A fluffy chick in a party hat. That great vintage lion fabric came from my sister who, as I've said, spoils me. She also sent me this rad vintage Melmac plate. It might have been meant for my kids, but it's staying in my studio.
Did I say that I'd have a shop update tomorrow at 9:00 am? That's not going to work as I'll barely be back from taking my kids to school. let's make it 10:00 am pst. If you're on my email list, I'll send out a reminder. Thanks!
I spiffied up the front entry last week in preparation for fall's drippy coats and orphan mittens, but now it's sunny and 80 degrees and all that stuff has become temporarily unnecessary. A wool cardigan also feels unnecessary, but not for long, so I picked this one up at the thrift for Miles anyway. It needed elbow patches, of course. I used good, strong 100% wool felt with red stitches for contrast. I don't know if he's that excited about the little professor look, but it makes me happy. Chilly fall, come back!
For those of you asking about the bag: it's one I made last year.
Today's thrift: a vintage gravy boat (?) marked "Sango", made in Japan. Can't believe I braved Value Village's 50% off sale with both my kids in tow.
Yesterday's thrift: (actually a yard sale find by Jack) the "Junior Miss" a vintage Singer child's sewing machine. I'm looking for instructions; can anyone help? Hillary has the same one, but no instructions. She does, however, have the super-cool orange case.
*UPDATE* Thanks, Paula! I was able to download the manual for free at the Singer site!
A new look for summer. I like to change it up around here every season, and I was ready for some red. It's a photo of some things I brought home from an estate sale a few weeks ago: grass cloth wallpaper, enamelware, and some red vintage buttons. Does any one else feel like they unconsciously bring home things that match on thrifting/yard saling trips?
I was thinking about this today when I was unpacking a few finds from the giant neighborhood yard sale where my parents live. We go every year, but this year we helped my parents with their sale as well. I really love the big neighborhood sales where you can just park your car and hit multiple houses, and the Eastmoreland Neighborhood sale is one of my favorites - the neighborhood is very pretty with plenty of shady trees, there are tons of sales to visit (142 participants this year), I feel like my kids are welcome, and, most importantly, there are older occupants with cool old stuff.
It's hot and going to get hotter here, so I spent the afternoon getting the basement organized so the kids will have a cool place to play. Now, not only is my craft stuff out of the dining room, but the train table/ legos/ playmobile are gone too. Nice. Tomorrow I plan on beating the heat with my first dip in the river. Even nicer.
I found this little handmade glazed ceramic candleholder (?) at the thrift store and had to bring it home. I stuffed a felted ball inside to make it a pincushion. What really sold me was the little label on the bottom.
Who was Dororthy? What's the 22 about? Something to ponder while crafting.
Busy day moving Jack into his new ivy-covered office. We did manage to stop at one yard sale around the block where I found Ricky's label maker.
Label maker, you're number one.
Don't touch. That means you, Hil(l)ary.
50 cents. Couldn't resist.
A few of my thrift finds in white from the last couple of months: a German stoneware tea service that was missing the lids on the pot and sugar, but I had to have anyway, a Wunsiedel vase, a Le Creuset enameled tea pot, and a set of covered melamine square bowls (these Jack actually found for me at a yard sale he sent to solo).
I come from a color-loving family, and I do love color, but I love white the best. I even love (gasp!) white walls. So calming and serene. I have a can of white glossy enamel paint, and I am on a campaign to paint half of our furniture with it. Here's some other white things that I have been admiring:
Maria's typewriter
Alison's pottery
Abby's enamel tub
Amanda's quilt
Tracy's Aalto beehive lamp
I will be taking a little break until Monday to enjoy Mother's Day weekend. My stuffing finally arrived yesterday, so I will be adding new things to my shop next week. I will try to give everyone a head's up the day before things go on sale. Have a great weekend, especially all you mamas out there!
It's that time of year. Yard sale season. Every Saturday our little family maps out all the sales in our neighborhood and set out, coffee in hand, to see what awaits us. We often return empty-handed. Just as often, someone has to sprint home for a car to carry home our haul (or maybe just a weary child). Either way, it's our Saturday morning adventure.
Mia's favorite reading chair was one of our finds from three summers ago. It has a matching ottoman and when we saw the set sitting in someone's driveway, all four of us tried to sit in it to see if it would work for family story-time. It was marked at $30, but we didn't have enough cash (or a car), so we put down a deposit and said we'd be back for it later. When Jack returned, the gentleman holding the sale wouldn't let him pay more than $25. "It's my happy family discount", he said. So, we call it the happy family chair.
I had hoped to add some things to the little birds shop today, but a sick child, volunteer commitments, the pull of summer-like weather, and a cranky sewing machine all got in the way. New things next week for sure! Enjoy your weekend.
It's my birthday today. My husband always makes me the best cards.
It's a bird...
Open it up and it's an Eames rocking chair!
Brilliant, no? My gift wasn't too shabby either...
I found that rocker bottom at a yard sale three or four years ago (50 cents!!) and have been patiently waiting to find an affordable fiberglass shell chair. The wait is over. Jack found this graphite gray shell at one of the gazillion local mid-century modern resale shops, and we're rocking now!
I'm having a great day. Thank you everyone who has already sent me email birthday wishes! I can remember when 36 sounded really old, but I'm still feeling pretty spry.
Someone has her birthday hat on:
I'm adding her to the shop now (sold!). No more updates until April 10th, sorry!
For those of you asking about Mia's shoes: they are by Aster (from France) and I bought them on Ebay (a great source for new or nearly-new Euro kid's shoes at reasonable prices). Her gnome t-shirt was thrifted by my sister. It's also French. Viva la France!
