I made this simple bunting out of some vintage cocktail napkins. They came in a lovely set of colors and I stitched them onto some rose-colored bias binding. I thought they would be nice for a new baby gift or as a birthday banner with an embroidered message on one of the napkins. They are quite joyful to look at and they blow nicely in the warm breezes of summer. Oh, and I just love the idea of using cloth cocktail napkins. It seems so elegant and old-fashioned to hold them beneath a frosted glass housing a mint julep or a fresh cup of lemonade! 

And speaking of  Mint Juleps ::

For each chilled mug or glass, crush 4 sprigs of fresh mint leaves with 1 teaspoon superfine sugar and 1 ounce club soda in a bowl. Add 3 ounces of bourbon (Kentucky bourbon is best!) and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. Strain into the ice-filled, chilled glasses (or the classic silver mug) and stir well. Garnish each with a sprig of fresh mint and serve with a straw!

vera neumann napkins.

I was quite happy when I found these inexpensive, vintage Vera Neumann napkins on etsy the other day. They arrived at my door wrapped in white tissue paper(and what's better than getting little parcels in the post?) and were in that perfectly soft vintage condition of years of use. They were certainly cared for with not one thread loose nor one stain from some dear old, rosy-cheeked woman cleaning her hands of her overly buttered morning biscuit and tea. There were only three, which I don't mind in the least, and now I just need to figure out what to do with them. Maybe a pillow or a bag, but I think I may very well just leave them as they were meant to be used, for cleaning honey and yogurt off of the happy mouth of a little two-year old lad. 

p.s. I found the napkins from this etsy shop owned by a lovely woman and you can also search for Vera Neumann to find more of her linens....if you are so inclined!  

Vintage Storage For Little Things.

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It is always nice to find new ways of using old things.  Whether it is taking an old, beloved shirt and using it for it's fabric, making a garland out of scrap paper, or, as in this case, using vintage kitchen finds for storing office supplies.  It just feels good.  When I finally I had a proper piece of furniture that I could use as a desk, I instantly set to work on organizing all of these wee things I had gathered over the years.  It is a wonderfully economical way of giving things a new home.

1. These are two vintage, wood egg cups from Italy.  I thought it was such a steel when they were both sold to me for $4.  They each came with a little wool hat for keeping the cooked eggs warm . The two are so clearly in love.  She seems to be gazing at him in her coy demeanor with her batting eye lashes no matter where I place them.  They work so nicely for holding things such as  matches or birthday candles.
2. These little tin molds are great for holding just about anything and are also very inexpensive.  One can usually find them being sold in a group.  I love how they are both rusty and a bit shiny all at once.  
3. I found this mini muffin tin at our local church tag sale for .50 and I love it a great deal.  When I have been in a necklace making faze it has been quite handy for holding different beads in each of its pouches.  Now, I use it for pins and needles, tape measures and clips.
4. These old blue and white teacups are so dainty and nice...maybe too nice for holding push pins.  Soon, when my son is ready for tea parties, we will use them in their proper way!
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