Recycling Vintage Photos

One of the{{many things}}I love to collect is Vintage Photos. I've picked them up at Estate Sales, Antique Shops & Flea Markets for years. Even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them I still couldn't pass them up. My favorite are hand painted/tinted photos.

I've seen tutorials about printing on fabric but wasn't sure if it was simple enough to do with what I had on hand{or if my printer would work- because it's not fancy at all}.

It turned out pretty good except not all the colors came through, I'm guessing because I was low on ink.

I thought it would be perfect for a pillow cover....

How crazy is it that a photo taken in 1937 at a 4 H Picnic is preserved on a Pillow that now sits on my bed.Very cool!!

My new Favorite Finds, Baseball and Crafting...

Lately Blog posting has become almost as hard to find time for as exercise! I love Blogging, and spending way too much time clicking through my list of favorite blogs, but lately it feels like I can't find the time. Well, I had find the time to share some of the cutest things I picked up lately. Is this Pastel Piggy Cookie Jar not the cutest thing ever?? I bought her and the bowl to her right{bowels were something I collected a few years ago like they were going out of style!!} both for only $6.
After showing a friend my sweet find, they mentioned how well it should do in my Vintage Shop...you would have thought they suggested I sell one of my kids, "Oh, I'm keeping her"!! It's like having a little pastel rainbow in my kitchen and I'm hoping the fact that she's a Pig will keep me from eating too many cookies~ wishful thinking :)

This next find, I feel I almost risked my life for! I was driving through a not so great part of town that I'm not familiar with when I spotted a Thrift Store. It was almost dark, the area was a little scary{and I'm not saying that to be a snob, but I seriously stood out}I thought I'll just run in real quick.... then I found her♥
She reminded me of the Clothes Pin dolls that are so popular now. I thought I'd grab her and get going{she was only $3~ WOW!} well once I realized I didn't have any cash on me and they don't take debit cards....my only option was to walk about six stores down to get some cash{oh ya, and by this time~ it was dark}. I don't think I've ever walked so fast... I'm glad I stopped and found her, now she sits on my shelf where I can see her while I'm working :)

We went to my nephews T-ball game, it sure did make me miss when my boys were little and spending the weekend running from game to game.
I've also spent some time painting and working on some new projects.
I love to paint, I find it relaxing for some reason, whether it's a wall, a frame or a craft project.
Now I have to get ready and head to the Flea Market to hunt down some frames. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Felt + Crafty People

I picked up this framed floral felt wall art at an Estate Sale over the weekend. I can't believe all the little details, I can only imagine the amount of time that goes into a project like this.
It's a little dusty, so I need to figure out how to clean it up without ruining it. I think I might want to paint the frame too. Thank You Crafty person{who ever you are} I love it, and will take good care of it :)
I'm always amazed when I come across items made of Felt. Someday I hope to have the time{and patience}to make something myself. Here are just a few inspiring and adorable things I ♥

Stuffed Felt Monsters Tutorial{click on the link to see step-by-step instructions}

Yalipaz{Handmade and embroidered felt brooch}

Lou and Lee{Felt Flower Headband}

babybomb{Felt Wall Art}

So cute!!

New Sewing Spot...

Last weekend I decided to move my sewing machine to a different area, thinking I'd get more sewing done there. So far I've only sewn once. I've been meaning to make coasters from fabric and quilt scraps that I've been saving, so toady I made a little stack.
They were really quick and easy to make. I used 5" x 5" fabric squares, then cut slightly smaller squares of batting{I think that's what it is, I have a bunch stored away}. For each coaster I layered three pieces together like a sandwich{with batting in the middle}
I placed a couple of pins through each set to make sure nothing moved, then just stitched around the edges and across the middle a couple times.

No more glass rings on my new table :)

Hand Stamped Fabric

This is something I've been wanting to try for awhile. I love the personal one-of-a-kind handmade look. I'm still in the middle of re-doing my daughters room. One thing she'd like is custom curtains and lots of throw pillows, how perfect would hand stamped fabric be for both. I found a great tutorial here at CreativeKismet's Blog.
She made this ribbon and fabric for a Swap~ how cute!

Other cool stamping options:
Stamped fabric pin, by: laurabucci

Hand stamped sewing labels, by: modernartstudio

Hand printed Birdcage fabric, by: plainjanetextiles

This is as far we've gotten in the room re-do. We found this beautiful HUGE decorative mirror, a big switch from a little girls cutesy pink room{as you can see by the hanging names & floral curtains}. I'd really like to do the curtains next, now we just need to figure out which fabric and stamps to use.

Recently I decided to take one of my Chalkboards out of my Shop to hang & use. Not to toot my own horn, but I have to say I'm really loving it! I don't miss the scraps of paper here and there where I would keep my appointments or reminders.

Finally, a little more organized :)

Orange, Nice Bright Vivid Orange!

Lately I discovered that I'm loving the Color Orange. It's about as far away from the soft shades of pastels that I LOVE .


I decided to try it out on one of my Chalkboards.

Home Sweet Home! Orange isn't just for Fall or Halloween. I don't think this little Cottage could be any more perfect....Or that Beach House, I'll take that too :)

1. Cosy, 2. Vibrant

I remember thinking how Fun & Eclectic this Kitchen decor was after reading about the owner and her collections{she collects Orange Furniture} in Country Living Magazine{October 2007}

♥Great Etsy Home Decor Finds♥

1} Sunny Orange Slice Tea Towel
2} Leaf Coasters
3} Vintage Inspired Wreath
4} Paper Mache Letter

I think I just might start adding a little here and there around the house.

She Paints, I Work.

My daughter loves to paint. This is something we do lots of during the Summer. So while I'm running around the house trying to complete projects or getting something packed up and ready to send out, this is what she's happiest doing.



These are some of my past Magnetic Chalkboards/Memo Boards. I'm taking the next couple weeks to work on adding a dozen or two into my Etsy Shop.
That's my goal, it's going to take a lot of organizing, frame hunting, fabric ordering, painting & time! I actually enjoy the whole process, seeing a piece go from something plain and simple to something pretty and functional.
Now making this happen while my kids are out of school for Summer, is going to be challenging~ wish me Luck :)

Papier-Mache'

I think we've all done papier-mache' as kids~ I remember loving it! I bought the book Papier-Mache' Treasures with Teena Flanner~ Creating Your Own Vintage-Style Collectibles a couple years ago and have been meaning to give it a try. The book is gives you step-by-step instructions on what you would need to get started(including exact materials/supplies you'll need). She also shows you how to make your own mold using a figurine. To see more Teena Flanner Originals visit her website or Blog.

I also found a tutorial worth checking out over at Ultimate Paper Mache, they show you how to make these cute Bluebirds.

These are seriously cute and a great place to start!
I remember using liquid starch and strips of newspaper, but you can find a recipe that works best for you here.

Some fun Flickr Inspirations:

1. paper mache boats, 2. Paper Mache Eggs ~ Easter, 3. Friendly Birds, 4. Chubby Houses, 5. one of my favorites!, 6. Paper Mache Doll

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.

Found the time...

to complete a couple Inspiration Boards for my shop.



I also found the time to sit through possibly the worst movie ever: 'Rachel getting married'. I thought about walking out a few times, but then I figured something must be getting ready to happen that will make it worth while~ Nope! Awful, the whole way through. I rarely go to the movies, so I was really irritated with myself for choosing to see that when there are so many other good movies out right now. This post will hopefully save someone else from making the same mistake :)

Craft Room Ideas & Inspirations...

One of my favorite decorating/crafting magazines is Country Living. I've saved every issue and have magazines stacked in almost every room of the house. I remember loving this March 2006 issue because of it's practical & functional Craft Room ideas. I'm constantly rearranging and organizing rooms in my home, that's usually when everyone disappears so I don't try and recruit them to help.
If you haven't had the chance to see this issue, I hope you'll enjoy these pictures.
*If you click on each picture you can really see the details*






Doesn't it make you want to start organizing your Craft Space???