Thursday's Treasure

My sister-in-law gave me this planter for my birthday several years ago.  I never had a great place to put it, so I have had it in our sunroom holding various gardening tools this whole time!  When Mike got close to finishing his front deck project, however, I realized that this planter would look stunning hanging from the brick chimney that is by our front door.  So, Sophie and I loaded it up with potting soil, petunias, vinca vine and sweet potato vine and it is a happy sight to see as you cross the deck to enter the house.  Yay for a finished deck and curb appeal!

Mod Pot

I am pleased to announce that I am FINALLY tackling that downstairs room I've talked about.  The one that *would* be an office if we could get into it.  There is now.... drumroll.... a path!  A large path in a small room, so I'm maybe one fifth of the way there?  There's lots to be done, but I keep chanting "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" in my head.  The right mantra can work wonders, I tell ya.

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Besides the obvious benefit of creating more space, I have also unearthed a few finds that will soon grace the sosovintage shelves.  Like this sassy number.  My own pots and pans are far from being this fun... but I'll bet someone out there has an orange and red kitchen begging for a vintage enamel pot just like this one!

Growth

OK.  So one tomato does not a green thumb prove.  But, so far this plant has been doing REALLY well, and I'm hopeful that we'll have enough tomatoes for a couple of good salads this summer.  Maybe even a tomato tart!   How are your veggie plants doing so far?  Do you have a favorite tomato recipe?  Please share!

Makeover Monday: 6/27

I've been seeing aLOT of red, white and blue front pages on Etsy lately.  Last year I made a couple sets of Independence Day stars in the more primitive, rustic tones.  This time, I decided to try a more modern take by using a bright red gingham and a turquoise blue.

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Very festive!  Here's hoping they still have a chance to brighten up someone else's home for the 4th!

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Happy Monday!  This week I am looking forward to finishing a snuggler for a returning customer- she had a boy over 2 years ago, and is expecting a girl next month.  Sophie has Construction Camp at her old school this week for 3 hours a day, and we have a fun play date set up for Wednesday.  Great Italian food may be in my future, too, as I have a potential dinner date with a college girlfriend on Thursday night.  Next week Sophie has no camp, so we are preparing the fishing poles for some ladies days at the river.  I'll take photos if, I mean when, we catch the big ones.  What's on your agenda this last week of June?

So?

Mr. Adorable here had "squirrel" on his price tag at the charity shop.  I'm not so sure.  He has a longer neck and taller overall stature than the squirrels I see in my yard.  Could it be a meerkat?  Please weigh in with your opinion as to what kind of animal this little guy is... he already looks a little distressed and I can't add to that by calling him the wrong thing in his listing! 

Custom Fun

I had a new customer with a special order in sosorosey this past week.  She found a bowl that she loved, but was hoping to have it in a different color.  She wanted something in green, blue, or purple.  I hunted around in my fabric stash and sent her some photos of different options.  She chose one right away- this lovely tie-dyed cotton in deep purple and indigo.

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I'll tell you a secret- I made this bowl twice.  I used a larger hook the first time around and didn't care for it at all.  So, the next night, I took it apart and crocheted it again with the hook I usually use for these.  Much better!  I LOVE the way this one turned out, and even better, so does my customer!  Nothing better than a happy ending :)

Amazing *New* Vintage Fabrics

I found lots of goodies while in PA, but had no luck with vintage sheets at all.  I was so anxious to get back to my VA haunts to get my fabric fix, and I was NOT disappointed!!  These are just four of the amazing finds from this week... they each deserve their very own photo :)

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I have the blue and green version of this one in my shop- what a treat to find it in the pink colorway as well!!

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This is one of those uber saturated fabrics- it's almost hard to tell the back from the front!  Gorgeous!

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Whoa!  Those deep forest green stripes under the bright, bright posies... flower power for sure.

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I've had the pillowcase like this before, but YAY for finding the whole flat sheet.  It is in excellent shape, and a great green is hard to find.

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There you have it!  Look for these in sosovintage today!

Thursday's Treasure

We have a bumper crop of blue hydrangeas out back... lucky me!  Hubby worked his magic getting rid of any crawly inhabitants before he brought in a giant armload.  I hope. 

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These remind me of my Grandma Copeland and all of her "snowball" bushes.  I didn't know their proper name back then, but I loved them just the same!

Getting Around to Getting Organized

Found this cute fruity vintage mail organizer the other day.  Looking at it on my pile of things to get photographed and listed got me thinking of ALL of the items on my to-do list.  Do you ever get totally overwhelmed with the gobs of things that need to get done just to keep life running kind of smoothly? 

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I'm usually fairly organized and efficient when it comes to the day-to-day, but sometimes, especially right after a vacation, I feel like I just can't get it together.  This is one of those times, so if I owe you a thank you or an email, or a phone call or something, please give me a grace period.  I should pop back into superwoman mode soon enough, lol.

Daily Dose of Cute

Found this handsome fella at a Goodwill store in PA.  I am not only allergic to horses, but I am also deathly afraid of riding them.  If I saw a horse like this waiting for me, though, I might be tempted to trust his gentle little soul :)

Makeover Monday: 6/20

There is something just so perfectly summery about a nice bright plaid!  It speaks of picnics and cookouts and blue skies.

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I'm so happy that the plaid feeling wasn't lost in the shuffle from pillowcase to bowl!  This happy little number will be available in sosorosey soon.

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And how are you this fine Monday?  I am freshly back from a nice visit with my mom and dad, madly cutting fabric and trying hard to get orders out in a timely manner.  Sophie has a couple of hours of summer camp each day this week, and I'm looking forward to finishing up my window box planting.  I didn't do flowers last year, no excuse, and everyone really missed them.  I have two more to go, then I'll share some photos!  Have a super duper week :)

Find of the Century

The title of this post may be a *bit* dramatic, but for those of you who already know how obsessed I am with vintage playing cards... well, you'll understand.

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While in Pennsylvania this past week, I had an opportunity to visit my two favorite antique malls.  I will share more of my finds later in the week, but this was one I just couldn't believe!

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Check it out~ A deck of cards where ALL of the backs are different- made specifically for swappers and collectors like me, but back in the 50s.  Here is a shot of most of them:

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Here are more- these are my second runner up favorites:

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And here is my number one favorite card to date!

That bunny!  That color!  Those dots! 

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I am going to hope that you all like me too much to hate me about this, but I have to tell you the price. 

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 FIFTY CENTS!!!!

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Happy Father's Day to all of you papas out there.  I'll be celebrating with my dad and my hubby today at the Gettysburg "Beer, Blues, and Barbecue" festival.  Whoop, whoop!

Coming Attractions

These vintage sheet fabrics will be available in the shop soon!

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And look at the precious birdies on a branch!  There will only be a few of these fat quarters offered. 

Wouldn't this make a beautiful pillow?

And The Winner Is...

A very big thank you to all who played the Price is Right game this time!  There were some super good guesses, but in the end, the closest without going over is.....

Kristine of CelticKnot with her fantastic entry of $24.51!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Thursday's Treasure

We took a little family trip the other day to a favorite attraction just outside of Gettysburg, PA: the historic round barn.

Here it is from the outside...

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...some of the beautiful hanging plants they have for sale ...

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... and the inside, chock full of freshly picked fruits, all manner of crafty goods, and loads of homemade salsas, jams, and butters. 

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Sophie purchased 5 feed apples for $1 to give to the goats, donkeys and horses out back.  She had big plans of doing it herself, but once she saw the size of the horse's teeth, she let my dad do the honors.

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Read all about the barn history HERE.

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Don't forget to enter the Price is Right game below... you have until 5 PM EST tomorrow to leave your guess :)

Price Is Right: Game 9

Come join the fun! The more, the merrier!

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The Game: I show you my thrift haul from one recent outing. You leave a comment with your best guess as to how much I paid. This does include VA sales tax. The person who comes closest WITHOUT going over wins.

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The Rules: One clear and definitive guess per person- no amending your answer. Please do not choose the same answer as a person who came before you- read the comments prior to leaving your guess. Game runs through Friday, June 17th, 5pm EST and is open to US and international players.  The receipt and winner will be posted here: please be sure I know how to get in touch with you either through blog, website or email. Play nice and have fun!!

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The Prize: The satisfaction of winning, AND $5 in "soso bucks" that can be applied toward any purchase in either of my shops. Can be saved and spent at a later time, up to one year. Can be combined with other wins or offers. Not redeemable for cash. Non-transferable.

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The Stuff: This week the loot comes from The Salvation Army, non-sale day.  Prices have been getting higher here every week for vintage items of probable value.  Linens and smaller "knick knack" prices have stayed the same.

So, without further ado, let's see the bounty!

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 A vintage pillowcase, and an old zippered cotton ticking case

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 This guy is so precious- nice and heavy, and fairly large for not being a planter

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 A brass sailboat paperweight, and a brass turtle ashtray

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 A Fuller brush in its fruit covered laquerware case

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 4 gorgeous cinnamon colored, bird-themed laquerware dishes

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 A 1976 "Ed Dick" cobalt blue glass bottle

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 Set of 3 cobalt swiss dot and lace juice glasses

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Unmarked milkglass mixing bowl... still working on trying to identify the starburst/checkerboard pattern!

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There you have it.  A glimpse into my completely random thrift experience.  I can't wait to see how many guesses we have, and who ends up being the closest.  BTW, I would absolutely love for someone else to link up and sponsor a game like this (as long as I get to play!).  I love to see what other people find purchase-worthy, and what the prices are in other shops and other parts of the country.  If you are a thrifter and decide to try this on your blog as well, please let me know!

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If you have any trouble at all leaving a comment, don't hesitate to give me your guess by email or convo- I will add it for you.  Let's get this party started!!!

Daily Dose of Cute

 My newfound vintage playing cards!

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Yippee!  It's a double deck!

The New Rug

A new half-moon *mezzaluna* rag rug is ready to grace the sosorosey shelves.  This one is made from two entire freshly laundered queen size bed sheets... one that is primarily greens with bits of plum and orchid, and one that is primarily plum and orchid with bits of green.  Both sheets were purchased with a rug in mind, but I had no idea how well they would go together in the same rug!  This one measures 16" deep and 32" across- perfect for in front of doors and sinks or beside the bed :)

Makeover Sunday

Hope that posting the makeover on Sunday instead of Monday doesn't throw anyone for a loop!  I have a custom order to share, and I don't want my customer to have to wait one more day because of my blog schedule :)

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My customer fell in love with the top fabric that she saw as a bowl in sosorosey.  She wanted coasters, though.  I happened to have one pillowcase of that fabric left, but that was only enough for 2 coasters.  I put together 4 photos of the top fabric with other coordinating choices, and this was the one she picked.

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And here are the upcycled coasters all crocheted and ready to go protect surfaces in their new home! 

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I tried a couple of new things with these coasters to make them more user friendly than ones I've made in the past.  I cut the fabric a bit thinner and used a smaller hook, and I put a fancy ridge around the edge.  This will help keep glasses more stable and inclined to stay where they belong.

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So, no makeover tomorrow.  BUT, I do have a new rag rug to share.  And later in the week I have a Price is Right game lined up, too.  Be sure to come on back and play!!

Coming Attractions

Here are the latest freshly picked vintage fabrics for sosovintage.  The one on the far right is a beautifully detailed, mustard yellow floral medallion print on white.  It's made by Cannon, and is one of the hard to find 100% cotton sheets- gorgeous!

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And ooh, ahh!  This is a sheet weight bedspread cover that will be offered in fat quarters as well.  As always, I don't precut my fabrics so that I have continuous yardage if needed :)

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A big welcome to my new blog followers!  I'm so glad you found your way here, and I look forward to getting to know you!

Fabric or Paper?

Which kind of napkins do you use most often in your home?  We are paper people, but I do like the idea of becoming more eco-conscious. With so many beautiful vintage linen napkins to choose from, maybe it's time to make the move.  These are a few of the choices coming soon to sosovintage.  I have two of the gray and yellow, and four of all the others!  Are you like me and worried about ruining the fabric with grubby food stains?  For those who can sew a straight line, these can also become excellent throw pillows :)

Thursday's Treasure

Aw.  There we are 9 years ago, at the most wonderful wedding on the most beautiful day.  Would you believe that yesterday, on our real anniversary morning, we woke up to our radio alarm playing our first dance wedding song?  How's that for a sign of an amazing year to come?!

Hey Baby...

...Want to check out my crib?  I know, I know- bad.  I'm a child of the 70s, what can I say?  Don't let my silly intro take away from these amazing vintage crib sheets coming soon to sosovintage!

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1980 Dundee Mills features adorable animals having the time of their life!  There are bunnies, giraffes, lions, elephants and bears in cars, boats, airplanes and hot air balloons.  Colors are yellow, green and orange.  This one is in excellent, freshly laundered condition; no holes, stains, marks, etc.  $12 

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This Wamsutta "babycale" is in amazing condition- like new!  Yellow, blue, and pink gingham squares and animals.  There are ducks, donkeys, and roosters.  $15

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These last two are cutters- too many stains to use, but so many adorable graphics ... perfect for baby quilts or room decor.  I think I will try out my brand spanking new cutting mat and tools on these!

Spill It Session #6

When a black cat crosses my path, I may inwardly groan, but I don't ready the shotgun.   I will think twice before opening an umbrella indoors or walking under a ladder. When I have to do something or go somewhere that I'm nervous about, I make sure that I put on clothing or jewelry that has a good luck/feel good connotation- given to me by someone special, something great usually happens when I wear it, etc.
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While I don't consult a soothsayer or magic 8 ball about every decision, I have been to a psychic many times. I believe my loved ones who have passed away are now guardian angels, and from time to time, I am visited by them. I know that my grandmother "saw" her deceased brother right before she herself passed away. I believe that my dreams are often more than just dreams, and that one should never, ever ignore knowledge or feelings that come from gut instinct.
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So, that's me. Please enjoy the video, ponder your own superstitions, and leave a comment to share some of your beliefs!

Makeover Monday: 6/6

Hehe.  For this very special "It's my birthday!" makeover edition, I chose a fun fabric that you just don't see every day.  I knew this one would be a prime example of how I tell customers to look only at the colors of a fabric versus the pattern when making material selections.

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The fabric insisted on folding over as I worked, giving me far more of the back side of this sheet.  This happens quite often with jersey knit.  I still like the way it turned out, but it is different than I envisioned it.  Maybe that's my lesson for this year- to not get too attached to the way I think things will (or heaven forbid *should*) look like or be, and just accept and appreciate them for however they are or will be.

Coming Attractions

Here are this week's vintage sheet finds- freshly laundered and ready to *become*!