For The Collection

I hit the vintage playing card jackpot at Goodwill this week!  Altogether 10 decks of cards for about $8.  Go me!

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Hallmark poppies double deck

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 Three decks of these silver edged ships in one box

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This double deck is one of my all-time favorites.  I didn't realize that they went together to make the tandem bike until I set up for this photo!

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Love the colors and patterns in these outfits!

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These hibiscus cards are from a box that reads "Souvenir of Florida". 

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Have you added to any of your collections lately?  Do tell!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Find

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Well, my fabric loving friends... this is it for this week.  It's a gorgeous spool of old cotton fabric- about 3" wide by who knows how long.  I think I'm going to crochet it up into something special.

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I always find loads of goodies when I visit my folks, but fabric does not top the list of plentiful treasures.  Perhaps I should say *affordable* fabric.  I ran my fingers over a bazillion old feedsacks yesterday, but they were just too costly.  No meat on the bone, as the pickers would say.

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I'll be back to my regularly scheduled sheet shopping next week, so I hope to have more to share next Friday!

Thursday's Treasure

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We passed this Cool Old Stuff truck and shop on our way to Hagerstown, MD the other day.  I gave a little gasp of delight.  Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop in and look around, but I will one day.  It was super nice of my dad to pull off to the side of the road and snap this photo for us, though!  And guess who's going treasure hunting ALL DAY long today???  Yep, this girl {points to self with both thumbs}!!!  Look out Emmitsburg Antique Mall, here I come;  34,000 square feet of vintage loving heaven.  Hope to have some fun finds to share with you soon :)

WIP Wednesday

 Preparing for today's origami class has been a "work in progress" for me for a couple of weeks off and on.  I wanted to be sure we had plenty of supplies, and that I felt confident with the directions for the projects we were doing. 

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Because you need clean, dry hands for folding paper, we did not have snacks during the lesson part of the party.  Just for a little treat, though, I folded little boxes for everyone ahead of time and had Sophie fill them with individually wrapped lifesavers.  She loved passing them out!

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I could not have had a more gracious, fun and creative group of women for this event.  I think everyone enjoyed themselves, and learned a couple of useful origami skills in the process.  Every person left with several completed wallets and boxes, as well as a crane favor.  There's even talk of a possible follow up "class" in August!

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My work in progress for next week will be a custom order for sosorosey- two large ruffled pot holders.   How about you?  Whatcha got going on in your house these days?

Find #1 and Makeover Part II

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 I knew this was a treasure when I spied it under various other old books at the antique market.  Lol.  But, not only did the title leap out at me, one flip through the pages and I felt like I'd struck gold.

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33 samples of mint condition 70s wallpaper!!  Most are 6" by 8", but a few are 6" by 6".

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Here are a few of my personal favorites:

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Anne

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Hopewell

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Maria

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Annabelle Lee

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Serendipity

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Sunny Nook

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Here's my little bowl from yesterday's fabric.  All of the colors and patterns of this one just invite you to hold it and look at it from every angle.  She'll be in sosorosey soon :)
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If all goes as planned, tomorrow's *Work In Progress* post will feature photos from the origami class I am leading for a dozen of my mother's friends.  Wish me luck!

Makeover Monday: 6/25

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Whew!  I made it!  Sorry to come screeching in here at the last moment, and with only a half a makeover, too.  It's been a busy (mostly fun-busy) sort of day, and I just lost track of time.  I have turned this ball of fabric into a bowl already, though, and I'll be back tomorrow to show you how it turned out.  I have a couple of fun finds to share, too.  Hope to see you soon :)

Scrapper

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Ever since he was an orphaned kitten, this boy has been a fighter.  He has a wild streak that can't be tamed or ignored.  While he enjoys the comforts of home and family, he insists on spending most nights outside.  He's usually on the back deck when we wake up, waiting to come in for some love and fresh food.  Not necessarily in that order.

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There have been many times when he's appeared with tufts of fur sticking out from a squirrel tussle.  Once he had a paw gash that took a week to heal.  Who knows what he does all night long.  One thing is certain- we do have foxes that roam the neighborhood and a family of hawks in the backyard.  All of whom are far more athletic and less *fluffy* than our tough guy.

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Sinatra wasn't on the back deck the other morning.  We waited awhile for him to show up, then started calling for him.  Ever so slowly he started up the long staircase to the deck.  My relief at seeing him was quickly replaced with concern.  Our boy is hurt.  His ear has several surface scratches and a swollen bump where it meets his head.  He has lots of smaller puncture wounds under his fur around his chest.  The worst of it is his right front leg.  He is able to move it and bend it, but he must have pulled something at the shoulder.  He has a bad limp, and is moving slowly. 

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He's getting a little better each day.  Still, it's so hard to look in those eyes and see he's in pain.  He'll let me pet him gently, and he purrs his loud purr.  He tries to jump on and off the bed, and won't let us help him.  He'll heal and continue to fight his fights.  He'll worry us and surprise us, and we'll love him just the way he is. 

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

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Just one to share this week, but oh it's a beauty!  I've had this fabric before- in pink too- and was so excited to find it again.  I have a twin flat sheet (with one fq cut).  Want some?  Send me a message!

Thursday's Treasure

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The silver lining behind having a terrible, horrible no good situation is the opportunity to see who your true friends are.  Who really has your back, who really cares about you.  I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family members during this difficult time.  You know who you are, and hopefully, how much you mean to me.  The flowers in the photo?  Picked by my hubby from our yard Tuesday evening and placed in the kitchen.  No fanfare.  No message.  A small yet extravagant gesture that says, "I am with you".  To those who are with me, thank you for your support.  I hope to be back in business soon! 

WIP Wednesday

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My good friend Emily from this SHOP and this BLOG has been giving me some good ideas about how to market sosofabulous.  She even reminded me that "people love anything that nests"!  So, I took her advice and worked up this set of 4 nesting boxes.  They still fall under *work in progress* because they need their finishing touch of fabric glue to secure the final flaps.

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They stack, too!  I sure wish I could convey through pictures how light these are.  It's like magic that they are actually containers because they feel like feathers.

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Does anyone have any questions about fabric origami?  I know my other good friend, Karen, asked if this was a secret skill I've been keeping under wraps for years.  Lol!  The folding of paper is something I've been fascinated with since the early 90s.  I taught my middle schoolers how to make a few things when I lived out in Utah, and I folded boxes for each of my wedding guests.

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While feeling sorry for myself one day regarding my inability to sew my own projects out of all of these vintage fabrics that I hoard collect, I realized that there are things a person can do without sewing!  I set out to find out how to stiffen fabric and fold it, and I am officially addicted.  LOTS of trial and error over many weeks (yes, I did keep that largely to myself), resulted in a final recipe that I am happy with.  So, aside from giving out my special trade secrets, I'm happy to answer any questions I can about this amazing craft!

Towel Bounty

Just a small sampling of the vintage towels coming to sosovintage over the next couple of days.  I have *finally* gotten through the tower of towels on the photo couch... now I can replace it with the tower of towels in the laundry room!

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Morgan Jones

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Cannon

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Cannon

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Unknown

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Each towel is in excellent condition, $10.  As always, if you see one here that you must have, just let me know and I'll list/reserve it just for you :)

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psst, Mom- since I lost your hair towel, let me know if you see one you'd like to replace it with.  These all have that ultra-absorbent quality that you don't find in "new" towels.

Makeover Monday: 6/18

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Here is the beautiful tiered planter that hubby gave me for Mother's Day.  We had such a busy month that I didn't have time to buy and plant flowers until Father's Day!  We took a family trip to Lowes and Home Depot yesterday, and after a few hours and a big group effort, the new planter was full.

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Since we don't get much full sun in the yard, we situated this planter in a place on the deck where the sun will be maximized.  I'm pretty much using this as my herb garden, with some flowers tossed about to make it extra lovely.

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The top tier has rosemary, pineapple sage, and pale pink balloon flowers.  The middle is my "mint" zone- in with the purple and pink petunias I planted apple mint, orange mint, and chocolate mint.  On the bottom, the main star is my sweet basil, with a pretty yellow marigold and another bright lantana plant alongside.  I'm looking forward to using these herbs all summer, and to seeing the bounty spilling over the sides as the months wear on! 

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Do you have an herb garden?  What herb do you use the most?

Doing the Elaine

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Pardon me while I do a little celebratory jig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xi4O1yi6b0)!!  The march to 5,000 sales in sosovintage is ON... as I type, only 11 more to go.  Woooohooooo!!!

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And, a big shout out to all the fathers in the house- hope you have super duper extra special love coming your way today :)

Daily Dose of Cute

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My new watering can- found at the Antique Center.  I was attracted by the pinkness, and drawn in by the trunk.  And it was on sale for $2.  All miiiiiiiine :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Happy Friday, Folks!  There are 4 *new* vintage fabrics soon to hit the sosovintage shelves:

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I have this pattern in yellows, and it's one of my faves.  Imagine my delight when I found it in my favorite color!

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This wheatgrass on sunrise colors is by Vera Neumann.  So pretty!

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I've seen this one before, and was drawn to the colors.  That was years ago, though- back when I would cut and crochet any fabric I fell in love with. 

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Lemon lime gingham with flowers and dots?  Oh my!

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Thanks so much to all who posted with well-wishes for my new shop.  I am brimming with ideas for sosofabulous, and am thrilled that you'll be around to see it all unfold. 

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Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend- what do you have planned for that special man?  Sophie thinks we should encourage Mike to go buy the new hiking boots he desperately needs.  I'm not convinced that shopping would be his first choice of Father's Day activity, though!

Thursday's Treasure

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Many moons ago, long before I'd ever heard of Etsy (*gasp*), I had myself a little booth in Cedar Run Antique Center in the boonies Catlett, Virginia.  I loved stocking my shelves and fluffing my space.  I'd take Sophie in her stroller and bribe her with goldfish crackers for just a few more minutes of me time.  Though I met many people there that I really liked, somehow time got away from me and I haven't been back to visit in years.

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Today was a beautiful sunny day, and in honor of my last full day of freedom for an entire summer, I decided to go for a drive out to the antique center.  It was nice to see the same person working the desk, and to catch up with the comings and goings of other dealers.  I even found a few bargains that I just might put in sosovintage at some point.  These two wooden plaques are from 1972, made in Western Germany by Alfred Mertens Pfullingen. 

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It's always a treasure to walk down memory lane and take a peek at another path, isn't it?

WIP Wednesday

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Yep.  That's right!  Just in time for summer *vacation*, I've decided to open another shop on Etsy- surprise!  Call me crazy.  Go ahead, it's OK.  I KNOW!  It is still very much a work in progress, but it's a labor of love.  I do hope you'll stop by and let me know what you think so far. You can click HERE to go straight to sosofabulous!

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And psst... my new graphics were custom made by Amanda at violetplays.  She is a wonderfully talented and sweet person- she gave me exactly what I was looking for, and was very professional and patient along the way.  Very highly recommended!

Daily Dose of Geek

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In honor of the last week of the school year, each day is a different themed spirit day.  Yesterday was "Nerd Day".  We took the frames out of a pair of dollar store sunglasses, tucked in the t-shirt and hiked up Sophie's socks and shorts.  Pretty nerdy!

Makeover Monday: 6/11

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I can't even count the number of times that I've clicked on the front page of Etsy and been greeted by a gray and yellow treasury.  Apparently, these colors are *IN*!  So, when I saw this sheet set in the thrift store, I quickly scooped it up. 

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Here's hoping someone thinks this coaster would be a nice addition to their yellow and gray collection!  I do like the yellow pops in there, and the little dots, too.  I didn't realize until I started cutting the fabric that this is a vintage Cannon Royal Family sheet.  I have more that I just might list in sosovintage for someone else's project!

Heron

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Mike and I went for an anniversary canoe trip yesterday morning.  It was sunny and hot, and the wildlife greeted us at every turn in the river.  This great blue heron let us get pretty close before he let out an indignant squawk and glided to the another bank.

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After a nice nap and a shower, I was ready for part two of the festivities: an awesome dinner at one of my favorite places- Tim's Rivershore Restaurant.  We feasted on fresh crab and shrimp for, well, hours.  Cold beer, a live band, and plenty of lively patrons kept us all entertained.  The highlight for Sophie was getting to wade in the water along the shore and collect hermit crab shells. 

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Today it's back to reality- errands and chores.  Here's hoping you have a lovely day!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Happy Friday!  Today is Sophie's last full Friday at school- next Friday is her last day and they get out early.  I'm planning a fun-filled summer for us, and looking forward to having a helper with my crafting and  thrift trips.  {Don't get me wrong, I'm also looking forward to flying solo this last week, too.}

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It has been tough thrifting for sheets these last few weeks.  With yard sale season in full swing, there are slim pickings in the shops.  I do love that first one here, though- I think I"ll call it cantaloupe party! 

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It promises to be a fun, busy weekend around here with visitors, baseball games, canoe trips and more!  I hope to get in with some highlights before Monday.  What do you have going on in your neck of the woods?

Thursday's Treasure

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We have a new crop of critters in the backyard!  Sophie and her Daddy caught 4 of these little guys in her bug box, and we all had a blast playing with them before releasing them.  Trying to get a clear photo was a challenge- these babies are FAST!

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 And so teeny.  This one isn't much larger than the nail head in the background!

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Not to worry, this guy is just fine.  We discovered - quite by accident - that the only way to get them to stay still is to put them on their backs.  Then they looked so pathetic that we had to turn them back over out of sheer pity.  We *think* they are baby toads, but their toes look very frog-like.  Any experts out there?

WIP Wednesday

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*I* am the work in progress this week!  Today is my 44th birthday, and I am so happy to celebrate my advancing maturity and diminishing proportions.  30 pounds down now- woot woot!!

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In honor of myself {hey, it's my blog}, I'm offering 20% off all sosovintage orders for the 24 hours of 6/6.  This is technically a facebook fan sale, so if you haven't had a chance to officially tell the world that you like sosovintage... head over HERE to get the coupon code before you shop ;)

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Supercute vintage wrapping paper image found HERE.