sosorosey

Weekend Getaway

2012-02-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

Back in early December we planned a mini trip for this past weekend 180 miles south to Virginia Beach. My mom and dad met us there, and we had a chance to visit with my aunt and uncle, 2 cousins, and their spouses. We packed so much into a short trip that I don't have a makeover to share with you today. BUT, I do have some trip highlight photos for you!

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We were so excited to have an oceanfront room with a little balcony.

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The "unobstructed" view from the room.

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Hey look! Mom and Dad's room is just a few down from ours!

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We were driven back into the hotel room by the cold, and by the seagulls hoping for a snack.

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On Sunday we headed to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. They have an IMAX movie theater, and we got to see Wild Ocean in 3D. It was incredible!

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I had never seen a bobwhite before. How cute are these little softball sized bellies?

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This guy cracked me up. He stood here on the bottom like this the whole time we hung out at this display.

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Komodo dragons- roar!

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We all sat in this aquarium tunnel reef exhibit for quite awhile as Sophie tried to locate all of the different tropical fish on her chart. Nana is always grinning from ear to ear when Sophie is around!

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Jellyfish are such amazing creatures. I don't care to see them beside me in the ocean, but watching them gracefully swim around the tank was really nice!

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I hope you enjoyed my little tour :) Now I'm off to pack packages, grocery shop, and do the trip laundry. Did you do anything fun this weekend? Anything big on tap for this week? Do tell!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-02-10T12:54:00.000-05:00

It's been another really nice week here. I'm relieved to have the basket(s) completed, and am looking forward to the auction and dance tonight. Tomorrow we are going on a very mini-vacation to Virginia Beach, too. Sophie hasn't seen a beach since my parents moved away from Florida, so she's really looking forward to it. We plan to walk along the shore and look for shells no matter how cold it is!

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I leave you with some bright *new* fabrics to kick off your weekend:

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I really love all of these, so a favorite is hard to choose. But, c'mon... violet and chartreuse argyle with safety pins??? Soooooo cool!!!

Thursday's Treasure

2012-02-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

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You know that saying, "Ask and ye shall receive"? It came true for me this week! As part of my "class basket coordinator" duties, I decided to visit a couple of local arts and crafts stores to see if they would like to donate to our cause. This is definitely WAY OUT of my comfort zone.

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I made up a little half sheet flyer giving the details of our event. The first store I approached (starts with an M and rhymes with Zichael's), gave me a very underwhelming response. Granted, I was nervous and I think I talked too much. The manager told me they are only allowed to support big name organizations like the Red Cross. Huh.

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So, I honed my intro, and before I could lose my nerve, I zipped across the street to AC Moore. Went in, asked for the manager. Gave him a big smile as he approached, handed him my flyer, and delivered my short speech about our project. After a few exchanges, he told me he'd, "Make something work" and would have something for me February 8th. I kind of skipped out of there.

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Yesterday, I called the store to touch base. The manager I had spoken with had the day off! But, he had come in on his own time to work with one of the employees to put something together for us. I didn't know what to expect when I got there- all I had asked for was a gift certificate or space in one of their classes.

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What I received shocked, amazed, and humbled me. When I arrived, they presented me with a very large wicker basket, FULL of art supplies, wrapped beautifully in cellophane and tied with a gigantic bow. I tried to snap a photo for you, but I couldn't get one that did it justice.

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The AC Moore donation is so large that our class is going to have two "baskets" to auction off tomorrow night! I will always remember their kindness, and will always choose them first for all of my craft needs!

Daily Dose of Cute

2012-02-08T11:51:00.000-05:00

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I found some of these very vintage paper cups at an antique store last summer. New old stock by Gibson. Price on the sleeve: 35 cents for a set of 6. I have 6 sleeves, and I'm finally ready to part with some. Wouldn't they make the sweetest party favor cups?

Do You Like BS?

2012-02-07T12:30:00.000-05:00

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BS- you know... Brussels sprouts. That's what you thought I meant, right?

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These oft maligned veggies are actually one of the only ones that all three of us really like. And that isn't due to any fancy cooking on my part. I usually just steam them and add a little butter and salt. Or, sometimes I saute them with a bit of garlic. Tonight I think I will give THIS recipe a go... basically my usual saute but adding parmesan for a finishing touch.

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So, do you like BS? I have a theory that they are a love it or hate it food. Leave a comment and let's see if I'm right!

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PS- clicking on the photo will bring you to a blog called the Tiny Farm Blog. You can get an interesting, firsthand account of harvesting Brussels sprouts! And for a website where you can learn all there is to know about the Brussels sprout? Right here: http://www.brussels-sprouts.com/BSINFO.htm I found that one while searching for the correct answer to whether it is Brussels sprout or Brussel sprouts. Yep, you learn something new every day- if you're lucky!

Makeover Monday: 2/6

2012-02-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

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A lovely customer purchased THIS item last March. Though it was being sold as a table coaster, she chose to use it as a chair pad. She recently came back asking for 3 more to go with her other chairs. She knew I wouldn't have the same fabrics, but asked that they just be in the same color family. The 3 fabrics above were the ones we agreed upon.

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To try to keep it from being *so* obvious that they weren't a set, I did one in the same progression as the original, and two in the opposite direction. I think they came out pretty darned good, but I'm probably a little biased. They will be united with their distant cousin this week!

Rare Gems

2012-02-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

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One of my favorite thrift stores moved locations about a year ago. I went to the new location one time and hated it. Decided to boycott the place. It was far away, the parking was horrific, the place was disorganized, and everything "good" was shuffled off to their upscale sister location. And priced accordingly.

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I was passing by the other day, though, and decided to give it a second chance. I'm SO glad I did! These three vintage towels- and lots of other goodies- were just sitting there waiting for me. It's so hard to find vintage towels in good {let alone excellent} condition, and these don't look like they were ever even used. I plan to pop them on the sosovintage shelves one day soon :)

Halfway There

2012-02-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

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Remember THIS POST from waaaay back in October? I'm embarrassed at how long ago my mom ordered this rug. But, I'm back in the crocheting saddle and halfway there!

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Current size is 30" wide and 36" long. Heading toward six feet long- the largest rug I've made in a very long time. And, the only rug I've made in this style so far.
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I'm going to spend the next 3 feet paying veeeeery close attention to exactly how much time is put into cutting fabric and crocheting this type of rug. I want to have a strict formula to follow so that I can easily give price quotes when someone else wants this same type of rug.

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Mom, I'm publicly promising to have this finished by the end of February! I can't wait to see how it looks in your hallway :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-02-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Good Friday Morning, Friends! I've had a truly lovely and relaxing week. No major appointments, no big surprises- just the way I like it. The mild weather must have people getting a jump start on spring cleaning, because the thrift shops have been teeming with treasures. I decided to go with a shabby chic sort of theme for this week's *new* sheet fabrics:

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It's a no-brainer that the top one is my favorite. I'm all about the pink and roses combo! But wouldn't these all look nice together in a little girl's quilt? {Or a big girl's quilt!}

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In other news, Mom's rug is now halfway finished. I plan to share updated photos soon- maybe even tomorrow. I've also gotten the go ahead on the chair pad order I've been talking about, so you can expect to see those soon too.

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And how about in your world? How have you been? What are you working on? You know I love to hear about all of your plans and happenings, so please leave a comment if you can! ;)

Thursday's Treasure

2012-02-02T08:00:00.015-05:00

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On February 10th, Sophie's school is having a dinner dance and silent auction. Each class has a themed basket that they are putting together with goods donated by the parents. Proceeds go directly to the PTA to be given as grants for teachers at the school.

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I was asked by Sophie's teacher to be in charge of our class basket, and I'm so excited! Donations for our basket (themed "Young Artist") have been trickling in, and I'm looking forward to putting it all together.

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Of course I turned to Etsy to find Sophie's donation to the basket- where else would I find something unique and perfect? The above print was found at Cisforcolor, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase! Erin, the shop owner, is super duper friendly and very professional. My print went out really fast, was packaged well for travel, and arrived in perfect shape! With such excellent customer service and a product this awesome, this up and coming shop will be taking off in no time. There is something for everyone here- including Valentine treats - so be sure to stop by and leave her some love :)

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And on a different note- Happy Groundhog Day!! Today marks the 50th wedding anniversary of my mother- and father-in-law. What an amazing milestone, and a true testament to love and commitment. Congratulations to Mike and Lois!!

So Peaceful

2012-02-01T08:00:00.006-05:00

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Oh, look at the boy! So sweet and soft and sleepy. He has a couple of funny nicknames that I thought I'd share. But only if you share a nickname for your pet or child, too! OK, here goes.

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When my husband puts his hand on Sinatra's chest, the cat wraps his arms around the hand and kicks with his back feet. This is officially called "rackatacka", and this earned our boy the name "Bunny Cat". Two other names {whose origins are inexplicable} are Mister Boo and Mister Man. The latter must be said with a certain accent, so that it comes out slowly, like "Meeeter Man". Sometimes they get combined into "Meeeter Manny Boo".

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Yep. Now you know what goes on in my house. Don't leave me hanging- please share!

All Duded Up

2012-01-31T10:02:00.000-05:00

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The tomato bowl makeover got herself a makeover. Double love, sealed with a kiss. Or a hug. Apparently there is some discrepancy over whether the X in xoxo is a kiss or a hug! Consensus seems to be that x is a kiss, but I've always kinda thought it could go either way. What's your take on the xoxo controversy?

Makeover Monday: 1/30

2012-01-30T17:43:00.000-05:00

For today's makeover, which I was determined to DO, I chose a plain bright tomato red pillowcase.

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She turned into the most adorable little bowl, but alas, something is missing. She is cute but boring. Come back tomorrow to see how I decide to make her a little more fun!

Daily Dose of Cute

2012-01-29T09:22:00.000-05:00

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Just look at this precious get well card! I found it in a thrifted box of mismatched vintage greeting cards. The best news? There were two! One to keep and one to share- yippee :)

Whatsit?

2012-01-28T09:52:00.000-05:00

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I found this cool wooden ruler with handy industrial style attachment at the thrift the other day. I've never seen anything like this! It has hem "slots" along the sides, so I'm guessing it has something to do with sewing. Have you ever seen something like this? Do you know what it's called? Thanks in advance for any help!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-01-27T08:00:00.003-05:00

Happy end of the work week! Can you believe it will be February in a couple of days? I have a major backlog of fabrics to list, so I'm sharing six *new* ones with you this week. Here we go:

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I'll bet some of you {OK, you, Donna}, remember the pink version of that toile-ish aqua one up there. The first fabric is my favorite for the week, though. I have it in the yellow/orange and the blue/green, but I never dreamed I'd find one in the orchid/violet scheme. It is GORGEOUS!!!!

Thursday's Treasure

2012-01-26T09:41:00.002-05:00

When I was a little kid, waaaaaaay back in the 70s, my mom used to jazz up my school lunches by cutting my sandwiches with cookie cutters. Let's face it, when your child insists on bringing a plain peanut butter sandwich every day for years on end, you've gotta do something to keep from going nuts!

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But seriously, I do think there's something in the dna of children that makes then all automatically abhor the crust of a regular slice of bread. It's a mystery whose ludicrousness is perfectly solved by this handy little piece of sheer genius!

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Just place over the sandwich and press down. Easy peasy and...

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Voila! I love that there is hardly any waste, and it's just plain FUN to eat a specially shaped sandwich. Not just for kids (though perfect for school Valentine parties)- these cuties would make your next adult gathering super fun, too. Wal*Mart, friends. Less than two bucks, and they come in dinosaur shapes, too!

What a Card!

2012-01-25T08:00:00.012-05:00

I snagged this deck of new old stock 70s cards this week. I find the colors exceptionally gRoOvY, and they will be cute to include in sosovintage packages for February. It's kind of Valentine-ish, right? It does say "hearts" after all ;)

Charmed, I'm Sure

2012-01-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

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Valentine's Day is coming! What could be sweeter than a little pink bowlee with a heart charm and dotty ribbon? This one, and maybe some of her relatives, will be hitting the shelves this week :)

Makeover Monday: 1/23

2012-01-23T14:35:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! Once again, I'm caught without a crochet make to share today. I'm waiting on confirmation regarding those shabby chic chair pads, and I have been busily working on Mom's big rug. I do have a "before and after" to show you, though!

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Here's a photo I took this morning. It's a gray and dreary day, and this is shown without any photo editing.

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Here's the same object, same day, same time, still no editing. This time I used my fancy new photographer's flood light and white light diffusing umbrella. It's my first time playing with it, so I need to fiddle with distance and height. I'm pleased overall, though, that I don't have to wait for the natural light to be just perfect to take my photos.

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And by the way, do you know what this thing in the photos is called? I get that it's some kind of filter- maybe for coffee or tea? You were so helpful with the pattern tracer, I thought I'd call on you again :)

2012-01-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

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No, no. Don't worry- I'm not joining the masses on twitter. Yet, anyway. Just wanted to share some of the birdies gathered at the feeder this icy day. I wasn't quick enough to get pretty snow photos since we had such a small amount. But, I did capture these two bluebird ladies having a snack.

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The Mr. showed up later for his share of the seed.

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This is the first year we've had so many bluebirds visit our feeder. It makes me feel very cozy and blessed to see these special creatures sharing and enjoying our yard.

Done Deal

2012-01-21T10:49:00.000-05:00

There's a new car in my driveway!! Of course it's covered with snow and I haven't even gotten to sit in it yet, but it is there and we are thrilled!! I've loved the Subaru logo forever, and today as I was preparing this post I found out something extra cool. I thought it was just a cluster of gorgeous retro style stars, but lo and behold there's more. It turns out that "Subaru" is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster. Six companies merged to create Subaru's parent company, and this is represented in the logo. Neat, huh?

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-01-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

Sophie was able to go back to school today, so it's the first day in a week that I have all to myself. No big guesswork about what's on my agenda! As soon as I post this, I'll be heading out to thrift my little heart out. Here's a sunny kickoff to the weekend:

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I think the middle one is my favorite this week... it's even 100% cotton, which is so hard to find in vintage bedsheets. It would make beautiful pillows or a sweet springtime tote.

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Who has big plans for the weekend? Not us! We have movie night at the school tonight, and I don't want to jinx anything, but we're *this close* to getting a new car. Finally! I'll keep you posted on that one ;)

Thursday's Treasure

2012-01-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

Well, the biggest treasure today is that Sophie is feeling better. We all had a much needed good night's rest last night. Whew!

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This is also a treasure that I recently received as a gift from my favorite Aunt! I knew from the cover that this little hardback was old, but it wasn't until I opened the cover that I saw HOW old!

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And if you think THAT'S something- wait til you see the copyright date on the next page!

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The illustrations in the book have a beautiful asian quality- delicate birds and flowers and pagodas.

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The entire story is a love poem- one that really makes you consider the "someone like yous" in your life. May we all have at least one!

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And on that note, I'll share a third treasure for the day- my husband. There are not many men who would have handled Tuesday night the way that he did. He jumped in where needed, no matter the mess or the hour. He did the lion's share of the cleaning up, when I had trouble even walking around the "scene". I am eternally grateful!

One of Those Nights

2012-01-18T13:46:00.000-05:00

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I know that all parents out there have had these nights. The night when your child is suddenly and horribly sick and it seems like the entire ordeal will never end. The fear of what's happening multiplied by the blackness outside, the quiet of everyone else in the world sleeping peacefully. That was my night last night, and I can say there aren't many occasions where I've been happier to see the sun rise. Everything seems a little less scary in the light of day.

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Now, the carpets are cleaned, 5 million loads of wash are done, Sophie has been bathed and is resting, and I've even showered. We're all waiting with baited breath to see how the soup settles.

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The print above is from SayItSweet on Etsy- click the photo to go straight there :)

and the winner is...

2012-01-17T17:30:00.001-05:00

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.... mamasan!!!

You did it, you finally did it!!!

Your strategy worked!!!

Congratulations!!!

Makeover Monday: 1/16

2012-01-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

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I finally had a chance to make something {again} with the purple fabrics from two weeks ago. I'm lacking tall pencil holderish containers in sosorosey, so this will help in that department!

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In other news, I've finished 100 of the stars from the wedding order... only 20 more to go! Next project: 3 shabby chic chair pads to match this one:

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It will be a challenge, since I don't have any of the same fabrics left - this one was sold almost a year ago. I'm off to the thrift today to search for matches, and Sophie gets to join me since she has the MLK holiday off from school. Wish us luck!!

Super Soup

2012-01-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

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I needed a quick dinner idea last week, and I surfed around on the internet for a good soup recipe. I was attracted to this one because it has both beans and pasta- family favorites. I omitted the bacon, parsley and red pepper flakes and it was still really tasty. Served with a crusty french baguette... yum! Do you have a favorite soup recipe? Please share in the comments if you can- I'm always looking for a good soup for these cold winter nights.

Price is Right: Game 11

2012-01-14T14:15:00.000-05:00

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 Tuesday the 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 time the loot comes from a small hospital charity shop in old town Manassas, non-sale day. Prices here are amazingly low on most items, though they are a bit higher for vintage items of probable value.

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Here's what I walked out with this week:

vintage canary yellow piping and rickrack

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green wooden handled sewing thing by Clover

(what IS this thing?)

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set of 5 porcelain whiskey decanter signs made in France

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set of 7 unused shower invitations with envelopes

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ceramic, numbered Valentine poodle figurine

{soon to be my new avatar on Etsy)

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So, there you have it! Game on! I think we had 15 entries last time- I'm hoping to beat that number, so please don't be shy!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-01-13T16:12:00.000-05:00

How is this Friday the 13th going for you? Things are clicking right along over here, but the weather has been on the schizophrenic side lately. We had snow on Monday, then yesterday it was near 60 degrees. Today sees us with a wind chill in the 20s! Crazy!

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For this week's fabric favorites, I've chosen some flowery beauties to share for anyone out there wanting to dream about springtime projects.

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I think the first two are my favorites this week? How about you?

Thursday's Treasure

2012-01-12T19:23:00.000-05:00

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Completely out of the blue, Sophie says to me during bath time tonight, "Mom, tonight can I watch American Pickers instead of a cartoon?"

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What? Seriously? OMG!!!!! We watched it together one time like months and months ago.

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Aw. There is part of me in her after all. Tonight I will sleep the contented sleep of a mother who has done a fine, fine job. Kidding. Mostly.

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If you aren't familiar with the show, you can click on the photo for more info.

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still shaking my head

Wedding Feature

2012-01-11T07:16:00.000-05:00

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Brides today have so many fantastic resources available to them online! My 10 year wedding anniversary is coming up in June, and I am in awe of all the fantastic websites that didn't even exist when I got married. One such site, the wedding chicks, featured Erica's wedding this week! Click on the photo to pop on over to see more gorgeous photos of ~~sosovintage fabric~~ this ultra-special "crafty camping wedding". There are so many fabulous details wrapped up in their special weekend- the write up is sure to inspire many a bride-to-be.

A Sweet Sprinkling...

2012-01-10T08:00:00.017-05:00

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...of surprise snow! This is the planter on our chimney- the one I showed you full of flowers last summer. Mike cut the holly from the back yard and placed it here way back in early December. The red berries were so festive for the holidays- who knew he had such decorating prowess?!

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So on Monday, when the unpredicted snow showers came through, I was so glad we hadn't "undecorated" this part of the house. We ended up getting about an inch of accumulation on the grass. Yes, I know you people in Ohio and Michigan and other places north are snickering. But, it's the first snow we've seen this season, and when it doesn't cause trouble on the roads or with power lines it is sooooo beautiful. I had a perma-grin all day long!

Makeover Monday: 1/9

2012-01-09T09:05:00.000-05:00

I had expected the first week of January to be kind of slow around Etsy. Especially in sosorosey. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! People are already shopping for Valentine's Day, and I guess quite a few are spending some holiday gift $$, too. As exciting as this is, it's really set me back in the "making over" department. So, my apologies. I haven't forgotten the purple thing or my Mom's big rug.. they are just on the side burner for now.

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But, I couldn't do NO makeover today, so this is sort of an odd one. I found this little heart dish at the Salvation Army last week. For 99 cents I couldn't leave it behind. I love the patina, and figured I could use something Valentine-ish in sosovintage.

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When I got home and peeled off the price tag, I realized that this was not an unmarked piece as I had previously thought. (Bad, bad thrift store lighting with 40+ year old eyesight). Huh. Fisher Sterling.

Must Google.

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Here is the same dish all shined up! I found it for sale on eBay: $125.00!!!! There's another shiny one for sale HERE at the same price: $125.00!!!

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So, now I'm in a quandary. Shine it, don't shine it. Sell it, don't sell it. Thoughts?

Luck O' The Irish

2012-01-08T08:51:00.000-05:00

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I know it's a wee bit early, but I also know some of you take your St. Patrick's Day shindigs very seriously. I found not one but TWO of these awesome unopened 1978 Leprechauns 'n Shamrocks table decorations by American Greetings. They will be available in sosovintage later today!

Brand New Shoes

2012-01-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

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I have feet that tend to feel horribly uncomfortable in shoes. This wasn't always the case, but it has been true for about 7 years or so. If you EVER see me in a heel over 0" high, you'll know I'm very dressed up for a very special occasion.

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The best shoes I have found for the winter months are Haflinger clogs. Two winters ago, I sported the navy blue basic clog. Last year I upgraded to the grey model. The ones pictured are the "Haley" model that I got with my Santa bucks this season. I LOVE them!! Pricey, but they are the warmest, most well made & comfortable shoes on the planet. I ordered them from Zappos.com, and was totally thrilled with their speed and professionalism. Highly recommend!! So, what did Santa bring you this year?

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2012-01-06T08:00:00.003-05:00

Oh, do I have some pretties lined up for you today! Well, three pretties and a cutie. They are all favorites, so in no particular order we have:

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...a gorgeous lemon-lime with pink and aqua posies...

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... a sweetly detailed retro primrose...

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.... Mr. Adorable with the kiss on his cheek...

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... and delightful sprays of teeny blue blossoms.

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I must say, I'm feeling pretty good about my resolutions so far. How about you? Have you seen all the new (old) pillowcases in sosovintage? There are plenty more of those to come! Wishing you a perfectly lovely weekend. I'm ready to tackle the undecorating that I've been avoiding. I hope I wake up tomorrow with this much energy ;)

Thursday's Treasure

2012-01-05T07:51:00.000-05:00

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I get to go to a wedding in April! Well, part of me does, anyway. I'm in the process of making 120 bright yellow stars to be given as favors at a spring wedding in Massachusetts. Fingers are crossed for a photo of them at the big event :)

Daily Dose of ...

2012-01-04T14:16:00.000-05:00

Trolls!!?? This one is just for you, Karen :)

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Who knew they made troll doll bedsheets? I'm just happy that it's dated 1992- I can sell it. No offense to you troll lovers, but these little guys and gals kinda creep me out. There is, however, a wizard troll on the sheet that I find pretty cute!

Coffee or Tea?

2012-01-03T09:12:00.000-05:00

So, I recently spent some time trying to research this item. It would have been a much smaller amount of time if I had called it a coffee pot instead of a tea pot! This lovely Dresden Blue coffee pot is English Ironstone by J & G Meakin. Replacements.com does not currently have one available, either. More chances that someone may want to buy this from me.

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I appreciated what THIS article explained about the difference between a tea pot and a coffee pot. It gives a concise explanation for why the two have different shapes as well. You learn something new every day! What have you discovered lately in your vintage item research?

Makeover Monday:1/2

2012-01-02T18:13:00.000-05:00

Well, this is going to have to be a two part makeover. These are the fabrics I used to create something. But, I didn't like it. So, I'm going to makeover the makeover .... I'll be back with details later in the week :)

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Happy Monday! Guess what? School is back in session tomorrow!! I have a fairly easy week, and am really looking forward to getting back in my usual grooooove.

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How is 2012 treating you so far?

New Year's Day

2012-01-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

An old favorite for a brand new year.

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Bono will always be great, but The Edge will always be my man.

~*~

Happy 2012, my friends! I'm so looking forward to spending more quality blog time with you in the coming months. Wishing you all the very best from my home to yours.

I Resolve

2011-12-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

I have many hopes and aspirations for the coming year. Most of these I will keep to myself, in my own head and heart. But, I do feel it's important to speak certain goals aloud to help inspire and maintain determination. In that spirit, I'm going to share one here and I invite you to do the same.

~*~

Now, many of you may find my goal small. Or silly. It may be both of these things. But, it is also something I've been avoiding for quite some time. I always seem to find something else I need or want to do. No more! In 2012, I resolve to get my vintage pillowcases listed!! There, I've said it, and I hope you will hold me to it.

~*~

New homes must be found for the flowers...

~*~

... the brights...

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... the dots and the stripes!

And everything in between.

~*~

What is one thing you will do for yourself, your family or your shop in 2012? Leave a comment and share so that we can all support each other in our pursuits- no matter how large or small.

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-12-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

For this last fabric post of 2011, I thought I'd send you off with the color of January. Do your months have colors, or is this a leftover teacher thing? You know, September is red, October is orange? For me, January's color has always been blue. A calm, peaceful blue- the color of storybook ice and snow.

~*~

Admittedly, there isn't a ton of blue in this one. But, the blue that's here is an unusual royal navy, a bit of a rarity in vintage sheets.

~*~

This abstract poppy bouquet is gussied up by the blue and green accents.

~*~

Plenty of blue in this one! I call it the ocean wave print.

~*~

Perfect blue posies. Do you suppose this is a peony?

~*~

And this week's favorite: big, beautiful seafoam, aqua and sky blue flowers.

~*~

Be sure to come back tomorrow for my New Year's resolution reveal!

Thursday's Treasure

2011-12-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

~*~

Love is... finding something Valentine~ish to make with my new rainbow twine!

Set of 5, $15. Available in sosorosey very, very soon :)

New Year Ready

2011-12-28T11:21:00.000-05:00

For the past two years I have been caught on January 1st without a new wall calendar. This time, I'm prepared! I loved the one I found last year so much that I ordered another for 2012. Large boxes, pockets, a pen holder, and stickers! Joy!

~*~

On the off chance that you haven't gotten one yet, I highly recommend the *Do It All* organizational calendar from Orange Circle Studio. Just click on the logo above to see the one that I will be using. I've already filled it in with all of my January holidays and appointments. Maybe I'm strange, but I just love a brand new calendar. Ok, maybe there is no "maybe" about it. Any other calendar lovers out there? If you already have yours, what will you be using this year?

Oh Deer

2011-12-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

~*~

Look who followed me home from the charity thrift shop the other day! I saw a little flocked foot sticking up from the mound of ornies in the 25 cent bin, and went right to work digging Mr. Right out of the pile. Mrs. Left was unearthed in the process. Then, would you believe it? All Christmas items were 50% off that day! Both of these Hong Kong sweethearts for a quarter! If you were ever in doubt, it truly *is* the little things with me ;)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-12-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Whoa- this week F*L*E*W by! The presents are wrapped, the house is as clean as it's going to get, and the smell of freshly baked oatmeal chocolate chip coconut cookies is about to start filling the kitchen. In honor of my favorite time of year, I decided to share the new vintage fabrics in my very favorite color: PINK!

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I haven't had this one for awhile- I just love the all-over color!

~*~

Pink daisies of the more subtle variety.

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This one is just crazy! Reminds me of a shark or an ekg.

~*~

Wow- light and dark pink varied width stripes!

~*~

And the one I like the best this week- pretty pink bouquets with violet bows.

~*~

Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons! If I don't see you before Christmas, I hope your day is merry and bright :)

Thursday's Treasure

2011-12-22T08:00:00.006-05:00

Bear with me, I have a little something to crow about! I ended 2010 with 302 blog posts, and I remember thinking that number would be hard to beat in 2011. But, I've done it! With over a week left in 2011, I've already managed 314 posts. *shakes head in wonder*

~*~

As those of you with blogs can attest, it is not an easy feat to blog almost every day. Sometimes the desire is there but not the time. Or vice versa. Sometimes you wonder why you even bother. More than once I thought I just might take a long blog vacation or throw in the bloggy towel altogether. I'm so glad I've been able to stick it out, though- and that you have joined me for some or even all of my ramblings. Thank you.

~*~

And a very special thank you to Donna, my most faithful friend and blog visitor. I can always count on her to stop in and leave a kind word, and it means the world to me! {{{Donna}}}

~*~

Ever the thinker, now I wonder how I can possibly beat this in 2012. Oy. I think I'll try to just revel in this accomplishment for now...

~*~

PS: Love the rooster? Click on the photo to go to kaboodle for more info!

Natty Neutral

2011-12-21T15:52:00.000-05:00

~*~

I know, I know- it isn't exactly a new product for me. I used the neutral colors in my rainbow pack to make this little striped bowl last night. It's 3.75" by 2.75", and I'm thinking a person *could* use it for a plant. My stitches are pretty compact, and you could even line it with a coffee filter before filling with soil. Maybe rocky soil, for say, a little succulent. I love that word. Succulent. Can you picture a little green something in this container?

My Kinda Rainbow

2011-12-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

~*~

Looky what I bought myself for Christmas- a whole rainbow sampler of jute twine! I found it in a gardening catalog and couldn't resist. Blue, tan, brown, orange, red, purple, green and black. With almost 53 feet of each color, I'm still deciding what I want to make. Thoughts?

Makeover Monday: 12/19

2011-12-19T09:06:00.000-05:00

You know me and tie-dye. Loooooove it! This is a thrifted small square cotton tablecloth.

~*~

And this is the gorgeous basket it produced! It has a batik feel to it, and the colors are just perfectly bright without being overpowering. It's about 4.5" wide and 3.75" high. It works really well as a clutter keeper for a desk or craft area since it's wide enough for post-it notes and tall enough for pencils and pens!

~*~

Can you believe that at this time next week Christmas will be over? I have loads of presents to wrap, a house to clean, guests to prepare for, and food to buy and make. It is sure to be a week full of hustle and bustle of the very merry variety!

Waxing Nostalgic

2011-12-18T10:18:00.001-05:00

~*~

I have a special relationship with just about every ornament on our tree. Most were either made by someone in the family or gifted by someone close to my heart. If I had to choose just one, though, I'd have to say my current favorite is this wax snowman that was my dad's when he was a little boy. I love how the little details are almost worn away, but not quite. He is simultaneously fragile and strong, and has held up bravely and well to time and the elements. He has spent over 60 Christmases in our family, and I like to think he captures all of the best of our holidays and stores them away in his little self every year. One day he will be on Sophie's tree, giving her all the joy of memory and family that Christmas is meant to be.

~*~

What is your favorite holiday decoration? I'd love to hear about it in the comments here! Or if you do a blog post about yours, leave the link so we can all take a peek.

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-12-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

~*~

Just one to share today- I'm tired. It's been a looooong week. Not a bad week. Just long and very full. This Peanuts bedsheet is dated 1971, and I can't get over the condition. It's like new. And only three years younger than me!

~*~

Here's wishing you and yours a relaxing weekend. As the last one before Christmas, I doubt many people will be taking it too easy. At the very least I hope you don't have to go to the dreaded shopping mall. {{{{shudder}}}}

Thursday's Treasure

2011-12-15T10:05:00.000-05:00

~*~

I am one of this man's greatest fans. Soooo hoping to see him and my boy Chris in the finale!

Owl Be Home For Christmas

2011-12-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

~*~

Someone's owl collection has found a temporary new home with me. All of these feathered friends were found at one thrift store. There were even more, but I only took the ones that *spoke* to me and had no issues. With the exception of two of these, they all have a purpose other than looking cute. There's a creamer, a bank, salt and pepper shakers, and a few small containers. I think that flocked one in the back on the left looks like a koala bear. I hope to get these listed soon, but if you see one now that you must have for your collection, shoot me a message and I'll reserve it for you :)

Cool Cat

2011-12-13T15:00:00.002-05:00

~*~

I somehow did not see Sophie sneak her Build-A-Bear sunglasses on Sinatra as he slept. So, imagine my surprise when I walked into the room and saw this! The little guy was snoozing so soundly that he had no clue just how dapper he was looking. I think this tops the batman cape outfit. Simple yet sophisticated.

And Then

2011-12-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

~*~

Within a week of tooth number 2 coming out, Sophie came home from school bearing tooth number 3 in a little plastic tooth shaped case. According to her, she bumped foreheads with a girl at recess and the tooth just fell out. O~kaaaaaay. We gave that story to the dentist today who suspects that Sophie must have clamped her jaws down when the heads knocked. In any case, it was ready to come out, and apparently so is its wiggly front twin. "Any day now" says the dentist. So, it's likely that Sophie's two front teeth will be missing just in time for us to sing a special Christmas carol just for her.... mwuahahahaha.

~*~

In other news, my sincere apologies for slacking on the Makeover Mondays these last couple of weeks. I hope to be back with that next week :)

Lucky Me

2011-12-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you're in the right place at the right time- what a feeling. This gorgeous Cathrineholm enamel lotus casserole just appeared on the shelf in front of me at the thrift the other day. Poof. Snatch. Cha-ching! This same one is listed on eBay for $185.00. I paid $9.

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-12-09T08:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I've had a week full of Christmas preparations, and it has been fabulous! Our sunroom is looking very festive with the lighted garland and hanging stars. The tree is in the stand relaxing her branches. The new chimney decoration is up and twinkling for all to see. Cards have been sent, and packages are on their way to the UK, Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio. I'm quite sure I've never been at this point so early in the month- it feels great!!!

~*~

Enough about me- let's get to the fabrics! I chose four new, random favorites to showcase today.

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This one is mainly white with the gray and green flowers, so the burst of aqua flowers here and there is extra special.

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Grape, violet and lavender plaid. Vintage sheets in purples don't come around very often- what a treat!

~*~

I've had the pink and the blue colorways of this one- it's nice to see the mango peach combo.

~*~

And, my favorite for the week. FAUX eyelet!! Isn't that awesome?? This would lend amazing texture to any sewing project. Can I just tell you I love vintage sheets? I'll bet you already knew that, lol!

~*~

Any special plans for the weekend? Me, I'm going on my twice yearly night away with one of my oldest and dearest girlfriends. 24 hours of eating, shopping, and talking!! Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy every last minute.

Thursday's Treasure

2011-12-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

I went out to dinner with friends last night, and as I was walking out the door I reminded Sophie that she needed to work on her letter to Santa. When I came home, this is what I saw. I adore the picture of Santa, and how cute is it that she labelled it- just in case we didn't know who that was!

~*~

She plans to mail it at our favorite post office, where they have a big sign on the wall by the mail slot that reads, "Kids, put your letters to Santa here!" I guess that's why she felt the need to let the postman know that "he lives in the north pole". Lol!! I told her I would mail it, but *shhh* I tucked it in the back of my closet. I couldn't part with it.

It's That Time Again! For Adult Eyes Only!

2011-12-07T12:22:00.000-05:00

~*~

Time to get to Portable North Pole and make your video from Santa! Click HERE to see the one I made this morning for Sophie. Cool, huh?

~*~

Make one for your husband, kids, co-workers, family or friends today! Leave a comment with your video link if you do- I'd love to see it!

Daily Dose of Cute

2011-12-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

Like most creatures, our boy Sinatra has a couple of favorite places to sleep. And, like most (*fat*) cats he sleeps about 23 hours a day. This little fuzzy bed in the sunroom is one of his special snuggle spots. I love to watch him cozy up in it. Sometimes he is all enclosed, which seems to defy logic because he is so big compared to the bed. Most times, he has some little kitty part splayed out as he lounges. It cracked me up to see his leg straight out like this as he was snoozing away. {Emphasis on "was" since he woke up to give me the eye for encroaching on his space!} I sure wish I could add sound to this picture, because he also does quite a snore to add to the whole effect.

Motorcycle Man or Mama?

2011-12-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

So, when I saw this uber-awesome retro Kawasaki belt buckle in the display case at the thrift, I had to have it. I asked my friend the cashier to hold it for me while I shopped, and she did. When I checked out, she added the price to the bill and slipped it into my bag. Did I inspect my purchase before buying? No. Bad, bad girl!

~*~

When I got home and turned it over, this is what I saw. No, I didn't have a gorgeous vintage belt buckle after all. I have a gorgeous Lucky Brand belt buckle, and absolutely no one I know who'd appreciate it!

~*~

Do you have a motorcycle man or mama in your life who would swoon over this buckle? If so, leave a comment with who it is and why they would like it--- I'd be so happy to send this off to someone who would love it. It's just too cool to re-donate!

Number Two

2011-12-04T17:51:00.000-05:00

No, not THAT number two, silly!

~*~

TOOTH number two came out last night and did NOT get swallowed!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-12-02T20:41:00.000-05:00

Yellow, yellow, yellow. Orange and yellow. A little white. Yes, you guessed it ~

I'm bringing you some sunshiney bright finds this week!

~*~

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Thursday's Treasure

2011-12-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

How funny is this lampshaded dude? As soon as I laid eyes on this little glass tray the other day, I knew exactly who would be getting it for Christmas. Don't you just love it when you find the perfect gift for someone on your list? And if it happens when you aren't even really looking, it's pure joy! How is your holiday shopping going so far?

Pom Pom Pretties

2011-11-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

~*~

Sweet Stephanie from Berry Island was kind enough to send me this photo of her new sosorosey bowlee in action! She keeps her felted pom poms in it as she works. Pop on over to her shop if you're ready for a visual feast of colorful treats....just click on the shop name or photo to go straight there.

Gift Ready

2011-11-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

I couldn't have gift certificates in one shop and not the other! Perfect for the vintage lover on your list... or perhaps your own wish list... these will be offered in $25, $50 and $100 denominations. Now that's a lot of fabric *wink*!

Makeover Monday: 11/28

2011-11-28T10:09:00.000-05:00

A new customer from Seattle purchased this darling fairy forest house and furniture for her daughter for Christmas. She came to sosorosey looking for a container to house the dolls and accessories. She liked the look of this basket, but needed it to be about 8" by 8" and deep red.

~*~

I toyed with the idea of making the basket in the shape of a mushroom, but something told me it wasn't a good idea. I wanted a clean looking, kid-friendly basket that clearly "went with" the doll house. I sent this little sketch to my customer to see what she thought of me doing a mushroom applique on a basic deep red basket. She gave me the go ahead, and I was off and running with a never-been-done-before idea.

~*~

First I rounded up enough of the right shade of red. Then I cut and crocheted. And cut, and crocheted.

~*~

Finally I had a lidded vessel ready to be shroomed!

~*~

I bought some felt in woodland colors: chocolate, heathered tan, dusky forest, and brick red. I was pleased with the way my freehand toadstools came out. Once the customer approved them, I was ready to sew!

~*~

And, tah dah! A basket for forest fairies fit for a princess!

~*~

Happy Monday to all, and Happy Birthday to Daddy-O!!

Here's wishing everyone a great week :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-11-27T11:18:00.000-05:00

I don't know about where you live, but around here, people are already getting their lights up and trees decorated! In honor of the holiday season, I thought I'd showcase some green vintage fabrics coming to the shop soon.

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This beauty is a 50/50 cotton poly blend, but I swear it feels just like 100% soft cotton!

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This one has been in the shop before, and I'm happy to have more to share.

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I've had the pink roses version of this one, and am thrilled to have found the yellow.

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My favorite this week doesn't have too much green, but aren't those Disney creatures adorable? I found both the flat and fitted sheets of this one, so there's plenty of Bambi and Thumper to be had!

~*~

I'm going to try my best to get Monday's makeover here on time. It's a custom container for fairy house furniture, and if it turns out as planned it will be sweet!

All Turkey Birds Are Different

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers! And, no matter where you are from, I thought you might appreciate the turkey my daughter brought home from school this week. I will be very sad when she stops making rainbow everything!

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And here is the little poem at the bottom of the page. I hope teachers everywhere know how thankful parents are for the work they do and the projects they take on!

~*~

I'll be busy being grateful with my family over the next couple of days, but I'll be back on Sunday with Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds. Have a wonderful weekend!

Going Local

2011-11-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Sosorosey items have been carried in shops in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maryland, Australia and Canada. But never Virginia... until now! I'm thrilled to have my large jute stars now featured in Purpose & Joy- a new, forward-thinking shop in historic Occoquan. You can read about their mission HERE. Fellow Northern Virginians, stop by and shop Purpose & Joy on the 2nd floor of the Riverwalk Shops. It's sure to be a new favorite place to browse for lovers of handmade, special, and unique :)

Happy Happy Day

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

On this day six years ago, my baby girl was born. My Budgie, my Squishy, my Soso, my Bubby, my love.

I xoxo heart you, you are my best!

~*~

And, on this day four years ago, I signed up for an Etsy account and changed my life. Dramatic but true!

~*~

So, a big thanks to all who have helped me through my mothering adventure so far. Thanks, too, to all who have helped make my Etsy time both enjoyable and successful. I couldn't have done either thing without you!

~*~

Aren't the graphics above just darling? Click on the images to go straight to the websites where they were found. Don't say I didn't warn you that both sites are totally adorable!

Makeover Monday: 11/21

2011-11-21T13:19:00.000-05:00

Sophie's school colors are red, white and black. I have been looking for a sheet in those colors for a very special project!

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On December 1st, I'll be taking part in the annual Holiday Shop and Craft Fair at Signal Hill Elementary School! Having only done one other *in person* selling gig, I'm super excited and a little nervous. The entrance fee goes directly to the school, though, so even if I don't sell anything I'll have donated to a great cause. Each vendor is asked to also donate one of their items to a PTA basket which will be auctioned off later in the school year. This bowl will be my contribution... I wanted it to be in school colors but still "neutral" enough to have widespread appeal.

~*~

Happy almost Thanksgiving to my American friends! We'll be celebrating with a big feast at a fancy restaurant with my folks. There will be plenty of Scrabble playing and football watching, too! Do you have special holiday plans this year?

China

2011-11-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

Like most resellers, I'm sure, the first thing I do when I pick an item up is turn it over to read the base. If I see "China" and it isn't preceded by "fine" or "bone", I promptly set it back down on the shelf. Not that I have anything against China- just that if it is made in China it usually isn't vintage.

~*~

So, when I turned this 1956 School of Foreign Service stein over the other day, the first word that jumped out at me was "China". Fortunately my subconscious registered other words, too- making me pick it back up after I had set it down.

~*~

Nassau China Company was founded in 1941, and specialized in applying transfer decoration to Services and University commemorative pieces. Huh. I learn something new every time I thrift!

~*~

Look for this lovely bit of "vintage breweriana" in sosovintage soon :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-11-18T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's been kind of a "blue" week for me, so I thought I'd share some *new* blue fabrics to go along with the theme!

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Daisies with aqua accents. I have this same fabric in the yellow and the pink versions!

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Blue and yellow is a popular color combo for baby boy quilts. This one is a beauty!

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And the best of the week is this fabulously busy checkerboard medallion floral in turquoise and violet. I found both the flat and fitted sheets for this one- wahoo!!

~*~

Have a wonderful weekend!! I'll be partying down at Sophie's 6th Birthday Party at the local Bowl America tomorrow night. With a giant SpongeBob cake, too. Yeehaw!!

Thursday's Treasure

2011-11-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

I'd recognize that Gloria Vanderbilt signature anywhere, but I sure didn't expect to see it on a piece of vintage Christmas gift wrap! What a cool surprise. Now, what will I do with my 2 sheets of designer paper?

Personal Shopper

2011-11-16T07:30:00.002-05:00

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I've had the recent unique pleasure of becoming a personal shopper for one of Etsy's great talents, Emily over at EKRA. As I well know, crocheting rag rugs takes a LOT of fabric, and the time spent finding the right colors is always longer than anyone would imagine. Emily makes a LOT of rugs, but she happens to live in a small, somewhat thrift-store-challenged town. From reading my blog, Emily knows my passion for thrifting and came up with a win-win idea for both of us. I've really enjoyed thrifting with a special purpose when she "needs me", and I love to see the fabrics I send get made up into one-of-a-kind EKRA treasures. And, as an added bonus, Emily is a super friendly and fun person to chat with, too! Here's the latest batch of aquas and seafoams heading to Illinois.

Makeover Monday: 11/14

2011-11-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

A good while back, my sweet friend Donna kindly asked if I would be making a new ornament design for Christmas 2011. I took her words to heart, and have been playing around with different ideas in my spare time. Finally, after much trial and error- and some pretty funny looking prototypes - I hit on exactly what I wanted. Made from jute twine, black embroidery thread, and bright red cotton hemp....

~*~

... he has arrived. Rudolph at Rest. He's worked hard helping Santa deliver all of those gifts, and he's ready to take a nice long nap on your tree branch. A big thank you to my hand model for all of her help with the photos :)

~*~

Ooh, it's going to be a busy, busy week over here! I have my exciting mammogram scheduled for today, and a day at my collaborating *job* scheduled on Thursday. Friday is going to be insane with picture retakes for Sophie, volunteering at the school, the Thanksgiving Feast, and making final preparations for the bowling birthday on Saturday. Whew~ I think I'll go take a nap with Rudolph right now!!

A Little Sarcasm Goes A Long Way

2011-11-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

~*~

This mug just cracks me up. I found it at the thrift last week, but I'm having trouble bringing myself to part with it. It represents so many things that I've been grappling with lately- my shop policies, the USPS, and PayPal. The expectations, rights, and responsibilities of all three. The holiday shopping season has gotten off to a rocky start in my opinion, and I am very ready for smooth sailing to prevail!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-11-11T08:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Veteran's Day, Americans! A big thank you to all who have served, or still serve, in our armed forces.

~*~

I've been especially lucky in the fabric arena lately. Here are just a few of my recent picks:

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This yellow and pink number reminds me of feedsack cotton. It's from a handmade duvet cover, so I have double the typical amount of fabric that comes from a sheet!

~*~

I just recently mailed out my last fat quarter of the purple/blue/green version of this one. Loving the brightness of the bouquet- especially the poppy - and the cute dots, of course.

~*~

It's so fun to find vintage designer sheets! This more masculine paisley medallion is an Oscar de la Renta original from Cannon.

~*~

My favorite find this week has the most beautiful color combination, doesn't it? A pop of red with a dusky lavender and jadite green. Yum!

~*~

Have a super weekend :)

Thursday's Treasure

2011-11-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

It's always kind of a shock for me to see someone's collection being sold at a thrift store. In the case of these angels, I even know who collected them! Not personally, mind you. But the collector carefully labelled each of these beauties with her own name and the year they were acquired. I hope that wherever she is, Ms. Harman knows that these sweet girls are being lovingly cared for. And that they will one day find new homes where they will be cherished.

Migrating North

2011-11-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

~*~

All of these goodies will soon be heading off to the great white north of Toronto, Canada! There they will have the pleasure of being displayed at the exclusive Pimlico Gallery. I'm so pleased to have had my work chosen for this honor- thank you so much, Tanya, for the opportunity. Safe travels, my dears- may you bring joy to your new homes :)

They Have Arrived!!!!

2011-11-08T08:00:00.008-05:00

~*~

I have wanted to offer gift certificates in sosorosey for YEARS. I was stymied, though, by the logistics. What denominations do I use? How do people get the certificate? What if, what if, what if? Each question I came up with drove me further from following through.

~*~

Last week my desire finally overrode my fears, and I contacted Lynda from Exquisite Expressions- the same wonderful lady who created my Etsy banner. I could not be more thrilled with my experience or the result!

~*~

Having no idea what I would need or how I would accomplish this task, I was not the easiest customer to work with. Oh no. I required lots of patience. Lots of explanation and hand holding. Multiple drafts and countless emails.

~*~

I could not have asked for a more professional, courteous, and talented designer. Lynda is truly one of Etsy's finest. Pop on over to Exquisite Expressions to see what she can do for you today!

Makeover Monday: 11/7

2011-11-07T10:24:00.000-05:00

A new customer sent me this piece of thin cotton fabric that belonged to her grandmother. Though the piece was only about 2 feet square, she was hoping I could make something from it to serve as a keepsake.

~*~

I had to cut the material relatively thin in order to have enough to "go around". Hehe. But, the fabric was very brittle from age, and I had a few scary moments when I'd pull my hook through and hear a faint "rip" sound. I think it turned out beautifully, though, and I hope Pam thinks so, too.

~*~

Happy Monday! I have an unusual week this week, as Sophie has off Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Today and tomorrow are teacher workdays, and Friday is the Veteran's Day holiday. Lucky for her, she is off being spoiled rotten by my parents in PA. I have her first quarter conference tomorrow, and I'm all aflutter about it. My first one! Other than that, I have a big bunch of stars and bowls to make- more on the details of those orders later in the week. I hope you have a super day!

Pucker Up

2011-11-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here's how the Martha sour cherry cotton hemp works up in star form. These are sure to brighten up any Christmas tree or package!

New and Improved

2011-11-05T08:37:00.001-04:00

They're baaaack!

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These little wreath ornaments or package toppers were a good seller last Christmas. Every time I sold a set, though, I would do a little groan inside. Not because they were hard or unpleasant to make. Rather because the original yarn I used was impossible to find in stores, forcing me to make do with yarns that weren't *quite* what I wanted.

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Apparently, the yarn I loved 2 years ago has been discontinued. That would explain the difficulty in finding it, eh? But, I'm thrilled that this year my good friend Martha Stewart has come out with a cotton/hemp blend that is PERFECT! Thanks so much, Martha- I knew I could count on you ;)

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You can drool over the Martha colors HERE. I am amassing quite a collection, and I can't wait to play! Let the wreath orders come rolling in!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-11-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

TGIF!! It's been a geometric sort of week around here... take a peek at the latest sheet finds for sosovintage:

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Classic stripe in lime, white and avocado.

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Bright red polka dots on white. Wouldn't this make a sweet holiday project with the fabric above it?

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I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either! Two polka dot fabrics in one week. I love the dual sizes and shades on this one.

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If you like a little more swagger in your line-iness, this Yves St. Laurent pink and rust mix is sure to please.

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And my favorite of the week- mod teardrops in violet, aqua, grass green and more! Ooh la la.

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Sending lots of hugs and well wishes to my special friend and her daughter who are off to London today for a very big week. And to all of you who are kind enough to stop by and give your attention to my little snippet of cyberspace - thank you, I appreciate you, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday's Treasure

2011-11-03T09:30:00.001-04:00

These pretty hand painted faux birdhouse boxes are on just about every street corner in my neighborhood. Different designs on each. The top lifts up, and you'll find a supply of plastic bags inside. See, we have a very "pet loving" community, as well as a state (and common courtesy) law that says you must pick up after your pooch.

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I think it's so nice that our neighborhood garden club made these boxes and signs! They are aesthetically pleasing, and serve as both reminder and assistant to help dog walkers "doo" the right thing. Sorry, couldn't resist!

Face Value

2011-11-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

I found a bag full of vintage doll faces the other day. There's the bunny...

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... the dog...

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... the girl ...

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... the clown ...

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and the...???? What the ????? Is it a seal? A bear? A chipmunk?

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So yeah. Lots of vintage doll faces. I'm so curious to see if this is a supply that is in demand. What will my creative Etsy brothers and sisters make with these? It's worth 90 cents to me to find out ;)

A New Shop In Town

2011-11-01T16:00:00.001-04:00

A very nice gal from Los Angeles has been snapping up some lovely vintage towels from my shop. I've been intrigued by her user name *cozyterry*, and have wondered if she makes things from the towels she buys. Thanks to a lovely message and photos I received from her the other day, the mystery has been put to rest! The answer is most definitely YES!

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Look at this precious kiddie cover up she made from this towel here!

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And feast your eyes on this fab bag made from this towel here!

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Lucky for all of us, CozyTerry is now an Etsy shop filling up with all sorts of this talented designer's one-of-a-kind creations. Please stop on by and show Lisa and her work some love! Enter CozyTerry by clicking right HERE :)

Makeover Monday: Halloween edition

2011-10-31T20:36:00.000-04:00

For today's makeover, I started out with my lovely almost-six year old tomboyish daughter.

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A little bling and a crown and a gown, and she became an Egyptian princess. She wouldn't admit it, but I think she had fun being all dolled up!

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Not the greatest photo in the world, but I wanted to share the fun of the "hand bowl". Sophie has wanted one of these for about 3 years, and this fall her dream came true. We got the last one at Target a few weeks ago, and it has been a riot to have around the house. The motion detector works from several feet away, so we'd often get a sudden, creepy voiced "trick or treat" or "happy Halloween" or "want some candy" just from walking by the table. Made me jump a few times, that's for sure!

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Did you have any fun Halloween adventures? Do share!!

Love This Girl

2011-10-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

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I have three X-factor favorites. I already introduced you to Chris Rene. He is my second runner up. This is Drew, my first runner up. As you watch, keep in mind that this amazing girl is FOURTEEN years old!!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

2011-10-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Ooh, happy almost Halloween weekend! It has already been a week full of parties and fun, and it will continue right on through Monday evening. That's when I plan to collapse! Sophie was planning to be a zombie- until we went to the Halloween store and she got scared out of her wits. She grabbed the Cleopatra costume and said, "Let's get out of here!" So, my tomboy will be wearing a long princess gown... with sparkles and a headpiece. I can't WAIT!!!! What are your little ghouls and goblins going to be? How about you- any costume planned?

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While you're planning what to write in your comment (heheh), here are a few fabrics coming soon to sosovintage:

Abstract floral from Cannon

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Pretty twiggy pattern on a pale blue background

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cotton "cutter" tablecloth ready to become a pillow or tote!

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And my favorite for the week- another cotton cutter tablecloth in pink and aqua...looooove!

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If I don't see you before Monday, be sure to come on back for a spooooooky makeover on Halloween!

Thursday's Treasure

2011-10-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Aren't these porcelain babies adorable in their little pink dotted onesies and bows?

I found these... along with 8 of their closest friends in a *bag* at the thrift store. It was sale day, too...so instead of $3.90, I got the whole bunch of them for $1.95!! Treaaaaa*suuuuuure :)

Tonnage

2011-10-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

Over there on the right are the fruits of our labor.

THIRTY SIX POUNDS of apples!!!!

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And yes, it's the rare photo of me and Sophie... rarer still to have one I'm willing to share. Perhaps it's the way I conveniently hid behind her, lol.

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I like that when I crop it and turn it greyscale, it has a grainy old days quality to it. Good old days, for sure :)

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Now, for the yummy recipe. I'm no chef, but I do have a love affair with my crock pot. This recipe for slow cooked homemade applesauce was so easy that I had to try it. I mean, I had everything I needed right in the house! I used 9 medium sized apples and went with only half a cup of sugar. I was liberal with the cinnamon. Set it on high for 4 hours, and it was finished in about 3. Best applesauce ever!!! Do you have any sure-fire awesome apple recipes? I could use them!!

Another Kind of Picking

2011-10-25T08:00:00.008-04:00

Sunday dawned cool and crisp, so we decided to venture out west toward the mountains to do a little apple picking. The leaves were colorful, and the orchard was full.

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The smell of apple turnovers and freshly baked apple bread, pies, and cinnamon sugar donuts wafted out of the orchard store. I told Sophie if she'd help me get some good photos she could have a donut when we finished picking. I was really hoping to get a good shot to use for a Christmas card, and hey, a little bribery never hurt anyone.

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She loosened up a little once we told her she could go up into the trees a bit to search for apples. This was her first tree climbing experience, and now she's hooked.

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The problem with going so late in the season was that many of the apples near ground level were picked or had fallen. We chose not to get one of the long picker thingies when we started out- a bad decision that we only realized after we had trekked up and over the mountain. So, orchard rule number two *no climbing the trees* was broken. Hubs can be a bit of a scofflaw, but he is also very enviro-friendly, so he was a considerate climber. No broken branches in our trees!

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I'm not 100% certain, but I think we may have gotten at least one apple from every tree. It seems like just when we thought the bags were full and it was time to leave, one of us would spot another "good one". Guess how many pounds of apples we had when we finally got back for the weigh in? Go on- guess. I'll post the answer tomorrow, as well as share the recipe I used to make a yummy apple treat!

Makeover Monday:10/24

2011-10-24T14:39:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday! It's a fresh new work week, and I have a fresh new project keeping me busy. A request for a 2.5 foot by 6 foot rag rug in sage, celery and rose gave me the chance to gather up this bundle of oh so shabby chic fabrics.

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As I was shopping for fabrics and noticing how absolutely beautiful they looked together, it occurred to me to ask my customer if she'd like to take a chance and let me try something new. Since the customer is my mom, she decided to trust my instincts and allow me to make her rag rug from the same midcentury pattern that I used for this cotton yarn rug.

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Here she is so far, one fourth finished at 30" wide and 18" long.

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And a closeup of the texture. I have been searching for a way to give my rugs an extra special touch, and I think maybe I've found it. I really like the softness of the weave and the way the colors blend without a distinct striped effect. Fingers crossed that Mom loves it, too :)

New Space

2011-10-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

For the last couple of weeks, Sophie has been off and on preoccupied with her bottom front tooth's looseness. While she was feeling excited about the "big kidness" of it all, I knew she was a little nervous about whether or not it would hurt when it came out. Now all of that wonder and worry is behind her, and she is indeed feeling very mature- her tooth came out Friday night during "pizza and movie night"!!

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In a humorous twist of events, she didn't even feel it come out. Didn't even know it had come out, until I asked her how the tooth was doing. She showed me, and I shrieked, "It's not THERE!!!" We looked in vain all over the couch, in the ice cream bowl, in her pajamas. Yep. You guessed it. She must have swallowed it.

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So, Sophie spent the remainder of the evening shaking her head saying, "I can't believe it" and looking at her new space in the mirror. We wrote a note to the tooth fairy explaining what happened. Fortunately, the tooth fairy is not a stickler for seeing the actual tooth. She left a glittery dollar bill for our big girl. Who, by the way, swears that she will never, ever spend that special dollar.

sosorosey

Weekend Getaway

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Daily Dose of Cute

Do You Like BS?

Makeover Monday: 2/6

Rare Gems

Halfway There

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

So Peaceful

All Duded Up

Makeover Monday: 1/30

Daily Dose of Cute

Whatsit?

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

What a Card!

Charmed, I'm Sure

Makeover Monday: 1/23

Tweet

Done Deal

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

One of Those Nights

and the winner is...

Makeover Monday: 1/16

Super Soup

Price is Right: Game 11

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Wedding Feature

A Sweet Sprinkling...

Makeover Monday: 1/9

Luck O' The Irish

Brand New Shoes

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Daily Dose of ...

Coffee or Tea?

Makeover Monday:1/2

New Year's Day

I Resolve

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

New Year Ready

Oh Deer

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Natty Neutral

My Kinda Rainbow

Makeover Monday: 12/19

Waxing Nostalgic

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Owl Be Home For Christmas

Cool Cat

And Then

Lucky Me

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

It's That Time Again! For Adult Eyes Only!

Daily Dose of Cute

Motorcycle Man or Mama?

Number Two

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Pom Pom Pretties

Gift Ready

Makeover Monday: 11/28

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

All Turkey Birds Are Different

Going Local

Happy Happy Day

Makeover Monday: 11/21

China

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Thursday's Treasure

Personal Shopper