Thompson Family-Life

just call me Frenchy

The pink is back! If you've been following my blog since last year, you'll remember my pink here from here, here and here. I knew I wanted to do it again this summer. I think it will become a rite of passage once the boys are out of school every year. I don't feel comfortable wearing it pink during the school year because, well, I don't want the boys to be harrassed by other kids with "Why does your Mom have pink hair?!". The girls might like it (Princess Hair!!!), but boys are notorious for heckling. (at least the little stinker boys are. >:(

My boys are pretty indifferent to it. It's like, "Mom's got pink hair... moving on..." Like, no biggie. 

Since this was my first time bleaching in a year or so, I knew it would take a couple bleachings to get it light enough to really hold the color. The first time I bleached and dyed it pink last year, it didn't get to it's fullest brightest until that second bleaching, but I did get this same peachy-pink which I do really love. The only thing about this time around is that it didn't dye evenly (as you can see from that orange patch at the top of my head!). I used Special Effects dye this time instead of the Directions brand I used last year. I do love the "Cupcake" color I used this time, but I have no idea why it didn't dye evenly. I knew some of the orange from would still show through, but not this badly. I dyed it yesterday and today with the pink, leaving it on for 2 and 3 hours both times and the color just doesn't seem to want to grab around my roots.

Luckily, it doesn't look too bad and has an "ombre" affect. So I'll just say I did it on purpose to be trendy. ; ) A lot of people that do pink are so put off by the "salmon" colors you sometimes get, but I love them. It's kind of a natural progression from the natural copper red I usually do. I do look forward to bleaching again in a few weeks (to give my hair a break). Upon the second bleaching last year, it looked incredible. Total even coverage and the pink was BAH-RIGHT!! Like day-glo. Hoping I can tone that down slightly. That is when you get the REAL looks in public. I actually went out today with hardly a look with this salmony/darker pink. I'll be sure to take new photos when the new pink is done.

My hair is finally getting to one length - quite a change from the super short style I had. And I think I'll keep it bob length for a while. The growing out process hasn't been too painful... only when I wait too long to get a cut and it starts getting mullet-y in the back (you short haired folks know what I'm talking about). I've finally given up the good fight on having bangs after all these years. I almost always have bangs cut and literally THE DAY OF THE CUT, I'm already pinning them back. I should buy stock in bobby pins. So, the big-bang-growout of 2013 has officially begun. And I'm hoping for good. I wish I was lucky enough to have lush, thick, Bettie Page style bangs, but having two cowlicks and wispy hair, bangs just don't ever stay put for me. (boo.)

Isn't the shirt cute? It's vintage from Highland Row Antiques here in Atlanta. It was actually a shirt dress that I asked my Mother-in-Law to shorten for me. The sunglasses are just for fun because I can't actually see with them on! Need a prescription. So I put them on just for you. ; ) But I like them so much I might consider having lenses put in! I did the same thing with another cheap pair from Urban Outfitters and it has worked great. These are "designer knock-offs" from ebay. I think I spent less than $10 on them. Thank-you to whoever tipped me off on these! Pinterest? Can't remember!

I'll have more pink updates soon. I know you're waiting with bated breath.

Typography Books - Palm Springs Thrift Finds & an Update

These were two of my thrifty vintage finds while visiting Palm Springs. As I mentioned, I didn't bring home a lot from the thrifts, but I love quality over quantity.. and these are quality in my book! And I have to say, it was because my friend Katie locked her keys in her car (with the car running! eep!) that I found these gems. Thankfully we were in a thrift store parking lot, so I could swing back in and do some more looking while we waited for the locksmith. I guess it was destiny I found these. ;)

As a Graphic Designer, I'm definitely a typography junky (really, what design lover isn't?) These vintage fonts are pretty groovy. And the cross-stitch patterns in the other book are just gorgeous. Totally chomping at the bit to stitch some of these up....

... especially these cross-stitch typefaces! LOVE.

They're all pretty great, aren't they?

I wanted to have at least some sort of explanation as to the crickets on this blog lately! This blog isn't a for-profit blog, and that means, if I'm absent, it's usually because I'm working on things for our shop. It also means, making some things happen for my own projects that I've been dreaming up, but haven't made the time for. That includes a digital kit from me! (yes, finally!!) And it's a goodie. Can't wait to share this with you next week when it's released. If you follow us on Instragram, you will always get to see peeks of our projects, so, to stay in the loop - be sure to follow us here! So, even if the blog is a little quiet, there are always things going on at Instragram.

As you can see, we have some really, really cute new products in the shop! Embroidery patterns (including THE perfect bridesmaid gifts! and a very retro owl! as well as four sets of embroidery patterns celebrating Downton Abbey - YES!! That's 15 portrait patterns in all. I just rewatched the first season. I have a project in the works using these awesome patterns!) Also, some cute Project Life printable cards! You'll be seeing more Project Life products in our shop in the future!

Also, an amazing printable that folds up to become a retro kitchen - for a dollhouse. YES. That Alice Apple is amazing. I recently scored a vintage Lundby dollhouse on Craigslist (I had no idea about the Lundby brand, but they were manufactured in Sweden. I really loved the mid-century shape..) and I'll be revamping mine with Alice's retro printables. 

Click here to see ALL of our new products. I'll also be adding more new products this week, so be on the lookout. (more cross-stitch, felt doll patterns and printables, oh my!)

Aside from Kitschy Digitals, I also have a little Spoonflower idea I hope to start working on this weekend. It's inspired by a vintage doll I found. Very excited, and it's something you can make with easy sewing skills! I also haven't forgotten about my felt doll patterns.

As a working Mom, getting things accomplished is always a challenge. It's all about working in as much as I can, in between field trips, getting them to soccer practice, feeding them, helping with homework - you know the drill. But I feel pretty LUCKY to be able to do what I love and be there for my boys (who are always my priority, which also explains why things happen a bit slowly. But that is ok.)

We also went on a last-minute trip to Memphis last weekend to visit with family and an ill grandmother (a great-grandmother for the boys!) It was such quality time packed into a two day trip. I'm so very glad we went. (Also, note to self: I MUST get better about calling the grandmothers. Who else is bad about this? Texting and emailing has spoiled me.... and has also made me lazy.)

Always trying to find that balance. And making time for things (and people) who take priority over everything else. Sometimes the exciting ideas in your head that keep you up at night, just have to wait a little longer. I'm learning that when you put what really matters first, everything else will happen when it's supposed to. : )

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!

one of those once-in-a-lifetime finds

I'm not sure why it takes me so long to share some things on this blog, goodness. It's been about six months since I found this amazing piece in Amsterdam at the Noordermarkt, a local flea market there. It was definitely one of those double-takes... but instead of it being a handsome man spotted across a crowded room, it was a large (around 46 inches wide), vintage, incredibly unique emboidery just bursting with handmade love. Definitely love at first sight.

I knew it when I saw it that A) it's too good to be true, so it must cost too much and B) Ethan's never going to let me bring that giant thing home with us on the plane (it was stretched around a wooden frame), not to mention we had more traveling to do (to Belgium) and we'd have to lug it around with us on trains, etc.

So I snapped a few pics and met back up with Ethan, but I couldn't get it out of my head.

I told Ethan about it and said I wanted to go see how much it was, and I brought him with me so that he could see it. When I asked the seller how much, I clenched up waiting for the inevitably outrageous price and heard "$20". A look must have come across my face that made him think I thought that was too high (which I didn't, obviously!), so he quickly said, "ok, $15."

Trying to keep my game-face on (and not doing a very good job, I'm sure.. never take me with you to buy a car), I walked quickly over to Ethan and told him. He gave it a look-over and I knew he was thinking "this thing is too big, and it's wrapped around a wooden frame, so it can't be folded down... and..." 

I told the seller we had traveled from the States and was worried about transporting it back and he was like "well, you could always take it off the frame.."

BINGO. I was all over that. Before I knew it, I was the proud owner of this lovely thing and I convinced Ethan it would be no biggie to get it off that frame. He being the good husband he is, went along with it with no complaints and even tracked down the tools we needed to pry the piece from the frame. It came off easily and I was able to fold it up and easily take it home with me.

I have no idea if this is an original piece or if it was made from a mass-produced pattern, BUT, my guess is that it's an original piece. It seems too freeform and unique and LARGE. I can't imagine this came as part of a craft kit of something. It's definitely European, so maybe my European readers might have an idea?

I absolutely love the mix of appliquéd fabrics, patterns and felt, and the sketch-like handstitching. Most of all, I adore the very expressive looks on the children's faces.

It really needs to be cleaned, but I just don't know how to go about doing that. Part of me doesn't want to mess with it, and I wouldn't clean it myself. I was going to iron it, but don't want to set any of the dirt. All in all, the condition doesn't bother me, I'm just so glad it was salvaged. I have no idea how old it is. Can anyone take a guess? I'm going to stretch it around either a pre-made canvas, or buy some stretcher bars and put it together myself. We have an amazing art supply store in Atlanta that sells many different sizes and shapes of premade canvases, so I'm going to bring it with me to see if it fits any. Then I need to find the perfect place to hang it.

Do you have any experience with cleaning vintage embroideries/canvas? Any tips?

Have you ever found something so unique and amazing while traveling that you just couldn't resist bringing it home?

Lady Lenore

I am no pro at identifying clothing worn in past eras, but I must be watching too many period dramas lately (The Forsyte Saga anyone? Thanks to my Mother-in-law for recommending this! If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, you will love this show) because the style of this vintage dress I found feels very old-timey! It must be the poet style sleeves, not sure, but she looks like a little Lady. This was made in the 70s I'm assuming (?) found in this Etsy shop. 

We got to babysit this little gal for three hours today and it was bliss! Not one tear like last time - she was so happy! All four of us were home this time, so I had help to keep her entertained, but honestly, she was just happy as a lark, exploring and even doing some walking! She was quite infatuated with the boys and kept touching their faces. So sweet. We were happy to help out Mom who I know enjoyed some time to herself (I remember those days!! Bribing anyone I could find to TAKE MY CHILD. haha)

I think she must be getting used to us. We spent New Years Eve with her family, and have seen a lot of them lately, so she must be getting used to our faces. I stuffed some vintage outfits into her bag that I've found over the past couple months at thrift shops. I'm looking forward to hanging out with this little gal more in the future. And thankfully her Mom loves the vintage clothing! ; )

*And yes, we desperately need to take down our holiday decorations!! Have you?