Verity Vintage Studio

Thanksgiving Thoughts Over Apple Pie

Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, we're supposed to specify what we are thankful for. There are always large things, like family and friends and freedom, that make the list. 

But this year, I've found my thoughts turning more toward my growing notice and appreciation of little things. Like aprons and apple pie. 

In preparation for one of the three of our large dinners for 65+ people around this time of year, I made a real old-fashioned apple pie.

I used an apple-corer-peeler-slicer this time, which saved me half an hour in a busy day and some weariness - I'm thankful for gadgets! I tossed the apples with spices and sugar and lemon zest - I'm thankful for scent!

I packed them in the wonderful homemade pie crust - our own lard makes them extra good! - so artistally crimped by my sister - I'm thankful for sisters!

I put the top crust on and made a little heart on it - I'm so thankful for the variety and beauty in something we work with so many times a day...food!

Then it came out of the oven, browned and fork tender, with butter bubbling madly around the edges - I'm thankful for butter!

And in between steps, as I wielded the rolling pin and listened to music, I wiped my hands on my cheerful apron and could watch the busy little lives of the birds in the tree outside the kitchen window. 

Little things are the stuff of life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Item of the Week - Appliqued Child's Tee

This cute coral-flower appliqued child's tee shirt is half price in my Etsy shop for one week only - slashed from $9.

For the Reenactor-at-Heart - 1940s Costume Examples

I found this wonderful image on Pinterest. I'm posting it extra large so you can see the detail.        

 

It's just ideal for a perfect encapsulation of three of the distinct 1940s styles that were worn then - and an example of how you can wear so many different styles-within-styles and still be authentic.

 

The suede shoes are all a similar common mid-high heel height - one is peeptoe, one a plain pump, and one looks like it has a little platform.

The skirts are all the same length - two are straighter suit-type skirts, one has more flare. Two of the ladies are wearing two piece solid color suits; the other, a one piece printed dress. The dress has (most likely) mock pockets on the skirt with gathers underneath, contrasting buttons past the waist and a wide fold down collar. The suit in the center has a cute peplum, fancy buttons, and some tab and yoke detail, while the collar is narrow. The suit on the right is plainer in cut, which sets off perfectly the scoop neckline with the pleated ruffle. I can't quite tell if she is wearing a dickey with it or not, but it would work either way.

Accessories are well represented here too! One lady has a corsage, one has no necklace, the other a double strand of pearls - the classic necklace. Two of the ladies have earrings. One bag is a classic satchel-type, one is a cute novelty (possibly crocheted) tube or roll purse, the other is an unusual drawstring envelope style almost like a larger evening bag. Gloves are the three basic styles from the era - short (white) ones, long (black) ones, and a mid-length gauntlet - my personal favorite! The hats are all shady summer ones and different in brim and crown style.

You can't see the hair well here, but it still shows both the highly structured roll or bun and the loose, more casual curls of several lengths.

Such photos are so much fun to find and study, and no end helpful for putting together authentic costumes or, if you're a seamstress, finding the right styles, buttons, and accessories for an outfit.

Item of the Week - Vintage Novel

This vintage novel, The Mettle of the Pasture by James Lane Allen, is half price in my Etsy shop for one week only - slashed from $6.

November Tutorial - Changing Vintage Earrings to Shoe Clips

Sometimes you can find great vintage earrings that you don't want to wear as earrings. These clip-on rhinestones were too large for me, but they were the perfect size for glitzy shoe clips.

Of course shoe clips can be clipped on other things as well - they're so versatile! And for those interested in costumes, they are quite Period as well - from the 1800s up through the 1980s shoe clips of various types were worn quite frequently. 

 

 

You will need...

 

hot glue gun or jewelry glue

 

pliers

 

1 pair of shoe clip findings

 

felt scraps

 

scissors

 

large clip-on earrings

 

Making the Clips

1.  Just like in my converting earrings tutorial, you will need to break off the clip close to the earring.

Grip it close to the base with the pliers and bend it back and forth until the clip comes off. When you're done, the earring will lay flat.

 

2. Cut a small circle of felt and glue it firmly to the back of the earring.

 

3. Glue the shoe clip firmly to the felt pad.

If you have trouble with the glue "taking" to the metal, try lightly sanding the back of the earring with some fine-grain sandpaper before glueing the felt to it.

That's it! It only takes 5 minutes. When the glue is dry, you can wear them!

Shoe clips are a great way to makeover a boring pair of shoes or add a matching touch to your outfit. Wear them on sandals too, on the straps. Plus you can mix and match, using fabric ones, sequins, pearls, rhinestones...whatever matches your mood.

To be able to recycle vintage finds is the icing on the cake!

 

~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio

 

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, etc.

 

Item of the Week - Lace Handkerchief Vest

This lovely purple, sparkly crocheted handkerchief style vest is half price in my Etsy shop for one week only. Women's size XS - slashed from $35.