MinaLucinda and The German Pancake

First let me introduce you to Ellen the heart soul and breath behind a fabulous intern driven Etsy shop called MinaLucinda From the heart of New York City she is a costume historian, and has been working with antique and vintage pieces since 1967. 
I picture her making her German Pancake in full costume. 

Edwardian Hat

Edwardian Walking Skirt

Vintage Silk Coat

Too scrumptious not to eat it right up hot from the pan.

German Pancake Mina Lucinda

While a gentle breeze blows in the kitchen window and seated at the tiny kitchen table.

French Cafe Curtain

Quimper Bowl Collection

Buttery goodness dripping from silver forks and merry amusing laughter bubbling from the lips of quests as they enjoy this feast with powdered sugar sprinkled onto the front of their frocks. 
Ah delightful to have a taste of the olde country kitchen in the middle of New York City.
Ellen's Recipe.
 here is the recipe - German pancakes are made in the oven, preferebly in a cast iron skillet. Mix (for a large one, serves 2-6) 6 eggs, 1 cup flour, pinch of salt, 1 cup milk, 1/2 c butter. Melt butter in your oven, mix the flour, etc, pour it into the melted butter, and go away for 30 min. When you open the oven you have this GORGEOUS inflated, puffy, luscious looking thing. sprinkle some powdered sugar on it at the table. Must be served while it's hot, and high. Like a souffle.
I made one for brunch today and while I ate it in my robe I could only imagine the warmth of that apartment and the good company of Mina Lucinda.
Here is my little attempt.

It was heavenly. I had it with peach preserves. I'm sick with a cold today and this splurge into the realm of butter, flour and eggs was worth every bite.  Make one for yourself soon.  Tomorrow I will be back to Paleo. 
Thank you Ellen.  You never know where the little suggestion of something good to eat will take you.

Saving Vintage Memories

I went to an Estate sale on Casey Key, FL a couple of weeks ago.  It was in a mid century ranch over looking the Gulf of Mexico.  There are not many of these old homes left.  They have been bulldozed to make way for a plethora of mega mansions. In the home I found some treasures.  When I look through another's belongings it is often with a feeling of awe as I know I am looking at a lifetime of memories and history.
I found these tiny antique baby shoes.

Antique Baby Shoes from WeeLambieVintage

They had been saved and treasured by the owner of this home for decades.  I found them on the dresser.  So sweet they make me want to weep. I have photographed them here with a keepsake of my own.  The little plaster angel was my Mother's.  She hung it over her dresser next to her mirror for decades and now I keep it in my room.
Of course we can't save everything, but history is saving, remembering and sharing what we can.

How cherished these delicate celluloid baby rattles were to have been saved unbroken.

Antique Baby Rattles from WhimzyThyme

They would make a wonderful memento and decor for a new baby's nursery.  Sitting in a shadow box with some personnel photos a charming display piece could be created.

I was happy to learn that the little ranch house over looking the Gulf of Mexico would not be knocked down by the wrecking ball, but instead will be refurbished and kept as a guest cottage for the home behind it.  I walked away from that little sanctuary holding those darling white leather baby booties smiling to know the little cottage would remain.

Saving and collecting vintage and antiques is rewarding on many levels.

What will you save?

WeeLambie/ Anne

Vintage and New Etsy Fresh Summer Outfit

I love knitting shrugs and ballet wraps. This little green cotton wrap is for my daughter.  The pattern is here: Yogini.  Finishing this wrap got me thinking about what I could easily find on Etsy.com to pair with it. Let's build an outfit around it.

I hope it fits her and wouldn't it look cute with this pin on it?

This pretty pin is available on Etsy at my friend Amy's shop Dottie DigsVintage

This outfit is taking shape with the addition of this vintage dress found at

CT Mercantile another great vintage etsy shop.

How about some shoes and a clutch?
Easily done shopping online Etsy.

This adorable little purse would do the trick the color block in vivid yellow brings out the yellow center of the daisy pin. Found in this shop 
CarolineHanna

Add a classic vintage shoe the espadrille as the finishing touch to this casual classy outfit. 

You can purchase this great wedge espadrille at VintageEdition on Etsy.
How easy was that!
Get shopping on Etsy!
Anne

Making Shabby Chic Jewelry Boxes

With the wonderful cool Florida weather I can't resist working on the lanai.  This is the perfect time of the year to do these projects.  The breeze blows the sanding dust away and the paint dries in no time at all.
All you need is an old jewelry box, some sandpaper, coffee and elbow grease.

Sanding off the old varnish.

This is the worst time of year in Florida for allergies.  Since I am medicating for seasonal allergy I may as well put sawdust on the list of things that make me sneeze.

This jewelry box has a music box inside it!  I'd forgotten all about that. 

Etched glass doors removed.  All sanded and ready for paint.

First coat of white latex paint going on.  Tried a great new yogurt flavor for lunch.   
While this dries I think I need a cat nap.
I will dream about painting everything in the house white.  I almost have my courage up to tackle the cherry dining room table and the pine hutch and cabinet.  Should I?
I love white.
Here is some on Etsy.

This little shelf is in my etsy shop here: link

I found this jadeite juicer at an estate sale on Friday.  It is chippy and worn, but I still love it.  Not everything has to be new and not all vintage has to be perfect.  Sometimes the signs of age just make me love something all the more.  The young woman who sold me this said it was her Grandmother's and it was very old (1930's).  She had memories of her Grandmother squeezing oranges and grapefruits with it.  It is still usable but also just the most lovely shade of green. link

That nap is calling me. 
Anne

'Goodwill' 2013

Goodwill Industries had a 50% off sale today.  While many would like to start off a new year with a clean slate I apparently wanted to start it off with a full shopping cart.

Nothing I love more than having a doll leap from the shelf into my buggy.

Except when it is more than one doll falling headlong into the buggy.  Along with enough milk glass to sink a small ship.

This big girl is an unmarked Patti Playpal type doll. She is seriously wonderful and has a handmade red cotton smocked dress to boot!.

AS always shopping was "so fun". I did have to inventory it all though.

These are the dolls I have found at thrift shops in the last ten days.  You can see I will be busy knitting them all something to wear.  I have one pretty little cardigan almost ready to block for the most naked one. 
I took down my Christmas tree and before I had returned from putting it away in the closet in it's box the new kids had taken over the Christmas tree's spot and lined up just waiting to see what will fall from my needles.
Happy New Year Baby!
Anne
and here is Leo getting to big for his crib and not in the mood for a nap!

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Black Friday Etsy

'Black Friday Cyber Mondays Vintage and Handmade Gifts' by WeeLambieVintage

every shop represented here has a sale on. check out these great shops for your Christmas shopping. Support and recycle vintage support handmade artistry enjoy lambie

Vintage Tray Green Hand... DairyFarmAnti... $22.50	Vintage White BINGO But... HeirloomAngel $8.33	Vintage Holiday Decor C... vintagebythes... $110.00	Vintage Royal Doulton C... mamadupuis $40.00
Vintage Ironstone Large... OceansideCast... $56.00	Art Deco Emerald Green ... SeaCottageStu... $8.50	Wrapped in Your Love up... wearlovenow $42.99	Vintage Christmas Handm... VintageFunkHo... $29.99
Womens Plus Size Civil ... MissBettysAtt... $7.00	Collectible Vintage Mil... MellyMcBlueTr... $16.50	White Neck Warmer Flo... beadedwire $25.20	Vintage Thread Shades o... HappyFortuneV... $12.95
Vintage Doll with Baby ... NanNasThings $16.00	Sri Lanka Moonstone Nec... PLANETDIGS2 $34.00	Hanging Air Plant Terra... Plantzilla $28.00	BLACK FRIDAY Etsy - Vin... MercysVintage... $28.75

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Shabby Chic Finishing Part 2

Putting the final touches on any project is usually the most fun.
Today I am waxing, polishing and cleaning the jewlery box started yesterday.

Step 3.  Applying wax.

applying the wax

With a soft rag apply one thin coat of wax to the wood surface. If the item you are waxing has glass or mirrors on it tape them off so you don't get wax on the glass.  It is hard to remove.  I like to use beeswax like this product. link  There are many places on the internet where you can buy beeswax.  My niece is raising bees and I wonder what she will do with the left over combs after she extracts that deliscious honey! 

Olver Honey Combs yummm

Of course you can also use a manufactured furniture wax like Minwax Paste wax link
Once the wax is applied allow it to dry for a minimum of 10 mins. 

polishing with a soft hand towel

Polishing... with another soft cloth begin polishing after the wax has dried.  This just takes elbow greese.  Lots of elbow greese! I like to go in one direction and really rub hard until I get a luster going on.  If wax is caked into any little tight spots I use an old soft toothbrush to get at it.  The wood is going to start feeling like a smooth beach stone.  Wax dries to a hard durable finish. 

Step 4.
Cleaning the inside compartments of the jewelry box.  My method is to knock out what ever I can.  Then I use 2" wide tape do get the job done. Wads and wads of tape.  I stick it on and press it down firmly. I use the pointy end of an old paint brush to get the tape into little corners and seams.  Voila when you pull the tape off the dirt and most of the grime comes with it.  This takes awhile when there are lots of little drawers.  It is worth taking the time to do it right.

tape pulling out the grime

As you can see this drawer was pretty dirty. The red velveteen fabric had a lot of dust and grime on it.

dust in all the corners using a stick to get it pressed into all the crannies...

The sides and corners were full of dust and lint.  It took alot of tape to get all that up.  A small stained area remained after the dust and grime was pulled away. 

cleaning with stain remover

A paper towel with some stain remover will get that stain out.  I have used this stain remover on all colors of velveteen linings and never had a mishap with it. I have sprayed it directly onto the interior of the box as well as a little on the paper towel. 

looking new and clean

 

I just dab away at it until it comes clean and look what a great job it did.  It looks new.  This is also a time when you can glue down any loose lining.  If the lining is so badly damaged that you cannot get it clean pull it out. You can always reline it with fabric or paper.
Once my jewelry box is painted, polished and cleaned I like to set it in the sunshine for several hours.  Sunshine really cleans.  It removes any lingering odors and does wonders to freshen up your project.  Good old Mr Sunshine.

Seven clean drawers in the sun!

I love the way this turned out. The Paris Gray paint is so rich and pretty. It is just the way I imagine Paris to be on a foggy spring night when the street lights come on.  Romantic ...Well a girl can dream...

 

 

 

ready for jewels!

available in my Etsy Shop here:  link

Enjoy some Shabby Chic !
weelambie/Anne