Block Printed Christmas Cards

Remember the sweet partridge-in-a-pear-tree linoleum block I scored at an estate sale earlier this year? To my intense delight, I found its Christmas-bells-with-holly partner at a thrift store in December. I had so much fun with these. My only expense in creating this year's cards was the paper. I used metallic silver and copper ink I had leftover from previous endeavors. I was very happy with the handmade results! I did make a fatal mistake, however; in cleaning them, I got their cork backings wet, and now the blocks are irrevocably warped. I will try to remove the linoleum and re-back them, but I am grateful they lasted through this season, and still remain beautiful blocks to admire.

Yard Sale Score: Ukulele

Could there possibly be anything sweeter than happening upon a fabulous estate sale on the way home from a fabulous morning at the beach?

I scored an antique German Little Red Riding Hood board book, a hand carved linoleum block for prints (which I am in love with and will be shown again in December, I'm sure), and a ukulele. In and of itself, a ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lay-lay, I've recently learned) wouldn't be a big deal, but Big B was gifted one for his sixth birthday, and we are both learning to play it. Such joy to see his face light up at the prospect of us playing them together!

Yard Sale Score: Vintage Goodness

At a lovely Sunday-only yard sale this morning, I was delighted to find a large and tasteful selection of vintage wares. This darling 1960's serving tray was probably my favorite. Big B and little b are thrilled that I picked up a Donvier Chill Fast Ice Cream Maker, circa a very long time ago, in perfect condition.
I scored big on this gorgeous batik of four horses, perfect for a certain someone in my family with a summer birthday.
Signed, original, antique and described, this will make a very nice gift.
I love yard sales, especially unexpected ones. Have you noticed? Add a brand new dress to the tally above and for twenty bucks, I'm a happy girl.

Yard Sale Score: Vintage Christmas

Check out these adorable vintage snowglobes we found at an estate sale this morning! ...and I couldn't resist* this tutorial, circa 1941.
A great way to start our pre-Christmas weekend!

(*Edited to add: I was immediately drawn to this book, and something familiar about it has been nagging at me all day; I finally realized what it was! Mama Bird's mama, author of Hello Sunshine and a fabulous watercolorist, blogged about her copy of this book, which belonged to her mother or grandmother, in her post about re-learning to knit. What a coincidence!)

Yard Sale Score: Birthday Wishes

Yesterday was my thirty-third birthday. (I'll pause while you break out in song. Thank you, that was lovely.)

Still recuperating after planning last weekend's events, I had but one request: a simple morning that allowed me to sleep in and go yard sale-ing. Papa and my sweet boys obliged, waking me up gently at NINE O'CLOCK with French Toast, coffee, and this incredible necklace Papa knows I've long coveted.

After breakfast we set out on a yard sale expedition. It was, I might add, the most beautiful day in recorded history. I would like this Christmas to be entirely secondhand, reused, recycled or handmade. This was the goal in mind for today's journey, and with a single estate sale, I got a great start. I found several vintage children's toys and books in great condition.I found a collection of 1940's photographs that I'll use in some to-be-determined creative way for my stepmother, a.k.a. The Horse Whisperer.I found a stack of books whose recipients are yet to be named, as they may be reading this post.And for myself, happy-birthday-to-me, I found a collection of vintage quilting books and patterns, and some darling fabric.
The rest of the day found us enjoying the slowness and allowing our children to crack us up. I don't know what it signifies--that I'd rather buy fabric and laugh at my kids for my birthday than get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant--but I can live with that. In fact, I'm pretty darn pleased with myself. Here's to a great thirty-fourth year!

Yard Sale Score: Friendship

We headed a few blocks eastward yesterday for the yard sale of a good friend. She is moving to Hawaii in less than a month. It was bittersweet to watch her sell her worldly possessions to move across the country, but she is happy and excited for the journey to join her husband and bring her two sweet babies to a gorgeous oasis.

We felt fortunate to have our selection of toys from her daughter's stash. Our score du jour was a trampoline, which now sits in the center of the boys' room. We also came home with a dozen vintage kids' books in great condition.This one, commercial as it may be, was one of my favorites when I was a child.As soon as I saw this one I knew I'd scored. It was a great surprise for Big B upon his return from his first week at Kindergarten.
The yard sale was not without serendipity. Last week our little chair broke, and we found this absolutely perfect replacement.And it was only yesterday that I decided to seek out a Lite Brite at a consignment store, as it was my very favorite quiet time toy when I was Big B's age.
It is tricky to make a new friend, really really like her and her family, and then watch her move far away. But I am a better person for having known her, and isn't that a great feeling?

Yard Sale Score: Compassion

This morning's yard sale expedition held a certain magic. Papa, Mama, Big B and little b were in sync, laughing and singing together, completing each others' thoughts, and generally showing compassion for one another. The treasures of the day exemplified that compassionate vibe.

My most favorite find was this 1921 edition of The Mother's Book. I love finding vintage how-to books, usually for their antiquated vernacular and obselete advice. This one, however, holds wisdom that is lovely to read, and reinforces my intention for compassionate, back-to-basics parenting. Some excerpts:

"The more closely you look at your child in the clear light the more you will respect him."

"The best way is to walk hand in hand with the children right up to manhood and womanhood, trying to carry the cheer together, and cheerfulness has an abiding element that overcomes many obstacles."

And one of my favorites:I also picked up a set of eight beautiful paper lanterns in a summer-y palette...
...and a sweet little muse of compassion, Quan Yin. My friend Mama Bird, who is practicing her own thirty days of compassion, has a special connection with this goddess, and I found myself immediately drawn to her. I especially noticed the gratitude beads she holds in her right hand.
She sits on my nature altar. I placed her next to my own goddess of compassion, holding the gratitude beads I made at our last New Moon Circle.
Finding this book of compassionate teachings and the tiny Quan Yin in the same morning has made me very mindful of my own words and actions today. Somehow I am, as the book says, looking at my family in 'the clear light,' and I am grateful at the chance to savor these moments.

Yard Sale Score: The Perfect Lamp

On the way home from a quick road trip yesterday, Big B, little b and I saw a hand-painted, funky yard sale sign one block south of our street. I had a good feeling about this one.

Because it was late in the afternoon, the sweet family hosting the sale had reduced their prices in half. I scored this lamp for only $5. The photos do not do the color matching justice, but the print matches my bedroom walls (Benjamin Moore 'Timothy Straw') perfectly.This is a great addition to our bedroom, and with the fabrics I've chosen for our new king-sized stacked coins quilt, I hope to up the grown-up factor in our marital suite and create a romantic, calm atmosphere at the end of our very busy days.

Gratitude Beads

Last night was a very powerful New Moon. The moon remained in Cancer and coincided with the longest solar eclipse of the century, said to be a time for a great shift, for deep compassion, and for new beginnings. At last night's New Moon Circle we decided to signify this by creating Gratitude Beads.

After many Mother Blessings and kids' beading sessions, my bead supply has dwindled to almost nothing. So on Saturday morning, Papa and I took the boys on a yard sale expedition, after which I was planning a trip to the bead store. That proved unnecessary. I found a beautiful collection of beaded necklaces, mostly handmade, at a yard sale held by a woman I suspect was going through chemotherapy. As I picked through her beads, gravitating naturally toward a color palette, I immediately felt grateful: for my health, for my family waiting in the car while I thrifted, for my neighborhood, and for unexpected treasure.

Little b thought my choices were beautiful.As we gathered last night, thousands of people across the world were gathering as well, drawn to the power of the total solar eclipse."A roar went up at the ghats as people gasped and screamed in awe. Some stared in stunned silence while others shook hands with total strangers in fits of joy. The city was suddenly clothed in a surreal glow of faint light that was eerie, exhilarating and nothing like most had ever seen before." --The Times of India
At our own smaller circle, our table-o'-ju-ju was replaced by beading supplies as we moved from sacred ritual to mindful crafting.
Inspired by the ideas of Rose and Mama Bird, I placed 28 beads on a leather cord (to represent the lunar cycle), and anchored them with one perfect circle. Everyone's beads are so beautiful, collectively and individually. I will carry my beads and count my blessings daily.

Yard Sale Score: Tangled Up in Blue

Few surprises make me happier than finding that perfect treasure at an always-unexpected Friday yard sale. I believe it's because we never intentionally set out on yard sale expeditions on Fridays--only Saturdays--so the discovery is not hindered by anyone's expectations. It's as pure a treat as there is.

On the way to pick up Big B from preschool this morning, little b and I veered slightly off course and found this blue canopy for $5. So. Much. Fun.
This must have been a sign of things to come, for no sooner had we collected Big B did we spy another yard sale, at which we scored fourteen children's books in pristine condition, a brand new Cranium game, and some flashcards that will be absolutely perfect for tomorrow's family reunion road trip. Ah, the Friday yard sale...the makings of a splendid afternoon.