meet Astrid the aqua sewing machine! {+ what I've been up to lately}...

 

 Isn't she a beaut?

She's actually a bit darker colored in person.

(It's so hard to get a good pic indoors.)

My sweet parents made my day year by buying me this retro chic sewing machine in my favorite color.

She'll be perfect for stitching up more bedsheet dresses such as...

 

 

this one that I made this past week.

 

 

 ~*~

I've also been doing a bit of decorating.

 

 

These pink wall pocket baskets were a steal of a deal for 70 cents from a favorite antique mall that was {sadly} closing. The faux strawberry plants were dissected from a thrift store find for $3.50.
{Isn't faux such a much nicer way to say fake? *wink*}

 

 

This sweet planter from Target, reminiscent of a vintage head vase, was originally intended to have a succulent atop her head, but I think that this pink yarn bun fits my style even better! Doesn't she look like a giant egg cup though? *giggles*

 

 

This wire wastebasket was from the dollar section of Target for $3!

It makes such fun & cute storage for extra yarn leftover from previous projects.

 

 

The colors of this baby blankie I made for a friend's baby girl make me think of yummy saltwater taffy.

 

 

Though it may be in the 90s still outside in my neck of the woods,

inside our house it is decidedly Autumnal,

September 1st being our un-official first day of Fall.
Lovely 70s are forecast for next week though.
I can hardly wait for crisp air, colorful crunchy leaves, snuggly sweaters, & sturdy boots.

 

What have you been up to?

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

it's my 30th birthday I can cry if I want to... {+ my birthday gift to you!}

Just kidding.

I don't feel like crying at all. ;)

But my 60s dress & hair-do made me think of that 60s song
 "It's my Party" & I couldn't help but giggle.


 

Everyone keeps telling me that turning 30 isn't bad at all.

In fact, they enjoyed their 30s so much more than their 20s,

but they'd probably be the type to tell you that colonoscopies aren't all that bad either,

so I'm not sure if I'm gonna fully take their word for it. ;P

 

But this I do know:

Hitherto my Lord has helped me
& I know He will still for as many days as He gives me.

I'm not fretting about getting older.

Every day I learn more about Jesus,
& it's one day closer to heaven,

and hopefully with every day & every year I become more like my Savior.
What more could anyone want than that?

 

{Plus my niece insists that I'm only 21 *wink*}

 

 

Now as to this dress.
 

Vintage 1961 McCall's Pattern #6120.

Vintage rose bed sheet for the fabric.

{Picked up at my favorite thrift store a few years back.}

Vintage notions: old metal zipper from a bag of goodies
my friend Ang gave me,

and thread that came with an old treadle sewing machine my Uncle Bill salvaged for me out of an old house slated for demolition.
{His only price was one of my apple pies. What a guy!}



 It was my first time making this pattern & it was about a size too big.

I made some adjustments after cutting it out that I should've done before cutting it out.

I skipped the sleeves because they looked wonky because of the adjustments.

(I now know what I'd do differently if I make this pattern again, which I plan to do.)

I love the pleats of the skirt. They make it lay so nicely.

I think my favorite detail is the matching bow belt.

I had never really cared much for the styles of the 1960s until just recently.

{And I still don't care for all of it, mind you, this is what I consider to be good 60s.}

I felt very Call the Midwife or Andy Griffith Show in this sweet frock.

 Mom did my bouffant for me.
She can recall watching her mom do a similar pouf to her own hair.
 



 

I recently brought my sewing machine & dress form {Donna Sue} upstairs to my room.

I'm so enjoying having them up here & not down in the icky basement.

It's such a cozy little corner of my room now.

 





 {Who wore it better: me or Donna Sue?} ;)
 

As a special treat for you dear friends I'd like to offer you a coupon code for 30% off in my etsy shop.
(Get it?! Get it?! 30%)

It's good all day today {August 15th, 2016}.

Just in case there's something in there you've had your eye on.

The code is: ADELIGHTFUL30TH

 

This week's post is a day early so that I could offer you all this deal.

{And maybe to make up for last week's being a bit late.} ;P

 

My family had a party for me yesterday afternoon & it was such a wonderful time.

 

 Momma & Dad

 

 My sisters

 

This is probably my favorite pic & my favorite part -

surrounded by my six wee leetle rabbits. <3
{Though if you'd been there your ears would most likely still be ringing from the deafening shout of "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese" that came forth from these wee ones.} ^_~

 

Today I'll be out shopping anywhere my heart desires.

{Mostly craft stores & thrift shops.}

 

I am so blessed.

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

{the old fart}

Photos by Momma, Dad, Aims & Me.



a daytrip to a favorite vintage sale & tea room...

One of my favorite things about the warmer weather months are flea markets & vintage sales.
On Saturday I went on a little day trip to Morris, Illinois

with 2 of my sisters, my 2 nieces, & my sisters' Mother-in-law, Jan.

{My sisters married brothers. Don't worry it's legal.} ;)

Morris is just the sweetest little town!

They have oodles of cool shops & boutiques, and the best little tea room.

The reason for this trip was the 3 French Hens Country Market.

Oh, what fun it was! :D

There were loads of vintage delights, crafts, fresh produce,
 & much more at this terrific outdoor market.
I didn't end up buying a thing, {apart from my lunch} but I sure did have a lovely time!



{Posing by a cute vintage bike with my niece Abbey & perusing vintage fashions.}

They had such cute vintage clothes for sale!



The market was located right next to this picturesque canal.



Beth & Abbey bought this cute little wicker umbrella basket thingy.

Kelsey {a former ballerina} can spot tulle from a mile away.

I so wanted to give this adorable dress a nice new home in my closet,

but, alas, it was out of my price range. *sniffle*

Letty Mae's is the sweet little tea shop I mentioned earlier.

I just love it there! Everything is so pretty & vintage.

It's down an alleyway that gives you the feeling of being in Paris - with no plane ticket required!

They were already full inside so we had to sit outside.

I'm so thankful we did! It was such a lovely day.  

A vintage *pink* washing machine being used as a planter. Adorbs!



They serve their beverages in these cute mason jars with paper straws!



Naturally, we all had to have our pictures taken drinking out of said straws.



No attention to detail is spared - note the hankies & doilies sewn onto the umbrellas.



 They serve such yummy {& pretty} food!

 I ordered their tasty chicken salad with strawberries in it!

This chilled strawberry soup is so delish.

 

After we'd eaten our fill we hit the shops downtown.

A good time was had by all!

 

~*~

Have you been to any flea markets or tea rooms lately?

 

{Photos by Beth, Jan, & me!}