Pickle Valentine Beyond the Beads

Pickle Valentine should be famous near and far for the knowledge and selection showcased in her shop if you are exploring and learning about the world of vintage beads. Today however I am sharing another side of this shop and the seller behind the scenes.

From Libby's shop Profile Page she tells of an earlier time in her life in this way.

At one time in my life, I was a constant knitter. I was taught basic knitting by my grandmother when I was very young and started knitting seriously when I was in my twenties.

I collected knitting books and magazines, both used and new. Many of the magazines are old and yellowed with age. They were obviously well-loved by their owners, even having smudges, writing or coffee stains. Others look newer, but none of them look as if they just came off a store shelf. I only bought books with patterns I considered beautiful amd I didn't particularly care if a book or magazine was in pristine shape. I will describe any faults or flaws in each listing. I also will be selling hardcover books in much better shape. 

Amazingly, I still love the patterns thirty or forty years down the road. Many of them look newer and fresher today than they did back then. We had a much more limited choices of yarn back when few people knitted in public and knitting had not become as popular as it is today. The knitting renaissance has gladdened my heart. I can imagine how gorgeous these patterns would look like with the newer yarns. 

Let me show you a few of the classics from the time Libby was a knitter and you can start dreaming of projects to come when you get your copies of the wonderful magazines from her shop.

Handmade Magazine, a multipurpose craft publication which was very popular amongst us Earth Mother types back in the 70s and 80s, was a high quality magazine crammed with patterns and designs to inspire you....and with practical full scale patterns and instructions so whatever you attempted would be a success. There are articles and patterns for designing fabric with lino cuts, tiling a floor, making a greatcoat, making a woven shawl, knitting, a quilted jacket, fan patterns, making a roman blind, and using a Folkloric shirt pattern to make a longer dress, a cute pair of lace up ballet slippers, more knitting patterns...and even making a quilted painted headboard. 

1987 Winter Family Circle Knitting and Crochet magazine packed with both crochet and knitting patterns. 50 sweater patterns, Holiday knitting, granny squares used in innovative holiday vests, outdoor sweaters, Arans, cables, and plenty of inspiration. If you would like to see more pictures, just send me a convo. I also have a picture of the cover, but I would rather show the insides of the magazine. 
These books were published by the New York Times! That explains why the knits are so fashionable. My pictures are only a sample of what is in this magazine. If you love the styles of the 1980s, you will love this. 

Vintage 1983 Phildar Mailles Pattern book. Thirty-six European designed knits in this book, including a kimono hoodie, Fair Isle designs, Cable designs, mittens, scarf, very popular Mother and child's sweaters shown in second photo which was also published in a separate book. There are also wonderful patterns for guys in this book. 

I would love to hear from you after you browse the shop to know what favorite things you found.

Comments and sharing are always appreciated.

Hope to hear from you soon.

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, and on Twitter.

Lehane Arts Shop of the Week

Today I want to share with you all the Group2020 shop of the week. Lehane Arts is a new shop but not new to selling on Etsy. She has recently decided to separate her chainmaille jewelry form her other work and formed a new shop. In this shop you will find lovely beaded pieces in the form of necklaces and earrings. The jewelry includes Celtic inspirations, mood jewelry, dichroic pendants and much more.

From the shop profile page I found this statement that sets the tone for the works you will see.

Symbolism, color, shape, size, and material are all elements involved in each of my creations. I think of beads and my jewelry creations as connections between the day-to-day world and the supernatural world just beyond our view, a world of beauty and eternity. Certain gemstones may exude positive energies and colors also can influence our awareness. Color informs mood.

I love the colors and the swirls resembling waves in the pendant.

A brilliant stone don't you think?

A beautiful deep red for days when you want to feel bold and powerful.

Ready to shop?
LehaneArts.Etsy.com

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook

Nellie Bly

I had another post planned for today but I just have to share and record this memory instead. 

My granddaughter had to do a presentation of an American personality. When showed a list by her teacher she chose Nellie Bly because she like the name. She learned a lot about her including the age of her death which matches my current age. She liked to remind me that I should be careful now since I am so old. She read biographies, watched a movie and then prepared a costume and display and a report to read. All of her classmates did the same.

The kids got together with parents, community heroes like police, firemen, active duty military and veterans and sang patriotic songs. After the songs the adults were encouraged to go and talk to the kids about their American. An active duty female in the Army talked to Posie for quite awhile and at the end gave her a hug.

My granddaughter was SOOOOOOOO excited that she got a hug from "an Army girl". You see, to some the military are celebrities.

I wish I had been there but I got to see a video on Facebook that I can't share here so I just have the picture.

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook

Books 2014 Yellowstone Has Teeth

I am not sure I could ever say enough how much I enjoyed this book. I am in awe of the people talked about in Marjane's chronicle of her time spent living in Yellowstone. I found this review by M Baker on Amazon and it echoes very well what I felt while reading including the tears the part about leaving and at the loss of a friend to the hazards of the park in winter and slowing down, not wanting the experience to end. I found myself reading sections of it out loud to family to share the wonderful storytelling.

What a fabulous book! My first experience with Yellowstone was in October 1988 shortly after the fires were extinguished by snow and I have been in love with and intrigued by Yellowstone since. To read Ms. Ambler's first hand account of living in the Interior transports the reader back in time and place. She tells you what it was actually like to live at Lake year round and how truly isolated they were from November-April. It was not a life of glamour and ease. She includes her own first hand accounts and those from many former Park employees. For me, to have the human aspect of a subject is as important as the historical facts. What good are plain facts if you don't know or can't understand how they affect someone?? The book is well written in understandable format. I didn't need a dictionary for word definition and it follows logical sequence. I do have to say, near the end of the book when she and Terry were driving out of the Park I had tears running down my cheeks just as she did. The only negative thing I can say about this book is that it had to end! I found myself slowing down reading it so I could make it last longer! (me too!)On the author's website there are pictures of some of the people she speaks about in the book. It is nice to be able to match faces to names. Please, Marjane, I would be interested in reading more of your Yellowstone stories!

I have had the gift of living in the Jackson Hole area for about 3 years now and know I won't always be here. The day I leave will be a rough one too.


I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook

With family

We got to spend a long weekend with daughter, son in law and grandkids.

I live in an area where it can be a great adventure just to drive around because you never know what you might find. Around Jackson it is always worth it to stop if you see several cars pulled over and lots of cameras with big expensive lenses attached.

We came across just such a situation while driving down the road inside the National Elk Refuge. Of course we had binoculars and started using them to find out what the professional photographers were camped out to get pictures of. It was a small group of wolves! They were too far away for me to even try taking pictures with my camera and no tripod but it was wonderful to sit and watch them for awhile. During the same drive we of course saw elk and big horn sheep.

We also went to the Historical Society Museum in Jackson. It is a favorite stop for the grandkids. I found a cute piece if antler art that made me smile just to look at it. We all enjoyed the displays and my granddaughter always likes the dress up area with prairie style clothes.

After having some lunch we did one more of our favorite drives. This one is on Antelope Flats outside of Jackson, going through the town of Kelly, Wyoming. Crossing the road right in front of us was a moose and her calf.

The rest of the weekend was spent just being together with card games, watching olympics, food and fun.

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook

Note to Self

How to be a successful creative http://t.co/Vycb6NkTnD pic.twitter.com/vhKy3PEMz3
— COLOURlovers (@colourlovers) February 17, 2014

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook

Random Shop Sharing Tins and Treasures

In my early day of blogging, I don't remember when or exactly how, I connected with a blog called Tins and Treasures. Natalie would comment on my blog and I would on hers, not real often but enough. I have enjoyed having the connection with her over the years.

I figured today would be a great day to share her shop with you. She is a busy lady, teaching, occasional craft shows, home and family and of course her Etsy shop, Tins and Treasures. She introduces herself and her shop with these words.

My Grandmothers were my creative inspiration. From them, I learned sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, embroidering and tatting. I have been busy sewing and crafting for over 40 years. 

I teach Family and Consumer Science at our high school. This is my 33rd year. My husband and I have been married for 29 years and have two lovely daughters who are both in college.

We share our home with two faithful kitties, Callie and Lucy.

Let's start the sharing with tins, shall we?

The tins in the shop start with a hand painted tin or can. A fabric applique is applied. You will find lots of themes in these from winter to like this one, tea.

Next something I would have never thought of but I think it is a lovely idea. 

The shop has wine bottle necklaces. 

You could use them as part of your table decorations or dress up a gift of wine for someone hosting you at a gathering.

There are lots of primitive decor items in the shop too as well as cup cozies to help keep your drink warm and your hands cool.

Some of the loveliest things are the infinity scarves in all kinds of colors and patterns. I would be willing to bet that there is one to go with anything you might have in your closet.

The one I think guaranteed to lift spirits on a cloudy, blustery winter day is this one.

The pictures are links, so go ahead and browse this wonderful shop or stop by the Tins and Treasures blog and say hello or both. 

I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus, on Twitter, and on Facebook