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.