New Toys

Let me introduce you to my new toys- antique rag balls sent to me by a lovely customer, fresh from her family homestead in Texas. They are many, many decades old- closer to 100 years than 50, that's for sure.
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I am honored to have the super exciting task of crocheting these rags into a large basket to house still more of the rag balls that will be kept for display.
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As I begin to unwind the years, and see all of the different fabrics and colors, I imagine the love and work that went into creating these in the first place. I'm swept up in wondering what that red and aqua striping came from, or if the pink and black is an apron string. It seems nothing was discarded...some lengths of fabric are a mere inches in length before another one begins.

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I look forward to showing you my progress on this basket, and regaling you with stories about the ups and downs of crocheting with ancient material that has been cut and wound by someone other than me. Stay tuned- it is sure to be a fantastic adventure!

All Wrapped Up

And ready to go to the post office!

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Each little beribboned bag contains an upcycled magnet, and an info card with a matching fabric swatch. Sosorosey shop info is on the back of the little card. Whew. 50 is alot!!

Magnet Mania

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I have been buried under a pile of fabric and magnets for the past few days! But, here is the fruit of my labor. This set of 50 magnets, crocheted from upcycled bedsheets, is finished. They will be heading off to Texas tomorrow.

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These pretties will grace the tops of holiday packages, be used as stocking stuffers and party favors, and be given as little "pick-me-up" gifts. Each will be individually wrapped with an adorable little card. Stay tuned for the *wrapped* photos tomorrow!

Treasure Trove

Oh, did I have a fabric fiesta at the thrift recently! Someone must have kept these linens in their packages for decades- they are brand spanking new, with no issues whatsoever. I couldn't believe my good fortune!
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First we have a gorgeous Wamsutta full flat sheet, a twin fitted Springmaid sheet, and a standard Springmaid pillowcase.
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Next up, a matching pair of Springmaid cases in bright yellow.
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And last, the coup de gras...TWO of these amazing vintage curtain panels. Ready to wash and hang- they measure 53" across and 70" long. These would turn any living room into a retro haven, wouldn't they?

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All of these fabrics are on hold for my new friend in Japan, but whatever she does not want will be listed in sosovintage soon, soon, soon!

I'm Not Gloating...

...but just LOOK at what I found today!! This one is going to be hard to part with, but I'm going to do it. Look for it in the shop soon!

Shabby Chic Chair Pads: Check!

Sometimes I have an idea- an awesome idea- and I end up not following through with it. Who knows why... I get caught up in other things, other orders, my non-Etsy life. But sometimes I have an idea- an awesome idea- and I DO follow through! Like the chair pads I mentioned wanting to make. I finished these last night, and can't wait to get them listed in my shop.
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Many of you weighed in on whether I should make them all the same, all different, or 2 and 2. And there were opinions for all three! I decided to try to please everyone by making them all different, but similar. Two of them are made from these three fabrics- the pink and white are just reversed.
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And the other two are made from these three fabrics, with the green and cantaloupe being reversed. All four cushions have the same "vintage blue" middle. They measure a generous 13" in diameter, and work perfectly on standard sized chairs. Yay me!!!
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What have you followed through with lately?

Dog Days: Please Vote!

Would you believe that the person who makes these beautiful dog sweaters is a good friend of mine? This particular one has been nominated by Etsy for a very special honor- a spot in their weekly "voter" poll. (read the article HERE)

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Angela at aandboriginals is one of the most talented and hard-working people I know- she's always ready to lend a hand or promote other people and their shops. Now it's her turn for the credit and kudos! You can participate by clicking HERE to go vote!

Now I've Done It

I really, really did it! I've opened my doors to sosovintage- and even earlier than I expected.

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Thanks to all who voted and helped me decide to go with my gut and name the new shop sosovintage. I opened an account in that name well over a year ago, but wanted to be sure about it before I started loading in the inventory.

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Thank you to Erin at SwiekySiggies for making my sweet banner! And, thank you to those who have given your *heart* to sosovintage, and to those who have already made a purchase!

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I am up to 30 items listed, and I have loads and loads of goodies to add. Please visit often and linger long. Look for grand opening specials on September 1st!

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So, I'd love to know: What do you look for in a vintage shop? What would you like to see more of in mine? All suggestions and comments are welcome!!

Makeover Monday: 8/17

I started with a vintage peach colored sheet, and a green patterned quilting fabric.


And I ended up with upcycled pumpkin number two! I am always drawn to the white pumpkins at the patch, and this one reminds me of their loveliness. I don't think I told you in my last post about the pumpkin- it's actually a pumpkin pot. The lid comes off, and it's a perfect place to stash your personal supply of Halloween candy :)

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Happy Monday!

It's a bowl, it's a nest, it's...

... the jute bowlee!

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I'd wanted to try my hand at crocheting twine for some time, but was always put off by the rough and scary texture. The other day I decided to brave it, and I'm so glad I did! I love the way the natural fibers come together in an almost felted look. The manly jute combines with the femininity of the bowlee size and shape to make this the perfect gift for anyone on the shopping list. Peek here for more photos!

Chick or Pear?

I found this vintage German made pitcher at the thrift the other day. I love the retro avocado color, and that shape! The stem on top made me think they were going for a pear look. But, after I looked at the photos, it kind of looks like a chick doesn't it? In any case, this beauty will be making its way into sosovintage one day soon. Out of curiousity, does anyone want to venture a guess as to its value?

Rockin' Chair Pad

Clearly, things are too crazy in my neck of the woods...how did I forget Makeover Monday??

Oh well, better late than never, right?

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You may remember this Ralph Lauren fabric from the cottage star set I featured a couple of weeks ago.
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My most recent rug customer loved that fabric so much that she asked me to make a pad for her rocking chair. The rocking chair is 20" square, so we decided that a 19" round "cushion" would look fabulous.

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I only had enough sheet for 18" (grrrrrr), so I improvised and used a plain faded red chambray for the border. This will be bundled up with the rug and sent off to the UK tomorrow.

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Safe travels, my pretties :)

Real or Repro?

I've been busily cleaning and organizing and researching...all in a day's work when getting ready to open a vintage shop on Etsy. I realized recently that I have a significant fear of listing something that I believe to be vintage, only to find out that I was wrong and that it is not.

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I'm confident in my spotting skills, for the most part. But every once in awhile I run into something like this beautiful salt cellar. I found a set of five, they all still have their stickers inside, and I cannot for the life of me get anywhere in my research to find out their authenticity.

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Can anyone recommend a resource? Do you have an opinion? What would you do? Help!

Fall Ready

Squeeeee! Can you believe it? It's an upcycled pumpkin!! I am so thrilled with my awesome idea, and that I pulled it off so adorably. I don't mean to be immodest, but when you get to be my age, brainstorms are pretty darned exciting.

I have been gathering lots of different greens and oranges, and I plan to make a little patch of pumpkins in several different sizes. Look for them in my shop starting as soon as tomorrow!

So So Me

I could not believe my eyes when I stumbled upon this vintage wall pocket at the thrift the other day- it is just so "ME".

Not only do I love the buttery yellow border and the lavender flowers, but the pocket itself is PERFECT for my life right now. I never seem to have the correct pair of scissors in the right place. Sometimes I wonder if they gather to party at night and forget how to get back "home".

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While someone may have designed this to remind others to put the scissors away, I am hoping to use it to remind myself. Now I just need to decide which pair of scissors should live in this pocket, and which crafting station to hang it near!

Pink and Aqua Yumminess

A big special thank you to SecondHandNews for including my snuggle set in this lovely collection! Click on the photo to go straight to the treasury page...have fun shopping in these awesome shabby chic treasure troves, and leave a comment to let the curator know how much you love what she gathered :)

Wildcard

For the first time ever, my work will be on display and for sale in a real, live shop! The building renovation is still underway, but soon Wildcard will be an eclectic gallery of handmade and vintage in the heart of Lawrenceville in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My big box of sweet petite bowls and rag topped bowlees will be heading north today. I have my fingers crossed that they are a popular addition to the shop!

Major Secondhand Score

As far as "things" go, there are few things I love more than vintage chenille bedspreads. I am not exactly sure where or when this affection developed, but I suspect it has something to do with memories of Grandma's house.

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So, when I happened upon not one but TWO of these gorgeous twin sized spreads at the Salvation Army last week, I freaked out a little inside. OK, alot. It's that distinct feeling that makes an avid thrifter feel like they are going to snatch up the item and then run around the store doing those little jump up and click your heels together moves. While keeping a close eye on your basket, of course.
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There were a couple of small stains on one of the spreads, the other was in mint condition. I pulled out all of my Oxyclean supplies and went to work.
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In the store, I looked everywhere for the price tags, and started to panic because they will not sell anything without a tag. I caught a manager going by and asked him about it. He said "$3.99". Three ninety-nine????!!!!! I nodded (keeping oh so calm and cool), since I figured I might accidentally emit a wild whooping scream if I opened my mouth.

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At home, when I was searching for stains to zap with my stain remover, I came across this original price tag still attached to one of the spreads. How many years ago do you think this tag was put on? Originally $10.12, marked down three times to a final price of $2.02. Just wow.

What a PRICELESS thrifting experience!!

Makeover Monday: 8/3

Anchors Aweigh!

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I am not a chronic Etsy front page checker, but several times when I have logged in recently, I've noticed a nautical theme. When I saw this pillowcase, I decided to jump on the bandwagon!

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Once cut and crocheted it doesn't scream "ahoy".
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But with a little added prop magic, it easily goes back to its seafaring roots :)

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Happy Monday, friends!

Hot Off the Hook

Looky what's brand new in my shop today!

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Baby Boy's First Ecofriendly Christmas Ornament 2009

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A set of 3 upcycled star ornaments made from yet another GORGEOUS Ralph Lauren fabric: this time a soft and faded cottage red floral pillowcase. The really exciting news? I got the queen sheet from the set, too! Click on the photos to head straight to these listings in my shop.

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Don't forget to come back and visit tomorrow for makeover Monday!