Vintage Indie

Washi Gonna Do?

Washi gonna do with today's Pick Your Plum?

Washi tape coming in at $1.50 a roll. Are you kidding?!!!?

I love these spring colors. Are you addicted to Washi Tape like I am? Head over to Pick Your Plum for today's special deal. (remember once it's gone, it's gone) 

Want to learn more about Pick Your Plum? Visit this feature we did awhile back. 

The above links are affiliate links. We were not paid to write this feature. I truly love Pick Your Plum and am thrilled to be featuring it here. Visit mydisclosure/disclaimer page for more information. 

Vintage Indie Style: Back to School 2011 Leather Bound Sketch Journals

 

Shop Handmade Leather Journals like the ones above and leather accessories at In Blue. 

The Daily Swank: Valentine's by Paper Sparrow

One of my favorite memories as a kid was creating my Valentine's box. You know, the shoe box decorated in sparkling glitter with a slot cut out in the top waiting for the perfect valentine. Did you ever create one of those as a child? Even though we homeschool, I cherish these sorts of memories and love to create them with my boys. This year we hope to plan a valentine's exchange with our homeschool co-op. I think it will be so much fun for me, I mean them.

Upon my searches of wonderful things for you, I happened upon Paper Sparrow. Their original artwork is simply charming, but I fell head over heels for their Valentine's.  I think you will love them too.

 

Head over to Paper Sparrow to see more of their Valentine's and original artwork.

Also, be sure to catch them at Retro Indie Market on February 12, 2011 (see our sponsors to the left for more information)

xoxo Gabreial

Paperie: Butterfly Garland

I'm feeling the need to pretty up my office a little. Wouldn't these Butterfly Garlands do the trick. My boys would love them, they are fascinated with butterflies right now. You should see how many photographs of butterflies we have captured recently.

Find this garland and more pretties at This Neck of the Woods. 

The Daily Swank: New Etsy Shop & Artist Sandra Spagnuolo

Shop this new Etsy shop for more of Sandra's mixed media greeting cards. 

MagnetStreet Design Conest for Charity, Help me win $1,000 for Charity!

Remember that exciting announcement that I had for you? Well, this is it! I'm participating in MagnetStreet's Design Contest for charity. I was thrilled to be invited to participate in this contest, as MagnetStreet has been a wonderful supporter of Vintage Indie for quite some time.

Here are some fun facts you may not know about MagnetStreet Weddings

•  Our Wedding Invitations are made from 100% post-consumer paper and our Letterpress Invitations are 100% cotton fiber so no trees are harmed.
• We partner with World Relief to provide employment to international refugees who have fled civil war in their home countries.  We’ve seen many of them purchase homes and become citizens during their time at MagnetStreet.
• We pioneered the Save the Date Magnet idea and it remains our most popular product five years later.

My design below created at MagnetStreet Weddings was inspired by the idea of a warm and summery vintage style wedding.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The yellow pattern reminded me of a classy vintage wallpaper. The blue created a perfect soothing and relaxing backdrop. Can you imagine a warm summer evening for this wedding? Candle lit tables fill a white linen tent casting a gorgeous glow. The bride stands stunning in her fifties style dress, while the groom holds her tightly without a care in the world. You see, this is how my mind wanders when I start designing in my head.  I think a wedding should start with a fantastic invitation. Giving guests a little glimpse into what the future evening will hold. 

I could think of many more ideas to fulfill this wedding, but since this contest is about the design of the invitation, I think I'll stop there. I hope you'll vote for my design in the MagnetStreet Design contest. Most importantly the winner will receive a $1,000 donation to his/her charity. 

As a bonus, for your support I'll be hosting a giveaway for you later this week! Stay tuned. 

Until then, please go vote for Vintage Indie & my design!

xoxo Gabreial

Handmade: Dreaming of Spring with The Gilded Bee

I love fresh white snow. I love the excitement it brings to my little boys and their cheers when making snow angels, but deep down I'm already dreaming of spring. I can't wait to select seeds for the garden, plan that first dig and welcome the warm sun daily. I long for it actually.

The Gilded Bee creates these vintage inspired butterflies for embellishing gifts or crafts. I also think they would be great as little reminders of spring to come, sprinkled throughout your house.

If it is flowers and buds that you dream of, The Gilded Bee has you covered with their gorgeous handmade flowers including roses, plum primrose, starflowers and more. 

all images copyright © The Gilded Bee

Paperie: Darling Clementine

Vintage Indie Kids has brought the kid out in me. I'm loving artwork like this from Darling Clementine.

Inspired by 1950s finger puppets these images made into cards, are apart of their kids series. 

Another favorite from Darling Clementine are these whimsical Paris cards, in which they describe as "simple illustrations, celebrating the wonderful French language."

Handmade Crush: Environmentally Sustainable Paper Designs

These tags reminded me of the canning and jam making that I wanted to do so badly this year. Sadly, I haven't had the time to do so.

Only one of many charming things in the Sweetly Lovely shop. Visit them today for more of their environmentally, sustainable paper designs.

Congratulations to Indie Business Mew Paper Arts!

Congratulations to Alissa Harvey, owner of Mew Paper Arts for her spot on CBS News. I know Alissa quite well from our Indie Wedding Guide. We've featured her DIY & Budget Friendly wedding this past Indie Wedding's Month. Head over to the link above to see the CBS report for yourself, there is also a lovely mention of Etsy.

Vintage Crush: Daily Vintage Finds 2.11.09 - Vintage Valentine

: Crush - Key to my Heart Vintage Valentine:
: Want it? Visit Be My Vintage Valentine :
image copyright bemyvintagevalentine

The Daily Swank - Organizing/Labels - Papier Valise

Once you've gathered all of your vintage canisters, glass jars, bowls, pitchers and any other vessel you can re-purpose for organizing, it is a great idea to give them a label or tag. Today's Daily Swank highlights a few of my favorite vintage and vintage style labels & tags for keeping things interesting and unique.

 

 

Papier Valise offers all sorts of great items like the vintage " Keep in Refrigerator" labels top left.

 I also love the look of vintage red and the Small Octagon Labels to your left would be fabulous on milk or clear glass containers.

Papier Valise not only offers great labels for your containers, but all sorts of vintage paper stock items, trims, ribbon, millinery flowers and so much more.

Just in time for Valentine's Day Papier Valise has a whole slew of treasure & trinkets like these Raspberry Fluted Sequins. They are also offering Vintage Indie™ readers a special offer! 

Special Offer  - Vintage Indie™ Readers Only!

On orders over $40.00 (before shipping/taxes where applicable)

1 free package of self adhesive red border labels ---while supplies last

To receive the offer - UPON check out they must type into the NOTES section: VINTAGEINDIE

Offer ends midnight Friday January 23rd.

The Daily Swank - Thank You's - Whatever is Lovely

Giving thanks can be as simple as mailing a card, writing a personal note. It's often those little steps of caring that mean the most to your recipient. Today's Daily Swank are gorgeous ways to show that you care from Whatever is Lovely.

As I mentioned previously I'm not so crafty, so I search out shops like Whatever is Lovely to active my goals of tears, happiness, and joy.

I love this card " You're the Bee's Knees". The paper & color combo's are divine and I love the vintage image used.

I can think of a dozen people I could send this card to. "Thanks for letting me be my crazy self"

From the shop - This card is perfect for that friend who loves you no matter how crazy you are. It would be a fun way to say hello.

Thoughts of encouragement are often times just as important as a thank you.

Whatever is Lovely does a great job creating cards that portray real-life thoughts and feelings. You won't be disappointed with their selection.

Don't forget to check out their holiday tags while you are there, they are glittery goodness!

VI Headliner - Sponsor Feature - UPPERCASE

Please help me in welcoming another fabulous sponsor to Vintage Indie, UPPERCASE.

UPPERCASE gallery, is a storefront and web store offering an array of books and paper goods. You may have heard of them from a recent gallery and a book they recently published Old School. If you are anything like me and drool over the thought of vintage school artifacts, supplies and furniture then you will love what this book offers. Featuring 80 international artists.

 

We are thrilled to be discussing their Eclectonotes line with you. This line of paper goods are produced by hand with vintage papers and re purposed books.

"“Home & Garden” celebrates interior style and home improvement with images from old decor magazines, books and even the occasional vintage wallpaper. Each Eclecto is an original, one-of-a-kind notebook with authentic vintage papers."

Each notebook features a transparent cover where the designs play off one another creating a completed cover.
The lined pages inside are 100% post-consumer waste and all materials are fully recyclable.

Another great product from the Eclecto line are these on-of-a-kind pouches. Handmade with vintage papers sewn between clear vinyl.

Great for gift giving, these pouches would be great for your purse, school bag or office.

I love UPPERCASE gallery's approach to recycling and the environment. They not only provide products with style, but conscious of their surroundings and impact.

Head over to UPPERCASE today for all of their wonderful, brightly colored notebooks, calendars, planners and so much more.

New Feature (Weekend Special) - It's Better To Give - Vintage Indie Readers Give Back

Have you been taught " it's better to give, than to receive"? I hope you've heard that once in your life , because it is so true and such a wonderful lesson to learn.  The gift of giving is something that can be done on a small or grand scale. Whether it's a courteous phone call to a friend, gas money to someone in need or recognition for hard work, no matter what you do you are changing someones life one thoughtful thing after another.

Many times here at Vintage Indie I receive emails from readers who offer a gift of giving in a way they may not know truly affects the recipient. Emails filled with ooos and ahhs over businesses, handmade creations, thoughtful writings and so much more. I thought it was time to start a new feature here on Vintage Indie called "Vintage Indie Readers Give Back".  We want to hear from you. Share with us an independent small business, artist, or creation that you think deserves recognition here on Vintage Indie. Be sure to include photos/links to the business  or person as well as Readers Giving Back in the subject line and we'll consider it for a feature. Most of the time submissions will remain anonymous.

The other day I received a wonderful email from a reader who wanted to share Susiea with you. 

 

This shop is owned by the Sacramento, California based artist Shelly Ambrogio. She immediately caught my attention with her extraordinary journals and tags. Each journal is beautifully covered and lined with exquisite vintage papers, and then she begins to paste her fairy tales with every sort of evocative textural embellishment and pretty picture of a rouged cheek lady or a rosy cheek child that can lead you off on a journey to Paris Theatres of the 1890s,  Victorian gardens of 1910, or a even seaside cottage in the 1940's. 

She add stitches; and ribbons, laces, and buttons and bits that you just know are almost too dear for her to part with. With one look at these finely designed books I thought of a story to fill each one! I recently took a trip to Sacramento and arranged to meet with Shelly as we had become Etsy friends.

She graciously took me to her home studio which was just what I'd thought... a little haven full of paper heaven! Shelly sells her journals quite soon after they list. I for one am going to keep her in business!

Reader - Chrys K. from Chrystelle

The Daily Swank - Taking Notes

As I'm packing for our trip, I've been making notes for loved ones taking care of our Chloe kitty and our home. I've also been making lists for what we'll need once we arrive. I'm a list writer and a note taker. I almost never leave home without a notebook or something to jot and idea on. I thought it would be nice to share with you in today's Daily Swank some cute vintage stationary perfect for taking notes, and writing to loved ones back home.


 

Tea Rose Stationary from Tigerluxe
20 envelopes
10 sheets with tea rose
8 sheets plain paper

 

Vintage Blue Floral  from Maries Vintage

Eaton stationary set has 16 floral design pages, 18 plain blue pages, and 17 envelopes.

Mother's Day Gifts for the "Oh so Chic"

It's hard not to fall in love with every single thing from Autumn To May. Today's Daily Swank only highlights a few of their glorious items, perfect for the "Oh so Chic" mom.

First up from Autumn to May is this High Fashion Brag Book. It's simple, elegant and so chic. Covered in linen, adorned with velvet ribbon and an antique rhinestone button just for the right touch.

Do you have a momma who loves to write and keeps a notebook with her always? This one would be a perfect addition. This altered and adorned Composition Journal is screaming for some attention!

Maybe you are treating your mom, grandmother or sister with a gift card to their favorite place. Do it in style with the gorgeous line of gift card envelopes from Autumn to May.

What You Make of It - Japanese Stab Binding

Hey Crafters! I'd like to give a huge thank you to Bley from Bibliophile for providing this amazing tutorial. Please head over to their Etsy shop for amazing handmade journals, books prints and more. I encourage you to try new things, and use vintage or recyclable materials when you can and enjoy yourself.

From This....................................To This!

Gather Your Materials:

 

Gather all your materials before you start to work. Make sure you have a space where you can cut using a utility knife; an old piece of plywood makes a good cutting and work surface.

 

• Book      board, available from art supply stores (enough to cut two covers, the      size of the book you want)
• PVA      glue (available from art supply stores)
• Utility      knife
• T-square      or metal ruler
• Glue      brush (I like to buy cheap brushes on sale, then I can throw them away      when they get nasty)
• A      container to pour small amounts of glue into (an old sour cream container      or the like)
• Drill,      such as a Dremel tool, OR an awl
• Decorative      paper for the covers and optional endpapers
• 1/16      inch ribbon to coordinate with the cover paper
• Large      yarn darning needle
• Any      miscellaneous papers you may want to decorate the cover with
• Paper      for the inside pages of your book, however many you may want

Download bookbinding_tutorial_copyrighted1.pdf

All contributed content in this tutorial © Bibliophile} Please do not copy or redistribute without permission.

Do you have a crafty tutorial that you'd like to share with Vintage Indie readers? Please contact me with your ideas and share with others "What You Make of It".

 

 

The Daily Swank - Those Famous Three R's

Ahhh, those famous three R's Reuse, Reduce & Recycle. Are you doing your part? Do you know about your city's local recycling center? I'm helping readers from my area Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Why don't you do the same, post some local links and info from your hometown for your local readers on your own blog! In the meantime today's Daily Swank is a great find for housewares that includes all of the three  R's. I'd like to introduce you to the artwork of Rebekah from ship frames by rls .

Each frame from this shop is 100% recycled. The frame itself from recycled cardboard and newspaper. This specific design is also includes  Vintage 1950's clothing and undies advertisements!

If you are looking for a little recycled chic, I think this Russian Dance Sheet Music Picture Frame is just the thing. Rebekah pulled these music sheets from a found book in her grandfathers attic.

I like how each frame tells a different story in her vintage collection. This one sports 1950's Travel Advertisements. Head over to  Ship Frames by RLS for many other recycled designs and uses for recycled materials.

If you live in Kentucky here is a little recycling information for you.

List of Recycling Facilities by County

"Did you know the “three-chasing-arrows” symbol doesn’t necessarily mean a product is made with recycled content or can be recycled in your community? It may just be a reminder for you to recycle. Read the label carefully for specific information on recycled content." (resource Division of Waste Management Kentucky).

Electronics Recycling

Earth 911 a great resource for everyone to check out!