Swaps and Crafting

The second round of the Paper Cowgirl Summer Travel Postcard swap is complete. I was fortunate to be partnered with Betti for this round.  She made a beautiful geisha card with an additional greeting panel.  It's hard to capture the dimension and gilttery loveliness in a photo. Wish you could see it in person!

My card was made using a couple of images from old advertisements on the front, embellished with a little gimp trim and some vintage millinery flowers. The little lanterns on the back were cut from vintage wrapping paper.  The cards I sent Ms. Betti and Cindy at Paper Cowgirl had oriental faux stamps in the corner instead of the doily. 

This swap group is off to the circus next, and I'm excited to start on that one.  I have a 1931 magazine ad that will be perfect!

There was a "baby party" Saturday for my friend Kerry.  She's already received so many cute clothes, I decided to get her "necessities" so she'll be prepared when little Miss Lizzie arrives. That said, I couldn't bear to give just necessities, so I made her a couple of baprons (see info here) and a sweet little pair of Mary Jane's.  Those are necessary too, right?

I'll be posting later this week about Tabitha's Very Merry UnBirthday Cake swap. You'll want to see the lovely cake and "treats" I received.

Thank you, Fresh American!

A few months ago I read (on someone's blog, sorry, can't remember whose) about a blog that sounded interesting - Fresh American.  It's by designer Annie Selke, whose home remodel I had followed and enjoyed in House Beautiful magazine.  That got me hooked, but they were also hosting daily giveaways at the time.  I'm one of those people who had only won a couple of things in my life - small things - but I signed up several different days never expecting anything to come of it.

I was shocked and delighted when I was contacted and told I had won a Dash and Albert rug! The giveaway rug shown on their blog was white and grey with a pattern I loved, but I was told I could choose any rug in the same size range. Since we have three dogs, I decided something else might work better for our home. I was extremely happy to find that Dash and Albert had a rug I saw in a magazine a while ago that I absolutely loved. It's called "Cat's Paw," and here it is!

The dogs aren't that impressed, but I love it!

Georgia modeling

The rug also comes in a light blue background but, again, probably not the best color choice with dogs, and with our newly-blue walls, it would have been too much.  I think the brown is just right, and I love all the bright colors.  It looks modern and fun, and I'm so happy to have it!  A huge thank you to Annie Selke and Fresh American!

Lace and Froth

When I decided to sell vintage on Etsy, clothing wasn't at the top of my list. I love the look and construction of vintage clothes but what I had found in the past never fit.  The only vintage clothing I owned was a cute swing coat found at a Salvation Army thrift store, and I only wore it once because it kind of overpowered me (I'm 5'1".)

Now vintage clothes seem to find me.  A few weeks ago I spotted this beauty at an estate sale.

One of the sale staffers told me, "Everyone has been looking at that dress."  It has some minor issues, but I can't imagine why no one purchased it before I arrived mid-afternoon.  It's rather tiny and tea length with an attached lining and crinoline, 3/4 length raglan sleeves, and a dropped waist.  Its simplicity would make it perfect for an outdoor wedding.  There are no holes that I've found.  It does have some discoloration, but nothing that would stop me from wearing it if I could only fit into it.  I'm going to work on it a bit, but will be listing it no matter what.  It deserves to be worn.

At another sale I found the perfect Doris Day-era frothy pink peignoir set. It has double layer puff sleeves and a ruffled hem.  It makes me happy just to look at it.

At the same sale I found a couple of half slips with that lovely tiny pleated trim.  I'm crazy for these, even though I've not worn a dress for at least fifteen years and am basically a jeans and tee kind of gal.  The pleating detail gets me every time.

All these will be going on Etsy as soon as I've had my fill of staring at the lace and froth.

Summer Crafting

We had our bi-annual family reunion this past weekend, with a couple of my sibs and their kids and grandkids here from Texas.  We met with aunts, uncles and cousins on Friday evening and Saturday evening. We had a great visit but the time went by too quickly, as always.

It has become a reunion tradition for family members who craft, sew, etc. to make something to donate for a silent auction with the proceeds going toward reunion expenses.  Others donate purchased items and lots of us bid.  I had a few things in mind for this year but ended up making just a couple of patriotic decorations.  I was inspired by Jackie's recent class at Paper Crown (see her blog post here.)  I wasn't able to attend her class, but borrowed the idea.  Sorry, Jackie!  But I'll be there for her mystery class later this month!

My sweet sister and sister-in-law were the winning bidders on these, so a big thank you to them!

I was the winning bidder on this cute bag made by my sister-in-law.  I love the combination of suit fabric and ribbon, and check out that great lining and all those pockets.  She originally made it to carry to Canton but we had to cancel our trip, so the bag went to the auction.  Lucky me!  It's perfect for junqueing.



She sells purses, hats and other things at art and craft shows occasionally, but I think she needs an Etsy shop. She's a great artist, too, and does lovely paintings.

Tabitha at Creative Wings Boutique is hosting a Very Merry Unbirthday Cake Swap.  I've joined in, so I'll have a cake to show you in a couple of weeks.  The Paper Cowgirl Summer Travel Postcard swap continues and I'll soon have a couple of cards to show you from round two.  Here's the "Africa 1914" card I received from Debbie.  It even has a little pocket watch.  Love!  Thanks, Debbie!  You can see my Africa card and a link to the swap Pinterest page here.

Summer Means Car Shows

The DH and I went to the Knights Car Club show in Shawnee, OK a couple of weeks ago.  It was hot, hot, hot.  I have to admit to rushing him along a bit, but I did manage to photograph my two favorites.  This first one - a 1950 Chevrolet convertible - belonged to a lovely gentleman from Kansas.  The color was almost exactly the same as our newly-painted walls.

We spotted this next one at a show a few weeks ago, then again in Shawnee. I absolutely love it.  It's an Auburn, made sometime in the 1930s, and is the pefect cartoon car.  Can't you just imagine it racing down the road with Roger Rabbit at the wheel?  It looks like it's about to pounce forward.  Not sure who owns this one, but they're very lucky.

No photos of the DH's favorites, because they're ALL his favorites!