I know I told myself I needed a Hoosier for storage, but really I'm pretty sure I just wanted to be able to put stuff in it for Halloween and Christmas. Especially Christmas. I could do a different Christmas display in the Hoosier for every month of the year, but that would put me in the category of "crazy lady who keeps Christmas stuff out year round." So we'll focus on Halloween.
There aren't many new additions to the Halloween collection this year - the black cat party favor on the bottom shelf is one, though. In a good year I find one or two new things, and that's OK. It's more fun when a collection builds slowly (and a dollar or two at a time).
Some old favorites.
It's a real leap of faith, putting the Halloween napkins out where they could be mistakenly grabbed and put to actual use. I wonder how I'd react. I'm guessing not well. My daughter is having a few friends over Saturday night, and I might have to hide the napkins first. It's that, or explain to each of my daughter's friends exactly what they can and cannot use. Which do you think my daughter would prefer? (I can see the texts now. "OMG! Carrie's mom is psycho!")
The little shelf is devoted to black-star Swanky Swigs! I'm so excited* because this year I remembered to get them out, and I have more than I recalled. I recently purchased a guidebook to Swanky Swigs. Carrie picked it up and said, "Wow. It must be hard to write, like, an entire book about Swanky Swigs." Meanwhile, I'm thinking there's just one book and not a 12-volume set?
Anyway, the arrival of the guidebook means (lucky you!) more informed commentary on Swanky Swigs (I will never, ever tire of that name.) The star pattern, as it turns out, is one of the earlier Swig patterns. It is from 1935. That's kind of impressive, isn't it? I don't generally think of them being that old. Anyway, there were orange star Swanky Swigs, too - and how awesome would that be at Halloween? - but apparently they are so rare that there are only four of them known to exist.
Also, I want to share a comment I received the other day:
Comment by: Secret Pepper Person
Oct 7, 2010
Thank you, Secret Pepper Person, thank you! All of the rest of you may be shouting, "No, Secret Pepper Person! Don't ask! Don't get her started!" but it is TOO LATE. I now have a legitimate reason to photograph and go on AT LENGTH about my beloved collection.
But not immediately.
I am hoping to post about 45 pictures of The Cutest Quilt Ever. Two hints: It's a crib quilt. And it has typewriter-key fabric. If cute's not your thing, you might want to skip it.
Also, you may have noticed the * after the words "so excited." Finding my four star-patterned Swanky Swigs was fun. I was happy. Let me say that what would make me actually very excited is peace, a 100 percent literacy rate, and a cure for every kind of cancer. Just for starters. Some times I don't feel like a very serious person here, and I don't want to be a very serious person here. But I think it's fairly important to be a serious person. For some reason I needed to say that.
Hahaha, you crack me up! Great post! The hoosier looks great all decked out for Halloween! I can't wait to see the quilt!
Posted by: Amy | October 21, 2010 at 06:37 AM
I am LOVING your Halloween displays!
And I completely understand about serious-ness...my bff is fighting breast cancer and there is a whole lot of serious-ness going on in my real world. But in my BLOG world, I can focus on tiny things that make things more fun. Which is a great distraction.
Hugs, Sonya
Posted by: Sonya-Dime Store Thrift | October 21, 2010 at 09:44 AM
I love it when you decorate the Hoosier! It's amazing how your Jadite stuff looks good with absolutely every season's decor!
I totally understand that being excited about Swanky Swigs doesn't equal being a frivolous person. I think blogs can give us a place to indulge in our fun obsessions when the rest of our lives are usually more serious but not necessarily blog material. (Love the black star SSs, they are so unusual!)
Posted by: Janelle | October 21, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I can't wait to hear the history because I never even heard of Swanky Swigs until I read your blog. Wouldn't know if I was even looking at one.
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 21, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Maybe it's time to frame those napkins ... who's psycho now?!
Your daughter sounds like she may be working on an advanced degree in vintage -- how many other teens can include 'swanky swig' in their vocabulary?
*Thanks for the disclaimer. This is where I come to escape reality.
Posted by: Into Vintage | October 21, 2010 at 11:59 AM
I love, love, LOVE your Hoosier Holidays!!! I am always so inspired by your fabulous displays - I really need to get my Jadeite out so it can be seen and enjoyed. you make it all look so wonderful!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | October 21, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Man you aim high - I'm excited if hubby puts the toilet seat down...and I personally would love to hear more about Swanky Swigs - never heard of them before in Canada (though I was pretty isolated from these sorts of things growing up lol)Jewels
Posted by: Julie | October 21, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Nice collection of vintage Halloween goodies. Here is more fodder for your future Swanky Swigs postings. I've never heard of them, either. I must have missed those posts. Looking forward to seeing more in the future!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | October 21, 2010 at 03:58 PM
love your hoosier, I tried to buy one last week but no luck couldn't come to a meeting of the minds. Your halloween display is so sweet.and what could I say about your swanky swigs??? wonderful
Cathy
Posted by: acorn hollow | October 21, 2010 at 06:57 PM
Hide the napkins (or I can always send you some from my stash too). I would be in the same boat as you if Kate's friends used my beloved napkins...am sure we don't want to be known as the psycho moms!
Posted by: laurie - magpie ethel | October 21, 2010 at 09:40 PM
I love the way the jade and orange plays together! It looks perfect for Halloween :-)
Posted by: Jenn | October 22, 2010 at 08:55 AM
Isn't it amazing how fantastic orange looks next to jadeite green? Those star glasses are one of my favorite things of yours! And as soon as I'm done typing this, I'm making a mad dash to Amazon to see if I too can own a Swanky Swig book. I had no idea there was one, and although I thought I had gotten over my obsession years and years ago, you've rekindled it in a big way!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | October 22, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Im in Florida and I dont think Ive ever seen one either! Other than online!
Posted by: Wendy | October 28, 2010 at 01:56 PM
I just found some of these cute swanky swigs at a local thrift store. Never had a chance to buy any before. There they were. They are too cute. Found two with black, two with blue, only 1 red. How much are they worth actually. How many do you have?
Posted by: Robin New | June 06, 2011 at 06:57 PM