As I look around my home which is furnished with a mix of antique and vintage items, new gift items, and collectibles, it causes me to reflect on my home and family and friends and all the blessings that I have this Thanksgiving and every day.
I'm not one of those people who hire an interior decorator and do away with every mismatched item in my home and go with the suggestions of the decorator to have everything perfect and matching. I prefer to display all my favorite things, put together in a pleasing arrangement, so that I can be comfortable and cozy in my home.
For example, in my living room the featured item is the grand piano that my husband surprised me with 25 years ago. I had always wanted one, and my daughter was traveling to Kentucky from Florida to spend the summer with her Dad. I was so uptight and depressed that he chose this time to have it delivered and surprise me on the day that she got on that plane. Each time I see it or play it, I remember that day when I walked into my living room and said "Who put THAT there?!?" What a gift of love - I would never dream of replacing it.
Also, in the living room is a beautiful bookcase with glass doors that belonged to my husband's father - it holds all my music books, and is a clear reminder of the past and the books and treasures that his father must have kept there.
I also have an antique corner cabinet filled with old ironstone serving pieces accumulated by my Granny and left to me when she passed away. She loved antiques, and I think of her when I look into that cabinet.
There are also little trinkets and gifts that friends and family have given me displayed throughout that room - a silver tussie mussie filled with flowers bought for me by my parents, a hummingbird figurine given to me by my Uncle Charles, Hallmark ornaments featuring a choir and bell ringers given to me by friends, a little dish my brother gave me where I keep my glasses for use at the piano - you get the idea.
Memories Past and Present is filled with items such as these with a past - and they can be given as a loving gift to someone who will cherish them and display them in their home. When they see them, it will remind them of you and the occasion of the gift. Life is made up of memories from the past and special events of the future. Treasure your memories - and display your treasures!
This Thanksgiving take the time to look around you and remember all the blessings that God, your family and friends have bestowed upon you. No matter what the circumstances, there are always blessings to be found! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Thanksgiving & Christmas Spirit Can Last All Year Long!
I've been hearing a lot lately about how awful it is to rush the Christmas season - all the stores are starting to put out their Christmas trees and merchandise, Christmas music is playing, and some of the big box stores already have reduced their Christmas items. I mean, we even skip right over Thanksgiving - how terrible is that? Truly, Christmas has become a very commercial season; however, just like anything else in life, there are two ways of observing and reacting.
To me, the true spirit of Christmas and Thanksgiving can last all year long! Every day we can be thinking about all the blessings we have and say to ourselves and to others how thankful we are. We can just look around and find the simplest things to be thankful for - the beautiful, colorful Fall leaves, the sunshine, our families, our health, our friends - all these things that God has given us. We take the time to look back at family celebrations from the past and remember those who are no longer with us and all the fun times we had together. And we look forward to our family and friend gatherings this year! Oh, so much to be thankful for in our lives!
When we see the Christmas trees and lights and ornaments already up in the stores, instead of reacting to the negativity of commercialism, we could instead be reminded of all the good that there still is in the world. Remember the birth of our saviour, Jesus, and the star shining on the world the night He was born. When we look at all the sparkling lights and ornaments, we can think of friends and family with love and start to plan on something special that we can buy or do for them during the Christmas season. It is a wonderful time to remember and love each other.
When I decorate my trees, whether it be at home, or in my antique store, I think about the beautiful nativities and music boxes, angels and ornaments, and who gave them to me, or whose home they will bless. When shopping for Christmas (and we all do), let's try to take our time, take a step back to a quieter, simpler time, and reflect on each gift as a gift of love for the person we are buying for. It's OK for Christmas to be commercial in a way - it gives us a special way to show our love for each other, and to remember the birth of Jesus and just how much his presence means in our lives.
Oh, I could go on and on about Christmas and Thanksgiving Past and Present! Reflect on your blessings - and shop for Christmas gifts with joy in your heart this season! No "Bah Humbug" allowed inside Memories Past and Present!
To me, the true spirit of Christmas and Thanksgiving can last all year long! Every day we can be thinking about all the blessings we have and say to ourselves and to others how thankful we are. We can just look around and find the simplest things to be thankful for - the beautiful, colorful Fall leaves, the sunshine, our families, our health, our friends - all these things that God has given us. We take the time to look back at family celebrations from the past and remember those who are no longer with us and all the fun times we had together. And we look forward to our family and friend gatherings this year! Oh, so much to be thankful for in our lives!
When we see the Christmas trees and lights and ornaments already up in the stores, instead of reacting to the negativity of commercialism, we could instead be reminded of all the good that there still is in the world. Remember the birth of our saviour, Jesus, and the star shining on the world the night He was born. When we look at all the sparkling lights and ornaments, we can think of friends and family with love and start to plan on something special that we can buy or do for them during the Christmas season. It is a wonderful time to remember and love each other.
When I decorate my trees, whether it be at home, or in my antique store, I think about the beautiful nativities and music boxes, angels and ornaments, and who gave them to me, or whose home they will bless. When shopping for Christmas (and we all do), let's try to take our time, take a step back to a quieter, simpler time, and reflect on each gift as a gift of love for the person we are buying for. It's OK for Christmas to be commercial in a way - it gives us a special way to show our love for each other, and to remember the birth of Jesus and just how much his presence means in our lives.
Oh, I could go on and on about Christmas and Thanksgiving Past and Present! Reflect on your blessings - and shop for Christmas gifts with joy in your heart this season! No "Bah Humbug" allowed inside Memories Past and Present!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Christmas Past and Present
The Christmas season is upon us, and the stores are starting to display all their Christmas trees, decorations, cards, etc. It's time to start thinking about how you will decorate your home and what treasures you will choose to display.
The Christmas tree is the main focal point of the decorating for the season. Are you one who goes with the modern trends purchasing all new ornaments for your tree and having it professionally decorated? Maybe lime green or hot pink this year - all silver or all gold? Well, that's not for me. For me, Christmas is all about tradition and memories - bringing family together in a home filled with the warm glow of Christmas past and Christmas present.
My main tree (yes, I do have more than one) is Victorian in style. It is a slim tree filled with decorations that go with the Victorian style, but I didn't go out and buy all new ornaments to decorate it - oh yes, maybe a few to fill in here and there - but mostly it was a gradual thing. Each year a few new items are added that are special ornaments bought for me by a friend, or one I spotted in a local store that took my eye, or even hand crafted ornaments that are one of a kind.
My Mother makes the most beautiful decorated ball ornaments, fashioned out of satin balls decorated with vintage jewelry, beads, sequins, tassels, braid and trim - each one is unique and full of her creative ability. I probably have about 20 of those on the tree, and each year add at least 1 or 2 new ones. She has literally made hundreds of them over the years, and I treasure each one that I have!
Added to those are about six similar ornaments made by a favorite member of our church lovingly called "Aunt Kat" who gave one to each of our Church choir members each year. She has passed away now, and it brings back fond memories of her each time I hang one on the tree and imagine her aging fingers making them even into her late 90's and even over 100 years that she lived. (She was my craft teacher at the YMCA when I was a child - and a real treasure of a person!)
Added to those special ornaments are little birds nests, bird cages, glass birds with tail feathers, other glass Victorian style ornaments, little Victorian people ornaments given to me by friends, and then to top it off burgundy and gold glass ornaments to reflect the light and burgundy poinsettia blooms. This year I will lovingly add 6 Thomas Kinkade Santa ornaments which I was lucky enough to acquire on Ebay.
This tree is filled with memories, acquired over time. When you are shopping or looking around at decorations to place on your tree - think about what you already have and add items of meaning to them. Shop for the unique in little out-of-the-way specialty shops, antique stores, thrift stores, etc. Make the tree a part of "your" personality - not something that is just bought straight off the shelf and impersonal.
Each year when you decorate that tree, you will be filled with "memories" just as I am when I decorate this special Victorian tree in my home! Of course, at Memories Past and Present, we have such a selection of treasures for you to feast your eyes on! Each of our trees is decorated with specialty ornaments where you can pick them right off the tree - a perfect little gift for a friend or family member perhaps that they will hang on their tree year after year - and remember you with a smile on their face! Have a Blessed Christmas!
Stay tuned for other Christmas tree ideas based on the trees I decorate in my own home!
The Christmas tree is the main focal point of the decorating for the season. Are you one who goes with the modern trends purchasing all new ornaments for your tree and having it professionally decorated? Maybe lime green or hot pink this year - all silver or all gold? Well, that's not for me. For me, Christmas is all about tradition and memories - bringing family together in a home filled with the warm glow of Christmas past and Christmas present.
My main tree (yes, I do have more than one) is Victorian in style. It is a slim tree filled with decorations that go with the Victorian style, but I didn't go out and buy all new ornaments to decorate it - oh yes, maybe a few to fill in here and there - but mostly it was a gradual thing. Each year a few new items are added that are special ornaments bought for me by a friend, or one I spotted in a local store that took my eye, or even hand crafted ornaments that are one of a kind.
My Mother makes the most beautiful decorated ball ornaments, fashioned out of satin balls decorated with vintage jewelry, beads, sequins, tassels, braid and trim - each one is unique and full of her creative ability. I probably have about 20 of those on the tree, and each year add at least 1 or 2 new ones. She has literally made hundreds of them over the years, and I treasure each one that I have!
Added to those are about six similar ornaments made by a favorite member of our church lovingly called "Aunt Kat" who gave one to each of our Church choir members each year. She has passed away now, and it brings back fond memories of her each time I hang one on the tree and imagine her aging fingers making them even into her late 90's and even over 100 years that she lived. (She was my craft teacher at the YMCA when I was a child - and a real treasure of a person!)
Added to those special ornaments are little birds nests, bird cages, glass birds with tail feathers, other glass Victorian style ornaments, little Victorian people ornaments given to me by friends, and then to top it off burgundy and gold glass ornaments to reflect the light and burgundy poinsettia blooms. This year I will lovingly add 6 Thomas Kinkade Santa ornaments which I was lucky enough to acquire on Ebay.
This tree is filled with memories, acquired over time. When you are shopping or looking around at decorations to place on your tree - think about what you already have and add items of meaning to them. Shop for the unique in little out-of-the-way specialty shops, antique stores, thrift stores, etc. Make the tree a part of "your" personality - not something that is just bought straight off the shelf and impersonal.
Each year when you decorate that tree, you will be filled with "memories" just as I am when I decorate this special Victorian tree in my home! Of course, at Memories Past and Present, we have such a selection of treasures for you to feast your eyes on! Each of our trees is decorated with specialty ornaments where you can pick them right off the tree - a perfect little gift for a friend or family member perhaps that they will hang on their tree year after year - and remember you with a smile on their face! Have a Blessed Christmas!
Stay tuned for other Christmas tree ideas based on the trees I decorate in my own home!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Vintage Crystal Better Than New!
No matter how much your Mother or Grandmother used her crystal, it probably still looks like new, especially since she washed it by hand and stored it away very carefully! If you are lucky enough to inherit some of this beautiful sparkling crystal, count yourself lucky.
I know many of the younger generation is not interested in fancy glassware - they are more "into" pottery items that can be used every day and they prefer casual entertaining. But still it is good to add some sparkle to your table at the holidays! And one pattern that just keeps on being the most popular is Fostoria Glass Company American pattern!
It was made between 1914 and 1986 and in various colors including clear, amber, blue, green, yellow, pink and even purple. The most popular is the clear - it is heavy and durable and because of the block pattern it reflects the light whether it be sunlight, a chandelier, or candle light!
It is being recycled and recollected even today! Many people who got it for wedding gifts back in the 1940's and 50's are aging and not entertaining anymore, or they are downsizing and need to get rid of it. They would give it to their children, but some are not interested.
There are new collectors made up of mostly people who have inherited the pattern and wish to add to their collection! If you have never owned any crystal or are interested in purchasing some for your home, this would be a very good choice of vintage crystal. The pricing is fairly reasonable, and certainly less than most "new" quality crystal you could find - and it is good to recycle for so many reasons! It also would make wonderful gifts and perhaps get someone interested in starting their own collection!
Be careful when you buy that you know that it is indeed Fostoria - there are some reproductions that are not the same quality. In general, you can look for three seams (where the molds come together) rather than two - and generally the base is ground instead of formed in the mold - and check the glass for clarity. Most dealers will be sure to have any reproductions clearly marked.
Close your eyes and imagine your Christmas table set with a beautiful deep red tablecloth, your favorite Christmas china, and sparkling American Fostoria crystal water goblets, iced tea glasses, juice glasses, sherbets, and all the beautiful sparkling serving pieces available! Now get ready, go out looking, and start your collection of sparkling American Fostoria today!
Think of your favorite antique store as a matchmaker - helping someone find a new owner for their "treasures"! At Memories, we are full to the brim with treasures, including over 150 pieces of American Fostoria! We can help you put together a beautiful holiday table, all from vintage treasures in our store! Your Mother and/or Grandmother would smile if she saw you using vintage items on your table!
You can take a peek inside our store no matter where you live at http://www.hendersonmemories.com/
I know many of the younger generation is not interested in fancy glassware - they are more "into" pottery items that can be used every day and they prefer casual entertaining. But still it is good to add some sparkle to your table at the holidays! And one pattern that just keeps on being the most popular is Fostoria Glass Company American pattern!
It was made between 1914 and 1986 and in various colors including clear, amber, blue, green, yellow, pink and even purple. The most popular is the clear - it is heavy and durable and because of the block pattern it reflects the light whether it be sunlight, a chandelier, or candle light!
It is being recycled and recollected even today! Many people who got it for wedding gifts back in the 1940's and 50's are aging and not entertaining anymore, or they are downsizing and need to get rid of it. They would give it to their children, but some are not interested.
There are new collectors made up of mostly people who have inherited the pattern and wish to add to their collection! If you have never owned any crystal or are interested in purchasing some for your home, this would be a very good choice of vintage crystal. The pricing is fairly reasonable, and certainly less than most "new" quality crystal you could find - and it is good to recycle for so many reasons! It also would make wonderful gifts and perhaps get someone interested in starting their own collection!
Be careful when you buy that you know that it is indeed Fostoria - there are some reproductions that are not the same quality. In general, you can look for three seams (where the molds come together) rather than two - and generally the base is ground instead of formed in the mold - and check the glass for clarity. Most dealers will be sure to have any reproductions clearly marked.
Close your eyes and imagine your Christmas table set with a beautiful deep red tablecloth, your favorite Christmas china, and sparkling American Fostoria crystal water goblets, iced tea glasses, juice glasses, sherbets, and all the beautiful sparkling serving pieces available! Now get ready, go out looking, and start your collection of sparkling American Fostoria today!
Think of your favorite antique store as a matchmaker - helping someone find a new owner for their "treasures"! At Memories, we are full to the brim with treasures, including over 150 pieces of American Fostoria! We can help you put together a beautiful holiday table, all from vintage treasures in our store! Your Mother and/or Grandmother would smile if she saw you using vintage items on your table!
You can take a peek inside our store no matter where you live at http://www.hendersonmemories.com/
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Recycle Old Christmas Cards!
If you are like me, I never like to throw beautiful cards away - especially Christmas cards! They are so colorful and meaningful to me, I want to find a project to use them in sometime in the future. So there they are, all piled up in a drawer ......... waiting for my inspiration! Well, here's just a few ideas off the top of my head that maybe you will find useful!
First off, they could be used again for new cards - just cut the front off and glue to nice index paper folded in half and write your own personal message inside! This would be great for a Christmas note to a friend or relative!
Another idea would be to decorate a Christmas tree with them. Just use your hole punch and punch a hole in the top left corner - tie on a pretty ribbon - and hang on your tree - add a little tinsel for sparkle and it will be beautiful. This is a very inexpensive and creative way to decorate a tree for your family room or guest bedroom. The cards will remind you of all your friends each year who have remembered you at Christmas!
Under the tree they can be used as gift tags - again cut off the front and punch a hole in it and tie it on your package for a beautiful decoration with the TO and FROM written on the back side.
If you like to create your own cards on the computer and you are equipped with a scanner, you can also use the beautiful artwork on the cover or inside the card to scan and print your own individually created card! The art can be saved on your computer and used time and again!
If you have a coffee table with a glass tray top, they can be placed under the glass and maybe paired with some lace doilies or family pictures for a beautiful addition to your Christmas decorations in your living room or family room. Also think of framing them with a background of a solid color or wall paper print! This could be used as a framed picture to hang on the wall during the Christmas season, or better yet, use it as a tray to serve tea on! Or just stand up the cards in a display cabinet where you have your sparkling crystal to add some Christmas cheer!
I know these ideas have sparked some ideas of your own - so get out those old Christmas cards and start making plans of how to use them this year! What's old can be new again - with just a touch of creativity! Please feel free to share any additional ideas you have here on this blog! Merry Christmas!
First off, they could be used again for new cards - just cut the front off and glue to nice index paper folded in half and write your own personal message inside! This would be great for a Christmas note to a friend or relative!
Another idea would be to decorate a Christmas tree with them. Just use your hole punch and punch a hole in the top left corner - tie on a pretty ribbon - and hang on your tree - add a little tinsel for sparkle and it will be beautiful. This is a very inexpensive and creative way to decorate a tree for your family room or guest bedroom. The cards will remind you of all your friends each year who have remembered you at Christmas!
Under the tree they can be used as gift tags - again cut off the front and punch a hole in it and tie it on your package for a beautiful decoration with the TO and FROM written on the back side.
If you like to create your own cards on the computer and you are equipped with a scanner, you can also use the beautiful artwork on the cover or inside the card to scan and print your own individually created card! The art can be saved on your computer and used time and again!
If you have a coffee table with a glass tray top, they can be placed under the glass and maybe paired with some lace doilies or family pictures for a beautiful addition to your Christmas decorations in your living room or family room. Also think of framing them with a background of a solid color or wall paper print! This could be used as a framed picture to hang on the wall during the Christmas season, or better yet, use it as a tray to serve tea on! Or just stand up the cards in a display cabinet where you have your sparkling crystal to add some Christmas cheer!
I know these ideas have sparked some ideas of your own - so get out those old Christmas cards and start making plans of how to use them this year! What's old can be new again - with just a touch of creativity! Please feel free to share any additional ideas you have here on this blog! Merry Christmas!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Selecting Vintage Wedding Gifts
Many people can't imagine giving something that is not "new" for a wedding gift, but we have a lot of experience here at Memories with people who are looking for exactly that! They don't want to buy the regular, off the shelf gift that just anybody can buy.
It's easy, really! If you know anything at all about the couple or even their parents, you can come up with an idea whether it be a certain color scheme, pattern of old glassware, or anything that might "bring back memories". I recently had two sisters in my store who spotted a large pressed glass bowl that they remembered their Mother having one like. Well, they each wanted one so we went in search of others. It ended up that they found four different bowls that reminded them of their Mother's bowl, so they bought all four! One for each of them, and one for each of their children for future wedding gifts so that their children would remember their Grandmother and use the bowl for fruit salad like she did! How thoughtful of a gift - unlike any other they will receive.
Another idea is to buy a particular item for its collectible value - such as a piece of Fenton art glass, American Fostoria crystal, antique lamp, vintage crystal stemware, EAPG compotes, antique china, vintage hand crocheted bedspread, discontinued collectibles, etc. These items can encourage a lifetime of collecting that can bring much joy! We have sold vintage crystal stemware instead of "new" simply because it is uniquely beautiful and not something that will be duplicated among the wedding gifts.
I have been told that many brides are now electing to have a Victorian wedding! Everything was so elegant and formal back then! In the day of jeans and T Shirts, it is exciting to think of getting dressed up in fancy vintage dress and jewelry. From the antique china used to serve at the reception to the sparkling crystal punch bowl - all of these items can be found in antique stores all across the nation.
One of my customers said once "A gift from Memories is a gift they will always remember!" Think outside the norm and shop in antique stores for your next wedding gift - at Memories we can help you pick the perfect item that the couple will always treasure!
It's easy, really! If you know anything at all about the couple or even their parents, you can come up with an idea whether it be a certain color scheme, pattern of old glassware, or anything that might "bring back memories". I recently had two sisters in my store who spotted a large pressed glass bowl that they remembered their Mother having one like. Well, they each wanted one so we went in search of others. It ended up that they found four different bowls that reminded them of their Mother's bowl, so they bought all four! One for each of them, and one for each of their children for future wedding gifts so that their children would remember their Grandmother and use the bowl for fruit salad like she did! How thoughtful of a gift - unlike any other they will receive.
Another idea is to buy a particular item for its collectible value - such as a piece of Fenton art glass, American Fostoria crystal, antique lamp, vintage crystal stemware, EAPG compotes, antique china, vintage hand crocheted bedspread, discontinued collectibles, etc. These items can encourage a lifetime of collecting that can bring much joy! We have sold vintage crystal stemware instead of "new" simply because it is uniquely beautiful and not something that will be duplicated among the wedding gifts.
I have been told that many brides are now electing to have a Victorian wedding! Everything was so elegant and formal back then! In the day of jeans and T Shirts, it is exciting to think of getting dressed up in fancy vintage dress and jewelry. From the antique china used to serve at the reception to the sparkling crystal punch bowl - all of these items can be found in antique stores all across the nation.
One of my customers said once "A gift from Memories is a gift they will always remember!" Think outside the norm and shop in antique stores for your next wedding gift - at Memories we can help you pick the perfect item that the couple will always treasure!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Bring Vintage Linens Back to Life!
I once had a craft/antique shop in Cocoa Village, Florida - a quaint shopping village located on the Indian River in Cocoa, Florida. I had a customer who was enthralled with vintage hand embroidered linens of all kinds with hand crocheted edges. She had an inspiration to put together quilt squares using bits and pieces of these old linens. She would cut out her 12" X 12" muslin square and start working with her linens, cutting and arranging them on each unique square until she got it just right. She brought her works of art into my shop to share with me one day, and I've never seen such a beautiful collection. She then put them together into a quilt for her bed.
This would be a wonderful use for any old crocheted doilies or hand embroidered linens from your family (or you could purchase and collect them as she did). We always have a great selection of linens at Memories for you to browse. Once her quilt was finished, she also made pillows for the head of her bed - so romantic and beautiful!
I have also seen ideas for using vintage hankerchiefs the same way by using one hanky for each square of a quilt and trim with crocheted lace or doilies. Another way to use old hankies is to hang them from corner to corner on a curtain rod to make a valance - so sweet for the bathroom or feminine bedroom.
I have used old embroidered pillow cases and inserted an 18" X 18" pillow form, folded down the embroidered edge of the pillow case for a lovely pillow for the bed or bedroom chair!
Of course, you can always use the doilies and linens on your furniture and chair backs as they were designed for - for a romantic look that softens the decor of your home! The ideas are endless! Think outside the box when you are browsing in the linen section of your local antique store or when you are going through your Grandmother's hand stitched treasures. Reuse and recycle - that's what we do here at Memories Past and Present! It's a fun and unique way to decorate!
This would be a wonderful use for any old crocheted doilies or hand embroidered linens from your family (or you could purchase and collect them as she did). We always have a great selection of linens at Memories for you to browse. Once her quilt was finished, she also made pillows for the head of her bed - so romantic and beautiful!
I have also seen ideas for using vintage hankerchiefs the same way by using one hanky for each square of a quilt and trim with crocheted lace or doilies. Another way to use old hankies is to hang them from corner to corner on a curtain rod to make a valance - so sweet for the bathroom or feminine bedroom.
I have used old embroidered pillow cases and inserted an 18" X 18" pillow form, folded down the embroidered edge of the pillow case for a lovely pillow for the bed or bedroom chair!
Of course, you can always use the doilies and linens on your furniture and chair backs as they were designed for - for a romantic look that softens the decor of your home! The ideas are endless! Think outside the box when you are browsing in the linen section of your local antique store or when you are going through your Grandmother's hand stitched treasures. Reuse and recycle - that's what we do here at Memories Past and Present! It's a fun and unique way to decorate!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)