Cherished Collections (summer 2011 blog tour)

Casey over at Elegant Musings is hosting a cherished collections blog tour this week and I'm apart of it today. I'll be sharing with y'all some of the things I have collected over the years. I've been collecting several of the things that I will be showing you since I was about 16 or 17. =)

Wonderful old, vintage books are one of my favorite things to collect. After helping my mom collect books for our family for years, I finally realized a couple years ago that I could get some for myself. Here is just a small sampling of the books I have collected over the years (this isn't including my collection of sewing & costuming books). In this picture you can spot a first edition of On the Banks of Plum Creek {1939} (I only paid $1!). A 1888 edition of Swiss Family Robinson it was a gift from a school to a 16 year old girl for her first teaching job. A 1879 McGuffey's Third Reader and The Life of General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson for the Young in Easy Words by: Mrs. Mary L. Williamson {1899}.

I have part of the Five Little Peppers series, 1940s novels (Mrs. Miniver, Anna and the King of Siam, The Egg & I), Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Ben-Hur by Gen. Lew Wallace, one of the first Paris tour books (1909), David Copperfield by Charles Dickens from 1867, and many more.

I also collect knitting and crocheting pamphlets from the 1940s - 1960s. I can't use them at this time because I don't know how to knit and I can't read crocheting patterns yet. But I enjoy collecting them.

Then there are the vintage sewing patterns. I have around 150 - 200 hundred vintage patterns (what you see is just a tiny sampling of what I have) from the 1900s to the1960s (I do have patterns from 1970 to 2010, but the 70s & 80s I consider more retro and the 90s, well, my childhood.) In the bottom row you can see my only two copies of The Delineator 1904 & 1905 and a 1928 Butterick Patterns pamphlet.

Sewing patterns aren't the only thing I collect and use (well, I use everything I collect). I started collecting and using vintage sewing supplies last year, here is part of my collection (which is more on the smaller size).

Now on to all the magazines I collect. Just this past month I started collecting movie and TV magazines (which I adore!). Though they are very rare and can be expensive to buy (which is why I love Etsy, I can search for cheeper ones). =)

Two of my pride and joys of my whole magazine collection. Life magazine from the week before Grace Kelly's wedding (there are some wonderful pictures in this one!) and a 1950 Spring/Summer Brides magazine (I love drooling over all the gowns!).

I like collecting Life magazines. Most of mine are from the late 30s and 1940s. With the bottom two being the start of my NASA space program collection (I just started last Friday). *laughs*

 

 McCall's, Woman's Home Journal, Every Woman's, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Look, Post, and Collier's also make their appearance in my collection (these are mostly from the 30s - 50s). I find that I don't really like collecting magazines from the 60s (unless they are sewing/craft related, or the space program). Though eventually I would like to collect magazines about President J.F. Kennedy.

Finally, here are the beginning's of my vintage jewelry collection. Just two brooches. I believe the one on the left is from the 50s, while the one on the right is from the 40s. If anyone knows the correct years for these two, feel free to let me know. :) As these are just guesses of mine.

We'll be gone....

Starting tomorrow morning we'll be gone for a little over two weeks on vacation. We are going to LA for Gabrielle & I to attend Costume College (will anyone be there?) and on the way there, and back, we will be stopping at National parks.   


Friday there will be a prescheduled post going up (you will love it!) and I may, or may not post while in LA. It depends on the internet connection if it is weak or strong. I will post some costume college updates on Bramblewood Fashion's Facebook page, so keep an eye on it next week. ;)


I will have internet connection every night while I'm gone. So I will check blogger, twitter, facebook, and my emails while gone (maybe not every night, but some nights). =) I may, or may not get back with right away though if you contact me while I'm gone. So keep that in mind. 

We have a new winner...

The winner for one of the prizes never claimed her prize. This means one of you have another chance at winning something!

Your choice of desktop background from My Camara Bag.

Winner: Emily Ruth!

Congratulations, Emily Ruth! If you can just send me an email, or leave a comment with your email that would be great! I can then get you in contact with the Etsy owner. Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

~Ashley

Inspiration - Home Decor

I know this is a fashion blog, but you wouldn't mind if I share some home decor pictures do you? Sometimes a girl needs a little variety. That would be me. If you think this is a bad idea - let me know. 

 I adore the furniture in this picture.

There's something about the softness against the brick wall. It just draws me in. 

 I've always loved this idea of painting designs on stairs. Ever since I saw an episode of Debbie Travis Facelift (this was one of my favorite shows on HGTV - I never missed an episode).

I normally don't like open shelves in kitchens for the dishes. But I adore this kitchen! Maybe it's the color scheme, the cabinets, or it has my favorite sink ever!  

Here's another bedroom I love! The headboard, bedding, and color scheme is simply perfect!

 I've loved the idea of using old doors for headboards since the second season (I think it was the second season. They were designing a room at the Grand Ole Opry.) on Design Star on HGTV. Can you tell I enjoy watching HGTV? ;)

I like the clean, vintage, yet shabby chic look of this dining room. 

Do you enjoy these looks? Or is this so not your style! =)

Let me know if you like me doing this. :) And I'll do it again - otherwise I'll stop.

Movie Life - April 1940

I was going to post pictures of all the magazines I bought last month. But that post would be a mile long. ;) As the magazines I bought are filled with wonderful pictures. I love buying old magazines - they have so much history stored away in them! 

The magazine I'll be featuring today is one of my favorite - Movie Life (April, 1940). Why? It has an article of one of my favorite actresses - Deanna Durbin. That may, or may not be the reason why I bought this magazine. ;) *laughs*

Look! Cary Grant takes an old family friend to the premiere of My Girl Friday {I love that movie!}. Also the Los Angeles' Mayor greets Rosalind Russell at Girl Friday press party. In the bottom picture Olivia de Havilland is sporting the new pompadour hair-do. 

  Here we have, Errol Flynn, Anne Shirley, and Shirley Temple. 

Next up we have a four page spread on Deanna Durbin. Enjoy!

Have you seen the film, Young Tom Edison (1940) starring Mickey Rooney? I grew up watching this film so it was fun seeing this little spread. 

This page is filled with stars! We have a wedding picture of Ronald Reagan & Jane Wyman. Katharine Hepburn {in a darling dress and pumps!}, Raymond Massey & Mrs. Roosevelt! That's just on the top row of pictures. Underneath we have Mickey Rooney, Pat O'Brain, Gene Autry, Olivia de Havilland, and many others. 


I hope you all enjoyed this little peak into one of my magazines I own. Let me know how you enjoyed it!

1940s Trousers

I'm working on making these 1940s Empire Waist Trousers using Decades of Style's pattern for Costume College {it's more of a conference} later this month in LA.

I made them before this past winter. But sadly, I grew out of them this spring/summer. You never got to see pictures of them because it was so cold. I didn't feel like taking pictures in February with all the snow and ice we had. Gabrielle now owns them {with major changes because she is shorter than me and the wide legs just don't work for her}. 

I'll have to trace the pattern and blend two sizes together when I make them. As my sizing is no longer the same. This is weird. As I've been the same pattern size since I was 17 back in 2007. Now I have to learn to fit the new me. Who knows. I might post pictures on how I make the trousers fit me. Let me know if you would be interested.

I'll be using a light-weight wool that was given to me {FREE! I love receiving free things.} This is actually the same fabric I used for my first pair. I have about 2 yards left over {it's really wide. I think 60" or more.} and I was going to make a pencil skirt with the leftover fabric. Boy am I thankful that I never got around to making that skirt. As I grew out of most of them anyways and I wouldn't have the fabric to make a new pair of trousers. 

I also need to decided how to style them for the conference. What type of tops would you suggest? As they are very high waisted. ;) Should I go more 1940s {ideas please!}, or more modern? You can look at past outfit posts to get an idea of what tops I own. ;-)

Before I go. I'm having a two day sale in my Etsy shop right now {this included vintage sewing notions, skirts, well, everything!}. For 10% off just use this code at checkout: ALLSTARWEEKEND

P.S. Don't forget to check and see if you won anything! 

The Winners... =)

You are all eagerly awaiting to find out if you won anything right? ;-) I shall keep you in suspense no longer. 


Winner of the Colette Pattern of your choice

Casey

Congratulations! I just need your email and to know if you still want the Oolong pattern, Casey. Then Colette patterns will get in contact with you after I pass on this information.

Winner of the Silver Lining Decor {vintage earrings}

Alessa

Congratulations! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

 Winner of the two Amy Butler Patterns

Kristin

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you this evening for your mailing address. Just so you know, I'll be mailing the patterns to you. =)

 Winner of the Sis Boom Journal or Notecard book

Samantha

Congratulations, Samantha! I'll be contacting you through Etsy this evening. =)

Winner of the Fat Quarters from Marie-Madeline Studio

Sarah Elizabeth

Congratulations, girl! I'll be sending you an email this evening. 

1. The Exotic Fruits Lip Balm Tin Set of 4 and your choice of Perfume Oil from Hearts & Bows. 

Winner: Erika

Congratulations! I'll send you an email this evening.

2. One t-shirt up-cycled headband in the color of your choice from SAXIIB. 

Winner: Miss Grace

Congratulations, Grace! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Also which color you would like. Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com 

3. The 8x10 print of your choice from Little Light Creative.

Winner: Heather

Congratulations, Heather! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Also which non-costumized print you would like. I'll give you the details once you email me. ;-) Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

4. This custom set of brooches made special for this giveaway from ishe.

Winner: Anna-Faith  

Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email this evening. 

5. A PDF knitting pattern for Jo March fingerless gloves from Classic Kniterature.

Winner: Vicki

Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email this evening.

6. Fabric flower elastic headband {that can double as an hair-bow} from Joanna @ 7raindropsonroses.blogspot.com.

Winner: Grace

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you through Etsy. 

7. Pixiedust Swirls earrings from Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe.

Winner: Laura 

Congratulations, Laura! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

8. Vintage Baby Robe AND Vintage fabric from  Once upon a time.

Winner: Nana

Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email this evening.

9. Flower Drop Necklace from Little White Chapel. 

Winner: Danielle 

Congratulations, Danielle! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

10. Three fabric flower clips {brooches} from Caitlin.

Winner: Desiree

Congratulations, Desiree! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

11. Teal and brown paisley snood from Sowers of Hope.

Winner: Tiffany 

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you through Twitter. 

12. Your choice of desktop background from My Camara Bag.

Winner: Miss Toria

Congratulations, Toria! If you can send me an email with your mailing address that would be awesome! Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

13. $20 store credit to Simply Buttons ~n~ Beads.

Winner: Lerowen

Congratulations, Lerowen! If you can just send me an email, or leave a comment with your email that would be great! I can then get you in contact with the Etsy owner. Here's my email: bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail.com

14. 1 Pound Sampler pack of fudge from Jewel of the Lion.

Winner: Lucia Marie

Congratulations! I'll send you an email this evening, or tomorrow! ;-)

15. Your choice of one item from the $5 French Market. 

Winner: Mary

Congratulations! I'll send you an email this evening, or tomorrow! ;-)

16. Emma Rose hobo bag from Bramblewood Fashion Boutique {my Etsy shop!}.  Winner: Grace

I'm so excited that you won my bag, Grace! I know how much you love it! =) I'll contact you through Etsy this evening, or tomorrow for your mailing address. Or you can go ahead and contact me, Grace.

Thank you for entering all of the giveaways everyone! This was the biggest turnout I ever had for any giveaway. Between all the giveaways I had over 1,000 entries. :p I guess y'all loved the sponsors I had. If you like, I can start doing giveaways once a month. Just let me know what you think in a comment below.