Through The Keyhole

NaPhoPoMo #7 Wedding Prep

Wedding plans are under way here.  In fact we're counting down the days, taking care of the final details.  It's mostly a do it ourselves affair with the help of several friends and family.  Tonight was silver polishing night.  Well, just the knives actually.  

A fabulous collection of vintage silver. 

There are so many gorgeous patterns.  Each time I see a new one I think it's my favorite.  Until the next one.

I especially dig the monogrammed pieces.  We'll sell most of this collection on ebay (where we found them originally) post-party but these two sweeties will be staying to live with us.  Tomorrow...forks.

(This photograph was taken as part of #NaPhoPoMo (National Photo Posting Month) -- a shot a day for the month of November.   You should join me:  it's a lesson in stopping and looking, improving your photography skills, and appreciating the beauty and light around you.) 

Food Photography @ The Pantry

I took a food photography class taught by Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez at The Pantry At Delancey.  It was such a lovely day.  I went for the lighting and styling tips. 

I also learned a bit more about my camera and photography equipment.  The best part though might have been the delicious lunch and meeting all the Seattle area food bloggers there.

 

And the props.  Oh, I love the props.  It requires thrifting.  What could possibly be better?

I had to pick up a few lovely treats while I was there.  Who doesn't need a Weck jar with long Madigascar vanilla beans hmmm?  Or a bit of delicious olive oil?

Check out my class mates.
Hannah Morgan http://www.panaceafood.com
Galen & Kim Maynard http://www.kitchencollaboration.com
Alex Wu http://www.yumsandloves.com
Rachel Dedrickson http://www.foodpearl.com
Stephanie Thompson http://www.twicecookedhalfbaked.com
Dawn Klinghuffer http://www.firstlookthencook.com
Hannah Cordes http://www.bluekaleroad.com
Amy Lechner http://www.cookbeautifully.com
Jennifer Love http://writemyselfahappyending.blogspot.com/

On a related note check out this lovely bit in the New York Times 

Thrifting Goodness

Estate sale score yesterday! I am especially fond of the metal clothes pin and the wooden bobbins with silk button thread.

Nostalgia

A morning of nostalgic enjoyment.

Vintage Swap Update

I'm way behind on updating about my vintage swap package.  I've been so exhausted since the car accident I've been mostly offline, resting whenever I can. 

I received my package in the mail as I was leaving for Journalfest.  It was a delicious treat.  My swap partner Heather had wrapped the goodies in what looks to me like cross stitch fabric.  I'll be washing it up and dyeing it I think.

 
What a fabulous little pile of treasures I have now.  Every time I look at it I choose a new favorite thing.  I'm particularly fond of the vintage pillowcases.  I just love vintage bed linens.

Heather was way more on top of it than me naturally.  See her post here to discover what I sent her.  Because of the accident, I wasn't able to shop and gathered from among my collection.  In the end I think it was more fun having such a restriction.  I looked as so many of the beautiful things I'd tucked away for just the right project.  Great fun.

You can go to the Vintage Swap 2009 blog here to see the rest of the swaps.  A feast of treats it is.  I look forward to playing with my treats and to future swaps. 

Enamel Necklace

I've been meaning to post about a necklace I made awhile ago. It's black enamel on etched copper. I found this type of enameling to be wonderfully meditative. I enjoy the focused attention required.

I did this in a kiln. I'm going to experiment to see if I can do this sort of work with a torch. I'll let you know how it goes.

Recently we went to the Fremont Sunday Market. A feast for the eyes.

This unusual desk was already sold. I've never seen anything like it. I swear it twinkled at me, glowing warmly in the afternoon light.

There's something for everyone here.

It seems I liked the tricycles that day. I didn't realize it until I was looking at the photos I snapped.

I couldn't resist this adorable cup. I'd love a set of these.

With that I'm off to start my weekend. I'm up much too early enjoying my first cup of tea. It's promising to be a full and joyous two days.

A Vintage Swap 2009

Heather of Shivaya Naturals is holding a vintage swap. It's going to be a scrumptuous adventure. The swap is closed now but you can follow the fun. Find the blog and info here. I'm looking forward to learning who my swap partner will be so I can begin gathering treats.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation Pt 1

Fairy Godmother's Day

Last year Tanner was feeling there had been too many days without a holiday so he decided we should begin celebrating Fairy Godmother's Day. Thoroughly enchanted we agreed. We plucked names out of a small pouch, each of us responsible for finding one small gift for the person who's name they had selected. It was such fun it's becoming a family tradition.

There isn't an actual date for Fairy Godmother's Day. It seems to occur in early summer when waiting for the next birthday seems endless. This year it arrived while camping on the Oregon coast visiting my sister. My wish was for vintage ribbons and buttons and my Fairy Godmother was my sweet boy. Debbie was stuck in the tent with a terrible flu so my sister took the boy thrift shopping. With her help he made my wish come true. His gift to me was enough buttons to fill a large tin and a luscious collection of silk and velvet ribbons. In the picture above you can see the ribbons. I've fondled them often, wondering what they'll become.

My favorite recent thrifting find is a vintage kite string spool,

Or maybe it's this hand stitched potholder with the teary boy and his oversized fork and knife.

Perhaps it's really this platter with tumbling circus characters.

Here's a recent find I reluctantly left behind. It would have been such fun to play with.

I loved the paisley details.

It's been a good summer for finding these treasures. Moments stolen away from obligation for the hunt, as enjoyable as actually coming away with a new gem. These treats are nestled into the nooks and crannies now and I'm thinking it's time to steal away again soon.

Mystery Find

I found this at a thrift store a few weeks ago and I just can't figure out what it is. I've poked around on silverware websites as I thought it might be a spoon rest but I haven't been able to find anything like it. It reminds me of a vintage pen rest for dip pens I saw at a stationers on Cape Cod several years ago. I can't find a photo of that either now. For now this will be set aside until I can figure out what it is.