Vintage Goodness

Hello! It's been a while, I know. I've become bad about updating my blog in a timely manner... thanks for being patient with my slowness, and I hope all these fun photos make up for it!

First off, I have an announcement to make. I've decided to open a new etsy shop called "Vintage Goodness"! My poor studio and Avery's poor nursery (the two primary places I display vintage treasures) are both bursting at the seams right now. I've got to clear some things out, so that I have room to buy more-ha ha! So I've put them on Etsy to offer to you! There're a lot more, but here's a small sample of some of the items I have in the shop:

This little cutie below hasn't made it into the shop yet; I'm still trying to decide whether or not to keep her!

So, take a look and see if there's anything you just have to have! I'll continually add new things, as I reorganize, or if I find something at a thrift store that I don't keep for myself!

My next big announcement (well, not really an announcement, but something I'm excited about!) is the wonderful gift my even-more-wonderful husband got me for Christmas! A new sewing/embroidery machine! I had been using a really old Brother machine that caused me a lot of heartache, and he surprised me with this beauty!!

So I have been having a lot of fun learning, to say the least. And I've been scouring the internet looking for vintage-inspired machine embroidery patterns. If anyone out there is "in the know" about this type of thing, please give me some suggestions! But I have found a few, and here are two of my first projects:

This little dress was made using Rachel's tutorial. I see a lot more of these jumpers in Avery's future-easy to make, and a perfect way for me to try out some cute embroideries!

My next project was a pajama bag for Avery's crib. I made one of these for Noah's bed a couple years ago, and it's so useful, I needed one for Avery as well.

I put the embroidery on a little pocket on the front. I'm sure all kinds of things will make their way into the pocket once she gets older!

As you can see, I also got a ruffler foot for the sewing machine- so fun!!!

I also made this doll for Avery using Hillary's pattern. Adorable pattern! I didn't do any embroidery on this one because I was still getting to know the machine...

And a couple "reversible" monsters for the boys using this pattern.

I've also done several spreads in the kids' journals. The first is about Avery rolling over for the first time.

And then one about some of her "achievements" during her fourth month.

And the last is about her first two teeth. They both popped through on Christmas Eve!

In Noah's book, I did a spread about giving up his pacifier. We are now paci-free in this house! Avery has taken to her thumb, so no more pacis to keep track of-hurray!

And another about his "grumpy face"-everyone he knows recognizes this face-we see it often!

In Riley's book, I did a spread about his beginning understandings of God. Such proud moments as a mother seeing him begin to talk about God and Jesus...

And would anyone like some vintage eye candy today? My mom got me this wonderful vintage baby blanket for Christmas (after I sent her a link-hint, hint!). I framed it in a frame I found at a thrift store, and hung it over Avery's changing table. I LOOOOVE it-probably one of my absolute favorite possessions! Every time I change her, I get to look at it!

Speaking of favorite possessions, here is another one of my newest ones! A little toy Jaymar piano that I found at the thrift store for $7!

I haven't found a home for it yet, but it does look pretty cute on Avery's dresser for these photos!

The little blue cat is another recent find....

As are these two vintage planters and jewelry box. The jewelry box has wonderful turquoise velvet inside the drawers.

I've found a few old paint-by-number paintings recently. A couple are in Avery's room, and the others I hung in our family room-they are the 3 kitty cats and the bird painting. Personally, I sort of love them and love the colors they add to the wall arrangement. My husband isn't too sure. What do you think? Weird or cool?

Finally, I just thought I'd throw in some photos that my friend, Joy, took of our little family.

It's still sinking in that we are now a family of five!

Hope you're all having a great start to 2010!