Sunday, December 4, 2011

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!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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

Monday, May 23, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

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.

 

Saturday, May 7, 2011

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!

Monday, May 2, 2011

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!

Friday, April 29, 2011

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.