Thursday’s Unique Picks – The Madness

Let the games begin; it is March, so let’s start the madness.

Just Net, original art photograph print from el shoppe on etsy of an antique penny arcade basketball game.

Just to do a quick recap for you. 

I am not a sporty gal. I do not play anything well. Therefore, I do not participate in any type of organized or even unorganized sporting events. 

Adorable vintage baller figurine from Jenny Elkins' etsy shop. This is how a girly would play basketball, wearing a skirt and playing against a duck. The duck is fouling her.

I do watch some sports from time to time. Sometimes I do even enjoy the games. I would never choose to watch football. Football makes me sleepy and confused. Baseball…is growing on me (maybe I am just addicted to the hot dogs). 

Hoop dreamy upcycled vintage assemblage brooch from transient treasures etsy shop, featuring a fantastic 1940's basketball charm.

Basketball is another story though. I do indeed love my college hoops, especially this time of year. Conference tournament time is here and after that it is all about going to the big dance. Not prom, but the NCAA tournament. 

Charm them with your sweet basketball watching skills and this engraved handfinished cherry basketball pendant from 3Princess Engraving on etsy.

It is all very exciting to watch. It doesn’t matter how high your team is ranked or what your season record is because if you lose in the tournament, you are out. Like Charlie says, it is all about…“Duh, Winning”. 

For this week’s Unique Picks, I will  hoop it up, with finds that you can score from superstar etsy sellers, in the midst of all of this basketball madness.

Hoop it up this month with this tee from retroEra on etsy.

There is no need to dress up like a basketball player to support your favorite team but if you are game...

Go old school cool

These 1940's athletic shorts from Save the Vintage's etsy shop, will be sure to make heads turn when you walk into any bar to watch tournament games.

Just because they are short doesn't mean they can't be all star basketball players. Cutie crocheted Converse basketball booties from Thelma Blitz Knitz & Fantasy Sunglasses on etsy.

I love to see those awesome "Alleyoops". This vintage chenille school patch is from bouquet's etsy shop.

Don't miss those Alleyoops or these other great picks...

but don't get picked off.

Wet your whistle while cheering on your team with these vintage whistle swizzle sticks from Sunny Day Vintage's etsy shop. Did you just see a foul or did you need another drink?

 This fab 1950's vintage bobble head from chershaffer on esty is sure to agree with all of your calls and may even make his free throws.

Can't get enough Basketball on TV? Try picking up a book, like this 1949 Teen-age Basketball Stories from Nummynaze's shop on etsy, to fill those empty minutes. It may not have Leonardo DiCaprio in it, but something tells me this illustrated tale might be a little less disturbing than that movie, The Basketball Diaries.

I know that there is no "I" in team, but

Great 1925 Basketball team photograph from Dusty Lorraine's etsy shop.

"I" hope that this week's picks have been a slam dunk, and have you all pumped up for the tip off to March Madness basket ballin'.

Your Choice Giveaway

I am so excited to announce that my etsy shop, 

The Unique Bird 

is sponsoring a giveaway through 

Jessie Lynn Smith's blog.

Since I offer a selection of vintage decor and handmade home decor using vintage materials in my shop, I thought it would be a great idea to offer the winner of this giveaway their choice of either a beautiful vintage green glass vase or a handmade one of a kind vintage fabric throw pillow.

Handmade vintage fabric decorative throw pillow 

by The Unique Bird

One of a kind handmade decorative throw pillow using printed vintage fabric and vintage hand embroidered applique. This pillow is made of printed vintage cotton/poly blend printed fabric. This bold and exciting oversized, abstract print of trees is printed in an array of fresh greens and has a pop of sunny yellow on an antique white colored ground. The printed fabric is lined with new unbleached cotton muslin fabric.

The sweet vintage hand embroidered applique is of a bird sitting on a branch surrounded by pine cones is on an antique white colored light weight cotton fabric base. The applied vintage embroidered applique has raw edges and has been secured with cream stitching as well as a decorative pale yellow zig zag stitch.

The cover of the pillow is removable and machine washable (delicate cycle). I suggest machine washing the pillow cover inside out. Tumble dry low heat. Iron on cotton setting as needed. Vintage floral fabric binding is used along the opening at the back of pillow. Hand tacked “The Unique Bird” label in lower right corner on the back of the pillow. The entire pillow measures about 11” x 10 1/2”. Printed abstract tree fabric, printed floral binding, and embroidery are vintage materials. Printed label, cotton poly thread, unbleached cotton muslin and 100% poly fill pillow insert are all new materials. 

Beautiful vintage green glass vase

From The Unique Bird

Beautiful vintage green glass vase. This lovely vase is brilliant green colored glass, has wide rounded horizontal ribbing and a slightly scalloped detail at the rim.

It measures 7” tall and 3” across base. Opening is 3 3/4” across. This piece is in good vintage condition with no cracks, no chips, and only light scratches on base from wear. This lovely vase is vintage but has a fantastic modern aesthetic and would add a touch of color and texture to any room. 

Please visit the 

Jessie Lynn Smith blog 

to find out about the giveaway rules and to enter to win your choice!

Don't miss out, the giveaway will end on March 19th, 2011 at midnight EST.

 Hope you will enter!

Thursday's Unique Picks - Button, Button...

Have you ever had a nickname? I have personally had quite a few. Lil S, Crazy, Sweat pant, Sandwich, Patchwork, Sar-a-bear, Garage Sale Girly, just to name a few.

Recently, I have been fortunate enough to gain a new nickname, thanks to my Hubby. He is now calling me “Buttons”.

Buttons for Breakfast. Beautiful original photograph from Dear Machine's etsy shop

I actually don’t mind this one. It is not because he thinks I am “Cute as a Button” or because I tend to “push his buttons”, it is because I have been sitting on the floor of our family room sorting through jars of vintage buttons.

 Cute as a Button, original digital art print from henna tayeb photography's etsy shop.

So you may be wondering, are this week’s Unique Picks from great etsy sellers all about nicknames? Good guess, but it is less about nicknames in general and more specifically about my nickname. This week’s findings were picked because I have buttons on my mind, and because it is apparently my new name.

Gorgeous collection of vintage buttons from eliabethwrenvintage on etsy.

You may be inquiring, “What is with the button bonanza Girly? Sorry, Buttons?”

It all started with a custom request in my etsy shop for a reusable fabric coffee sleeve. Since I kind of have a “thing” for vintage fabrics, etc., I tried my best to come up with a design that incorporated some great vintage materials.

Voila. Reusable Vintage fabric coffee sleeve from The Unique Bird. P.S. they are machine washable.

With one under my belt I thought I would test the waters with a few more. For the record, I am covered on vintage fabrics from now until the end of time, but as for the buttons… I had this pretty glass button jar filled with lovely vintage buttons that had been given to me by friends, and ones that I would pick up from time to time at flea markets. Sure, I would nab one of the buttons here and there to use on a pillow, but mostly it was just sitting on a shelf in my sewing room as a pretty decoration.

Great find from This, That, & Other Things etsy shop. It is a lovely vintage glass jar filled with vintage buttons that would be great on display or may even become quite handy one day.

My little jars went from decoration to sew-eet usefulness. The only problem was every time I need one, I had to dump out the entire jar and hunt for a pair that sort of went together. A few weeks later, after repeatedly dumping the jars and then having to clean them up, and snagging a hefty stash of vintage buttons from my Mom, I decided that I should get wise and organize my collection. Buttons went back to her post, sorting on the floor.

So, it is not vintage and awesome, it is plastic and cheap, but I was desperately in need. I have at least sorted them by size now. I will deal with color another day.

To Satisfy the slightly OCD crafter (like myself)  but also fulfill your desire for cool vintage storage for your sorting...

Industrial chic, vintage metal bread pan rack from Sarah Antiques on etsy.

"Button, Button, Who's got the Button?"

I just thought this was something silly my dad would say to me when I was little. It turned out it is actually a traditional children's game that dates before the 1900's. Thanks to my pals at Wikipedia for cluing me in on this.  

Well, I have the button, or I have some more great picks with buttons in mind. Finds that are button encrusted, to button embellished, to things that aren't even buttons at all...or are they?

Who has the buttons? I am pretty sure this vintage purse does, found in Vintage Valley Girl's etsy shop.

Miss Mary Mack had buttons all down her back, but this sweet handmade upcycled mini dress from Rusty Cuts etsy shop, happens to have buttons all down the front.

This find is dripping with dazling buttons. Here is something new for the blushing bride, a one of a kind handmade bouquet of buttons and beads from FindingFlora's etsy shop.

Did you know that buttons were first used over 3,000 years ago in the Bronze age. The buttons that they used though were purely for decoration. It wasn't until the 13th century that buttons started being used as a functional closure on garments.

Whimsical pink and brown buttons have been combined to create this delightful detailed headband from Mama Made's etsy shop.

These delicate vintage floral plastic buttons have been upcycled into a precious pair of earrings and can be found in handyjan's etsy shop

Even this dear little duckie pincushion from Pozey's Pincushions "Plus" on etsy, has been detailed with an array of vintage buttons.

Buttons and Bow, brilliant handmade embroidered pillow from Studio 35's etsy shop.

Just to button up this week's picks here are some buttons that can't be tossed into the button jar.

Off the cuff. This fab handmade porcelain votive holder from reshape studio on etsy was actually slip cast from vintage button and frayed fabric.

So delicious you could eat them up! You really can. These amazing vintage inspired buttons from Andie's Specialty Sweets etsy shop, are actually made of sugar. They would be the perfect touch on a crafty vintage inspired cake or cupcakes.

I hope that you have enjoyed my findings!

Until we meet again next week with more picks from etsy sellers...

Sincerely yours,

Buttons

Thursday's Unique Picks - Looks Can Be Deceiving

Close your eyes and picture a domestic goddess.

Illustration of "The Goddess of Cooking", from a vintage cook book, found in Arcanium Antiques etsy shop. She is painfully absent from my kitchen.

Did you see me?

I knew you wouldn’t.

What inspired today’s picks from great etsy sellers? Let’s just say that looks can be deceiving, so it would behoove you to keep things organized.

This lovely little vintage recipe box, from CoopDeVilla on etsy, will keep all of your well loved recipes tidy.

Here is a glimpse at what happens when a self-proclaimed “domestically disabled” girly tries her hand at baking some cookies. Not one of my favorite things to make (I would much rather put together a killer casserole), but when mother asks…

So I decided on a recipe that is fairly simple, no crazy ingredients, and it yields quite a few cookies.

mmmmm.
 Chocolate Chip Mexican Wedding Cakes!
(A.K.A. delicious bite sized balls of goodness) 

• 1 cup (2 sticks butter) softened
• ¼” cup powdered sugar sifted
•  1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-2 ½” teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 6 oz. Semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels

Preheat oven: 350

Beat butter and sugar together until creamy + beat in vanilla + gradually beat in flour and cinnamon + Stir in chocolate chips = cookie dough (consistency should be like wet sand).
Roll dough into 1” balls and place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake for about 12-14 min. (Bottoms of cookies should be slightly tanned). Cool on cookie sheet for 2 min. then move to wire rack to cool completely.

Should yield about 3 ½ - 4 dozen cookies

This is what the finished cookies should look like sans the chocolate drizzle, because for me that would be taking things just a little too far. This picture is from my c.2003 cook book Simple Mexican Meals from Ortega.  

Could it be any easier? I have made these many times before so by now they should be a snap to whip up. Last Saturday afternoon, while dancing around in my kitchen, I proceeded to assemble the dough.

What's Cooking? Great vintage photo from Romance Writer's etsy shop.

The dough seemed to be an odd consistency. It was sort of sticky and slimy. Did I let the butter soften too much? I went over the list of ingredients again and again, yes, I had included everything on the list. Never mind, the cookies are sure to right themselves when baked. Into the oven they went and the smell of chocolate chips filled the room. About five minutes into baking, I decided to sneak a peek to see how they were coming along. Gasp! Expletive! I had a tray of caramel colored bubbly goo and melted chocolate. I called my hubby to the scene to inspect my disaster and possibly help me figure out where I went astray. I dredged out all of the ingredients again…The powdered sugar…

It seems that I had just a little bit of powdered sugar in a bag.

I don't usually store baking stuff like this. When ever I get a bag of flour or sugar, I try to transfer them to a plastic storage container or canisters. This keeps things fresher and makes them easier to store. Mine are not really cool and stylish looking but they get the job done.

The flour...

Hubby asked, "Which container did you use?". Hmmm. Why would that matter? They are both flour. Why would I have an entire container and a little baggie of powdered sugar? Turns out I did have an entire container of powdered sugar and that was what I put into the cookies. 1/4" cup sifted powdered sugar and 2 cups powdered sugar. Looks like my space saving/organization system had a few holes.

 At a glance can you tell the difference? Humor me. Tell me they look the same to you too.

Today's Unique picks are fantastic finds to keep your kitchen organized and avoid mistaken identities when cooking and baking.

What could be better than see through storage on a lazy susan? Ease your way into organization with this great 1970's canister set is from Vintage Eye's etsy shop.

Spice up your spice jars! These sweet glass vintage spice jars from filed away's etsy shop sure do beat those plastic ones from the grocery store.

A place for everything, and everything in its place. This beautiful vintage french spice rack is from Benefit Jewels on etsy.

The possibilities are endless with this cottage chic metal rack from CareyLeigh007 etsy shop. What do you want to be today, a napkin holder, a plate holder, a mail sorter? This could even store your pot lids in style!

If you need the counter space or even drawer space might I suggest using some organized vertical storage solutions. 

Check out this vintage wall mounted paper towel, wax paper, and aluminum foil dispenser from Sixty to Seventy's etsy shop. That is what I call easy access.

There will be no need to fumble around in a drawer for your pot holder when you keep them within arms reach, using these upcycled vintage silverware hooks from Legacies For You on etsy.

 I fear that I have neglected to address the most obvious need in my kitchen to get organized and avoid future mishaps.

Proper labels! These fantastic primitive looking craft labels can be found in Twine's etsy shop.

These great finds from etsy seller may not earn you a the golden oven mit for cooking...

This lovely pewter oven mit charm necklace found in Michelle Hartney's recycledrings etsy shop, goes to the cook with the most organized kitchen!

but you will surely earn silver for having your kitchen in ship shape order for your next baking extravaganza. Anyway, if you can't deliver the baked goods you can always go to the bakery...that is what they are there for, the domestically disabled.