The First Ever Serendipity Handmade Reader Survey

Serendipity Handmade has been going strong for over three years now, and as the first month of 2013 draws to a close I have been thinking long and hard about making this blog better and more fun for you, my readers (without whom there would be no point in writing a blog!).

I very much enjoy sharing my passion for vintage and other crafty pursuits with you, but I have been wondering what topics and features related to vintage and crafting that you would like to read about on this blog.  With that in mind I've created an anonymous short survey that I would love for you to take. Just click on the button below to start.

Please feel free to add any additional thoughts you may have in a comment on this post or send me an email at serendipity dot vintage at ymail dot com.  The survey will be available for a couple of weeks, until February 8th.  Of course I'll summarize the results in a future post.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!

Madison Avenue Monday: The Frocks of Downton Abbey

This week's MAM is inspired by the wonderful Downton Abbey.  Enjoy these frocks from Needlecraft Magazine,  June 1926. (My scanner was not quite wide enough for this large format magazine, so a couple of the frocks were cut off on the edge; sorry!).

Madison Avenue Monday: Safe in Snow

I found this charming Ivory Snow ad in the January 1949 issue of Ladies Home Journal and felt a little solidarity with those who have snow at this time of year as it has been so uncharacteristically cold here over the past couple of weeks.  The ad is a little battered given that it was on the back cover so please forgive my amateurish retouching skills.  It was too cute of an ad not to share with you even thought there are obvious creases and marks.

I adore the model's slouchy knitting bag, but that gold belt is just to die for....
 

Yes--even your softest hand-knit sweaters are so wonderfully safe with gentle Ivory Snow care.  And you can PROVE it!  Just was your dishes with Ivory Snow--as millions prefer to do.  When you see how it pampers your hands, you'll KNOW it's extra kind to find woolens.

Happy New Year

Wishing you a happy and beautiful 2013!

From the 1933 Tournament of Roses parade: Queen Dorothy Edwards and her Court.  Via The LA Times.

Taking a little holiday break...back on Monday, January 7th with Madison Avenue Monday!