I have written before about my love of fabric and textiles in general.  One item that I had to put the breaks on collecting years ago are vintage handkerchiefs.  As many of you know, there is a hankie for every style or interest you could imagine and even some new and bizarre versions you come across once in a while.  Years ago my mom and I found a treasure trove of hankies that her mom, my Grandma Betty, had tucked away in her big cedar chest up in the attic.  We brought them home and they stayed in another box in our house for several more years before I decided to make something with them.   It wasn't fancy or a super original idea, but I laid them out on the diagonal with the corners overlapping, sewed them to a backing fabric and ended up with a super sweet and sentimental table runner.  I gave this to my mom on Mother's Day one year when I was in high school and almost 20 years later she still displays it on her grandmother's sofa table.

I have started back to collecting, but don't have the heart to cut what I find.  I have seen so many great ideas out there that I think I may be able to suck it up and start some hanky projects.  Below are some of my favorite items created from vintage hankies.

REFILLABLE LAVANDE POCHE by Pear McGee a fellow Retro Handmade Etsy Street Team Member.  I have purchased just the lavender inserts that she sells and they are heavenly!

I have always loved these State versions.  Vintage Hankie Pillow by Robin's Egg Blue.

Even Blythe is getting in on the vintage hanky fever.  Dress by Pomme Pomme.

I also got into the act with a couple of fabric collage pieces that included nice large graphic hankies.

Check out my Artfire Shop for more details on Circle of Flowers and Leaf.

Here is a FLICKR mosaic of a portion of my vintage hanky collection.

www.flickr.com KitschDesigns' Handkerchief Collection photoset

Enjoy!

Kitsch Krafts

I know I have mentioned several times that my travel schedule has been very hectic over the last few months and clearly the lack of regular blog posts backs that up as well.  Just to get everyone up to speed on mi vida loca, we are now getting ready to move to a whole new state!  The Mister was offered a nice opportunity and we have decided to take the leap, so to speak, and just see where life takes us next.  What that has meant is a sudden surge in activity.  First, the Mister is pretty much gone to the new city Monday through Friday and I see him only on the weekends- yuck!  That has meant lots of time in airports, layovers, canceled flights (he has the worst flying luck of anyone I know) and tons of hotel food.  Second, we had to finish the million DIY projects we had going as soon as humanly possible so we could get our current home on the market- not exactly the best timing, right?  And, third, we had to find a home in the new location primarily using the Internet and the Mister's "so-so" camera skills as he viewed homes in between meetings while in the new state.  He then brought the images back to me to try to determine if the home was fit or not.

It has been a crazy ride so far, but we have managed to sell our home in Nashville, TN.  We priced it right (meaning a little low) and had an offer within a week.  The hard part was wading through the relocation process (meaning loads of paperwork!) and the inspection contingencies-ugh!  But, I am happy to report we are done on this end of the move and are just waiting until the date the movers come in to clear this place out.  Also, we were excited to finally find a nice home with the little bit of extra room we were craving now that we are going to be a family of three.  Our offer was accepted and we are now just working through the inspection contingencies there.  Please pray that everything moves quickly and we are down to final signatures by Friday!  If we get to that point by that day I (and the Mister) will have such a weight lifted.  I have learned through this process that it's really hard to make a move out of state in a short time frame, and also hold on to your sanity.

So, now that I have spilled all my boring personal news I would like to thank all of you that have hung in there hoping for new crafty posts, only to get more of "my life" posts instead.  Please, please do not give up on this blog yet!  Since I cannot really start any fun projects because half my stuff is packed up and being stored in the garage right now, I planned to work on my DIY project posts for the Nashville, TN home.  It's funny how right when you get your home to that perfect state of being you have to turn around, sell it to someone else and leave all your hard work behind.  I just hope that the new owners love what has been our humble home for about 7 years now, as much as we have.

Kitsch Krafts

                                                                                                                                   Nashville, TN....Good-Bye old tri-level friend...

                                                                                                                                  Hello, new cozy colonial!  Can't wait to decorate you....

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I just put a bunch of my shop items on sale this morning and then I decided I would go ahead and join the Etsy Yart Sale.  It starts today and runs through Sunday, June 14th (my b'day!).  So, come check out my sale items along with all the other great finds out there in the Etsy creative community.

Happy Shopping!

Kitsch Krafts

Okay, so many of you have read the earlier post regarding my search for cool, modern baby furniture for our pending arrival.  Well, since then my husband was offered a promotion and we are now in the process of relocating to a new state.  With all the unplanned added expenses associated with everything that is going on this year I have been rethinking my baby buying budget.  I will admit, I have an uncanny ability to fall in love with the most expensive option and then I get obsessed.  I cannot help it!  Once I decide on a look and I am "feeling" it, it's all over!  So, after struggling with how to cut costs in some areas to justify the crib of my dreams I stumbled upon this....

The Olivia Crib from Baby Mod.

Now, it is not exactly what I was looking for (see dream crib below), but I am starting to really dig this new discovery.

Bassinet and Crib by Stokke.

So, the new find is not oval and will not eventually end up converting into two super cool curved chairs, but I am thinking it might be a great alternative.  The real kicker is this...I found it at Walmart.com! 

Now, I will be the first to admit I am not a fan of Walmart at all.  I actually described my last trip to this store as traumatic, not because I was desperate to find some curtains to ready our home for a showing, but because it is loud, bright, stuffed to the gills with products, and there are way to many weird people strolling the isles like they are cruising the boulevard on a Friday night (at least that's the case in my neck of the woods).  I also have an issue with a place where you can purchase a car battery, underwear and peanut butter all at once.  It's just not right. 

Places like this completely overwhelm me and I have to get out almost as soon as I walk in.  Give me a cute little homespun local boutique any day.  I will admit that I do have an affinity for the other big box store, Target, although I usually forgo the big, new version they recently built for the older, smaller one closer to home.  It's easier to take and if they don't have it, I don't need it.

So, what do you all think?  The Walmart (cringe) crib for $299.99 or do I cut corners and save up the $969.00 for the Stokke dream crib?

Kitsch Krafts

The handmade items are in  for the June 2009 Retro Handmade Design Challenge.  The theme this month is, 1970's Colors.  Vote for your favorite item or the one that best represents the theme.  Don't forget...your deadline is June 12th!

For more details on all the great entries listed above visit the Retro Handmade Blog.

Kitsch Krafts