american craft magazine just keeps getting better and better. i could barely contain myself today when i opened my mailbox and saw the latest issue with this breathtaking photograph of lenore tawney taken in 1957 on the cover. there is also an article on edith heath(!).
(cover of american craft magazine februray/march 2008)
cover of macrame a new look at an ancient art by lejeune whitney published by lejeuene incorporated, sunnyvale, california, 1971
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)
yep it's almost that time of year again! here's just a little sneak preview for you of some of the vintage holiday crafty stuff i'll be sharing with you from my ever expanding collection of craft how-to books from the 60s + 70s.
don't you just love the illustration of that tree? i just found a HUGE stack of some of the most wonderful publications by aleene at a thrift store. i just about passed out.
but for now i'm totally swamped at my "regular job" getting all of my clients ready for the holidays. see you real soon!
(cover of "yuletide project book" by aleene, 1962)
"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)
glass by timo sarpaneva featured on the cover of craft horizons, august 1953
enameled glass by maurice heaton featured on the cover of craft horizons, june 1954
"symbolic arrangement of elements" used in the silk- screen process featured on the cover of craft horizons, august 1953
glass by tapio wirkkala featured on the cover of craft horizons, august 1953
wall panel by mariska karasz featured on the cover of craft horizons, april 1953
(this one is my favorite!)
