Trying to get "into" Social Media

Since I have been selling on eBay for 15 years and Etsy for 3, I thought I'd be able to figure out this social media thingy. I mean how hard can it be when Granny is on it 24/7?

So yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and open a Facebook page for my new Etsy shop, SewValentina. And if that wasn't enough for me to slit my wrists, I also started posting on a blog I opened a few years back, called Look What I Just Made. A glutton for punishment? As Dave Hester would say..."EEYUPP!"

I have so many friends that just LOVE Facebook...why don't I? It's like I get naseous just thinking about it. Funny aside: When I opened my personal FB page I was worried that old boyfriends would be coming out of the woodwork..."Hey GF, looking good!" Well, suffice it to say that my "cyber door" has not been beaten down LOL!

Delusions of granduer aside, I hope that it really will help. Wish me luck because I'm going to stick with it even if I have to sit here with an air sickness bag!

OK, now for something cute...

XXOO Valentina

I'm Baaaaccckkkk...

Geez, it sure has been a while since I posting here! Kinda feels like a Twilight Zone episode! Anyhow, in addition to buying some really fab-U-lous stuff, I've been busy trying to get my Etsy site bigger and better. Unfortunately this past week I've become addicted to doing Treasury Lists, I haven't done much else. I'm pretty sure they won't do much for my business but they are SO much fun! And why would I stop doing things just for the fun of it???

Can't quite figure out how to post a photo of my latest but here's a link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAwNzc2Nzd8MjcyMzU1NjYxNA/holiday-glitterati?ref=pr_treasury

Don't you just LOVE glitter?

XXOO Valentina

Had a GREAT time this weekend!

Well I never got around to posting about the SALE OF THE CENTURY road trip Rachel and I took up to Oxnard but to put it in a nutshell there was alot of truth to that advertising! OMG there was so much stuff! I would have driven the 250 miles again for the discount day but darnit I didn't. Still we brought home a van full and I've been busy listing my finds on eBay and Etsy!

So about 2 months ago Rick and I made plans to go to Palm Desert with our good friends Kathy & Bill and their 11 year old daughter Jamie for the Memorial Day weekend. We were excited...the guys would play golf and the girls would thrift shop all day! The thrift shops in the area are fabulous and that Jamie is a real shopaholic!

Well on the Saturday morning we were to leave I got on EstateSales.net and there was an incredible sale in Ontario! Supposedly the lady was a hat and clothing model in the 50's and 60's and she saved so much that the sale had to be moved to a warehouse! Just the kind of sale I dream of! Hmmm, I wondered if Kathy and Jamie would mind waking up at 5am on Sunday to make the 90 mile trip to Ontario. After I regained my senses I thought that might be pushing the envelope a bit so I never got there, darnit!

But not all was lost, there was a sale just across the street from our condo where I got some goodies!

And of course we totally scored at the thrift shops! Check out the linens I got!

It was a great weekend filled with great friends and I still managed to find some treasures!

XXOO Valentina

PS I happily came home to find my new Etsy banner in my inbox. It was designed by Claudia of Green Nest with images from my collection. I absolutely LOVE it!

Goin' on a Road Trip!!!!!!!!!!

Well we're headed up north to "The Sale of the Century" in Oxnard this afternoon! It doesn't start until tomorrow morning but we're getting a head start! I'm very excited and little bit nervous...there's just SO much stuff at this sale! Wish us luck!
XXOO Valentina

A Little Bit of Color Makes the Day Bright and Happy!

Been busy the past couple of days working on a colorful vintage doily dress. I REALLY need to tackle the stuff in our garage but this is so much more fun! I'm thinking of doing the Fallbrook Community Sale this Saturday, to get rid of the old and make room for new stuff! You know your garage is bad when you open the door and the garderner exclaims "Peligro, cuidado!" Yep, it's time.

I like the idea of being able to change the fabric roses out for buttons but that velcro is really hard to sew on!

 I'm thinking that it needs more embellishment...

...yeah, the garage can wait!

XXOO Valentina

Vintage Wrapping Paper...I need more!

There's something about vintage wrapping paper from the 1950's and 60's. I just love the feel of it! And the images are so darned cute especially the children's paper.

I was digging through a drawer the other day looking for old photos when I came across these pieces! Now I'm on a quest for more!

The one above is just so happy...wouldn't you LOVE to get a gift wrapped in it?
And the floral ones are printed so beautifully!

Just wanted to share...enjoy!

XXOO Valentina

Blast from the past

I've been busy upcycling some tops and having alot of fun sewing vintage buttons on, adding crocheted trim and my absolute favorite...embroidering french knots! To me they're like shoes, a girl can NEVER have enough!

Anyhow, I got to thinking about all the sewing I did in the 90's for my shop at the Cedros Trading Co. in Solana Beach California. So this morning I decided to dig up my stash of old photos...what a blast from the past that was! Those days I was a maniac, sewing everyday, so much so that I totally burned myself out and put my old Singer 301A in the closet. Didn't even look at it for at least 10 years!

(My sister in law was kind enough to model for me...isn't she the best?)

Looking at those photos brought back to mind all those days spent with yards of fabric, old cutter quilts, 100's of vintage buttons & trims laid out on the living room floor, designing or upcycling a dress or jacket. And of course still in my PJ's at 3pm! One day my husband's uncle popped in unnanounced and I was so horrified that I asked him to stay outside on the patio and I'd be out in a few. Got some 'real' clothes on and met him out on the patio. Had a nice chat but it was almost 100 degrees and there was sweat pouring down his forehead and his face got really red! Poor Uncle Gordon...but I just couldn't let him see the mess in the living room! I still feel bad about that.

I guess I haven't changed that much in my 'old age'. The old Singer is out of the closet, there's fabric and trim in the living room and I'm still in my PJ's!

XXOO Valentina