Vintage Notions - Review and Giveaway!

Last month, I was sent a copy of Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions to review.

Can I just say what a delight this book is? First of all, the cover! Oh, the cover. I LOVE the cover.

It's pretty, colorful and textured.

Pretty, non?

When I first pulled the book out the box it came in, I realized right away that this book is meant to be displayed. Preferably on my coffee table for all to see. Alas, I don't trust my kids at this age not to ruin it, so it shall remain on my sewing shelf for inspiration.

Fully titled Amy Barickman’s Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion and Fun, it a delight to touch and hold. But Su, you say, stop geeking out about the cover and tell us about the book . Sheesh!

Ok then, I will.

Amy Barickman, you may recognize her because she the founder and owner of Indygo Junction and The Vintage Workshop. She's also the author of gazillion sewing books. Well, maybe not gazillion, but the number of sewing related books she's authored is rather prodigious. Just search for her on amazon, if you don't believe me.

Amy's book was inspired by the work of Mary Brooks Picken, who founded the Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences in 1916, the largest school in history devoted solely to teaching women how to combine the domestic arts with entrepreneurism. Amy says in her book, that she "conceived of this book, Vintage Notions, to rescue Mary Brooks Picken from obscurity and to reintroduce the inspirational essays, clever sewing patterns, cooking basics, and beautiful illustrations from the Institute's newsletters with a fresh and modern voice".

So much of our lives are tied into the seasons, and this book is cleverly divided into months:

Within each chapter, Amy share's some of the institute's best newsletters, which includes snippets on fashion, housekeeping, inspiration, recipes, "Magic Pattern".... the list goes on! At the end of each chapter, there is a cute sleeve that you can keep notes, fabric swatches, patterns, anything you like, actually.

This book is so much more than that, though. This is a busy time of the year. I'm tripping over myself to get the kids ready to catch the school bus, rushing from one appointment to another, stressing to cook up healthy meals for the family, zipping over to the studio to teach a class and chauffeuring the kids from one activity to another. This books reminds me of the slow pockets of time when I'm actually able to take my time cooking, baking with the kids, or just enjoying my domesticity.

"We women hurry all too rapidly through the days, forgetting how big they are and how many times we could touch hands with real happiness if we would but appreciate the opportunity."
Mary Brooks Picken, Thimblefuls of Friendliness, 1924, reprinted in Vintage Notions

Do head over to Amy's website and check out the book. You'll notice at the bottom of the webpage, Amy has included some sample pages from the book for you to enjoy. You'll see what I mean.

So, did I actually use the book? It's very pretty and all, but is it useful? Why yes, I made some soup using the recipes, and I also made this very clever apron, called the Slip-Over Apron.

Irrelevant details:

You may be wondering why I'm wearing heels in the kitchen. I don't usually wear shoes indoors, but those are brand new. They were comfortable, it's insanely cold outside and there's 3 ft of snow piled up on either side of my driveway. If wearing heels in my kitchen makes me happy, I'll take it. I don't think it will last, though. I'm already thinking of slipping my heels into warm fuzzy slippers.

Contest Details:

Oh hey, would YOU like a copy of this book? Amy has kindly agreed to give away a copy of this book to one lucky reader of Vively Online.

Amy Barickman stumbled upon the works of Mary Brooks Picken when browsing through antique stores and flea markets. I personally like to look out for vintage patterns and buttons when visiting these places.

To enter to win the draw for a copy of this book, please leave me a comment with answers to these questions:

Do you shop at these places? If you do, what do you usually gravitate to?

Please enter by 11:59 EST on Wednesday Feb 16th, 2011.

If you want to go ahead and purchase your own copy, just head over here to get it.

Good luck!