A vintage typewriter has been on my list of things to find for a while now. The Teenager wanted one to use. Like Kit, the American Girl. I wanted one just because they are a fun decor object 🙂 I mentioned here that I had found one at the Portland Flea. The Portland Flea takes place at the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor show in Portland Indiana. I’ve been to the flea there before and it is worth the drive!
I found several things to bring home with me, the best thing being a vintage Royal Typewriter.
And while I call it vintage it’s really old enough to be called an antique. But I like the word vintage better. It’s just more fun to say!
A few weeks before we went to the Portland flea a young friend called me up wondering if I had a vintage typewriter. She was looking for one to use in her wedding. I tried to give her some ideas of other places to try since I didn’t have one. But it put the idea of having one very close to the front of my mind – and very timely that was too!
When my sister and her family were here, my Dad suggested we go to the Gas Engine Show at Portland. I thought ‘ok sure’. And then I remembered the great flea that always goes with it and I thought, ‘OK SURE!!!’
I have recently sold several of the vintage items I had on etsy and thought maybe I could find a few little things to restock with at the flea. And I determined to look for a vintage typewriter. I even called my friend back to see if she had found one, and told her Mom I was going to be on the lookout for one.
We hadn’t been at the flea very long. We took all 5 kids (my sister’s and mine) and they were a little less than thrilled about going. I did NOT want all 3 girls with me, and I told Travis that but somehow they all ended up with me anyway. Little Sister insisted she would NOT go with Dad, and then about 20 seconds after the men were out of sight and we were headed the opposite direction she wanted Dad. And continued to whine about wanting Dad for the next 2 hours till we finally ran across Dad and I happily handed her over!
Anyway. Back to the typewriter. I was just itching to do some serious shopping but our kiddos were HUNGRY! It was almost lunch time so we headed for the lunch stands, me with my head whipping from side to side to take in all the vintage goodness we were WALKING RIGHT PAST!
And then I spotted it. A darling vintage typewriter. Black with cute round keys. And the ribbon still intact. I immediately let the rest of the group disappear as I headed directly over to the table holding my prize. Of course I tried not to show too much excitement – I looked at a couple other things and asked the price on a couple of picture frames. (I hate it when nothing is priced) Then I asked about the typewriter. “$25.” Pause. “Will you take $20?” “Sure.” “SOLD.” I whipped out my $20 bill so fast I doubt she saw where it came from. That typewriter was MINE. Well, The Teenager says it is HERS, but it is sitting in MY living room! Heehee!
The totally adorable clay tags are made by Jami at Freckled Laundry. She sent these and a couple of others when she sent me a sewing project I did for her recently. I have been very negligent in blogging about the tags. I meant to, but somehow never got around to it.
And here is where she sits – for now! The really fun thing about a vintage typewriter is that it looks great wherever you put it! The not-s0-great thing about using a vintage typewriter for decor is that it looks great wherever you put it! It’s hard to settle on which spot to put it! Hard problem to have, I know. I will deal with it 🙂
My friend was delighted when I called and told her I had found one. She had found one available to her but it wasn’t nearly as close and accessible as this one. It makes me happy that I will be able to help her out this way – and I got a great decor object out of it too! Now to find a new ribbon for it so it works a little better for The Teenager’s typing 😉
And just an update if you read this post about the fact that I forgot yesterday was my 15th wedding anniversary – My husband picked up groceries at Aldi on his way home so he grabbed a bouquet of their flowers and brought home to me. We had BLT’s for supper. The house was not all spic and span but I did clear away some clutter so it looked a little more inviting. We watched ‘Puss in Boots’ with the kids. Nothing romantic, but hey it’s just a day – we can have a date night or weekend away later right?!!!
Happy Weekend!
Sew a Fine Seam
The typewriter looks very cute. It was definitely a steal!
Puss in Boots DOES have a romance in it. heehee! I love the blessing of a family that likes to hang out together!
I’m loving your watermark. I may have to work on mine. I really like the coloring of yours.
Yes, Puss in Boots did have some romance huh?! Somehow I prefer my romantic movies more along the lines of Pride and Prejudice! I MUST buy that movie so I have it here whenever I want to watch it!!
What a great buy on the typewriter. My daughter just picked one up for me, too….and I love it. I hope you have a wonderful afternoon and weekend with your family- xo Diana
Thanks Diana! They are such a fun thing to have! You have a wonderful weekend too!
Truly a great find! I am STILL kicking myself for passing up a $10 typewriter I spied last year at a yard sale.
Did I tell you how much I love your profile photo? I can’t remember. You are just so stunningly pretty in the mustard sweater. Makes me smile. Lucky hubby of 15 years. 🙂
Laura! Don’t pass up great deals at garage sales from now on! That is an order! LOL! Thanks for your very sweet comment about my photo! I have a great photographer friend who did the photos for me. I had a photo book of me made for my hubby’s birthday!
Sounds like a perfect anniversary, regardless 🙂
I am so in shock over you getting that typewriter for $20, I almost can’t find the words to continue. That is the EXACT typewriter I have been looking for. You were in the right place at the right time. I am glad those hungry kids didn’t distract you too much from spotting that beauty!
I was rather in shock too Amy! It was like, grab it and run hide it before someone tells the vendor it should be priced at triple that amount!!
Wish I had a problem of deciding where to put that fabulous treasure!! 🙂
🙂 Keep your eyes peeled Pam – you may be the next to spot a fun typewriter!
I know who to talk to when I do a couples session I have been cooking up!! You will loan it wont you? lol
🙂 Of course I will loan it to you Belle! That’s part of the fun of finding such and awesome vintage find! I can share!
I love the vintage typewriter! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the visit and the sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world. Hope you will join me for Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Wishing you a grand weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thank you Kathryn! I have been linking up at Make it Pretty – it’s a fun party! Thanks for hosting 🙂 You have a grand weekend too!
hey there!
i love the typewriter. i have one, too. its a bit bigger than yours – really stretching the definition of “portable” — i can barely lift it. We’ve had it for oh, i don’t know, maybe 10 years. . . and it sits on the FLOOR in my dining room! When the kids were smaller and liked to play “computer” on it – i was afraid that it might fall off it’s stand and land on one of them. the thing really is heavy enough to squash a small child. and there it remains – on the floor. (you can see it in my last post next to the TOILET in my dining room!!) Mine is VERY dusty and might even have some dog hair? cuz it’s on the floor? you know, maybe?
you know. . . when i went to the Lucketts fair I bought a typewriter table from Marian. . . maybe I should bring it in and set it up. . . once this crazy bathroom extravaganza is over!!
breida
ps. Mr. Social Media and i never make a very big deal out of our anniversary (which is next weekend, by the way) but one year we TOTALLY forgot. both of us. it happens!
Breida! I did see your typewriter in those pics and I was going to say something when I commented and I forgot! Yours looks great too – wonder what makes it so heavy?? Ours isn’t really all that heavy – I lugged it and several other vintage finds a LOOOOOONNNNNNG way to the car that day and I’m pretty much a wimp when it comes to carrying stuff. But then I wanted this badly enough to carry it halfway around the world so….!!
Congrats on finding your wish list time. I love the bold lettering on Royal and those keys look perfect. A guaranteed smile every time you look at that beauty!
🙂 It does make me smile! And my daughter is happy to have a typewriter to use now and then! Makes me laugh – computers are so much easier and better but she wants a typewriter! LOL!
awhhhh I love your typewriter! I can’t wait to see what you will do with it…. but really even if it just sits right where you have it, it is SO SO cute! You are making me want to go and grab mine out and get decorating with it again! Or maybe crafting… or both! 🙂
Jaime
🙂 Get it out Jaime! It makes such a fun fall decor object. And for photo shoots – I have a friend borrowing it soon 🙂 And I think I’ll take my girls photos this fall myself – might try to incorporate the typewriter in the the shoot!
Hi Jill! The typewriter is SOOOOO cute!! Very excited to use it! After you called I wondered, Is she going to blog about it?? And you did..very exciting to lay my eyes it and see the cuteness! Thanks so so much! :]
$20!?! Yeah, my wallet would’ve flown out too! 😉
🙂 I still can’t believe I got it for that!
I just read several of your blog posts. I love to decorate too! I don’t post pix much. My photog skills are less than great!!
I will be back. We sound like kindred spirits except I am older but still we have the same interests!! So glad when I find a new blog friend!
🙂 Thanks Janie! I love finding new blog friends too and age doesn’t matter to me – I love having friends of all ages – you have more wisdom and I need that !!