Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Linen Calendars

Okay, I admit, I didn't quite give you the whole story when I said that Justin's Grandma gave me a box of quilt scraps. The truth is, she really gave me about six boxes, each loaded with new and exciting things. I thought showing you all of them at once might be a bit of vintage-treasure overload, so instead you'll get them one at a time, just like I did. 


In box number two, rolled up neatly like so many scrolls of ancient wisdom, was half-a-century's worth of linen calendars. The oldest, I think, is from 1960, and though a few years were missing, most are here, still beautifully colourful, on gorgeous heavy linen.


My favourite of them all is this folky mustard-coloured calendar below, from 1980. The figures seem like they could have popped right out of a Hans Christian Anderson story!


Now, I can't promise that these calendars will be reincarnated quite as quickly as the patchwork scraps, but they are here, waiting for inspiration to strike, ready to cast off their old dates and take on the new year!

13 comments:

Susan said...

Hi there, I'm a reader from Switzerland. I'm not quite sure how I found you - maybe it's the title; my favorite color is Red. I'm glad I did,as I really enjoy your blog.

At any rate, I often visit the Brocki here (actually they're called Brockenhaus) -it's much like a thrift shop. In particular I love to find linen calendars and tea towels while "treasure hunting", so when I saw this blog-post pop up in my Google Reader, I got really excited - and had to leave a comment. Thanks for the photos, and I hope you find a fun way to use these beautiful linens.

And thanks for blogging!

Unknown said...

Hi Astrid,
I am not sure if you will remember but I think we were at UEA together. I can't for the life of me remember which course we did together but I did American Studies.
Your blog/photos kept popping up on Facebook a little while back and I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now.
It is so lovely to see all of your amazing creations and all the photos of your beautiful little girl.
Anyway I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog (when I am meant to be working).
Robyn

Unknown said...

Hi! I do enjoy your blog and so I am passing on the "Stylish Blogger Award" to you! Check out my post and link for this award. Congratulations!
http://trusk4u.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html

Anna Lloyd said...

Don't you dare cut them up girl! Frame them or something! :)

Stacy Kraus McDonald said...

Oh my, I wonder what 1975 looks like (my birth year)! What a delight you must have had going through them all.

Nanny said...

Hi Astrid! I'll have to ask Grandma, but many of them have the look of Sweden.....they probably came from Lindsborg, KS also known as "Little Sweden" among our Kansas friends. Can't wait to see what you do with them!
Stephanie

Jadyn said...

Can't wait to see what you end up doing with these! I'm also looking forward to finding out what was in the other boxes. What a wonderful gift.

another donkey design by kate said...

Hi – I have nominated you for a stylish bloggers award – check out the details on how to accept here: http://anotherdonkeydesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-bloggers-award.html
Thanks for making me blog happy!

erika said...

They are so pretty, I have a few callendars myself and I love them, can't wait to see what they will be...

Kathryn said...

Wow, these are simply amazing! That mustard yellow one is incredible, I know you'll come up with something clever to do with all of them - good luck! :)

PS- Happy New Year!

monkeemoomoo said...

I don't think I would be able to breath properly if I had opened those boxes.

Love linen, love tea towels, love European folk design! Love, love, love:)

Anonymous said...

I have a growing collection of linen tea towels, some calendar ones, other's kitschy souvenirs. I have decided to make cushions for our sofa of my favourites! Love the mustard one too!

WorldsGreatestMimi said...

Hello, I'm a reader from Tennessee, United States and I collect the linen calendars. I was wondering if you would be interested in selling them to me? I would love an opportunity to talk with you about these. Please email me at ssitzlar@roaneschools.com

Thank you!

-Shelia