Wednesday 19 January 2011

Start as you mean to go on

My first weekend of bargain hunting this year was a good one, and I'm especially pleased with this wonderfully kitsch Spanish bag. I love it! I managed to go to a table top sale, a jumble sale and several charity shops.
I don't really go in for New Year Resolutions, but I am always trying to kick bad habits and plan how The Rest of My Life (starting tomorrow) will be so much better. So I came up with a plan for my new streamlined life. Step One - cut back on buying vintage stuff. I want to spend less time buying and selling vintage and devote more time to making stuff. Obviously I still like vintage, but I'll only buy the really good stuff that I really really want. 
Apparently I really, really want an awful lot of stuff, as these pictures of the weekend's haul demonstrate. This doesn't seem to be going according to plan...
Although I have to say that it was Mr Kitsch who thought we should keep this tiny little biscuit tin. I just wanted to keep this cute tin of Mary and her lamb...oh, and all the other stuff (including more clogs - how did that happen?)
I am also trying to collect things which take up less room, like vintage greeting cards and other paper ephemera. However, I'm getting a bit obsessed with collecting cards, and ended up ordering a couple of bundles from Etsy. This group of cards and wrapping paper scraps came from the States.
At the moment I'm particularly interested in these kitsch 1960s floral cards. This style of illustration makes me strangely nostalgic. It seems to tap into my memory and emotions in a way I can't quite fathom. I keep thinking about exploring it by trying to paint in that style, but I'm not sure I can. I tried a few drawings, and I know there's something there I want to use, but I'm just not sure how.



10 comments:

BusyLizzie said...

Hi Elaine, we seem to share a similar "problem".. after tidying the workroom when we were snowed in.. things seem to have gone back to the way they were with rails of clothes & bits of vintage ephemera all over the place! Like you, I love those 60's cards.. my mother tried to give me all her wedding cards when I was at her house last time.... Lizzie x

Sue Brown said...

I know exactly what you mean about the emotional pull when seeing the floral cards, I am right back in Lowes the newsagents, aged 15 looking at cards and paper, particularly paper to cover my text books for school. XX

KC'sCourt! said...

I too know exactly what you mean.
Julie xxxxxxx

menopausalmusing said...

I want that bag! how gorgeous is that?! Love the teeny tiny biscuit tin too. Lovely post about "stuff"!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I know what you mean too! Oh well. Fantastic haul. Love the tin and the tortoise mug best.

Jane Housham said...

That's cheered me up no end -- the conflict between intention and reality.
I want to take the free talent test!

Country Cottage Chic said...

I don't think the "buy less vintage" resolution would work for any of us!

I remember that style of card too - florals & cute dogs & kittens. I have a thing for cards & have boxes of them that I just look at now & again.

We definitely need the Vintage Jumble but I am a bit worried that I'll bring home more than I sell!

Eartha Kitsch said...

That bag! Wow!

Rebecca Jean said...

AHHH! That bag is fantastic! I would tote that little nugget of joy with me everywhere. What a find!

♥ Rebecca Jean
Midnight Maniac

Maaike said...

What a gorgeous post! I love all the items and details... Have a great weekend, love Maaike