Orange Rope Canvas Pillow
NEED to find a less expensive option. Hmmm, I see a new craft project in my future.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Dicing up the Dictionary
Last year I bought this vintage Cat in the Hat Dictionary at an estate sale - it cost me five whole cents. Well I am finally putting it to good use. Bronson's having his first birthday party tomorrow and I think I am going to whip up some garland for decoration. I'll be sure to post pictures. Have a great weekend!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Fern and Feather
Thank you Alexis of Fearn and Feather for noticing our work. Please let us return the favor.
These tiny cards are simply beautiful - one of the best examples of upcycled chic. Visit her etsy store here.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
G.G.
This print is my all time favorite in the history of bink & boo. It's the colors. I love the colors. As for the name of this print "G.G" that's a whole other story.
Originally: Vintage sheet
Discovered: Yard sale, off Pacific Ave, Olympia, Washington
Created: Baby Booties
*Yes I do go yard "sailing." This particular day was spent in a sea of yard sales. I sailed across town occasionally pulling into port and docking the boat (I had my mom's mini van) to see what treasures awaited me on ye old strangers land (yards).
LOVE(ly)
Pink and red houndstooth. I LOVE IT! Over the holidays we took a trip to Seattle, and as a result we came home with some very cool, very vivid fabric finds. This particular print happened to be my favorite and I had beautiful plans for it - that didn't involve surrendering it to bink & boo. I had planned to turn into a pillow for my own personal enjoyment. One night, boredom got the best of me and I cut a little piece of the scarf to test for booties. Well, SO LONG my little pillow. Once I shared the booties with a couple of my retailers, they gobbled them up. So long love(ly).
Orig: Vintage scarf
Discovered: Thrift store, Olympia, Washington
Created: Booties
Monday, January 18, 2010
Doing Some Good
My heart just breaks for the people of Haiti, and for the people who have not given up hope on finding their loved ones. We must never give up hope! bink & boo is committed to doing what we can to help spread a little sunshine and bring some smiles to the hearts and hopefully the faces of the people of Haiti. Now through February we will be donating 50% of our online sales to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
Craft Hope
I am so honored to be part of a community that can pull together and put their creative forces to work for great, not just good.
The wonderful women of Craft Hope have launched the Etsy shop Craft Hope for Haiti. All proceeds of the Craft Hope Etsy shop will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. All items have been generously donated by the crafting community. Isn't that AWESOME!?
If you are of the crafty kind, and you would like to donate an item please visit the Craft Hope website (www.crafthope.com).
Be sure to check the shop often as the ladies are working around the clock to update the shop with all the wonderful items being donated.
P.S. We donated a pair of our booties. So if you ever wanted to own the "Royal Fantasy" booties, nows the time to buy them. Head on over to Craft Hope for Haiti and do a little good.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Tropical Blues
A selfish thought struck me when I spotted this one time moo moo, I wanted to snag it for myself to wear around the house, and even maybe out and about...with great accessories of course. But, since I still have 20 pounds of baby weight to lose I thought wearing a "moo moo" wasn't the wisest or most motivating choice for clothing. So, I came home and started cutting it up - I wanted to be sure I didn't give into temptation.
Orig: Vintage moo moo
Discovered: Estate sale, La Jolla, California.
Created: bandito bib, traditional bib
"A" is for Alphabet
I have loved this piece since I found it years ago. Yes, years. Well before I even thought of having kids. You might be wondering what kind of adult buys juvenile bedding? One who is pretty juvenile themselves.
A is for alligator and anchor. H is for hippo. D is for day. N is for night. P is for princess. W is for walrus and the list goes on. What a fun way for baby to learn.
Orig: Vintage bedding.
Discovered: Thrift store score, early 2000.
Created: traditional bib, bandito bib
Floral Web
On a recent trip to Seattle is when we scored this remnant. I think it was a tablecloth in a previous life. The center of the fabric was in pretty bad shape - torn and tattered - but the edges were perfect. The bright colors were calling me and I couldn't pass this pretty little piece up!
So what was once meant to drape and dress-up a table, is now meant to drape and dress-up your little boo to dine and drool in style.
Orig: Vintage tablecloth
Discovered: Thrift store, Tacoma, Washington.
Created: bandito bib
The Bees Knees
I spotted this bee print while on a thrift trip to the Pacific Northwest. I was at a wonderful estate sale, which quickly escalated to a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC estate sale once I spotted this remnant. It literally was the bees knees for me.
I love bees! They remind me of my mother. I have a bee tattoo. My husband has a hilarious history with bees. He thinks they purposely swarm him. No, he really believes they keep a poster of him at "the hive" with the phrase "swarm, but don't sting".
I am pretty sure I pushed a couple of people out of the way once I saw this piece peeking out from a tower of fabric. No one was hurt, except for me. In my mad grab for the little remnant, I was stuck-by-a pin. D'oh! I hate when that happens.
Orig: Fabric remnant.
Discovered: Estate sale, Olympia, Washington.
Created: booties
Simply Sweet
Once again, another great score from the Pacific Northwest. Are you ready for this one my friends? This floral print was once a moo moo. Here is the kicker, I wanted to keep it for myself!
Wait. Before you question my style let me tell how cute this little moo moo was. It had a ruffled neck, and ruffled cuffs at the sleeve. It fell just below the knee and had beautiful pearl snap closures. It was simply…well…it was simply sweet.
Orig: Vintage moo moo
Discovered: Thrift store score!
Created: baby booties
Daisy Do
Do a dollop of this soft and sweet fabric. Can you hear the jingle from the Daisy Sour Cream commercials?
When I first spotted what was once a vintage duvet cover at my fave thrift store, I instantly thought of the sour cream commercial. Come on sing with me…do a dollop, do do a dollop…. Ok I can’t make you sing, but jeez it’s such a fun little jingle.
Orig: Vintage bedding
Discovered: Thrift store, Kirkland, Washington.
Created: booties, traditional bib (coming soon, currently retail only).
A little piece of pretty
Another great find from a thrift trip to the Pacific Northwest. This floral pattern was a scrap we found in the garbage at an estate sale. I guess you could call us “fabric freegans” (wink, wink). The lady couldn't believe someone wanted this tiny scrap. I had to twist her arm to give it to me. I even offered to pay for it, but she wouldn't hear of it. She seemed really ticked off that I pulled something from the garbage. In my defense, this little piece was just sitting on top and I thought maybe someone dropped it in there by accident. Judging by her reaction (attitude) I am guessing it was no accident.
Side note, I do not make it a habit to frequenting estate sales and rummage through the garbage. This was a first, but I can't promise it will be the last.
Orig: Vintage remnant
Discovered: Estate sale, Olympia, Washington
Created: booties
Happy Happy
The floral print was once a tablecloth (vintage), and the pink gingham was a vintage Echo scarf. The tablecloth was exquisite and I wanted to keep it for my very own, same with the scarf, but I couldn't be so selfish. Or could I (said with one eyebrow raised)? I am an only child.
Well, obviously I decided against hording my fab finds and using them for my own personal use. This proves I am not as selfish as my mother thinks I am. Or am I? Muah ha ha ha....
Orig: Vintage tablecloth, vintage Echo scarf.
Discovered: Private Collection.
Created: booties, bandito bib.
Discovered: Private Collection.
Created: booties, bandito bib.
Datsun
Yes, as in the car. I don't know why but that is what this print reminds me of. No great story here (sorry folks), just part of a pile of fat quarters that I picked up at a yard sale.
Now that I think about it, this floral print reminds me of contact paper that lined the drawers in the bathroom of my childhood home (trailer). I remember that bathroom so clearly. I used to think it was "fancy." The mirror was in a gold gilded frame, the sink and countertop had flecks of "gold" swirled throughout, the faucet knob was a beautiful crystal "like" ball, and the (pressed) wood cabinets were adorned with ornate handles. Who’d a thunk trailers or "mobile homes" as I referred to them, were so rich in decor. I would love to go back and see what I think of that bathroom now, something tells me I wouldn't describe it as “rich” or “fancy”, but that's how I like to remember it.
Boho Baby
So a vintage scarf and an ugly old dress walk into a thrift store. The dress said to the scarf....
I don't know what the dress said to the scarf, but I do know I only liked the dress for the sleeves. And the scarf? Well who doesn't like polka dots. I bought the two. Came home. And voila (vwa-la)! Boho chic for little feet.
Honeycomb
The honeycomb pattern with its candy colors drew me in as soon as I spotted this vintage Vera scarf on etsy. I wish I could decorate my entire house with the sweet colors that adorn this print, but something tells me the hubby wouldn't like it so much. So for now I will just have to admire these sweet treats (baby booties) until they are gobbled up.
P.S. The pink stripe is the sole for the booties created from a vintage remnant
Penache for Paisley
Vera Neumann has never, and will never, let me down. Her talent was endless. The complementing clash of paisley and polka dots, who'd a thunk it? When I wear paisley and polka dots together they never look this regal.
Speaking of regal, this scarf kind of reminds me of something Larry, yes Larry, would wear down to the Regal Beagle.
Orig: Vintage Vera Neumann scarf
Discovered: Private Collection
Created: booties, bandito bib
Elly May
There is something a touch country about this fab-fab. The booties that we created from this fabric remind me of Elly May. Yes, as in Elly May Clampett, The Beverly Hillbillies. I love that show!
The rosebud print was originally a vintage sleeveless blouse from the 50’s. It was so cute, I hated to cut it up. However, I knew that once I paired the print with my favorite vintage Echo scarf (the soles), it would be booty-beauty. Aren’t they bootyful? Get it? Booty-ful. Beautiful. Ha! I crack myself up.
Orig: Vintage blouse
Discovered: Thrift store
Created: booties
Graffiti Garden
The gift that keeps on giving. This one time vintage Vera napkin was a gift from a family friend who wanted to support our little start up. Hey, some have investors, we have fabric donors. I don’t care, I’ll take it.
It’s hard work getting out there and thrifting all day. Sometimes I come home all strung out on Starbucks with nothing to show for my time thrifting. I am like a junkie looking for my next “fabric fix.” I get up early on the weekends and troll around town in search of “that one” garage sale or estate sale where I can score. I tell myself, just one, but then one turns into one more, and then another, and then I see that everyone else is doing it.
OH MY GOSH! I am a junkie. The worst part is I am not doing this alone, I am dragging my kid around with me. What kind of mother am I?!
Hi my name is bink, and this is my son boo…and we are fabric junkies.
Orig: Vintage Vera Neumann napkin
Discovered: By an awesome family friend at a yard sale
Created: traditional bib
Vroom Vroom
Bold and graphic is not only how I describe this print, but it is also how I describe the fight that ensued over this print. Another score from the Pacific Northwest, and another struggle for what I spotted and grabbed first. I tell you, it gets nasty in the Northwest. Next time I am bringing a helmet.
My story is (and this is the only story that counts, there is no two sides to this tale) that I saw this fabric on a table and picked it up to purchase it. A woman from across the room said that she had been admiring it, and "thought" of buying it. I said to her, "this fabric is super cool, and I am sure my son will like whatever I make him from it." She then tried to grab it from me! She said that I stole it form her pile! Now, I may be many things, but an-estate-sale-stealing-lady I am not! I quickly corrected her, and well it just got ugly. I remember fabric flying, people running for safety, and then it went black. She had slapped me with stack of fat quarters! Okay, she didn't slap me, but we did get into it. Finally, a witness to the whole event corroborated my story, and I was released form the estate sale with my treasure(s) in hand.
Discovered: Estate sale, Olympia, Washington
Created: traditional bib
Baby Ducks
Aren't these ducks adorable?! This fabric find was thanks to G-ma and her gift for patience. That woman could thrift and troll for treasure FOREVER. As I have said before, she has a good eye. . .two when she is wearing her glasses.
Orig: Vintage curtains
Discovered: Thrift score by G-ma
Created: Traditional bib
Cotton Candy
I snatched up this itsy bitsy remnant the second I laid eyes on it. When I saw it took me back to my childhood - ahhh, the eighties. For some reason this reminded me of this HORRIBLE outfit that my mother used to wear to work. It consisted of a flouncy white elastic waist skirt, with pockets (did nothing for her figure), a white short sleeve button down (no shape to it), and a pink cotton baggy cardigan. I guess it doesn't sound so bad now, but trust me when I say looking back it was pretty bad. Like everything in the 80's it was in style then (my mom has great style, everyone was a victim back them), but now you realized how horrible it really looked. I hope you aren't reading this mom. Actually I can say that my mom and I have a few good laughs about her "career wear" back then.
Love you mom!
P.S. If I can find a picture I will post it.
Funky Fresh
I bought this little remnant at an estate sale in La Jolla, California. I wish I would have bought all of the pieces of this fabric, but for some reason I decided to only take two and leave the rest (about 15) for someone else to score. Hindsight is 20/20.
To think some woman had taken the time to hand cross stitch all these gingham remnants, with a really cute pattern.
Thank you ma'am (said while I gaze up at heaven).
Pretty Picnic
It's driving me crazy that I can't get the green in this fabric to display the true green it is. In person it's more kelly green than turquoise green. Sorry folks. But, you should know by now that I don't pick ugly fabrics. At least I don't think so. Oh gosh, do I? No, I mustn't or else I wouldn't be selling anything. Right? Please tell me I am right! I am right. Right?
Um, hi insecure....
Original: vintage fabric remnant
Discovered: private collection
Created: traditional bib, kerchief bib
Sunshine
OH, I love this print! Originally these were vintage Vera Neumann napkins.
Yes, orange is my favorite color, but I never realized it until recently. Weird huh? Actually a girlfriend pointed it out to me. Any who, I found these at one of my favorite thrift stores, Value Village, on the East Side, Seattle. I have them for almost ten years, and never knew what I was going to do with them. Well now they have been cut up and repurposed into baby bibs and pocketbooks. Who'd a thunk it!?
Original: vintage Vera Neumann napkin
Discovered: Value Village, Redmond, Washington
Created: Kerchief bib (necksessorie), pocketbook
Cathedral
This beautiful print is from my personal collection. I have held onto this onetime apron (never used) for almost 10 years. The funny thing, I recently saw this fabric for sale on etsy. I was giddy with excitement and ran to grab my credit card. Well, I got a little side tracked (anyone who knows me is not surprised by this) and when I finally made it back to my computer it was sold. D'oh (said in my best Homer Simpson voice)! I will cherish my little scraps until I am lucky enough to stumble upon it again.
Original: vintage apron
Discovered: private collection
Created: booties
modern royalty
I bought this fabric with two people in mind. One, my aunt Tina who loves fleur d' lis. When I spotted the little red and blue symbols peeking out from a pile of fabric I ran to it and shouted, "TINA!" Then I saw the pattern included unicorns, which EVERYONE in my family detests, including me. However, recently one of my favorite talents and blogger, Melissa Averinos, created unicorn stories - a little collection of sweet and silly stories (via video) that make her happy...and me too. They really are so silly, but very clever and too stinking cute. So with these two people in mind, and not a thought as to how I would use this fabric (I rarely have rhyme or reason as to why I buy what I buy), I tossed the funny find into my pile of fab-fabs.
Original: vintage remnant
Discovered: Estate Sale, Olympia, Washington
Created: booties
Pink Punch
Sorry folks no story here. Although I will tell you this is one of my all time favorite prints that I have discovered. It contains my favorite color combinations; orange, pink, red and strokes of white.
Original: vintage Vera Neumann tablecloth
Discovered: thrift store score
Created: kerchief bib (necksessories)
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