Three down two to go more up cycle projects.

Hello Everyone,
I'm working my way thru a few cane pieces and giving them a new life.
Hopefully someone will want to enjoy them in their home.
Lots of paint in lovely bright colours and loads of vintage sheet fabrics.
The first two are in lovely lime green and pink and then I decided to do a fire engine red cane table .
Next I have started a turquoise blue two seater couch and a canary yellow child's chair.

So I have taken them to the Vintage shed to see how they go I'm hoping people will like the new spring colours.
Cheerio Lyn.

Spring cane furniture upcycle.

Hi Folks,
As I sit here writing to you covered in various colours of spray paint,you will realise our winter is pretty much over and we in the Southern Hemisphere are embracing SPRING !
So it's time to create, paint ,sew and generally make stuff.
So this week I am attempting to revitalise an old retro cane setting.
So clearly there is lots of spray painting involved as well as covering the old cushions with vintage sheet patchwork.
So here is the first cab off the rank!

So the next chair is pink and the two seater is going to be turquoise they should look quite colourful together.

Cheerio Lyn

More upcycling projects

Hello everyone,
I came across a plastic coated apron at the opp shop the other day and I bought it without a plan in mind.
It was clearly a tourist gift from London with the underground depicted on it and I've fond memories of the London Underground when I visited as a teenager.
I recall it had wooden escalators back then with long rides to the platforms ,as we in Melbourne did not have an underground system then.
Anyway my beloved came home with an odd stool from hard Rubbish ( curb side pickup )and said do you want it! Hell yes I replied I have a great project in mind.
So I stripped off the old cover and found the foam was in pretty good condition,there was no weird
smells so on to the next step.

Next I used the old top as a pattern drew around it with a texta and measured the side strips and cut 

Them both out.Then I sewed the whole lot together making certain that they were double stitched the ends .next I used a glue gun to fold and attach the top to the base. I think it turned out quite well.

Cheerio Lyn 

Things I have been up to lately.

Hi Everyone,
It's been a long time since I posted last,the black dog has been following me along with computer malfunctions and a lack of enthusiasm for life generally.
So I'm looking for new collections a day to start up again,and slowly getting things together and starting to remember stories.
What I have also been doing is some more up cycling with old cigarette tins and bits and pieces that I have found along the way.
I suppose I call them story tins.
They involve a story from the photos that I find at estates and then they work from there and become an occasion or memory in these people's lives,who I don't know and have never met .

So I hope you like this idea,I have given a few away to friends who needed cheering up and the rest have gone to my new stall at the Hayshed at the Packinghouse complex in Tyabb.

Cheerio all Lyn

Cleaning up my work room

Hi Everyone,
So it's been six years in a mess,stepping over boxes of fabric,piled high with half finished ideas and lots of stuff that just needed throwing out.
I've finally made a start! Yes I know you ask yourself why have you waited six years?
Well with a small person ,a buisness and helping my husband it's just been too hard! I would make a start and someone would get sick or we would have a huge estate to process and I've never had a good run at it.
This week I had two full days af cleaning sorting and organising ! Yay!

So there is still quite a lot to organise but I feel I've broken the back of it.

Scissors all found and organised

                                        but there is still lots of fabric to fold and sort out.
I actually started by making the curtains first out of Vintage pillowcases and they now make the room cosy and warm as we are having a particularly cold winter.
onwards I go and hope it wont take me another six years to finish it!
Cheers Lyn.

New stall space at The Vintage Shed.

Hi Everyone,
It's been another busy week here and we have two estates to clear out this week as well as lots of changes at The Vintage shed  and Waverley Bazaar . Today was the Vintage shed turn as I have moved into a larger stall and this gives me more space for vintage lovlieness .

                    These photos were taken at the end of the day and don't do it justice.

So all in all I think it turned out quite well .

Lots more new stock coming down on Thursday.

Cheers Lyn.

Making Stuff and up cycling because its cold!

Hi everyone,
It's winter here in Melbourne ,cold windy raining and generally miserable.
So now its time do do fun indoor activities hence the scrabble / ruler table.

 I found a table at my local recycle center and it had broken tiles on its top i removed the tiles and gave it a good clean.

Next I started fitting in timber scrabble tiles and vintage rulers into a stripe pattern,until I was pleased with the look and then glued the whole lot together with PVA wood glue.

I think it turned out ok!

Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #106

Hi everyone,
I really don't know what to call these except utensils.
This collection is a bit of a mixture of bits and pieces that have been sitting on my dressing table and added to when these obscure thing come my way.

Some are from manicure sets others are bone crochet hooks,button hooks ,pens and scissors but they fit nicely in an old cup.
Do you have a place that you keep your bits and bobs?
Cheers Lyn.

Some patch work up cycling

Hi everyone,
Over the school holidays ,whilst entertaining Miss Grace , I made some patchwork quilts from scraps that have been hanging around the sewing room.

 Mostly they are made from vintage sheet scraps and small pieces ,and off cuts from other projects.

                  Do you love to patch work are you a hand sewer or machine sewer like me!

I hope you like.

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #105

Hi Everyone,
Wooden cotton reels.
I have lots of these and they come from estates fairly regularly.I love there design and shape and of course there labels.

I do bag them up and sell them from time to time but they are getting to be rarer and rarer.
I find the actual cotton on the reels are a lot better quality than the modern equivalent .
Do you have some wooden cotton reels?
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #104

Hi everyone,
Bag clasps,
These clasps have come to me in the usual way from estates and opp shops and are waiting patently for me to figure out how  to re invent them into new bags.

The second on down is a lovely silver one with roses embossed on the handle,the next one is a lovely Bakelite Victorian one.
To me they are potential for creation.
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days#103

Hi everyone,
Darning mushrooms
I love these little guys,I remember as a child both my mum and grandmother had darning baskets complete with the mushroom
They would spend their spare time industriously darning socks.

Now of course socks are so cheap that people just throw them away.
I loved the idea of "make do and mend"
And I am still a good darner .
I guess it has become a lost art!
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#102

Hi everyone,
 School holidays are over and it's time to get back to it!
Dressmakers scissors.
Yes I sew a lot and these scissors are used constantly for fabric only and kept out of the way of little people and big peopl who don't sew!

These have been found mostly at estates exept the second pair from the left which are more precious as they belonged to my mum.
I also love the big shears as they make cutting patterns out a breeze.
Cheers Lyn

Short break in transmission,

Hi everyone,
we are having a short break for school holidays .That is all.

                                                                     carry on .
                                                                   cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#101

Hi everyone,
Little metal purses, this collection has been slowly collected over a long time,probably since I was a child.

And sometimes they just found me.
I love that they are all such cute shapes.,the very tiny purses were designed for telephone or parking metre monies .
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #100

I made it! 100 hundred collections!
Today lets talk about a collection of inspiration .

 These lady's who are the authors of the above books have helped me along the way when I was lacking inspiration.

And in the bookcase above there's more folk who inspire me .I do love to browse the net and Pinterest in particular but there is nothing like a book to really get the creative juices flowing.

If I can't afford to buy them there is always our local library which has a great selection and of course opp shops.

Do you have a creative drive if so what inspires you?

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #99

Hi Everyone,
Vintage scarves.
These are just a few of the scarves I have at home and also in the shops.I choose them for their colours designs and textures.
Some of this little booty are classics like the hunting scene on the top left one of those designs you could wear with your cashmere cardigan and tweed skirt for that classic country house look

Or the pretty pink one on the top right with a wonderful silk tourist design, another classic.spots poodles flowers all pretty examples of the scarf makers talent.
Have you got scarves that you love?
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #98

Hi everyone,
Indian fabric printing blocks.
These all came from another dealer who was selling them in her stall and I just loved them at first sight hand carved with intricate detail.
After a little research I found they were from India and were used to print saris and cotton textiles.

India is famous for its beautiful fabrics and particularly Saris,and I love having a piece of their textile  industries history.
Maybe one day I will have a go at printing them myself!
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days#97

Hi everyone,
Clock faces,
My Michael picked these and 3 more boxes from an estate of a watch maker. We did package and sell a lot of the watch parts and some of the faces, but I just couldn't part with these faces.

I love the graphics on them and wonder how many of these had interesting lives with there previous owners.I plan to up cycle them into something I'm just not shore yet what!
But I will keep you posted.
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #96

Hi everyone,
We have nearly reached one hundred posts on a collection a day, should I keep going or stop at 100?
Feed back would be great here people!
I've enjoyed doing this but wondered if your enjoying it?
So here's today's post
Cardboard boxes.

I love these boxes and over time I have worked in all these places.however these boxes were made well before I was born.
Before the invention of evil plastic bags everything was packaged in paper bags or cardboard boxes
And ties with a string in many cases.
Clothing and hats were warped in tissue paper and packaged like presents.
It doesn't feel the same with a plastic bag!
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#95

Hi everyone,
Children's patterns
Kids patterns in the 1950s were often just a smaller version of adult clothes.as we move into the 1960s they became more child friendly and easier for kids to play in.
With the invention of nylon and polyester blends children dressed up just to look cute became less prevalent .

Parents still love there children to look cute and with the modern fabrics they are able to play as well!
I have a few vintage dresses that I have kept for grace to get dressed up in but sadly she still loves her track suit pants.
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #94

Hi everyone,
Paper dolls,yep I love them .
Most of the collection I have are reproductions in books however quite recently I picked up 3 packets from the 1940s-50s

These have been collected at garage sales and Opp shops and a few have been bought for me by my husband!

Above are the  1940s-50s paper dolls all with fabulous wardrobes.

I remember being sick as a child and my mother always bought me paper dolls to play with as they were easier to play with in bed.

Do you have a childhood memory of paper dolls.

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #93

Hi Everyone,
OK ,some more patterns ,these are late 1950s to early 60s patterns you can see changes in the designs as they are more simple in style .In a lot of cases more fitted designs like the wiggle dress! And as we move into the 1960s styles  the silhouette becomes looser and more boxy in shape.

This is of course until the hippy styles come in by the mid 1960s a nod fashion changes once again.
I'm not a big 1960s fan as that's when I was born I prefer the more feminine styles of the 1950s.
What period do you like?
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #92

Hi Everyone,
Early 1950s patterns,fashion didn't necessarily stick to to exact decades with these patterns you can see the influence of the 1940s design mixing with  Dior's New look of more luxurious designs.
Fuller skirts and the classic  50s silhouette has come through.

The uniform designs of the 40s has gone with women embracing the hour glass figure. I'm a big 1950s fan and I'm shore I was born ten years too late!
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #91

Hi Everyone,
Lingerie packaging.
I've been collecting these pretty boxes for years and have occasionally sold the lot and started again.

They do come to me in the usual way, garage sales ,estates and opp shops.
The women in the graphics are so serene and beautiful and they sit happily in my sewing room and make me feel quite calm.
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#90

Hi everyone,
1940s patterns, I love to sew as you probably know by now and I have been collecting patterns for a very long time.
This collection is of 1940s patterns and the beginning of a couple of pattern posts.

The fashions in the 1940s were for a very uniform like silloette due to the shortage of fabrics as most nations were concentrating on the war effort.
Much of the fashion concentrated on hats and hairstyles as these were quite lavish.
Are you a 40s girl?
Cheers Lyn

Small break in transmission!

Hi everyone,
I hope your enjoying a collection every couple of days.
I'm trying to make it as diverse and interesting as I possibly can and there will be more to come!
I'm also thinking about opening an Etsy shop (French vintage and chic) to showcase some of my hand made goodies as seen in previous posts (and some still on the workbench),as well as some of my vintage treasures.

As we all know I am a slow learner when it comes to anything computer related (it took me 4blog posts to work out how to add photos to my blog!)

So stay tuned to this channel!

And let's see what happens!

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #89

Hi everyone,
Here is some nice 1950s designs on bark cloth I remember as a child my brother had the car design on his bedroom curtains and I was thrilled to find it in an opp shop .

On the top right is a quirky little print of 1950s -1960s  girls watering their gardens.
The other two are nice sedate 1950s designs a classic in the atomic home.
I do love my fabrics and its great to share them with you.
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#88

Hi everyone,
This is a slightly strange collection and I don't quite know why I have kept them .they are wedding telegrams.
These have been clearly kept as a memories of the big day.

I have no connection with these people but its nice to live the dream with them.
In our modern world today there would be a phone call or an email and nothing you can hold on to and cherish .
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #87

Hi everyone,
Floral bark cloth I find that florals are the prettiest and the most evocative of the 1950s woman .
These designs were the mainstay of most rooms in the house and the preferred choices .

I have used many of these floral designs over the years for clothing, cushions,patchwork curtains, baby bonnets you name it !
Because of there age they are soft and faded over time and a lot fit into the shabby chic category.
Am I they only one out there slightly obsessed with fabric?
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #86

Hi everyone,
House numbers ,most of these beauties have been picked up on hard rubbish . I have had quite a lot of them over the years including numbers for shops I've had and houses I've lived in.

I really Locke the old fashion fonts that were used and that people took pride in there homes.
Is your home a number or a name?
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#85

Hi everyone,
Yet another accidental collection most estates have a sewing box particularly little old lady's homes,and me being a sewer ,well I'm just attracted to them plus I love the great colours.

I've embellished a couple of pieces of furniture with them among other things and clearly they get used to measure things with !(see October 2011posts for some examples)
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#84

Hi Everyone,
This is another accidental collection they just started to turn up at estates and I just kept them!
I have made a couple of things with them and covered a table in them.(see post from July 2012 for actual table and I think it was put on Pinterest too!)

So I still use them for upcycle projects when the mood strikes !

Then again maybe leaving them in a dark Cuboard makes them breed!

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#83

Hi everyone,
Vintage cards.
I've found most of these at deseased estates and were clearly kept because they ment something to the owner.
Back when these were written people would send notes and cards for every occasion ,birthdays engagements ,marriages and of course death.

Some of these have been unused but many( the ones that are the most interesting) have been written on.They have lovely pictures and sentiments and remind me of a more friendly time.
Have you kept your cards?
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#82

Hi Everyone,
Classic 1950s design bark cloth
These are great examples of colour and design from the 50s period .
these have been collected from various estates and my particular favourite is the harlequin design on the bottom right I believe that is possibly a little earlier maybe late 1940s .

Mostly bark cloth was used for curtains and soft furnishings and made a colourful addition to the home.
Most of my collection is various sizes and I use them in craft projects  and for patchwork depending on the size and condition.
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#81

Hi Everyone,
Wooden scrabble,I've got a few of these both in wood and plastic tiles over the years I have made rings a scrabble topped table and taught my daughter her letters .
I remember playing scrabble with my family and I wasn't to good at it but it was a great learning tool.

I've seen many other crafty types make some fabulous hings with them and we find them at a lot of estates and garage sales and I've never manages to make a triple word score with them !

Have you?

Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days#80

Hi Everyone,
Bark cloth,as most of you know I love to sew and I have quite a large collection of fabrics but I definitely have a soft spot for 1950s bark cloth .

So I have quite a few that I will post over the next couple of weeks I will occasionally show you some of the different designs.
This little bunch here is of an animal theme.Top right is quite a fragile piece but is an African animal pattern. Two lots of horses top left and bottom right.Lastly the Beatles yellow submarine cloth I've used quite a lot of this fabric and there is only a small piece left.
So I'm certain I'm not the only person that has a fabric stash!
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#79

Hi Everyone,
Old house names.
We come across these in our travels from time to time and I can't seem to let go of them.the first one I found was on a house in Sandringham that was being pulled down and it had the most beautiful patina the copper had gone a lovely green and I've had it now for over thirty years.

The other two were from garage sales and are just as pretty in there own way .
There has been many more over the years and they have been sold to people who want to name their house.
Does your house have a name ?
Cheers Lyn.

Collection every couple of days #78

Hi Everyone,
Vintage train tickets.
These have come from four different estates and were all kept by the owners because of a special reason .
I don't know what the reason was but I would like to imagine that it was for a lovely day out with the family.
Maybe a ticket to visit a friend for the last time.

A special birthday celebration or a day at the races.
These tickets are from at least 40 years ago and are never seen any more and I guess would be collected by some.
Can you think of a great train trip?
Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days#77

Hi everyone,
Buttons on cards.
I use buttons most days when repairing vintage clothing that I sell,but the ones on cards like this I keep.
Most of these have come from estates opp shops and markets and I do snap them up when I see them

This bunch have quite cute graphics but are in sad condition a few of the others that I have I couldn't find when I wanted to photograph them and others are framed on the sewing room wall.

Cheers Lyn

Collection every couple of days #76

Hi Everyone,
Truth be known I was a brownie and a guide at one stage of my life,however this collection did not come from my illustrious career in that area ( I only got one badge a home maker badge ).

So clearly I've always lusted for a big collection of them as I never had one!

So this box has been picked up over years of estates ,garage sales and opp shops.

I have plans to cover something like a jacket in them if I was ever incapacitated for a week or two.

We're you ever in the scouts,guides,rovers or a brownie?

Cheers Lyn