This is how I made a pirate costume.

I start off by pulling clothes out of my closet that look like something a pirate would wear. Then I lay them out and start mixing them around!

Buttons Buttons

I'm always in need of vintage buttons to replace missing ones on my clothes. My mom picked up this button collection for me the other day. I've got them all sorted and now I can get started sewing!

AT THE AUCTION: Sat Oct. 20

Out at the auction today. Local auction house with a mix of collectibles and housewares.
Not a huge crowd but I would guess alot of family of the departed.

Todays Finds:
- box of 50's eyeglasses, pansy blue ribbon beer tap
- Small box of white 50's gloves
- army canteen
- Mickey Mouse radio
- Couple of old stuffed animals.
- Cast iron tub feet
- pair of brass candle holders + fur collars
- box of dolls
- juice set
- dough boy WWI helmet
- and I bought Alanna a nice vanity.

Pumpkin Patch

We stopped at this pumpkin patch in the middle of nowhere last week.

Brought home 4 pumpkins of our own! They were all home grow and local which is awesome.

The big pumpkins are called Cinderella pumpkins, how fun is that!

Another awesome photo album

I'm such a sucker for old photos. Alanna hates it because I keep buying these boxes and boxes of old photos.
They're not great sellers, but I'm soooo addicted to them.
We were in Dodge City yesterday and stopped by the antique mall. I saw this great photo album the last time we were in there and I finally pulled the trigger.
It looks like it was a family in Dodge City, probably with some money. Nice house and a series of travel photos.
Also someone in the family went to Southwestern College.
Lots of REALLY neat ones.

Orange you glad it's October?

Black Americana, it makes me kind of uncomfortable

So, Black Americana is a collectible market that, kind of makes me uncomfortable.
First I want to acknowledge that the collecting of black memorabilia, or "black Americana" is a legitimate collectible market. I don't believe that the people who collect it are racists or bigots. Like anything that has encapsulated an era of American history, it becomes collectible. The environment is perfect for a market. Unique subject matter, low numbers and visually striking. It hits all the requirements. Add to it the history and legacy of slavery and racism in America and these items become dynamic cultural artifacts.
But... They still make me uncomfortable. Not to the extent that I think people should stop collecting them, or that they should be destroyed, but they do make me feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps that is their value to some people. African Americans were not allowed to eat, sleep or learn in the same places as white people, and we're reduced to servants and/or entertainment.
I also believe that some of these items were used in black homes. Again, it says alot about the era when African American families would have such characatures of black people on their kitchen tables.
So while Alanna and I have had an opportunity to purchase some items like these salt shakers while we live here, I've been hesitant.
They are a legitimate collectible, with a wide range of value to buyers, but... They still kind of make me uncomfortable.
How do you feel about black Americana collecting?