the next week.  Also, tomorrow I will be announcing my Customer Appreciation event. So be sure and check back. 

Of course there are always a few more surprises. So check back often and don't forget to watch for tomorrow's announcement.

Have a great Sunday.
Laura

recycled scrap paper notebooks

A great DIY project on Design Sponge today. How to take scrap paper and recycle it into notebooks. I love the idea of using vintage maps and vintage book covers as part of the project.

images via Design Sponge

Lots of great vintage maps on Etsy. Here are some from Gossamer Memories

1923 Antique map of Switzerland

1938 map of Canada

1938 map of North Carolina

I will be adding a lot more maps to the shop so be sure and check back often.

Do you have a favorite upcycling project? I would love to hear about it and as the colder time of year is approaching, I'll be watching for more fun projects to keep you busy.
Enjoy.
Laura

sneak peek sunday

Well once again its time for the famous (or maybe not so famous) sneak peek Sunday, which is sometimes on Saturday. Just a few of the items that I will be popping into my store over the next week. Enjoy.

some lovely milk glass

ornate Italian mirror

oil painting etc.

Of course there's more so make sure to check in to the shop often. 


I also want to take this time to say that I reached my 1000th sale today in ImSoVintage and I am planning a celebration sometime in the next two weeks, so be sure and check back here for an announcement.


Enjoy your holiday weekend.
Laura

how hot was it?

So how hot was it in Kentucky yesterday? Well I'm sure you've heard the old saying it was so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. I just didn't know it could be so hot that corn was popping right out in the field. And you thought you needed a microwave. You just can't make this stuff up. So if you don't believe me (and well yes I have been known to embellish in the past), then you can see it here .

I'm getting ready to head out to the auction.  Have a great day and stay cool. Fall really is just around the corner.
Laura

planning for autumn

September is actually here and my thoughts are turning to autumn and cozy days when the temperatures start to drop, which as it is still in the 90's here is a bit hard to do. However, sitting here in my cool air conditioned house, I can close my eyes and imagine what it will be like. Thought I would share some shopping ideas to get you ready for those days of snuggling on the couch, in front of a roaring fire, with a cup of hot chocolate.

apple shaped snack trays

perfect for some cheese and crackers and a glass of wine.

vintage enamelware soup pot

there's nothing better than the smell of homemade soup simmering on the stove

brass fireside basket

go ahead and pile up those extra logs

bell and howell movie camera

to capture those spur of the moment touch football games

vintage sewing basket

to sit by your chair while you knit a cozy afghan

wood box with handle

an old wood basket to carry home the fruit from an apple picking trip

I could go on and on, but I was wondering what your favorite fall finds are and what makes you feel cozy in your home this time of year.

Have a great day.