Frock up Brisbane Fair

What a splendid thing it is to discover that not only has the sun finally decided to shine after weeks of rain, but there is a vintage fair on this weekend. I had missed this fair the last time it was in town, this time I was determined to go and have a poke around. And my goodness, I was not disappointed.

There were vintage frocks galore and  beautiful hand made bags,

lovely piles of vintage sheets and fabric,

some wonderful kitchenalia, and something very special, can you see it hiding at the back?

Yes, that would be a box set of 1971 Richard Scarry books,

four gorgeous hardcover books,

yep, they absolutely came home to our place. So many new stories to choose from at bedtime.

and these lovely pyrex ramekins came home too ( well the bottom four as I had the top two already). Now just to find the ever elusive turquoise one..... is it just me or is turquoise pyrex as rare as hens teeth?

So while we spend the rest of the weekend choosing our favourite stories, feel free to head over and enjoy the final day of the fair tomorrow. It's called the "Way We Wear Fair" and it's on at the Mt Gravatt Showground from 10-3 or head over to Frock up Brisbane  if you want to know more.

Vintage sheet frocks and other fancies

Someone left a comment a while back asking me what I did with all the vintage sheets I had collected. I thought I had best provide some evidence that I do not have a certifiable hoarding disorder. A few months back,  I did finally finish making a frock for miss Liongirl. The stitching is a little wonky and that was the first ruffle I have ever attempted. Despite this, she loves it (the pocket pouch helps) and I can't wait to make a few more as this one will be too short by the time next summer comes.

Other than dresses, the vintage sheetage gets a variety of loving over here at Betsy's. Often they are actually on the bed, being used as, you'll never believe it........ bed sheets.

When there is a new batch freshly washed, they give me a wonderful view out of my lounge room windows. (We are moving the washing line as it is not quite as exciting with the socks and jocks load).

Often when the weather is good, we drag a few outside and whip up a cubby. So much easier on the eye than a tarp.

I haven't found many lately though, they are few and far between these days. This is one of the few in as many months.

Remember when I made this little minature quilt for the toy cot? I want to make a bigger version of this next, a tea party mat for miss Liongirl, maybe even with chenille backing so we can snuggle under it if we are out and about.

I do really need to sort and iron my stash as a priority, so some pics of that another time. I'll leave you with some washing line joy.

Linking in with Sophie for more vintage goodies.

Teeny vintage frocks and red goodies galore

I seem to stumble across finds in certain colours at certain times. Seems to be a very red phase at the moment. The red cats remind me of my Gram who had similar ones in orange. I already had 3 of these apple glasses so imagine the joy of finding another three plus the carafe for only $3. Bring on summer and some home made lemonade I say.

And every now and again a certain oppie pulls out the vintage kids goodies. While we are still on red.......

And check out the back. The  vintage label - Maude Wilson style. Go Maude. 

 Despite the blueness of this very lacy frilled frock, Miss Liongirl would have been quite happy to pop it on today. It looks about a size 6 so she will have to wait a little while. The label says "handmade by Grandma" and it looks very much as though it was made with love. I am just doing cartwheels that something other than pink is on the acceptable list. Woo hoo. She has no idea about my current  plan to bribe her into plaits, and provide sparkly red shoes and a small dog who answers to "Toto".

I am sure no bribery will be required to get her into this gorgeous old handmade tutu. Although white is concerning as she is constantly eating and is not at all tidy about it.

And this is one of my faves. It will probably be too small by next summer, I am hoping to copy the design and make her some more.

She loved this one too, I think those oversized pockets were the best bit. Shame she is so hard to photograph though.

These are the best I could do.

She's still sick poor thing, we think she might have the flu. The real flu. We are spending lots of time snuggling in the sunshine on our lounge, watching Angelina Ballerina and sometimes scrolling back through the blog to relive her birthday party. Seems to help, all that pink.

Linking in with Sophie and all those other lovers of vintage goodies.

On the go

There are numerous half baked projects going on over here. Here is a sneak peek of one that is nearly finished.  Let me just say in a previous life it was a nasty orange stained pine, it's a little too small for me and the owner probably wishes it was pink. Just a few more knobs to paint and pop in place  and I'll be back with the big picture.

In the meantime, there is always some time for a quick op shop visit. Can you believe this little coat? Pink velvet with an embroidered collar. Hoping it passes miss Liongirl's approval rating system. I wish it was in my size!

Apples or pears? Or both. Any thoughts on the intended purpose of this dish? I presume it is not for the decorative placement of one pear and one apple. I am thinking either keys or loose change.

And a gorgeous egg cup for miss Liongirl who has recently discovered the joy of gooey eggs with toast soldiers.

And some wonderful additions to our book collections. An Australian animal little golden book, and another hard cover Enid Blyton.

Better run, vintage wallpaper calling.

Yarnbombing the school

Not long after I learned to crochet last year, I stumbled across an amazing book at our local library. It was called Yarnbombing and it opened up a whole world that I had never heard of. The official definition of yarnbombing is "the activity of putting knitted coverings on public objects, especially secretly and without official permission". Everything about this appealed to me. Beautifying public spaces with colourful graffiti in a covert ops kind of way. How totally cool. I fantasized about sneaking into our prep playground and turning it rainbow.

Imagine my excitement to discover that the theming for this years school fete involved plans to yarnbomb the massive Moreton bay fig tree. I had no idea that so many other school mums knew how to crochet. So every Thursday we met after school and worked on a red and white piece to help dress the tree. Suddenly at Saturday ballet there were fellow crochet comrades all hooking away. The end result was an amazing collaboration.

There was a wonderful installation of rainbow pods dreamed up by another arty mum,

Trees wrapped up for winter,

And of course my little bird perch was up there too.

Despite a dreary day for the fete and a muddy oval that moved all the rides to a different part of school, all the colour made the day sing. We definitely had a great day. What with a day pass for unlimited dodgem car rides,

guinea pigs to groom,

and Liongirl finally had her wish, a whole fairy floss to herself. That beautiful vintage dress became a very sticky pink mess pretty quickly, luckily it did all wash out.

I cannot believe that Roboboy and I managed to stumble into a school that is so, well, cool.
Wouldn't it be great if we could keep up that crochet momentum and do a few more branches, maybe a different colour for each branch......... could look amazing for next years fete.

Crafting the rain away

It has been raining almost solidly here for the last two days. Nothing better for a spot of crafting than the steady thrum of raindrops on an old tin roof. I have had this idea percolating in my brain for while now, the final inspiration came from this page of my Womans Day Handicrafts circa 1978..

A cup of tea, some toast and jam and a little bit of fiddly snipping and gluing of some wonderful vintage wallpaper samplers that I found on Etsy. Despite having all the precision of a moose in a china shop, teeny tiny intricate fiddly little creations have always appealed to me.( By the way, if you want to see a genuine moose pop over here, this thrifty girl  has one in her backyard from time to time).

As part of my Grateful project I knew some handmade cards would be required. This one is for this lovely lady. She is hosting the Fat Quarter swap and other than the joy of vintage sheets now covering her whole house, she sorts, counts and re-posts out of the goodness of her heart. Get those sheets in swiftly girls, it's finishing soon. Here is one of my contributions, all the way from the great Warrigal Oppie Warehouse adventure of September 2011.

I can't remember where this one came from, but I started chopping into it while the glue on that card was drying. Multiple projects on the go here at Betsy's. Would you believe this one is already half finished. (no guarantees for the other half).

And look what turned up at the oppie. I just cannot seem to walk past a dolly cradle. I think Nurse Nancy Liongirl and I might be opening a dolly hospital shortly. Not sure whether to de-sticker, clean and leave in the original orphanage lavender colour, or repaint.

And this little print, will be going straight to a certain little girl's room.

And I seem to be just stumbling across vintage toddler clothes galore lately. This one is sized 18 months.

Lucky miss Liongirl is expert at squeezing herself into too small clothes. If they are pink of course. Bet you had never previously considered scootering in a tutu.

Back soon, hopefully with another 100% completed project.