Thursday's Treasure

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If you are a woman, you must run right out and get this book.  Anna Quindlen has long been one of my favorite authors, and in this latest, a memoir, her words resonate louder and more strongly than ever.  She is witty, real, honest, and wise.  Her words will make you laugh and think.  I can't say enough about how wonderful this book is.  While I was lucky enough to find it at the library, I realize now that it's one I'd like to own- to revisit at different ages and stages of my life. 

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As I approach my 44th birthday (less than a week to go!), I leave you with one of my many favorite passages from this novel.  Ms. Quindlen writes, "I've finally recognized my body for what it is: a personality-delivery system, designed expressly to carry my character from place to place, now and in the years to come.  It's like a car, and while I like a red convertible or even a Bentley as well as the next person, what I really need are four tires and an engine."

WIP Wednesday

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My main work in progress this week is getting caught up with the laundry.  Between sheets for sosovintage and regular clothes for the family, getting behind for even one day results in a bit of a mountain in the laundry room.

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For fun, though, I've been working on this large cotton yarn bowl in a new shape.  I'm working it double-stranded for added strength, and it has a generous flare to the top.  I'm going to *rag top* it with a vintage fabric that I found last week.  Can't wait to do that part tonight!

The After

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Just a basic pillowcase bowl, but she is quite sassy :)

Makeover Monday: 5/28

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The colors of this cotton pillowcase from Pottery Barn captured me when I saw it hanging alone at the thrift.  I decided it would come home with me to be lovingly cut up and reconstructed.  Alas, I am away from my camera, so the result will have to wait until tomorrow!

Ahhh...

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MUCH better!  Last year I planted this with sun-loving plants without realizing that this is not a sunny location.  Doh.  It looked good at first, but grew spindly as the summer wore on.  This time I went with impatiens in 3 colors, with a vinca vine for a wispy accent.  I think this one will get better looking over time.

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I couldn't resist this lantana plant.  She is SO pink lemonade! 

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That's it for planting so far... next project will be the two 36" flower boxes on the back deck.  Stay tuned :)

Memorial Day Weekend Colors

In honor of Memorial Day, I've poked around in my "need to list" goodies to find some patriotic~colored prizes for the shop.  Here are some of the things I found:

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Super cool red on blue vintage bath towel.  Maker unknown- I've been calling it "tattoo".

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Mid-century Ward & Ward skinny bowtie still on its card.  Love that swanky diamond pattern!

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Bright, bold standard size pillowcase by Stevens Utica

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Another red and blue vintage bath towel- this one's by the JC Penney line "Fashion Manor".

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Twin sized Strawberry Shortcake ruffle bottom coverlet from 1980

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Hope this weekend inspires us all to remember our loved ones who fought so hard, and to appreciate the freedoms we often take for granted.

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

This week's fabrics are of the more subtle variety.  They don't scream at you... just quietly assert themselves as special :)

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So, the top fabric is cotton flannel, and the 2nd one down is actually 100% cotton as well.  The wispy pink flowers are so sweet in person, and the blue plaid would look especially awesome in a "boy quilt".

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We've been deluged with rain the last several days.  I haven't forgotten my planter project... I'm so glad Saturday is still part of "this week" because that's the day I'm doing it.  Rain or shine.  It's Memorial Day weekend here in the states, and we'll be celebrating with my folks on Sunday.  Looking forward to a nice relaxing couple of days.  Wishing you and yours the same!

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Oh, and GO PHILLIP!!  SO happy he won American Idol!!  One of my very favorite performances is HERE if you care to check out his wonderfulness ;)

Thursday's Treasure

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Just as many of you had hoped, my "hem friend" Barbara from California has shared one of her recent makes!  She created this apron from sosovintage fabrics- including ones from the hem packs I shared last week. 

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Every apron Barbara makes is absolutely one of a kind, and there is no denying that she has a gift for putting together fabulous combinations!  Many people snap up her work from facebook before it ever reaches her Etsy shop.  Don't be deterred, though... I'll bet she'd be happy to whip up a special something just for you.  Contact Barbara at Shabbycowgirl@yahoo.com and tell her Jennie from sosovintage sent you ;)



WIP Wednesday

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I've been toiling away with my pattern pile this week, and I now have 6 of them ready to list sometime today.  I've started with the children's patterns, and it seems that most of the ones I have are from 1969. Maybe I bought them because they remind me of my own era!
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Still waiting for things to dry out around here in order to get planting. In the meantime, I've developed a whole new craft obsession. It's a secret for now, but get ready for some big news in the coming weeks!
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I'm a little embarrassed to share this last WIP. My sosovintage facebook page. So far it's a pathetic little shell of a page- standing as testament to my social-media-challenged self. But, if I can lose 28 pounds (!!!!), I can get this figured out. It would help boost my enthusiasm if anyone out there would like to "like" me. I do plan to offer special facebook deals and coupon codes once I get in the groove.  Oh, sheesh- I'm starting to sound a tad desperate aren't I?  Well, now that your expectations are in the right place, you can click HERE to visit my construction site.  Any tips on using facebook to connect with your shop are much needed and appreciated!

Super Cute Craft Overload: Help!

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Sometimes you just need to mix things up.  You know what I mean?  Maybe it's just my Gemini nature, but in addition to all of my wonderful qualities (*snicker*), I have a tendency to get bored.  So, instead of working on a crochet project for which I have more supplies than Martha Stewart herself... I go out and purchase supplies for a new project.  Makes perfect sense.  Not.

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Fortunately for my wallet, it was sale day at the thrift.  So, this giant hardback children's book treasury from 1968 was fifty cents.  In case you couldn't make it out in the first picture, this IS duct tape holding this book together.  And some masking tape too, if I'm not mistaken.

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Adding to the well-loved charm of this tome are the chew marks at all four corners, and some vigorous scribbling throughout the book.  I know, you're wondering why I paid them for this book.  They should have paid me to take it out of the store!  Not so, my friends.

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Because with the help of my brand new 2" oval cameo paper punch, I can go through this book and salvage some of the most precious artwork ever!  How freaking cute are those deer?  And the bluebirds? 

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Now here's where the title of this post comes in.  I'm all good with the cute crafty pieces, but I need help figuring out what to do with them! 

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Before you make any suggestions, keep in mind that this *may* just be something I try my hand at selling in the future.  Off the top of my head, I can think of gift tags, bookmarks, small cards, or little gift boxes. Maybe even put into a sweet little oval frame?  Can you think of something else that would work to showcase these sweeties?  I'd really appreciate your ideas... I can't stand the thought of not giving them a new lease on life!

Makeover Monday Part 1: 5/21

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The gardening rule of thumb around these parts is, "Don't plant anything until after Mother's Day".  So, I've waited.  Now I'm ready to turn this planter back into something we love to look at every day.  Time was spent this weekend mixing up potting soil and peat moss, finding the right size rectangular liner, and thinking about what flowers will work best this year.  Today will not be the day it gets done, however, since it is pouring rain- with thunder and lightning even.  Unless Mother Nature plans to do this every day this week, I WILL be back with the "after" photo one day soon.

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So tell me, what's the gardening rule of thumb where you live?  My aunt in Michigan told me that up there it's, "Don't plant anything until after Memorial Day"!

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This last full week of May should be a medium busy one around our house.  I have to get the car in for an oil change, and I have my annual eye doctor's appointment.  Blast that "air puff in the eye" test!  Here's hoping this isn't the visit where they tell me I need bi-focals.  Who wants to hear THAT a couple weeks before turning 44?  What do you have going on this week?  Do tell!

Peace and Love Plant Book

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I do thrift vintage books from time to time, but only if they are in exceptional condition or an absolute one of a kind find.  The illustrations in this book are so absolutely fabulous that I wanted to share a few.  You can click on the photos to enlarge and read the captions.

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My personal favorite is the second one down.  Look at that guy!  Lounging shirtless on the beanbag chair in the AC with his cold drink and .... shoes and socks?  Specifically THOSE shoes and socks?  Too funny!

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This book is just so HIPPIE.  Look for it in sosovintage soon :)

Easy Baby

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Karen, this one is for you!  Here is a shot of Sophie's *dirt baby* that she made at the Cows~N~Corn field trip.  Quite the head of hair, eh?  We're trying to decide whether to leave it in the purple cup or plant it with some flowers.  Sophie is considering giving her a haircut.  I had no idea how quickly and well this little project would take off.  I encourage everyone to fill up a nylon with grass seed and soil!  Give it eyes and a mouth!  Give it food and water!  This is the easiest baby ever :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Oh my goodness!  The fabrics I have to share today are GOR.GEE.US!!!  I can't believe I found even one of them, let alone four:

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Sick, right?  The second one down is 100% cotton, too!  The last one... the LOVE one?  I couldn't get over its mod grooviness.  I was thrashing around in the thrift aisle with that one, madly checking for the tag to make sure it was real vintage and not some new-fangled lookalike.  Yeah baby- total 70s.

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I had something awesome happen the other day, and I just have to share!  Anyone who's been reading over the last few months knows I'm working hard to find my way back to my slim self.  Well, as I grew bigger and bigger over the years, I slowly donated my "thin" clothes as I grew more certain that I'd never fit into them again.  I'm at a point where most of my pants are way too big.  I've been belting them and hoping to just limp along until it gets warm enough to just buy new capris/shorts for the summer. 

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So, as I was moving some things around in my laundry room the other day, a glimpse of khaki peeked out at me from the bottom of my "iron these things someday" pile.  Further investigation turned up not one, not two, but FOUR pairs of bottoms that now fit me!  Manna from heaven!  It was like finding money in your pocket, but better!  Happy dance, happy dance!  I realize this says quite a bit about the state of my laundry room, since I know I haven't worn these pants for about 3 years, lol!  Don't judge me, OK?  ;)

Thursday's Treasure

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Today is my best friend's birthday!!  This rockin' 70s video is just for you, Donna.  I hope you are having a wonderfully special day! xoxoxo

WIP Wednesday

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I'm still working away on my bright cotton rug!  Thanks to Victoria, who mentioned that this would make a nice poolside mat, I have been calling her "Cabana".  I really duded her up with the rickrack striping in tangerine and raspberry.

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Besides my rug, my other work in progress this week involves sorting, inspecting, and listing some of the many vintage sewing patterns that I've been accumulating.  I love these stylin' ladies!

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And seriously!  If I looked this fashionable in a housecoat I might just wear one all the time.  I have plenty more where these two came from, so I'd better get busy and start counting pattern pieces.  Listing patterns is kind of labor intensive for me because I don't sew- there's nothing intuitive about all of those delicate pieces.  I'm hoping I will get faster as I move along.

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I have a question for you sewing people.  I hear that it is possible to adjust any pattern for sizing- that you aren't limited by the size on the package.  I've seen tutorials for this on the web (like HERE and HERE), and have often wondered if people do this often and/or successfully.  Do you have experience in this area?   Please leave a comment!

Miscellany

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I promised you a makeover, and you know I hate to disappoint!  So, I missed my chance to photograph the whole pillowcase for you.  This is one of the corners that I cut off in the strip making process.  The majority of the case was a beautiful deep tangerine.

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Here is another corner.  You can see there was some fade to the main body, and some of the turquoise bullseyes had yellow petals around them.

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The result, a small bowl that packs a big wallop of personality!  It makes me think of a koi pond- one that is way more *koi* than *pond*!

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In other news, I've had a request for a mixed bag of sheet hems.  The lovely customer I'm working with makes aprons from vintage sheets, and she uses the hems for the apron ties.  It's a woman after my heart who uses every bit of a beautiful sheet!

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These two "hem dozens" have been set aside for her if she would like them.  I've decided to go ahead and make a listing for these, though, in the event that others out there would find these useful for their projects as well.  They will be $6 per dozen- lengths range from 32" to 60"+.  They are heavier than regular scrap bundles, so the shipping cost (US) will be $5.  The good news?  If you buy two dozen, the second one ships free!

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And of course I will still offer regular scrap bundles.  I gathered up this one today, and it will be in sosovintage very soon.

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Since the title of this post is miscellany, I feel compelled to throw in one more random thing!  Look at this gorgeous pair of Vera vinyl placemats I found the other day.  Guess how much I paid for them?  Go on, guess!  It was such a bargain that I can't help crowing about it... thanks for bearing with me ;) 

{I'll post the answer in the comments later this evening.}

Makeover Monday: 5/14

I finished my custom chocolate tweed rug/mat this weekend.  You can check it out HERE if you like.  Making that rug reminded me how much I truly enjoy making those double stranded cotton mats. 

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I found that the size (14" by 28") is just perfect for many uses and places.  It would work well under pet bowls, in front of doors or sinks, as a bathmat, or even a table runner. 

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It can be kind of a challenge to work with two variegated yarns; in order to maintain the integrity of the whole item it's important to try to match the color placement of both yarns each time you change to new balls.  I decided to give myself a break from that and put two of my favorite bright SOLID colors together.

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No, it's not finished, so this is kind of a cheating makeover post.  I've decided it needs something else to give it a special pop, too.  I'll be back with this one on WIP Wednesday, and tomorrow I'll have a real fabric makeover~ I found just the perfect pillowcase for that today!

For Mom

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Thought you might enjoy hearing "our song" today!  For as much as you hope I dance, know I always wish the same for you.  xoxoxo

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My dear blog visitors~ do you and your mother have a special song?

Daily Dose of Cute

 Oh, pictures just do not do this mug justice!  This is one of the cutest owls I have ever seen.

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And look!  He has a cat friend!  What are the chances that I'd find vintage *owl and pussycat* mugs?  These are made by GHC Japan, and are in excellent condition.  Look for them in sosovintage soon :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

TGIF!  I survived the dentist... and no cavities!  Woohoo!  In celebration, here are a couple of new fabrics coming to sosovintage over the weekend:

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The top one is my favorite for this week, but the birds are a close second.  I have the bird one in yellow/green birds on pale blue, so it was neat to find it in this colorway as well.

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Wishing you US readers a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!