Not to sound jaded, but sometimes I think I've seen every vintage thing that exists - if not at a sale, then at a show, if not at a show then on someone's blog or in a magazine. So when I see something I've never seen before, it's kind of thrilling.
And when it's at a sale, and I can pick it up and play with it and imagine it coming to live with me, it's even better.
Except when it's priced out of my reach. As was the case with this set of wooden blocks. (America's Best Known Designing Set? Is this something everyone else knew about and not me?)
So even though I carried the tattered box around with me at Saturday's sale, I ended up putting it back. The grinding sound my car was making was still echoing in my ears, and I knew a repair bill was in my future. This was no time to be frittering away money on extremely cute blocks that could be fashioned into quilt patterns.
And a sale that would have earned three aprons (nice staff, good social interaction and a box full of party stuff for next to nothing) got dropped down to two aprons because I suffered from a bitter disappointment. (Here's an explanation of the apron rating system if you need one.)
I planned to return to the sale for afternoon markdowns once Mr. Oodles got home and loaned me his wheels. This gave me hours to regret my frugality. I only hoped that the watering can I wanted was still available.
Finally Mr. Oodles came home, and I went to the sale, and the first thing I saw was the watering can. Hooray! Except the bottom half of its tag had been torn off, meaning it had been sold. More disappointment. (Do I deduct another apron for a second disappointment? Or is disappointment in and of itself a deduction regardless of the number of items? I had no idea how confusing this system could be when I invented it.)
I picked up a picture frame. Big deal. And then I saw the box of wooden blocks. Still available! And now less expensive! (All of the aprons have been restored, and one is added for The Thing I Really Wanted Still Being There.) That makes it a four-apron sale:
And now it was less expensive! Add another apron!
All that remains of the box is the top that identifies it, and the pattern sheet on the underside.
Do I even need to tell you how fun these are?
Each block is the same: sides that are a solid red, yellow, blue and white, and a half red-half white side, and a half blue-half yellow side.
It's kind of amazing how many variations you can get out of just those six sides.
Sometimes the pattern even looks nice from the side.
I have been in a somewhat grumpy mood the last two days (not unrelated to the car repair), but putting all of these designs together for photos cheered me up considerably.
These blocks are not just fun.
They're therapeutic.
What a fun block set - I am so happy you were able to get it.
Posted by: Melinda | April 12, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Wow B - as a quilter I am in LOVE with your blocks (and happy they were at a reduced price, LOL). As for your car, do what I did last weekend and by a new one...! J (despite what you may think I still believe you have the best of luck at sales...)
Posted by: Julie | April 12, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Why did they have to stop making toys like that? They kind of remind me of tangrams.
I'm sorry you are grumpy and your car is broken...I will send out a happy wish for you as the Texas sky is full of stars tonight.
Posted by: freckled hen | April 12, 2011 at 10:35 PM
What a great find. Reminds me of quilt patterns. All the fun and you don't have to sew it. I am so enjoying your blog.
Susie
The Polka Dot Rose
Posted by: Susie | April 12, 2011 at 11:30 PM
It really was your lucky day -- more aprons is what I like to see. On the other hand, I am so jealous...I love those blocks!
Posted by: Martha | April 13, 2011 at 01:07 AM
And now you see WHY it is " America's Best Known Design Set". And are there any OTHER design sets to be had? I can totally empathise with the car thing. The tires on my car look like racing slicks--very smooth (not a good thing unless you are in Nascar) And yet I keep risking my life (and my sister's) by driving this risky ride to estate sale after estate sale and squandering my cash when I should be saving and buying new tires. What is wrong with me? And i don't even have a nut cup to show for it!
Posted by: Celeste | April 13, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Good luck with the car- I took ours in for brake work yesterday, and it only cost me $35, which was amazing- hopefully you'll have the same luck! The blocks are wonderful- as a quilter, I think I would have broken down and paid full price for them! Nice find!
Posted by: Jenny G. | April 13, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Very graphic (in a good way)! I bet they are lots of fun!
Posted by: Angela | April 13, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Blocks like these were an important part of Kindergarten when Kindergarten was first invented. people like Frank Lloyd Wright used manipulatives like this in their formative years. I'm thrilled you found a set like this.
Posted by: Mary Ellen | April 14, 2011 at 08:43 PM
How is it those blocks are so simple and so clever at the same time?
Car repairs are next on the list of things that make grouchy, right after taxes. They're never simple or clever.
Posted by: Into Vintage | April 15, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Congrats Jenny G. on the $35 brake job. I walked out with a $600 brake job. Then the transmission fell out of my husbands car the next day. I am overwhelmed with car repairs right now. Wish I had a beautiful block set to take my mind off of it.
Posted by: KathyD | April 16, 2011 at 12:02 PM
These are fabulous! I love this. I wish they were mine.
Posted by: nanette | April 18, 2011 at 11:51 AM
The quilter in me really LOVES these design blocks!!!
Posted by: GardenOfDaisies | April 19, 2011 at 01:11 AM
Can I come live with you? Or maybe next door? You ALWAYS find such wonderful things!
Posted by: Cynthia | April 19, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Those blocks look like good, mindless fun! Just the ticket when you're trying to forget about looming car repair bills, which can really suck the fun out of life. I hope it's a very small fix, and not anything that will keep you away from treasure hunting!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | April 19, 2011 at 11:35 AM
I am lovin' the apron system. Those blocks are great...I know just how you felt when you went back and they were still there. Your heart skipped a beat (or 2)<3
Posted by: Marilyn Podoll | April 19, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Now that was a fun find!! After all these years of going to sales, the one important thing that I have learned is to expect nothing and be open to what you might find. It is the unexpected that makes this so addictive!
Posted by: black eyed susans kitchen | April 20, 2011 at 10:53 AM