Soldier Blue

More backyard circus images to enjoy on a summer day. It has finally rained overnight. My plants were in desperate need of a drink. The above perky puppy reminds me that I found refuge on the couch during the storms...with my big old bulldogs who are as afraid of the thunder and lightening as a toddler. Dr. Dan has to have his sleep so off to quiet them on the couch I dutifully went.

Why can't it storm during the day?

With only a little sleep to go on today I tackled a much over due suitcase project.

Vintage toy soldier and doll wallpaper purchased from Hannah's Treasures.

It matchs up beautifully with a soldier blue suitcase from an estate sale.

Mod podge and a bit of rick rack for trim.

I couldn't wait for it to dry before I added the Irmi horse and vintage buttons.

Not to worry, the brown will fade to a creamy white once it cures. This will become a wonderful place to house my paper crafting supplies. If all else fails I can put my nap mat in it for my couch nights with the dogs?

Pop on over and see Fee's fantastic giveaway at Chipper Nelly. You might remember she made my fabulous blocks. Now you can have a chance to win some of her wonderful work.

Frolic

Apologies for an unexpected blogging break. I was called upon to rescue a fifth grade farewell memory book that was missing a volunteer.  It became a fire that I almost didn't get put out. Being a person that has trouble with the word NO I am excited to get back to my regularly scheduled programming.

Sweet Miss Meri. Just the kind of friend you long to have growing up. She never asks a thing of you and always sends a smile and encouragement.

She and I regularly send each other little gifts and this one was no exception.

The cutest little nursery appliques and bits. Wait till you see what I do with these.

Little Miss Muffet in impeccable condition and an Irmi!

Nursery flannel and dolly cloths pins. Another project I have cooking.

Chenille Stems...Just like clouds!  I see bunnies and shamrocks, baskets and flowers. Thank you Meri for your generosity.  Blogging has opened up so many doors that might have stayed closed had I not clicked the buttons.

Take a minute and visit this wonderful artist. Meri's vintage treasures will bring you a smile too.

IMAGIMERI'S

Making it light.

Miss Elizabeth from Creative Breathing helped make a connection with the super talented Meri from Imagimeri's Creations.  Meri contacted me and offered up some fabric for my Irmi lamp gone wrong.  (see below)  Out of the blue swatches of fabric just appeared in the mail...with my choice made...Meri sent it my way.    She also sent so many sweet tuck ins I can't wait to get started on a new gadget case to show them off.  Anyway...I cannot begin to tell you how much better this lamp looks.  Thank you Meri!

Remember this?  It was too yellow.  Just not sweet enough or buttery enough.  

Meri to the rescue. 

Meri has so much talent she shares with everyone.  Her blog is such a happy place to visit.   You will not believe her clay creations and vintage shadow box treasures.  

 Insert yellow polka dot in the perfect butter cream.

Yellow pom pom trim from the first time around.  White crochet trim around the top for contrast.  Then I noticed the felt features on the lamp base and decided to bring them up to the shade.  The brim of the conductors hat is blue felt and the children are holding out felt hankies.  I knew when I was done it felt like it was finished.

While I was working with my lamp the second time around...I noticed this white box on the bottom.  That little dog just happens to spin.  Its a working music box.  How cute!  Who knew...not me?

This was a sweet connection for sure.  Thank you Elizabeth for working your magic.  

Thank you Meri for your generosity...this fabric made the light!

Shades for Irmi

Recently I finished icing the cakes so to speak, on my Irmi lamps.  There are now five of these lovelies in my possession and each shade has to reflect the base in both color and charm.  It took some time to thrift enough shades from the stores.  I refuse to pay retail.  I found another Irmi, Old Women Who Lived in a Shoe, while in Arkansas, there was no price on it.  The manager couldn't get a hold of the dealer so it didn't get to come home with me....labels...I was beaten by my own game!  We even asked her to quote us a price, but she said she couldn't.   In the meantime, here is what I have worked up for the newest group.

This sweet little Ark is covered in a reproduction 30's fabric and trimmed in vintage rick rack and buttons.  There is a night light in the boat that works.  I rewired this baby and let me tell you I didn't take a picture of where the wires went before I took them off...I popped the main fuse three times before I took apart another lamp to figure it out.  Good thing I don't do this for a living.  

This Moda fabric looked perfect online and then when it came in the mail it was a touch too bright.  Buttercream is what it really needs.   This really makes me flinch every time I come in the room. ( OCD )  I am on the hunt for yellow gingham to redo this one...again. 

Oh how sweet these turned out.  I love the orange and the dots...I honestly can't remember whose fabric the orange polka dot is maybe Michael Miller?  The trio's fabric is Rosalie Quinlan.  I trimmed it in baby white pom pom and the dot in the best shade of vintage green rick rack.  These are up high on a shelf which is why I left the edge finished and no light bulb.  Such sweet smiles.  I have a jar full of Irmi figures off of mobiles that I am hoping to use on ornaments and make some more drawer pulls.  There is an illusive Tee Pee Irmi Lamp out there somewhere.

This is one collection I love to add to.  

I hope they make you smile!  Thanks so much for all your sweet comments.  It is very nice to know that I am not the only one that enjoys vintage treasures.  

The hunt continues...

Found Object?

A new antique market opened last week, so I stopped in to take a peek.  There were only a few booths open.  Just your regular flea market clutter and such. I was quick to stroll through and look for any goodies.  On a shelf tucked between the beer steins and McDonald's glasses this gem caught my eye.

Vintage Irmi...for just a few dollars...be still my heart.

Gorgeous muted yellow, felt brim hats and hankies.  Choo- choo chains and doxie dogs.  

Stunning little blossoms adorn the engine.  Little yellow ball feet lift the base off the table.  

How could you not love this gorgeous little art from the past.  Yet, there it was amongst the ilk from the 70's with a price tag that didn't do it justice...lucky for me.  I have yet to give it a fitting lampshade.  Although, it promptly found a spot in my studio and was graced with light. Very fitting that I was bidding on another Irmi lamp on eBay that was not listed under Irmi.  I thought I could sneak in and get it cheap.  So did someone else.  This made it all okay.

A Hunting I will go...

 I took one look and fell in love.

I was looking through the flickr pictures on one of my favorite blogs, Creative Breathing by Miss Elizabeth http://creativebreathing.blogspot.com/  when I came across these gorgeous, glossy, muddy colored, simplistic, wooden nursery figures.  Love, I tell you.  I needed some and quick.  I had big plans.  Right up until I found out how much they cost!  Oh, my!  Some of the people online really like their goods.  I can't reason spending that much money when I am going to take them apart.  So, I was going to have to wait till I ran across them.  

These gorgeous nursery pieces were manufactured by a German American couple.  Fred and Irmi Bering during the 50's and 60's.  They sold the company in the early 70's.  Irmi Nursery Plastics made light switches, lamps, mobiles, music boxes and more.  The internet has a lot of information and tons of photos if  you too would like to fall in love.

On a trip to the local thrift there it was in the childrens section.  A beautiful vintage Irmi mobile Mother Goose and it had my name all over it.  Well, you know the price was right.  Two weeks later, another one fell in my lap at another local thrift  shop.  Patience paid off.  Drawer pulls, checked off my list.

Then I got smart, the thrift stores put lamps up high and since I am petite, I usually miss them.  Heaven only knows how many of these gorgeous pieces I missed.  Jack and Jill.  She works beautifully and I prettied up a new shade
 for her.

As if the work on them isn't cute enough, the well lights up too.

Happiness comes wrapped in tape.  This came taped to the lamp.  Super bonus.  Sometimes I get so excited at my find I want to run to the car and hide it from the other shoppers just to make sure that I keep it, even though I have paid for it.  OCD kicking in, yeah I thought so too.

This Cinderella Lamp came with the light switch that quickly found a home in my studio.  Some great 40's fabric and trim and it is set.  Behind the clock tower is a night light just like Jack and Jill's.

I can't find a tag on this one, but it was in sad shape when I found him.  I had to add a couple of  buttons and cake candle flowers to fill in for a few missing pieces, but who can turn that cuteness away?

Not quite Irmi, but its the same principal. Round face, smile and simple color scheme. This is a great planter that smiles while holding all my scissors.


I have never had to pay more than $10.00 for any of these.  Patience is a virtue I am willing to practice in order to find the right piece.  It just about puts my mom over the edge that I don't sell them online for a profit, but they are so darn cute I can't part with them.  I have a ball jar full of figures to use in various projects.  When the moment strikes.


I am always on the hunt for these smiling faces.