Tabu

Here is a perfume gift box with unopened bottles of Tabu by Dana.  The larger bottle is not the one the box was built for, however, as the padded opening is 1/2" longer and rectangular like the little one.  The sizes are 2 fl oz and 1/8 fl oz.

The perfume has condensed and evaporated even though the bottles are still sealed with wax under the caps.  It still smells ok, but, not knowing what it smells like fresh, it may not be usable.

There are little foil tags on strings around the necks.  Blended in the USA with Imported Essences.

Here is the cover of the pretty box.  I could not find another online, so don't know if this is a Tabu box originally or one of the other Dana fragrances.  Does anyone know?

Jean Carles created Tabu in 1932.  Here is his method of becoming a perfumier.  Here is a link to a blog that reviews vintage perfumes.  Evidently the scent is not for the timid.  I got some on my fingers from the wax and it doesn't smell as bad as some of the descriptions I've run across,but it is not for me.

Here is the description of the fragrance:

Top notes: Bergamot, Orange, Neroli, Coriander, spice notes
Heart notes: Clove bud, ylang-ylang, rose oriental, jasmine, narcissus, clover
Base notes: Patchouli, civet, cedar, vetiver, sandalwood, benzoin, amber, musk, oakmoss

I learned a new word - anosmic.  It is the inability to distinguish smells.

The New Dana Perfume Company now sells Tabu, but aficianados disparage it as a supermarket brand and say it does not smell the same as the original.

New Endeavor

First of all, I apologize for not posting anything for a month.  Living got in the way of blogging.  I promise to be better this winter when there are fewer distractions.  That said, I have an announcement to make.

Over at my Etsy store I have just put up some items I have been working on for a few weeks--Feral Cat Hats.  While not everyone's cup of tea, they will appeal to the young at heart and lovers of cats everywhere.  A friend of mine runs a T-N-R called Carol's Ferals here in Grand Rapids, Michigan and that was my inspiration for the hats.  A portion of every sale goes to Carol's Ferals for neutering and caring for feral cats.

They come in S thru XL, 20" thru 24".  I'm not making children's sizes because of the added hassle of federal regulations.  Surely there is someone on your holiday list that would wear one of these proudly.  I am selling them at random because I make them as I'm inspired by the colors, so you never know what you will get.  Sort of like kittens.

Domesticity

Here's a little brochure I picked up a while back.

Just how often has your current vacuum spoken to you?

Judging from the fact that there is no suction unless the wheels are rolling back and forth the average housewife will get quite a workout vacuuming the portieres unless she has three arms. (Or a helper, as shown.)

Here is the Kenney patent referred to.  They were still referencing this patent in 1967.

Vogue Special Design

I just added these to my store.  Coincidentally I have 4 Vogue Special Design sew-in labels left, too!

Daffy Gladys

Gladys loved flowers.  Especially if they were purple.  Gladys also loved to embroider and crochet and had developed real skill with both.  Sadly, Gladys wasn't very good at botany.  Or color coordination.

You can purchase Gladys' lovely runner in my Etsy store.  It is 16" x 41" and has a slight yellowing in the center from being folded up in a drawer for years.  I don't believe it was ever used.

I'm sure there is someone out there who appreciates all of Gladys' hard work!

Poodley Poo

What could be more ubiquitous to the 1950's than  poodles?  Poodle accessories?  Or poodle wallpaper?

Or this?

I think it looks more like a llama.

This lovely accessory and even some pekingese abominations are to be found in this American Thread Co Star Gift Book No 140, now available at my Etsy store.  If you're really into poodles, don't overlook the dishtowel and the other craft book.  Just put poodle in the search box when you get to my store.

Incidentally, the hat above is called a "Jibber" in the instructions.  I have no idea why.  Different definitions for this word lead me to sailboats, stealing, balking, blogging, snowboarding, and Mr T.  Anyone have any idea where this name came from?

A Glorious Potpourri of Crafting

I am in the process of putting some new old manuals in my Etsy store and I'm giving you a preview in case there is something that you just have to have.

First up is one I know you'll want.

This is the original--not the repro I've seen on Amazon.  You can tell by the original price in the corner.  Very good manual for making hats circa 1944.

Another one that features hats is this Woman's Day Annual from 1947.

Lots of inspiration here, plus doilies, mittens, gloves, sweaters, etc.

From the Domestic Sewing Machine Company for making over and mending.  No date, but this was encouraged during WWII.

A pamphlet from 1943.

All about Talon products new in 1968.

Knitting for children and babies.

Don't let your babies eat yarn.

Frightening clowns.  Why was that little guy playing with elephant poo?

Beautiful doilies.

Ubiquitous Poodles!!

How-To Books.

This one from 1966 features lots of RED!

And more weird hats and weirder purses--perfect for all those made with love especially for you, faery wear, steampunk, burning man Etsy crafters. (Not saying any of you are like that!  I've been reading a lot of Regretsy posts lately.  Warning!  Not for the easily offended!)

Give me some time to get them all up.  If there are any that strike your fancy, let me know before I put them up and I will Reserve them for you.  I haven't set any prices yet, so bear with me.

Catnip Hill Genealogy

I have started my own genealogy business by creating a web page and emailing all my friends.  I hope that I can generate some business to keep myself going through this unemployment, and would appreciate everyone telling all their friends about me.  Here is a link to my site: Catnip Hill Genealogy.

Thank you.

Keep Your Hat On!

I

This hat elastic references a patent from Dec of 1940 by John W W Holden of Providence, RI.  It was not the elastic he patented, but the metal gadget that attached to the hat.  If you have looked at pictures from this era you will see that ladies wore their hats at extreme angles on their heads and were probably glad to have a helpful item like this.  It replaced these,

which were not much good without masses of hair to anchor them in.  They were still used in a shortened form, however, along with bobby pins and combs.

Ladies were starting to wear their long hair in a roll from temple to temple around their heads, and Mr Holden was well aware of this.  He invented an imitation horsehair roll in 1937 in several diameters to roll the hair around.

In 1941 he was still inventing hair rolls.

Like most of the other inventors I have featured, Mr Holden was prolific.  In 1928 he was interested in bead necklaces and the problems of them coming unstrung.  In 1933 he was concerned with how far a fisherman could cast a line and know the length of his cast, and was pitching his idea to Ashaway Line and Twine Manufacturing Co of Ashaway, RI.  The 1930 census reveals he was 41 years old, born in Massachusetts of English parents, got married at age 25, and he and wife, Grace had no children.  He was a jewelry jobber, which explains his interest in necklaces.

I found this current listing:

John W.W. Holden Inc.
Private Company, Headquarters Location .. Providence, RI .. (401) 944-1515 .. Wholesale: Medical, Dental, and Optical Supplies

So it looks like Mr Holden was successful with his inventing.

Baby Cat Needs A Blanket

Baby cat went looking for a blanket.   He found this yummy seamist green one.

But it was wayyyyy too big for him.

Then he found this nice sea-shelly one.

He like the colors but it was wayyyy too big.

Then he found this nice stripey one.

He liked it very much, but it was still wayyyyy too big.

He tried another stripey one.

It was smaller, but still wayyyy too big.

Then he spotted this one!

Just  Right!

These baby blankets made by my Mom are so pretty and soft it makes you want to have a baby!  Ummmmm,  no thanks!  She's frustrated that my brothers and I didn't produce enough offspring to satisfy her knitting and crocheting needs so she just keeps making blankets in the hope she can find some babies to give them to.  The blanket closet is getting a little full so she gave some to me to sell on Etsy.  They will be available shortly for all your baby cuddling needs.  Buy one for yourself!