J Cooper Photography

I’ve been keeping myself busy making new quilts for the girls.  I saw some images on Pinterest of quilts using vintage sheets…and I got completely sucked in.   It’s a deep, dark hole…and there is only one way out.   High tail it to your nearest Goodwill in search of funky old sheets and stitch yourself up a quilt…or a bunting…or a new skirt, whatever!

The girls are at tricky ages at almost 7 and 9.  They’d really prefer purple and lime green peace signs.  I’d really prefer tiny pink rosebuds.  So this was a compromise.  They still get the super soft fluffy quilts they wanted…I get my vintage fix (I tried to throw in as many 60s and 70s prints as I could) and we all go to bed happy

I’m working on the backing for the quilts now and will hand tie them next week.  I don’t really plan to re-do their shared room in any other way….these quilts should tie in nicely with all of their existing furniture, drapes, rug, etc.  Just a little breath of fresh air.  They have made quite a few compromises over the past year going from having their own rooms to sharing (in many ways).  Miss Middle used to lament not having her OLD QUILT on her bed weekly (it was a full size quilt and they are in twin beds now) but I’m hoping this one will become a new favorite!

So who else has jumped on the vintage sheet band wagon?  Come on…everyone is doing it

Or how about a crazy thrifted afghan?  I fell in love with this one the other day and it only cost me $4.  Hoping it will make its way into a few pictures this fall.

I’ve also been going through all the kids’ closets.  We’ve been trying on outgrown clothes…making piles… and organizing.  I think I’m nesting.  Too bad I won’t have another adorable baby when this is all said and done!

Miss Middle is the Queen of Hand Me Downs.  Being just 2 years younger than her sister, it’s a no brainer.  The problem arises when the “I’ll wear anything you ask me to wear” older sister passes down adorable clothes to her younger “I’m ridiculously picky with alarming Goth tendencies” sister.  It is no secret that we love Matilda Jane in our house.  I’m ALL for clothes that make little girls look like LITTLE girls while they are still LITTLE GIRLS.   But Miss Middle has a seriously hate relationship with peasant sleeves.  She HATES any elastic at her wrists.  It’s just a complete no-go for her.  So what does a desperate mom do?   She cuts off the sleeves of several Matilda Jane tops to apease her picky 6 year old and save herself a few bucks   THIS TOP used to have long sleeves but now it has cute little puff sleeves (they met approval by Miss Picky Pants) and a matching headband to boot (made from the leftover fabric).

I don’t worry too much about re-sale.  Because quite frankly…after the two of my little people wear this stuff we pass it on to the Peruvian Princess.  And if it somehow survives all three of those rowdy girls it can’t be worth a whole lot!

It was a little scary cutting in on the first top.  But I was able to “alter” several outfits to meet her approval.  YEAH for MOM!  Yeah for Matilda Jane.   YEAH FOR SCISSORS!

I am heading out of town tomorrow evening for FOUR FULL DAYS with some of my BESTEST friends.  I can’t even begin to share my excitement.  I’m going to try really hard to get my SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY listed tomorrow before I leave so please check back!

And don’t be too jealous…I’ll only be shopping JUNK BONANZA and sipping hot chocolate by the fire side of my dear friend’s Minnesota cabin….we’re roughing it