The irony isn't lost on me. I'm really disappointed that yet another of the magazines I love is biting the dust. I've read that with the problems in the home-buying industry, ad revenue for so-called "shelter" magazines is way down, which is the reason that Country Home's publisher gave it the ax--not lack of subscribers.I also find this ironic, because in a time when retail spending is down, it seems to me that people are more likely to look to sources that tell them how to reuse things they already have (or can get inexpensively) rather than telling them to go drop a bunch of coin on brand-new shiny stuff to fill up their McMansions. While Country Home isn't necessarily all about doing things on a budget and regularly features spreads of gorgeous homes full of expensive antiques and fabulous kitchens and reclaimed heart pine flooring, I do think it advocates decorating with vintage, thrifted and antique items or making over furniture that readers might already have.
It seems then that Country Home is exactly the kind of magazine that would be popular with home decorators on a budget and that advertisers would figure that out and buy ad space accordingly. I guess the problem there is that thrift and antique store don't have big advertising budgets like the fancy furniture and flooring companies do. Country Home and Mary Engelbreit Home Companion, RIP. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll pull a Victoria on us and return somewhere down the line, we can only hope. All I can say is that if someone tries to mess with my Country Living, I'll be on a rooftop with a rifle. Publishers, you've been warned.
So, on that slightly psychotic note, let me move on to the thrifting portion of my post. I stopped into a thrift with Maren the other day for the ostensible purpose of finding more Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Happy Meal toys for her collection. We did score a pair of Cowardly Lions and a Pinocchio who'll have to stand in for the Tin Man until we find one, but Mommy found a few treasures as well.
My first thrifted quilt! It's no gorgeous feed-sack beauty like the kind that seem to leap into Sarah's path, but red and white polka-dots are more my speed anyway.
I don't think it's particularly old, but I like it. The backing fabric cracks me up because it doesn't match at all--that must have been a stash-busting maneuver by the quilt's maker. I do quite like the pink and green, even if it totally clashes with the red and blue on the front.
I also picked up this fun vintage barbecue-themed tablecloth. Love the bright colors! Thrifting bright vintage fabrics is perfect antidote for dreary January skies, isn't it?
I'm seriously STILL depressed by the news. Every single time I see it I get sad. boo. Taht quilt backing is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteWant to liven your spirits? A giveaway is going on at Inspired Kara!
I will be right there on the roof with you sister.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fab quilt and a fab tablecloth. The BBQ skewers are SO fun!
P.S. I tried enlarging your photos to see if I could date that quilt and it's a bit baffling. I think that backing fabric could be anywhere from the 40's-60's. The front is no help at all.
ReplyDeleteAlso it seems like "tying" had to become popular at a later date, but googling is no help. I dont really think I see a lot of depression era quilts that are tied?
That is too sad. Why is it always the good and authentic stuff that bites the dust?
ReplyDeleteOkay- the quilt is great, particularly with it's own miss-matched irony. The tablecloth is fantastic as well but seriously you had me at "McMansions"!!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI will be arm in arm with you if they mess with Country Living. I am already steamed enuf at the magazines that are meeting their demise....MAD! Good finds too - went down to my stash of happy meal toy to see if I had a tin man for Maren, but alas I only have a green lollipop munchin (my daughter who is 15 still likes happy meals, but doesn't do the toys much...I toss them in a big bag designated for HM toys.)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I sold that same tablecloth before! (or maybe still have it in my to be sold pile!) :)
ReplyDeleteThere is a tin man enroute to Miss Maren. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I think your readers gift her with a hundred tin men! The one I am sending is from the first time McD's did M.A. WOZ dolls.
ReplyDeleteThe tablecloth is divine. And the tied quilt looks like the one I bought last week. I thought it would be comfy on the couch in the evenings. My cat took it over. Hurumpf!
Do you have the Witch? Because I think we have three. I did not know there was a tin man. Sounds like a fun hunt.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I love that Pinocchio will be standing in for the tin man. We had Charlie Brown standing in for the Baby Jesus for almost all of last Christmas in Boo's puffy nativity. That was until we discovered the Christ Child did NOT meet his early demise through our Labradore Retriever as we thought (and as one poor poor Wise man did), but he was just taking refuge under the couch. Which is good, as Chuck's head was all too big for the manger. And he was inappropriately dressed to boot.
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry to get off the topic of the cool quilts and awesome tablecloth!
I just let my subscription go, not even knowing that the magazine was pffft! I really enjoyed reading that publication, but felt I just needed to cut some corners of my own somewhere. *sigh* What will be next?
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the tablecloth! It's great! I also find your new quilt charming! : )
I will miss the few minutes of blissful sanity I got while flipping through my Country Home. And I was subscribed for almost the next 3 years! Wahhh!
ReplyDeleteMy fave is the BBQ tablecloth. That will be so fun for summer cookouts!