Chocolate Reveal

With some tired & achey shoulders & the top edge work still not complete...here is my magnificent Chocolate Pudding Brown Bathroom Reveal!!! Isn't it yummy, I mean literally yummy...it makes me want to eat a piece of chocolate cake or something else fattening & delectable.

See, I was right...it did make the white pop just like I was hoping! {I've had these towels & shower curtain for probably 5 years, but they look so nice & fresh with the new paint job}

The effect I wanted was dramatic & rich & I think that's just what I got, I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. Since my staycation ends tomorrow when everybody comes home, I'll be excited to see what they think of the new color.

Everything I have in here was either already here or came from my shop. The only new items I got were some brown & white towels from Target, {baths $3.99, hand $2.99} floor rug, {$19.00 at Big Lots} & the architectural element on the dresser. {$19.00 at Pottery Barn}

This vintage dresser & birdcage were at the shop. I think they add just the right combination of white & warmth to the room & I adore the detail on the front of the dresser.

Hey, does anybody recognize those amazing fabric flower jewelry pieces? They even look good just sitting around...how cool is that! I thought hanging my necklaces from the birdcage would not only be a great way to display them, but could add some fun texture & color.

Thanks friends for taking this guided tour with me! We are now heading back out into the hallway to find out what other kind of mischief we can get into. You know once you start something like this & get good results, it makes you want to keep on going. Maybe the bedroom next, what do ya think?

Moral of the story...always follow your heart or in this case, your internal color palette!

XOXO

No Friday Flea, But How About Chocolate Brown Walls?

Hi Best Buddies...I hope the sun is shining in your part of the world, finally it's out here, I have the front door open & I can hear the birds chirping with glee, yeah!!! The house is uncommonly silent. Courtney & Kai are down in Huntington Beach until Sunday, hubby is off working in LA for a few weeks, so I have the house to myself which is wonderful & weird all at the same time.

So in celebration of this rare occasion, I decided to pass on Friday Flea {which is almost like trying to kick crack cold turkey} & do something I've been wanting & needing to do for 4 years...paint my bathroom. It's been a dingy white forever, but the one thing I've always loved is it's beautiful, fresh white trim. Thinking about color choice, the main thing I knew I wanted was something dramatic that would really pop all that wonderful white.

I called my sweet friend Victoria & told her I was thinking about painting the walls chocolate brown or a dark cranberry & she thought it was my winter gloom talking & maybe I should rethink these color choices. So, I did rethink it...but I kept coming back to brown. I could see myself getting tried of a rich cranberry after a while, but brown can be fabulous like brown & white transferware dishes, I adore those.

So off to Ace Hardware I went to buy my painting supplies. I settled on the color 'Beautiful Brown Eyes' {now who wouldn't like that} & I've been a painting mamma jamma ever since. I have a couple more second coat areas that need to be addresses, some dry time & then to get in there & hang everything backup, but by tomorrow I will take some pics & post my 'New Bathroom Makeover', I hope you all love it...I can tell already I do!

My usual disclaimer: {I by no means am a professional painter, in fact I kinda suck. I'm afraid to paint to close to the ceiling, so that will have to wait until I have an epiphany} See you here in the morning & until then..have a magical day!!!

XOXO

More Fabulous Fabric Flowers & This Time, A Ring

OK...you all know me! Yes, when I say I have a tad of OCD when it comes to these fabulous Vintage Fabric Flowers, I am speaking the truth. Every time I step foot in my studio now, which happens to be in my shop & may not be good for business, my hands can't grab fast enough for my scissors & fabric. I anxiously cut my strip of fabric, I cut out what could resemble a circle of card stock, plop a dollop of glue from the glue gun in the center & start to roll & wrap & glue...roll & wrap & glue...roll & wrap...you get my point, it's almost hypnotic!

But one good thing came out of my frenzied crafting, I decided to try & make a ring! Yes, a matching ring & even if I do say so myself...it's FABULOUS!!!

All the same principles apply as before. The circle base is only 2", the fabric 1 1/2" & no 2nd level is needed so these are REALLY easy! Any kind of ring base can be used, I used a light weight, flat, metal filigree that I then bent into a ring shape & I attached my flower with thin craft wire that I put through the vintage button, down through the flower, in & out of the filigree & then wrapped it up under the flower a couple of times to secure...easy peasy! Hope this gives you some more ideas for your flowers & as before...I will not be held responsible for any burnt dinners or wrinkled clothes due to craft related OCD's! lol
{for original tutorial click HERE }

XOXO

Fabulous Vintage Fabric Flower Brooches

Oh sweet friends, I had so many wonderful comments on my last post, thank you all. I feel blessed to have so many creative & supportive friends walking with me & in front of me & next to me on my journey, you always make my blog feel like home!

{SOLD ~ Thanks so much Jayne!}

I have been OCDing on making these fabric flower brooches out of vintage fabrics & buttons. They are super fun & easy to make & I love that they can be made from scraps. Any holey {not as in 'holy', lol} vintage tablecloth or curtain or barkcloth or muslin can be used.

Here are some brief instructions for any of you who would like to make some yourself & I will be listing these in my etsy for $12.95 in case you must have one made by vintagesusie herself in a complete OCD frenzy!! lol

OK, I've never done this before so bare with me...& plug in the glue gun.

1. cut a 3in circle free-hand of any cardstock you have handy

2. cut a 2" strip of fabric about 2ft long, work with your fabric folded in half, right sides out, frayed edges are cool & you will be twisting this fabric so it doesn't need to be ironed or neat

3. put a dollop of glue in the center of your circle & attach a twisted tip of your fabric, let set

4. now start twisting the fabric & wrapping it in a circle towards the center, as you go put a drop of glue each 1/2" or so to hold your rolls in place {this craft really does look like a cinnabun as your making it}

5. continue twisting & wrapping & gluing until it's at your desired size, leave a little paper showing & then STOP

6. cut the tail off leaving enough fabric to pull over & glue on the back, undercut the paper circle around the flower {no paper should show}, now glue the tiny tale to the back

7. make a smaller 2nd flower & glue down in the center of your flower

8. in the center add some bling, glue on a vintage button or earring or faux pearls

9. using a circle template {mine was the top of a champagne glass} cut & glue a piece of fabric onto the back of your flower to cover your work {I was always taught to cover my work}

10. last attach a pin back with your glue gun & VIOLA...your own custom vintage fabric floral brooch

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for sleepless nights, cramped fingers or any OCD related injuries...make flowers at your own risk! LOL

XOXO

Cute & Shabby Chic

Lambs & Ivy is looking soooooo charming lately!! I just got in this sweet little Shabby Chic pink dresser with darling detail on it, it makes me want to decorate a little girl's bedroom.

And this vintage 50's, pink decaled Teddy Bear tray is adorable! Wouldn't it look fabulous in a baby's room with little vintage glass jars on it?

And just to remind us that winter's ALMOST over, a vintage French postcard of a darling bird looking at new blooms, preparing to try her wings & fly. Let's join her!

XOXO

Our Vintage Travel Trailers & Spamboree

Good Morning Friends...

The sun is shining, the sky is blue & I'm in the mood for hitting the road, traveling Route 66 in our Vintage 1956 Pathfinder to see the USA! Now, I know we can't do this today because my shop is waiting for me to show up & my Hunny has a couple of jobs to finish...but soon, very, very soon we will be heading out for a couple of weeks. In anticipation for this much needed trip I'm sharing a little movie I made with some of our over 60 vintage trailers we've owned, sold, restored, camped in & loved. We have been involved in Vintage Vacationing for about 10 years & it has been a HUGE JOY in our lives. We go to gatherings or Rallies where everyone comes in their vintage cars & trailers to share, laugh & camp together, sooooo much fun! One such rally, Spamboree, is in Oceanside, CA in September. In the video our current 'BABY' is at the beginning, then you'll see some Spamboree fun, we have a yellow Tear-Drop trailer at that event & then after Doheny Beach are pics of some of our favorites & a pic of me in front of our flamingo colored Shasta with Wings. Good Times!!! I can't wait to FLY again!!!

XOXO Friends,

Disneyland 'Give A Day, Get A Disney Day' I LOVE It

Any of you who have been following my blog for a while already know that I was born & raised in Southern California & I am a Disneyland fanatic!! I love everything about it, from the second I get off the freeway & can see the Matterhorn in the distance until the moment I drag my weary but joyful self back to the car, Disneyland always makes my heart smile!

I just received my Disney Main Street Magazine {I told you I was a fanatic} & for 2010 Disneyland has a new & exciting program that celebrates those who make a difference in their communities, Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. Disney's goal is to inspire one million people to give back & celebrate the spirit of volunteerism...this is sooooo awesome, I LOVE IT!!!

Here's how it works... 1st go to disneyparks.com to search for available volunteer opportunities in your community & sign up, 2nd once you have your volunteer assignment go out & pitch in & 3rd when you're done & your service has been verified, you'll receive a voucher good for a one-day admission to Disneyland or Walt Disney World Theme park, it's just that easy!!!

The best part {beside the feel good about what you've participated in part} is, you can sign up with 8 members of your family & volunteer together, kids as young as 6 can be volunteers too! I'm soooo excited, aren't you? Tell your friends, tell your family, plan for your volunteer work & then start planning your vacation...this is truly such a wonderful WIN, WIN opportunity!

{ me & my family in 1958 at The Happiest Place on Earth, read more about this hereSo join me in becoming a VoluntEAR...there's no better time to make a dream come true for others and to let Disney make a few come true for you! {Walt must be soooo proud & yes, I will wear my Mickey Ears to the library when I work...why not!}

XOXO

Satchmo 'The King of Jazz'

'A Kiss To Build A Dream On'

Give me a kiss to build a dream on,
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss.
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this:
A kiss to build a dream on.

Give me a kiss before you leave me,
And my imagination will feed my hungry heart.
Leave me one thing before we part,
A kiss to build a dream on.

{1949 cover of Time Magazine}

When I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you,
Weaving romances, making believe they're true.
Give me your lips for just a moment,
And my imagination will make that moment live.
Give me what you alone can give,
A kiss to build a dream on.

Songwriters: Ruby, Harry;Kalmar, Bert;Hammerstein, Oscar

I was just born in the wrong era...that's all there is to it. When I listen to Louis Armstrong, I can't help but smile. I LOVE this quote..."What he does is real, and true, and honest, and simple, and even noble. Every time this man puts his trumpet to his lips, even if only to practice three notes, he does it with his whole soul."

Leonard Bernstein on Louis Armstrong (1956)

Enjoy some GOOD MUSIC friends!

XOXO

Friday Flea Market Fun

{vintage baby christening gown for a mere $5...that's mine, thank you}

Follow the Wild & Wacky escapades of the 'Old Town Crestline Junker's' as they make their way through the convoluted aisles & alleys of the Friday morning Flea! Watch them as they haggle to save $2, see them turn away & say no only to return to get the treasure for an amazing bargain price, witness their incredibly rusty & slightly broken cart as it fills to the brim with unimaginable wonders!!!

{my daughter Courtney found this one, brand new in the box...grasshopper, I have taught you well}
{isn't it soooooo pretty, the lace is really lovely}

{vintage Golden Books .25 cents, you can never have too many of those}

{camp blanket $2 & vintage prints $8 for the set...Niiiiiiiice}

{vintage satin stocking holder $6...I want to keep this one but since I haven't worn a pair of stockings since 1974, suntan, I will tell myself 'NO'}

{SOLD ~ vintage Boy Scout Handbook $FREE, thrown in with the set of vintage prints. I love the 50's, don't those boys look 'HAPPY' & doesn't it look like 2 of them might be twins??? Yes, I do have an inquiring mind!}

Not included in the pics is a very cool set of blue Bernard prints for $15 & a working, vintage wrist watch I got for a buck. What can I say, I have more fun buying for my shop then I actually do working there! LOL It looks like Courtney, Jenni & Susie had another amazing adventure this morning digging through junk, eatting burritos, passing out one's like they were going out of style & laughing through most of it! Wouldn't you like to come along with me on my next adventure? Till next time...

XOXO