passing down pins

The other day I opened one of my mom's old patterns only to find a couple of pins still stuck through the delicate tissue paper. The thought that these were the very pins she had used when she was my age, undisturbed for almost 30 years filled me with a sense of awe and history. Like somehow these forgotten pins connected me to the 25 year old version of my mother who had placed them there.

I imagined her sewing matching outfits for her small children, and slipping the pattern pieces back in the sleeve not knowing she had left the two pins for me to discover once I was in her very same stage of life.

I'm grateful she passed down her love and knowledge of sewing along with the pins.

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vintage swimsuits

I don't think I could love these swimsuits more. I wish I could go back in time to 1954 and snatch all of them up!

yellow apple coat

I love this yellow apple fabric! It makes me happy. I ordered it online and when it got here it was a little heavier than I thought, so I decided to make a light-weight coat. This vintage pattern is from 1972. I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length and love the way it turned out!

earth day giveaway

Want to potentially be surprised with something creative, earth-friendly, and all around cool? Visit ISLY and enter her Earth Day Giveaway!

Here are the details:

• Five lucky readers will win!
• Each gift will be made from upcycled/repurposed material to save mother earth.
• It’ll be a surprise, and made just for you!!

And I highly recommend anything made by Melissa.

a plug for the earth

In honor of Earth Day I thought I would share two of my favorite green products with you.

I love bum genius washable diapers. We have been using them on the Little Miss for about four or five months now and they work great! They fit babies 7-35 lbs so you don't need to buy additional sizes - adjustable snaps shorten or lengthen the diaper. The fit is just like a disposable, although bulkier, but its worth it because your wallet will be bulkier too!

The initial investment is a bit substantial (about $100) but each diaper pays itself off in about 1 1/2 months of use (that includes the utilities to wash it) and you can use them on all of your children! We have six diapers and that is plenty for a days use.

And that's six less disposable diapers sitting in a landfill everyday.

There are a lot of reusable bags out there, but Chico Bags have my loyalty. I am amazed how much stuff I can fit in them, and I've found so many uses for mine other than as grocery bags. My favorite part is they come in a pouch that is attached to the bag so they are easily stored... You won't forget to use your reusable bags when they are right in your purse or glovebox!

And they come in lots of bright, cheery colors.

Way to go San Francisco for banning the use of plastic bags!

{Click on pictures for links}

retro shirt tutorial

This retro shirt tutorial by Ambrosia Girl guest blogging on Tangled and True looks so easy and fun! I'm just finding out about the joys of using freezer paper in crafting and itching to try it out myself. There is a bonus free stencil download too, so check it out.

I'm thinking the Little Miss needs a #1 shirt for her birthday...

vintage botanica

Vintage Botanica by Amy Butler

irene suchocki photography

I can't stop staring at these beautiful images from Irene Suchocki, and daydreaming that I am walking the streets of Paris with the love of my life.

snowflower dress

I love this dress pattern from 1974. It's simple, yet the flutter sleeves and bodice line make it so sweet and girlie.

Pair this dress with leggings and some pigtails and you'll have one adorable little girl!

charm packs, layer cakes, and jelly rolls

This picture just confirms my need to start collecting embroidery hoops and pretty fabric (although I have the fabric collection well on its way already).


Picture from informative post on charm packs, layer cakes, and jelly rolls - all precut fabric stacks for easy quilting from Moda. I LOVE these packs. They make the sometimes daunting task of choosing fabrics that look good together all but obsolete! And it doesn't hurt that you don't have to get out your rotary cutter either.

easter dresses

My mother loves to sew. She sewed for her children, and now she sews for her grandchildren- and we love this fact! This year she sewed her granddaughters Easter dresses from this adorable bubble dress pattern by...

I adore all of their patterns!

I love how they turned out! I can't wait to dress the Little Miss up in her first Easter dress! Thanks mom!

upcycling: skirt hangers & binder clips

These ideas are so simple and ingenious.

Use your vintage skirt hangers to hang up odd sized posters...and add more visual interest at the same time.


Hang up your artwork using a large binder clip and paint it to match. A great idea for your nursery - you won't have to worry about it falling on your little one!

upcycling: florist vases

Just last week I was trying to figure out where to put the 6 or 7 florist vases I have collected over time. I really appreciate and love getting flowers, but its just one more vase sitting around collecting dust once the petals have wilted. So, I was excited to come across this idea - to use them as planters for an indoor herb garden!

Now I wish I had a ledge beneath my kitchen window to sit them on...


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rosette headband

Although I LOVED my wedding, I can't help but dream of doing it all over again with a different look. And if I could have my dream come true, my bridesmaids just might have to wear this headband...

But which color?

Rosette Fascinator - $30.00

bookcase spring makeover

My bookcase really needs a spring makeover.

It is stuffed completely full of books. There are even books behind the books. Not only that, but it tends to be the place I stuff things because I don't know where else to put them (we need more storage space in our "office" area).


And these pictures are just the inspiration I needed!



{photos from here}

So, I'm planning to:
- Sort through the books and give away the ones we don't need/want
- Paint back panel a fun color OR color-code books (to be decided, what do YOU think?)

sarah jane studios

My sister-in-law turned me on to Sarah Jane Studios and I am a huge fan. How cute are these? And she has a lot more fun vintage inspired prints, cards, and invitations in her shop. I am tempted to take her up on her buy two get one free sale through 4.10!

beehive bazaar spring 09

I'm so excited about the upcoming Beehive Bazaar later this month! I went to it last fall and found some amazing local handmade treasures for great prices. We have some serious talent in our happy little valley. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Location:
Women's Center
310 W 500 N

Provo

When:

Thursday April 30th; 9 PM - 12 AM

Friday May 1st; 10 AM - 10 PM

Saturday May 2nd; 10 AM - 8 PM

nursery

This nursery makes me want to redo the Little Miss' room...even though I like it. Why do I always want change?

I love the idea of using embroidery hoops as fabric frames.

wonderland dress

My mom used this dress pattern for my oldest sister, Jayne, back in 1974. She made the version with the applique duck and Jayne would wear it to go to the park to feed the ducks.



I used fabric from Moda's Wonderland line for mine. It reminds me of a drawing from my childhood of people walking through a magical land of giant flowers.

playroom

I stumbled across this playroom the other day and fell in love! Wouldn't it be lovely to spend the day here? I especially love the retro activity table.

Contact

email:
stacyhart547 [at] gmail [dot] com

Little Vintage

coming soon!

Sewing/DIY

My sewing projects, tutorials, and DIY ideas:

Sewing with vintage patterns:

Free Vintage Embroidery Patterns: