:: best of Etsy...knits

It's that time of year again for my favorite winter sport....K N I T T I N G.

Time to start breaking out the crochet hooks & knitting needles.

So here's a little knitty inspiration to motivate {me} and hopefully you.

For those of you who aren't into the yarn arts, but love them all the same

this goodness is for you too....minus the tired hands & carpal tunnel.

First up....

is the lovely long cable cardigan with buttons by Jessie.

Jessie has been creating and selling her own knitwear designs since 2007.

Jessie lives in Redmond, Washington with her husband Tom & her kitty Fallon.

Go have a look at more great knits in her etsy shop, isn't her banner so cute { love owls } 

Second up...

is the wonderfully colored and textured Medusa Infinity Scarf 

made by the lovely Dana Valente at Nina Ramone {named after her fur baby}.

Dana is a self taught knitter who cannot read knit or crochet patterns.

{I'd say she's doing pretty darn good on her own wouldn't you}

She's a knitter/crocheter by day and a roller derby diva by night...

her moniker.....Dresta Kill.....don't you just love it.

To take a peek at more of her great work, just click on her banner below.

Third up...

is the beautiful basket weave Painted Desert Wrap by Leah

of Hey Freddie on Etsy. Leah hails from Columbus Ohio.

Her favorite knitting materials are wool, alpaca & mohair.

I love Leah's work, and I'm sure you will too.

Visit her at her etsy shop below.

 Fourth up...

The stunning Linen and Lace Halter Top by Efia 

of Efia Fair. Efia is a very talented girl, she loves to draw, sew, paint,

dance, photograph, knit and crochet, and she is also an actress.

I love Efia's romantic style, and I'm sure you will too.

Go have a peek at more of her fabulous knits below...

Fifth up...

Is this adorable Lollipop Prom Dress by Nihan

at Nihan Altuntas. Nihan lives in Istanbul and her work is a mix of modern and 

Anatolian culture. Nihan has been crafting since she was old enough to pick up a crayon.

All of Nihan's pieces are available for customization according to client taste,

{ that just makes her lovely work even better} so go have a peek below.

Last but not least by any means... 

Is the Giant Pouf by Cara of  Mary Marie Knits,

her shop is named for her Grandmother who passed on to her a tradition 

of being creative and thrifty {love that}. Cara is a writer by trade, 

but she has a passion for knitting and creating goods for the home.

I don't know about you, but I need one of these knit poufs, they are just too fun.

So go on have a peek at more of her creative & useful knits...just click below.

So, what do you think of my Best of Etsy...Knits roundup?

What's your favorite?

Aren't these ladies super talented?

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend where you are,

it's rainy and gloomy here again....perfect weather for knitting.

Off I Go.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: Oh Yay Cyber Monday

Happy Monday my sweet peeps. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. This is a super quick post for me because I'm off now to spend the day shopping & chillin' with my bestie to celebrate her birthday. Happy Birthday KooKoo, you're the BEST bestie ever. LOVE YOU.

Just wanted to take this opportunity to pass on some savings of my own in all of my little ol' shops. So pop on over and see if anything catches your eye as the perfect gift.

{ the vintage wren }.... { the artful apple }.... { lily & lulu }

:: peace :: love :: hugs ::

Carrie

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:: are you brave?

Not Me.

There's no way you'll find me out on Black Friday battling the crowds for the deals. I would much rather sit in my PJ's sipping a coffee and perusing the wonderful unique gifts on ETSY. So in honor of Black Friday, I thought I would share some photos of the lovely Black {and white} items I found on ETSY this morning....by the way I'm still in my PJ's, with bed head as I type....and I think you are so important that I haven't even had my morning coffee yet.

This is where you will find me today.....HOME.

{ says the tree }

My home is always on my mind...how about you?

{ The Little Chickadee }

I could really use this little lovely right now...my studio is freezing.

{ ixela }

These lovely bows would be perfect for holiday parties...don't you think?

{ Carrie n Ashley }

I think I could pair them with this adorable little clutch.

{ modernradar }

I wonder if I could get the hubs to wear these fun cuff links?

{ Urban Eye }

He might also like this cool piece of art....I know I do.

{ Black Baroque }

Maybe I should carry this little bag instead...

{ Southern Skirts }

Hmm, maybe I'll trade out neck bling for earrings.

{ sarathomas }

So, are you brave?  Were you out there in the crowds today, or were you like me and shopping from your computer?  

I love having the convenience of shopping in my PJ's.  Although sometimes you just can't beat a little retail therapy to get you in the Holiday gift giving spirit. Just not on BLACK Friday.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I sure did...it was one of the best ones yet.  Of course I had my few minutes of meltdown that is par for the course for me at least, my Mom and Sister just laugh at me thank goodness....cuz they know it's going to come at some point. I guess it's the price of {trying} to be perfect, and hosting a house full of people.  I wonder if Martha ever melts down before a big party.

:: peace :: love :: hugs ::

Carrie

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{ fresh finds }

Happy Wednesday to you all.  Just wanted to share a few new things I've added to the shop.  I am really trying to be better at staying on top of my shops, but I'll tell you...it's really hard.  I always get caught up with housework { ugh } or some other project that needs doing.  Thank goodness the weather has been nice enough to get some good photos.  Another sunny one today, so look for some more updates later { as long as some pressing housework doesn't come up.... like laundry }.

:: peace & love ::

Carrie

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{ mr. jablonsky }

Friends and fellow bloggers,

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Jablonsky.

Mr. Jablonsky teaches science at Filbert High School.

"Mr. J" is a fan of  T.V. dinners, rabbit ears, and Welcome Back Kotter.

On Saturdays he likes to lounge in his Lazy Boy wearing his favorite gym shorts 

and striped athletic socks, while eating peanuts and catching up on his science journals.

When he's not lounging, he puts on his super hip track suit and heads out to do some shopping.

 Mr. Jablonsky LOVES to shop for hip new stuff for his bachelor pad

....Cuz he knooows how the ladies like a swanky pad.

His unique sense of style often sends him to no other than Tiff & Biff's, 

for the latest in super swanky goods for his digs.

Rumor has it that he may also have a little crush on Tiff,

but shhh don't tell Biff....you don't even wanna see what would happen if he found out.

You GO Mr. Jablonsky.

You too......go on and check out Tiff & Biff vintage,

they really are good people { and they are both kinda cute },

 tell them { the vintage wren } sent you.

Holla!

P. S.  "Mr. J" has also been known on occasion to frequent  { the vintage wren },

but I don't think he has a crush on Ms. Wren cuz she's Tiff's sister....and that would just be wrong.

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{ new arrivals }

I've been very busy the past few days trying to get my shop in order.

I've been re-thinking how I want it to work, and how I think it should look.

Maybe you can offer up some opinions or advice for me.

I'm trying to decide if it's better to add props to my images to make them fuller,

or is it sufficient to have just the item pictured alone?

What do you think?

Alone...

Or with props?

My idea is that my shop will look a little more cohesive if everything is very similar

and with a little breathing room around each item.

I'm a huge fan of close ups...as you may have noticed from my photography,

so it's been very hard for me to step back and give the items the space they may need.

Anyhoo,

that's what's going on in my world right now.

Just trying to get it all together.... and make it work.

Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Hope you are having a wonderful week so far.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie

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{ fresh finds friday }

It's Friday!

WOO HOO!

You know what Friday is... 

DATE NIGHT

you know that's right.

Do you still go out on dates with your sweetie?  

Date nights for us usually consist of dinner, 

a trip to Barnes & Noble for a coffee and a new book...

then to the movies for a big ol' bucket of yummilicious buttery goodness.

Mmmm, Mmmm, can't wait...I think I should have skipped lunch today.

It's been a while since we've had a chance to go out,

 so I'm very excited to spend some alone time with my honey.

Can you tell?

Anyhoo,

Just popping in to share some more { fresh finds }

like this lovely little country chic wire egg basket,

great for holding so many things besides eggs.

How about this lovely scalloped edge milk glass compote.

How Sweet.

Join the compote with these unique white porcelain teacups, and you have the

beginnings of quite a lovely little tea party.

 If you want to shake things up a little, add these sassy owls to the table.

So cool, so chic.... those eyes.

If you are feeling a little more demure, 

you can add a few blossoms or a candle to this vintage French lamp base,

and let the tea sipping begin.

Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend, 

that may or may not include a date night, some egg collecting, and a tea party.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie

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{ if I could sew }

Once upon a time when women did it all, they made their own aprons.

If I could sew, I would SO sew one of these lovelies.

or maybe on of these...

if only I still had a little girl who I could dress up.

Then I might putter around in the gardens wearing one of these.

When I'm done I might put on one of these to go to town,

and I would dress my little girl in one of these.

When we are all done for the day I'll bring her home and put her in one of these,

especially with little pigtails in ribbons.

Oh my gosh, I adore all of these sweet patterns... if only I could sew.

Maybe you can, if so, you can find these darling patterns in my vintage shop,

It's my hope that someone who can sew will find them 

and re-create some of these fabulous vintage outfits.

Hope you all are doing well,

I've been very busy hunting up new goodies to add to my shop.

These are just a few of my recent finds, you can check out the rest of my new finds

in the Fresh Finds section at { the vintage wren }.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie

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{ do you RUE? }

Well, do you?

Funny thing... I wrote the title to this post before going to rue's twitter page,

and what do you know...it's there all over there page.

Anywhoo,

I just found out about this great online magazine thanks to 

Ashlee over at the Prairie Cottage, who so sweetly let me know 

that my {mid century floral swanky swigs }  were actually in it.

Thanks so much Ashlee... I never would have known.

So go on over and visit Ashlee at her Prairie Cottage,

she's a fellow graphic designer and her blog is just lovely,

full of great thrifty decorating ideas and fabulous recipes.

Now, on to rue

I was so excited...I know it's a small thing, but hey I'll take any exposure I can get.

So here they are on page 150 of the Premiere Issue of rue.

Drooling over this kitchen,  Hey, I have those spice bottles...time to break them out...

i n s p i r e d

I never leave my jewelry out like this, but maybe I will now, and those glasses (gotta have em)...

i n s p i r e d

Can you ever get enough birds?  This bedding is to die for.  I love everything about this simple space...

i n s p i r e d

Color, I love it...old cameras, love them...Johnny Cash, love him...dress forms, can't get enough...

i n s p i r e d

Fabulous studios, woven blinds, wire baskets, chalk boards, and inspiration clotheslines...LOVE IT...

i n s p i r e d

So much fabulous inspiration.

Amazing photos... I want to live in these spaces.

I better get to work, and create my own.

Other peoples creativity amazes me,

I'm not sure I can even classify myself as creative anymore,

that bar is just way too high.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie

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{ galvanize my heart }

I'm in love with galvanized metal containers

This is my galvanized pail planter scored at a yard sale...love it.

Old galvanized tin scoop, can't believe I sold this one...what was I thinking? : (

I love this galvanized metal feed tray.

 I'm in love with this vintage locker bin.

These vintage fan blades would make a cool accessory.

Love this vintage metal box.

This vintage milk box could be used for unique storage.

How lovely is this long metal planter?

How about this awesome metal tray.

Has a flour cannister ever looked so cool?

I adore this baby wash tub.

very cool office file box.

This is just some of the awesome galvanized goodness I found on etsy.

click on any link,  and that goodness can be yours.

If you buy some of that awesome goodness

tell the seller you found it here

on { the vintage wren }.

Hope you all are having a lovely weekend.

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