Friday, December 27, 2013

1960's Beaded Mistletoe Kissing Ball

I love retro Christmas, and just had to share this vintage item because it's so fun!  This is a 1960's vintage mistletoe kissing ball.  It is green velvet, with beading, and plastic mistletoe, and it is BIG.

Mistletoe Kissing Ball at Birdhouse Books

Friday, December 20, 2013

Kindle Newsletters - for free and cheap e-books

This is not vintage related, but possibly of interest to other book lovers!  I put together a listing of newsletters for free or cheap e-books. These are in addition to the Amazon Kindle Deal of the Day mailing, which is a MUST for Kindle fans.  If I am missing any good ones, please let me know!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Vintage Ballerina Christmas Card


I love unique vintage Christmas cards.   This one features a little girl who is dressed like a ballerina in black leotard.  Her tutu and crown are made of holly.  She is holding a cardinal.  What a cute Mid-Century vintage card!  I have two of these, and they are unused with envelopes.  You'll find this card at Birdhouse Books:  little ballerina vintage Christmas card.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Vintage Sewing Patterns






Do you enjoy sewing?  I learned to sew with my Mom when I was growing up, and I enjoyed sewing in home ec in high school.   Sorry to say, I have not kept up with sewing clothes, although it is something I would love to pick up again at some point.   (I do still enjoy embroidery.)

I have started finding and listing vintage sewing patterns the past few months.  Most of the ones I have found are from the 1960's - 1970's.   It is a lot of fun looking at the patterns and the different fashions that were popular.   I think it would be great fun to sew using the older patterns (maybe with some vintage fabric and buttons, too??).

I've started a little "vintage patterns" department at Etsy, and I will be adding more regularly.  You can find the patterns here:  vintage sewing patterns at Birdhouse Books.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Birdhouse Books on Etsy


I've shopped at Etsy at Christmas time for several years, buying unique handmade and vintage gifts.  I'd thought about selling there more and more as time went on and I heard Etsy mentioned more frequently by friends and in the media.

I just opened a vintage shop at Etsy, and I have to say I love it!  Etsy is a beautiful site, and it is a pleasure to navigate and list there.

My Etsy shop focuses on pretty, cute, and whimsical vintage items:

Vintage children's books
Vintage cookbooks
Vintage holiday cards - Christmas, Valentines, Easter
Vintage sewing patterns
Vintage dog and cat cards

When I can find them, I will certainly add vintage Christmas decorations and vintage toys as well!

I will be adding listings regularly there, and hope you'll stop by to browse!  Just click here to visit:  Birdhouse Books on Etsy.


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A Vintage Look at the Regency Hyatt House in Downtown Atlanta

The Hyatt Regency (or as Atlantans call it, the Regency Hyatt House) is a fabulous Mid-Century hotel in downtown Atlanta.  It was designed by architect John Portman, and built in 1967.   The top of the hotel had a unique rotating blue restaurant called the Polaris (now closed).   It was a unique addition to the Atlanta skyline.   You can see a few photos of the Regency Hyatt House at Wikipedia:  photos of the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta.

I have several vintage postcards at Birdhouse Books showing the interior of this hotel in the 1960's or 1970's:  vintage postcards of the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta.  If you click on the individual cards, you will notice the bubble elevator.  When I was a little girl, it was a treat to go shopping downtown at Rich's Department Store or Davison's, another great downtown store.  I always wanted to walk through the "hotel district" and ride in the bubble elevators.

You will find more vintage photos and links about Atlanta in the 1960's to 1980's on my Pinterest board.  You'll also find a fun selection of vintage Atlanta cards, books, and collectibles at Birdhouse Books:  Birdhouse Books loves retro Atlanta.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Mid-Century Christmas Cards Advertisement on a Postcard


This is such an unusual postcard!  It advertises a Mid-Century line of Christmas cards that were for sale.  The cards are by the Chapel Line.  This was probably sent out by salesmen in the 1950's or 1960's to stores that might carry the cards.

I love vintage Christmas cards, and often sell them in my store.  I actually recognize a couple of the designs pictured on this postcard!  You'll find this Mid-Century advertising postcard at Birdhouse Books - just click here.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

1972 Architecture Book for Children



This is a unique book!  Beginning Experiences in Architecture is a 1972 vintage book by George E. Trogler.  It is designed for elementary school teachers who want to teach children about architecture.  This is a big book with lots of black and white photos.  You'll find it at Birdhouse Books:  Beginning Experiences in Architecture

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A Collection of Vintage Bear Valentines





If you have ever thought about collecting vintage Valentines, this would be a great start!  It would also be fun for a vintage Bear collector.  This is a collection of 11 vintage Valentine cards.  They are cute little die-cuts, like children exchanged at Valentine's Day.  (Who remembers Valentine boxes?)   You'll find this vintage bear collection here:  11 vintage bear Valentines at Birdhouse Books.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Doggone Cute Dog Christmas Cards





I love vintage dog collectibles.  This is one of my favorite vintage categories.  I also love Christmas!   With this in mind, vintage Christmas cards featuring dogs are big favorites here.   I try to keep at least 20 - 30 dog Christmas cards in my store.  Right now I have: Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Terriers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers (Scottie Dogs), West Highland Terriers (Westies), Poodles, and more!   These cards make a unique and memorable gift, either framed or simply presented tucked inside a Christmas card.  You'll find all these cuties here:  vintage dog themed Christmas cards at Birdhouse Books

Monday, October 21, 2013

Bass High School 1963 Football Program





I love finding unique items to list on eBay.  It is fun to play Antiques Roadshow and learn more about the unusual items.

I went to a great local yard sale in Atlanta a while back and purchased a nice stack of Bass High School football programs from the 1960's.  This is the last football program that I have left, and it is really neat.

Bass High School was built in 1923 as a junior high school.  It was located in the Little 5 Points - Inman Park area of Atlanta.  In 1947 Bass became a high school.  It closed in 1990, and was later converted to The Bass Lofts.  You will find a photo of Bass here:  The School on the Hill

This program is from a 1963 game between Bass High School and The Lovett School.  It has team photos, advertisements by local businesses (a neat peek at Atlanta in the 1960's), and of course a nice two page Coca-Cola centerfold ad featuring the roster of players.

You'll find this vintage program (and more vintage Atlanta items!) at Birdhouse Books:  Bass High School football program.

Friday, October 18, 2013

1948 Play Activities - Baby Boomer Era Book


This interesting and unique 1948 book is called 88 Successful Play Activities.  It was published by the National Recreation Association.  It is a neat glimpse of childhood play in the early baby boomer years, including:

Sidewalk Games
Home Equipment Games
Tournaments
Music
Drama
Shows and Exhibits
Nature
Winter Sports


This book would be great for a homeschooling parent, a Scout leader, or teacher.  You can find it at Birdhouse Books:  88 Successful Play Activities.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Lassie Book Featuring a Dachshund, 1964

Hi all!

I've missed chatting with y'all here, and want to start posting regularly again.

I just found and listed this cute book and had to share it with other dog book - dog illustration fans.   It is Hooray for Lassie, a 1964 Whitman Tell-a-Tale, and it features beautiful Collie dog Lassie with a Dachshund buddy!   The illustrations are by Carol Marshall.  Too cute not to share with you.  Here are a few pics!