cathy of california

a range of ideas from aprons to plates, 1967

(from better homes and gardens, december 1967)

early 70s fashion illustration

i find myself so drawn to these illustrations because it reminds me of when i was first learning about fashion and style - right around the time i was too old to play with barbie and was beginning to be allowed to make my own decisons when it came to what i could wear. i think my sensibilities will forever be informed by this time period - especially when it comes to color.

these illustrations come from an early 70s british craft how-to book and i'm pretty sure that the illustrator was heavily influenced by biba.

(illustration from golden hands handcrafts 1973)

dansk for dinner, 1967

here i go again. instead of making dinner i'm flipping through the pages of betty crocker's hostess cookbook featuring more than 400 guest-tested recipes. how much do i love this place setting!

wanna try this at home? head to ebay for the candle holder and the "fluted flamestone" pattern dinner plate. on my first sweep i couldn't find the flatware or glass but with some more digging i'm sure it's all there.

now i think i'll go decide what to eat.

(from betty crocker's hostess cookbook featuring more than 400 guest-tested recipes 1967)

good housekeeping illustrations, 1961

today instead of actually cleaning my own house i decided to sit down and thumb through good housekeeping's guide to successful homemaking, a recent thrift store find. if you follow my blog you know that i go just nuts over vintage cookbook illustration. well it's time to add vintage housekeeping book illustration to that list. no credit was given to the wonderful illustrator who was most likely on the staff of good housekeeping.

(from good housekeeping's guide to successful homemaking revised edition, compiled by the editors of good housekeeping magazine, 1961)

table settings of note, 1963

there's a house down the street from me that an older gentleman lives in. he decorates for almost every holiday and there is often a handmade component. his displays are always very heartfelt and this holiday is no exception. there's a little tree near the edge of his lawn that is festooned with ornaments that are in the shape of cups (kind of like the ones you made as a kid with a gum wrapper) that are made with tinfoil. and of course the sign post a few feet away has been wrapped in tinfoil. i smile everytime i drive by.

i just love this angel centerpiece. not only does it remind me of those restaurants that wrap up your leftovers in foil that they then shape into some kind of animal (usually a swan) but also that it's shows that even some tinfoil and paper plates can make a special table setting for your holiday celebration. it all depends on where your heart is.

(from today's woman christmas ideas 1963)

"these are just a sampling of our many handcraft projects especially designed to solve your gift-giving and decorating problems", 1962

as you know i just can't get enough of the early to mid 60s "mc call's needlework & crafts". so i thought why not start my crafty christmas posts with this one. as usual the folks at mc calls's featured a bunch of crafts all coordinated together in an inspiring room setting. from the "knit wit" santa bottle cover to the crochet & rick rack chicken potholder there's alot to like here. but from some reason i seemed to be the most facinated by those spool marching band ornaments (also shown close up below).

it's no wonder i was drawn to them since i'm such a huge fan of the small object. i just love sarah neuberger's work especially the loop troupe gang and pipe cleaner ornaments.

("mc call's needlework and crafts" fall-winter 1962-63)

a pretty bag crocheted with snow-white yarn having surpisingly ample space inside, 1966

"enjoy crochet with teijin custom yarn with pearl-like luster. because of it's softness, and ideal amount of resistance as well as bulkiness, you can knit or crochet with ease and get a fine finish. it is free from thread-splitting and napping, and you are free from ironing or washing problems." how could you ask for anything more?

there was no date given on what i think is probably my new favorite craft booklet of all time. i was able to date it by the magazines the brilliant stylist chose to use for the back cover photos. that's the feburary 1966 issue of "seventeen" magazine.

("teijin ribbon straw custom yarn" booklet 1966)

home accessories keyed to the mediterranean look, 1960

"cover scene - an interior reflecting spanish influence in decor - is showcase for decorative acessories made in easy craft techniques."

i turned on my ipod just as i sat down to scan the images for this post. i have it set on shuffle and (what a coincidence!) "the lonely bull" by herb alpert and the tijuana brass was the first song that played!

as you know i just can't get enough of the art direction of the early to mid 60s "mc call's needlework and crafts". this one is a recent find (thanks ellen!) and i think it just might be my all time favorite. all of the crafts (everything - even the rug and tiles) featured were designed by irma bolley.

the crafts are all just so delightful, but i think the standout has got to be the "lively design in quick point" bull! it's really hard to tell from the picture but there's a "bit of added whimsey" - the banderillas are wool pompons on knitting needles!

the house i live in was built in the early 60s. not too long after we moved in i removed all of the mediterranean style switchplate covers because for some reason i wanted a "cleaner look". what was i thinking? luckily i didn't throw them away because i think it's time to reinstall them!

("mc call's needlework & crafts" fall-winter 1960-61)

a pleasure to make - a treasure to own, 1975

i just love that the art director for this catalog decided to use images of women relaxing and enjoying themselves after completing the rug or wallhanging they made from a shillcraft kit.

(from "shillcraft readicut rug and home decorating book", 1975)

marshall fields window display, 1959

since i'm a window dresser there's alot for me to love about this picture. the oufits the are just fabulous, those wicker monkeys are delightful and oh my goodness that banana! that mannequin is really intended to be holding a mirror, but what the heck a banana goes much better with the theme.

this amazing image is a slide from the collection of none other than charles phoenix, best known for his books, slideshows and school bus tours.

i just wanted to remind you that charles has a show tomorrow night at the ford ampitheater in hollywood. you're not going to want to miss all the surprises, special guests, and AMBROSIA that charles has in store. and with the kind of week we've had here in LA i think the we could all use a nice evening out and have a laugh or two.

please visit charles' website for all the details and you can buy tickets on the ford ampitheater website. and to make what promises to be a fun evening even that much more fun pre-show picnicking at the ford is encouraged.

i'll see you there!

(image from "americana the beautiful" by charles phoenix)