Friday, July 30, 2010

Pineapple or Peacock?

With all of the crocheted jewelry out there right now I thought I would take a stab at making my own. Here's what I did. I took a crocheted pineapple table topper from a thrift store costing me $2.99.
I cut out two of the peacock feather looking shapes. I used glue to harden the pieces (I originally used fray check, but it keeps it soft) so I then used craft glue mixed with water to harden the pieces.
Then using  my jewelry pliers I added a jump ring to the center and added a earring hook. So easy!
Till Later,
Tonya

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

80's Polka Dot Remix

Before I started my blog I began finding clothing with some potential at thrift stores and change a few details. Today I wore one of the first dresses that I remixed. Here's how the dress began..
So it was 80's with shoulder pads and an ugly lace collar, (sorry for the poor quality photo)

 I took out the shoulder pads, cut off the collar, took off the sleeves, made a waistband from excess fabric from the length and shortened it about a foot.
My silver necklaces are from the yard sale I posted about earlier, and the turquoise necklace is from a friend, and as you can see the sun is out and so are my freckles!

Till Later,
Tonya

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Ghost Flower

Today I though I would share an interesting find. Yesterday I took a walk in my local forested park and saw this strange, yet beautiful flower along the trail. My plant identification book lists this plant as very rare, so for me it was great to see.


This one is older, hence the blackening of the outer edges. This plant lives off the roots of nearby coniferous trees.

Till Later,
Tonya

Monday, July 26, 2010

Anthro Inspired

I love Anthropologie and often go there to get inspiration. I went there the other day and saw the cutest aprons and thought I might be able to make a similar one at home.
                                                                     Anthropologie
                                                        I also found this one at Pier 1

Here's my version using another thrifted Ralph Lauren paisley pillowcase, a blue paisley button down shirt and sheet fabric.
 When I was finished I showed my fiance'. He looked at me, laughed and said, "You're such a girl". I suppose I am. He said it's cute, but I don't think I'll catch him wearing it. 

Till Later,
Tonya

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Vintage Treasures

Although I've always loved antiques and vintage things it wasn't until recently that I have begun to seek them out. Growing up we could never afford anything new and I think after moving out I went through a phase where I really enjoyed feeling when I could afford something new. Luckily that phase in my life has passed. I am always on the lookout for great finds. I look for beautiful items for decoration, for use in my home and for future projects. Here are a few of my most recent finds.
 Last weekend I went to a yard sale held by an older woman cleaning out her home after 30 years (always a good sign of treasures). I found these cute little mushrooms for $1. The curtains are a Goodwill find for $10 for three panels.
 I also got these Scottish wool fabric samples from the 70's or 80's, that are the perfect size for pillow covers, great for fall (50 cents a piece).
 I also got this adorable jar from Japan for $1. I also bought a four necklaces, and a pair of large clip-on earrings that would be great as a ring. In all I spent $8.50. Not bad for a days work.

Till Later,
Tonya

Monday, July 19, 2010

Ralph Lauren Apron

I have been thrifting fabric for the last couple of months and have found some cute Ralph Lauren bedding that I decided to use to make a ruffled apron. I love aprons mostly for their decorative value. I think they're adorable. I used a pattern (well instructions) from One Yard Wonders and think next time I will make my own pattern, as it didn't quite work at is was suppose to. I have been inspired by aprons at Pier 1 and Anthropologie lately and will be making  more soon. I feel there are so many projects I want to do and so little time to do them. Oh well, at least I am doing some of them. I would love to hear about projects you are working on, or where you get your inspiration.

Till Later,
Tonya



Friday, July 16, 2010

Mourning the loss of cheese and ice cream

I'm allergic to milk and if I eat too much of it I get eczema, but for a few years I didn't have any effects. Last weekend I went to a friend's wedding and apparently ate something with milk, I got the worst outbreak of eczema that I've ever had. It covered my hands and even my lips (so gross, painful, and embarressing). So once and for all I am acknowledging that I cannot under any circumstances eat milk products again. It's funny, but I feel as though I'm mourning a loss, no more real cheese, real ice cream, grilled cheese sandwiches. After allowing myself to mourn such a loss I found some beautiful spots around my home to photograph and thought I would share them with you. I've noticed I don't have a bare windowsill in the house. I hope you enjoy!




 Till Later,
     Tonya

Thursday, July 15, 2010

From tablecloth to shopping bag

During a recent trip to Goodwill I found a vintage tablecloth. I liked the fabric but was unsure what I would use it for. I think I found a good project. I used a pattern from One Yard Wonders, by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, but could have just as easily traced a plastic bag or reusable bag. I used fabric scraps for the patches to add some decoration. 


 

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Engagement Weekend Trip












About two months ago LeMont and I took a weekend trip to Longbeach, WA. We had a great trip and got engaged during the weekend. Here are the highlights of our trip. We went to the lighthouse overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River, but I don't remember the name of it. We also drove out to Oysterville. It is definitely worth the drive if you are near the area. The town is on the historic register and driving through it felt as though we had stepped back nearly 100 years (minus the cars). The homes are so beautiful, with cute white picket fences, covered in lichen from the moist sea air. We stopped by the church which is open to visitors. I loved the doorknob to the church. We also went to the pioneer cemetery and saw several gravestones from the late 1800's. The whole little town has a strange vibe to it. We almost expected to see a ghost in the church or in our photos. My favorite house in the little yellow house with the green door, so cute.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Rust and Barnacles



For the 4th of July LeMont and I planned on doing a difficult hike that required good sunny weather (for the views and for safety) and as of the night before it was suppose to be perfect, but as we began to drive there, typical of Oregon weather it began to rain. The hike was on the way to the coast so we decided to drive out to see the Peter Iredale shipwreck that had run aground in 1906. I loved the rusted steel hull and the barnacles growing on it. Photos by me, and LeMont.
I haven't been able to figure out blogger this week. I finally got a photo to the size I wanted so I thought I would give you a preview of my 4th of July. LeMont and I went to this awesome shipwreck on the coast.