Shopping list Saturday....International Travel

A few of my all time favorite places that I've been to, and the cool items that can be found on Etsy as reminders of my Travels!

1) Vintage map of Greece bangle, by: EcoBangle 2) Mykonos photo, by: deerhoundjulie 3) Picked in Hong Kong, by: artzfartzyd 4) Plastic kiss greeting card, by: utopiapictures 5) Paris print, by: kariherer 6) Paris France art print, by: scarletbeautiful

If you'd like to see more Shopping list Saturday finds, stop off at Fancypicnic's blog to check out other participating Etsy shops.

Who Says You Need A Pattern?

My sewing machine's been looking a little naked...and collecting too much dust. I don't like keeping the big clunky cover on it, just in case I get inspired to sew. I decided I would start and complete a cover for it today since the rest of the weekend will be filled with completing other projects for my shop(I'm working on something new that I'm really excited about). I found lots of really cute and clever machine covers on flickr.

I have tons of fabric perfect for mixing and matching. I also have quilt remnants that I wanted to include. This quilt has been given so many lives. I've made quilted scarves, pillows, hot/cold bag covers and a pouch.

I also used some vintage sheeting. This sherbet floral print is my all time favorite!


All done!

That was pretty easy and I didn't even use a pattern :)

Mommie Dearest???

Well, we all can't be like June Cleaver!
A friend sent me this E-mail. Some of the answers are really funny!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Lighting

I think nothing makes a home more cozy than lighting. Next to candles, floor lamps and hanging lights/chandeliers are my favorite. This wrought iron floor lamp(hiding behind the rocker) was my Great Grandmothers. Originally it was black, then I got a hold of it and painted it white...now I wish I had left it black.

I've been keeping an eye out for a vintage chandelier that needs some TLC, that I can completely re-do. These are amazing! I"m not sure which is my favorite, but I'd love to end up with some kind of pastel eclectic mix of each of these.

1. fine dining, 2. Fabric Painted Chandelier, 3. Hanging On, 4. Pink Chandelier, 5. 3-green-chandelier, 6. Blue Chandelier

I bought this about six years ago at The Land of Nod, I'm surprised to see that they're still selling it! It was originally hung in my daughters room when I was putting together her nursery.

You can't see this hanging lamp very well, but I love the way the glass beads reflect off the wall.

I found a tutorial on how to paint a Chandelier over at Karla's Cottage Blog. I'm sure it'll be helpful once I get my hands on a Chandelier~ Thanks Karla!

Scandinavian LOVE at First Sight

I fell in love with this print as soon as I saw it! Some of my favorite fabric is Japanese fabric~ they have some of the cutest designs. I found this set at Jamsabon on Etsy.

I couldn't wait to put together an Inspiration Board for my Shop with this fabric.

I think it would be perfect hung in a Kitchen.

Books, Books, Books....

I mentioned a couple weeks ago about a Book Giveaway on LuLu's Vintage Blog. She was giving away two signed copies of 'The Kitchen Linens Book'. Well guess who won?? Yes, ME! I don't think I've ever won anything, so I was shocked and thrilled when I received the e-mail letting me know my book is on the way~Yay!

This Butterick transfer pattern is included with the book!

I can't wait to get this book 'The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen' How yummy is this cover? If I never opened it, it would still be worth owning just to sit out and display :) But, I'm sure it's filled with delicious recipes worth trying.

If you haven't been to the Farm Chicks Blog or Website, you really need to! They have super cute jewelry & tee's.


This last book is a little more serious, but really eye opening and worth checking out. On the way home from dropping my girls off at school I caught a few minutes of the author Joel Berg being interviewed on a local radio program. All You Can Eat reveals that hunger is a problem as American as apple pie, and shows what it's like when your income is not enough to cover rising housing/living costs and how difficult it's getting to put food on the table. Unfortunately more and more families are experiencing this all across America, it's becoming all too common. You can learn more about the book and author at JoelBerg.net.

Spring Painting & Organizing

I finally got around to painting this little shelf that I've had for almost two years. A friend gave me a couple shelves she found abandoned curbside(my friends tend to do that~ I'm not sure what that says about me??). Although I hung them both up shortly after I got them, I never liked how they were painted.

I also decided I needed more color in my work space, so I hung an Inspiration Board I had originally made for my shop.


The shelf is perfect for displaying some favorite things... but it's also a practical way to hold my crafting supplies & jars of buttons.

I have so much more organizing and re-arranging of my work space to do. I work so much better when there's no clutter! I know what I'm spending my weekend doing.

Favorite Photo...

I'm not sure why this is one of my favorite pictures~ my brother seems to be the only one happy in it. That's me hanging by one arm. Neither one of my parents looked too thrilled. Maybe it's because I was being difficult?? What ever the case was, this picture always makes me laugh....I love that my brother was such a happy camper and oblivious to what was going on around him!

A Day at the Flea Market...

I'm the worst when it comes to taking pictures. Usually I forget to even bring my camera, but this time I remembered. So even though I remembered to bring my camera.... these are the only pictures I took! I really need to get on the ball. I wish I had taken more to give you an idea of how amazing this place really is.



No wonder it's been named one of the top Ten Flea Markets in the United States!


Have you heard of these dolls? Vintage cloth pose doll~ how cute is she? I've sold a few of them in my Vintage Home Shop, but I'm starting to think I might want to keep a few for myself and start a little collection. I think a shelf lined with four or five different dolls would be too cute!! This little girl is getting ready to be sent off to her new home♥

Faux Bois & Woodland

Lately I've had this fascination with Faux Bois, Woodland and foresty things. Even though it's completely opposite of my usual pastel palette, I'm really loving everything about this new trend. So I thought I'd do this weeks Shopping List Saturday on all things faux bois(and some real wood too) woodland & forest related items.

1) Owl apron, by: modernjune 2) Wood candleholder's set, by: thelogbasket 3) Little chunky tree notebook, by: lostcabin 4) The forest floor print, by: eggmanstudios 5) Faux Bois bangle bracelet, by: UnaOdd 6) Woodland note card set, by: AshleyPahl 7) Deer family, by: TheHandworkGroup 8) Wee woodland mushroom girl, by: mossywoodlane 9) The forest for the trees, by: MarmeeCraft

I also noticed something really exciting yesterday when I signed onto Etsy. At the bottom of the front page I noticed one of my items(wood magnetic frame) in the Storque Spotlight! As awesome as that was, even more amazing was the video on the shop somethingshidinginthere ....If you haven't seen it yet, you really need to! You get to tour their Loft/Workspace~ possibly the most cool/inspiring/eclectic/crafty/boy would I LOVE to live there living space ever!

Thank You Kitschy Cottage!!

Thanks so much to Kirsten from the Kitschy Cottage for interviewing me for her new Blog(actually for having an interest in interviewing me). We met awhile ago through blogging and quickly realized that our love for vintage, cottage, kitschy, flea markets and salvaged junk yard finds are too similar! I say we were separated at birth~ Kirsten & Kristen, hummm???
Her new site is all about promoting, nurturing and connecting artists, crafters, collectors, junkers and lovers of all things retro, vintage and kitschy. How cool is that?
So stop by her Blog, I'm sure it will be one you'll want to visit often♥

Happy little family

Do you remember these? I can remember spending hours playing with these tiny bendy rubber dolls. They all seem a bit mad or too serious, I'm not sure why they didn't make them look a little happier??

I also found these buttons this weekend, most of them came in this neat old Aspergum bottle~ I loved Aspergum! Do they still make it?? If not, they should :)

Must have Books...

I'm not sure where I've been(or why I haven't seen them before)but I just recently came across these two books. I can't wait to pick them both up, they're by EllynAnne Geisel. You can learn more about her on her Blog. If you'd like a chance to win a copy of The Kitchen Linens Book stop by LuLu's Vintage Blog, she has two autographed copies to Giveaway~ Yay!

I've been collecting Vintage Tablecloths and Aprons for years. Unfortunately I've sold some and cut into some for crafting. At the time it seemed like such a good idea, now I'm kicking myself. I loved having my beautiful stacks of linens sitting so pretty on the shelf in the kitchen, they just seemed to brighten up the room. I think I'll keep most of my new and future finds to myself :)

These are some of my favorites.

Pastel on the brain

I'm getting ready to re-paint my Bathroom. I've been trying to figure out what color combo I want to go with~ this Mosaic pretty much sums up the color and feel I'd love it to have.

1) 1950's Dish set, by: CometSalvage 2) Vintage slips, by: inwiththeold 3) The Swing Set, by: irenesuchocki 4) Child's Apron top, by: kinchi 5) Vintage Tablecloth, by: simplysuzula 6) Candy sprinkles necklace, by: deannaburasco 7) Cupcake bath bomb, by: fellingsmitten 8) Vintage fabric floral Wall Hangings, by: OliveSomeday 9) Dime store screwback earrings, by: eakerhouse 10) Masked face doll, by: shop66 11) stripe flower glass,by: vintagegoodies 12) Pink circus pillow,by: HollandFabricHouse 13) Foaming bath whip, by: doctorsweettooth

Is this beautiful or what?!! I'm not sure I'd ever want to leave the bathroom if mine looked like this.

1. our vintage seashore bath on a sunny day!

Wow! I'm loving everything about this bathroom~ especially the pink tub. But unfortunately I'm only painting my bathroom, not doing major re-construction.

1. Wallpapered bathroom via Living Etc

What a great idea, this would really be fun and easy to do. You could even rotate what you placed in the boxes.

1. Bathroom">Bathroom

The only thing left to do is come up with the time, $$ and energy to get it done. I'm really excited to get started after looking at these amazing inspirations.

Handmade Purse ♥

It's been about two years since I bought my last purse. This was pre-Etsy, so it was store bought-yuck! I rarely buy things for myself, mainly because kids, bills, food, gas, you name it come before anything that's not really considered a necessity.
So, quite awhile ago I came across this cute & quirky shop called madebyhank. The name made me laugh seeing that the shop owner is a she & not a he. A couple of the unique things I love about her bags is how she re-uses leather belts for the purse strap and how each bag is stitched free hand with "madebyhank".

Another favorite shop that makes amazing totes is Prettylilthings. I'm crazy about the color palate she chooses that makes each of her items so eye catching, and gives them such a whimsical feel.

Everything about this bag is so much fun! I just recently found this shop, shecological. It's filled with a variety of styles & types of bags to choose from.

So when I'm ready for my next purse purchase, I know where I'm heading to!