Carpet Bags

There's an antique mall in Putnam, CT that's 4 stories high and I swear I always come out of there with a really great haul. My mom loves to go too, which is really nice and it's always really cute to see the things she picks out. We went together this past Sunday - I wasn't looking for anything in particular but somehow I came out of there with a tun of things. (tomorrow's post!)

So, I realize I have many a weakness... and I could find at least 5 things at any antique store/flea market that I really and truly LOOOVE and NEEEED to have and can't LIIIVE without... Pillow cases. Pale colored floral cottons (fabric and/or dresses.) Raggedy stuffed animals. Hankies. Old note pads and note books. Blank ledgers. Rubber stamp sets. Gladstone bags. Early celluloid jewelry. Quilts. Buttons. Lace dresses. Metal boxes....

The list goes on... But. Carpet bags. Ooh carpet bags.. they do funny things to my heart. They're hard to find and always soo expensive. And somehow I managed to find two(!?!) on the same day!

I'll introduce you to the scragglier one first.. Judging by the clasp on it, I think it's from the late 60's. It was in a messy pile of other bags/hats/fabric and I'm glad I spotted it. It has itself a hole and the inside needs a vacuum and it could use a few stitches - but uhh, for $5, whatever!







. . .

And then.....sigh. This one... It was inside of a fancy glass case. I saw it and fell in love and couldn't even bring myself to really look at it. Penniless heartbreak.



As the man was tallying up our purchases I thought I'd show it to my mum.I took her over and one of the sales ladies happened to be right there. And before you knew it the bag was out of the case and in my hands and then I hear the words "20% off sale" and then "We'll take it!" And in those whirlwind moments - I thought my heart was going to explode.



It's amazing and it feels good on my shoulder and that flap just falls right into place so perfectly. The leather along the front is beautiful and soft - and I really love the rivets on the sides.



Now, if only someone would start re-creating these things. Etsy sellers, lets get working here! I think we could all use a little Mary Poppins in our day to day lives!