Life is Simply Charming

2012-04-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Spring Fever... it's here!

I had the chance to showcase my items in a local craft show and thought I would take the opportunity to share them here as well.

I had many different repurposed items: scrabble tile pendants, mahjong tile pendants, vintage button pendants, zipper bracelets, elastic stretch tie dye headbands and hairties, fairy dust bottles, upcycled tee baby caps, and washer pendants.

I have several pretty vintage spreads, sheets, and tablecloths, so I covered the table with these. Added a handmade banner, some pretty vanity trays, an old coke crate spraypainted and adorned with wooden spools, and I had a display table.

Check it out. I love the look I have created. Many of my ideas came from pinterest, where I also have a category for displays and vintage.

Showering a baby Girl... (with gifts and love)

2011-03-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited... one of my oldest nieces is having a baby girl soon, and my sis and I are planning the family baby shower for her. I can hardly wait to show off my craftiness. Of course, not a one of the wonderful ideas I plan to showcase are my own, but that's OK, a great idea is a great idea, no matter the source, right???

The colors are pink, pink, pink, and... mint green. I plan to make several items for a composition centerpiece (because I could not choose just one!), as well as for each guest table. I am a Starbuck's frappucino fanatic, so I have tons of these bottles waiting to go to the recycle bin. Good thing, because I just found this awesome upcycling idea here.

Check out these awesome upcycled cuties:

Ok, so all three will reign "offstage" on the cake table, along with several other goodies to come, and each guest table will have one single bottle, filled with wonderful vintage button flowers similar to these, found here.

Since I also make vintage button pendants, I have tons of vintage buttons, my colors will be shades of pinks and greens, of course! Now imagine, sitting alongside these adorable bottles filled with vintage button flowers, these adorable felt baby booties, made in various shades of pinks and greens! Find the tutorial here.

Spread vintage buttons in shades of pinks over vintage or gingham tablecoverings, and enjoy.
Now, on to the cake table.

These are an absolute must have for this baby shower, these wonderful chrysanthemum cupcakes, topped with marshmallows and sugar. But in pink, with green centers, for sure! YUMMMM! Find the how-to here.

And, one of the most popular baby showers ideas running rampantly around right now is the diaper cake.... so we must also have one of those. Check out this beauty, found here:

Last, a great backdrop from which to center everything, but on our table, guess what color??/ (pink!)

Won't this be awesome?? Aren't you getting excited? I know I am! Keep ya posted, no name picked yet, at least one surprise to come. :)

Hmmmmm.... What to do with an old pillowcase?

2011-02-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

I have a number of wonderful printed vintage pillowcases waiting for something....

and I finally have some ideas!

I am gathering them on this post so that I can remember them all, and also to share. The ideas are not mine, so please note the origin, but I love all of them, and they are certainly worth sharing. Enjoy!!!

Market Tote Pillowcase Tutorial here

I love this pillowcase laundry bag from here:

or how about a ten minute pillowcase apron, from Betz White: (I had a set of twin size sheets just like this print that I slept upon as a child, I wonder if my mom still has those????)

A pillowcase skirt for your precious little girl? Find the tutorial here.

Or a toddler dress? Find the tutorial here.

And while we are outfitting our toddlers, this could be done for girls and boys, depending upon the prints, tutorial here.

And who wouldn't want want of these super simple tote bags:

find the complete tutorial here.

Enough ideas to get your creative juices flowing? I know mine certainly are... happy sewing!

Ladybugs on a picnic?

2011-02-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

Do you love ladybugs? I do, and I think it must be a well-shared love! Coming soon, I think I will plan a spring picnic for my family.

Plan ahead! Before I go, my daughters and I will make these fun ladybug visors. (directions here)

A project for Mom! Look at this adorable little ladybug purse! Grab the pattern on etsy at the link shown. I plan to make one for each of my girls to carry sunglasses, bugspray, germ-x, bandaids, and ladybug magnifying glasses (for a later family activity)

Included in our picnic basket will be some of these lovely babybel cheese ladybugs, from Tiffany Yang here.

And some of these cute ham and cheese sammies, also from Tiffany Yang, found here.

After we have eaten, we will go on a ladybug hunt. Taking our little ladybug magnifyers, we will go on a search for ladybugs, and other interesting insects.
Did you know???

Fun Facts:

•Because Ladybugs eat lots of aphids and other pest insects, many gardeners and farmers use them for pest control instead of chemicals.

•A Ladybug can lay up to 1000 eggs in its lifetime.

•Not all Ladybugs have spots.

•Ladybugs will clean themselves after a meal.

•Ladybugs come in many colors like pink, yellow, white, orange and black.

•Over 300 types of Ladybugs live in North America.

•Ladybugs make a chemical that smells and tastes bad so predators won’t eat them.

•Ladybugs hibernate in large groups in cold weather.

•Many countries consider a ladybug to be a sign of good luck.

•Ladybugs are actually beetles, so sometimes are called LadyBeetles.

•The bright colors of Ladybugs warn birds that they don’t taste good.

•The spots on a Ladybug fade as they get older.

Accents Etc., downtown McCook, where some of my "bric-er-brac" hangs out!

2011-02-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

Just a glimpse into a great little shop in downtown McCook, NE, (in case you are ever caught between Denver and Omaha with nothing to do).

I have a little corner of the basement for my "Charming Vintage" shop, and my friend Courtney of DaisyToad'sVintage has one as well.

I have gathered a random assortment of goodies that caught my eye, a bit of my shop, a bit of Courtney's, and some other treasures as well.

I just love the color, texture, and detailing of old quilts, for old fashioned charm, they can't be beat.

Also mine, these little half dolls are waiting for a good home and someone to repurpose them!

It's an eclectic mix of antiques and vintage goodies,

with a wonderful gift and flower shop on the main floor, lots of terrific things to choose from.

A bookstore with children's reading nook also calls "Accents" home.

An Aunthentic Munzerlite 1/2 doll boudoir lamp, early 1900's, in my little corner shop!

Now, don't you just want to dig through the jars of goodies to see what you can find?????

And just look at this treasure, a baby carriage, complete with antique album atop.

Come visit sometime, I know you will find something worthwhile that you simply CANNOT live without!

Then, go across the street for an authentic German ranzen at Sehnert's bieroc cafe, and visit our wonderfully updated business and meeting center up the street just a bit. An old post office has also been converted to a by appointment only antique shop, and for a little gardening fun, take a quick trip about a mile south of town to Common Scents Greenhouse and Nursery.

I must admit, you are seeing the items I most enjoy, so much more to choose from!

Is this the most gorgeous portrait you have ever seen? Price tag, under twenty dollars!

Enjoy a little glimpse of home! Can you imagine these in your buffet? I know I can.

Above and below, DaisyToad'sVintage (an etsy friend too) shares some loveliness.

Last, I must leave you with just one more glimpse of "Charming Vintage", part of my "Simply Charming Life" inventory.

This section was part of my Valentine display in gorgeous old time pink and rose tones. Enjoy!

Something sweet I made... er... I mean... I WANT to make!

2011-02-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Wow, so many great ideas for repurposed kitchens.
Like this one...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyiafrate/4819156180/

or this one...

from http://kellyandherboys.blogspot.com/2010/06/prepare-to-be-wowed.html

or this one...

from blogger Sutton Grace: http://suttongrace.blogspot.com/2009/06/repurposed-entertainment-center.html

or this...

http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/2010/01/adorable-play-kitchen.html

or another fave:

http://landofozfam.blogspot.com/2010/08/play-kitchen.html

and here is one, complete with directions... (See credit link at bottom)

Summer DIY Project: How to Repurpose An Old TV Console Into Kid’s Play Kitchen

Below are the pictures and your basic how-to:

1. Find any 80’s-90’s style entertainment console (search DiggersList, Habitat ReStores, garage sales, etc.).

2. Remove the doors and sand any finish/laminate so new paint can better adhere to wood.

3. Use primer on all surfaces you are planning to paint (prime the back paneling as well).

4. Remove back panels and cut wood, MDF, or even cut a square out of a wood box to create the outside of your microwave. Attach to top underside of console as shown. Cut hole in the “counter” for the sink.

5. Using scraps of MDF, create doors for the shelving/pantry on the right and replace the original door for the cabinet under the sink. You can find handles, faucets, hinges on DiggersList, Habitat ReStores, etc., (and here, the sink was made out of a silver bowl).

6. To make the finishing details, attach the second original door and paint the inside black to mimic an oven (if you are ambitious, you can cut out the center and replace it with Plexiglas), then do the same for the microwave. After painting the back panels a contrasting color to the white (have fun with this part of the project, you can even add a back splash with tile, or, in this case, a window with curtains) re-attach to close in the kitchen. You can find oven nobs just about anywhere and paint goes a long way to creating a stove-top and microwave buttons. Tack on a utensil rack, screw in a couple hooks for dishtowels, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic kitchen!

7. Of course, the sky’s the limit when it comes to this project and the possible details you can add. You can use magnetic paint on the refrigerator doors so your child can stick on photos with magnets. Paint the inside of the oven silver so mimic a real stove. Attach a hollowed out phone on the outside of the kitchen, next to the fridge and paint a message board with chalk paint. Add lights or light switches for more realism. Mainly, have fun with this project, because whomever plays with this kitchen, surely will.

This project was provided at: http://blog.diggerslist.com/2010/07/28/summer-diy-project-how-to-repurpose-an-old-tv-console-into-kids-play-kitchen/

I think I will combine a bit of each and then fill it with wonderful play food I will handmake from patterns I have gotten from some wonderful etsy sellers!!! And of course, vintage melamine cups and saucers, thrifted mixing bowls, and then I will repurpose old pringle cans, cake mix boxes, and more! I will keep you posted!

2011-02-04T08:57:00.001-08:00

I am going to seriously work on blogging. I mean it. Starting now. Now. Now.

OK, just a few thoughts. Wondering how many other vintage lovers have husbands who do not really support their hobby/habit. My husband calls my collections "brick-er-brac" (drives me crazy, at least he should SAY it correctly) or "Trinkets" (and this is NOT said in a loving fashion).

I am so seriously addicted to thrifting that it makes me doubt my sanity sometimes. Milk or thrift finds? Which one is REALLY most important??? OK, milk, but I have to give it serious consideration, anyway!

I have found a new source of entertainment, the "Catherine Newman Blog". She is seriously funny, and writes just like I think. Check her out on her own blog, www.benandbirdy.blogspot.com or at family fun. (Dalai Mama Dishes) I am going back to babycenter articles and reading up on older posts. I HIGHLY recommend checking out her link. Not a vintage shopper, but frugal and homey, and FUN!

Trying to add new merchandise to my etsy shop, keep up with a three year old and eleven year old, as well as work full time, keeps life pretty darn interesting. Happy February!

My First Blog EVER!!!

2010-05-10T06:53:00.001-07:00

Good morning to you all, I finally did it! I created a blog, and I am blogging! I know, blows my mind too!

This blog is intended to be appreciated by all those old fashioned folks who love vintage and antique items, and love to reuse and repurpose to benefit this great earth we live on!

I must admit that I am definitely still learning, and will appreciate any and all help I can get!
Welcome, and thanks for joining me at SimplyCharmingLife!