Vintage Clown Jumper

We're getting good mileage out of vintage jumpers around here.  Paired with a little turtleneck and tights, they're the perfect outfit for Florida winters, where it doesn't get too cold.

I stay away from a lot of appliqued designs, because quite often they're a little too 80's cutesy for me, but I thought this clown was tolerable, and I can never pass up adorable ruffled straps like these!

 Plus, Avery's a big fan of hearts and balloons, so she enjoyed this little outfit quite a bit!

Everything she's wearing is thrifted this week!  Just the way we like it!

I'm linking up here and here!

Fave Pic of 2011

Just a quickie.  I'm entering Paper Mama's photo challenge for my favorite photo of 2011.  This one popped into my mind first, so it's the one I'm entering.  Ah, those terrific two's!!!

And, by the way, thank you so much to those of you who commented on the last post with the boys' painting- you should have seen their smiles when I read them the comments!

The Monkey Wants a Penny, The Penny Got Spent

My boys often ask to do art projects, but I admit that usually, I don't feel like dealing with the mess that would bring, so I set them up with something easy like stickers or markers.  But one day last month, I thought I'd have them do a "real painting" like Mommy does.  And it turned out surprisingly well!

First, I had them each choose 3-4 images out of some of my vintage image stash.  After they glued them down, I mixed up some paints in colors that matched the colors in the images and suggested they add the paint in areas around the images.  Once the paint was dry, they added details with pencils and some watercolor crayons.  Here is the result:

 The title is "The Monkey Wants a Penny, The Penny Got Spent".  Riley is very into money and coins right now, thus the theme that emerged with the piece.

 It works perfectly in their bedroom above these hooks from Hobby Lobby! 

 They are very proud of their piece, as you can see!

 And I'm very proud of them as well!  This really was their own creation- I honestly only offered a few suggestions as to how to balance colors, etc.  In fact, I think I could take away a few pointers from their piece!  I just adore the free-ness and unabandoned quality in children's art...

 I know they would really enjoy it if you guys showed these budding artists some love.  I told them I was going to show their painting on the computer, and they were pretty excited!

And really, how can you resist such awesome dudes as these, am I right?

Lil' Vintage Story Books #11

Welcome again to Lil' Vintage Story Books, where we share our favorite vintage children's books!

Today's book is such a fun one to look through.  It's called "The Happy Book", written by Josephine van Dolzen Pease and illustrated by Esther Friend, published in 1942.  It's all about teaching children good manners and proper etiquette in the 40's.  I really hope the photos are large enough that you can read the text, because that's the funnest part!

Parents, make sure you cut on that dotted line before little Jimmy gets a hold of the book!

 The illustrations are so sweet!

 Hmmm, looks like some kids I know...!

 Awww, pony rides!!

 Don't you wish there was a cure for the "gimmies"??

This one is funny, I think.  I'd better hold onto this story for Miss Avery- she's a thumb-sucker!

The reason I thought to show this book this week was because I used one of its illustrations in a piece of art on Thursday.  I'll show that piece in a few days, but here are some past works with snippets from this book as well!

 Mother and Father, as well as the two boys are from this book...

 Both sweet little girl illustrations from it as well...

 The puppies, and the upside-down boy (Noah!)...

Another sweet little girl illustration...

And another Mother and Father, as well as another little girl illustration...

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Blue Checks Again

I'm so grateful Stacy created "Little Vintage Style" last year, because it really got me into dressing Avery in vintage!  Although I'll miss the weekly link party (she's decided not to make it a regular feature anymore), I'll continue to post Miss Avery's vintage outfits here periodically, and I'll also continue to link up over at Morgan's on Thursdays for "Small Style".

You may remember this blue checked top from the outfit she wore a couple months ago.  Strangely enough, I found both jumpers at the same thrift store on different days, and they both had the exact same blue checked fabric on them, that matches the top.  I suspect they somehow all came from the same person, but who knows?  Maybe just a lucky coincidence!

It's such a cute little dress-  I wish I'd had it when she started school, because it would be perfect on the first day, with the apple and pencil appliques!

 The green leggings are thrifted, as are the shoes...

 

Go check out the other cuties here on Thursday!!  Also linking here for a new link party!

Lil' Vintage Story Books #10

Welcome again to Lil' Vintage Story Books, where we share our favorite vintage children's books!

 

 I love this little book today!  It's a Whitman Fuzzy Wuzzy Book called Fuzzy Wuzzy Ducklings, by Louise Rowe, published in 1945.

 It's a sweet counting story, adding a new duckling on each page.

 Several pages feature flocking on some of the ducklings.

 I love the right hand page where they're all lined up!

 Look at that dapper little fellow!

 I wish the book featured a hard cover- I am wary about letting the kids handle this one, since it's so fragile!

 I adore the back "cover"- it would be so adorable framed in a little girl's room.  Hmmm, may have to consider that!

Thanks for stopping by! If you'd like to join in, grab a button to the right and link up below!