Did I say free, yes I said free Vintage Clipart!

I love these freebie vintage images. I used one for my etsy banner, in fact. Check out this blog: Far Far Hill for a bunch of gorgeous images of yesteryear. You will have to click on the buttons for "free download".

Wedding in Review

I just realized after being married now for 9 months, that I never did a wedding post on this blog.  So I thought I'd share a few of our best wedding photos by the fabulous Adam Mowery.
My husband and I met online, I'm from CA and we now live here in his home state of NC.  I wanted a simple vintage Irish wedding but added a few Southern touches, too.  I'm wearing my mother's dress, that I altered to fit my 50's style. I loved the little chapel where we held the small ceremony, it's hard to find anything like that where I'm from.  My niece and nephew stole the show as the adorable flower girl and ringbearer. And David and I were so pleased with the music that was all done by Barrowburn, a local Celtic band. And I almost cried when my brother led us all in worship and added a custom line to David's favorite worship song. All that stress was for naught, because the Lord brought it all together perfectly. No, it wasn't my dream wedding but it was a simple and sincere celebration and committment before the Father. AND I just happened to get the most loving husband in the history of the world!

A Full Heart and Silent Mouth

There is so much that the Lord is teaching me and speaking to me about right now that I'm occupied with listening. I'm not able right now to assemble it into words appropriate for my blog yet.  But, I feel so undeservedly privileged to fellowship with Christ in my suffering and watch Him turn my pain into something good.  Friend, if you don't know Him, you are missing out on a different kind of life, that I dearly want you to know.
Visit this link to find out more about the choice we all must face: 2 Ways to Live
My recent miscarriages and chronic illness have kept me from doing as many creative things as I normally like to do and share with you.  But, I thought I'd post a photo of one thing I made recently.

Merry Christmas!

WET PAINT

I bought my office chair at a yard sale for $8 this summer and it works great.  It was just WAY too boring in all black.  So I decided to spruce it up a bit.  I recovered the back support with some great fabric that a friend had also found at a yard sale, for $5 for 4 bolts.  It was very easy to recover; I just unscrewed the 2 screws in the back and then glued the yellow fabric over the old fabric and screwed it back on, tucking the fabric in around the edges.  I thought about recovering the seat also but I wanted something more creative than a matching seat. And since I've been enamored with bees lately, I thought I'd paint on some yellow stripes!  I just used some clear packing tape we had, to guide the paint as you can see here.

Then I got out my 99 cent acrylic yellow craft paint and started painting my stripes.  I went into the other room to watch TV while the paint dried.  A few hours later I came back and the paint was already dry but the stripes seemed paler than I had wanted, so I added another coat of paint.  I went back to another activity until the paint dried. Soon after that I was talking to my hubby and then as he turned to leave I noticed something on the back of his shorts.  Well, I figured out why my stripes were pale. And I realized that one should not assume that one's spouse is aware, and should always put up a "WET PAINT" sign when painting furniture. My sweet hubby had decided to work on my computer while I was in the other room and had inadvertently added bumblebee stripes to the posterior of his nice khaki shorts! Look here:

Oh well, sorry Honey. At least my chair turned out the way I wanted. :)

Pinterest Obssession

Ok, I think I need a pinterest intervention. It's great for a visual stimulation junkie like me.  But, I have found MANY great ideas from it that will save me lots of dough in the long run. Somewhere I saw the idea of making a scarf from a sweater sleeve. I had bought this ugly orange fuzzy sweater at the Thrift Store to cover a pillow for Fall.  I don't look good in orange but I do love it so I thought I'd make a scarf out of it.

I cut the sleeves off.

Then I coated the raw edges at the shoulder with No-Fray glue. And then sewed the larger ends together, keeping the raw edges inside and unseen.

Next I took the smaller ends and held them together.....

and then twisted one end. This will make one continuous but full-bodied scarf.

Then I sewed the small ends together.

All done.

And there you have it! It's perfect for Autumn. Can't until the weather is cool enough to need it.

Duggar Book Giveaway

I'm a HUGE fan of the Duggar family! And they are having a book giveaway on their blog.  They'll be giving away their new book: "A Love That Multiplies". Check it out: http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/another-autographed-book-giveaway.html

I hope I win!

Movie Costume Inspiration

I'm an image addict; I confess it.  I'm totally visually oriented and I never forget an inspiring outfit.  Here are some movie images that have inspired me.

I LOVE Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The art design of the whole movie is great. Truly Scrumptious had the best outfits of the whole cast. Isn't it romantic?

Ok, there was a lot of great design in the Sound of Music that was focused on the main character, but I adore this suit worn by the Baroness. I love the way the polka-dotted fabric is wrapped around her waist with a conspicuous bow and then it's topped with the cropped jacket.  It is so flattering to her figure.

Have you seen Charade, with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn? It's fantastic.  Audrey's wardrobe is the epitome of 60's mod but still oh-so-elegant.

I have no idea how my brother knew I'd love a leopard print hat but he bought me one years ago. I still love it, although Miss Hepburn looks rather more stunning in hers.

What movie images inspire you?  Have you re-created any movie costumes for every day wear?
And now I have a request, dear readers. I scoured the internet looking for the dress featured below and that photo is all I could find.  Remember the dress that Dottie wore in Pee Wee's Big Adventure?  I think it must've been vintage but I'm not sure. I've never seen anything like it.  It was a basic 50's shape, full skirt dress and I think it had black triangles at the waist.  If anyone can find a link to more images of this dress, I'd be so happy.

And just for fun I found this great monochrome photo of one of my favorite vintage movie stars: Doris Day!

Bats and Bugs

Last night after the thunderstorm came and went I took my dog for a walk.  She was desperate for some exercise.  As I strolled through the mist and fireflies, a rabbit ran from our approach.  Then I looked up into the night sky because something caught my eye. I realized after a few moments I was watching another fascinating creature that I hadn't yet seen, since I moved here. It wasn't a bird up there silently flying around in the dark. They were small bats, catching their insect meal. Sometimes it feels like the Lord is bringing all these amazing animals around me, just because He knows how much I get a kick out of them!

There is this striking dragonfly that comes to visit me often, when I'm working on my little garden.

After he leaves my little lizard friend comes to greet me, too.

I finally finished my carpenter bee painting. To me they look like flying black and yellow teddy bears.

 Next I hope to paint the white moth.

Apron Prize is Home

Quite a few months ago, because my wedding got in the way, I had an apron giveaway.  My aunt won the drawing for her own custom retro half-apron.  Consequently, she asked me to make the apron as a surprise for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.  I always love sewing surprise gifts!  I was told the bride's favorite colors and I went to work.  What came out of it was a very bright fun piece with an added heirloom. I used one of my grandmother's (and her soon-to-be grandmother's) tea towels as the detachable towel on the front.  I'm told she loves it, so I'm very glad.  Here are pictures of it before it was sent and then a picture of Hannah modeling her new apron.  I hope it sees lots of cookery and baking in the years to come as sweet Hannah marries my dear cousin. Congratulations you two!

 

with the towel detached

 

 

 

If you'd like your own custom apron leave a comment or message me and I'd love to talk to you about it!

Sweet Pea's Goods

"What do you want to be when you grow up, Lara?" "An artist."  Well I guess I've finally grown up.  I'm thoroughly enjoying working with my friend, Linda, at Sweet Pea's Antiques.  It's always a delight to talk about projects and new ideas with other creative people.  She gave me the opportunity to show her my projects recently and then proceeded to buy every single one!  I'm so grateful.  I thought I'd share some pictures of what she bought and some pictures of their new temporary home at the shop (until they go home with someone). Sweet Pea's is a pink dreamland of fun antiques and crafty whimsies.  If you live in my area, it is a MUST-SEE.

It was hard to give up my vintage greeting cards but I guess I don't need 100 of them

I didn't make the shoes but they were a dandy find anyway

I took these in the middle of one of our severe summer thunderstorms