picture dictionaries

I can never resist a picture dictionary. I have several of my own and will always buy them when I find them for sale. I love the new Pictorial Websters.

the book

the engravings

sample pages

flashcards a-z (destined to be collectible years from now)

the stamp set was in my Christmas stocking!

For sale in my shop: 1935 illustrated children's dictionary

I-5 heading south

I really love taking pictures from a moving car. They turn out surprisingly well sometimes! These were taken yesterday morning as we were driving to my dads house for Christmas. I like the quiet lonely feeling of them. You can click on each picture to enlarge and get a closer view.

Good Things

-winning this totally sweet necklace from BrianneLee from a giveaway on her blog



-I remembered how to knit!

- The boy and I spent the morning shopping and had a grand time! He picked out presents for his Daddy, one of which is hilarious! I can tell you since he doesn't read this much - a Tshirt with Scooby Doo and the Gang on the front. He loves Scooby Doo so naturally Daddy does too, right? Yes, he will.
We got Oliver a new pair of boots too, fake Ugg ones from Target in the girls section. He'll never know, nor should he care because he loves them and they are totally adorable.

- Finding a few new cloth hangers to add to my collection

-LD's and my Christmas present to each other with a little help from Dad: this seriously lovely old chair.

Musings

I have a dream of someday moving my sewing studio from the basement out to our garage and also setting up all my vintage stuff out there, display it like if were a shop and then on occasion have "open studio" sales from there. Thinking about gives me butterflies but also fills me with a certain kind of dread and I am not sure why. I guess I'm probably scared it won't happen or it will happen and it will fail. As days go by though I have clearer and clearer visions of what I would like my business to be. It's fun/scary. Somedays I feel like I can't be stopped and other times, like today, I feel like maybe I should be doing something altogether different than what I am. I'd like to spend more time on the handmade stuff. I'd like to to learn to take better pictures for my etsy shop. I am not always sure I am spending my time and energy in the right places so I need to figure that out. I might be spending less time here but am not 100% sure about that since on a whole I think the blogging community is pretty great! Oliver is out for Christmas break and in a few weeks we leave for a vacation somewhere warm. I will be setting my shop to vacation mode while we are gone and hopefully the time away will renew/inspire/motivate me so when I come back I can give my shop all I've got. So happy holidays to all of you. See you soon ;)

These are pictures of how I would love my someday studio to look:

from Come Home magazine via Windy Days June '09

another nature post....

Can you believe this forest is right in the middle of our city? This is Washington Park and it is just up the road from downtown and has miles of hiking trails. We took the back road up through here today to avoid the freeway and it was all foggy, misty, and green. It reminded me so much of the vampire chronicles! Did I tell you I saw New Moon? It was awesome. Anyways, we were driving and I was majorly regretting not having my camera because I wanted to take pictures of this beautifulness when LD remembered his new iPhone has a camera....Viola! I think I need (want) an iPhone :)

frozen webs

Pure winter goodness. We had a freeze last weekend and I came out to find about a dozen frozen spider webs.

Try not to sing along

Loving this song. How did I forget about a band as perfect as the Pogues? So happy to rediscover them.

It is pouring rain here today. I mean just pouring! I've been sewing hats and listening to David Gray all morning. Here's a recent scrap book inspiration page I made a few nights ago. I only had enough images for one page! And it's been months since i've done this. It seems like I don't get very many magazines in the mail any more and that I used to get a lot.... So many aren't published anymore I guess. What magazines do you read? As usual, I feel completely out of the loop.

I worked at Noun for a couple of days last week while the owners were away. I snapped a picture of my hats as they are displayed in the shop. She has three out on the table on wire hat displays and then the others are tucked into this drawer of the old table. I think they look quite pretty in there.

Here's an idea

If you aren't into using tins for storage but like the pictures on the lids try hanging them on the wall as art. The deco lady is mine and man, am I thankful that nobody bought this last year when I had it for sale because I would have been really sad to not have it.


In fact, I might be really sad if someone buys this pheasant one.

my christmas decorations

I got this mini forest of mini scrub brush trees yesterday!

we don't go all out crazy decorating here but we definitely do some! Especially since having a kid. As a kid I loved it when my mom decorated the house and so I want Oliver to have memories like that too. We decorate a tree, hang a string of yarn across the arch between the living room and dining room to clip cards on to, a plain grapevine wreath decorates the door, lights and stockings on the mantel, a few christmas-y nick nacs are on display, a stack of kids Christmas books are taken out, along with music and videos too. I also want to bake this year and am keeping my fingers crossed I don't lose motivation. I've bought most of the ingredients so now it is just buckling down and doing it.

A few weeks ago I went to an estate sale that was packed with vintage Christmas stuff. I got these large white balls and also 2 boxes of shiny brite ornaments for like $5.

heres my playlist, what's yours

I did so much junking today and had sweet luck finding good junk! I came home with a trunk load of vintage goodness. Anyways, while driving all over town I listened to this new mixed CD I put together the other night and I just have to say: I am loving it quite a bit. Here's whats on it:

Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol

I go to the barn because....- Band of Horses

Dreams - Brandi Carlile

Nemesis - David Gray

Touch of gray - Grateful Dead

Half Right - Heatmiser

Missed the Boat - Modest Mouse

Float On - Modest Mouse

Suspicious Minds - My Morning Jacket

Every time you go away - Paul Young

Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright

True - Spandeau Ballet

The Great Escape - Patrick Watson (via Liane)

Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order

Come on get higher - Matt Nathanson

Forever Young - Youth Group

What are you listening to right now? If you leave me a comment and let me know I will pick a name and send a copy of this play list to one person!

shop update + what i'm wearing

it is freezing here... it was 14 degrees when I got up this morning to go to the gym. I was pretty impressed with myself for getting up and going, especially after refusing to get out of bed the previous two days. Anyways, i have so much good stuff to photograph and list but i take my pictures out in the garage where there is not any heat and it is simply too cold. So I managed to get pictures for three handmade items and I've just listed them. That is all that could be managed for the day! The pencil cases are silk and so pretty. I washed the silk so it is kind of crinkly but nice and soft. I am quite taken with the ruffles on the wristlet.

And here is what I am wearing on this very cold day. The hat is one of my designs. I don't have any hats on etsy right now but if anyone is interested in one I can always let you know what wool or cashmere I have and I can make one, just send me a message! And if you are here in Portland they are at Noun and Ink and Peat. The reason I wanted to post about my outfit is because of my new pants I just got in the mail last night from J.Crew. They are my favorite. On sale now! They are the cropped ripstop cargo for 29.99. Luckily they messed up my order and sent me TWO pairs of the same pant (but forgot to send a different pair). I have a difficult time finding pants I love so I am just going to keep both pairs. They are perfect year round pants. I have them here with a few sweaters and boots to stay warm but they will be equally good with just a t and sandals come summer. The scarf I knit. Speaking of knitting....I tried to start a project the other night and I've forgotten how! I am so mad at myself for that. Aaarg.

goodwill, you've been so good to me

sure, I was mad at you for awhile for charging 14.99 for sweaters with holes but I've gotten over it. Last week you had my roulette game and this week, well, this week I found an antique glass battery casing that I have been wanting forever. I do adore you. Plus I just heard that .92 cents of every dollar is used for your work program which is pretty cool.

image above/below from Found Style

following images from Martha Stewart's Tag Sales and Flea Market book

I'd like to do something with mine (pictured below) like one of the above or another idea is for a fish bowl. My friend Brooke's mom did that years ago and it was simply beautiful.

I got two new dresses

I found them at the Goodwill. I enjoy dresses more in the winter when I can wear boots with them and layer on all kinds of other stuff. This first one is amazing! It is 70's or 80's, 100 silk, Jack Mulqueen. The print is really pretty and it's cut well

It is really cold here right now so leggings and boots and then a big old J.crew sweater, also Goodwill.

This one is really sweet. I got it at a Goodwill in LA when I visited. It's a pretty raspberry color and has the tiniest pleating detail from top to bottom with ruffles at each wrist and fabric covered buttons. Same Timberland riding boots, grey tights from Old Navy. LD and I get to go out tonight, just the two of us! So I wanted to wear something pretty. We are going downtown to have drinks at Jake's, a really old and fabulous restaurant and bar in the Governor hotel. It is all done up holiday style so it should feel a bit festive and fun. Maybe we will have dinner there, maybe somewhere else. I think we will try to do some Christmas shopping too. I always love downtown in December!

I saw the future and it was roulette

I have a totally fun story I can't wait to tell! A few nights ago I had a dream about finding a roulette game at Goodwill. Completely random dream but after I woke up I thought how cool it would be to have one and wondered if they even made anything like that. This morning I went to the Goodwill and was finding some pretty cool stuff already when I spotted an interesting looking vintage box. I pulled it from the bottom of pile of stuff heaped upon it and opened it to find.....a 1941 roulette game. Crazy, yes? It has all of it's chips and felt playing "table" and the cutest little miniature wheel with metal ball that makes the best clank clank clanking sound as it whirls around. I love vintage games. I took a few pictures of some I have found over the last year.

My new roulette game (YES!!!!!!!!!!)

My grandma used to throw Bingo parties for me and my siblings, complete with dime store prizes and homemade cinnamon rolls. It was always one of our favorite nights so when I saw this awesome bingo game I had to get it. When Oliver is a little older perhaps he and his friends can have a Bingo party.

An Uncle of mine made this marble game. He hand carved the board and the box to store the marbles and cards! After I got this game I found a nice box of vintage marbles to use with it.

I got this for LD, an avid golfer. We haven't played it yet because honestly, I forgot about it. But it could be fun.

Right now in my shop I have a vintage set of five kids cards (hearts, snap, rummy, old maid, crazy 8's) The decks are complete and the cards are really cool and old which I think is always neater than new.

Which are your favorite games?

mantel re-do

One of the best things about junking on a very regular basis and having a vintage shop is being able to change up little spaces in the house on a whim. After I added the framed nature pictures I decided to play around with a few new vintage items and re-do the mantel. I can't believe I was going to sell this sweet dome with a wooden base! Inside is a milk glass jar and two dried flowers. The wood framed mirror behind it is really old and the glass is all wavy and wonderful, the frame all rustic and worn. Wonderful.

I am in love with this bowl. LOVE. I wish I had the whole set. It's antique Homer Laughlin.

This is just an old silver small bowl. I think these make nice tea light holders.

I found the grey reading light a few months ago, same with the dog.

vintage christmas

Do you remember when this song was released? I was eleven years old in 1984 when it came out. Every holiday season the first time i hear this played on the radio I seriously get all choked up and teary eyed. I heard it last night while waiting in the car as LD ran into the grcoery store. The memories attached to this song are so vivid and strong.....All my favorite musicians at the time sang on this and my friends and i knew whose voice was whose and who was coming up next...Paul Young to start, then Boy George, waiting waiting waiting for Simon Le Bon and Bono. I remember just waiting for it to be played on the radio and knowing every word and also being a child who never went hungry and to understand that so many were. So along with the memories of childhood comes the reminder that there are many less fortunate all over the world.

"And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy throw your arms around the world

It's Christmas time"

From now until December 15th 20 percent of all sales at Little Byrd Vintage will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank.

nature lover....collector

For years I have been walking and keeping my eyes to the ground to see what sort of natural treasures I might come across. Over the summer I started pressing flowers after finding a Victorian book that had treasures of it's own within the pages....leaves, flowers, b&w sketches, an old photo. I haven't really know what I wanted to do with my flowers and leaves, if anything. Then last week I thought about framing them and really got into the idea of it. Over the weekend I bought some simple brown wood frames from Ikea and used antique papers for the background. I just used a small bit of glue to hold the flowers and leaves into place. Three are hung above the mantle and the fourth I used an antique frame and propped it up on a shelf near the kitchen. I loved how everything turned out and I am now thinking about all the other things I could try to frame: twigs and feathers especially. I think these oucl make really cool gifts as well. Do you collect bits of nature? What do you do with it?

last evening I was reading the December issue of Real Simple and saw this page on salt and pepper shakers. Out junking I am always looking for great sets of them. Look at the crystal and silver pair with the tray - pretty, yes? Expensive too at $300+. I just happen to have something very similar in my shop right now for $20.

new mittens

Hello :) A long time coming....i swear, it takes me so much longer to get stuff done than it should. I just added three pretty pairs of fingerless mittens to the shop. There is a really lovely and delicate cabled lavender pair, thick and wonderful vintage red cashmere, and a mushroom brown merino wool. For anyone whose skin is irritated by wool the merino and cashmere are nice options. The merino, when washed, gets thick and not at all scratchy!

handmade holiday

One of my best friends, Kelley, makes these handmade ornaments. She paints each picture and then frames it in a miniature grapevine wreath and they are simply gorgeous. Also: a portion of each sale goes to the World Wildlife Fund. She has a shop on etsy!

la, found, the find

The sun shined the whole time I was in LA and it was a wonderful weekend away. This picture is my favorite from the weekend! This is Brooke with cute vendors at the Melrose Trading Post where we spent a good part of the day on Sunday. After the flea we were on our way to get (another) blended coffee drink from Urth Cafe and we found a yard sale that even on it's second day at closing was fabulous. When Brooke and I are together one of our favorite things to do is look through home decor books together. I was excited when I saw she had a copy of Stan Williams The Find and spent a good long time looking through that. It's on my Christmas wish list but I still needed to take a couple of pictures of pictures (shown below) that I loved. If you haven't yet been to Stan's blog you should do that too. The humor is good and totally relateable to junkaholics when he talks about thrift trances and such. We visited this store and loved everything about it. Now I need to get back to work and update my shop that I have neglected plus start a sewing project that is brewing in my mind.

from The Find

from The Find

from The Find

from The Find

My finds: 1930's butterfly tin, old grey scale, lots of brass, glass (deco?) salt and pepper shakers, a horse paint by numbers, fabrics for pillow covers. Plus some cute clothes from the Goodwill for me.

LA Weekend

I leave tomorrow morning for LA! Spending a weekend with my bestie from high school. Lots of junking, coffee, a few drinks, tons of girl talk. See you next week!

huge shop update

Hello :) Boy, I have been out shopping a lot recently and have found so many new and wonderful items to add to the LBV. The sun has been shining a bit here the last two days so I was able to take over 400 pictures. Have a look! You can click on the mosaic and it will show full size. All of these items will be added next week. I was hoping to catch up on blog reading this afternoon but for the second time this week I have a horrible aching head. Hoping tomorrow I will feel all better.

Found at J.Crew

The perfect navy striped sweater (buttons up the cuffs and the back!)


and finally - I know these are the boots for me. (vintage roadster boot JCrew.com)