Picnic by Ellie

Collecting: Kokeshi Dolls

Could you resist these faces? I've been admiring kokeshi dolls for some time now (though I've never owned one). Their sweet expressions and delicate detail combined with their storied past make them irresistible, I think. While we were away, we stopped in a shop that had a great collection of these vintage dolls, and it was hard not to leave with the whole shabang. In fact, I was originally going to buy one...and we see how well that turned out. I'm usually not a doll fan, but these girls are different. They're sweet, but not precious. They're cute, but not cutesy. They just work. Anyway, I've just added one of these little girls to the shop, along with a chalet music/jewelry box and an Enid Collins box bag (apparently to celebrate all things wooden!) Stop by, if you'd like! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Springing Forward

I was so excited to find this vintage record album for a song at Goodwill over the weekend. There may have been squealing. I remember seeing this album at Jane's Apron a while back (she has adorable ideas for vintage albums), and I fell in love with the graphics. Album covers make such great wall art, don't you think? They're bold, graphic and budget-friendly, plus you can frame them and change them depending on the season (or your mood)! Our Goodwill store tends to have lots of albums at very affordable prices. Urban Outfitters offers these sweet album frames, and I've seen album frames at Michael's and Target as well. A great project for a rainy day, I think.

Oh, and this picture comes just in time for Daylight Saving Time! Don't forget to set your clocks this weekend. Spring might be on its way after all!

Love-y Dove-y

Hello out there! Okay, so I've been meaning to show you this bag ever since Christmas. My parents found this Enid Collins purse on their antique-y travels and were kind enough to scoop it up for me. As you know, I love an Enid bag. I've been drooling over Flickr pictures and watching eBay auctions fly into the stratosphere for the past couple of years. That's why I couldn't believe that I'd never seen this design. It's marked Love Doves, an Enid pattern I had seen with the signature stones and embellishments, but never this entirely painted (transferred?) version. And while I love the over-the-top feel of bling-y Enid bags, there's something simple and wearable about the flat painted versions that really appeals to me right now. (Although I will most likely never plop my keys and wallet inside and head off to the grocery store. Just. Can't.) Maybe it's a sign of the times. Anyway, if you know anything about this pattern or just want to share your favorite Enid pattern/picture, please drop me a line! I'd love to hear from you!

XOXO,

Ellie

Happy Valentine's Day!

 
Just popping by to wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day weekend!

These and other vintage goodies available in the shop! Check out the New Arrivals section for all of the latest additions!

XOXO,

Ellie

Collecting: Pati Prints

Aren't these happy little mushrooms, with their orange spotted pink bonnets?

And their sweet pinkish purple tops, open and shut like umbrellas?

I've recently become obsessed with Pati illustrations like these two, and they've quickly become my favorite thing to search for at sales, shops and markets. These colorful kitchen illustrations and recipes are always so playful and clever. I can see myself filling a wall with them if I'm not careful! Have any of you been collecting these, too?

These two charming prints, along with a few other home goods (and some more mushroom-y goodness) are available at the shop right now. Stop by if you'd like!

Happy Friday, everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

Cottage Industry

Hello out there! It has been way too long, right? We have so much catching up to do! I have to apologize for taking such a long blog vacation. I didn't mean to spend so much time away, but the summer just flew by! Thank you so much for all of your sweet emails and comments while I was gone. You gals are the best...

When I last checked in, we chatted about the upcoming yard sales and flea markets. Any favorite vintage finds you'd like to share? That pink tin dollhouse is my favorite vintage find right now. It reminds me so much of my dollhouse from childhood: pink with blue shutters. Plus it has a handle! I originally intended to give this little darling as a gift, but I'm finding it impossible to part with...

And now on to new business! During my break, I thought a lot about Picnic by Ellie's direction. I've always wanted to open an online shop filled with vintage items and other goodies, and it seemed like it was finally the right time. So, I decided to spend the summer hunting down treasures and coming up with designs and items to sell at the new Picnic by Ellie online shop. And today the shop is officially open for business! So, what's in store? At Picnic by Ellie, you'll find vintage and handmade items ranging from jewelry to handbags to home goods...and holiday items on the way! I've tried my best to fill the shop with fresh colors and playful designs. If you'd like, drop by for a visit and let me know what you think! I will be adding many more items (especially home goods) over the coming weeks, so stop in again if you have the time!

I hope all is well with each and every one of you, and I'm looking forward to catching up! Take care and I'll check in again soon!

XOXO,

Ellie

Let the Fun Begin!

Yard sale season is here! And I've never been more ready for it. As much as I love antique malls, thrift stores, and eBay, there's nothing like getting out in the morning sun and bargaining, right?

Personally, I haven't had much luck with thrift stores in 2008, and I'm not quite sure why. My mother-in-law, meanwhile, has found several great pieces at the thrift stores in her area, from Pyrex to Cathrineholm, all in nice condition. She also found the cute oversized wooden dominoes in the picture. Aren't they sweet?

Anyway, this weekend our local orchard opens for the season and hosts a flea market as well. This always feels like the beginning of spring to me. I'll let you know what I find!

Happy Monday, everyone!

My First Enid

Isn't she cute? Oh, I've been wanting an Enid Collins bag for a very long time, but the right one just never happened along. (Have you seen some of the prices on eBay?) Then my sweet hubby surprised me with this one over the weekend! I had never even seen an Enid bag in person. (Coincidentally, the day after I got this, I saw one in an antique mall. Funny how life works, right?) I have to tell you that this picture does not begin to do it justice. The handwork and the playful colors are so fantastic and fun. I feel like a lucky girl. I can't possibly deserve this much sweetness...

For beautiful pictures of Enid bags, check out this Flickr group. Enjoy the eye candy!

Pink & Blue

As promised, here are a few of my finds from last weekend. Boy, was the antique sale busy! There was no strolling in the cards. I did manage to nab a few sweet finds, like these dishes and flower pin, and a few other pieces I'll show you soon. For some reason, I was especially drawn to pink and blue, and I came home with pieces that work together. I love it when that happens! I thought these blue footed mugs were adorable and they were such a deal! Perfect for hot chocolate. The sweet lady I bought them from said, "Well, they certainly are colorful." She seemed so happy to get rid of them, which I thought was pretty funny. (Though not as funny as the man who nearly begged me to buy his Eisenhower placemats. I like Ike, but maybe not that much.) Anyway, I've wanted a set of these pink crinoline dishes for some time, and I was lucky to find some with bowls to match. I think they scream to be used at a birthday party, don't you?

Ready for Snow

The sky looks white. December is fast approaching. So, where is our snow? This picture always reminds me of crisp, snowy winter days at my grandmother's house. (You've probably seen these Charmin prints in antique stores or flea markets. They belong to a set depicting different little girls in different seasons, and I think they're so charming.) My mother had a whole set that her father bought for her when she was a little girl, and they hung in my grandmother's house for many, many years. My grandmother lived on a hill in a sweet snow-covered town. The light was different there. The snow was whiter, almost glittery. The days lingered. It always felt like Christmas. It's funny how a simple picture can bring back all of those memories and feelings. Oh, and a few snowflakes wouldn't hurt either...