Pay It Forward Friday

I'm starting something new ... a Pay it Forward Friday where I will try to do something for somebody else because I've been blessed myself. I'm starting out with an etsy treasury of items from my treasury friends, fellow etsy'ers that have included me in their treasuries. So please click on the picture and check out each individual's item if you have a chance. I know that you will like what you see :)

If you're not familiar with Pay It Forward you can check out Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel, Pay It Forward, that was published in 2000 by Simon & Schuster. Also in 2000, Warner Brothers created the movie, Pay It Forward based on this novel. This concept has caught on and there is now a Pay It Forward Foundation which defines Paying It Forward as ... "It begins with doing a favor for another person ~ without any expectation of being paid back. Indeed one would request that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else ~ ideally, for three other people." What a great movement that I hope continues for years to come.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1Chronicles 16:34

Thankful for...

Health
Avocation
Nourishment
Kin
Friends
Unbelievable sunsets
Lord

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Vintage Kitchen Items

I love old kitchen items ... they intrigue me. I think it's interesting to see how they evolve through years. Take for instance this old hand crank Griswold Meat Grinder. It's been replaced today with electric blenders or food processors. I still have a hand crank grinder that I use today ... makes the best bologna salad, some would call it ham salad, but I grind up a chunk of bologna, some whole dill pickles and mix it with a little mayo - yum, yum!


This Donut Maker by Fairgrove is an interesting kitchen tool. It's not quite as old as the grinder but I'm wondering does anybody make donuts at home anymore? I have to admit that I've never made donuts at home ... it's too convenient to stop by the donut shop. This donut maker can also be used to make pancakes ... bet they come out perfectly round.


Here's another item that may not get used at home much anymore ... a meat tenderizer. You can have the butcher tenderize your meat at the meat counter when you buy it nowadays so is there a need for a this mallet meat tenderizer? I don't have one at home but I have had occasion to tenderize chicken and I use the edge of a small plate :)

All of these items can be found in my etsy store, Endless Collectabilities.

Etsy Treasury Featuring Friends from the Vintage Village

I've completed my first Etsy treasury ... it was a lot of fun to create.

Fall is in the Air

I just love September ... to me it marks the beginning of fall, my favorite season. Today was just beautiful. I noticed as we went on a bike ride that the leaves are already falling and pumpkins are already showing up for sale along the roadside. So I did a little searching on the Vintage Village to see what might be for sale that reminds me of fall and look at these goodies that I found...

Super Chunky 50s Bracelet & Earrings from Another TimeAutumn Beaded Necklace from Gizmos


Copper Beaded Purse from Autena


Brown 1950's Full Skirt Day Dress from ByTheWay


Brown Wool Morris Moskowitz Handbag from Endless Collectabilities

Visit the Vintage Village for more wonderful vintage items!

Remembering My Great-Grandma's Aprons

I received this in an email from my mom. Not sure who the author is but it sure did bring back memories of my great-grandma standing on the porch with her apron on.

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material.

But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half‑hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids .. And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old‑time apron' that served so many purposes.

You might enjoy these aprons that I found for sale on the Vintage Village.

Orange and White Checkered Apron from Shabbychic72

Merry Christmas Apron from Vintage Rose Collectibles

Be a Fan

Come follow Endless Collectabilities on Facebook where I will be sharing new items, promoting events, and giving customers a voice.

Ready for the Fourth of July

The 4th of July is almost here ... do you still need a couple of items for that 4th of July picnic? The Vintage Village just might have what you need.

Something Red ... how about this lovely vintage red tray from Pretty Farm Primitives.

Something White ... this wonderful ironstone pitcher from Cobayley would look great on any picnic table.



And Something Blue would be this very cool cobalt blue toothpick holder from Carolinabluelady.
You might also find some picnic items at my etsy store, Endless Collectabilities, such as ...

this green and yellow striped tablecloth,

Or these adorable crocheted hot pads, or

Or these Fire King handled bowls for serving.

Happy Fourth of July!

June is upon us ...

... and I haven't blogged since April 2nd. First, I have some catching up to do.

A BIG thanks to everybody who bought something from Endless Collectabilities during the month of April. I donated $50 to the Tallmadge Relay for Life in hopes that we soon find a cure for cancer.

June is upon us ... time for picnics, graduations, vacations, and festivals. Check out my Vintage Housewares Section where you will find items for that perfect picnic such as ...

these 4 Vintage Ellingers Agatized Wood Bowls


or these Vintage Swan and Eggs Salt and Pepper Shakers


or how about this Vintage Red and Cream Metal Bread Box.

If your vacation involves a long road trip and you are taking along some crafting projects, I might have some items you need in my Supplies section such as ....

this Vintage Round Crocheted Pin Cushion


or all these Vintage Trims.

Prettiest Page Contest at The Vintage Village

What an honor ... I've been nominated in the Prettiest Page Contest at The Vintage Village. Click Here for the details. While you're there look around at all the lovely vintage items and share information with all the wonderful people. Following are items from all the nominees in the Prettiest Page Contest.

Stunning Vintage Rhinestone Buckle from Another Time Antiques

Multiple Stickpin Vintage Brooch with Rhinestones from Waalaa


Vintage Blue Straw and Pink Rose Hat from Whimsical Vintage


Vintage Filigree Enamel Butterfly Purse Pendant from Purple Daisy Jewelry


Vintage Round Creamy Yellow Sewing Box from Gizmos

April Profits to Benefit Tallmadge Relay for Life

My daughter has a t-shirt that simply says "Cancer Sucks". At first I thought it was a rather vulgar statement. You see I tried to teach my kids not to say 'it sucks' as they were growing up and now my daughter's wearing a t-shirt proclaiming something sucks. But I've come to change my feelings as I watched a good friend of mine lose her life to cancer this year ... Cancer does suck, in fact you could say it is a very vulgar disease.

For over 5 years, my mom has been involved in the Tallmadge Ohio Relay for Life, an event that raises money for research and programs for the American Cancer Society. It is really something special to see this small community come together to help raise money in hopes to find a cure. Last year this community of around 20,000 people raised over $100,000. Many come to the event to walk laps, participate in the fundraisers, honor the survivors, and remember those who lost their lives to cancer.

So in memory of my grandfather, Luther Seeker, and my friends, Roger Bennett, Ro Freilino, and Kim Aspacher. And in honor of my friend and great prayer warrior as I was growing up, Nancy Schertzinger....

I am donating 50% of all my etsy store, Endless Collectabilities, profits in the month of April to the Tallmadge Relay for Life. Together we can make a difference!

Vintage Village has Easter Bonnets

Check out the variety of Easter Bonnets available at the Vintage Village.

Vintage Dotted Net and Rhinestone Picture Hat by Sugar Magnolias Vintage


Vintage Yellow Net Hat by Antiques Galore Gal


Vintage Blue and White Straw Cloche Hat by Whimsical Village

Sweet Pink Straw Hat by Another Time

Primitive Touches to Guest Bathroom

Our guest bathroom has slowly been getting a make over. Last year I hung a washboard-shelf-towel rack up and since then have been adding vintage items to it as I come across them (mostly found in boxes that I buy at auctions). I made the little blue shelf liner (after seeing it in a Trash to Treasure book) by gluing vintage buttons onto a piece of blue material that I cut with scalloped edges.



The next project was taking some vintage hair items and shaving items and giving them a new home. I attached them to some small wicker baskets with fishing line and hung them on the wall.








Last week I had an idea to use some vintage fabric that I acquired from an auction as a valance. I wanted to hang it with clips and started searching online but then remembered some vintage silver hair clips that I acquired from an auction ... how primitive is that.



I love decorative switchplates and didn't have one in the guest bathroom so I started searching for one and came across Tin Can Sally. There I found the perfect switchplate made from a Johnson and Johnson Powder Tin.

Ideas for Old Books

Upcycling, recycling, altering, repurposing ... whatever you choose to call it old books can be re-used in many different ways. Following are some examples that I've found where books can be creatively re-used to make great gifts or to keep for your own home decor.

Cool altered book picture frame from Craftbits.

Nifty Book Purse from Country Living Magazine.

Elegant Book Lamp from JunkMarket Style.

Trendy Paper Vases made out of a books from Country Living Magazine.

The possibilities are endless ... they can also be used in wall art, scrapbooking, and decoupage projects. If you need some old books for a project your pursuing be sure to check out Endless Collectabilities.

Valentine's - Show the Love

Love is patient,

Love is kind.
It does not envy,
It does not boast,
It is not proud.
It is not rude,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

I just love that verse ... I can still hear those words being read on my wedding day. That was almost 25 years ago and our love is stronger now than ever.

I believe that love grows with every little thing you do. You can express your love this Valentine's Day by doing little things for the ones you love such as making a special Valentine's Day card. I've found some cool websites to help you get started...

Disney's Family Fun site has a lot of cool Valentine cards for kids (even some cool ones for teens).

Martha Stewart has some really cool Valentine's Day cards to make for your special sweetie.






Stroll over to the Paper Crafts Magazine gallery for some ideas as well as Online Bonuses.

Fascinating February

February is a fascinating month ... starting with Groundhog Day (2nd), Super Bowl Sunday (7th), Vancouver Olympic Games Begin (12th), Valentine's Day (14th), President's Day (15th), Mardi Gras (16th), and Ash Wednesday (17th) ... what variety, not to mention the weather is very unpredictable in February. As I think about February some words come to mind that I can match with items at Endless Collectabilities:

Pink and Red



6 Vintage pink & green printed linen napkins for that special Valentine's Day lunch.

Vintage Star rayon crochet knitting yarn in pink to make that someone special something special.

Candy & Valentines

This Vintage Baret Ware English tin is just the right size to hold special homemade treats for that special someone.

Amethyst

Since Amethyst is the February birthstone, this 1970's Avon Amethyst bangle bracelet would be the perfect birthday gift for a February birthday girl.

Flowers




Everybody loves flowers and look how pretty they are in this Vintage 1972 oriental jade Jim Beam decanter.

And just in case the groundhog sees his shadow and retreats back into his hole, you can find some vintage books at Endless Collectabilities to help the next 6 weeks go by quickly.