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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Bucilla Vintage Christmas Craft Kits


As a fan of vintage Christmas decorations and retro crafts, I absolutely love vintage Bucilla craft kits.  The Christmas kits (with felt ornaments and decorations) are especially valued by collectors.  I found a nice stack of them recently, from the old Rich's and Davison's department stores in Atlanta.  Anyone else remember when department stores sold craft kits, toys, books, records, etc.?  I do!   Just wanted to share a photo and a link:  Vintage Bucilla Craft Kits at Birdhouse Books

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New Arrivals at Birdhouse Books Vintage Store

Just a preview of new arrivals at Birdhouse Books vintage store.   Lots of variety here!   There is a vintage dimestore toy The Big Red Barn by K-Kids.  It is a 1960's to early 1970's vintage toy farm playset - still in package and SUPER cute!


This carnival glass bowl is Indiana Glass Loganberry and it is 1950's vintage, Marigold color.


I have a big lot of these new beaded snowflake ornaments - they are REALLY pretty and beautifully crafted.


This Hallmark ornament is the New Home Hinged Box.


This Hallmark Keepsake ornament is called Snow Buddies.  It has a Snowman and a cute little bunny rabbit.  This is the first ornament in the Snow Buddies series, from 1998, and very collectible.


This Hallmark Keepsake Collection ornament is called Elegance On Ice.  It features a figure skater who resembles Dorothy Hamill.


Some time ago, I purchased a big box of vintage Christmas cards.  When I got them home, I discovered they were cut.  I've broken them down into several VERY LARGE LOTS (25 - 30 cards each) for someone who is interested in purchasing for gift tags, scrapbooking, altered art, or a small framed gift.  They are all 1950's to 1960's Mid-Century in vintage.  There are some beauties here!   Note the reindeer in this photo, and the child looking at a shadow of Santa Claus:


In this photo I especially love the Snowman family, the duet by Santa Claus and a snowman, and the adorable white kitten peeking out of a hat box:


And this lot has my very favorite card!   Check out the old fashioned station wagon with little boy in the back, riding alongside the family Christmas tree.  It has glitter and is an amazing card!


I have Shelia houses!   These houses, crafted by Shelia's, feature historic homes.  This wooden house features the Red Castle in Nevada City, California:


For Gone With the Wind fans, this house features Frank Kennedy Company general store from GWTW:


Again, these goodies and much, much more await at Birdhouse Books vintage store online.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Huge 25% Off Storewide Sale at Birdhouse Books - ending Cyber Monday 11/28




Hi, friends!

Just a short note to let you know I'm running a huge 25% off storewide sale at Birdhouse Books all Thanksgiving weekend, ending midnight on Cyber Monday (11/28).   You'll find:

  • Christmas ornaments
  • vintage Christmas cards
  • vintage children's books
  • cookbooks including community cookbooks from all over the USA
  • roadside Americana postcards (great framed!)
  • and lots of unique, one-of-a-kind vintage gift ideas!

Hope you'll stop by -- it's a HUGE weekend sale at Birdhouse Books!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Vintage Christmas Books for Children 1930's to 1960's

Just sharing some photos today of Christmas themed books for children (1930's to 1960's).  I've been photographing and researching these, and there are some really sweet ones here!  You will find them all in my vintage store.

Pom-Pom's Christmas - vintage picture book about an adorable white Poodle looking for a home for Christmas - 1960 - Jon Whitcomb.  This is my personal favorite of the books I'm researching.  The illustrations are absolutely amazing, especially for anyone who loves dogs!


The Story of Christmas by Margaret W. Tarrant

If I'd Been Born in Bethlehem by Joan Gale Thomas - 1954

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May (1939)

Tizz Plays Santa Claus - horse themed book for Christmas - 1957 Elisa Bialk book with illustrations by Dwight Mutchler

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) by Valentine Davies -- inspiration for the classic Christmas movie

O. Henry Christmas Stories (Steck edition -- hard to find) - 1954 with illustrations by Theresa Kalab Smith

The Santa Claus Book - a Golden Shape Book - 1977 - Eileen Daly, with illustrations by Florence Sarah Winship.  I fondly remember these Golden Shape books from my childhood!

You'll find these Christmas books (and many more!) at Birdhouse Books on eBay.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Never Discard a Vintage Christmas Card!

I absolutely adore vintage greeting cards, and love listing them on eBay -- especially vintage Christmas cards and Valentines.  This charming Molly Brett greeting card (1940's to 1950's) just sold in my store for $41.00 - link to sold Molly Brett greeting card.   It's a charmer!   Molly Brett was a British artist and illustrator (1902 - 1990) who was most famous for her anthropomorphic animal illustrations.  Her work has always reminded me of Beatrix Potter!  This little card is especially sweet, with a family of mice hanging Christmas stockings and getting ready for the holidays.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Mittens by Clare Turlay Newberry


I have a special soft spot in my heart for vintage children's books featuring cats and kittens!   Mittens by Clare Turlay Newberry is one of my personal favorites.  The illustrations are so detailed and beautiful, and truly capture the daily life of a kitten at play or rest!   Clare Turlay Newberry was an author and illustrator of children's books.  She was from Oregon, and lived 1903 - 1970.  As well as Mittens, a few of her other titles included:  Barkis, Babette, April's Kittens, Smudge, and Marshmallow.  You'll find this beautiful 1936 vintage cat picture book, and other great vintage picture books featuring cats, here:  Vintage Cat Books at Birdhouse Books

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Gordon Fraser Victorian Christmas Gift Tags



I love Gordon Fraser stationery, and just had to share these lovely Christmas tags.  They are imported from England, and are all Victorian reproductions.  They are so unique, and would be the perfect Christmas trim on a special gift!   I have a number of new packages of these lovely tags in my store:  Gordon Fraser Christmas tags at Birdhouse Books