La La Love Vintage

Fear

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:08:00 +0000

I am currently 29 weeks + 5 days pregnant (surprise). And I am only just feeling like I can breathe.

The excitement and joy that I have at growing a new life and adding a sweet babe to our family has been overshadowed by fear and uncertainty.

This, combined with my uni course load, has triggered my anxiety and PTSD. I have been floundering, struggling to fully engage in life as my brain continuously logs and examines each symptom, each difference between pregnancies.

Will this time be different? Will my sweet babe be healthy and safe? Am I strong enough to parent another premature babe? To watch their struggle, and hear their small cries of pain and confusion.

With each passing week there has been more hope. My blood pressure is normal. My compulsive swelling checks have revealed nothing. And today, one week and six days before the gestation my last pregnancy ended, a growth scan revealed a healthy babe. A babe who already weighs more then Layla did at birth. Whose body and brain is being nourished by a healthy placenta.

Since my apptointment I have had random moments of joyful tears. Maybe, just maybe, this sweet babe will get to pick their birthdate. Maybe my babe will be born healthy and strong. Maybe, this time, my body will provide a healthy, safe harbour for my babe to grow in. Maybe I will be healed.

Sewing along

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 04:08:00 +0000

It's been forever since I posted. There's a whole bunch of reasons for this, but you don't need to hear my excuses. I am hoping to start posting more regularly, but..... no promises.

I just wanted to share some items I made for Mend & Make New's handmade kids sewing swap. I have been wanting to participate in a sewing swap for a while, and finally screwed up a bit of courage and instantly joined up when I saw info about this one. I set a couple of little goals for myself to try sewing techniques that I've never done before, because I love learning new things and my sewing had been in a bit of a rut lately.

Initially I was going to use piping on all the things, but my sewing machine and I were having a falling out (something about it being unimpressed with the copious amounts of wool I'd been forcing through it and fluffing it up with) so I changed my plans. I didn't want to send off something that was dodgy, and luckily the size I was assigned is the same as Layla so I can still finish the project and have someone to wear it! So I scrambled up a new design, and got stuck into it.

In the end I created this little cape and dress combo for my sew along partner. She requested winter clothes and said they liked florals and I really hope this fit the bill (little nervous!)

The dress is The Sally Dress by Very Shannon. I sewed up a the 3/4 sleeve version in a 3t. The bodices is chambray and the skirt is from a vintage sheet I recently thrifted. To see more of my thrift scores follow me on Instagram @lalalovevintage or search #oppieadventures2014. You can follow my sewing on Instagram by searching #lllvsews. I omitted the pockets because I didn't have enough chambray. Its a terrible world in which its possible to run out of chambray.

Too make sure I ticked the 'try something new' box I experimented with a double stitching detail on the hem and sleeves. I also used an aqua thread, because there aint no point doing pretty top stitching if you cant even see it! I also used french seams when sewing the skirt. This means that there are no exposed seams in this dress. I think I'll be using french seams much more regularly. The Sally Dress is such a quick and nice sew. It may be my complete inability to figure out american pattern sizing, but I always seem to mess up. Because the dress has no closures its not very forgiving if you sew the wrong size. It will turn into one of those dresses you have to wrestle on and off your kid, which means they will refuse to wear it, ask me how I know that : /

The cape is a sz 3 and is sewn from the sweetest vintage pattern I picked up for 10c. I used a grey wool blanket that I thrifted and the same vintage fabric from the dress. The buttons are 23cm self cover buttons from Jackobindi, that I covered in chambray scraps. The pattern originally calls for a neck tie closure, but I really wanted to change that up. I used a piece of piping cord (at least it came in useful for one part of the project) to create the button loop.

The back seam of the cape has a sweet little stitching detail. Its one of the more decorative stitches on my very basic sewing machine and I used the same aqua thread from The Sally Dress to make it pop. It is one of my most favourite details.

I really hope my swap partner likes them!! I know that capes aren't the most practical piece of clothing in the world, but they are just so stinking sweet!! I also hope they fit!! I haven't heard from my swap partner as they're still winging their way to NZ. I didn't provide my blog details when I signed up, so at least I wont be spoiling the surprise! Fingers crossed xx

I loathe boats

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:56:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!!! I was lucky enough to spend most of December in Victoria with my grandparents. I was well taken care of and can already feel the post grandparent stay depression settling in as we s.l.o.w.l.y. chug away from vic. Have I mentioned that I hate boats?… I loathe boats, already my stomach is churning, boredom has set in and given the lack of seating I am butt numbingly uncomfortable. Not to mention we're going to have to entertain a toddler for 10hrs in a confined space. It's all slightly terrifying. Plus there wasn't enough room for the kidlets craft stuff and mine so one of us had to make sacrifices!

I'm really looking forward to being back in my own home, and an planning a total pj day for tomorrow. And a little 2014 planning, I have high expectations for my 30th year and have began planning some simple goals.

Are you a planner? Do you like lists? Have you made any resolutions/
for 2014?…

KCW - Shorts Ahoy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 09:16:00 +0000

I've had one of *those* days. The days were you make plans and it all kicks off innocently enough and then next minute you're in the trenches with no idea how you got there reminding yourself that humans don't eat their young. Bed time cold not come soon enough tonight! onto the shorts....

I used Caila Made's summer short pattern again (blogged here). Its such a versatile pattern and free which is awesome. The fabric is Belle & Boo's "Pirate Games" which I grabbed 2 fat 1/4's of during Spotlights dollar fat flats. I love a pattern that can be made out of two fat flats! So all up these cuties cost $2!

I used a lid to round the leg and bound them in navy bias, which came from my vintage bias stash.I originally wanted to bind the legs in red, but only had the smallest bit, which I used to add bows to each leg. I am so stinking in love with these shorts.

I had more short plans for today which I even got cut out, but Layla quickly put those plans to rest. Whats the proverb - Man proposes and toddler disposes. She even scribbled on the fabric with texta, just to make sure I got the message. Today's mantra was "I love my daughter, I love my daughter". I prefer when that mantra is spontaneous rather then forced.

I briefly considered spending my evening at the sewing machine, but honestly all I'm fit for is sitting on the couch watching crappy tv and drowning my sorrows in a tin of milo! Bring on the new day!!!

KCW - Care bear count down

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:07:00 +0000

I'm sewing with Kids Clothes Week! In case you've never heard of it before the basic premise is that you sew for 1hr every day for a week. Simple yes?! I spent yesterday doing mundane things like printing off patterns taping them together, tracing them out, cutting them out etc etc etc. I was planning to do it before the official start of KCW, but I procrastinated. Its a crap job. If there's anyone out there who actually enjoys taping together a thousand pattern pages and then tracing/cutting them out please get in touch. I have a best friend positioning opening up just for you!

I kicked off the sewing with the It's a Party Blouse, by To Sweets. I made it from vintage care bears fabric and some plain pink cotton that I was given.

I sewed up a 3t, omitted the ruffle from the bottom of the top and cut it out a 5t length. I thought a 3t would be massive on my petite 2 year old, but it was a bit squeezy which means we'll only get spring/summer use out of it. I have to be honest,I just don't get american sizing. The top was also slightly more labour intensive then I was expecting and so took more time to sew then I thought it would.

I'm committed to using patterns I haven't used before. I told hubby that I'd use all of the pdf patterns I have before buying any new ones - needless to say I've already broken that promise. I don't know why I insist on making promises I know I can't keep!

Anyhow, Layla loves the care bears and we have been reading the one care bear book over and over and over again. It's like freakin' groundhog day, but much much worse. I'm glad she loves them though. I loved care bears as a kid and have such fond memories of my Grandma taking me to the video store to hire Care Bears movies. Becoming a parent has made me even more sentimental and nostalgic then I ever.

I'm committed to sewing lots of layer-y clothes this KCW. Things that are perfect for spring, but will be equally as good come summer. I also want to keep costs low. Because the fabric for this top was either thrifted or gifted it cost about $4 to make. Gotta be happy with that xx

Sun Kissed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 11:43:00 +0000

October has been hellish here. A month of sickness, screaming and rain.

Until today. Today the sun shone.

Today we are all healthy again.

Today we made the most of every ray of sun shine.

Today I was reminded about sun safety. The first sunny spring day always catches me out and my cheeks and arms are sun kissed. Its time to get back into hard core sun safety.

Otherwise I'll be burnt to a crisp.

Plaid Hot Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 06:54:00 +0000

OK so I know I said I was only going to sew along with PR&P once..... but I lied apparently.

I was flicking through my liked blog posts yesterday when I saw PR&P's themes for this season. I had a grumpy kidlet plastered to me so I thought I'd just have a little google-see at plaid kids clothes, especially as plaid kids clothes totally fit with my vintage aesthetic.

I started thinking about plaid outfits I could sew for my miss, except none of my ideas were really that original. I becamefixated on a woollen, plaid hood I made for Layla from an old electric blanket (tutorial coming) and using plaid in an unusual way. And then I decided on hot pants, short shorts or running shorts whatever you want to call them.

Because I used a woolen plaid they'll keep Layla plenty warm as Tasmania makes a pathetic effort to transition from winter to spring. I thrifted the material ages ago for a few bucks and the binding is vintage also.

I used Caila Made's Summer Shorts pattern as my starting point. I rounded the outside leg, and used bias on the hem and outside leg. That bias tape was tiny. I sewed it onto place and realised I'd have to hand stitch it if I wanted it to look any good wahhhh. So I sucked it up and sat on the couch, put some trashy tv on (Fashion Police) and got to it.

I then followed the Summer Shorts tutorial to construct the shorts. The one difference being that I didn't sew the side seams together before creating the waistband/casing. I simply tacked them in place. I added the heart buttons for two reasons 1: they're cute and 2: a bit of modesty. I had hopped to make a Banyan tunic to go with the shorts but didn't have enough stretch fabric. Jono's T-shirts were just too small.

I'm pretty happy with how the shorts turned out. I might make Layla a few more pairs, apart from the bias binding they're a really quick sew. I was concerned that they might be a little to Nana, but I think the hot pant style and the buttons help them steer clear of nursing home fashion. At least I hope this isn't the latest trend at the nursing home... that Nana would want to have some rockin pins ;)

"Thrift" me up

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:04:00 +0000

So today I went on a little "thrift" me up. Its been a pretty average week around here. It started with vomit and went downhill from there. Suffice to say theres been a hell of a lot of ick and a very real lack of sleep. It's weeks like this that I feel just a bit sorry for myself and this 4 day a week single parenting gig while the hubby is at work. So today I forced myself out of the house, taking advantage of my one child free day a week to peruse an oppie.

And I felt better for it. Not just because I found some more Johnson crockery to add to my collection, though that certainly didn't hurt. But because it's important not to get lost in motherhood, its important to take the time, even when we're feeling shite and overwhelmed, to get out and do the things we love. And 9 times out of 10 we will feel better for it. Whether we find some vintage awesomeness or not - though the vintage awesomeness sure doesn't hurt.

Winged it

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 09:22:00 +0000

So the end of August/start of September is packed with Birthdays, about 2 a week. Because most of the gifts we give are handmade, it gets a little crazy. Luckily one of the birthday's is mine and I don't expect a gift - well from me. If other people want to give me gifts they can have at it.

My hubby thinks the drive to give handmade gifts is just more evidence that I'm certifiable (supportive right

?!). And I can see where he's coming from. What with my love of procrastination, a need for things to be perfect, and the tendency to become ever so slightly psychotic with rapidly approaching deadlines handmade gifting isn't all love and roses. It often involves a number of choice swear words and is peppered with breakdowns.

And yet, when you finally finish the making and get on to the giving all that melts away - well it does for me. Jono may have some handmade gifting PTSD, I choose not to examine it to closely. There's nothing quite like picking the perfect gift for someone and then crafting it with your own two hands.

These owl wings were created for a very special 7 year old, and were an amazing vintage scrap buster. There are a hundred pinsfor these wings on Pinterest and you can find the pattern for wings to fit a 2 yr old here. Mine needed to be a bit bigger so I just winged it (love puns, no apologies).

I love how these wings turned out. They ate a whole stick of sewline, and I got a massive blister from using my pinking sheers (I kind of flinch at the sight of them now), but it was all worth it. Now Layla is begging for a pair... I will have to add it to the sewing list, which is massive. I will never have enough time to complete all the projects that are in my head. My sewing machine and I are so in need of a week away together. Just imagine it.... pffft who am I kidding. If I had a week away from my family my sewing machine would sit neglected in the corner while I slept all. week. long.

popover culottes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 10:38:00 +0000

So this is the first time I've officially sewn along with Project Run & Play. I've started a couple of ideas before, but never finished in time to link up. I will not be sewing along for the whole season because I've got the worst time management skills in the world, but this challenge appealed to me.

I wasn't going to play along... but then this little idea kept milling in my head after seeing a chiffon Dotti top that had the arm and neck bound in chambray bias tape. The Oliver + S popover sundress pattern (which is a freebie) was a perfect way to achieve a similar look.

I mixed the pattern up by drafting culottes turning it into a play suit. The fact that it's super cute, looks like a skirt, but allows my toddler to run and jump and climb easily makes this perfect for spring. Which is hopefully just around the corner... except its Tassie and we aren't really known for sunshiny weather!

This was the first time I've ever drafted anything more complicated then a peter pan collar. I used this tutorial to give me the guide lines, but had to change it up somewhat in order to make it work for a toddler ( I'm totally crushing on the coluttes she made. want. them.)

The culottes are made from 4 1/4 circle skirts so they drape perfectly which means when Layla is still its a pretty convincing skirt. The fabric is flora and fauna which I grabbed from Spotlight's clearance section, it's very light weight (ie see through) so the play suit is fully lined.

Drafting is hard, this took 3 muslins, mainly because I should never do math unsupervised. We are not best friend or even acquaintances, I can do it... but i don't like it!! That's why its a rushed post so I can squeeze it in before the deadline!!

You know what else is hard, taking photos of a less then co operative 2 yr old. I even bribed her with chocolate!

Have you ever drafted you own pattern? Is math your frienemey too?!

Just Grow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 09:32:00 +0000

So I'm not a scrapbooker, seriously this is only the third page I've ever done. I did a couple after Layla was born and then got lost in being a new mumma. I think this sudden scrapbooking may be part of a creative craze caused by a creative drought - the el nino effect if you will.

I also blame my friend Anna, she blogs over at One Big Sunshine Spritzer and was recently selected to be a part of the Jot Creative Team. So she keeps posting all these pages she's created and sharing links to other amazing pages and suddenly I'm buying project life and then I'm scrapping. It's like some delusional mania!

I really enjoyed it though. Although that layout took me the better part of a day to finish - no trust. I didn't want to stick anything down in case it looked like crap. I also thought of adding details to the triangles, but didn't want to ruin it all. Just call me chicken.

Anyways I thought I might post it to the Jot mood board challenge. I have all of this stuff from when Layla was born that there just isn't a place for in traditional baby albums. Like every other day weigh ins, getting off CPAP, or the first day your baby wears clothes. I might, maybe, possibly, we'll see participate in the mood board challenge regularly. That should get everything recorded quick smart!

Are you a record keeper? Or do you just leave it to instagram?

Boo Designs! Design Your Own Pinny

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 01:17:00 +0000

Okay, so I'm totally ga ga for Boo Designs! patterns. I now own most of them (Hi, my name is jade and I'm a pattern addict) and love sewing them.

I made Layla a pinwale cord Design Your Own Pinny for spring. The best part about the design your own patterns is you can put your own spin on it. Kristie provides you with options within the pattern, but there are countless other ways to customise your pinny. There's also a very help facebook pattern group to help you out if you get stuck or to show off your completed Boo Design! when your done!

I really love how the Pinny turned out, pure cuteness. Be warned there are no pattern pieces - just measurements, so if this scares you it may not be the pattern for you. I didn't mind it. The pattern is well written, and even though you have to really think through a couple of the steps, its not too tricky to get there in the end.

I made Layla a size 2 and it fits her beautifully. Because of the elasticised back she's not going to grow out of it in a heartbeat, which is always a massive plus. She's a pretty petite 2 year old though, which is awesome for the amount of wear she gets out of clothes!

I utilised some gorgeous vintage Sarah Kay print for the bodice panel and the heart shaped pockets. I totally stole the pocket pattern from the Boo Designs! DYO Overalls Patterns and Layla loves them. That kid is all about pockets at the moment. I love that I can add special touches to her outfits that she *loves*.

I also added a vintage lace trim to the straps. In the pattern group there's an easy run down of how to do this. I hadn't read this when I did mine, I just pinned it to the back of the strap before top stitching the strap.

Arghhh, doesn't she just suck you right in! Anyways...I love this pinny. I have about 5 cut out at the moment waiting for me to get my act together and sew them up. The photos of Layla were taken on the ferry to MONA, and on the grounds of MONA on a recent Hobart trip. I hope to share more about the trip soon!

Do you own any Boo Designs! patterns? Or are you a complete pattern addict like me?!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:54:00 +0000

So it's probably been a while since you visited my blog (if its your first time here "Hi"!) so you can be forgiven if you didn't notice that it's had a pretty massive overhaul.... or that its also had a name change!!

I wanted this space to be more reflective of me and my complete, uncompromising, bordering on insane hoarding tendencies love of thrifting. Plus other passions like sewing, cooking, crafting, refurbishing etc etc etc.

Another change is I've merged an old blog of mine, The Caravan of Wrighteousness, with this one. The Caravan of Wrighteousness is our broken down, crap shack, nightmare of a caravan that we are slowly (and cheaply) refurbishing. Don't believe me when I call it a crap shack? Check it out here. It's taken a bit of a hiatus, but I'm using all of my wifely influence to get hubby back on board and interested in the project again. You can catch up on our progress by clicking the caravan button under features in the side bar. I also hope to post about our treks around our gorgeous home state of Tasmania, you can follow along by clicking on the apple under features in the side bar.

So that's about it from me! I hope to share some finished sewing projects with you this week. Fingers crossed xx Would signing off with lots of la la love just be way to cheesy ;)

2

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:25:00 +0000

My baby girl turned 2 today.

We celebrated with cupcakes

And cake pops - its cake coated in chocolate - who wouldn't jump on that trend bandwagon.

in a dress made by mummy (don't let the watermelon fool you, she ate a. lot. of sugary goodness too)

and had a little joint part with a gorgeous girly who will be 2 tomorrow!

I struggle with her birthday. I took a couple of moments with my baby to remember. To remember how blessed we are, how scared we were and how tiny she was.

I always think of my self as a preemie parent and can't help but wonder if this will change. Will the day come when I look back on her birth and not feel so overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with grief, sadness and longing. The gift of being a preemie parent is that you are so damn grateful. For every look, hug, step, word and smile.

Happy Birthday sweet girl xx

11/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:14:00 +0000

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

"the two of us"

This week it is just us. Slightly intimidating. Big fear that by the end of the week we will be unbathed, hungry and kicking our way through trash after I've sat silently through tutorials because I haven't hit the books hard enough.

There's also a strong chance that we will be having joint tantrums this week.

If you are coming to visit this week bring. wine.

Joining in with Che and Fidel

Tea with me

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:55:00 +0000

If we were to sit down for a cuppa together chances are it would be out of the house, because its good to get out and because that way I can ignore the cleaning a little longer.

There is very little chance that my cup would hold tea or coffee, not really being a hot drink type of chick. Maybe I'll have hot water with a wedge of lemon or indulge in a mug of hot chocolate.

This week I'm a ball of anxiety so a lot of our conversation would involve talking me down off a ledge. You see I'm not so good with new (or old, or change, or most things really) and things in my world are changing quickly.

I'm returning to uni to finish my degree.... There have been so many stops and starts and I will tell you categorically that I do not have another stop and start in me.

I have been questioning myself constantly and I must admit that it's beginning to wear me down.

I am making new plans that I am excited about, and we will talk about my dreams of traveling Australia in a caravan with my little family. My plans to make cash along the way and the possibility that my husband may soon be working away from home and how scared I am to be a part time single parent, but mostly how much I'll miss my incredible man (he balances out my crazy).

We'll chat about kidlets and I'll brag about all the new words Layla has picked up this week and how we are starting to have little conversations. That as time has gone on I am less and less anxious about how big of an impact her prematurity and low birth weight have had, though there are still a few niggling little fears.

When we finish up I will thank you profusely for letting me bare my soul and will feel the soothing balm of sharing. I will also hope that I didn't talk too much about my fears and let you bare your soul as well.

Does anxiety feel like a close (unwanted) companion for you right now?

Are you getting set to embark on new adventures?

Linking up with Teacups Too

6/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:22:00 +0000

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

You are drawn to music like a moth to the flame. You are always singing, drumming or dancing.

Following along with Che & Fidel.

4/52 & 5/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 09:05:00 +0000

4/52

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

I'm participating in Che & Fidel's a portrait a week in 2013.

Humouring mummy and daddy on our camping adventures

I couldn't resist this rusty old car spotted in an empty lot close by our camping ground in Beauty Point. These photos were mainly for your daddy, oh how he loves cars - no matter how rusty - and you.

5/52

Summer loving

Enjoying a return of the hot, summery, weather; your mouth would pucker oh so sweetly every time daddy splashed you with the hose. Then you'd dissolve into little giggles and get your revenge.

Australia Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:29:00 +0000

Happy Australia Day eve lovely people!

We hooked up the caravan this morning and have set up camp for the long weekend. I've already hit up a local oppie and did not leave empty handed (pretty sure I've never left an oppie empty handed though).

I just wanted to share my Aussie Day pants with you all. I used a pair of jeans I picked up on sale from k-mart to whip these up. We just didn't have enough Australiana happening - well apart from the caravan and the snags on the barbie. I simply embroidered a Union Jack on one pocket and the Southern Cross on the other to Aussie them up a bit.

If its warm tomorrow, I'm going to cut the legs off, even toddlers need a pair of cut off shorts, am I right! Because we're camping this post is coming to you via iPad and iPhone so excuse the pics and the fact that there all at the bottom of the post.

Hope you have an awesome Australia Day/long weekend x

3/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:53:00 +0000

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

I'm participating in Che & Fidel's a portrait a week in 2013.

milkies

I was saddened when I heard of a mum asked to move when breastfeeding at a public pool. Then the comments that follow make me want to rip my hair from my head. Conversations about how women dress, how to breastfeed with "class", exposing children to breastfeeding and it goes on and on and on.

I have exposed most of my boob in public when breastfeeding before. I didn't realise it made me classless, I just figured it was a consequence of breastfeeding thanks to nipples being in the centre of my boob. Also because breastfeeding friendly clothes are repulsively ugly, its hot so layering up isn't appealing to me right now, and because I would rather flash the whole top of my boob then let anyone see my stomach!!

I'm passionate about breastfeeding, I love how much my 20 month old loves her milkies, and I am amazed and grateful that even though my body could not carry my precious girl to term, it could help her grow from the tiny 1464g she was to a healthy, happy and clever toddler.

So whip 'em out ladies. Without shame, without fear and hopefully without reprisals. And remember that if anyone tries to shame, humiliate or make you hide away there is a whole community of women and men who have your back.

2/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:46:00 +0000

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

I'm participating in Che & Fidel's a portrait a week in 2013.

"perpetual motion"

Taking photos of of my kidlet is becoming more and more challenging. She may stand still for a moment, but will then charge the camera to see her picture. She's so rarely still these days. Most of the time I'm clicking and hoping.

Vintage Hauls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Hello Lovelies,

Slightly awkward that my vintage hauls posts are back to back this week. I blame our crappy internet which we upgraded today!!! So hopefully I'll stay motivated and share a few things with you this week.

I gave you a little warning last week that this weeks vintage hauls were pretty a-mah-zing, so with out further ado.

Kicking it off this week is this awesome Remington International typewriter - I almost died trying to pick this up! Weighs a tonne.

Next another vinty suitcase for the collection. I think I have a problem... How many vinty suitcases are too many?

I then spotted this gorgeous print, perfect for Layla's room.

And the most awesome find of the day ... a giant box of vintage sewing patterns!! There has to be close to 80!

I love these ones...

and these...

not to mention these....

Kwik Sew always have the cutest illustrations...

and these two almost had me planning another baby.... almost.

What amazing vintage finds did you nab last week?
Do you sew using vintage patterns? Would vintage sewing patterns influence your decision to procreate?
How many vinty suitcase are to many?... Seriously... I may have a problem.

Vintage Hauls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:09:00 +0000

Hey lovely peeps,

I hope you all had amazing Christmases and catastrophe free New Years?! Glad to hear it.

Things are going to be changing on my little blog this year, though I haven't nutted it all out yet, I will let you know when I do.

First of the changes is a new weekly feature :: Vintage Hauls. I think the title is pretty self explanatory really. Every Monday I will be showing you (i.e. rubbing in your faces) the amazing things I've picked up in my travels the week before. Some may be for sale and some you may have to prise from my cold, dead fingers.

I guess this is my very own version of 52 weeks - 52 weeks of vintage hauls does make me feel a bit giddy, I can feel a thrifting buzz coming on!

So here is what I gathered last week , in my first oppie adventure for 2013

A sweet set of sunshiny yellow pots for our Caravan cooking adventures.

Faux patchwork vanity bag for communal showering at caravan parks

and a gorgeous pyrex dish to add to the slowly expanding collection.

:: Have you started your oppie adventures in 2013 yet?

:: Do you collect anything?.... and would you like to hear more about my collections?

:: Does everything remind you of a song?

:: Please share your vintage hauls in the comments. I love to ooo and ahh (while trying to contain the green eyed monster) at other peoples vintage fortune.

P.S I know the the week has only. just. started. but wait till you see next weeks haul O.M.G. or for sneaky peeks follow along on instagram

1/52

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 09:31:00 +0000

A portrait of my kidlet, once a week, every week, in 2013

I'm participating in Che & Fidel's a portrait a week in 2013 (you should also check out their amazing giveaway here).

Rosy, sun kissed cheeks

I took a good look at my daughter today and was shocked by how little baby there is left.Suddenly she's an amazingly competent, endearingly affectionate, gorgeous little girl. They tell you that time will fly by when you become a parent and you smile and nod politely. Then it happens to you and your left shaking your head, dazed and confused, wondering what the hell happened to that tiny baby you held in you arms and can she be really be turning 2 in a few short months!

I'm excited and a little scared to see how my daughter changes over the next 52 weeks.

Noel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 04:30:00 +0000

I seem to be whipping up Christmas decorations left right and center Never mind that I still have a gazillion other things on my to do list to finish before the big day. I whipped up this banner to fill a blank spot in our lounge.

I printed Noel on fabric using this method. Then I ironed the sides over so I could run a hem around it. I didn't fold the hem twice or overlock the edge to prevent fraying. I figured since it wouldn't be washed it wasn't that big of a deal. I used triple stitch to hem each letter because it's more decorative then straight stitch and pops a bit better.

I even saved my work so you can make one too! Does it count as a free printable?.. Just click this link

Use a 10mm hem at the top and top stitch as close to the edge as you can on the sides. Cut off the excess fabric from the point, thread your finished letters onto string using a small safety pin and you're done! I think this idea has so many possibilities. Could whip up personal banners for birthdays or it would be a really cute addition to a wedding or photo booth.

P.S Did you know Noel is another word for Christmas? I didn't till I googled it.

You've still got a bit of time to enter the giveaway here