Retro Collage Fun - Happy Retro Style

This winter I got out my tiny little scissors, my stacks of retro ephemera and I returned to collaging.  I had accumulated so many bits of fun ephemera I was just itching to do something with them.

My first idea was to develop around a thing. And since the magainze ads were so conscipously aspirational around the desire to accumulate wealth and possessions, that was my first idea.  But I tossed it in the trash like so many other great ideas that don't work except in your head.

I then focused on all the happy people in the ads and thought maybe I should just go with that flow. Without any irony but just see if I could find a way to enjoy their happiness. 

Here is one of the collage boards I just finished. I'm quite proud of the way it turned out.

Recycled Journals - Retro Fun Sketchbooks

I've started a new line in my JVoyage shop on Etsy. I've created a fun line of recycled Journals drawn from retro book covers from days gone by.  Yesterday I posted two new journals to the shop. The covers and backs of the journals are original book covers that date back to the 1950s and older. Inside the journals is a plentiful supply of high quality sketch paper. 

The journals can be used to jot down thoughts or sketch out an idea. They are really cool and one of a kind. Check out all the journals here.

.

Yummy Goodness

I've started to post the lovely illustrations I've harvested from an old promotional cookbook for Karo syrup. That delicious corn-based syrup that was a staple in my childhood.  The lovingly created illustrations are a treasure. I'm making them available in pdf form so that anyone can use them easily.  Find your cozy pie here

Drop Me A Line, Sophisti-cat

One of the most popular prints in my Etsy shop, JBling, has been a great little cat image that I tore off a wine crate. Perhaps you recognize it, too. I think a few of us know the wine. Anyway, I've just created the most darling notecards using the image, so we can spread this little feline around. I think you'll agree this fellow is worth a look. Go check him out, I call him Frenchie Cat.

OMG - I'm in Love with Joseph La Rose's Ponies

I just bought the most wonderful vintage shoes from the most wonderful shop. Take a look at these beauties from PearlModern. Such lovely vintage specimens. Their etsy shop is great, but the lovely vintage tidbits they share on their blog are really fab. I've learned a thing or two by spending some time on their blog. Wander around; I think it will be worth your time.
http://www.pearlmodern.blogspot.com/

I bought these shoes but this little shop has so many items. If there wasn't a recession going on, I'd load up on theit vintage goodies.  To find more of Pearl's aesthetics go to pearlmodern.etsy.com.

More?

Barbeque Man - Throw Something On the Grill

I found this happpy grill meister in a 1960s life style magazine. He is happy; he is providing for his family. I finally found something to do with this great image. I've made a series of lifestyle paperweights. And voila happy barbeque man was born.

You can check out BBQ guy and all the other retro ceramic tiles I have available in my etsy shop. 
Go To The Shop

Shrug? Snood? Fashion!

Shrug. Bolero. A small, cunning wrap.  I've been seeing them everywhere. There are over 5,000 shrugs listed on Etsy.  Here's One

And Another

And then there came the snood.  I mean, even the Wall Street Journal
has discovered the snood.  Will the Snood Save Christmas 
You can find 859 snoods on Etsy right now.
A Snood Here

Want One?

I Like This . . I Really Like This

Here's a big wheel courtesy of a very creative person I met in etsy's halls.  I bought this the minute I saw it.  Its called the Big Swing, created by: 1001WordsPhotography.

Delightful.

Tiny Robots - I need them

Bellamodaartist on etsy has the most delightful robot cuff links.  You really need to look at them.  Imagine these little creatures gracing the cuffs on your significant other's dress shirt.

Visit Bella's Shop

My Little Pinkie

Sometimes an image just captures your heart.  Here is
one that did it for me. 
See

Wonderous Kathmandu

The same weekend Hurricane Katrina visited New Orleans, we were in Kathmandu adopting our lovely Miss L.  Miss L is now in kindergarten and asking when she can go back to visit "her Nepal".  I found a lovely piece of art on Etsy that was evocative of our trip.  Its a watercolor and its lovely soft colors remind me of Miss L. and Kathmandu. See more by the artist here: HeartBeadsSupply

Kawaii the Cutable

I've got this fascination with Japanese anime and the tradition around kawaii. This includes precious characters like hello kitty. A number of great sellers on etsy have a wide assortment of these little cuties.

KungfuCowGirl

y0omii's shop