My New Toy

My new custom rubber stamp by RobertoSand at Bullfrog Laserworks. I loved EVERY single moment of this transaction, and the stamp is amazing. If you are in the market for a tool to make your packages special- this is the place to go!

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He also makes super cool engraved save the date cards, personalized 4-pack beer holders, custom name coasters, and much more.

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For a special gift (for you or someone else), RUN, don't walk, straight to Rob.

You will NOT be disappointed :)))))

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*special note- I have absolutely no affiliation with this shop...I just had such a great experience, I wanted to share the wealth!

Successful Saturday

Ah, doesn't it feel great to check something off the list? Yesssssssss!

Fabulous Friday

No, no, no- I didn't find this at a thrift store. I WISH!

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I snapped this beauty up at my favorite "real" shop, thanks to a Christmas gift certificate from my mom and dad.

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A 1905 ceiling tin is the backdrop for these so, so shabby dreamy aqua hooks. Whatever else I do or do not do this weekend, this baby will be hung; I can't wait to see it on the wall in my sunroom! AND, won't it be the perfect place to hang patchwork stars for photos? Or vintage aprons?

Squeeeeeeaaaaal!

Thursday's Treasure

Not that I need another TV show to watch. Between American Idol being on 2 nights a week and my Thursday night Office/Grey's/Private Practice marathon, I am overbooked as it is. Nevermind that I am slowly being sucked into The Bachelor. And that I have discovered Hoarders and Mystery Diagnosis.

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However, when I stumbled across American Pickers the other night, I could NOT tear my eyes away. Two guys traveling in a truck to homes where people have collected *stuff* for years. They go through the stuff, make offers on things, and walk away with a truckful of goodies. Then, the best part- they show the item, what they paid, and then the value. Cha-ching. Pass the popcorn.

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So, my new idea for Thursday posts will be modelled after the "pickers". I'll show you an item I found, the price I paid, and the determined value!
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I'll start off the series with this covered butter/cheese dish purchased this week at The Salvation Army. It is by Raymor / Roseville Pottery and was conceived by Ben Seibel. Seibel was a prolific mid-century designer hired by Roseville to revamp their company when sales began to falter in the early 50's. The dish is in near mint condition.

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Did I know any of this history when I made my purchase? Of course not! Did I know just how rare it is to find both parts of the dish in such fabulous shape? Heck no! I just knew that I'd heard of Roseville Pottery, and that the piece was a beautiful color with an appealing design.

Price paid: $2.99

Value: up to $300.00

Oh, happy day!

Ah, Vanity

I found this luscious mirrored filigree vanity tray while thrifting this week. Aren't the lipstick holders an awesome feature? And don't you love it when your photos of an item really show off its beauty? I'm very pleased with the way this one came out :)

Game On

It's that time again, folks! Time for another Etsyfriends Team Challenge. This time we were tasked with coming up with an entry that fit the theme of "new decade". I made this jute heartstring garland for the occasion.

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From the listing description: "Ten hearts make up this 5 foot, 11 inch long *heartstring* garland...one for each year of the last decade. With every increment on the string (just like years that go by), you'll find something different to love along the way. From perfectly tattered lace to dusky rose velvet ribbon, something here is sure to stir your memory and soul.

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More than a reminder of years gone by, however, this garland is designed to remind us of all we have for which to be grateful in our daily lives. While it's perfect for Valentine's Day or February decor, it's also a special piece to hang somewhere that your eyes often wander. Use the heartstring to focus on ten deep breaths, count ten blessings, or give ten thanks throughout your day!"
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For more details about the garland itself, click HERE.

To see the other entries and vote in the challenge, go HERE.

Makeover Monday: 1/25

Last week was a little bit stressful for me. I had some major PMS, a customer I couldn't please, a to-do list a mile long that seemed to grow longer with each passing day. You know those weeks. So, for today's makeover, I pulled out a pillowcase that I knew would soothe my frazzled self!

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Whenever there is discord and strife, there are always roses. Soft, pink, flannel Waverly roses- to be exact!

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This fabric didn't want to be anything but a coaster. And guess what? I have the entire queen sized set!! Do you know what that means? Yep... I'm thinking rug. Want to get me moving on it? Just send me a message and say, "I want that rug!!!"

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Happy, happy Monday... May your week be bright and sunny

(and rosey and pink)!

New Treasures Coming Soon

I cleared out my photo room! Well, OK, not the whole room - I'm not superwoman. But, enough of the room so that when I go to take photos of items, I don't have to shuffle loads of stuff all over the place. I was so excited to take pictures this morning! Here's a preview of just a few of the goodies coming to sosovintage today and tomorrow.
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Mid~century atomic creamer by Danton China

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Pastel banded pitcher
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Porcelain espresso cups, saucers, sugar and creamer by Weidmann

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Cherry pie recipe pie plate by Royal China (Jeanette)

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I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Come on back this week for Makeover Monday, Team Challenge details, and many more treats :)

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I'm still seeking opinions about the star pricing, too, so if you haven't added your 2 cents to the comments for the post below, please do!

Pricing Help Please!

I loved making the custom stars from the primitive rag balls provided by one of my customers. They were hers, though. I decided, after several inquiries, to look into acquiring some rag balls of my own. I went a little crazy, and am now the proud owner of 17 of them!

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Some of the balls won't work for stars at all, but I may be able to use them for another project. I can, however, make good star use of 11 of them! As far as I can tell, I can get an average of 10 stars from each ball.

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The average rag ball price is about $6. The stars are 5.25"-5.5" across, with an additional strip tied for hanging. Each is one of a kind. The fabrics are antique and vintage; varied, but mostly cotton. Lots of feedsack.

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So, I ask you- how much would you pay for one of these stars? Would you prefer to see them in sets, and if so, sets of how many? I am trying to set a reasonable and fair retail price because I have wholesale interest in these and don't want to sell myself short. Please, please, please leave a comment and weigh in with your opinion!!!

Mixed Emotions

When I found these partial quilt tops at one of my favorite thrift shops recently, I couldn't believe my eyes. There are 3 pieces, one medium and two large- all different patterns, all beautiful.

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Can you believe the gorgeousness of those feedsack fabrics?
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And would you believe that they are handsewn?
The stitching is so painstakingly even and tiny!
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These works of art are in pristine condition, save for the fact that they are unfinished.

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They make me want to smile and boohoo at the same time. How in the world could someone have parted with these? The love and work that went into them! *sigh*

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On the bright side, maybe now they can be used to make something fabulous. Wouldn't they make amazing pillows? Or a special tote bag? I would love to see what someone could come up with!

From the Fun Fact File

So. I wonder if anyone looks at the list of places that my items have travelled and thinks, "What are the 6 states she's missing?" If so, lemme tell ya. I still need Alaska, New Mexico, Nebraska, South Dakota, Vermont and Delaware.

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Know anyone in those states who might be interested in my sosorosey or sosovintage goodies? If so, tell them to enter BLOG in the notes to seller at checkout... I'll refund their shipping if they are the first from their state to make a purchase!

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I found the adorable file folders above by searching google for vintage file folders. Click on the photo to go to the awesome tutorial... you can make these yourself thanks to katherinejalaty.com.

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My apologies for missing Makeover Monday this week. I hope to have a makeover for you later in the week, though, so please do check back!

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FYI: My giveaway is still going on through midnight tonight! Don't forget to go HERE to enter!

Free Love

No, I haven't turned sixties hippie on you! I'm giving away a set of hearts as part of a special blog giveaway. Please visit Jessica's blog, the Embellished Life, and leave a comment :)

Friday's Fab Find: 1/15

Who knew there were Vera needlepoint kits out there? Not me! So, imagine my surprise when I came across this UNOPENED, mint condition piece of amazingness this week. This is going to make some crafty, vintage Vera Neumann lover very, very happy!

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Pile of Pillowcases

What's more cozy than a pile of pillows covered in vintage cases? These are some of the ones you'll find in sosovintage over the next couple of days.

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Buried Treasure

The antique Farrington jewelry box that I found the other day turned out to be even more of a find than I initially realized!

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Not only is it worth far more than I expected, it held some buried treasure as well. Three notes, dated 1949 and 1950 were hidden underneath the upper portion of the case. All are basically a statement of will, written to a bank in Northern Virginia, designating the author's daughter as the rightful owner of the contents of her bank box upon her death.

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I've done a little bit of research to see if I could locate the person or her daughter. No luck so far. The treasure doesn't amount to anything monetary, but what a cool find. Moral of the story- check every nook and cranny of those old jewelry boxes- you never know what could be hidden!

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Do you have any tales of hidden treasure?

Back in Rag Ball Heaven

I had the unique and wonderful opportunity to work with a customer's heirloom antique rag balls last year. Lucky for me, she was so happy with her items that she decided to send me some more rags to work with! This is a shot of the new batch of stars. It may seem odd to you, but this is pure bliss for me. Seeing the bits and pieces of a simpler time, giving them a new way to be appreciated and enjoyed... ahhhhhhh. I think I must have lived during colonial times in a previous existence. Or at the very least, watched waaaay too much Little House on the Prairie as a child. ;)

Makeover Monday: 1/11

When I found this sweet cotton sheet last week, I couldn't resist the siren call of the hearts. Well, and the pink. And the flashback of super prep Pappagallo and Izod memories (nightmares?) from high school.

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I thought, "Oh, won't this be so cute for Valentine's Day?!" But alas, there was no trace of the hearts once the fabric was cut and crocheted. That wouldn't do.

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So, I made a lid. Much better!

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Happy Monday, Friends!

Next Up: Jewelry Fun

Well, I am thrilled to say that my plan for getting listing done more efficiently in sosovintage is working so far! I've gotten all of the vintage towels in the shop, and a few have already been snatched up. Here is a preview of my next bunch of items!

Lavender rhinestone owl brooch
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Enamel sailboat brooch in ecru, navy and red

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Antique metal "pierced earring caddy"

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Adorable flocked basset hound- rhinestone muzzle!

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I also have at least two jewelry boxes to clean up, and some earrings that I'm trying to decide how to describe! Busy me! What are you working on this weekend?

Whole Lotta Love

Many of my customers are also Etsy shopowners. One of these, a fellow crochet person, loves her own customers so much that she ordered these hearts to give as gifts with purchase during the month of February. How nice is that?!

Friday's Fab Find

We had a teeny bit of snow last night, so school was delayed by 2 hours. This gave Sophie plenty of time to *help* me take photos this morning!

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I'm thrilled with this vintage Samsonite Silhouette train case. The color is so gorgeous, isn't it? And even better, it is PINK inside! And the best part? It is in amazing condition- the inside is like new. No musty smells, no icky stains. A fab find for sure... price paid? $3. Yesssssssss!!

Throwing In The Towel

I need ways to expedite listing in sosovintage. I have SO much inventory that I often get so overwhelmed with the task of taking photos and writing descriptions that I just...go shopping for more goodies instead. This must stop.

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Even my husband, normally exceedingly patient with my piles of *treasures*, rolled his eyes when I came home from thrifting the other day and said, "Woohoo, more stuff". He was not excited. And most of my "stuff" from THAT trip was in the car! Needless to say, it stayed there til he went to work the next day.

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So, my new plan is to try to photograph and list like items in clumps. I can stage the photos similarly, crop and edit without too much brain strain, and list them in the same format. Here's hoping this works!

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I decided to start with an easy project to bolster my motivation. These are just some of the vintage towels that will be coming to the shop soon!

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Pair of pink fleur de lis and faux weave St. Mary's bath towels

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Turquoise and avocado "Terri-down" by Martex bath towel
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Minty-jadite green roses Martex handtowel
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Avocado and white flowered Sears, Roebuck & Co. "Drylon" facecloth
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Fab, fab, fab untagged terry bath towel

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What do you think of my plan? Do you have any words of wisdom for me? Can you sympathize with my issue? Please leave a comment!

New Big Bowl

For the first time in a loooooong time, I crocheted a big ole bowl *just because*. I wish it were possible to capture the softness and detail of this one in photographs. It is made from a freshly laundered, pink paisley jersey knit cotton sheet. She measures 11" across and stands about 4.5" tall. This one would make a gorgeous container for makeup or hair accessories for girls of all ages. Look for it in sosorosey very soon- price tag: $30.

Fun With Hemp

Santa brought me some beautiful hemp cording in natural tones. I decided to try a hemp-topped bowl set, and I love the combination of textures here. This set, "raspberry truffle", can be found in the yarn bowl section of sosorosey.

Makeover Monday: 1/4

A special returning customer recently asked me to make her a 9" round trivet. She asked that it be kind of like the *anchors aweigh* bowl currently for sale in my shop. Knowing that she loves vintage fabrics, I decided that this old cotton sheet would be perfect for the job.

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Here is the end result!
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I love that you can still make out the floral pattern. These roses are so beautiful, they deserve to be showcased for a few more decades, don't you think?

Gifted Scarf

Before I discovered Etsy, I made gifts for my friends and family all the time. After Etsy, I pretty much didn't. I want to be better about that in 2010, so I started by making this beautiful scarf for my mother as a Christmas gift.

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I'm pretty sure this is the most beautiful yarn I've ever laid eyes on. It is hand-tied by Turkish women whose husbands are unemployed. There are SO many different fibers used and specialty textures included.
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And here's the finishing fringe.

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I could marry this yarn- or at least work with it all day every day.

Maybe when I win the lottery!