Saturday, July 24, 2010

Linen / Textile Designers of the Past!

Many textile designers of the past are famous for their colorful tea towel and tablecloth designs.

One of my favorite designers is Luther Travis! I especially luv his bright fruit and floral tablecloths!

He is well known for many designs of the 1960s.

One that is most familiar to vintage tablecloth collectors is his grape vine pattern on linen.

I did an online search for Luther Travis, and found an article from 2001, about his cultivation of 2,000 orchids in Manhattan. He is an active member, and supporter, of the Manhattan Orchid Society, as he is listed as a member on their website.

I found it very interesting to know that his luv of floral continues!
I think it is so cool to find out how one of my favorite vintage textile designers is doing! That really 'dates' me doesn't it? LOL


 



You can see it at my etsy shop: Luther Travis Grape Vine Tablecloth

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Those Estate Sales Are Calling Me!!!

It is really difficult recouperating after knee replacement surgery, and not being able to drive...especially a new car that looks vintage!!!
Not that I need to procure more vintage / antique items, as the ones I have are too great to count, especially with all the jewelry pieces!
It's the 'vintage picker' in me that is crying out...my collecting addiction...my search for the next special 'treasure' that pops up now and then! For now, I am attempting to update my social networks, list a few things, and advertise on facebook and twitter. Now, all I have to do is beg my hubby to drive me to the next estate sale!!! LOL
For now, here is a gorgeous 1950s tablecloth, to tempt you, that I've listed at Vintage Floral Baskets Tablecloth :


Saturday, May 22, 2010

Mini Vacation and Car Buying!

It's funny, but a year later, my DH and I are back in Houston, staying at the same Hyatt Hotel, and revisiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science, but this time for just one night. We came primarily for car buying, but had to revisit our favorite museum!
I have to be practical, especially in this 'day and age', and I've traded in my truck for a small car. Now we are driving a slightly used 2010 Chevy HHR, that only had a little over 10,100 miles, when we bought it! With it's fold down back seats, and added storage room at the back of the wagon, when you remove the hide-a-way cover, you can probably fit a small piece of furniture in the back! It's supposed to get 32 miles on the highway, and it will keep track of the miles...so 'it' will let us know! LOL
The HHR is very roomy inside for seating, rides really well, and has great 'pick up' for a little car!
It's modeled after the 1938 Chevy Suburban, so it reminds me of a prohibition 'gangster' car! A vintage looking car for a vintage couple! I luv it! We'll drive it for awhile and let you know what we think!
It does have plenty of room for my estate sale finds in the back, and a friend to accompany me in the front! And it will sure save me miles on the road! My car is a cool looking charcoal grey with running boards! :O)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Luv2LuvAntiques A Vintage 'Picker' With A Passion!

'Just a little note to tell everyone that I've been busy setting up business blogs for my other vintage and antique websites, that are interlinked. I hope to showcase 'treasures' I've found on the websites' perspective blogs.
I thought I would change the headlining banner here, so it won't be so confusing with my Luv2LuvAntiques.com blog.
This will continue to be my personal blog, and will definitely contain the 'rantings' and 'ravings' of an 'obscessed' vintage and antiques 'picker'!
I have a coworker, and friend, who luvs to accompany me on 'treasure hunts'!
We make the rounds at garage sales, and thrift shops, and stand in line for 'numbers' early in the morning before estate sales! 'Such is the 'life'!
The only difference is that she collects 'almost new' items for use in her home, and vintage gifts for her family. This is her way of 'going green'!
I'm a 'certifiable' vintage and antique 'picker', who luvs to resell my finds on Etsy, Bonanzle, and my websites...those I can part with, that is! LOL
I Luv2LuvAntiques...I'm a vintage 'picker' with a passion!



Vintage Cotton Floral Pink Roses Flanelette Blanket at www.blackrain4.etsy.com
this lovely blanket is listed at my Etsy Shop, and is on Sale right now! It would be perfect for your Country Cottage, Romantic, or Eclectic Decor!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Old Fashioned Charm.Com's Blog Has Antique Treasure

Come and follow my second business website's blog...Old Fashioned Charm.Com
and see how a 'picker' got lucky and found antique treasure!


A Frustrated Antiques / Vintage Picker 'On Hold' !!!

I haven't been blogging 'of late' as this 'vintage' person is in need of 'repair'! I'm soon to enter hospital for surgery, so the past while I have not been able to scour the area for vintage and antiques, at local estate sales, and shops.
I also haven't been able to list very much at my selling sights, or participate much at the ning sites, and vintage club I belong to.
This all sounds like 'much boo hooing', but I have faith that all things will pass!
The good thing is that I have some time to watch a few more antique / vintage info television shows, which I know I'll continue to learn from! I will also be able to list more during my 'recoup' time after surgery.
In the mean time...please take a look at my Etsy shop for some great items, and sales!



www.blackrain4.etsy.com

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Our Pets Are Part of Our Family!

Recently our dog Sandy had surgical removal of a tumor and lymph node over the mammary gland area (Jan.25th). The biopsies came out negative, thank heaven!
We had taken Sandy in years ago, as a runaway and abused dog, and she had heartworms, and was pregnant to boot! (We think Sandy had run away with her friend Angel, our son's dog, from a trailor park in our area.)
After Sandy had eight puppies she was treated for the heartworms. We kept two of her pups, and a friend from work took one, but it broke my heart to take 5 of her puppies in to the Humane Society! I could only hope they found good loving homes! Sandy's crying when the pups had been taken away from her, broke my heart! My poor hubby had to deal with a blubbering idiot, when we dropped the 5 puppies off!
Both my husband and I had been nursemaids for Sandy and her puppies! She had a large box, that my hubby had constructed, to help keep the pups with her, in our bedroom. That was a 'fun' time, especially the pups running all over the place as they grew!
We also helped her through the heartworm treatment, and spaying. She has been the most loving, and sweet dog! She's also been the best watch dog we've ever had! She could hear someone way down the street, and our other dogs would be sleeping! LOL
Now she's older and going deaf, but still very full of life!
I had thought she was about 12 now, but I'd forgotten that the vet guessed her age to be about 3-4 years old, when she first found our home! She is 13-14 years old now, and acts much younger!
The evening after this recent surgery, she was jumping up and down wanting her supper and cookie...almost giving me a heart attack! LOL
To say I love Sandy is definitely an understatement!

Sandy at the beach!



Sandy and Angel at the beach dragging my hubby by the leash! LOL