Thompson Family-Life

for the love of papier-mâché

I've always loved vintage papier-mâché items, like banks and other figurines you always see at antique malls and on etsy and ebay (I shared a lot here a couple years ago). There's always lots of papier-mâché to be found when looking at vintage holiday decor as well. But it's only recently that I started noticing these busts/faces more and more. I started faving them a lot on etsy and ebay and I finally noticed that there was a particular artist that created a lot of them back in the 60's, Gemma Tacogna (and then I remembered a blog post on Cathy of California's blog that I read a while back all about Gemma). 

As she mentioned on her blog, Gemma's work was really popular, but manufacturers started copying her work and mass producing it, and that prompted her to stop creating them as much (really sad). A lot of them definitely look like her work - and I think the girl that I have in blue with the hat on is probably a knock-off (you can tell which ones are the originals right off by the price tag that comes with them!) I think collecting Gemma's pieces would be such a worthy investment... definitely something you'd have to collect slowly.

Thanks to saved searches on Ebay, I stumbled onto the larger bust above last week and just FELL IN LOVE with her. I haven't seen anything like her before and the artist (or manufacturer) name is "De Sela". I searched the name on Ebay and several other items came up, although not half as grand as she. I count myself very lucky that I found her. 

I was quite shocked how BIG the larger bust was when I received her in the mail and once you get past her balloon-like head, you realize just how beautiful the hand-painting is, especially on the face (and I love the mod flowers painted on the base!). One of the things I love about these vintage paper-mache items is how bright and saturated the colors usually are. The nature of paper-mache is pretty fragile, so I'm always amazed at how many I see, still holding up.

I would SO love to try my hand at sixties style paper mache. I've seen lots of vintage craft books with projects ranging from super cute to quite garish (ha). Here are some lovely ones I found around the web, a couple originals by Gemma. I love the idea of making some bangle bracelets. As much as I love vintage bakelite (and other plastic) vintage bangles, I can't handle the constant clanking noise. I would think paper-mache would be a nice substitute! Not so loud. ; )

Sources (starting in the center, then top left and around clock-wise):

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

I literally gasped out loud when I saw that hanger #5. Just wow.

Project: Dolly Cases

To say this project has been a labor of love is an understatement. I like to call these kinds of projects "fiddly" projects, which is a nice way of saying "it was a big pain in my butt." But as with any project you put hours and hours (and hours) of time into, it's all worth it when you see the finished product. 

I'd been wanting to come up with a new solution to displaying my dolls for a long time now. You might remember my previous dollhouse (which you can see here). I really loved that thing! But it was just so BUSY visually, I really wanted to come up with a cleaner look - preferably one that was behind glass so my dolls wouldn't get dusty. I wanted the dolls to be able to shine, and not be competing for attention with their environment.

I ran through all of my options before committing to a case of some sort. I knew I could always put them in one of my hutches/cabinets, but those are always so deep and full of shadows and darkness - I really wanted something that was shallow that could receive a lot of light so you could see the dolls nicely. I racked my brain, and the only thing I could come up with was a custom made case because I couldn't think of anything I could just buy and make it into what I wanted.

I started pricing out custom cases and it was going to set me back more than 400 bucks for just two cases these sizes. Yikes! So I put that idea on hold. Then I had a lightbulb moment. I had already thought about collectible shadow boxes you can find at craft and hobby stores, but knew most of them wouldn't be big enough, or the right shape, etc. But upon browsing Michaels recently, I found JUST THE BOX that worked perfectly with my idea! I wanted something long and horizontal so it felt somewhat "room"-ish. And I needed them to be around the width of the dresser I was going to hang them over. I couldn't believe I found something so perfect and at 40% off for each, they were only around $30 each. They were a bit taller than I wanted, but it ended up working out great because it gave me the idea to add the little ledges since I had more space.

I wanted the cases to be all the same color. I used Montana Spraypaint that I buy locally at Binders Art. These paints are so amazing with so many more color options than you'd have at a typical craft store. I settled on my favorite color combo, peach and pink. Since the glass was already glued into the frame, I had to tape off the glass on the inside and outside which was kind of a pain, but worth it. I painted the inside of the frame as well because I knew you'd be able to see the insides, and I didn't want the natural ugly black showing through.

I was perplexed as to what to do for the back panel, because I wanted that to be the same color as well. The shadow box came with one of those awful black velour backings these always have, but the back of it already had the hangers and closer-thingies attached, so I knew I still wanted to use that as the backing. So I found some inexpensive white mat board at Binders and decided to just spray paint it the same color. It got a coat of primer as well so that it wouldn't soak up the paint so badly. I was worried that with the additional thickness of the mat board the frame might not close, but it did (phew.)

I did have to cut down the original backing with a craft knife which was a little tricky since it's a thick chipboard, but it worked fine. I cut off one of the sides about 1/8 inch. This is because it could no longer fit in the "groove" on the inside of the frame with the addition of the mat board.

When I taped off the glass, I used clear packing tape and brown butcher paper to cover most of the glass area. I didn't have any painters tape on hand, but I think the packing tape stayed better. It left a little glue residue that I easily cleaned off with Goo Gone. Once the painting was done, I attached the little wood "ledges" that I had spray painted the same color as well. These little pieces of wood were just precut pieces I bought in the wood craft section at Michaels. I used E-6000 glue to attach them to the frame backing. Since the dolls are so lightweight, the ledges worked just fine.

Then came the tricky part!! Getting the dolls into the frames. The peach case with the cloth pose dolls was much easier than the other one. Most pose doll heads are wide, so they wedge in between the glass and backing so securely, they don't move much. The only tricky part with that one was the smaller pose dolls and figuring out how to have them sit on the ledges without moving. There was no getting around having to flip the the whole frame upside down in order to close/secure the backing and when I did that, the dolls would move around and I'd have to open the frame again.. and again. Needless to say there are still swear words floating in the ether somewhere.

I finally came up with the best solution: I stuck sewing pins into the wood ledge, one for each foot (they went into the wood just by pushing them in a little). I then cut off the ball of the sewing pin and left around a half inch of pin left. I then just stuck the legs through the pins. They stayed pretty well when I flipped over the frame. 

The pink Barbie frame was much more finicky. I tried several different unsuccessful ways to get them to stay put. Since they are not as thick as the pose dolls, they were moving all over the place. The only thing that ended up working was sticking a push pin through the back of their garments (I know, wasn't something I wanted to do, but the other option was sticking pins through their BODIES which I definitely didn't want to do) and through the mat board backing. When I flipped the case over, they stayed put pretty well... THANKFULLY.

Now they're hanging blissfully on the wall and I love that I had room on the top surface of the dresser to set up my Blythes and other favorite doll furniture. Since the Blythes have such big 'ole heads, they wouldn't fit in the cases, so I'll have to be sure to dust them periodically.

Are you a doll collector? How do you like to display your dolls?

the process of getting there

I know you've heard me mention many times just how long we've lived in our home (15 years this fall... phew!) and you've seen us go through a short spell where we were looking at homes and then decided to put it off (we thought we were going to be rezoned for our Elementary school, but that fell through). But the idea of moving, having a bigger place - it definitely became more than just "we're moving because of our school situation".

Having some space between now and then, I can tell you the decision to wait was a very, very good decision. We're on a two-more-years plan for now (once Cooper is done with Elementary School - 5th grade - we will be moving for sure because we're not sold on our Middle School. We will either move within Atlanta, or there could be a possibility of moving out of the country where Ethan's boss lives - only time will tell.)

I think it's pretty rare that people stay in one house for any long period of time these days. Gone are the days when people live in their home for thirty, forty years. What's crazy is that our home was built in the 60's and it has had only had TWO home owners! The family before us, and us. Crazy, right?

We live in a world where it's always "on to the next bigger, better thing". That is not to say I haven't had my moments where I wish I was in another house for any number of reasons, but it's been an amazing ride, being in this home. Staying put really allows you to put your money elsewhere, you know? More than anything, it's been quite something seeing the transformations this house has gone through aesthetically.

Remember when people decorated their homes and that one style stayed... for like, decades? Things change so fast now! Our tastes are constantly changing. Mine definitely have. Some of the walls in our home have been painted over two, three times with whatever decorating whim I'm having at that moment. But you know what? That is what makes it all so fun.

It's also... a lot of work. Especially when you DIY pretty much every home project like we do. Last year was the first year in 14 years that we actually PAID someone to paint our walls. I think we creative-types, especially when you're looking at design blogs and you see all of these gorgeous, complete and cohesive home tours - we feel this pressure to have a FINISHED home.

You know what? In 15 years, our home still isn't "FINISHED". I'm not rushing to photograph a home tour. Things are constantly in flux. Always rearranging pictures on the wall. Waiting to find the time to paint that hutch, or this cabinet. Or add wallpaper to that, or paint over that kitchen backsplash. Oh, yeh, and I need to design some decals for said kitchen backsplash... The DIY to-do list is neverending. 

I always feel like there's that thing, and that thing that always needs to be done... but you know.. LIFE happens. School, and homework, and dinner... and, that's okay. : ) I think after 15 years, I'm okay that things aren't "finished" around here. It's a process. And while I do resent that neverending to-do list sometimes, I think having those projects to look forward to is what keeps me going. And when the tasks are (finally) completed, the reward of creating something that no one else has, that is completely unique to your home - well, it's all just plain worth it, right?

I do see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel... things are coming together... and I'm enjoying it, piece by piece by piece.

If you follow Kitschy Digitals on Instagram, you've seen my progress on the boys' room. We decorated it a few years ago because they just started sharing a room, and we wanted it to reflect both boys. It was cute, lots of vintage, fabric cloud decals I made for the walls (see a peek here) - but it was never very functional. It's a very tiny room, and having one twin bed and a full sized bed just didn't work. It was too crowded with not a lot of space to move. We finally took the clouds down and painted the room white, hoping it would make the space feel bigger. And things stayed that way for a while. We finally got our butts in gear a few weeks ago and bought some new furniture (a new bunk bed! opened up SO much space!), donated a ton of decor, and started buying new pieces we knew the boys would love - but would still retain a sense of style and good taste. (fine line isn't it?)

There are (of course) still a few more DIYs to take care of in here (see what I mean?), so once things are fine-tuned in here, I'll take more photos for a proper room tour. I'm happy to report that the boys really seem to love the room! Honestly? They seem to SLEEP better in here! There's something just really cozy about bunk beds. I always wanted a bunk bed growing up but my sister and I never shared a room. I was lying on the bottom bunk one day and I was totally wishing I could sleep in there.

I was saying this on Instagram - it's funny... there really is something to feng shui. The boys always seemed unsettled, and having beds right next to each other - well it just promoted trouble. They were always bugging each other and bickering. With the bunk beds, they can't really touch each other as easily (ha)... they still chat before they go to sleep (which I love) but they seem to drift off to sleep much easier. (phew) This makes for a happy Mommy & Daddy.

Aren't these little guys above funny? They're a set of vintage shot glasses I found at a flea market on the way home from Florida. They were too unique to pass up.

I found this large scale vintage fabric (below) a while back and finally stretched it around a large painter's canvas, and added it to this wall. This arrangement is still in flux.. but it's getting there (you don't want to know how many holes I've strategically covered - I'm not much for forethought in hanging pictures... i just start banging away with a hammer and nails.. and then, you know, regret it later.)

I'm always keeping my eyes open for special finds when I'm at thrift stores, flea markets and antique stores (and you know the virtual aisles of ebay and etsy). We've donated A LOT of things over the past year, and I've been pretty successful at only bringing home what I really, really love, and what will play a good part of a bigger aesthetically pleasing picture. I'm a knick-knack junkie, but I'm getting better. ; ) Oh, and that hutch up there? "Needs a coat of coral paint" has been on the DIY to-do for a while now. 

I'll try to list all of the sources of things below - bare in mind that many of these items are vintage that I can't really source.

And speaking of DIY to-do's... how about you? What to-do's do you have? Our boys' last day of school is tomorrow. Woot! Looking forward to getting outside and attacking some projects while they play. Share with me your projects. I want to hear! Let's see if we can scratch these babies off our lists!

Here's some of mine:

- paint two hutches

- paint tile backsplash in kitchen (ugly images on tiles). Design retro vinyl decals for said tiles.

- remove rust from craigslist outdoor chair finds (I've heard naval jelly works great!), spraypaint, make cushions from vinyl fabric

- paint and attach mid-century wooden legs to the boys' bookshelf find

- paint mid-century headboard that you thrifted two years ago (!!!) for master bedroom

- hang lighting

Sources: mid-century cat pattern: my "Groovy Kitty" digital kit // coral and turquoise "gumball" lamps: Urban Outfitters // white dresser: Stolmen unit from IKEA // white floating shelves: IKEA // bedding: IKEA // donut pillows: designed by Heidi Kenney for Kid Robot // large print in the boys' room: by Lily Scratchy // picture frames: IKEA // cloud pillow & polka-dot brown round chair: Land of Nod (chair was from a few years ago) // bunk bed: IKEA, painted yellow by me // french fry pillow: Society6.com // crocheted lion: made by me // black and white clock: IKEA // white wire baskets: IKEA // minecraft sword: handmade by my husband & son // Warhol Campbell's Soup cans: been hoarding these since they came out at Target last year! // polka-dot bear: handmade by me // handmade elephant: aliceapple // Spirited Away print: Society6.com // 2013 calendar: Misako Mimoko // painting of Ramona by friend Leigh Slingluff // three dolls in last photo: here

somebody turned *one*

You guuuuuys, look at this sweetie! Miss Lenore turned the big *ONE* in December and she's walking like a pro. I got to hang out with her today. I feel pretty lucky to get to spend time with this precious little one. I don't know if I've just been lucky the past few times I've kept her, but she has been absolutey FULL of happiness. I'm sure I miss out on the crankyness that Mommy and Daddy see. I always remember those times when my mine were little. All I'd ever hear is "but they're so GOOD! They're ALWAYS good with ME!" haha. I would bite my lip and smile. Spending a few hours with a little one is very different than spending 24/7! But gosh I love it. And I feel very thankful that they give me the opportunity to spend time with little Lenore. Very lucky indeed.

Her lovely mom, Ellyn, always spoils me by dressing her in the vintage outfits I've found at thrift stores and even brings extras just in case. She has one other dress I think, and after that one, I'll have to start combing the thrifts for more cute outfits! We usually take pictures for around 20 minutes right when she gets here and then we play for the rest of the time. I'm really thrilled with how many of these came out, and I can thank my new lens mostly for that. Most of these pics were taken with my new 30mm Sigma lens that I got for Christmas. It's been a great wide angle lens, but not too wide angle, know what I mean? Perfect for indoors and I love how sharp the photos are coming out. It does really well in low-light situations and the background bokeh is really pretty. So I definitely recommend this lens as a budget-friendly option. 

The photos in our living room (with the yellow and orange couches) were in very low light, with just a little light coming in through the windows. It rained all day and was cloudy, so you can see that the photos came out quite nice with such low light (which can be such a pain to work with!)

The photos taken in mine and Ethan's bedroom (with peach walls and sunburst mirror) were taken with mostly artificial light. Most of the bulbs in our house are "daylight" bulbs which mimic daylight (a photographer's dream), so I used the overhead light and an extra clamp light from Home Depot (also using a daylight bulb). Sometimes you just gotta use artificial light and sometimes the results are surprisingly good!

The photos in the living room, with the white fireplace and turquoise walls in the background, had this natural vignette, or glow, around her that was totally naturally created from light coming from the window to her right (our left). I thought it was so pretty! I love happy accidents like that.

I found this gorgeous harlequin patterned blanket at a thrift store a while back. It was handmade with polyester fabric and the prettiest pink crochet trim. It wasn't backed by anything, so it's scratchy, as polyester can be, but it sure is pretty. We put other softer blankets underneath. And it was King sized so it fit our bed perfectly. I love the colors.

Until next time, Lenore!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to your's!