stock up the shop: the thrill of the hunt

I've always loved vintage items... including vintage fabrics and linens. I'm no expert on vintage fabrics, but I am very intrigued by them and very much enjoy shopping for them. I'm not talking about shopping online or at actual fabric stores, but hunting through antique malls, thrift shops, flea markets, estate sales...to find fun treasures hidden in the corners and piles. 

Check out this fun 1970s apron with teapots, houses, doors, and flowers in great 70s colors.

This is an amazing Lanz Original fabric from the 1950s. It is a really beautiful representation of Little Red Riding Hood. Just over 4 yards of this!

Beautiful blues, stripes, and tiny flowers on this one. It's a lightweight cotton.

Something about it, I just love looking at it. 

This is a cute Scandinavian print. Such pretty colors and a cute design. It has definitely never been used or washed. I can just see it as kitchen curtains or a tablecloth...

or maybe even a panel in a little girl's skirt or dress!

Because I unfortunately don't have the time or energy to sew with all of these, many of these fabrics, and more to come, will be for sale at the creekhouse Etsy shop along with my other vintage finds. Looking forward to learning more about vintage fabrics!
~ Jenny

project: slipcover

Ugly chair...worse in real life than in the photo.

Old Target linen/cotton blend curtains and happening by this tutorial.

Voila! 

I think I'll go back and press all the seams just to crisp it up a bit. 

But I also like the wrinkly-unkemptness of the linen. 

Great thing is that it all comes off in one piece to pop in the washer and dryer and pop it back on.

And here's the new TWO year-old trying it out. Happy Birthday Little Girl!

Cute and very satisfying. 

It seems like the perfect weight fabric, with the right amount of drape to it...

and a bit of stretch to hide imperfections (don't look to close.)

project: anna maria horner meets toddler proofing

I recently obtained 4 chairs from a local thrift shop. Nothing fancy, but they match my not-so-fancy table. The cushion covers, as you can see, are not so great either. But, with a family including little ones, a not-so-fancy table with not-so-great chairs are just fine, for now.

Well, cut to a few months later with a squirmy five year old and downright wacky almost-two-year old who likes to eat yogurt with her fingers...the not-so-great chairs are downright nasty.

Hello, day shopping alone in Denver (happy b-day to me) and coming across a fabric store I had dreamed of visiting. Hello, stumbling across a corner bin containing Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks Forest Hills Oil Cloth. Hello, brain engaged enough from having a shopping day to myself that I actually could think of the project I had been meaning to do...with this particular oil cloth! Hello, beautiful, fun, funky, toddler-proof new chairs!

Soon to be finished this weekend. Excited about getting it all done!

I have a project list, and it's slowly getting crossed off. Loving that.

~ Jenny

only you can prevent forest fires

Are you having flashbacks to the 70s when you read that phrase? I sure did when I found this fabric last week at a thrift shop. I've always had a thing for Smokey, and was tickled when I found these curtains.

I tried to research to find what year they are from 'cause I hate to call things vintage if they're not really. They are made by Fieldcrest, and the only thing I could find online was this funny little article from 1972. (I love you, internet.) I think I can safely assume that they are from 1972, which I would consider vintage; I was just one year old...so yes, definitely vintage. Looking at the style, colors, and pictures, that sounds about right to me.

Can you stand the cuteness? Have a closer look at some of the images:

Little blue possums!

What a nice turtle helping blue mouse get his flower home.

Who made that beautful necklace for you Ms Deer?

Hmmm, break my matches...I don't get it, but I'll do anything you say, wise one.

I think he's getting ready to make another necklace for his lady...

I know that was a lot of photos with very cheesey captions, but every time I looked I found another very clever cute little thing.

They are two large, lined curtains, about 2 yards wide by 1.5 yards high, and the fabric is nice heavyweight. Question is...what to do with them? They'd be cute curtains as is for little boy's room...or maybe for a play room...or maybe made into...hmmm...I just don't know. 

Happy 4th of July, all. Maybe something this weekend will remind you of your childhood...decorated bikes, ooohs and ahhhs, the smell of fireworks, root beer floats...can't wait to see little boy experience his first sparklers tomorrow. And to those of you in other countries, enjoy your weekend, too!!

~ Jenny

been gone

You get the picture. As soon as I get the suitcases unpacked and get caught up on my sleep after traveling with two little ones (hubby didn't get to come this time,) I'll be back at it.

~ Jenny