VINTAGE CANISTER MAKEOVER

If you are into vintage retro items like I am, then you know that simple things like a canister set from the 1950s can be quite pricey! The aqua set below just recently listed on eBay. 

$115.00 on eBay!

Not in my budget!  I want an aqua canister set, preferably one with the "atomic" designs that were so popular in the 50's and 60's for my wee vintage canned ham camper.  Since I couldn't find (or afford) exactly what I wanted, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

This 3-piece avocado green canister set was priced at a little less than $3 (with my little old lady discount) at Goodwill. 

It was the right price, but not the right color or design.  But I had an idea because my thinking cap was on.  I had been thinking... This is where my hubba-hubba-hubby usually says, "Uh-oh".  Yes, I had been thinking about how this green set could be re-born in aqua!

DRUM ROLL....

One spray can of primer

plus

One spray can of aqua paint

plus

My handy-dandy Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter 

EQUALS

An Extreme Canister Set Makeover.

~  ~ * ~  ~

This is How Tin Can Happy Girls Roll!

Spruce 'er Up! The Little Camper-That-Could

This is my little camper that could.  Allie Jo is 60 years old according to the build certificate in the closet which confirms she rolled off the line as a '54 model in December 1953.

Allie Jo, the 1954 Aljoa Sportsman
Photo Credit:  Patricia Montgomery

She has been hibernating in our barn this past year because the realities of "life" got in the way of my planned "Let's Spruce Her Up Make-Over".  

I've been buying 1950s decor items along the way to give her just the right mid-century look, but everything else was put on hold.  

Retro 1950s Canister Set
Photo Credit:  Patricia Montgomery

The exciting news, at least for me, is that the camper cushions are at the upholstery shop!  They called yesterday to discuss a change, but they are working on them and should be ready soon!  

When we peeled back the material on the cushions, we discovered that some of the original material was still intact.  It appears to be a 1950s "atomic" design on barkcloth.

Original worn cushion material
Photo Credit:  Patricia Montgomery

Since this type of vintage material is hard to find and expensive when you do come across it, I decided to go with a bright, happy color instead.  Can't wait to show the cushions off when they are done!

First step:  ✓Check!

Camper Decor to Razz My Berries

Allie Jo, my little Aljoa Sportsman camper, according to the build certificate in her closet, is a 1954 model.  That yellowed piece of paper proclaiming her date of "birth" helped me decide how to proceed with her new decor.  She would be cute.  She would be retro.  From the moment you stepped inside she would be a blast from the past.  A real classy chassis!*

So began my journey back to the 1950s...

It was enough to razz my berries when I discovered all the retro items that were hiding in thrift stores and flea markets!  If the 1950s items were not a bargain on eBay or Etsy, then having seen the item online would make it jump out at me in the Goodwill or Salvation Army stores.  Here are jut a few photos of the bargains that will create the perfect mid-century atmosphere in my new "pad".  [Sorry, just couldn't resist the 1950s slang]

I don't know the age of this mustard/ketchup set, but the gals imprinted on the bottles looked so retro that I could not resist them.  I paid ten cents apiece at a thrift store!

An eBay search for 1950s kitchen items scored this stackable set of red canisters at a bargain price.  The red plastic pepper shaker in the first picture came with this set.

This yellow mid-century sugar/creamer/salt/pepper set was waiting for me at an antique store in Burlington, Colorado.  I had been eyeing this set in a red color on eBay at a much higher price than this one was marked.  I asked and got it even lower than the sticker price!  Stamped on the bottom of the tray, sugar, and creamer shows it was made by the Federal Tool Company Chicago USA.

Blisscraft of Hollywood was a 1950s California company that made plastic kitchen wares with their trademark "ruffled" or "wavy" edges.  I found the pitcher on eBay, the cups on Etsy, and the butter holder at a thrift store.  

Last but not least is Little Miss Sunbeam, the iconic little girl advertising Sunbeam bread.  This is a photo of the back side of a single playing card with the Queen of Spades on the other side.  My plans are to turn it into a magnet for the camper icebox.  It might not be from a deck of cards made in the 1950s but it certainly reminds me of that era.

That's all for now but I'll be posting more photos soon because my retro, mid-century stash is growing by leaps and bounds!