Thrift store finds, some sewing, and pretty petals

-
You know what they say: When the going gets tough, the tough go thrifting.  Or something like that.  All I know is that when I need a break, I find nothing more relaxing than treasure hunting at the junk store.
 Here's what I came home with this time: a pink poodle box of vintage cards...
 it was irresistible to me because I actually remember getting this exact same bunny rabbit card when I was about 6 years old, from an aunt.
 Then, there were these little gift tags.  I've seen Christmas tags in that size and shape, but don't recall seeing birthday or wedding tags before.
Remember when the fanciest of cards were sprinkled with glitter? 
The little doggie cards took me on a sentimental journey, what can I say?
Then, in the textiles section of the shop: I had just been admiring some similar vintage fabric on eBay, so when I saw this pretty white tea/table cloth I had to snatch it up...
 as well as these lovely placemats; their small size makes them just right for journal covers.
 And look at this bright scarf with hand rolled edges and the large Vera signature.  If you've never visited their website to help you date your Vera products, it's here.  According to it, this scarf dates to 1970-73.
 Above, as I was sorting through strips of fabric for a rag wreath I'm planning to make, I threw these scraps to the side and then I couldn't bear to toss them so I sewed them together haphazardly, just for fun.  It's really hard for me to throw pretty things away, no matter how small a scrap!
No plans yet for the little block.
I must say I do prefer the casual scrapping of my little block to the studied, carefully-planned crazy quilt style block I'm making in Kathy's class, above, which is accomplished with templates and lots and lots of directions!  I am definitely not a precision person.  That is not to say that I'm not enjoying learning the proper way to crazy quilt -- because I really really am enjoying it -- and I highly recommend the class!
The other day I got out the Coffee filter flower kit that was one of the sponsor gifts at the last Birdsong event I attended.  It was made by Heather Kowalski, who is a lovely, friendly, talented person.  The one on the left is the sample, and I made the one on the right using the kit, which had coffee filters dyed in various shades of the most beautiful pink hues!
So that's what I've been up to lately.  How about you?  What are you finding/making/doing?

Comments

Kathy said…
Greeting cards with glitter - those were the days!!!
February 18, 2015 at 4:32 PM
Linda @ A La Carte said…
I really love the old greeting cards, such great graphics! Love the little square you made such pretty little snippets.
February 19, 2015 at 7:30 AM
Curtains in My Tree said…


Looks like good thriftng to me

I started a crazy quilt block, one block about 6 years ago LOL it's all velvet and silks

you work is always so charming
February 19, 2015 at 8:23 AM
Dreaming of Vintage said…
Lovely vintage finds and those coffee filter flowers are beautiful! I've been busy with swaps, making custom any occasion hearts and when I'm done with those, I want to create for myself. I've been in the process of creating an album of the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island in NC. That album has been neglected for so long. :(
February 19, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Heather Kowalski said…
HI Laurie! I love all of your finds and you did SO GOOD on your filter flower! Now you can whip them up whenever you want. so glad you liked making it. :) :)

xoxo
Heather
February 19, 2015 at 4:08 PM
Anonymous said…
I so want to go to a thrift shop for a fix but we don't have one close and with our iffy weather I think it will be awhile before I make it out of town for thrifting. You found some really good items. I too am taking Kathy's class. I've been ready for a week to start the silk ribbon part but keep putting it off. I love that you are sewing your bits and pieces together for a book. Hugs!
February 19, 2015 at 6:45 PM
Abby / Linda said…
I'm taking Kathy's CQ class too, but I was disappointed that you weren't in my group.
March 7, 2015 at 12:36 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby Jesus Candy Cane Christmas Ornament How-To

-
Image
Here's a tutorial to make sweet baby Jesus ornaments: Materials: 3/4" round wooden balls blue felt like-sized small wooden stars flesh-colored acrylic paint yellow acrylic paint black permanent marker small button as star decor raffia natural excelsior "moss" silver thread or coordinating yarn candy cane You'll also need glue or a hot glue gun, paint brush and scissors Begin by painting the wooden balls with flesh-colored paint and the stars with yellow paint. When dry, draw two sleeping eyes on the ball. Meanwhile, cut small pieces of felt and make little rolls to represent the baby's body; tie with a tiny piece of raffia. Next, glue the wooden ball onto the top of the body roll of felt; if you wish, you can also cut a small wedge of felt to glue over like a little swaddled hood on the baby's head, but I think it looks cute without it as well. Glue the l
Read more

Flagler College in St. Augustine: the Tiffany connection

-
Image
We visited this wonderful building that began its life in 1888 as a lavish hotel built by Henry Flagler, one of the founders of Standard Oil, and now houses Flagler College . It is such a beautiful old building and in it we saw: these fabulous Tiffany chandeliers... on a spectacular painted and embossed ceiling in one of the hotel's drawing rooms.   I apologize for the quality of the indoor photos -- it was quite dark in the building. I had to laugh at these painted cherubs on the ceiling... and the way their ribbony robes encircle the chandelier mount! This large clock over the mantle is special because it's a Thomas Edison clock and because it is made from one piece of rare onyx.  We were told that Edison's "signature" on his clocks is the use of the incorrect Roman numeral "4". But the most spectacular feature of the building is that Louis Comfort Tiffany himself made the stained glass windows. Most of Tiffany's windows a
Read more

O Christmas tree, jeweled Christmas tree...

-
Image
Earlier in the season Rebecca and I went to a craft fair at a local high school, and there was one booth with the CUTEST little jeweled, framed Christmas trees! The gal was nice enough to let me photograph them.  Sorry it's kind of blurry, but it was dark in that high school gym! I know it's an older kind of craft (from the '60s and '70s) but she made them sweet -- not gaudy at all.  We were both SO inspired. So, last week we made it happen.  I brought a bunch of my old, broken vintage jewelry, some velvet, glue,  old frames, and we sat in her dining room and made a forest of little trees! It was so simple: first, we took a vintage frame and covered the backing with velvet.  We just glued it on. Then, we took our time arranging bits and pieces of jewels into a Christmas tree shape. When we were happy with the arrangement, we committed and glued the jewels down!  I love this avocado green velvet! And then we did it again.  We had so much fun playing
Read more