Easter Fabric Tote

I had some fun sewing and created this simple fabric tote. It is the perfect size to hold over a dozen Easter Eggs or a few paperback books or even to pack a lunch. {To see how you can win this tote, click here.}

I wanted it to be a neutral color and sturdy cotton fabric so I used all new fabric. I also kept the decorative accent (flower) a neutral, soft gray so that the color of whatever is inside of the bag would not clash. But the flower can be removed and other accents added later if I change my mind.

The felt for the flower and leaves are thrifted as well as the vintage pink millinery stamens in the flower. I also added some vintage lace around the top of the bag.

The bag measures 6"w x 5"h x 4"d not counting the strap.

This is linked to:
All Thingz Related, Between Naps on the Porch, Beyond the Picket Fence, Coastal Charm, I {heart} Naptime, I'm Topsy Turvy, Keeping it Simple, Krafty Kat, Making the World Cuter, Marvelously Messy, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Passionately Artistic, Rook No. 17, Running With Glitter, Savvy Southern Style, Skip to My Lou, Someday Crafts, Somewhat Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, The Girl Creative, The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Under the Table and Dreaming, Very Merry Vintage Style and Wildflowers & Whimsy

Christmas in April Estate Sales

The temperature has finally climbed into the 80s with no chance of rain so there were lots of estate sales to choose from. The ones we went to had an interesting assortment of vintage Christmas items. Christmas in April!

My favorite find of the day were several bags of Mercury Glass garlands. I love the vintage teal and pink glass garlands the best.

I also love these Christmas elves marked "Japan" on the bottom. The little elf on the left looks a little mischievous but they are rather cute.

We found this unique, ceramic teapot. The color, a deep periwinkle, and the bird on top were just so adorable.

On the practical side, we found an unused picnic basket filled with metal utensils, cloth picnic blanket and cloth napkins. Lots of useful storage here.

And, by sheer serendipity, I found yet another estate sale by the same woman who held the two previous "polite etiquette" sales (here and here). Her previous prices were high for things she thought were valuable and quite reasonable for other items. Today, there were still some items that were over-priced but I was able to find these lovely teal and pink hankies and old tomato-shaped ceramic salt and pepper shakers.

***Please be sure and check out my GIVEAWAY going on here. This giveaway is now closed.


This is linked to:
Apron Thrift Girl, Blue Creek Home, Brambleberry Cottage, Coastal Charm, Hey What's For Dinner Mom?, House of Grace, It's a Very Cherry World, Tales From Bloggeritaville, The Colorado Lady and The Thrifty Home

Versatile Blogger Award - Wow!

I love blogging. I love sharing. And I really love the nice people out there who blog. Case in point: Melissa Burger of Mel Dreams Often. She kindly awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. I love the crafting and the thrifting but it is so sweet when someone out there kindly pats you on the back and says "Good job". Thank you Melissa. I am honored.

This award comes with a few rules:
• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
• Tell us seven things about yourself.
• Award fifteen recently discovered new bloggers.
• Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received their award.

Okay, so here goes: Seven things about me:

1. I am addicted to estate sale shopping (no one should be surprised by this one)
2. I watch less than 2 hours of television per week (usually BBC America)
3. I've been scrapbooking since 1988
4. I've designed advertising and packaging for large corporations
5. I love English history and know more about Richard III, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Edward VIII than I do of any American president
6. I worry too much
7. I enjoy reading Shakespeare

My nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:
1. Babushka & Co.
2. Monkey Box
3. Rook No. 17
4. A Sentimental Life
5. Beatrice Banks
6. Brambleberry Cottage
7. Very Merry Vintage Style
8. Common Ground
9. Design It Chic
10. Faith Hope and Charity Shopping
11. French Bleu Vintage
12. I Love Collecting
13. I Bake Cakes
14. Into Vintage
15. One Cheap Bitch

These are all wonderful, creative blogs that I believe deserve some well-earned recognition. Hope you take a moment to visit them and thanks again to Melissa of meldreamsoften.com

Belated Birthday Card

It was my dear sister's birthday a few weeks ago. I wanted to make her a nice card but I wasn't inspired to create anything special. I create things all of the time and yet I had a creative block when it came time to make her a card. I could have bought her a card and sent it in time for her birthday but I waited because I wanted to make something special.

Then I received a lovely, vintage table cloth and it ignited a spark of creativity.

I scanned a section of the table cloth and added the words in Photoshop. I added three vintage buttons to finish off the card. This is exactly the inspiration I was waiting for.

Here is the inspirational table cloth.

Happy birthday Elaine! Sorry this is belated.

This is linked to:
A Little Knick Knack, All Thingz Related, Baked by Joanna, Between Naps on the Porch, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Designs, Brambleberry Cottage, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Coastal Charm, Craft Envy, Creative Everyday, Decor to Adore, Fave Crafts, Finding Fabulous, Hey, What's For Dinner Mom?, House of Grace, I {heart} Naptime, Inspiring Creations, It's A Very Cherry World, Just a Girl, Keeping it Simple, Krafty Kat, Lovely Crafty Home, Making the World Cuter, Marvelously Messy, My Backyard Eden, My Romantic Home, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Paisley Passions, Passionately Artistic, Rook No. 17, Running With Glitter, Savvy Southern Style, Simply Designing, Skip to My Lou, Someday Crafts, Somewhat Simple, Tatertots & Jello, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, The Girl Creative, The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Shabby Nest, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Truly Lovely, Under the Table and Dreaming, What Allie's Making Now and Wildflowers & Whimsy

Finding Childhood Memories at Estate Sales

Sometimes I find myself wondering if I am destined to spend my time hunting for things that my parents used to have. There is a certain comfort, as if meeting up with old friends, that comes from finding objects that reminds you of your childhood.

Today's best finds were these two, midcentury modern pieces of office equipment that reminded me of my dad's desk. The "airplane wing" fluorescent lamp is almost identical to the one I remember sitting on his desk in the den. The Victor, Bakelite adding machine is a little different than what I remember but the sound it makes sends me right back to my childhood. These cost more than I would normally pay but how do you put a price on such fond memories.

I also bought this beautiful, hand-crocheted tablecloth. It is very large and in great condition.

I found these toy building bricks. They look like the modern Legos but are made out of wood. They are copyrighted 1939 by Halsam Products.

At another sale I found several dish towels embroidered with the days of the week and a stack of delicate hankies.

Just in time for Easter, I found this package of Ritz Easter egg decorating transfers. The dye tablets are still inside plus it has the "Mystic Writer" and all of the transfers.

I also bought two, brand new, car engine testing things that my dear boyfriend said my son could use on his cars. I didn't include photos here because they are boring black things with meters and wires and such. Nothing cute or vintage about them at all. 

But speaking of cute and vintage, during the week I received this beautiful table cloth that my dear sister found for me in Iowa. I love the look and feel of vintage tablecloths. This is my favorite one so far.

This is Linked to:

A Little Knick Knack, Apron Thrift Girl, Blue Creek Home, Brambleberry Cottage, Coastal Charm,  Common Ground, Finding Fabulous, Hey, What's For Dinner Mom?, House of Grace, The Colorado Lady, The Thrifty Groove, The Thrifty Home and Very Merry Vintage Style