A Ride on the Noli Train

Choo Choo!! For a ride on the Noli Train you need to be securely tied on with various ribbons and yarn! Sometimes you fall off, but the conductor always picks you up -- and ties you on again!

The conductor winds the yarn around you many times and sometimes gets you tangled up with the other passengers. If a bow is desirable, the conductor *politely* asks her assistant to tie it.

And, of course, you sometimes get the honored first class seating in the stroller car. You don't get all jammed in with the other passengers and you get to talk to the conductor! And the stroller car comes with pretty heart happy face stickers to look at...

Another honored position is directly behind the conductor. If you are seated there, you are given the important job of poking the conductor to keep her awake. A very, very important job.

Sunday Sneak Peek!

I'm still trying to play catch-up with my sneak peek from last week but I. will. get. them. listed.  I'll just have to double, triple and quadruple list this week!!!  :p

Lately I've found some neat sewing stuff -- of course, the patterns are an ongoing effort, but I discovered some nifty things at estate/garage sales (sometimes they turn out to be one and the same...).

Don't you love the cool tie? I found two from the 70s in polyester -- both wild designs! The sewing book is from 1972 and has the absolute best illustrations! The color ones at the beginning of each chapter are so retro! Of course, it has excellent sewing how-to's too! (Even has how to make a tie!)  And if you like crewel embroidery, this kit is for you! Roses and Daisies, both designs included.

Up close of the paisleys on the tie -- they almost look like fat little fish! The embroidered table scarf is lovely and the little quilt -- it would be adorable in a child's playhouse covering her little doll!

Yum. Vintage sewing goodies! My mother had one of these Dritz electric scissors. We thought they were just the greatest thing since sliced bread!! The wooden spools and the old card of pins are just cool! Great for a collection in your vintage sewing room! And the green vase is just a lovely old piece. Perfect to display those spools in!!

This is a round tablecloth that would fit a small table or the middle of a larger one. I think of it as the "Children of the World" -- very neat. It would be very cute in a little girl's room!

Hopefully, these will show up in Magnolia's Attic soon!!

Will You Buy Handmade for Christmas?

Noli has lots of handcrafted toys. My daughter and I have made her lots of things, or bought handcrafted toys from online shops.

 Stephanie has made her little felted gnomes and a felted horse (who has sadly lost his tail!) and some of the cutest wooden animals ever! Not to mention Butter Blossom (aka Butter) who is a life size Waldorf doll that looks a lot like Noli. I've crocheted fruits and veggies for her play kitchen, even sewed a chef's hat! Plus various hats, scarves and mittens for both her and her mom!!

Stephanie has done a good job of raising her without all the plastic and commercialization of kid's toys. It gets harder as she grows older, but we're still plugging away! (In fact, it has been suggested to me that I crochet her a horse for Christmas. Hmmm, better get started on that!!)

So when I read about the Handmade Toy Alliance's call to sign a pledge to buy just one handmade item this holiday season, I immediately added my name. It will be very easy for me to do, since that's what I would do anyway. But maybe you've got a little one who would like a sweet doll or wooden truck or comfy blanket that is made with love and someone's own hands. Or maybe you'd like to give someone some yummy cookies, or sweet scented bath soap, or a knitted sweater, or crocheted wash cloths.

This year, shop at Etsy or ArtFire or other online marketplaces, go to your local craft shows, support that toy or gift shop with the lovingly handmade items, go to your farmer's market. For sure, your purchases will be better made and last longer than anything plastic! Not to mention the love put into the making.

So, please think about this and sign the pledge! Then buy handmade!



Go Here to Sign the Pledge!

♥♥ And I'd really love it if you would leave me a comment if you signed the pledge, and a link to your blog or shop. Or a shop that you love!

♥♥ It would also be awesome if you shared this pledge on your own blog, or feel free to link to mine.  I heard about it from Maureen Cracknell Handmade so please take a peek at her blog too!

Go Handmade!!

A Visit With the Fox - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

You may remember the fox that visited my yard and all the great pictures -- he was such a friendly fox! Well, he visited my yard again but didn't stay around long enough for me to grab my camera. And then my neighbor tells me that she saw him one early morning in a front yard down the street!

So, I've got foxes in my mind -- and thought that would make a delightful theme for my shopping day on Etsy. Join me as I wander around looking for fox tracks...

I love. this. pillow.  It is so sweet and the hand embroidery is done so well -- I love the shading. He's all curled up sleeping in his den! You really must visit this shop -- she's got other pillows that are equally as cute -- all very simple and sweet. Hand Embroidered Fox Pillow by Early Bird Special.

Remember Know about those fox stoles that were real foxes biting their tails while around your neck? Long before anybody ever gave a thought about endangering any species. Well, here's an environmentally friendly (not to mention fox-friendly) way to wear that fox around your neck! Foxy Scarf by Silly Hilli. Some cute (and some slightly scary) Raggedy Ann dolls in her shop too! :)

Look at this little guy - he looks like "my" fox! I love his ears! His name is Ran-free, the Swift fox. But apparently he is rather lazy and likes to lay around and read books about rabbits best... ;-) He has some more foxy friends in his shop -- very cute. Ran-free Felted Swift Fox by Furritales.

A fox pair that are really sweet Waldorf inspired toys, but they are so sleek and beautiful, they would be lovely on a table in the living room! Or in a little shadow box. Perfect. Meet some more animals in this shop -- there's a horse living there that I really like! Wooden Fox Pair by Heartwood Creations.

OK, I found one!  But they're not doing that to MY fox!! Can you imagine having this hanging around your neck? Yikes! But, it's a great vintage find from the 40s or 50s, maybe even 30s! Mink Tails (Fox Tails) by Mary's Baby Girl. There's more non-foxy vintage in this shop -- some really nice pieces!

Thanks for following the foxy footprints with me! Meet me back here next week for some more fun shopping!

Sunday Sneak Peek

I almost let today get away without showing you some upcoming goodies for Magnolia's Attic!!!

Can't do that -- not when I decided that on Sundays I would post a little "sneak peek" of vintage love gotten over the week. So this launches that and I'll try to keep up! :p

I just listed the felt wall hanging kit -- so if you're a crafty, applique, embroidery type :-) it's in Magnolia's Attic right now!! 

The gloves belonged to my father-in-law. He was a small man so my husband and son could never wear them, and I thought someone might enjoy wearing them this winter. Aren't they handsome? Beautiful leather - South African Capeskin.

Talk about kitch!! The picnic table salt and pepper set (with, ahem, toothpicks, thank you very much) is about as kitch as can be! The gold coaster set came from Japan but would fit well in a 70s Harvest Gold and Avocado Green kitchen!

The little bottles are old ink bottles -- I have six total and will list in sets of three. Instant collection!  I like the little measuring cup -- it has measurements in words! Too cute! And the jigger is from the 40s to 50s as best I can tell.  Those postcards are Jefferson One Cent and were issued from 1914 to 1916.

There you go. I'll be listing these during the upcoming week, along with some more vintage patterns.