dolin bliss

Thrifting fun stuff and book reading

I have recently found some fun housewares at thrift stores and wanted to share them with you.  

- Matthew found this one for me and I snatch it up so quickly... A Le Creuset 8" covered skillet!  It was marked $9.99, but I had a coupon so it was only $5.  This is one thing I am keeping for myself.

- Two Monterey Jade mugs.  I just love the colors in these.  I am not sure what I am going to do with these, I really don't need them.

- A Franciscan vegetable split serving dish, in the Tulip Time pattern.  I will be putting this in my Etsy store later today.

- A DeForest of California wise old owl decorative plate.  

- And of course more Vera Neumann... two vinyl placemats which are so bright and cheery.  This to, will be in my store later today.

Now that I don't commute 3-4 hours a day, my reading has suffered.  I love to read, but it is hard to find time to do it.  I usually read every night in bed, but depending on how tired I am, I get at the most 30 minutes of reading done (but, lets be serious... most days it is about 10 minutes).  So now it takes me forever to finish a book and if the book totally doesn't capture my attention I don't usually finish it at all.  I was reading my friend Karens' blog and she mentioned a book that I have read before but it has been at least 15 years, "Talking Through my Hats" by Lilly Dache.  I remember loving that book and really wanting to read it, but I don't own a copy and when I looked it up on Amazon and Ebay it was a bit pricey for my budget right now.  I thought I would check my local library but thought there is no way they would have a obscure 1946 autobiography by a milliner.  I also wanted to see if they had any out of print needlepoint/embroidery books, so I gave it a shot.  Well, I hit the jackpot!  Not only did they have "Talking Through my Hats", a whole bunch of vintage needlepoint books, I also discovered "In my Fashion" by Bettina Ballard.  I checked out way too much stuff, but there were still tons of vintage sewing and tailoring books I need to look through.  I love my library!  It is a combination city and university library, so they and 3 floors of research books (which is where I found all this great stuff).  

What I am reading now.

A few weeks ago I was browsing my favorite blogs and came across this post from Alicia Paulson.  She describes the book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket, perfectly and I knew I had to have it.  I instantly went onto Amazon.co.uk and ordered this puppy.  About a week later the book arrived at work and it doesn't disappoint!  I had a hard time waiting until I was finished with work to really look at it and start reading.  It is such a treat for your eyes, all the images are gorgeous and colorful.  The writing in very engaging and witty, Jane makes me wish she were one of my close friends.  I am trying to read this veeerrrryyy slowly, so I can savor everything in it.  You can read more about Jane on her blog Yarnstorm.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the book:

I had such a hard time picking just a few of my favorite images, there are so many more.  You have to get this book if you are interested in any of the home arts (baking, quilting, knitting, embroidery) that make your house feel like a home.  She also talks about her favorite books, movies and artwork.  Such a well rounded life. 

Then there is of course the new issue of Craft (#5), that has a ton of fun things to make and do for the holidays.  The main theme of this issue is paper projects, but of course they include projects for sewing, crocheting  and a whole bunch of other great stuff to check out.  As usual, there is something for everyone.