i was thinking of you... month three

One of our engagement pictures (pardon the dust specks from the scanner)

March:

I waited until the last day of the month but I finally finished my surprise for Husband (which I will give him when he gets home). He got moved over to a 'big desk' at work this month so he is no longer with his back to the main hallway where people would brush against him when they walked by (my personal space issues shudder at the thought). So to celebrate the fact that he will no longer be in a high traffic zone and that he has lots more room now I framed some pictures of our family for him to fill up his new space.

Husband surprised me with the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack. We rented it last month and ever since watching it I would mention how much I liked Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap. We went to Target a couple of weeks ago and he left to go change the Little Miss' diaper (another reason why I love him) and when I was done browsing I went to look for him and swore he had just come in through the front doors. But when I inquired he said no and I forgot about it. Then we got in the car and Sweet Disposition was playing and again I mention that I like this song and maybe we should get the soundtrack. It took about three songs later for me to realize there was a CD playing and it was the soundtrack! He is always so much better than me with the delivery of a surprise.

*****
Note: Husband and I sat down at the beginning of the year to write down our goals. Among other things, we decided to surprise one another each month with a small gift or act of service that costs little to nothing. The point being that we would be thinking about the other person and how we could make life for them a little easier, love them a little more, or make them happy in some little way.

See month one here, two here.

weekend snapshots

This weekend was the perfect cure for my heavy mood. We...

...ate yummy cupcakes...

...played at the water park with cousins...


...went down the big slide a million times (check out that hair)...

...and I went antique shopping with my sister-in-law (and really wished I had an excuse to come home with this vanity for the Little Miss).


Hope your weekend was just as therapeutic.

getaway

source

We are getting away this weekend and it couldn't be better timing - I need a fun and relaxing break. It's been one of those weeks... you know, the kind where you find out an uber mean stranger stole your credit card info and racked up charges at the Love Boutique. Gross. I hope you have a lovely weekend free of fraudulent activity. That's what I'll be going for...

thrifted goodies

I spotted this chair from afar and instantly knew I would be taking it home. It's faded and has some cracks on the seat so it will need new upholstery eventually, but for now it works and will function as my new sewing chair. I love the frame though and I think it'll look really stellar once I fix it up.


The Little Miss put it through some stomping and peek-a-boo tests and it passed them all with flying colors.

I'm sure I would have passed right by this picture if not for the fact that my mother had this exact print hanging up in our house when I was little. I had to buy it for the pure nostalgia! I've been on a role lately finding items from my childhood - earlier this week I stumbled upon this fabric that my mother used to make blankets for my older sisters. They were always my favorite blankets and I still use them today!

And finally, finally the Little Miss fits into her saddle shoes! I've been waiting patiently for months and months for her to grow into these shoes and this week I finally got to pull them out of storage. I am of the opinion that every little girl needs a pair of vintage saddle shoes.

And just so you know, I also like shiny new things. Husband and I got matching phones (aw, cute!) this week and I love them! I feel so cool using a touch screen and although I haven't done it yet I could get on the internet if I wanted! I know that is old news but my last phone was such a dinosaur it didn't even have speaker phone capability, so I am quite happy with my step up in the world. Here's to things old and new!

weekend snapshots

Running to the freedom of 'ous' (outside)

Welcome Spring,

We couldn't be happier you are here. The Little Miss dashes outside every chance she gets to soak up your sunshine and discover the world all over again at a new level from last year. She is delighted by all of the neighbors you have lured outside for walks, especially when they bring their doggies with them. She laughs when the dogs lick her face and cries when they continue on their way. Since you showed up we went to the park and the Little Miss went down the big slide all by herself yelling, "Wee!" the whole way. It brought so much joy to both of us. Please stick around.

Love,
us

Spotting a doggy down the street

This weekend we celebrated the coming of Spring with a new romper. I used a vintage house dress for the fabric and buttons and the pattern is NewLook 6903. The pattern was easy to sew (I finished it during her afternoon nap) and I love how it turned out. I can't get enough of her baby legs and its a great style to hide the 'junk in the trunk' her washable diapers give her. I think I'll make another!

Showing off her newly acquired stair stepping skills

bits and pieces

the colorful middles of my granny squares so far

I attended Kelly's crochet class a few weeks ago. I highly recommend it - she corrected my improper technique and has me well on my way to crocheting the granny square blanket of my dreams. I just need about ten more colors and then I can really get in the groove.

The Little Miss is starting to walk down the stairs by herself. The first time she did this it brought me to tears - an emotional combination of pure joy in witnessing her accomplishment and the realization that my baby is growing up.

Working a booth at the Health and Wholeness Expo last weekend was fun. It was a good reminder to me that I need to better put into practice all of the knowledge I have gained about health. First on my list is to start making my own cottage cheese from grass-fed raw milk since it is one of the Little Miss' favorite foods.

I exercise three times a week with other moms in my neighborhood and every Friday we do Zumba. Have you gotten in on the craze? My abs are sore from all the hip shaking fun.

Have a wonderful weekend!

new look

I've decided to change things up around here and here with a new look (which is a bit scary but mostly exciting). I loved the banner the very talented Melissa designed for me last year and wondered if I could even come up with something I liked just as much, but I thought I needed a more vintage look since my journey has taken me that route. When I first opened my etsy shop I didn't even think about selling vintage baby clothes but since then I have found it is a passion that I truly enjoy. And change is good, right?

So, I hope you like it! If you want to help share the love grab a new button on the right sidebar. Thanks!

kid's room inspiration

Please excuse my absence. If I tell you we are being audited will you forgive me? I spent all day yesterday figuring out what we did wrong when we filed last year, and with a lot of help from the very nice accountants at my work we now owe a whole lot less than the IRS thought we did - hallelujah! What a headache though, have you ever been audited? This year we are hiring someone to help us with our taxes.

Needless to say I haven't been up to anything worth blogging about this week, but I have been day dreaming about re-painting the Little Miss' room and making it more toddler friendly. I never put the nursery together in a satisfactory way (to me), so every time I walk in there I think about what little projects I never got around to doing, or what pictures are still not hung up... I would much rather feel happy and satisfied, not to mention have an organized space.

I've been finding a lot of inspiration in this nursery I loved last year, and from these rooms pictured below from Retro Villa. Aren't they awesome? They make me want to wallpaper everything.

(pictures from Retro Villa, found via)

new in the shop!

I just added these adorable clothes and many others to the etsy shop - you can check them out here! Thanks!
And...
Just because I'm so glad it's Friday enter "happy weekend" in the message to seller box for 20% off your order before shipping today through Sunday (3/12-3/14)!

Have a wonderful weekend! I'll be busy getting ready for tomorrow.

health and wholeness expo

If you live in the Salt Lake City area and are interested in learning more about natural health and wellness, check out the Healing & Wholeness Expo this Saturday at Thanksgiving Pointe. I will be at the Real Foods Market booth with information on locally produced raw milk, grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, organic produce, RealSalt, Redmond Clay, etc... so come say hello and grab some samples and coupons!

There will be speakers throughout the day as well as free workshops. It should be very informative as well as fun! Go here to get a coupon for $2 off admission.

Hope to see you there!

thrifted goodies

Some recent finds:

I love this painting, it's so beautiful in person. I'm hoping to find more like it.

When I spotted this globe I remembered how much I loved to play with our globe growing up - they are educational while being eye candy at the same time. Then when I brought it home my father looked it over and started giving us a history lesson in 1950-60 geography (with some internet research help). I had no idea it was so old.

I have such a soft spot for old patterns. I love the art on the covers. I want to frame my favorites to put up as decor in my craft room. I do plan on using these if all the pieces are intact.

And last but not least two vintage house dresses. I plan on using these to make the Little Miss some summer frocks. House dresses are perfect because they are not very tailored so you can get large pieces of fabric out of them, and you have vintage buttons to match!

Do you love old things too?

baby quilt

Here is the rag quilt I made for my newest little nephew, the handsome BCH. I used the Wheels collection by Riley Blake. Now I just need to make one more for my niece who is on her way in a couple of months. I am loving all of these new babies in our family, but how did it come around to my turn again so soon!?

p.s. Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway - I announced the winner here!

fabric ring necklace

Remember how I loved this necklace? I just got around to making my own, here's how:

Supplies: one fat quarter or fabric scraps cut into five 1" wide strips (preferably use a fabric with a small print), five rings*, string/yarn, glue gun

*Now let me start by saying that I searched every nook and cranny of the craft store before I finally found some rings. Tucked away in the back corner clearance section (of course the last place I looked) these button covers caught my eye so I grabbed them and ran.
Then Husband asked me why I just didn't get shower curtain rings.

No comment.

So, since my rings were a little flat in the back I decided to wrap them with some batting first to give them a plumper effect.

I feel a bit silly telling you how to do this because it's so simple - all you have to do is glue your fabric to the ring and start wrapping, then glue the end in the back where you won't see it. Use the string or yarn to bind the rings together in the shape you want and then use more string/yarn or some pretty lace to make the chain.

Easy peasy.

i may get carpal tunnel

My self-healing mat and rotary cutter have been my faithful companions this week (although I shouldn't leave out my sewing machine, scissors, or wonderful Husband). I'll be able to show you what I've been working on soon, but seeing as some of them are gifts I can't spoil the surprise just yet. But, I did finally decide my vintage sheets/fabric pile was growing too big so in the midst of my other quilt projects I took on an unnecessary third. Why do I do this to myself? Good question.

I have grand plans in my head for the fabric above. It's about half-way there (I did finish the other two first, I have priorities thankfully) and I think what I have in store for it will surprise and thrill you.

And on that mysterious note, I am off to gift one of my quilts and see my newest little nephew who fit in a baseball glove when he was born.

p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaway below!

shop giveaway! - closed

Thanks again to everyone who entered! I let the Little Miss pick a winner this morning. If you blogged about the giveaway your name was put in twice. And she chose...

Congrats Valerie!

Yes, you read it right - any dress of your choosing! With Easter just around the corner I thought it would be fun to giveaway a cute vintage dress for your cute little gal.

Here is what you gotta do:

1. Visit the shop and take a look at the dresses/pinafore section then come back and leave a comment telling which dress is your favorite (Please keep in mind that if the dress you mention is sold before the end of the giveaway you will not receive it and need to choose another).

2. Make sure to leave your email, or become a follower to find out if you won! Winner will be announced at the top of this post.

3. Boost your chance to win with extra entries for links - blog/twitter/facebook - just come back and let me know you shared the love.

4. Giveaway closes Saturday, March 6th and winner will be announced the following Monday morning.

Good luck!!!

weekend snapshot

a little girl and her hat.

the end.