Taking a Break

Hello, My Bloggy Friend! I just wanted to let you know that I am going to take a break from posting for a week or so. Life has gotten too hectic for the time being, and something's gotta give. I do hope you won't forget me, and that you will come back to visit in August. Stay cool!!!

xoxo,

Jennie

Opinions, Please

Here we go again- I'm having some indecision about these salt and pepper shakers. Are these cats or dogs? The ears tell me "dog", but somehow the whiskers and markings say "cat". Please weigh in by leaving a comment :)

Shout Out to Durham NC

Check out the talent that comes from my neighboring state. This photo was sent in by a lovely customer who showcased some super 70s prints from her sosovintage flower power and brights charm packs in this fab creation. Now that is MY kind of quilt!

Makeover Monday: 7/19

Yes, you've come to the right blog. I know these aren't colors that you typically see me work with. Just another reason I love custom orders- it helps me break out of my rosey rut!
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This will be a two (or more?) part makeover, as this is all I have completed on this project so far. When it is finished, it will be an oval rag rug for a contemporary bathroom- measuring 48" long and 30" wide. Stay tuned for more progress!

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Happy Monday! What's going on in your world these days? This week I am looking forward to getting lots of new goodies listed in both shops. I am hard at work designing the 2010 sosorosey Christmas ornaments, too. Now that the dreaded dentist visit is over, I am full of relief. Have to get an oil change and a foot check up this week. Hoping to get the all clear to go to the American Idol concert boot-less on Friday. Wahooooo- Lee, here I come!!

Sneak Peek: Antique Quilt Blocks

Crafty chicas and chicos! Get ready! I have LOADS of these antique quilt blocks to list next week in sosovintage. They are far from perfect, but chock full of glorious shabby charm. Wouldn't these look absolutely gorgeous framed in a nursery or made into pillows or a bunting for the cozy cottage?

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Do you have a great craft idea in mind for these? I'm happy to give you first dibs on the blocks of your choice- send me a message and let me know what colors you are looking for!

New Customer Photo

How precious is this baby quilt? It was made by a customer's mother and grandmother, and features several different fabrics from sosovintage! I recognize the material in the sun, sky, pink bird, tulips, and tree base. Thank you for sharing, Becky! You and your baby are so lucky to have such a crafty and talented family :)

Featured Seller Interview: Part 5

"Tell us a bit about yourself"

My name is Jennie Thoma, and I am mother to four and a half year old Sophia and wife to my handsome math whiz husband, Mike. We live with our foundling kitty, Sinatra, on a heavily wooded peninsula along the Occoquan River in Northern Virginia. Our yard is home to many birds, toads, voles and squirrels, and we often have special visits from raccoons, groundhogs, foxes, owls, and deer. I grew up as a "Navy brat" and only child, living in Italy and various duty stations up and down the US East coast. I attended 11 different elementary schools before 9th grade! In 1991, I graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master's in Teaching, and taught special education in Fairfax County for almost 15 years prior to becoming a stay at home mom. I'm a collector, thinker, and lover of all things vintage, shabby and unique!

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The adorable bunny planter pictured above is from Plaid Pony Vintage- the entire shop is FULL of fantastic items. A must see!

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See the other parts of this interview by clicking HERE. The topic for next time: "Apart from creating things, what do you do?"

Thursday's Treasure: 7/15

I found this cotton tablecloth about a month ago in an antique market. It was on sale for 50% off of an already low price, and I couldn't pass up the colors.

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Embarrassingly, it was stowed in the trunk of my car until I took it out this week to wash it and get it ready for listing.

Imagine my surprise when I took it out of the dryer and saw this! Arguably, any Vera is treasure, but an unexpected Vera ... well, that is just priceless.

Something New

Ever since crocheting the double-stranded stars, I've been on a double-stranded kick. For you non-crocheters, this means that instead of just using one ball of yarn, I've been using two at a time. Not only does it help me make a dent in my gigantic cotton yarn stash, but it allows me to choose fun colors and make new combinations. I made this large coaster one night, and have been building up quite the inventory ever since. I love the heft of the added thickness, and this size is perfect to use under pitchers, potted plants, or casseroles. Pretty protection for any surface! I'm about ready to start listing them in sosorosey... here's hoping people love them as much as I love making them.

Rags to Riches

OK. Maybe not "rich" in the traditional sense. But I am rich in happiness knowing that these rags are going to be sold along with some of my nest sets in a brand new art boutique in Tiverton Four Corners (Tiverton, Rhode island). Yay for sosorosey spreading across the USA!

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Makeover Monday: 7/12

I've been working with nothing but yarn for weeks! While I do love yarn, I have really been missing my fabric crochet work. I chose this tie-dyed shirt for its interesting mix of colors.

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The ochre really pops in the final product, and I like how the rim ended up with a lilting ripple to it. This is perhaps my favorite thing about crocheting with fabric; no two items are EVER the same!

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Happy Monday to you! How is your week looking? I am finally back to a *normal* routine after the post-trip recovery. I have to go to the dentist tomorrow, so please send good thoughts my way... it's one of my least favorite things to do in the world. And did I tell you that I broke my foot? No? Well, it's true. A stress fracture in two places, and now I get to wear a (black, heavy, hot and oh, so fashionable) boot for a few weeks. Could be worse, right?

Stars: Check!

There they are: 110 stars in 6 different sizes! As I type, they are on their way to New Jersey. What I can tell you is that they are to be used for a Christmas catalog shoot for a well known company. A hint: I can guarantee that it will be the only time ANY part of me will be in an underwear ad. That's all for now- I hope to have some photos to share later this month :)

Trip Memento

Some people come home from vacations with t-shirts or shot glasses or stuffed animals...not me! While killing time in Newburyport waiting for our harbor cruise to set sail, I found a super fun antique barn called Oldies . I didn't have as much time or stamina as I would have liked for this kind of shopping, but I did manage to find this treasure to add to my collection!

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I was intrigued by the magenta color on the box. While the outside had seen better days, I just had to peek inside to see what this card game looked like.

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SQUEEEEEEAAAAL! How adorable is this child? From the sweet pale pink scallopy detail around the edges to that little freckled nose, I am totally in love with this image. Way better than a t-shirt, right?

sum*mer*tiiiiiiiiiime....

... and the living is eeeeeaaaaasy.....

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Please forgive my singing, and my lack of blogging. I am recovering from my vacation, and will be back to posting more faithfully next week. I hope you are well, and that you will continue to check in ~ thanks for visiting!

Break Out the Accordion

And the horn, too! It's time to celebrate the freedom to play any old instrument you want. Or none at all! Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans, and happy overall independence to my European friends.

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Love the pups? They'll be in sosovintage one day soon!

The Maine Event

Behold the pier at Chauncey Creek in Kittery Point, Maine. This is where we're headed today, to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. Click on the photo to check out the menu, but only if you're in the mood to drool over the thought of fantastic New England seafood. I will be having a lobsta roll, I believe. With a side of fried clams, perhaps.

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An exciting aside is that Maine is one of the very few US states that I have not yet visited! After today I will just need to get myself up north to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota and I'll have all 50 visited. You know it's the little things that make me happy, right?

Deal Me In

My friend Evelyn of ModishVintage has recently been blog sharing some of her amazing vintage collections . Do check them out by clicking HERE! She has inspired me to share some of my own treasures with you. Are you ready? My name is Jennie, and I am a vintage playing card freak!! There, I said it. It's the first step, right?
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My criteria for purchasing these cards is very simple. I don't care if there is a full deck. I don't care who made them. I don't even care how much they cost, since they generally only go for $1-$5 in thrift shops and antique stores. I care that they are not all bent up and ugly. And, they must not smell.

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Why playing cards, you ask? I sure wish I had an answer for you! I guess I love that the old ones are little pieces of art. I adore their colors and patterns. They remind me of a simpler time. I like to give out vintage rose playing cards with my sosorosey orders, and I often include a fun one with sosovintage orders too. One thing is certain, I have more cards now than I will EVER need. Will I buy more? You betcha!

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Do you have an interesting or unique collection? Please share by leaving a comment!