Is It Vintage - Herbarium

Did you collect herbarium at school? We found one herbarium (in Finnish kasvisto as it is written on cover) from flea market in Rauma. It was so cheap and thinking how much work someone had made. Oh boy.  Had to buy it. That cover is a little bit bible-like or what do you think?

This herbarium wasn't in good condition but few pages were still good quality. And for your knowledge I'm too young(yes yes!) - I didn't collect herbarium when I was in school. Maybe I should have - that I would remember better all the names of plants growing in Finland. 

This collection is made between about 1957-1962. So our parents did collect these. Maybe I have to ask from my mom where she is hiding her herbarium, haha. Have you made one?

So small and tidy handwriting.

These are beautiful. Twins. I think this would work well as a postcard or a small poster.

It's so funny how all the plants are so different. The world of shapes and colors is endless. (Can you see my toes? I had to leave them - looks funny.)

I think here are grades what she or he got from this herbarium. It's not easy to get good grades - not then not now. But nowadays we have so different challenges. I'm sure people were more connected to nature then. We are more connected like this - through internet. World is getting smaller and smaller. But what is happening to us really. We can't affort to lose connection to nature.

One thing is sure. We've lost the beauty of details in our everyday life. These herbarium book covers are so beautiful.

xo

Kreetta

ps. How to make herbarium? You can find the information here.

Is It Vintage - Happy Families Playing Cards

Do you remember the game? I do but I didn't play with these cards, we had more common cards - I remember. These ones I found from Imatra, Eastern Finland. We visited flea markets and one place was full of funny things like these playing cards. I think these can be from 1920-50's. What do you think?

I found my family or I found my occupation, haha...there's no woman photographer - it's a man's world in these cards. Wife is only making her daily make up but...well, things change don't they? We make changes by doing things differently.

Is It Vintage is one of my blog's series. I post it once in the month. If you want to see more of these go here. 

I love old and frayed. I love things with stories and history. I wonder who has played funny games with these pretty cards? I hope they have brought a lot of joy to their owner or owners. Maybe we can play Happy Families with these cards on Christmas Eve. What are you going to do when you are waiting for Santa Claus?

xo
Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Vineta

It's time to tell you a vintage story. This is a jug by Rörstrand. Design is called Vineta. I totally love it's decoration. I photographed it in August that now I can give you some summer feelings in the middle of November. We all need it, don't we. You know, at the moment the wind is blowing heavily and you can hear how it whistles in the corners of the house. Sounds familiar?

I found this jug from one big antik shop/ flea market in Sweden few years ago. We made a trip by car here and there in Swedish countryside. There were so many beautiful landscapes. The antik shop was huge and full of vintage treasures. Because the jug is a little bit broken I got it very cheap.

Vineta was produced between 1887-1925 by Rörstrand. I tried to find it's designer but I couldn't. Do you know the designer of Vineta? It would be great to hear.

I think Vineta is very romantic and sophisticated. It is like a jewellery on the table with bunch of flowers. 

I collect vintage treasures and this post is part of my Is It Vintage post series. You can find all of them here. I'm a photographer and I always need beautiful props and things in my work.

Have a lovely Sunday and I hope the week will begin with great energy and inspiration!

xo

Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Small Scissors

I bought these scissors in auction without knowing that they even existed. I bought a big box of old sewing materials, threads, buttons, fabrics and when I was unbacking the box at home I was totally amezed when I saw these in one small box. I don't know how old are they but I'm sure these are the most beautiful scissors I've ever seen. 

The decoration is just amazing. Do you know how old are these? Or have you ever seen scissors like them? I've used them once - they aren't so sharp anymore. But who cares. They are so adorable.

I don't know where you can get such a handmade quality nowadays. Look at those small details. It's just amazing.

I love old things because they look beautiful but also they have often a story behind them. Sad to say I don't know the story behind these scissors. But that I know, in that same box I found also few black lace scarfs - mantillas.  So I guess this lady lived a long life.

This post is one of my Is It Vintage post series. If you like to see them all just go and see them here.

xo
Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Cloth Pins

Just because of the package. Font love. Vintage. Green.

I wonder how old are these? The package is lovely. Simple and ordinary things can look beautiful. I think I bought these lovely ones from flea market. I've been in so many places that it is hard to remember where I bought and what I bought...I've noticed that this Is It Vintage post series is my favorite. What do you think about it?

Friday - the first day at work was full of new things. Tomorrow it will all begin in real speed and I sure you it takes time to get use to it.

I wish you very a creative and wonderful week!

xo
Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Swedish Green

These plates are designed by Arthur Percy, Sweden (1886-1976) Arthur Percy was a Swedish artist and ceramist. 1923 he was chosen to be  art director of Gefle porcelain factory. The factory existed 1910-1979 in Gävle.

As I'm on gluten free and dairy free diet and I love to eat Pavlova and I'm not the only one as you can see and you might find a recipe from here also. It's very simple. Sweet merinque and fresh berries with touch of melissa and sugar water. As you know you need only sugar and eggs to get the best merinque. Some almonds or pistachios goes well together with merinque. They roast nicely on top of the merinque. Heavenly taste.

I found these beautiful plates from Sweden. We made a one week long flea market and antique trip to Sweden two years ago. It was great fun and I have to admit I loved it! Beautiful country with many treasures. I guess these plates are quite common in Sweden but to me they are still treasures.

xo

Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Emilia

I'm telling you again about Raija Uosikkinen and Arabia. You know me. I love vintage and good design in old tableware. Design is Emilia. It is made in 1950's and it's decoration was inspired by Raija Uosikkinen's aunt's life in America. 

My cup is missing the plate and it's also a little bit broken. I got it with very cheap price at one flea market. I think this cup is sweet with delicate charm. 

Usually I like to photograph in daylight - aren't we all - but this time I decided to photograph late in the evening. Or actually it was almost twelve o'clock at night. I wanted to use light what we have here in Finland this time of the year. Amazing light.

I was making also ice cream but it's not in the cup, as you see...I ate it already. Have to do a new one and photograph it!

There's something magical in this light.

xo

Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Kupittaan Savi vase designed by Linnea Lehtonen

This time I introduce you Kupittaan Savi and a beautiful vase designed by Linnea Lehtonen. Kupittaan Savi produced tiles, bricks and ceramic dishes and decorative items. The factory was in Turku. You can find several their products here in Finnish online shop Dishwareheaven. You can also find many Kupittaan Savi products just with simple google search. Kupittaan Savi products were awarded including the Paris World's Fair 1937. Unfortunately Kupittaan Savi were bankrupt in the year 1969.

I found this vase from auction. I love it's very simple decoration and form. Very trendy triangle shapes combined with black and white scandinavian style. There's handwritten singnature at the bottom. It was designed in 1950's. It represents the tradition of functionalism. Turku was important place of funtionalism in Finland. You might have heard about Alvar Aalto and Aino Aalto, talented well-known Finnish designers. This vase is a quite rare find. Quite many of these are already owned by collectors from different countries. For example Japanese are very interested of Finnish design.

I think this vase brings my mind African style. Simple figure repeats itself. I wonder where has designer Linnea Lehtonen got her inspiration to make such a pretty vase? Do you like it?

xo
Kreetta

Is It Vintage - Easter with Jupiter

New posting series comes here: Is It Vintage. It will come out once in the month but not always the same way. I thought it would be great to begin your week with Jupiter. They are designed by talented designer and artisan Raija Uosikkinen. She worked as a decorator and designer for Arabia in 1947 - 1986. Jupiter was manufactured in the years 1960-67 and Arabia is very Finnish brand. You can find almost all her production here. If you want to know a little about Raija Uosikkinen, it´s here. And if you feel you want to buy some old Finnish tableware you can find it here. If you are interested about new Arabia, it's here. If you are interested in older Arabia by designer(valitse suunnittelija), decoration(valitse koriste) or stamp (valitse leima), you find great information here. It's only in Finnish but you need only few words and I've written them after english versions, see above...Ok? Hopefully. Do ask if not.

Yes, now we get back to oh, so wonderful Jupiter! You might already know my love to vintage and old things. Well, here's some ideas to your Easter table setting. Feathers, flowers and unbleached cotton fabric.

 

Easy and light. Voilà. Wonderful Easter!

xo

Kreetta