Sommer Designs

Thrift Thursday...et.al.

This is a really busy week for me. Coming off two events, I have another this Sunday and then we are leaving on Wednesday for Thanksgiving in Mammoth Lakes (my favorite place). We return on Sunday and I have another event on Tuesday, and then two more after. I'm frantically trying to replenish stock because I won't really have time in between the next 2 shows. This is when all that procrastination from the summer bites me in the ass. I'm such a dip.

I got out another order to Nest yesterday, so if you've been looking at those aprons, they will be restocked soon! I love working with Nest, it's such a great site and such a great cause.

I also have to tell you, if you've been thinking about Lavender Liners for holiday gifts, don't put off your purchase! I sold out last year, and even though I made tons more for this season, they are moving fast! This makes me oh-so-very-happy, but just a heads' up...k? When they are gone, they're gone. I'm out of fabric, and not expecting any until after the holidays! That's my PSA for the day.

AND, Thrift Thursday, before I forget! I found another vintage crochet apron! In a box of crochet trims/pieces/doily's - most of which were in terrible condition, except for this little beauty, which was in perfect condition!

Yesterday was Candy's birthday! She turned 8! We were all so happy for her and tried to make her day extra, extra special - but she seemed a little down.

"Woe is me. I'm so depressed."

"Is this all there is? Nap. Nap. Stretch. Play ball. Nap."

"Deal with knucklehead over there"

"Case in point. Hey, grow up Gracie, will you? Knucklehead."

"What was that? My birthday? Today?"

"You got me a cake? A doggie cake?"

"Well alright then. You can stay."

Thrift Thursday - Vintage Crochet Apron

How about a happy post?

I've been hankering for a crochet apron ever since I saw this beautiful tunic apron. At first, I thought I would just make it, but then I realized I have no crochet skills for this project. Then I found another crochet pattern, and another, and each time I thought, maybe, maybe, maybe!

And while reading The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel, I realized that I really wanted a vintage crochet apron, made a long time ago, by someone else, who sat down and poured hours of love into their handiwork.

While perusing eBay a few weeks ago, I came across one - and while not exactly thrifted, it fits the bill.

I couldn't believe nobody else came and snatched it away from me in the final moments. It was in perfect condition, albeit a little discolored and had a few brownish/rust stains on the front. It was the discolorations that gave me the perfect excuse to try some Retro Clean, which I had heard about on Flickr. Retro Clean is available on its' own website, as well as eBay - check it out, it really works!

Just 2 tablespoons in some warm water (I threw in some other laces and those vintage doily's from last week) and soak for up to two days. I put the bin outside in the sun, but I think you can also soak indoors.

It came out pristine white, and the colors so bright! Did you notice those little crochet flowers along the waistband? Love those.

Love my vintage crochet apron.

Love Retro Clean.

Thrift Thursday

Last Friday, in San Diego county-ish, I hit the literal thrift bonanza. I dropped Scott off at work in Rancho Bernardo, and made my way (map in hand) to thrifts in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and back up to Escondido. Poway was especially lucrative, as I found an entire strip mall devoted to thrifts - about 6 of them!

I ended up with two skirts (one demin Halogen - $3.50 from Salvation Army & one black watch plaid Lands' End from a smaller thrift for $3.00); a beaded jacket ($8.50 - Salvation Army - it's not really my style, but I couldn't leave it there at that price! I'll figure something out!);

several half slips ranging in price from 99 cents to $2.99; some vintage buttons & lace (50 cents each); a 3-strand faux pearl choker ($5); and two groups of crochet lace doily's that were $1 and $1.25.

All in all, I spent a grand total of $31.00. That was a good day. A very good day!

I plan to embellish the denim skirt with the doily's and have already shortened the black watch plaid.

I only wish every Thrift day could yield such a bounty! More Thrift Thursday here!

Thrift Thursday...*sigh*...more vintage jewelry

How fun is this? It's all one necklace of faux pearl & gold tone chain - joined together at the ends. I. Love. It. $12 at Second Time Around (consignment shop) in Torrance. I also bought another [big fat] faux necklace, but we'll hold off on that until the outfit is right.

Oh, and the outfit? How about a Wardrobe Remix?

Stripey top: Gap
Babydoll sweater: Target
Jeans: Jagg
Shoes: Dansko - my old, old, old ones!
Ring: can't see, but it's an amazing Murano big glass band that my mom brought back from Italy last summer. I'm always afraid I'll smash it.
Earrings: favorite reworked vintage from Ornamental Things

Oh, what the heck...here's an earring detail:

You can't see them very well because they were swinging as I tried to beat the camera. But I love Natalie's reworked vintage jewelry.

The babydoll sweater up there I actually bought to rework. I was planning to add some embroidery and maybe lace to the sleeves. I'm in the middle of another rework right now that I hope to share next week. Fun stuff, that reworking.

More Thrift Thursday here!

Thrift Thursday...tiny oil paintings

File under: this I love.

I picked this up last Sunday at the Old Torrance Antique Street Faire for $5. Five dollars. I have a thing for floral oil paintings, but the tiny ones get me every time. It looks grand, but it's only 5 x 7.

It's unframed (another aspect I love) and the edges are perfectly frayed.

I can only imagine the time that V. Cabisada spent hunched over this little canvas, with a teeny, tiny brush in hand, painstakenly painting this lovely canvas...only to have it eventually end up on a table at a flea market to be sold for five dollars.

I would have paid much more for it...sweet little thing.

More Thrift Thursday here!

Thrift Thursday...

Vintage Jewelry...I love.

I stopped by the Antique Mall last week and ran through really, really quickly. I wasn't supposed to be there - I was supposed to be on my way back from Orange County and I was supposed to drive straight home.

My car wasn't supposed to unexpectedly veer to the right and follow the offramp...

And I, certainly, was not supposed to get out of my car once it came to a stop. And turned off. By itself. I'm sure.

Vintage necklace by Marvella with three strands of pink, ruby red & clear beads with a stunning cluster clasp ($20 - I know I overpaid. But it's stunning. And I'm wearing it today with jeans, a white blouse & black sweater. I love that.) Vintage marcasite ring (shown above in group photo - $5.) & vintage crystal cluster clip on earrings ($5).

Hit. Score. Game over.

More Thrift Thursday here!

Thrift Thursday...

Long time, no Thrift Thursday. I've been thrifting...just not very successfully.

Last weekend we happened upon an Estate Sale. That counts, right? I try to never pass up Estate Sales...they can be a bonanza of fun. I always gravitate toward the silver...timeless and classic, that's my style. So I was so happy to find this three-piece sugar & creamer set.

Very deco, and quite heavy. I love the detail...

The tiny tongs are marked 'sterling', the bottom of the sugar and creamer are not, but this is the mark stamped on the bottom

They don't look or feel like they are plated, and if they are indeed sterling, then I think I did pretty darn good for $20. I haven't had time to look up the mark - is it familiar to anyone? If you recognize it, please let me know!

More Thrift Thursday here! Join the fun!

Thrift Thursday!

Saturday, after the Craft Swap, Shari took me to a local vintage clothing store called Flashbacks in Orange. Now, this was a funky spot! Jam packed with a lot of vintage goodies, but unfortunately, many of them were stained or ripped (and still pricey at that). But I did manage to find a fantastic vintage beaded cardigan, in perfect condition, for $32.00. Behold.

I. Love. It. Perfectly intricate beading, all intact, fully lined and a blend of mohair and cashmere, not one hole. A good score in my book.

Of course, neither of us could stop with the pictures while shopping. How can you when there are opportunities like this:

I still think you should have bought them Shari. I had to try on a pair too:

Clearly, they are not made for walking. Much. I think I'll stick to my Crocs. The most hilarious part was the owner, who is a Debra Harry look-alike, and is usually dancing behind the counter to the 80's rock they have blasting. She apparently could not figure out why we were laughing and taking pictures.

And, lots of tulle skirts. I wanted one, but alas, they were dinky tiny.

More Thrift Thursday here...I hope!

Thrift Thursday!

It's been eons since I've had a Thrift Thursday post! How bad is that? Well, I have to admit, thrifting has been on the back burner lately, which is too bad because it's just too much fun. I was actually planning to post this last week, and forgot!

So, a couple of weeks ago, after I dropped off Drew at school, I noticed a sign for a local Estate Sale and had to stop by. I waited in line (don't you just hate that?!) and was pretty disappointed in the slim pickings and high prices.

But as I was making a quick eyeball scoop of the last room, I spotted a funky, smaller chandelier (squeel! and checking to see why nobody else noticed it) in a corner. It has some weird prongs sticking out around the top, and I later found out it was for a ghastly lampshade (oh, yes!), that actually sat on top. Why? No idea. You'd never see the chandy with that hideous contraption.

Price? Be still - $25.00. I figure a good coat of ivory paint and some extra crystals is all it needs. I have no idea where it will evenutally reside, but for now, it's hanging in my workshop.

More Thrift Thursday here!

Thrifting, Friends & Old Towne Orange

I was planning to have a thrift thursday post today! It was high on the list and I was looking forward to sharing my haul! Yesterday, I met my friend Shari in Old Towne Orange for a day of junking. Old Towne Orange is located in the City of Orange, in the self-proclaimed antique capital of California. It definitely lives up to its' name - it is about a 1/4 square mile filled with antique stores, malls, thrift shops and funky little restaurants, all around a central square (which is actually a traffic circle). I've only been once before, but it was so great to go with a local who knew her way around!

First, Shari took me to a to-die-for architectural salvage yard - tons of old doors, french doors, iron doors, and amazing stained glass windows.

I missed taking a picture of the most spectacular round (literally 12 foot) stained glass window that was suspended from the ceiling - it must have been from an old church, it was beautiful!

We hit nearly every antique mall, chock full of wonderful surprises and so many possibilities.

I loved this crock filled with embroidery hoops - I don't think they were vintage, but the setting spoke to me!

Little treasures around every corner - if I had room, this high chair would have become a plant stand.

Beautiful vintage hankies clipped to the line - I thought of Janet and her wonderful pillows!

At the end of the day, I had only bought a vintage necklace to glam up the new girl, which was probably a good thing. I could have done some serious damage there! We had a yummy lunch at a new Mexican place (that I can't remember the name to, maybe Shari will comment with it), so good! Before I knew it, it was time to head home back to my real life!