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Fabric, vintage and new styles

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Vintage Chic

I love fabric! In 7th grade I had sewing and cooking class in junior high. I loved the sewing! I didn’t love following the pattern directions so I would usually just cut out the pattern and then sew the article together by my own way.

My item looked just as good as everyone else’s who struggled with the directions. And of course the teacher wasn’t too happy that I wasn’t going step by step using the directions!

Anyway, over the years I have still done it my way. I might look the directions over to get the general idea if it looks a little difficult.

But it usually seems to be easier to just do it my way!

I was hoping that I would have more time for sewing but I can’t tell you when the last time was that I have sat and made something.

It seems like there are always too many other things that can’t wait. I have so many ideas that I want to produce. I buy fabric or linens that I save for the day I will sit and start all these ideas and bring them to life instead of just in my thoughts!

When my kids were little, I made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls of all different sizes and gave them as Christmas presents or birthday presents.

Then, I started getting asked to custom make them for family and then friends of family. It was a lot of work, but I loved making them!

I hope to make time real soon to use some of the collection of material I have been storing and also purchase some of the new designs I am dying to get a hold of!

These are a few of my Raggedy friends that I still have!

Til next time……………..

Project to start

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Vintage Chic

I have so been out of the creative mood. Finally I am ready to get back to getting some of my furniture painting projects done!

This little cabinet is first on my list! Then I will paint this great pineapple bed head and footboard.

I have a list of thing in line that need painting. I also wanted to show you my new chandi! I can’t wait to get it hung!

See you soon with the after pics!

Beaches of the South Shore

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Vintage Chic

HINGHAM – Hingham Bathing Beach – Free Parking – Lifeguards – Restrooms – adjacent to Hingham Harbor – off Route 3

QUINCY – Wollaston Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Restaurants nearby – located off Quincy Shore Drive

SCITUATE – Minot Beach – Porta potties – Beach stickers needed – $35.00 for residents – $200 for non-residents – take Gannet Road

SCITUATE – Humarock Beach – Lifeguards – Porta potties – Restaurants nearby – $35.00 for residents – $200 for non-residents – take Central Avenue

SCITUATE – Egypt Beach – Lifeguards – Porta potties – $35.00 for residents – $200 for non-residents – take Hatherly Road

SCITUATE – Sand Hills Beach – Lifeguards – Porta potties – $35.00 for residents – $200 for non-residents – take Turner Road

SCITUATE – Peggotty Beach – Snack Bar – Porta potties – $35.00 for residents – $200 for non-residents – take Edward Foster Road

COHASSET – Sandy Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Resident sticker parking $50 – non-residents must contact Sandy Beach Association – take Atlantic Avenue

HULL – Nantasket Beach – Lifeguards –Restrooms- Food – Street parking and pay parking available – Route 3A to Nantasket Avenue

HULL – Gun Rock Beach – Calm waves – Basketball and Tennis Courts nearby – Restaurants and small food stands nearby – some parking require a resident sticker, some do not – located off Atlantic Avenue

MARSHFIELD – Rexhame Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Food – Resident Beach stickers are $30.00 Non-resident parking is $10.00 weekdays and $15.00 weekends – Route 139 to Winslow Street

MARSHFIELD – Brant Rock Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Tide Pools – Resident Beach Stickers $30.00 – Non-resident parking $5.00 weekdays, $10.00 weekends and Holidays – Located off Dyke Road

MARSHFIELD – Green Harbor Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Food – Avon street parking lot, Beach Street Extension, and the Post Office lot are available for Residents; 40 spaces are reserved for non-residents at the Lobster Pound – Resident Beach stickers are $30.00 Non-resident parking is $10.00 weekdays and $15.00 weekends – Route 139 to Beach Street

DUXBURY – Duxbury Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Food – non-resident Beach Permit is $275.00 – Resident Beach Permit is $70.00 – Resident over sand permit is $150.00 – Resident Beach Permit for Seniors is $35.00 – Resident over sand permit for seniors is $80.00 – Daily Parking fee is $15.00 – off Gurnet Road

PLYMOUTH – White Horse Beach – Lifeguards – ice cream trucks – Parking is on private lots and some on-street parking – Route 3A in Manomet

PLYMOUTH – Ellisville Harbor State Park – Free Parking – Walking Trail – Seal Watching – located south of Plymouth center off Route 3A

PLYMOUTH – Nelson Street Beach – Free Parking – Restrooms – Food – located north of Plymouth center off Route 3A

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Food – Non-resident parking is $10.00 weekdays and $15.00 weekends and Holidays – located Warren Avenue

SANDWICH – Scusset Beach – Lifeguards – Restrooms – Food – Season passes available – Daily parking is available $10.00 per car – 140 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore Beach

KINGSTON – Gray’s Beach Park – Playground – Restrooms- Food – off Gray’s Beach Road in area of Rocky Nook in Kingston

Sophie

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Vintage Chic

Sophie is the best!

Check out this amazing find from Etsy.com

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Vintage Chic

Hi there,

I wanted to share this amazing find from Etsy.com!

Brockton Massachusetts hanging cloth
by VintageChicsResale
$20.00 USD

29″x15-1/2″ hanging cloth with facts about Brockton Massachusetts

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade.

This message was sent using Craftsy for iPhone. To view this listing in Craftsy, tap on the following link on your iPhone or iPad.

craftsy://listing/78792879

Milinda J. McGraw

Grandma’s Hands

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Vintage Chic

GRANDMA’S HANDS (A “must read” )

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.. She didn’t move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. ‘Yes, I’m fine, thank you for asking,’ she said in a clear voice strong.

‘I didn’t mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,’ I explained to her.

‘Have you ever looked at your hands,’ she asked. ‘I mean really looked at your hands?’

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

‘Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

‘They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

‘They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

‘They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn’t understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

‘These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

What a Month! June 2011

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Vintage Chic

This past month has been such a crazy month. Lots of great happenings. Kids softball, Blondie’s dance recital, and family gatherings!

Softball was especially fun because the girls were finally on the same team.

My daughter graduated from Nursing School! I can not even tell you how proud I am of her. She worked really hard going to school, working and raising three gorgeous kids with her fiancé.

The Pinning

She hates to be the center of attention, but her sister and I decided we would give her a surprise party anyway and it went better than expected.

Surprised Nurse!

She had no clue and loved every minute of it! We are all so proud of her!

My mom flew home to be here and surprise her too.

Mom

Lovely Monster

Blondie’s dance recital was cute and she loves dancing.

Right before she was to go on, the fog machine set off the fire alarms,so everyone
had to evacuate the building while the firemen reset the alarms and cleared the fog.

That took about 25 minutes outside in the rain! Well this was her last year of dance as
she is now doing cheerleading and needs to learn all the tumbling involved.
So she’s had a few practices.

This tree had to be taken down as it was old and branches have been falling whenever we have a storm, so I had to have it taken down. I had Newcomb’s Tree Service remove it.

They did a great job and were also very neat and cleaned up all the mess.

Earlier I told you my mom flew home to be here for the party. She lives in Florida and no matter what the weather is here, she always is freezing. Well, she caught a cold and spent most of here time here in bed!

Great Gramma and Natey

Sorry Mom!

Before Mom got too sick we had a family gathering with my oldest brother. He lives in New York State and we haven’t seen him in about 13 years! He is my half brother. My Mom had to give him up for adoption when she had him and we searched for him and found him thirty something years ago and have kept in touch over the years! It was a great visit and we are so thankful to have him in our life!

Sophie & Moses

Sophie even enjoyed meeting her new brother, Moses! We are so happy that him and his girlfriend and Moses are all very happy and doing well!

Mom had to go home on the 29th, her brother picked her up, we said our good byes and had our hugs, no tears from me, until she was gone. It always seems to hit me the second she leaves the driveway. I cry like a baby.
I wish she didn’t live so far away! Love you Mom!

Our next big events, took place on June 30, 2011. Yes, I said events. My nursing school graduate decided to not only schedule her nursing licensing exam on this day but to also get married after the test! She definitely does things her way and always has, which I think is also awesome!

They said “I Do” at the town hall with a JP and we were there and her kids were there
and it was really nice.

The wedding ceremony sand pouring is a great way to involve the family. We then went to get ice cream for the “Reception”!

I wish we had the wedding in my yard with a big party after, but this was good too. I am happy to say that not only did I gain a son in-law, but my daughter also passed her test and is now officially an RN!

The new family!! I love you all so much! So as you can see, we have had one hell of a busy month. We had a few more happenings which I will save for another post! I love to see how my family is growing and changing and my children are having their own children and making good life’s for themselves. It makes my heart smile!

Love you more!!!

The Darlene Collection

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Vintage Chic

I am calling this collection, “The Darlene Collection”

If you see something you would love to own, just let me know. This collection comes from a family member who had passed away. She would write on the bottom of most of the items the date and occasion she acquired the piece. Most of these are from the 1940’s. There are some really cute things.. They will be listed in our Etsy Store and on our main site soon. I love seeing what things people like to collect. I have had several collections over the years and they always seem to change. I have collected unicorns, horses, Betty Boop, Heart Shaped things, and Angels. It’s fun to make a collection. My mother has collected Frogs for years! What do you collect?

Spring was here a minute ago….

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Vintage Chic

Spring time everyone wants to get their outside living area back in use. We clean up our grills or we buy a new one, we take our stored outdoor furniture out of the shed and set it up in anticipation of our first cook-out! We start the yard clean-up duties, or the lucky ones call their landscaper and set up an appointment with them to have them come remove all the dead broken branches that winter has left us with.

We start getting ready to plant our gardens and we wake in the morning to the bright sun peeking thru the blinds and the chirping of the birds that have returned looking for things to build their nests with.

We start our Spring Cleaning and take stuff to the Salvation Army to recycle or we give bags of clothes to our friends who have kids a year or two younger that might be able to use the clothes our own kids have grown out of.

Spring has always been a favorite time of the year for me because you can be outside more and listen to the birds and start to see your flowers bloom and for me, I can break out my hammock for those days when all I want to do is stare up into the clouds and forget about everything else!

Nuisance Wildlife in Hanson, MA

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Vintage Chic

Squirrels and other unwanted Visitors

As some of you might know, I have a barn on my property that I have a country shoppe in, Vintage Chics Resale. Right now it looks like a storage unit or maybe even a room from that show, Hoarders. Because it is not currently heated, it has been pretty much closed for the winter and whatever I have picked-up over the last few months has just kinda been tossed inside. So the other day after crawling over some of the stuff, I was finally in the middle of the shoppe. As I am standing there looking at the mess I had made I started to notice that there seemed to also be a mess that I know I did not have any part in making. There was a smashed religious figure on the floor, which I was not happy about at all!

As I stood looking around I saw even more things knocked over and broken. A vase, a swan, a few dishes, etc. There were also quite a few things knocked over but not damaged. Then I saw the real damage! As I walked closer, I just couldn’t believe I was actually seeing what I saw.

It looked like a Beaver had been visiting me! And a very hungry one at that! These wood chips are from one of my shoppes front windows.

I am going to assume it wasn’t a Beaver but a squirrel, because I have seen a lot of them running around the yard. I am not sure how he got in, but the barn isn’t as secure as it should be.

When I first moved in to this house, it had been vacant for over a year and we had squirrels living in a side wall, we got them out of there and they decided to move to the other side of the house behind a gutter area. It took a long time to get rid of them! I am NOT a fan of squirrels, that’s for sure and it looks like they have come back to haunt me again! It might be time to call Precision Wildlife Services!