Finished Projects and Latest Finds

 It sure has been a busy few weeks. The weather has held up pretty well. No major snow falls, but we have had some very windy days. Not that I mind.I  don't really go out much during the week except to get the mail and put the plants out. Speaking of plants, I'm going to have to clean out the flower beds in the backyard soon. I may want to weed out the flower beds and fill it with mulch to keep the weeds sown and make it look nicer. Maybe plant some drought resistant flowers for the spring and summer.

 I have been meaning to post more often but ever since my unintended computer hiatus, I find that I'm spending less time on the internet and more time working on keeping my house clean and working on projects. I love reading everyone's posts and commenting but now instead of doing it ever few hours, I do it every couple of days

I'm not sure if I mentioned that my nephew was getting christened and my aunt's birthday are in March. I wanted to go to both these celebrations but for some reason I got the dates mixed up. I thought they were the last weekend of march but it turns out they're this weekend. I kinda figured we weren't going to go so it wasn't that big of a deal. I did have to rush to finish the presents for my aunt and nephew.

My mom asked me to make  knit my aunt a capelet. I had the darnedest finding something nice and not too fussy. My aunt never been a fussy person. I found this pattern on Bernat yarn website. It was very simple and a quick knit too.

Close up of the button cover and trim.

I also made her a key hole scarf. I designed the pattern by myself. I've made a similar one for my mom and thought my aunt would like it too. I really like this style of scarve. It covers your neck very well and isn't bulky under your jacket. It looks very nice with a jacket or coat.

This shows the colors better. Its called sandstone. I may need to buy more to make myself a scarf.

This hoodie is for my nephew. It is also the first official garment I have knitted up.So I can cross it off of my goals for this year. I got the pattern off of Ravelry. It was a very easy knit and easy to read. I did change a few things. Instead of knitting the sleeves flat (back and forth), I decided to make set in sleeves. I picked up stitches and knitted it in the round. It looks a lot more professional this way.  I love it to bits. This makes me feel like an official knitter.

Front

Back.

This gives a better view of the front of the hoodie and the button band.

I found this awesome vintage cape/shrug for my mom. It almost looks like a bed jacket.

I love the ribbon detail on the sleeves.

I also found this vintage homemade cardigan. It is in amazing condition. No snags, no rips and the color is beautiful. It is a bit tight across the arms but I can deal with it.

I love this pattern. I hope that in the next few weeks I can figure it out so I can knit a pullover.

I also found this super cute retro cardigan. It's a nice neutral gray with beautiful beading across the shoulders and collarbone.

Close up of the bead work. I'm thinking of changing these buttons. They are pearlescent but don't really go with the sweater. Im thinking somethin round and maybe made of glass.

Another vintage homemade find. This was in the men's section but I think it's too pretty for a man to wear. It fits great and will make a great summer shirt. It looks like it's made from some kind of linen fabric.

I'm thinking of removing the pockets. It really squishes my boobs. I'd definitely save the pockets for later projects.

How awesome is this fabric. It's such a wonderful print. I got around 6 or 7 yards of this fabric for $2. Yup $2. I'm think a skirt circle dress with a solid purple or green bodice.

This was an eBay find. I have a lot of clip on earrings I don't use because I forget I have them.  I love hearts and I knew this would fit the bill. It's from the 1950s and in great condition for it's age. Now to find a couple more.

I don't find earrings with thrifting very often. I usually find them more at the rummage and estate sales. I got all these for 50 cents a pair.

These beauties are vintage Crown Trifari Jelly Belly Moon Shells. I looked them up and they are selling anywhere from $190 to $350. I'm definitely keeping them.

I found this original Harper Bazaar ad from 1949. It's pretty awesome. I never find actual ads for jewelry I find.

I hope everyone has a great week and weekend. It's suppose to be  very Spring like this weekend. I leave you with a photo of Ridley hanging out in the laundry hamper. He's so darn cute!

My Thrift Haul

Well my dear readers, it sure doesn't feel like winter around here. We've been having highs in the 50s and 60s. It feels more like fall. Not that I mind since I like Fall but I also love winter. I guess cold weather is more my cup of tea. As long as I don't have to drive in it or go out in it much.

The last couple of weeks have seen me finish a one piece shrug for my mom. I finished it over a week ago but I'm not quite sure I'm happy with it. It looks fine and I finished it well, but something about it bothers me. Maybe it's just the style that I personally don't like I guess I'll have to see how my mom likes it. If  she doesn't, Ill just unravel it and make something else.

Here's a WIP photo. I love the color my mom picked out. It's a a worsted yarn with varying  shades of brown and burgundy. I've got to knitting projects in the books right now. I'm knitting my youngest nephew a green hooded raglan sweater. I found a great pattern on Ravelry. It's easy to understand and easy to knit. After that, I'm knitting my aunt a capelet. She's turning 60 next month and my mom thought ld like it. I also want to make her a monogram pillow. Only time will tell if I have enough time.


In my last post, I showed everyone my awesome blue rose skirt. I really liked the skirt but decide to make it into a dress. I added the bodice with a sweetheart neckline and halter top straps. I was going to wear it to our anniversary dinner (last week was our 3 year anniversary). Unfotunately it rained all weekend. I had to change my outfit plans. I have issues with my tonsils so anytime it's windy and wet I have to be bundled up.

Here's a close up of the print and before photo of the skirt. I didn't always add linings to my dresses but I try to now. It gives it such a great finished look.

 A close up of the bodice neckline and halter straps. I finally found a pattern for the straps that look nice and sit flush. Oh, can I just say how much I love under-stitching! It is so wonderful. It gives your clothes a smooth finished look without having to top stitch.

The Mr. went out of town today for work so that means one thing: I get the truck. I have been up since 5am so, yeah, I definitely had coffee. I went out to the thrift store earlier today and scored big.  Sometimes it seems like there is nothing good out there but not today.

The first piece I found was this vintage 1950s Paule Mage sweater. It's an all wool sweater handmade in Denmark and, best of all, it fits me! I can't close it over my boobs but it'll make a great addiction to my collection. There's minimal piling and no holes or tears.

I never find good jewelry at this thrift store. Sweaters, shoes, purses, magazine and fabric: yes, but never jewelry. I lucked out big time today.

Here's this awesome vintage nuts and seeds charm bracelet. I love charm bracelet but most of the time they are too small for me. This one fits perfectly and is in great condition. I think it maybe form the 1950s or 1960s. So happy with this purchase.

As happy as I am with my charm bracelet this made my day. It's a Bakelite and wood bangle in great condition. It tested positive with the Simichrome so I know it's authentic. I got it for a great price and will be selling it. I would love to keep it but unfortunately, it's too small for my hand.

Gorgeous side A

Side B

My last trip to the thrift store was a good one. I bought a couple of pairs of vintage shoes. One for men and one for women.

I love the look of vintage bowling shoes. These are pretty nice. They fit me but I figure some lucky guy can wear them out.

 

I only wish these beauties were in my size. I looks like they maybe a size 7 which I haven;t worn since I was 11. They are a pair of 1950s boudoir slippers with black rabbit fur accents. The puffy ball is the best.

How stinkin' cute is this 1950s shot glass? It always amazes me when vintage glassware makes it for such a long time. The gold rim is a little faded but the lion and giraffe look great.

I've been battling a sinus headache for a couple of days now. It's annoying and bothersome especially since I hate taking medicine more than I need too. It's been very dry too which hasn't helped. Hopefully, we'll get some more rain or snow to help us out.

I leave you with the lovely Hydrangeas my husband got me for our anniversary. Beautiful color. Hopefully, I won't kill it. I'm not too good with potted plants outside of succulents. I hope everyone has a fantastic week.

Thrifting Finds and Finished Projects

Well my dear readers, here we are at the end of January. Times seems to go by faster the older one gets. I certainly did notice that once I graduated from high school time would pass me by even faster. it probably didn't help that I was attending college full time and working 40+ hours a week. Since moving to Nevada, time has slowed down a bit. There isn't a much to do here so maybe that's why things are at a slower pace.

I'm sure that I've mentioned this before, but I love thrifting. It's such a fun activity; like treasure hunting. You really never know what you will run across. A couple of months ago, I found several vintage knitting magazines. Here's a funny bit, every time I have run across a vintage magazine, pattern or pamphlet I have always seen the back cover first. Why or how this always happens I really don't know. I see the vintage typing or photos and I get really excited.

I love this cover girl. She has a great outfit on and those go-go boots are pretty sweet too. I'm actually considering knitting this cardigan. I love the color and it should be easier to adjust for bust size since this one goes up to 44".

This magazine dates back to either 1951 or 1957. I'm terrible at reading Roman numerals. It has a great selection of gloves and mittens. I love the blue and white mittens on the lower left corner.

Another great magazine. Plenty of pullovers and cardigans. It looks like it's from the 1960s. There are a few patterns I like but at a 38" bust I don't have the skill yet to alter the pattern.

 

Oh how I do love me a good men's sweater. Especially vintage men's sweaters. There are a lot of patterns in this magazine. Some I like better than others. I do, however, like the navy blue and red  cardigan in the photo below.

Ahhh, my Spanish Lady. Now, I've never been one for dolls. Grtowing up my sister and I would often give Barbie hair cuts and makeup jobs that would make her look like a beat up street walker. I always perferred books an tea sets. However, when I saw this lady in the toy section at the Goodwill I couldn't pass her up. And for a buck who would.

A vintage men's Pendleton wool cardigan. I love this cute little cardi. It buttons up and has pockets. I love having pockets on sweaters and cardigans. It only had one tiny spot were some stitches had come undone but that was quickly taken care of.

 There are a few other items that I've thrifted but I figured I'd post those in a later post. Here are a few of my finished  sewing and crafting projects.

I love making circle skirts. They give such a wonderful shape with a petticoat and are fun to twirl in. I was thrifting at Goodwill when I saw this fabric. A sheet really. I thought" This will make an awesome circle skirt." It reminds me of the abstract/messy artist prints that were popular in the 1950's. It has two side seam pockets.

Believe it or not, I've had this fabric for 5 years. Yup. I hoard fabric until I find the perfect project for it. Another circle skirt. This one only has one pocket. I may need to make or knit a matching blouse.

I finally got my butt in gear and made this flower clip holder frame thingy. I thrifted the frame a while ago. I spray painted it with a glittery black paint and made the background for it. Can you tell I can't ever hang anything straight? It fills out the space nicely and gives me a visual of what I have.

I thrifted the straw purse a couple of years ago. I love straw purses. I had used the purse before and to give it a pop of color had clipped in some of my hair flowers. I wanted to give it a tropical feel so I added some leaves and pears. Im really happy with how it turned out.

I love vintage 1940s necklaces. Too bad most of them are in the $100+ range if it's true vintage.  A couple of years ago I bought this vintage Lucite dice bracelet. I loved it but it was on the smaller side so I never wore it. A few weeks back I was in one of my crafting moods and this happened. This is version 2.0 and i had some help figuring it out. It's a bit heavy but it looks great. I also want to make a matching pair of dangling earrings. I just need to buy the hardware.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.And as always, here's a photo of Ridley sleeping in his cat tree.