Monday, February 21, 2011

Vintage Monday - Vintage Potholders...

Quite a while back when I first started posting my
"Vintage Monday's" ... showing you some of my favorite vintage things that I have in my collections....I posted about crochet hot pads.
If you didn't see them...you can read about them here.

I've recently added more to my collection thanks to a fabulous find at one of my favorite thrift shops.
I came across four bags that looked like they were full of vintage crocheted doilies and hotpads.
They were marked at 1.99 each...which is a fantastic deal already but as luck would have it...it was 50% off all yellow tags day, making them 1.00 for each bag!
I couldn't wait to get them home to see everything that was in there...
Here are some of my favorites...
































My heart thrilled with each and every one as I pulled them out of the bag.
I think that they probably came from the same kitchen...being all together like that....and whoever made them must have loved red and white just like me because most of them are those colors.
I imagine that she lovingly crocheted each potholder in the evenings after the kids were asleep and she finally had some time to herself for handwork and listening to her favorite programs....or maybe she took them along in her sewing bag to a Ladies Aid meeting to keep her hands busy?
What do you think?
It's when I find things such as this that keeps me out going through bins at my local thrift shops....I don't find treasures every time I go...but the times that I do make it totally worthwhile!
How about you?...do you like thrifting?
What kinds of vintage finds make your heart skip a beat?



51 comments:

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Lori, now that is a GREAT find. Don't you know the lady cherished them as much as you do and she is really happy they have found there way into your hands.

Mary said...

I'm sure you will enjoy them. Thanks for sharing the pics. I like the dress adn overalls set. I wonder about the family that didn't want them and donated them. Breaks my heart. How many of my projects will end up at a Thrift shop?

Sue said...

What wonderful treasures you've found. Thay all look as if they haven't been used too.

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Cute! I love the creamers and sugar bowl.
The one with the lavendar and yellow trim looks oddly familiar. I think I had a napkin once upon a time edged in a similar yarn.

Dorian said...

Lori, these remind me of my Grandma and Great-Grandma's houses. They both crocheted, knitted and quilted.

I, too, love thrift storing. I find in the package zippers and various other parts for bags. But my favorite find is old sewing machines. I have an old electric White (the cast iron ones) and a 1930s New Home. Both bought at a thrift store for $16 a piece!! and both work super :)

Kathleen Grace said...

These are just wonderful, and they seem to be pretty pristine and unstained! I once found a bag of vintage ricrak and trims for $2.50 at the thrift store, treasure!

Darlene said...

What a wonderful 'find', Lori. I do believe they were meant to belong to you. :-)

Little Pieces of My Life said...

Oh what treasures!Very pretty!

Isn't it sad to think of all the work that went into making them and some how they get discarded along the way?

Hugs, Karen

ohiofarmgirl said...

They are just too cute, I have a few of them put away that my Grandmother made. I have not used them and I guess I will just pass them on to my girls. Dianntha

Lois said...

I also love the vintage pot holders and have several but I don't have any of the cute clothing items. Guess, I'm going to have to search for those. I enjoy looking at your collection!

Nedra said...

I think you have LUCKY stamped on your forehead. How do you keep finding such treasures? They are so YOU. As a new crocheter, I wish I could sit by the designers side and learn.

Elizabeth said...

What a fabulous find! I'm lucky to find one or two a year. You have some really cute ones--like the boy and girl outfits. I also see some red and white ones that are gorgeous.

Ruby said...

Things like the potholders and other linens thrill me! I love older glassware. The kind with a star cut in the bottom. Old needle art pieces or kits. It's harder to find a bargain or a 'steal'. Most shops in my area price vintage stuff pretty high.

Linda said...

What a great find. As we speak I am crocheting a dishcloth. My first.. Its not quite square, but what the heck....haha..

Unknown said...

Wow, what a find. These are so beautiful. I participate in the potholder swap at Flickr and the pieces that are done are truly works of art. Thanks for sharing your finds.
Teresa

Needled Mom said...

Thank goodness that someone like you picked up on someone's hours of love and labor that went into making them!!!! They are all gorgeous.

Cathy H. said...

What a wonderful find!! These are amazing! I'm so glad they made their way to you. I know you'll cherish them!

Mac n' Janet said...

They're wonderful, lucky, lucky you.

sandy said...

My Mom has made many that looked just like the ones you found! Must have been popular patterns. Thanks for sharing.

donna said...

What an awesome find. You lucky girl. Our thrift stores have not had much lately. But I did find some treasures at an estate sale this Saturday. Please viist my blog at donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com
Hugs
donna

whitey said...

Looks like you scored big time they are all great!

Maxine said...

What a find is right..I have some like some of them that my husbands grandmother made for us when we got married, and that will be 50 years in April..I would like to find a great thrift store in St George...love to do that. I got side tracked and looked at the pictures of your little granddaughter...what a cutie.

Mary said...

love the potholders. Love to pickup vintage linens. I have lots of napkins, aprons, dresser scarfs. They are just so beautiful.

Mary said...

Love you potholders. I love to collect old vintage linens. Have napkins, aprons, and dresser scarfs. They are just so beautiful.

Brenda said...

I just found 2 of these vintage potholders a couple of weekends ago while out with daughter number 2. I have decided to keep an eye out for more because I want to decorate my bulkhead over in my kitchen with some. I also just found 3 patterns in a magazine I just bought this past weekend and may try my hand at making some myself! Love vintage anything.

Katie said...

These remind so much of my Grandmother who patiently taught me to knit and crochet. I spent every summer with her and loved every minute of it.

Karen said...

What a deal. Better than the ones I found at a thrift store for sure.

Delirious said...

I am almost drooling looking at these pictures!! Okay, here is what I think you should do with the hot pads. I think you should make a wall in your kitchen with all of them hanging together! :) And those baby clothes are precious! What a steal!!

Anonymous said...

I love your crocheted hot pads! I just bought my first one on Saturday. Don't really collect them, but I couldn't resist it was so cute. Will have to post it today.

Peggy H.
www.neverenoughstash.blogspot.com

Sharon said...

Oh My Lori! Don't you feel like you STOLE them at that price? I am sure the original owner would love to know that you will treasure them as much as she did. They couldn't have found a better home! Don't ya just love those thrift stores? And people have no idea what they are missing by hitting major dept stores for "new" stuff! Oh well, leave the goodies for the rest of us!

Unknown said...

Lori!!!!!!
Mu gosh, I NEVER find bags like this! I am convinced no one that age lives in AZ unless they have already gotten rid of their goodies...it is like there are "Thrift" cops at the border! LOL These are fantastic!!!! I would love to post the first photo to my blog with a link to you, would that be OK????? I would have been doing such a happy dance!!!! :):) Sandy @ 521 Lake Street

Material Mary said...

I have to say that you totally scored on this find. Love your blog. Made your vintage valentine pillow--loved every minute of it. Thanks for such inspiration.
Mary

Eileen said...

Oh my; you hit pay day, the lottery! Congrats they are wonderful, beautiful. Sew lucky you

Terry said...

What a score!!! These are so pretty and it's wonderful that you found them and have given them a new home. My latest score was a vintage hat pin holder...now to find some great hat pins to display in it! TFS

trish said...

Oh my goodness.
Those are such treasures!
What will you do with them?
Do you display them?
I am currently thrift store deprived where I live (we have one little one in town-not too many goodies).
My favorite find there is a huge ornate frame that my husband and I created into a giant chalkboard, for our kitchen. :o)
Have a great week. :o)

Bonnita said...

You SCORED!

Shelley said...

LOL I was just gonna write what Bonnita said! Beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome!!! Love those old potholders.

Linda Ruthie said...

Lucky you! I am green with envy here. I keep seeing beauties like these at my local flea/antique markets and the price is usually $5.00 each, even with small stains and discoloration. I just can't justify spending that for something that I would like to have just because it's vintage and adorable. The little dress is just the cutest and I love all the ones with the three-dimensional flowers in the center. Thank you so much for sharing these treasures with us.

Jeanine said...

Oh my, did you ever discover a treasure! I love to hear stories like this and it's so nice when you can see the pictures of the items. You make me want to go thrifting! I especially love it when someone who appreciates vintage so much is the finder.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow -- what a find Lori. Those potholders are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I was lucky enough to be given bunches of these by my grandmother. She told me she and her friends made them by the dozen during WWII while their husbands were deployed. I'm sure these types of potholders and doilies were made in all sorts of situations but everytime I see them I immediately picture a wife of a soldier during WWII channeling her anxiety and nervous energy into her crocheting.

Abby said...

Lori, Thanks for sharing your wonderful vintage potholders. I am almost as excited as your are! I not too long ago found a bag of vintage hankies. I was really excited too! What a treasure.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a find, I'm so glad you found them, not someone who wouldn't appreciate them, so sad that this ladies family didn't appreciate her skills. Wish I could find something like that at my local shop.....

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Srry bt yr pthldrs md m drl nd shrtd t th vwls n m kbrd.

Ths r fbls!

(translation: I'm sorry, but these potholders made me drool and shorted out the vowels on my keyboard. These are fabulous!)

Pots and Pins said...

Love them! You've got to tell me where you shop so the next time I come to SLC I can go there!! I'm always on the "hunt" for something! xo, Nan

Ruth said...

I collect vintage potholders too and just love them. You reallyy hit the jackpot!! I love going to thrift shops. Once the person ahead of me had a bag like one of yours and it was only 50 cents! I was so jealous!

Jodi Nelson said...

Oh my gosh!!!! That was a HUGE find! I love them all.

Michelle said...

Wow! I'm torn between sadness that they wound up in a thrift store for a buck, and joy that they found their way to you and will be loved and taken care of.

Julie B. said...

Wow! Lucky you! Those are darling! Do you do a link up for Vintage Mondays?

Unknown said...

This is the coolest collection of pot holders! Did you cheer or scream a little when you found them? I always squeak a little joy out when I find the perfect unique item. Thrift stores are my calming therapy. Decorating my quilt room is a serious obsession. Your room is sew cute. I could easily be a copycat, but every girls space should speak to who they are. Love your style and color choices. You don't know me, but we are definitely kindred spirits! Keep up the great designing!!

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