Vintage Hankie Garlands...Thinking of Spring!

As we are in the midst of winter and I have started the yearly agonizing task of entering onto spreadsheets all the sales and expense data for Isa Creations (Tax Time:( ), I decided to take a small break to blog.  

Will this be the year I finally enter all this data on a monthly basis?  Unlikely.  Anyway,  I really should enter my sales data after each show because the information I get is rather interesting.  Last year my vintage embroidered pin cushions continued to sell very well but my garlands/buntings (doilies and vintage hankie) sold very well too.    Another item is my vintage dress pattern altered dominoes pendants.  Again, thank you to all my customers.  I appreciate your business.

This got me thinking.  Last Summer I took many pictures of my Vintage Hankie Garlands in my backyard.   I posted a few of those pictures on Isa Creations Facebook page but I did not posted any on my blog. That was one of those to-do postings that never got done.  Since I am tired of dealing with the snow, I thought I would post pictures from last summer. 

Post pictures of colorful items.

Thanks to my friend Amy's Mangle Iron Machine, many vintage hankies purchased and washed this past winter have now been ironed.  Many of these hankies will become Garlands (much like the ones pictured below) and I will be creating something new...

Vintage Hankie Table-runners

Although I want to start creating many new items, I will not until I have finished my books (which will take at least a few weeks since I find myself accepting substitute teacher assignments).   However, after school I work on my spreadsheets for at least a few hours.  

Isa Creations Vintage Hankie Garlands

Double sided Garlands

None of the Vintage Hankies were cut

Vintage Lace and Trim! Huge Estate Sale Score!

When I find a gallon size Ziploc bag full with an assortment of vintage trim at an estate sale, I am happy!  I love vintage trim and lace.  Over the last several years, I have acquired a large collection which I use in many of my re-purposed items.

Whenever I purchase any type of vintage linens at an estate sale, my first rule is to always wash them in hot soapy water and then I let it soak for at least a day or overnight.  Washing fragile old linens in hot water may be harsh but I have no idea how long it's been since those linens have been washed.  By the smell of some of them, it could be at least years or even decades.   Some linens have not survived the process well, but that's okay, I can usually salvage a portion of them.   So if you have ever purchased any re-purposed linens  from me, rest assured they have all been properly washed.

I don't go to estate sales every week.  Some weeks, I am actually working as a substitute teacher and can't go:(.    Some weeks, none of the listing are as appealing or worth the drive to me because vintage linens and other items I like are not listed.  But, there are weeks when it is difficult  to chose which sale to go to because there is an abundant of vintage linens listings.

About 3 weeks ago, I went to an estate sale where the sale had no pictures but their listing stated many vintage doilies and linens would be available.  I was there an hour early!  Imagine my surprise when they let me in the door half an hour early.  I purchased so many wonderful vintage doilies, embroidered pillow cases, tablecloths and runners.  Thankfully, all the prices were very reasonable.  I had so many bags full, I stopped by my friend Amy's  (Pink Attic Cat) home on my way home to show her my newly found treasure.   Amy shares my love of vintage linens.  I shared some of these linens with her. I love to share with my friends.

Since my process to wash these vintage linens take time, everything goes to the garage first.  Then as I can work in the loads into the washing machine, they go from the garage to the laundry room.  Then I have a laundry basket where I only place clean dry vintage linens.  This is known as my ironing basket.  Eventually, it will all get ironed while I watch tv.

The following week (2 weeks ago), I saw a listing with pictures with bags and bags of vintage trim.  Well, this was one of those listing I knew I had to go to.  That Thursday morning I was called in to work as a substitute teacher.  I had to decline the assignment.  My reason (automated system requires you provide a reason)... Other commitment.  Yep, I did have another important commitment.  I had to go to this sale and I had to be there early.  Again, although I arrived 50 minutes early, I was the 20th person in line.  Thankfully, I was able to get in on the first wave while many people behind me had to wait to get in.  This gave me just the right amount of time to get the mother load of vintage trim.

Okay, so I have to say there was so many gallon size bags full of vintage trim it was overwhelming.  The price was very reasonable so I ended up taking most of the bags.  All those bags added up!  First time I have had to have an estate sale company hold my stuff with a nice deposit so I could go to the bank and get more cash.  They only accepted cash!    Although this is the most I have ever spent at any one estate sale, I have to say it was worth it.  When I got home and I opened up the bags, I was so happy I went for it.  I have never seen so much variety and types of trims.

This past week, I just finished washing all the vintage trim purchased 2 weeks ago.  I have one more load of vintage embroidered pillowcases from 3 weeks ago.

I have never had so much ironing to do.  I had to go to target to buy a few more laundry baskets to hold the freshly washed linens and trims.

About 3 weeks ago, when I went to Amy's home she told me about the Mangle Ironing Machines.  I had never heard of them.  She has a large one and a portable one.  Last week, she loaned me her portable vintage Mangle Ironing Machine.

So guess what I have been doing during the evenings this past week?

Ironing!

Thank you  Amy!  Thank you mangle iron!

I have ironed so many vintage linens this past week.  I still have lots more, but I try to not think about that...too overwhelming.  But, if I get a batch done each day, I will get it done.

When I purchased all those bags of vintage trim 2 weeks ago, I knew it was too much for me to keep.  So, I decided I would start to sell some of these trims at shows.  While brainstorming on a pretty way to package the trims, I remembered Amy had given me lots of card catalog cards.  I purchased  some wonderful digital images from Designer Digitals.    I printed those images on the card catalogs cards:

As I iron a batch of trim, I have been measuring and wrapping them on these cards.  This is a preview of what I will be selling at upcoming markets this season:

Vintage Trim

Here is a small preview of the vintage trims and lace I will use to create one of a kind table runners, infinity scarves, traditional scarves, garlands or incorporate into other re-purposed items.

 Properly washing, drying and ironing all these vintage linens takes time and effort, but I know it is necessary and worthwhile.  I will continue to iron lots more trim.   Next week will be busy, I am already scheduled to work 2 days  3 days (updated 2/23/15) at school plus I have other important commitment I have to take care of, but I will try to post pictures of vintage tablecloths and embroidered items I purchased 3 weeks ago and more trim purchased 2 weeks ago in the coming weeks.

Art Class with Jeanne Oliver at Old Glory Antiques Monthly Market

A wonderfully creative day

with

local artist

Jeanne Oliver

and friends

My friend Amy (Pink Attic Cat owner) and I had a fun day creating art at Old Glory Antiques new Monthly Market event. 

It has been a very long time since I have played with paint and canvas.

Too long!

Loved it!

I have taken several online courses taught by Jeanne Oliver but it was really special to take a class taught by her in person.  I learned so much during the class.

Painting with friends is always more fun.

Thanks Jeanne, for a fun creative day!

Isabel, Jeanne and Amy - February 13, 2015

After dinner, I continued to work on one of my canvases

I love to create while listening to music.   I love butterflies.  The 4 hearts represents our family - David, Laura, Alex and me.

The next photo is the second canvas.  This one remains in progress.

I look forward to taking more classes in the future with Jeanne Oliver.

Art Class taught by Jeanne Oliver

It has been years since I have attended a painting or scrap-booking class in person.  In recent years, all the classes I have been able to take are all on-line.  I love the versatility on-line classes provide.  The videos are great since you can pause and re-wind.  I can also watch anytime, which is usually midnight for me.  Despite loving my on-line classes from artist like 

Christy Tomlinson, 

 Margie Romney-Aslet 

 and Jeanne Oliver...

attending a class in person is it's own experience. 

 Since Jeanne Oliver is a local artist (Castle Rock), I have been hoping to have an opportunity to take one of her art classes.  She taught at the Vintage White Market this past January in Loveland, CO; however, I was a vendor along with my friend Amy (Pink Attic Cat). 

Taking a class with one of your friends is always more fun.

My friend Amy and I will both be attending Jeanne Oliver's class.  This afternoon I gathered my supplies.  Aside from the basic supply list, I am taking other mix media elements.  I know I have packed more than I need but I just wanted to take an assortment, 

just in case.

This Friday, Jeanne Oliver will be teaching a class as part of Old Glory Antiques new Monthly Markets.  You can find more information about the February 2015 Market here.

This is what Jeanne Oliver posted on her blog about the class:

You can visit Jeanne Oliver's blog here.

New Isa Creations for Valentines Day at the Pink Attic Cat

After the Christmas holiday and the Vintage Whites Market in early January, my craft studio in the basement was in desperate need of a thorough cleaning.  This time it was a bit overwhelming and hard to even start.  I have made significant progress, although there are two areas in my studio that still need some re-configuring (very time consuming but worthwhile).

The problem is that as I clean and sort, I also find hidden treasures.  I see supplies, especially vintage estate finds I forgot I had.  My brain wants to create.  I am happiest when I create.  Much like my son  (10 years old) who will create a new lego creation when he should be sorting and cleaning all the legos on his bedroom floor, I find I do the same.  I see so much of me in him.

So, this is what I created while I was cleaning and sorting my craft room table/room. A vintage theme valentine for my husband.

After I created the Valentine for my husband, I continued to clean and sort.  Then I found my stash of snoopy buttons.  My husband loves Peanuts and especially, Snoopy.   I went back to my Valentine and added that sweet button.

Rather than continue with other areas in my craft studio (the 2 areas mentioned earlier), I knew I had to stop and just create new Valentine items.

This Valentine has inspired Amy to host a Free Form class this Saturday, February 7th.  I have been helping Amy put together the materials for the class. I will be at the Pink Attic Cat this Saturday.

Here are the details posted by the Pink Attic Cat on Facebook:

SATURDAY from 1 -4pm we are having a free form class, "Make Your Valentine Special" using vintage goods. For a $10 class fee you will receive a packet of vintage and vintage style items to use, the use of my space and materials such as glue, glitter, & other free goodies, and some yummy treats and drinks to enjoy while you work. Additional supplies will be available for purchase. Sound like fun??? Drop me a comment if you plan on coming so that I can be sure we have enough packets for everyone. Pictures of a couple sample ideas to come.

The Pink Attic Cat will be open 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 5th-7th, 10 am to 5 pm

located in Downtown Littleton, 5784 S. Rapp St.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP (see more details here) 

 by calling  303-797-4474 by Friday- 

For pictures click on this link to visit the Pink Attic Cat's Facebook page here.

 I will also have new Valentine theme items available at the Pink Attic Cat. 

 Here are the items you will find, created by Isa Creations.

Playing Card Garlands:

 Red Wool and Text Fabric Garlands:

 And, perhaps my favorite:

Muslin fabric treat/gift bags with Vintage Valentines images transferred to the bag.  This is just a small sampling of the images:

 

A few bags with fabric rather than the vintage valentine images transferred: