Retroblogging: Falling for Crafts in Chelsea

Now that spring has sprung, the proliferation of street and craft fairs has blossomed. I'd like to keep exploring the various festivities, but time gets away from me. (Plus I am being careful with the budget for future fun - so if I don't go to "window shop" and "idea browse," then I won't accidentally end up purchasing anything.)

What I really like are the little crafty homegrown events, where you can really get close to the vendors and makers. Fairs like the one Jane and I went to in October in support of P.S. 11 partially sponsored by Etsy.

Crafts in Chelsea, Fall Festival 2012

We picked up buttons, brochures, and stickers, oh my.

It was a beautiful fall day, a warm, delightful, perfect Indian Summer day. It was almost perfect weather for sandals. Isn't this display adorable?

Since the funds being raised were for P.S. 11's arts curricula and other vital education programs, I just loved this vendor - who re-purposes old musical instruments and cases into a variety of lights and shelves.

I know of at least one saxophone and trumpet that could be put to good use. If my brothers even still have them.

The light was just so great in spotlighting the various jewelry displays. I had to walk away from some gemstones, minerals, and glass art pieces  - like these.

These little critters kept calling our names. Displayed adorably in old vintage suitcases and trunks, these stuffies are made from old cashmere sweaters - and considering the materials and hand-crafted-ness, were pretty affordable. Jane almost rescued a few friends. I had to stiffen my spine and walk away. My attic is already filled with a flock of stuffed friends.

There were other adorable re-purposed sweaters on display from other vendors at the market. The dress on the left was super cute, with a frilly lightweight skirt added to the top. A very similar scarf to the one one the right made its way home with Jane. The fleece leaves were warm and a season accent to otherwise boring fall coats.

As fun is it to look at the wares, remember to look at the "set decor" too.

Fun buntings

Bestowed with buttons

Finally, we almost missed this display with a vintage sewing machine, bobbins, and sewing table.

It was a really a great day, including a bout of dress up ... with fripperies ... and fascinators.

Recipes from Ollie J -- Shoe Formula

I had such fun last year with all the recipes from the various grandmothers, that I decided to continue the project throughout this year.

I finally wrangled* Grandma Ollie J's actual recipe box away from Grandmary (see the yellow one there), and thought I had my hands on hers, but alas no. Now I'm trying to persuade Grandmary to participate in the blog with a monthly installment, from her new Utah kitchen, and we'll see how that goes.

GrumpaMax's branch of the family tree will finally be making more of an appearance, thanks to Aunt Cora and Grandma Roa S's sisters.

Since I'm just back from vacation, and my cupboards are bare, I was happy to find this recipe in Ollie J's box for a helpful household tip. This is not her handwriting, so someone she knew copied it out for her, once upon a time.

Don't Sweat Over Stinky Shoes - Formula

Dry mix one tablespoon powdered alum with 1/4 cup Boric Acid, and 1/3 cup talc powder. (These 3 items can be found at drug stores.) To use, sprinkle on feet, especially between toes, and in shoes. Store in glass or plastic container. I put mine in a glass shaker with plastic top with holes that onion salt or something had come in.


Editor's notes Jan. 10, 2011
Grandmary's Clarifications: I am pretty sure that the handwriting on the card from Mama's box is Aunt Betty's. She did have a beautiful and distinctive handwriting. Aunt Shirley's looks something like it. They must have had the same penmanship teacher at Nahunta School.


*** yeah, yeah, yeah. Grandmary wants it back and keeps reminding me of that fact. I say, when I see a post or six from her, she might get the little yellow box back.

Seen on the River/Road Trip 2010: Great Feets

l-r: "me and my shadow" actually, Grandmary and Grumpa Max walking around McCall, Idaho; ankle deep in sweet beets in Burley, Idaho; my lack of time for a pedicure before the trip is starting to show; river guide's feet; fashion "statements" ala Grumpa; our river guide's tan lines, day 3 (see the evolution here); Nathan is limber; our family includes a dog pack; and Nathan and his toes

Seen on the River/Road Trip 2010: Soles vs Souls

You know you are in Utah when:

The Soles versus Souls debate can be had in the shoe department of the local WalMart.

It's not so much Chucks versus slip-ons, but whether the inter-state rivalry will descend into a Holy War, with name-calling, hair-pulling, or good old-fashion omi-heck cursing.

As for me and mine, if we're going to take sides in the Utah Holy War, we're going to be smart and align ourselves with a third party altogether. GOOO AGGIES!

Shoes -- Hazards of Commuting

I was getting dressed this morning and went looking for my black shoes. Now, I'm no Imelda Marcos, but I have more shoes than I'm comfortable owning. Since I have such a small apartment, I only keep them in three places: by the front door (where they end up when I kick them off immediately upon entering -- before I even close the door), on a rack on the inside of a closet door, or under the bed in the "seasonal storage." No where could I find the pair I wanted. Until I remembered! Most of my black shoes are already at work ... under the desk! Don't believe me?

Yes, that's four pairs of black shoes of varying heel heights and one of the brown. There would be a pair of blue heels too, but the "New York" code of dress doesn't include as much blue as black. In my defense, at least all of these shoes are different sizes and shapes. I swear my mother has 16 pairs of the same exact same shoes -- in black.

Now, personally, I HATE (loathe, despise, despair at wearing) heels, so the fact that there's only one pair of flats under the desk and I'm wearing another pair of black heels is strange. I'd rather be barefoot. In another work lifetime I was barefoot as much as possible, running around the office or outside in the grass come rain or shine. Puddles were my friend, shoes were the enemy.

Alas, commuting through the concrete jungle to the corporate world does not give one the same foot freedom. Sidewalks, subways, and the Big Grey Box are not conducive to bare feet. (Just think about the grossness of "curbing the dog," pigeons, and the lack of public restrooms. YUCK!) Plus, I have issues with things between my toes, so no flip-flops. I also have a a tendency to be graceless, to walk out of shoes with no backs, or to twist my ankles while wearing heels.

See my dilemma? Barefoot is better, but I have to wear shoes to protect myself. Maybe I better take my shoes home tonight rather than wear the sneakers to and fro like so many commuting women?

Me thinks there is a trip to Payless or D.S.W. Shoe Warehouse in my future. But I can guarantee that I will never, ever, ever be caught wearing a pair of these. I fall over in flats, these would kill me dead.

P.S. If you think I have a problem with shoes, check out my brother's series on his many pairs (all 8 of them!)