thrift and vintage - chikaustin

thrift and vintage

September7th

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the nursery

Posted in: babes in toyland, crafting, home sweet home, thrift and vintage
Sorry about the brief break in postings. I don’t have a very good excuse other than that I am officially nine months pregnant and am using all of my free time for naps. I’m not sleeping well at night. My belly is poking out from under most of my maternity tops. And I’ve been downright grumpy for a few days now. We do have a c-section scheduled for September 29th so at least I’ll have a sweet baby in my arms next month.

The house is quiet. My hubby has taken the kids to the park so I can have some writing time and the best way for me to find my writing mojo is to write up a blog post so here goes. Although, this one is going to be pretty picture heavy.

Without further ado, here is Chloe’s nursery…

The crib is the Jenny Lind style purchased for Makena when Keegan was born. Yup, I had two in cribs at the same time. The decals and wall art are from Etsy. The vintage mobile was found at a garage sale. I picked up inexpensive white bedding here and there. And I made the little pillow and quilt using my favorite Amy Butler fabrics. We decided to paint the bedroom an aqua color and go with the red accents. Makena’s nursery was pink, pink, and more pink and I’m a bit pinked out.

Amy Butler fabric makes my heart swoon.

I found the letter C at Hobby Lobby and spray painted it red. The ABC print is from Etsy. And I picked some of the fabric from her quilt to display in the hoops. The dresser and bookshelf were purchased for Makena about two years ago at Target.

Most of the decorations on her bookshelf are vintage. The owl bank was found at Target.

My really sweet blog friend, Rebekah, made this coordinating block and ball set for my soon to arrive baby. She has mad skills.

I found a ton of inspiration on Ohdeedoh, flickr, and Etsy. Also, while perusing other blogs looking at nurseries. I’ll take another picture of the other side of the room when the light is cooperating.

:: Links ::
- Wall decals – Etsy seller Byrdie Graphics
- You are my sunshine print – Etsy seller The Wheatfield
- ABC print – Etsy seller Orange Ink
- Paint – Behr (Home Depot) Refreshing Pool 500A-2
This place on the web may become a little picture heavy until the baby and book deadline arrives. At the same time!
July7th

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nursery progress

Posted in: home sweet home, thrift and vintage

We have been searching for a rocking chair for the nursery. Going back and forth between the new chairs with online reviews that range from good to bad and something vintage. With my two kids in tow, we hit up three Goodwills and then the Salvation Army to see what we could find. This by no means was an easy, care free day. But with thrifting, you have to go and go frequently as their inventory changes by the minute.

The thrifting fairies must have been with me yesterday because I stumbled upon this chair. I now have a new favorite room in the house. The nursery. Where I can sit quietly. Sometimes. And just be. Sometimes.

I can’t remember where I first saw this print but knew that I wanted it for the babies room. It’s well on it’s way and will have a new home by the crib.

Nesting. My favorite part of pregnancy.
June18th

7 Comments

she’s crafty

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, crafting, thrift and vintage

While trying to think of a blog post title for this entry, the Beastie Boys ’she’s crafty’ song popped into my head. So I started singing along and quickly realized that they aren’t talking about the sewing crafty type. Ha!

I have been wanting to make a halter dress for Makena since it’s summer. Of course, I had no pattern. Just a vintage pillowcase with embroidery that I’ve been saving for just the right project. And I love white dresses in the summertime.

She’s a string bean that’s for sure. So after several adjustments to the elastic to keep it on her little body, I think I’ve got just the right fit. I also took pictures along the way in hopes of whipping up a tutorial for you.

Today we are going to a two year old birthday party and the theme is butterflies. The girls are supposed to wear wings and the boys capes. Good thing I made Keegan a cape for Christmas and already had one ready to go. The wings I got at Target (of course).

And for the birthday girl, I made her a tutu using this tutorial. Belly button not included. Easy peasy.
June9th

15 Comments

handmade with love

Posted in: thrift and vintage

Some handmade goodness made it’s way into my house last week.

It all started as an effort to help my mom clean out her storage unit. We opened box after box. Sorting through household goods. Crib… check. Extra set of towels… check. Pots and pans… check.

Until I found a box labeled ‘old quilts.’ Bingo.

So I casually and oh so nonchalantly said, “Mom, what’s in this box?”

“Oh, some old quilts and family pictures.” My eyes widened and my ears perked up. I then tore open the box. Casually of course because I didn’t want to appear desperate.

I then proceeded to beg, to plead for them. “Oh Mom, I’ll take such good care of them. Look at them here in this old box at the bottom of the pile. I will love them forever. I won’t cut them up. I won’t get rid of them. I promise to treasure them.” Can you hear the desperation in my voice? And let me show you why.

This is why I love handmade goods. Because it’s in my genes. And it’s in yours too. This beautiful stack of quilts, that was handmade by my family, is now in my home. On a shelf in the baby’s room.

I also found this white quilt with beautiful blue embroidery all over it.

And on the bottom corner, if you look hard enough you will see my great-grandmother’s name ~ Harriett, 1910. Melts my heart.

At the very bottom of that box was this silhouette. It’s my mama! Made when she was about five years old. I cried when I pulled it out of the box. Then my mom cried because she couldn’t believe that I would actually want it. Doesn’t she read my blog???

Want it? I ran directly to my car and put it in the back. It’s going to hang in either the nursery or the kids room. What a gift to them, a handmade silhouette of their Nana. Thank you Nana. For all of our family treasures.

So why do I love handmade? Because life has not always been easy for our families. There wasn’t a Target and a supermarket on the corner. My family survived the trans-atlantic journey to come to America with little more than their suitcase. Some coming from Italy, others from Great Britain. They somehow made their way to Texas.

They survived the Great Depression. They worked. And they worked hard for what they had.

They appreciated. Everything. They handmade. Everything.

Do not let a moment slip you by that you do not appreciate where you are now and what you have. You are blessed.
May12th

7 Comments

before and after

Posted in: crafting, home sweet home, thrift and vintage

Well good morning. I was up way too late last night sewing clothes for Makena and looking at fabric online. I’ve reached that point in my pregnancy where I’m full of energy. I’m not the best in my first trimester. You might have noticed.

Recently I was the lucky recipient of an antique desk chair that has been in my family for years. I’ve been needing a chair to go in my craft area since the one I’d been using was our dining room chair. And, well, the dining room is downstairs which makes it treacherous for my pregnant self to lug it up and down when we have company. As you can see, the fabric has probably been on the chair since it was made and was in terrible conidition.

Before.

After. I used some Ikea fabric I had purchased many moons ago to liven it up a bit. Now it’s a brand new chair. Ooh, ooh, ooh and did you see my new Ikea cabinet next to the chair? It was my Valentine’s Day present from my hubby. Yes, that is what I asked for. I am so organized in that little spot in my house I can’t even stand it. We won’t talk about the rest of the house.
March9th

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shop update

Posted in: thrift and vintage

I’ve been working in the shop. Finally getting some long overdue items listed. It’s all vintage, so go on… check it out!

I hate to part with it, but I’ve got quilts coming out my ears.

These scream Grandma’s kitchen.

You know my love for vintage toys.

And this Shabby Chic vintage candelabra.

Happy shopping!
February26th

9 Comments

Spring Dresses

Posted in: crafting, thrift and vintage

Craft Hope is in full bloom. The mailman was very good to me today. I’ve got pillowcase dresses and tops coming in daily now and will very soon show you all of the beauties before they head to Mexico next week. I’ve also got women signing up daily to be a part of the next project. What a blessing.

Spring has officially arrived here in Texas. With the temperatures in the 80’s the past few days it feels like it’s time to start making spring and summer fiesta dresses. It’s not too early to think about Easter dresses.

I’m now taking custom orders for these fiesta dresses. You simply choose the color and the size. There is plenty of beautiful spring colors coming in right now with white, pink, aqua, purple and yellow. The dresses can be made up to 5t.

I’m off to San Antonio this weekend to get all of my supplies. Contact me if you are interested in a custom order.

Have a great weekend!
February7th

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lazy saturday

Posted in: home sweet home, mama life, thrift and vintage

I love waking up on Saturday. The slow motion that we all seem to move in carries on throughout the day. Daddy makes pancakes. We lay around until we get an idea to do something. We do some thrifting. We come home and find places for our new treasures. The quilts, tinkertoys, lincoln logs, vintage mobiles, books, puzzles and trunks all have to find a place.

I enjoy Saturdays like this. Taking our time. Laying around. Wagon rides. Being together. Daddy canoe rides giving me much needed quiet time. Loving our little family. Grilling. A quilt that the kids will not let me put into the shop. Tossed aside in a garage sale pile. Found by a family that will love and treasure it. Perfect for the little moments we enjoy so much as a family. Snuggling. Watching the stars from the back porch.

Today when the house was quiet and everyone was down at the lake I added a few vintage items to my etsy shop. This quilt was found on a recent outing and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. I know someone will want it and love it as much as I do.

It feels like the kids are continually changing. Needing new clothes. Needing different types of toys. Needing different things for their rooms. I’m assuming we’ll be going through this for the next thirty years with them. I’ve been looking for a while now for a bookshelf for Keegan’s room. For about a year to be exact. Something small, just his size. And loved in someones family long before it became ours. To me, it’s the history behind the pieces. The story they tell. And the love they bring to our home.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

And please find time to do what makes you happy. Read a book. Watch a movie. Go to the park. Make something. Play with your kids. Enjoy some quiet time. Go for a walk. Or, just be. That’s how we like it best.
February2nd

16 Comments

belated birthday & a giveaway

Posted in: mama life, thrift and vintage

Sometimes I just can’t complain about Texas weather. I mean, it does get pretty hot in the summer and we haven’t had rain in about a year, but winter in Texas is about as mild as they come. This past weekend gave us two beautiful sunny days in the 70’s.

We spent the weekend in San Antonio with our family for my niece’s second birthday. A Disney character themed party. And she was the cutest little Minnie Mouse I have ever seen.

I did get in some thrifting at a garage sale that advertised ‘vintage goodies.’ And it lived up to all it had promised. I hope to get some of the items in my shop this week. I even found not one, but two vintage quilts. One will go into the shop, along with some more goodies. I’ll let you know when I update the shop.

I was thinking the other day about how long I’ve been blogging and realized my blog birthday passed in October. Oops. We’re celebrating our two year birthday and a giveaway is in order. I found this circle of hearts french knot pillow form this weekend and thought it was perfect for Valentines Day. Simply leave a comment in this post by Wednesday at 12 pm and I’ll draw a winner. All you have to do is tell me what you love.

All you need is love.

Update: Time is up for the giveaway. The lucky winner of the french knot pillow form is Kathy D. who said “I love my job and the boys I watch.” Kathy, email me at chikaustin@yahoo.com your mailing address.
January29th

9 Comments

mellow yellow

Posted in: crafting, thrift and vintage

Rumor has it, yellow is the color for spring this year. And since the man, (ahem) the fashion magazines, say it’s yellow, yellow it will be.

To get my gears turning for Craft Hope’s first project, I made this pillowcase dress for my niece for her birthday. It matches one that I made last year and fell in love with.

Sorry about the wrinkles. I can’t seem to find my iron for the life of me. How does one lose an iron? Oh, it could be under that mountain of laundry in my bathroom that I’ve been neglecting and walking around. Ah the life of a stay-at-home mom neglecting her domestic duties to sew.

I do have a stash of pillowcases that I’ve been collecting for just the right project so Craft Hope will get my entire collection. And, of course, gives me reason to go thrifting for more this weekend.