Breathing New Life into the Old Blog

Spring on our family farm.

Spring has arrived and summer will soon be here.  I’ve not blogged in some time but have been missing it.  Time to share!  

 I’ve been actively selling on the internet for more than 20 years and I truly feel the need to have another presence on the Web in addition to Facebook, Pinterest, and our eBay store, Frank's Stuff.   

There is a problem though.  Since my store and interests are eclectic, it is certainly hard to narrow down what to share with readers.  Guess what?  You’re going to get eclectic posts to start with.

  

Eclectic posts?  What does that mean?  Well, I want to share deals from my store but also from all over the net.  I'll share interesting adventures and tidbits from our north woods forays.  I’m going to share the things that are important in our lives, faith, family, fun, food …

Morel Mushrooms in my backyard!

So bear with me as I work on once again finding my writing mojo.  Though some of my posts may have affiliate links, I promise to only share when I feel it will be interesting, useful, or of benefit to you.

Button Fairies

I had so much fun with the recent button fairy swap on Swap-bot.  It has created a whole new way for me to look at buttons.  The possibilities are endless.  I’ll share my button fairies and if you want to know more details, feel free to contact me.

There are several good tutorials online.  One of the best I’ve found is here at Maggies World.  You can use your own photos, vintage clip art, or your own creations for the torsoe and head.  

Wings were a fun challenge for me, too.  I used something different on each fairy, feathers, garland, and paper doilies.  You could use vintage clip art wings, too.

The wire was a cinch for me as I have a plethera of florist wire (other projects.)

Now you simply need a supply of buttons and beads.   Need more vintage buttons?  You can always check out my eBay store, Frank’s Stuff.  I often have vintage craft supplies listed and currently have many buttons.

A Winner! Congratulations to Jennifer!

Jennifer of  My not so Hurried Life was the winner of our eBay gift card giveaway.  Thank you to all that participated.

Continue to follow this blog for more fun giveaways in the near future.

Black Friday Sale

Thanksgiving is almost here!  Not only does the Holiday provide a wonderful opportunity for food, family, fellowship, thanks, and praise; but a chance to get some fantastic bargains.

We will be running a special on all of our eBay store items this weekend.  Visit Frank's Stuff for some holiday bargains.

And don't forget, you still have a chance to enter our giveaway for a $10 gift certificate from eBay.  You can use the gift certificate anywhere on eBay.

11/20/09 $10 eBay Gift Certificate

Just in time for Christmas!  Use the gift certificate in our store, Frank's Stuff, or anywhere on eBay. 

Lots of ways to win! 

I ask that your first entry be that you follow this blog.  If you already do, leave a comment to that effect.  Other ways to enter:

• Leave a comment with a fun, eBay experience you've had.
• Leave a comment with what you'd like to see posted on my blog..
• Blog about this giveaway, leave a comment with link to the post.
• Follow me on Twitter, djfshop. 
• Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done daily).
• Visit our eBay store, Frank's Stuff and leave a comment about an item that you liked in the store.

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. Giveaway ends 11/26/09 (Thanksgiving Day) at 8 pm CST. Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or another winner will be drawn.

Click here to see the entire Giveaway Blog Hop List....

11-10-09 New Facebook Group with Giveaway

A new exciting Facebook group, Net Friends! Join to share to meet friends, share tips on online business, or just to win the weekly give-aways. This week's giveaway is the Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book 6 loaded with recipes, crafts, and decorating ideas.

And don't forget about the giveaway on this blog, the antique postcard giveaway!

Tuesday is eBay Night

Frequently, Leo and I launch our eBay auctions on Tuesday night. Why Tuesdays? We usually use 7 day auctions and this is the best closing day so that we can assure a two-day turn around upon payment. Tonight's launches are mostly my lots, vintage doilies and 1940's Ladies Handkerchiefs. Now my plan is to have a bit of theme on Tuesday's with my auction launches. Share a bit of info or fun facts and share a link to our store.

I adore the vintage handkerchiefs on their own, but fell in love with the butterfly quilts. I am saving a few from my collections to make a quilt or have my aunt stitch one.

A few of my eBay items - qsell

Model A Ford Rat Rod Yard Art Doodlebug Tractor Truck Pretty Estate Embroidered Floral Square Tablecloth Gorgeous Large 4 1 2 Inch Seashell Shell Belt Buckle Estate Embroidered Runner Hearts n Roses Needlelace Vintage NOS Ford Threaded Axle Wheel Hub Cap 2 5 8 OD Estate Dishtowel Embroidered Herbs 28x28 Inch Parsley 3 Estate Painted DOW Dishtowels 26 x29 Inch Frogs 1972 73 K 400 Clinton Sea King 4 HP Outboard Fly Wheel 4 Pretty goldtone Pendants w Stones Estate Jewelry 1972 73 Clinton K400 Sea King 4 HP Outboard Motor Prop Wisconsin Estate Little Miniature Baby Doll Pretty 3 Pc Estate Crochet Antimacassar Chair Set Elegant Blue Carnival Glass Footed Candy Dish Bowl Adorable Vintage Goldtone w Rhinestones Poodle Pin Vintage Soft Plastic Little Boy Blue Doll w Glass Eyes Unusual Goldtone Estate Adustable Choker Necklace

Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek

New at Frank’s Stuff

We have been busy going through many of our items and getting ready to get back into high gear on listing new items in our store, Frank's Stuff.

We will be adding new additions in Jewelry, Dolls, and Leo has some fun additions too.

Coming soon! Watch for news on the prize winner for our drawing for helpers with doll identifying!

New at the Frank's

The Frank farm i s getting to be a busy place. With the anticipation of grandpa's 80th birthday and Nicole and Bo's wedding shower this month, the plans and people are flying fast and furious.

We are also busy getting new items listed at our online store, Frank's Stuff. Above is a blacksmith made animal trap. Some of the other items in the myriad of items Leo will be listing today include vintage boat motor parts and vintage car parts.

I'm still working on identifying and listing dolls. This little cutie is probably from the 1940's

I also am slowly but surely getting some of the estate costume jewelry listed. It is so much fun to sift through the baubles and photo them.

Help Identifying Dolls Contest

Do you like this pretty vintage porcelain covered musical trinket box? You could win it or a gift certificate for 10% off our eBay store (up to $10.) How? Help me to identify the dolls in this photo album. Simply post your answers in the album or here, but make sure you leave me contact email information. I will delete email addresses ASAP or you can email me them at stuff3@charter.net. All those that help will be entered in the drawing for each and every doll they offer information about. I would love to know makers, names, dates, functions, values, or anything else you might think is helpful for me to know about the doll.

I've a plethera of dolls, many of whom I have never identified. I am going to begin selling the dolls as well as my daughter's doll collection on eBay. Please help

Clifford Thompson AKA The Norwegian Viking Giant

Topping out at 8 ft 7 inches tall, Clifford Thompson heralded himself as the world's tallest man. I stumbled on Clifford's life story when I was researching a real photo postcard a had acquired at a recent estate auction.

Clifford was born in 1904 in Rugby, North Dakota and moved to Scandinavia, Wisconsin with his family soon after and was raised in Wisconsin.

He spent 8 years traveling with various circuses and sideshows. He also performed in movies and appeared in many advertising promotions.

He married his 5'6" wife in 1939.

In 1944, Clifford earned his law degree from Marquette University and eventually settled in Portland Oregon, where he died in 1944

I do currently have this postcard listed in my eBay auctions.

To view more pictures and read more about Mr. Thompson, you can visit the Ames Historical Society, Tallest Ever Movie Giants, Genesis 6 Giants and Phreeque.

Winner #2! Super September Give-Aways!

Our second winner in our Super September Give-Away is Kevin! He also was a eBay Motor Customer. (Week #1 winner was too!) Kevin has been notified and his prize will be going out in the mail tomorrow.

We will be drawing on the 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Surprise prizes may include reproduction Victorian Cards, mugs, and more. You do not need to buy anything to be entered in the drawings! There are lots of ways to enter. Enter as often as you wish!

To enter:

1. All of our successful eBay buyers are automatically entered
2. Simply comment on any of our blogs, including this one to recieve one entry per comment.
3. Leave a friendly message in "My eBay World" guestbook or our website www.djfshop.net guestbook.
4. Subscribe to any of our newsletters.
5. Submit contributions such as articles or photos for consideration to our website or blogs. Subjects include Primitive Decor, Rat rods and car projects, and vintage recipes. You retain copyright priveleges to the contribution but allow us to publish it in our blog or website.
   
6. Promote our eBay store Frank's Stuff on your blog, about me page or other. Don't forget to notify us of your posting so that we can enter you in the drawing!
   

Winners will be notified by email, so make sure we have your email or eBay contact info so that we can let you know you've won and get your mailing address to send your prize!

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I Can't Part With It!

It's not the prettiest book in the world, but when I went to list it on eBay I found myself reading it rather than writing the description. What's the ugly book about? It's entitled The A & P Every Day Cook Book. I've not found a copyright date, but it is definitely before the use of the modern stove or modern standard cooking measures.

What's so fascinating? It has amazing recipes (and many quite bizarre recipes) of which I've never heard the like. It also has recipes for 'cometiques' and household hints. With my love for all things Victorian & Edwardian, this silly little book will just have to stay with me for a bit longer.

It contains many fascinating recipes, including the recipe for headcheese. Maybe I will take some time to share a few of the recipes and helpful hints in this blog.

Now, what to share first...Something funny or a recipe? Or a funny recipe? I'll start with a recipe that maybe a good cook could easily adapt to modern methods. I've taken the liberty of making it look a little more like a modern recipe.

Indian Chetney

8 oz sharp, sour apples - pared and cored

8 oz Tomatoes

8 oz salt

8 oz browned sugar

8 oz Stoned Raisins

4 oz cayenne pepper

4 oz powdered ginger

2 oz garlic

2 oz shallots

3 quarts vinegar

1 quart lemon juice


1. Chop the apples in small square pieces and add to them the other ingredients.

2. Mix the whole well together, and put in a well-covered jar.

3. Keep jar in a warm place, and stir every day for a month, taking care to put on the lid after this operation.

4. Strain, but do not squeeze it dry. Reserve liquor as it will serve as an excellent sauce for meat or fish.

5. Store the chetney away in clean jars or bottles for use.