Monday was for a, spot of thrifting.....

Finally yesterday we had a slight break in the weather here (or at least for part of the day), so after dropping Master V off at family day care Little V and I went on an outing. We went for a quick rummage and lucky for me it was one of those 50% off days, but as Little V's teething woes were hitting her hard we didn't stay long to make the most of it.

However I did manage to come home with several items, so it was a morning well spent nonetheless. I thought I would show you this non-vintage piece I picked up. Being a 100% silk I just couldn't pass up this floral oriental quilted jacket. It's very well made and in perfect condition. As I said it was 50% off today, so I couldn't help but grab it for $1.25. Although it's now one of those purchases I'm wondering what I'm going to do with it. Wear it? Alter it? Sell it? Deconstruct it and use in another project?

Oh well, I'll work it out. But for now tell me what you did to start your week off? Did you pick up any questionable thrifted finds like me?

Flea Market Finds, out of the archives.....

Well as I have highlighted in a previous post this week the weather here in Queensland has been crazy with torrential rain and flooding all over the place. Therefore with that in mind it has been safest and advisable to stay close to home, so with all that being said I haven't been able to stray to any local oppies for a rummage.

But this hasn't stopped me from linking up for Flea Market Finds with Sophie this week, because I have pulled out some old finds from the "archives" if you please. I've been wading through some of my funky, quirky and cool stock and personal collection recently and thought I'd show you these for something a little different.....all of which at some time or the other have been thrifted.

What about this one...perhaps for the vintage loving man in your life if he likes football (that's what we call soccer it his house), a vintage Manchester United Sponsors Jacket.

Does this bring back memories for anyone? It's the real deal licensed supporters wear.

What can I say about this vintage knit vest, a very cool find from a while back at a car boot sale for 50cents if recall correctly.

Vintage Button Hair Tie DIY/Tutorial

I've been a bit surprised by the reaction to the vintage button hair ties I made and posted this week. I've also received a fe emails enquiring about them and a few questions about how they are made.

I honestly thought I was being a little bit of a dork in posting a pic of them and I never imagined the reaction to them or thought others would want to know how to make them themselves. So as a way of saying thank you for all your lovely comments and emails, in return I have put together this DIY tutorial for you all.
So here goes, my first proper DIY blog post.

Supplies you will need:

* scissors
* needle and thread
* a selection of vintage buttons (ones with shanks, see pic below)
* no snag hair ties, the ones without the metal thingy on them

Before we get started, make sure your buttons have shanks and that the whole is a decent size to fit a double thickness of the hair tie elastic through.

To make the job of getting the hair tie through the shank easier take your needle and thread, and double over the thread and tie off the end so you have a loop of thread, that the needle won't come off.

Next take your needle and thread and hair tie, and loop the thread over the hair tie, making sure you pass the needle below the knot. If you've done this correctly you will have captured the hair tie and it should look like this.

Now pass the needle and thread (with hair tie trailing behind) through the shank of your vintage button. Continue to pull through until about this point below.

At this point you can remove the needle and thread either with scissors, however I prefer to be patient and use the tip of the needle to loosen the thread wrapped around the hair tie and free itself out of the loop.....that way you won't end up with a random bit of cotton around your hair tie.

Once the thread is removed you will need to pass one side of the hair tie through the other looped side, see below.

Continue to pull through the shank until it is tight, and flick over the smaller loop so it sits snug on the other side of the shank, see below.

Then sit back and admire your work.

Me and my hair....

I'm known in my real life circle of friends for having a new hairstyle or colour on a regular basis. I can't help it, it's just one of those things I do, I get bored with my hair easily. It probably doesn't help that I have never been confident of what to do with long hair past about shoulder length, and how to style it nicely. Don't get me wrong I like my pixie do's once and awhile, it's the general go to when I have no idea of what else to do. Over the years I've been long dark, blonde, red, short, shorter and pixie, I've has the bob, I've been funky, I've been edgy, I've been it all. Oh and there was a time when I was thirteen I had a spiral perm, I cringe now even thinking of that.

But I have been searching around for inspiration lately and I keep coming back to a hair style I have always wanted to give a serious go. It's a little bit old school, and a change from any bob I've had before, it's the old bowl cut bob but I'm ever so keen to give it a go. What do you think? After all it's hair, if doesn't work out you chop it off.

Pic Source

A bit of Meryl Streep action in the Cry in the Dark.
I've got for a bit of work ahead of me growing my hair back to a reasonable length to get this style, so you might see some hair clip and accessory posts and creations coming up in the meantime to hold me over.

But what about yourselves, is there a style or colour that you have always wanted to give a go despite others opinions?

Whoopsie.....did you miss me yesterday?

It kind of totally slipped my mind yesterday to get any blogging stuff done. But seriously I have good excuses, there is significant and rather stressful matters occurring with my family. Some some serious emotional energy was zapped yesterday and time on the phone with another family member talking about said matters.

However in lieu of any blogging work yesterday I did get some crafting and sewing done and I finished up another two clutch handbags.

Here is one of the bags i finished up. For those who have been enquiring, all my bags are made using as many up-cycled, recycled items as possible. I use everything from old and vintage placemats, doilies, vintage buttons, vintage fabrics, vintage handkerchiefs, clip on earrings and basically anything else I can get my hands on that I can see potential in.

Yesterday with the slight break in weather, I thought there was a glimmer of sunshine and hope for some thrifting today, but it has bucketed down over night and this morning........so it looks like another day indoors and to be honest some quiet de-stressing time focused on creative projects and a nice cuppa will be nice.

It's raining, it's pouring.....

The rain has really set in here over the last few days, it has been on and off torrential since we got back from Melbourne Sunday night. Today has seen heaps of road closures due to flood waters and schools being closed and much more.

So with that being said my plans for today were changed up a bit whilst I tried to keep Master V from going stir crazy and Little V happy as she has two toothy pegs coming through. All whilst trying to keep the Big V up to date on road closures and conditions so he could ensure himself and staff of doing necessary work and getting home.

So the only down time I have managed today was about half an hour, whilst an unsettled Little V rested, so during that time, I rustled up these vintage button hair ties.

In other rainy weather news, the roads to my fav little oppy are under water at present and with the expected weather conditions over the next few days it's unlikely I will get to run my Friday morning routine of popping in. It will be a shame if that is the case, as it is one of the gorgeous volunteers birthdays tomorrow, and I wanted to bake her a little something and take it in Friday......oh well there is always next week I guess.

To hang or not to hang that is the question....

I am a muse or it would seem as though I am or have been.
I have had two different artist at two different times paint or draw me.

This is actually a pastel piece that was done by one of my old art teachers who is a renowned master pastelist.

Then there is this painting that was done many years prior to the one above by a family friend of the Big V's family. I was unaware at the time I had been used as inspiration, until it was given to me. Our family friend who painted this has gone on in leaps and bounds in her artistic endeavours.

But there is a question here for my Vowers, what does one do with two portraits of oneself? They are not currently displayed in our home and the Big V frequently throughout the years suggests we should hang them. But I always think its a bit up oneself to have myself hanging about the place.....don't you think? What would you do? I can't give the pieces away as both artist have asked I keep them in the event they want to use them in exhibits. Would you hang them? I ask these questions because as you know I'm on a constant endeavour to decorate our home and I am also refining my stock storage area in the office and, I've just pulled these out this morning to get to other stuff and thought I would pose the question to you all.

Swap Partners Announced.....

I'm so excited to be posting partners for the:

this morning.

So without further ado here are your partners, so you can get to thrifting, crafting and creating some brooch love.

Zaranne Handmade and My Friends Call me Nelly
I Am Scoobylou and Things I Do
Vintage Sweetheart and Sew Cook Laugh and Live
Barn House Antiques and Jody Pearl - Reinventing Fashion
Kijaro Adventures and Domesblissity

Since this is an open swap rather than a secret swap, I will leave it for you all to contact your partners regarding postal adresses. However if you have any issues whatsoever or need my assistance please contact me and I will help out.

Also since we have ended up with even numbers and I have not ended up with a partner, I will also be putting all your names into a draw and one of you lucky ladies will receive a special parcel from me. So please ensure you all send me your postal details ASAP so that you can get the surprise of a visit from the postie with some love from me, if you are the lucky winner.
Email: myvintagevow(at)bigpond(dot)com

Lastly, I just want to say a big thank you to you all for joining in on my first ever hosted swap, I am so looking forward to seeing your parcels. Please make sure you all pop on over to all the other participants blogs that are involved and say hi.

So there you go it's offical there are your partners, may the thrifting and crafting gods be with you.

Flea Market Finds, and over 50 years old....

Of course I'm not talking about myself when I say over 50 years old. But I am talking about this "A Hampton Book" cloth baby book. It is just the sweetest little book ever, the edges are all still in great condition but the big job is on to wash and clean it safely and gently. Obviously with age some of the cloth pages are a little stained and pitted.

I'm still trying to determine the safest way to wash it. What kind of solution would you use, something like a nappy soaking agent made up mildly or pure soap like Lux?
Would you soak for a period of time, if so how long? Nelly, what solution did you use exactly for the dress you mentioned to me?

On Friday I also picked up this 1930's crochet pattern book, I don't crochet but I do know some very talented crocheters.

I'm rather smitten with the idea of this sweat top and cap.

And this bag and matching gloves.

Amongst my finds were also these juice glasses and other finds this week not picture also include, Italian poultry shears, I nabbed for $1.50, thank goodness because I haven't wanted to part with fifty odd dollars or more for brand new ones. I also picked up more vintage buttons, as well as some other special finds I'm saving.

I've tried to keep things brief, because as you read this I am mostly likely still in Melbourne on our whirlwind one day trip. We've been up since the crack of dawn, well earlier to the truth, so let's just say once we get home it will be well past some of these Vowers bed times tonight. But it has been a wonderful time and it has all been for a wonderful women, the Big V's Gran's 90th birthday.

I will be looking forward to sitting back on Monday and relaxing with a cuppa and checking up on everyone's finds over at Her Library Adventures.

Doing my Friday thing....and a question for my Vowers.

It's no secret now that I have my Friday morning routine set, dropping Master V at family day care and popping into my fav op shop. This morning was another lovely visit, and along with stories from the volunteers, I picked up another awesome storybook find.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Friday morning out if I didn't come home with other finds. But for now I need my Vowers help. Can anyone tell me the safest, gentlest way of washing a vintage fabric children's book?

Pic Source

I would be ever so grateful to anyone who can help me out, the book is 50 plus years old, so I want to give it the love it deserves. I've got to hop to it and get on with other stuff around the the Vower house now, as we are off on a whirlwind one day trip to Melbourne on Sunday for the Big V's Gran's 90th. I've also got some craft projects I want to get finished up and if I can squeeze in time I have a little something to revamp that I would like to wear on Sunday.

Oh and a big P.S to my Vowers it's your last chance today to sign up for the Handmade and Vintage Brooch swap.

Two days left....

Don't miss out on your chance to sign up.

Considering it is my first hosted swap I am already stoked with the response, with 10 people already signed up and excited. I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone finds and creations.

Remember to pop in on Monday as I will be announcing and posting your partners, then you can confer with one another about appropriate postal addresses etc.

If we end up with an uneven number of people signed up I will be partnering with a lucky someone.

Hmmmm you never know I might decide to put everyone into a random draw if I don't end up with a partner and you might get a little something from me too......ohhhh now wouldn't that be nice?

I'm Pinterest-ed to know....

Who is on Pinterest? Do you use Pinterest?
I'm on there and have pinned three or four things at this point, even though I had my invite months and months and months ago. I know some people are mad for it and pin like crazy.

Pic source Pinterest of course.

So I'm Pinterest-ed (yes a made up word which I'm sure I'm not the first to use the play on words) what other creative souls thoughts are on Pinterest. Does it help or hinder your creative process? I've heard and read other creatives talk about it and have suggested that they keep their activities on these such sites to a minimum as it gets in the way of their own process, projects and personal inspiration.

Then I have other questions like am I being silly for not being more interested in Pinterest, when it comes to the world of blogging and followers wanting other places to connect with you? Am I hindering my process and my goals by not opening myself up to this audience more?

If I do go down this path further will I lose my own creative flare to Pinterest? I rarely ponder the heavy things in posts here, but this has been on my mind for awhile......and why not open up a bit of conversation once and awhile to a bit of debate, don't you think?

Fav little spot on a day like today.....

You wouldn't know it's summer here today, or for the last few days with the drop in temperature and rain we are having. It's been a nice change especially since our air conditioner died just last week.

So with the drop in temperature and rain, it's been a nice time for enjoying baked goods, reading and relaxing in one of my most favourite places in the house.

Known around our house as "my chair", I have become even more attached to my old school swivel rocker since having my little Vowers, many a night has been spent feeding my babes off to sleep in this beauty. It is by far the comfiest chair in the house. I have toyed with the idea over the years of redoing the cushions but have decided the tweed is perfect and part of her charm.

She was bought several years ago for $15, and she has been worth every cent. Quite seriously though, in an emergency other than the obvious things everyone always says they would grab, I would also try and lug her out into the path. Sad but true, but that's how I feel about her and the calm that she brings upon you when seated within her arms.

Monday are for.......mayhem

Monday mornings are usually busy around home. There's the odd but of housework that's left from over the weekend in lieu of enjoying our selves as a family. So I have loose ends to tie up on a Monday and Master V to get to family day care and errands to run. But before coming back home this morning and getting into some housework, I popped by three local op shops (shall I say on the long way home), but it was all rather mundane stuff. I did however pick up some crafting supplies and a few other odds and ends.

Back home and trying to get the enthusiasm for straighten up the house.

Wearing a:
thrifted tee that chopped at and altered
thrifted scarf
thrifted belt
gifted denim shorts
(I so look ready to tackle the house head on don't I?)

Well I shan't complain it's pretty tame, and if I'm honest a lot of it is my mess from sorting through lots of stock and craft supplies. I'll have it sorted pretty quickly and then I can get some more crafting and creating done.

I might even pop back later to show you a little something I've been playing around with on the weekend.

Flea Market Finds, for the young and old.....

Some of you may of already seen some of this weeks haul as I just couldn't help myself Friday and had to share all those sweet books and illustrations. But of course that isn't all that I came home with this week. As well as those children's books, I just happened to be in the store when this was brought in.

Now it's not vintage, it's a little old but I certainly wouldn't say it's vintage. How old it is, who knows but that wasn't my point for buying it. I bought it for Little V, but honestly who wouldn't buy something so sweet for their little one? It's going to look so sweet in her room, a vintage floral heaven for my wee one.

But wait I have more, I also managed to score these two sweet light cotton tops. I am in love with this vintage yellow one with fine crochet detail........just perfectly light and cool for hot summer days. Both are just sweet and perfect for jeans and cute little slip on shoes, just simple and easy and just what I need at the moment with my little Vowers. Oh and they were 75 cents each.

Linking up with Sophie at Her Library Adventures, pop on over and check out everyone's finds from this week.

I've been a....

Busy Bee this week, but it's all been enjoyable and exciting.
Monday saw me moving.
Tuesday was about showing brooches and making brooches and being inspired.
Wednesday was all about launching my first ever swap, Handmade & Vintage Brooch Swap. You still have until the 20th February to sign up.
Thursday was for acknowledging awards.
Friday was all about stories.

And today, Saturday has been for sorting through vintage clothes, especially cute baby and children's clothes. It's been for crafting and creating, cleaning and being inspired and for relaxing reading Real Living, old issues but hey it's all knowledge it's all power it's all fun.

There is always a story.....

I popped into my fav oppy this morning, it's become part of my Friday morning routine. I drop Master V at family day care and Little V often falls asleep afterwards in the car and since she rarely transfers well from car to pram or house I take a drive to my fav oppy. When I get there she often wakes and I can give her morning tea and she is happy whilst I have a look around and a chat.

I've said so many times now how I love visiting this sweet oppy, the volunteers are the most welcoming ever and we are always greeted now with hugs, kisses, smiles and laughter. I spend more of my time there lending an ear to some of the craziest stories I have ever heard from these volunteers about life and far away places.

Today was much the same I had a belly laugh at crazy stories but I also bought home some stories as well.
Check these out.....

The Enid book is obvious, but do you know what the others are?

They are twenty-six hardcover "A Serendipity Book" by award winning children's author Stephen Cosgrove and many of which are illustrated by Robin James. Before I rant on check out some of these illustrations and titles, they are too die for.

Then there is the Enid book and of course I have to show a few fav pics from these as well.

When one of the volunteers mentioned to me I should have a look at these, as she had thought about me when she saw them come in the other day, I decided to take them purely because I was smitten with the titles and images.

Of course I wasn't to know that the $5 I paid for all those books, I could now get $5 a piece for them or more depending on the title, and since all mine are hardcovers and from the 70's and 80's I'm a lucky thrifter. I wanted to try and wait until Sunday for Flea Market Finds to show these off to you but I just couldn't wait and besides do you really think that's all I came home with......I've got other finds for Sunday to share.

Sponsor

Morning my sweet Vowers, I have a short but sweet post it's just a bit of a blog housekeeping post for you.
You may or may not have noticed that I have added another tab to the top of my page here, right there^ under my header......it says "Sponsors".

If you're looking for some blog love, why not pop on over and have a read about a "Sponsor Swap".

Liebster Blog....

Awww thanks Nadya at Wolves at The Door, you're ever so sweet, in awarding me this award. If others haven't pop on over to Nadya's yet, you must she is so incredibly talented and inspired.

The idea is to give the award to a blog you enjoy and follow that
has less than 100 followers.

The rules are:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. Thank the giver and link back to them.
3. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know
by leaving a comment on their blog.

I actually found it difficult to select 5 blogs to award, but here is my list of some fab blogs I enjoy popping by on, some are starting out and some have been at this blogging thing for awhile. Either way these are some of the blogs I enjoy and are a mixed bag of things I love in life and appreciate, vintage and being a mum.

1. Things I Do......she's my bestie, but seriously she has just started blogging and she is creative and inspired.
2. Diva Jools......as her blog line says antique handcrafted adornments, love, love, love.
3. I am Scoobylou......if only had her sewing talents.
4. Zaranne Handmade......a thrifted, a sewer, a collector and a sweetie.
5. Über Simplicity........love, life, parties and passion.

These are all such lovely ladies, so please show your love and introduce yourselves.

Handmade and Vintage Brooch Swap....

With all the brooch love flying around the place at the moment, I got to thinking how nice it is to share and show a bit love to fellow bloggers and vintage lovers.
So I am putting together a......

I'm going to try and make this as simple as possible, as this is my first time hosting a swap. The swap will see you giving your partner a vintage or thrifted brooch, by all means you can gift one from your own collection if you so choose. As well as a vintage, thrifted or gifted brooch you will also be sending your swap partner a handmade brooch either made by yourself or bought as a handmade item.

All associated costs including postage regarding the swap lets try and keep to $20 or less or similar in your currency if you are overseas. That's right this swap will be open as an international swap, if you wish to participate.

If you wish to take part in this swap please simply leave comment of your wish to participate by Friday the 20th January 2012, then on the 23rd I will post your swap partners and then you will have until Friday the 3rd February 2012 to send your parcel to your partner (so last mailing day) then on Saturday the 4th February 2012, I will start a post with a Linky for all participants to link up to, so we can start checking out each others beautiful brooches.

I think that about sums it all up for now, I hope I haven't forgotten anything. If I have I will pop back later to ETA. Otherwise it's time to put your name down for the swap and get to thrifting and creating.

Does this one measure up?

So I eluded to the fact I got distracted yesterday in my moving efforts and spent a little time crafting. Honestly I couldn't help it after seeing this awesome tape measure brooch tutorial over at Kate's Irrelevant. Since buying myself a cute little magnetised tape in my fav colour, I've been wondering what to do with the other tape measures I have that I no longer need.

So Kate came to the rescue with this tutorial and thankfully I have all manner of findings so I pulled out some brooch backs.

Here is one of my efforts, I made several. I did find though that with the stapler I have on hand that mine needed some extra support and security so some needle and thread came in handy.....mind you, you may need pliers on hand to help pull the needle though the tape layers in the centre.

It was this little project that left me all inspired to decorate my next suitcase. I don't want to say too much but think window box. I'll need to make more of these and other fabric flowers and I'll need the Big V's help for another part of the project......I can't wait to get started with the rest of it and showing you all.

Now as it is a boiling hot day here and my air con looks as though it wants to die a suspected slow death, I'm off to find some cool fun for the little Vowers and I. Therefore my surprise idea for brooch and vintage lovers, will be on hold until late tonight if it's cooled down enough or in the morning.......either way just be sure to pop back by.

Brooch Love....

There have been so many people showing brooch love and flashing their collections lately, so I thought I would drag out a few of my favs, to share with you all.

I have loved and lost many more than these few I have selected. I also tend to with different collections of mine to gift them from time to time, it's just what I do and I think it's nice to spread the love and give a pin a new home as well as be a bit of pretty or sparkle in someone's life.

Top left is a fabric brooch that I received recently in a swap with Rebecca from I Am Scoobylou. Below the fabric brooch, is Sarah Conventry brooch which also does double duty as a pendant. This one is particularly precious as it is from my mum's mum who I only ever knew as a baby until I was about three or four, so I don't really have any memories of her. It's such a pretty brooch and would you believe I found another just like this, but only as a pendant on eBay years ago.

Top right well it's green do I need to say anymore, we all know it's my favourite colour.
Below that greeny loveliness is this sweet bouquet brooch (although I've had to remove the back to replace the pin this week, as it had died a slow death). I bought this one and the other one below at a car boot sale years ago for next to nothing. The pink flower brooch below, from my best assumption is hand painted and old, but it is ever so sweet and I do love it.

Then finally we have.

This amazing brooch which again can be worn as a pendant, this beauty gets a lot of wear and a lot of comments when it gets an outing especially when worn as a pendant. If I had a dollar for every time people have been compelled to touch it and inspect it and it's chain when I'm wearing it. I did research on the marker years ago, it is my understanding that Barcs the marker was a costume jewellery designer in Melbourne around the 1950's. I love this one so much, she is one who will forever remain with me.

I hope to pop back later to show you what I was working on yesterday and a bit more broochiness (yes an invented word). Then you will need to stay tuned because I have a great little idea for those brooch lovers out there.

I'm moving out....

To the garage.
Yesterday afternoon, we acquired this ginormous desk from my bestie over at Things I Do. Would you believe she had two of these? So we have done a swapsie with some other furniture for this said desk.

So last night the Big V set about taking down all the shelves you see behind the desk that are loaded with his manly stuff. He drilled, he banged, he dragged, he grunted.......I kind of sense there should be some sort of Helga like saucy statement inserted in here, but I ain't that quick witted this evening.

In fact the Big V was home early from work today and he basically walked in the door and straight out into the garage to get into more hot and heavy work, reorganising the other walls of the garage so that I will have good quarter of the garage as my new space to get my craft on, so to speak.

As you can see that man of mine, has been busy. Now pay no attention to the desk just yet I'm not organised the way I want. I got eager and started dumping things from the office in here, as I wanted to get a feel for what sort of storage ideas and containers and so forth I might need.

Oh and I probably should add that I got distracted along the way and thought I should work on a quick little project I saw a tutorial for last week. I will show you said little project in another post, as it has now sparked off what I believe to be the most inspired and brilliant idea for my next suitcase renovation. To be honest, I was getting so excited by my own brilliance I was asking the Big V to give me high fives.........to which he was offering me a chuckle and a half assed high five, he acts like this because my over exuberance offends sometimes I think.

So there you have it, I've got a lot of work to do to get fully organised out there in the garage and I also have a bookshelf being moved in there too, so have more storage space. Thennnn when that is all sorted, I have my other portion of the office I'm still taking up to sort out and make more space efficient. The Big V must really love me to be sharing his space with wardrobes, racks and containers of vintage clothing and collectibles, waiting for us to be ready to get into markets etc.

To my Big V, I know you're unlikely to read this but if you do, thank you baby for helping make transitions to my dreams a reality. Thank you for your belief and support and I look forward to having you as my apprentice with this venture of mine.
X