Having a blog issue! I can't comment so I will post instead.

I'm having an issue with my blogs. I can post but I can't comment on my blog or others! I am working to correct the problem. For the time being I can only answer comments by posting.

So . .  .

@Adelle Bee Ann, I am sooo glad the cabinet was saved instead of going into the dumpster! I will definitely post after pics of it. I hope to get it cleaned and hung on the kitchen wall this weekend  : )

Vintage Cupboard Salvaged from Remodel

Salvaged this from an old house that is getting a remodel!

I'm going to clean it up (maybe paint it, I'll see how it looks after it's cleaned). Put some nice vintage knobs on it and hang it in my kitchen's eating area.

Notice the spice rack on the door. I'm going to see if I can remove the paint as it is red plastic underneath.

I love the scalloped edge. 








Lot's of storage space!

A Little Piece of History in a Vintage Pattern

What a nice surprise!  I found the above sketch in this vintage pattern.  It's so interesting to find little pieces of history stuck in a pattern envelope!
The seamstress made a note "peacock blue silk shantung".
(click on the sketch to enlarge for a better view)

Gorgeous Shabby Gift Ideas!!

Vintage Wedding

The Aroma of Lavender

Treasuries

My shops are being featured in lots of gorgeous treasuries this week. I'll be posting some of them on the blog because they are just so beautiful!

Everyone needs a few pairs of gloves!

A gorgeous treasury some of my vintage gloves were featured in!

Party Supplies!

I've been working on hand crafted party supplies. When my daughter was younger I always made everything for her parties.  It was so much fun and I loved the homespun, retro look of her parties. So, I thought maybe other people would like what I like and here's what I've done for Halloween. I'm working on Christmas and Winter Wonderland and will post those soon!

Visit my shop Party Streamers !!

My Boot Camp Goals

So . . .  I joined Etsy Holiday Boot Camp.  Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish this holiday season:


List lots of really great vintage items that will make wonderful gifts.

Provide excellent customer service, including fast shipping and good communication with my customers.

Create an atmosphere of friendly comfort and service within my little vintage shops.


Staying organized and maximizing my time while still enjoying the holiday season with my family is at the top of my goal list!


So those are my goals.  What are yours?

A Tribute to Home Canning

Washing Day! How I clean vintage linens.

  Victorian Whites

I hand wash and line dry all the vintage linens I purchase before I sell them.  I also try to remove any stains or spots.  

First I soak them in laundry detergent with a little oxygen booster added.  After a few hours I check them to see if there are any spots left.  If there are I dry them in the sun and then put lemon juice and salt on the stained areas and hang in the sun for several hours.  If the stains are gone I rinse thoroughly and line dry again.  

If stains remain my next step is non-chlorine bleach added to the soaking water.  I try to stay away from chlorine bleach as it can break down the fragile fibers of the linens and cause little holes to appear in the worn areas.  

When you have finally removed all the stains (some stains just won't come out) and your linens are dry, it is time to iron them.  I starch and iron all my linens to give them a nice smooth, crisp feeling.  Now they are ready to sell (or add to my linen closet, if I just can't part with them)!  

 

 Gorgeous tucking on this Victorian slip!

Beautiful treasures for your vanity or dressing table!

Line Dried Linens

 

Freshly washed vintage linens.  Line drying in the sun and breeze.  Mmm, they smell like fresh air and sunshine.  There's nothing better than climbing into bed between fresh line dried sheets on a hot Summer night.  It's one of the simple things that makes this shabby girl happy.

Decorate With Vintage Flower Prints

I love vintage flower prints.  They work really well with Cottage Style or Shabby Chic.





The scalloped edging and green border in this print is actually painted on the class.

I like the detailed frame on this one and the overall pastel look.

This pair had dark brown frames so I painted them.

Here's another pair with dark frames.

You can hang several in a group, in pairs or just one individual print.  I love the style of the prints and just the flowers in general.  A lovely addition to your living room, bedroom or hallway.  Don't ever hang vintage prints in a bathroom as the humidity will ruin them.

Back to the Blog!

I've been neglecting my blog lately.  I apologize to anyone who is following me.  I found out my hubby is being laid off soon and I've been focusing on listing things on etsy and ebay.  I'm trying to bring in more income!  I'm sure there are lots of other people out there facing the same problems.  So . . . I will  do my best to post at least once a week and "thanks" to all of you who are following me!

Sweet Little Girl's Vintage Dress

 

I found this darling little vintage dress at a sale.

I love the pink organdy with cream colored design! 

There's even a little fabric flower pinned to the collar.

 

 

It was missing the sash, so . . .

I added a creamy satin ribbon at the waist.

 

  Isn't the skirt sweet?

It has three little tiers edged in lace.

It makes such a cute little accent piece.

Should I keep it, or sell it in my Etsy shop?

Hmmm . . .

I've decided to list this little dress in my Etsy shop.  If you're interested in purchasing it click on the link below.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatGirlsLike?ref=si_shop

Shabby Accessories

 Mix new and vintage items together to create a romantic grouping.

First I bought this cute cardboard case.




I added a vintage hand mirror, bottle, hankie and some silk flowers.

I arranged the silk flowers, cut all the stems to the same length and then tied a silk ribbon around them to form a tussy mussy.

Then I tied ribbon and netting on the handle of the mirror to give it a feminine look.


I washed, starched and ironed the vintage hankie.


I decorated a vintage bottle with lace and ribbon.

Now I have a pretty little grouping of accessories to add to my dressing table, dresser or guest bathroom!



Of course if you don't want to do this yourself, this group is for sale in my etsy shop.

www.etsy.com/listing/72303222/cardboard-case-filled-with-vintage-and

My Garden Pond

I think Spring may finally have arrived!  The plants in my little garden pond are green and growing and my goldfish are out of hibernation and swimming around.  Dare I think that Winter is finally over? 

(click on the picture for a larger view)

Watching the fish and listening to the water bubbling is so relaxing!  A little piece of nature in my own backyard.

Fun Summer Reading!

I just finished "The Girl Who Chased the Moon" by Sarah Addison Allen.  It's one of the best books I've read recently.  It was so much fun and the characters are quirky and interesting.  There's a bit of magic, a little romance and a lot of fun!  Great Summer reading if you're looking for something a little different.

 Have you read it?

 

Here's the blurb from on the back of the book.  So you can decide if it looks interesting to you.

 

New Color!

New color and wider ribbon.




                                                           

Ribbon Necklace with Large Pearl Beads

I love the ribbon necklaces with large pearls that are in style right now.  I've been looking for directions for the last few days and didn't find anything that I liked.  So I've been experimenting, and this is what I came up with.

I left the ribbon long so it can be worn as a short or long necklace. I used glass beads because they are a nice weight.  I like the shabby chic look of this one and have listed it in my etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatGirlsLike?ref=pr_shop

I plan on making them with some other colors of the pearl beads. Maybe some different ribbon colors too.  I  hope you like it!









<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2589244/girls-like-shabby-chic?claim=v2v7snnbju2">Follow my blog with bloglovin</a>

Happy Mother's Day!

Shabby Ideas for the Bathroom

Put mason jars and depression glass to new uses on your bathroom shelf.  Use for decorative items like seashells and glass marbles.  Or use for storing  your cotton balls and swabs.







This depression glass cookie jar has lost it's lid.  It's perfect for potpourri!









Fill a large seashell with beach glass or use it as a soap dish.






Add a vintage hand embroidered guest towel for a homey touch.  Vintage perfume bottles, powder tins and small china dishes add color and enhance your shabby style.



Don't limit your decor to the traditional!  You can use any item anywhere you want to.  What great ideas do you have?  I'd love to hear them!

My Weekend Treasure Hunt

I decided at the last minute to go to a rummage sale on Saturday morning.  I'm so glad I did, I found some wonderful little treasures and wanted to share them with you!



                                                    
A vintage McCoy pottery planter.

 

 Some pretty embroidered runners with hand crocheted lace.







I found some really great things this weekend!

Now to wash, starch and iron these.  They will probably end up listed in my etsy shop along with the Humpty Dumpty, patterns and slipcover booklet.



 
    

 
A vintage fabric panel to make a stuffed Humpty Dumpty.  It still has the original J.C. Penny's price tag. 






 Patterns and a vintage slipcover instruction booklet.









What did you find in your treasure hunt this weekend?  Let me know in the comment section.  Happy hunting!

Slipcover Chic

This is one of my favorite how-to books.  "Slipcover Chic" by Catherine Revland and Carol Cooper Gates, illustrations by Michelle Ball.  It's out of print, but you can find it on Amazon.
















 How shabby chic are these?

Decorating ideas and projects, from throw pillows to slipcovering your couch.








Get out your sewing machine and have some fun!




Or just let the pictures inspire you with their color, texture and style.