...but I just love to go to an estate sale or antique shop and find a whole unbroken-up collection of things that somebody put away a long time to ago to remember an event or, more poignantly, a person. It's always interesting to me to see what items they chose to keep to help them reflect back. Sometimes it's a little baby shoe accompanied by a wispy curl sewn to a piece of paper. Inevitably a mama will have written a name like Frank or Jimmy next to the precious little remnant from a first haircut. Once in awhile it's a bunch of old calling cards or a box of party favors and ribbons.
A few of my very favorite things are some old party favors I have that are little nut cup wheelbarrows. Someone took the time to make little handles out of pastel pink and green straws and threaded those through white Lifesavers to make front wheels. They make anything I put in the cup (like little bits of ribbon and old sequins) look so whimsical and lighthearted. And even though they're really not worth a nickel, they're absolutely priceless to me.
The other day when I was out at some antique malls, I was making a second trip back through to see if I had missed anything and spied some pink roses on worn red satin peaking out from behind some other things. I went over and looked and found an old red heart-shaped Valentine candy box handpainted with cupids and pink roses. Inside I could tell were some ribbons and paper things, but that's about as far as I got. I was in a hurry and so shut the box and took it to the counter and promised myself further exploration when I got home.
When I finally started sifting through it later that night, I found a collection of remnants from what must have been a very memorable event.
There was a program from "The Pixies - a Fairy Operetta" presented by the elementary grades of the Onward (Indiana) School on March 12, 1927. Also inside I found an old crepe paper napkin which must have been saved from the refreshments that I'm sure were served at the event. It's printed with a cupid and hearts in shades of bright red and gold and almost looks handpainted (maybe it is).
A couple old fancy placecards and two smaller placecards with hatbox shaped labels on the corners rounded out the paper items.
And under it all was a wonderful swirl of beautiful old rosy pink and shimmery red ribbons.
Looking through the box was a lovely little trip back in time.
Day to day, I list vintage fabrics, trims, quilt blocks, and other textiles on Ebay. However, this box is the sort of item that can get a little lost in the shuffle on there because it needs a special audience who can appreciate a bit of wear and shabbiness and who are interested more in character than in perfection. This box and all the contents are for sale today ($29, which includes shipping) and you can win it by leaving an "I'll take it!" comment. The box measures 10 3/8 inches wide at the widest point of the heart and is 11 inches high. It stands 2 inches tall. The satin is worn and thready near the corners and the paper items have a bit of wear and age here and there, but it's such a sweet collection of memories. I'll contact the first person who leaves that comment and get address/shipping info from you.
Still to come this weekend, the best baked chicken recipe I think I've ever had + some other little tidbits. Hope your Friday is calm and easygoing...
Holly