Yearly pilgrimage to the Oakland White Elephant Sale

The Oakland White Elephant sale is an event that I look forward to each year. I met my friend Lisa there bright and early yesterday morning. It was a gorgeous day, clear and cool but not too cold. Here are some pictures of my finds. Cheerful, bright and quirky just the way I like them! I had to think twice about the lion but then I couldn’t imagine leaving him behind. I actually met a woman in the embroidery section who flies in yearly from Connecticut. Now that is what I call dedication.

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She’s finally 40!

Happy birthday to Julia, my awesome sister-in-law! She is celebrating her 40th today! For the occasion I made her a tote bag with a sweet little Dutch girl embroidery on it. Julia is Dutch so I was happy I had something meaningful to incorporate into this tote for her. The rose barkcloth was found at Nolt’s Bargain Barn in Martinsburg, PA. I actually think Julia was with me when I found this fabric a few summers ago. Happy Birthday Julia! I am so glad you are my sister! xoxo K.

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Irish linen tea towel tote for Dawn

My friend Dawn found this tea towel at a thrift store almost two years ago. She gave it to me and I have been meaning to make her a tote out of it for about that long. She is my thrift store hero. She can find the *Best* stuff. In fact, she was visiting me last weekend and found a pair of Kate Spade leather sandals that were maybe worn once or twice. I think the price was something crazy like $7.99. She has a way sniffing out the really good expensive stuff and buying it for a song. I got inspired to get this tote done this week and it really turned out nicely. I have been collecting these tea towels and plan to make a one of a map of Royal Britain next.

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Thrift Store Thursday

There have been lots of good offerings lately from the local thrift shops. One of my favorites is this rug crafting kit from 1979. It was in the original package with an $8.99 price tag still attached. I got it for $4.99. I am not going to hook it like was originally intended but instead I plan to fill it in with vintage fabrics, trims and embroidery. I thought I was going to use earth tones and make it really have a 70’s feel but then it started to go in a more Scandinavian direction which is fine because I am part Swedish. I also found two big bags of beautiful wool yarn. Each bag was only $1.50. I’m not sure what I will use the yarn for yet but how could I resist?!

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The feline observes…

Axel: “Mom, what are you doing out there? It is cold outside.”
Mom: “Yeah, I know but the light is so nice out and I wanted the glitter on the pig to sparkle and the colors of the vintage sheets to be true and pretty!”
Axel: “The glitter is sparkling but I am unimpressed…”
Mom: “Just look at those those nostalgic patterns and beautiful colors!”
Axel: “They would look much better folded in a sunny window with me sitting on top of them…”

p.s. This thoughtful gift came from my friend Shannon. She rolled up bits of vintage sheets and put them in this cute mason jar with a whimsical glittered pig on top. I can’t wait to incorporate this fabric into a quilt which is a goal I have for 2013.

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A scrap wreath for the New Year

This wreath may be verging on obnoxious but I was looking for something repetitive and creative to do while watching tv over the Holidays. We had lots of football and Downton Abby to watch so this project was perfect. I find it hard to throw away scraps of fabric especially since most of the stuff I use is vintage. I have a big glass candy jar that I stuff all of my scraps into so most of the pieces I used came straight from there. I simply tore the fabric into about 5″ x 3/4″ strips and looped them on to a wire wreath form. The form had four rings on it so the effect is full and fluffy. I added a paisley heart trimed in rick rack so it will hang on the front door through Valentine’s Day. Thank you to my friends Shannon and Laura for the inspiration.

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