Sew it yourself in 1964

I love this adorable book, one of my latest thrift finds!
It's the Lucky Sew-it-yourself Book by Camille Sokol with sweet illustrations by Bill Sokol. Published by Scholastic Book Services in 1964.

A fun instructional book on how to make many things from one little square of fabric! Perfect to get young kids starting to sew. They will learn how to make a scarf, a little bag, apron, pin cushion and a pillow for their favorite doll. It even teaches a few stitches, and some ideas on how to make a sewing box. Such a great book!

Obivously i'm obsessed with the wonderful illustrations the most!

Knit your coat

From Ariadne Craftmagazine September 1971

Really? If i could knit better, i could knit this coat?
I would wear it everyday! With pride and a smile.
And that belt! I adore!

Mom i want to knit too...

Dutch Phildar booklet, not dated, looks to be from the 70's.
Mom, i want to knit too...

Very cute and clear explanations into the basics of knitting.

And it ends with a couple of adorable easy patterns for doll knitwear.
Guess it's time i pick up knitting again...

Crochet Shelf Runner

Knick knacks on the kitchen shelf (1977).

I adore this! The photo itself, with the grouping of blue/turquoise items (something i'm doing lately too, group items by color; very pretty!) and that crocheted shelf runner, i love!
The book includes the pattern, so i started reading very excitedly. But oops. Really. Out of my league. I know some crochet, a couple of stitches, i'm a quick learner too. But this work description... not for me. I wish! All my shelves would have gotten crochet edges!

Vintage Crochet Project

This is what i do when i get hit by a car and have to rest and not move around:
I crochet a huge decorative throw for the couch!

I found the pattern in a Dutch vintage crochet magazine and it was meant to be a large round tablecloth.
But who says you cannot place a tablecloth on the couch and call it a throw?

The final piece measures almost 35" in diameter, so you know i've spent quit a few hours working on it! When i start a project like this, at first i think i will never get to the end, but then when its finished i know i'll miss working on it.
Stitch found his way into the picture. He likes to have his picture taken. Still wearing his NY Yankee shirt. Did you see him celebrating when they won the world series?

PS I got my MRI scan results and there are fractures in my pelvis and from my pelvis to my hip. That explains why my recovery is taking such a long time! Not fun.

How tall am i?

Vintage craftbook 1978

Whenever there are photos of young kids in vintage books, i always think of what their current age would be and how they will look now, what they are doing and if they themselves still have a copy of that book somewhere in their bookcase. Is that weird? That my thoughts go there?

If i would be better at woodworking and if i had a work space that could handle heavy working like that, i would definitely make on of these kids body length measuring things. I love the design and the pretty flowers and ladybug painted on it. For my US friends: don't be confused, those measurements are obviously marked in centimeters.

crochet toddler outfits

New designs in 1974 for babies' and toddlers' hand crochets.

I think they look adorable. If i had a little one i would take my crochet hook and yarn out right now!

Crochet Critters

I came across this cute pattern leaflet during one of my latest thrifting adventures. It was too cute to pass up on. But now i'm thinking i might never find the time to actually use it. In comes the Vintage Category i recently added to my Etsy shop. It's up for grabs for who would want to make these adorable little animals. And look, they have sweet flower garlands around their necks!

Crochet Critters Pattern Leaflet in the vintage section of my Etsy shop now!

Extra Large Magazine Magnets

I made a couple of magnets sets with images from comic magazines from the seventies, these were doing pretty well in my Etsy shop. I also did a couple of Large magnets with cut outs from the covers, these were almost all picked up right away (only one left).

I now made a couple of extra large magnets from entire covers of the Dutch Tina magazines from back in the days. These are currently listed in the shop. Click on the images to go directly to their specific listings.


More of these cover magnets and other vintage image magnets can be found in my Etsy shop!

Spoiled!

It's such a joy receiving surprise packages. Yesterday i felt like i forgot about my own birthday, i found two packages with goodies in my mailbox!
I am a big fan of the designs coming out of the sisterbrandt design studio, so i was chuffed discovering a package from Sabine Brandt! What a joy to open and adore all the pretty patterns! These are just a couple of the gorgeous cards she sent me.

These pretty notebooks remind me of the ones i had in school when i was a young girl, i love them! One has, instead of lines or blank pages, squared pages. I mean, like what you use to do math. It came in handy when i did my taxes. Yes, i use spreadsheets/calculators/am a girl of this millennium, but sometimes writing down the numbers on paper works best. J'adore!
There were also small post-it like papers with small illustrations on them. I feel spoiled.

Last week my sweet mom treated me to a surprise box of books. Craft books. Vintage craft books. I love the books, i love my mom even more. These are my favorite from the bunch. See how thoughtful she is? Embroidery books! So much inspiration. Yes, i will show some of the insides of the books here soon! I feel spoiled.

The other package that i received yesterday came from my 'old country'. The Netherlands. Sweet Dani from Moochi.nl send me one of her beautiful passport covers. I must say it is so well made, it fits my Dutch passport perfectly, it makes me want to hop on a plane and travel! Definitely check out her Etsy shop too! She makes them with all kinds of fabrics, this one is made with Indonesian Batik fabric, which brings me back to my roots. Just like the kopiko candies she also added. And just look at that adorable little elephant. Too cute. Oh, there also was a My Melody key strap. Jealous already? I feel spoiled!

And when you think you can't take no more generosity, there is Maria (the vintageholicfrog) who blessed me with winning the giveaway for a one month ad on Blog Giveaways blogspot! (there seems to be something wrong with the layout right now, but normally all buttons are obviously on the right of the page, instead of all the way on the bottom under the blogposts.) Feeling lucky? Check out the Giveaway blog, she lists the most wonderful giveaways to be found in the blogosphere!

As you can understand, i feel spoiled! Thanks for all the kindness. For real. I must have been a good girl.

Sewing machine cover

Two things: 1. This cover for my sewing machine really does look better in person than on the photo. 2. I knew i should have used some interfacing to make it more sturdy but i wanted to save time and now i'm sorry i didn't put in that bit of extra time.

No matter, i'm happy with my new sewing machine cover. Lately i don't use my machine on a daily basis so i thought it should have it's own cover. And not that plain plastic one it came with. I picked a large vintage pillowcase from my fabric stash and used the standard cover as a template. It wasn't too difficult to figure out.

Light Switch Cover Makeover

Changed a boring white light switch cover into one that is a perfect match for my work space! Simply picked an image from a vintage magazine, scanned it and resized it to fit, then used some modge podge to attach it and give it a nice smooth finish. I messed up a bit on the right lower corner, but still i think it looks pretty. Oh and i also lost one of the screws in the process. Where is that little screw? Luckily it also holds with only one screw.

New Magnets

I have added some 4" magnetsets to my shop (2 magnets per set), both here on the site and on Etsy. I really like how they came out, if you do also, go get them quick, they are made with original images from my vintage comics, so one of a kind!

Pretty Paper

When i was near my favorite thriftshop the other day, i had to make a quick visit.

Glad i did, i found a whole pack of vintage wrapping paper! A whole bunch for only 99 cent!

These pretty patterns are my favorites of the lot.

Happy Fabric Mail

A very happy mail day.
I love opening my PO box and discovering pretty surprises. I am still amazed by the generosity of strangers sending me gifts. There's also amazement about the fact that people i have never met can be so on point with those gifts. Like these vintage fabrics that made my heart jump. Sent to me by the lovely Anna Johnson. Maybe you know her of her books, Handbags, the power of the purse and Three black skirts: All you need to survive. Her latest adventure is called The Yummy Mummy Manifesto. If i already was a mummy, i would definitely go and get the book that goes with that manifesto: Yummy Mummy Manifesto: Baby, Beauty, Balance and Bliss.

I'm off now, thinking of new projects i can make using these fabrics!

New Magnetsets

Prepped some more images and turned them into magnets. I really like how the top coating gives them a smooth finish and some protection.

Top Left: Size: 2.75"x3.5" Translation: "I see that... in your painting! Eww that's scary! That's our house right? What is that hanging above our roof...?"
Top Right: Size: 2"x3.25"
Bottom Left: Size: 3"x3.5" Translation: "That is weird! First he desperately want to do dome kind of silly game with me and than he disappears without saying anything..."
Bottom Right: Size:2.25"x3.75" Translation: "Oh my, what is a horrible family! Roel is gone and nobody cares about it! Everyone is too busy with themselves!" "To be continued"

Top Left: Size: 2.75"x3.5" Translation: "Not now that you're with Annelies... now it's not important anymore, Jeroen..."
Top Right: Size: 4"x2.5" Translation: "The museum is here. They're still setting up the exhibition."
Bottom Left: Size: 2.5"x3.5" Translation: "What was that? I'm sure that i heard somebody!" "What a mess... i'm standing here as a fool!"
Bottom Right: Size: 2.25"x2.5"

Top Left: Size: 4"x4" Translation: "But it can't do no harm to try on the dress to see if it fits me."
Top Right: Size: 2"x3" Translation: "So! A lot of imagination right? But I have that too...!"
Bottom Left: Size: 3"x3.5"
Bottom Right: Size: 4"x2.5" Translation: "This completely tears me up!" "Tina, can i come in for a sec?"

Top Left: Size: 2.5"x2.75" Translation: "When Blanche came from the gypsy, she looked angry..." "Those women always tell the same nonsense. They should lock her up..."
Top Right: Size: 3.75"x2.5" Translation: "But..." "I am more awake then ever - i'm just laying here waiting!"
Bottom Left: Size: 2.75"x2.5" Translation: "He keeps walking... doesn't want to talk with me, this is horrible... and not understandable, what has happened to him?"
Bottom Right: Size: 2.5"x4" Translation: "Maybe it's me... lately everywhere i come there's trouble...i feel like having a huge fight!"

All sizes are approximately since some images have quirky shapes.

New life for letterpress drawer

Another revamp. For sooo long now i've been wanting to get my hands on one of those shadowboxes with many small squares to display my small toys in. You know one of those letterpress drawers. I knew i wanted one and redo it, paint it, make it pretty, ismoyo style. I did find an amazing piece but that was when i was still living in Amsterdam and getting ready for the big move overseas. Not a perfect time to purchase a heavy wooden item. Would not fit easily in my suitcase...

So i told myself i had to wait until i was settled in over here. Not even knowing for sure if these kind of letterpress drawers were a thing you could easily find here. I knew they were a big hit in the Netherlands in the seventies. A lot of houses had one of those on the wall filled with small ceramics.

How happy was i when i discovered this (dusty) piece in a small thriftshop not too far from my home? I was dancing inside.

A while ago, before i found my piece, i got even more inspired to go on a hunt for one, when i saw a revamp of a house shaped shadowbox with lots of squares for display on the Craft Addictions blog. She did a great job painting hers and putting pretty papers as the background. My version was to paint the outside and all the edges/borders between the squares a crisp white and use lots of fabric scraps and modge podge glue for the backgrounds. There was a lot of measuring and cutting to get the fabrics the right sizes, i don't know why, but almost every square was another size then the others.

I could not wait to hang it up on the wall. I choose my favorite wall which i think is perfect for this. Added some small toys and needle felted animals to display and you have new wall decoration and a very very happy me!

Adorn the fridge!

I've been working on making magnet sets like these. The magnets are made with images from my vintage comic magazines. The original images were used, yes, cutting in the magazines was very difficult at first. Of course I did make scans for my own archive of all pages/images i used. The magazines are so wonderful and were just waiting to be shared with the world in one way or another.

I've mounted them onto thin flat magnet sheets. And laminated them with see through plastic coating for a smooth finish and extra protection.

Top Left: Size: 2"x3.25"
Translation: "And you are getting a big kiss from me!" "Like a BROTHER would do! Well, i haven't come any further than that yet!"
Top Right: Size: 1.5"x2.25"
Lower Left: Size: 2"x2.5"
Lower Right: Size: 4"x3.5"
Translation: "Oh My! What does all that noise mean?"
Top Left: Size: 2.5"x3.75"
Translation: "I am so ashamed! Everybody is laughing at me!"
Top Right: Size: 3"x3"
Translation: "All though i felt like Mister Rochester didn't care about me anymore, i still was incredibly in love with him..."
Lower Left: Size: 2.5"x3"
Lower Right: Size: 3"x3.25"
Translation: "Just what i thought! That nasty uncle Frits has put all the money that uncle Richard sent for Johnny's education in his own pocket!"

Top Left: Size: 4"x3.25"
Translation: "The contribution money Leny gave me, it's gone!"
Top Right: Size: 2.75"x3.25"
Translation: "Don't show your colors like that! Soon Bob will think you are sobbing for him. And... even if that is so, he doesn't need to know that!"
Lower Left: Size: 3.25'X3"
Translation: When Judith is going home... "Everything all right Judith?" "You bet! I am so happy!"
Lower Right: Size: 2.75"x2.25"

All sizes are approximately since some images come in quirky shapes.

Revamped Display Stand

Remember the display stand i found outside on the curb? I finally got around to revamping it!

I started out with cleaning it thoroughly, then i got the idea to do some decoupaging on it. Had pretty napkins to go on there. I haven't made a picture, but believe me, it didn't turn out pretty. It was a mess. So before the modgepodge dried i peeled everything off. It was yucky. Back to square one and further, now there was this sticky mess to clean. My second plan, that did work out, was to use this flowery vintage fabric on it.

I was planning to display my seventies dolls on it, but most of them are still in storage in Amsterdam, and i don't really know where to put the display stand anyway. So now it's just standing here on the floor, all revamped with nothing on it. I am pondering the idea to use it what it is actually meant for, to put plants on it. So maybe i'll be on the thrifting lookout for small planting pots. Until then, it's just a revamped display stand not displaying anything.

Vintage Crochet

Since i'm doing some crochet again lately it is fitting to show some pages of one of my vintage craft books filled with crochet pictures. These are from an old German Burda craft book.


I really love all these crochet tablecloths. Should try and make some. If i ever have time for new craft projects again. Why do i always feel like i have too much unfinished projects laying around and even more in my mind that i want to start?

Vintage Crochet and a Queen

I found this amazing Phildar hobby book on a market where my mom took me when i was in the Netherlands. There was this lady selling a lot of great vintage craft magazines and i bought a couple but wished i could take them all. Don't be greedy, leave some for someone else. That, plus the fact i couldn't bring all of them and bring all back with me to NY with everything i still had in storage. Okay, i admit, if i could have, i would have taken them all...

Look at how relaxed this lady looks. Just finished crocheting her new table cloths, poured fresh squeezed orange juice, watered the plants, placed some decorative shells on the table and made herself comfortable petting her dear cat. Probably waiting for some amazing guests to appear any time soon.
Not only this photo is like this, all project photos in this print are so wonderfully propped!

And this is the new Queen in the house. Okay, she is basically a very pretty big eyed girl in a sort of clowns costume, but the painting is so big and has a gold painted frame and she is just too adorable, so we are calling her the new Queen of the house. O no. That would be me. I'm the Queen of the castle. hihi. She is the Queen of all my big eyed vintage art pieces. My collection is starting to grow and i enjoy looking at them every day. Now that Queen has arrived i have to rearrange all my other pieces to go around her. Will make a picture and show soon. There are more there that i haven't shown yet.

We found Queen last weekend in Park Slope. I lured my Love to come along, i wanted to stroll around and check out some stoopsales. Love was not excited. Buy honey, there will also be sales with a lot of old records. Score. He went along. And we did find a bunch of great records and this painting. Glad Love was there to convince me to give her a new home and to carry her all the way back.

Make ironing fun

Ok. I admit it. I don't iron. I do press. Yes there is a difference. The first involves daily clothes, pants, blouses, ironing. The second involves new creative projects in progress. I use my iron and ironing board to press when necessary.
Here in the NY apartment i only have a small Pressa ironing board, got it at Ikea.
(Check the link for a before picture) I already didn't really like the fabric on the board when i got it, but used it as-is anyway. Not too important. But when it got so dirty (working on a lot of small projects including Wonder Under can leave a glue residue on the board that won't come off in laundry) it became time to make a new fabric cover. And if you do so, why not make it from one of your favorite fabrics? So I did.

My favorite market

Is in Amsterdam. In my favorite part of the city. The old city center, the Jordaan area. It's called the Noordermarkt (Northern Market) but also known as the Monday Morning Market.
I kept some time in my busy schedule to go to the market and i was so happy to be there again!


The Noordermarkt is basically all about fabrics and vintage items. Right up my alley!
I wasn't planning on getting fabrics since my suitcase back to NY would already be filled to the rim with stuff from my storage, but i couldn't resist these small flowers and typical Dutch images. I had the Dutch print on a vinyl blue and white fabric already, but this red version is pretty cute too!

I stocked up on some colored googly eyes. I haven't been able to find these here in NY yet, so i got a bunch at the market.
I think you can never have too many vintagy buttons. Seems i was in a blue/green vibe when picking them.
And i found some pretty vintage trims, can't have to much of those either.