Whacha gonna do with all that junk?

Oh cool, those are lyrics from "My Humps," which was a hit song from the Black eyed Peas in 2005! How current of me.
So, nothing gets junk in one's trunk faster than yard sale season. I just returned from a trip and now I'm eating lunch, so I'm not about to photograph my loot at the moment. Sit back with me and cool off, as I present my haul from my last yard sale run.
One of the first places I hit up was one held at a church whose "yard sale" sign I had driven by all week. Right away, I spotted these:

 Well, they didn't look just like that, when I saw them, but pretty close. Look at that little hat box thing!

It's in mint condish! It was so easy to stack them up and list them on Etsy! 4 piece blue luggage set
And what's that cute little item posing alongside the hatbox?

It's an old timey camera! It's got retro charm, who cares if it works? How would I even find out if it works, go out and buy old timey film? Then try and load it up? Nah, it's a knick knack. Totally worth the two bucks. I also found this:

And this little menagerie:

I just love that Asian guy reading on an ox. Lovely. I don't know about the rest of those things. I'll probably include them when I list some little shelves or printing trays. In the mean time, they can clutter up my life alongside these guys:

Oh hai! I didn't actually get them at the church sale. These pandas just loved the camera, so I wanted to include their photo. I should list them on cute factor.
Moving on, I continued up the street, on a high from my luggage score. I grabbed some of those old silky souvenir pillowcases. The seller had a bunch and I picked out three, all were from various Army bases. I wish I could show you how cool they were before I tried rinsing the dust off with some cool water:

Really? How did I not see that coming? The lettering came off in sand-like crumbles. Except for that yellow one, which remained Army strong. That green with blue on the back still looks cool, even without its 3D-ness. But that maroon one?

(Salutes) I shall now play Taps on my trumpet. Godspeed, soldier. (Tosses pillowcase into scrap pile.)
Anyway, I had only been to three sales, and was sweating profusely. I hit up one more, just to ensure that I'd be adequately drenched in perspiration. That's where I found this:

Hallelujah. Isn't it a beauty? One big-ass (4 feet long) black velvet painting! Oh, pardon me. Let me turn it around for you.

That's what it looks like, after my dad refurbished the frame by restapling and hammering nails back in place. And here's what it looks like in my Etsy shop: Awesome black velvet wall hanging.
In thrift store finds this week, I scored a few things.

 

It's by Parisian Ware and it's made in Germany, so says the markings. I absolutely loved this set of plates and crap. As you may have guessed "plates and crap' are not exactly my area of expertise, but they were half off their original price. Still,  I left them behind, but took a picture.

 I found a plate on Ebay going for $11, so the next day i went back and rounded up what pieces I could find from this set, thinking it could get me a little profit and if I think it's beautiful, surely someone else will. 

I was a little concerned when I got to the china aisle, because I could only find three cups. That would not do. I looked through the mugs and the other cups/glasses section. Before leaving, the rogue teacup suddenly appeared amongst the mugs, as if it was there the whole time! Because it probably was.

It wasn't a huge gamble because they were such a good deal. This is just one of those things I'm never sure how to price. I feel a little weird having them in my shop because it's not the usual thing for me to list. Here's my full listing, if anyone wants a peek: Vintage black and yellow flower table ware on Etsy
I actually have more items to show off, but whaddya know, I just sold that luggage set. I'm gonna catch some zzz's so I can get to the post office early tomorrow. Don't want to wait until noon like last week and be in a long line again.
Linking up at Sir Thrift A Lot and then I'm gonna find some other places to link to that might be helpful with my plates and crap.

Obsessions, novelty prints, and two Liz Claiborne dresses

I'm trying to class up this post that mostly follows the theme of my obsession with dresses. Seriously, every refashion I do is a dress and I own more of them than I could ever wear. Obsessed! This posts is also about novelty prints. Specifically, dresses that feature interesting motifs like cats, trees, or boats...that would be called a novelty print.
Since unusual or bold prints are more retro and not something seen everyday in 2014, I kinda consider this dress which I picked up at a Savers 50% off sale and have had hanging around for a while to be novel:

Allow me to veer off topic... look at that dress; it's too damn big and awkward. Now look at that retro fabulous print on the right. Would you plunk down $3 (like I did) for a dress that doesn't fit, just so you could have that fabric? Well, what's done is done and now I own it.
This dress is by Liz Claiborne, I'm assuming it was made in the 80s. One does not necessarily think of fun, graphic prints when one thinks of Liz. I always think of mom style misses blazers and such (should be noted that I worked in a clothing store for many years). I'd also like to point out that this dress is a size 8. Let me give you another look:

Don't look too close, I neglected hair and makeup. I'm just saying...that's way too much material for a size 8. I know I'm a short gal, but that's parachute-like. And the shoulder pads. Possibly, the biggest I've seen.

"Good god, Liz Lemon" I mean, "Good god, Liz Claiborne!"

Now, let me show you another dress for a little compare and contrast. This dress is also by Liz Claiborne and came from Savers.

Sure, that dress is big, too, but it's a size 12 and still fits better than the 8. Also, OMG. That print is buttons. It's a dress, it's got a novelty print, and it's print is buttons?! Shut up and get in my closet! $5! Here's another look:

This dress, although big, is totally doable. See those belt strap things I'm holding in both pics? Those are great for making a dress smaller at the waist. Honestly, a quick hem job and a creative belt wrap and that dress could be wearable. Shoulder pads? Why yes, it has them:

Do you see what I see? Snaps. Even though the shoulder pads are quite small and unnoticeable, they snap right out! "Novel" idea. I love you, button print dress.
So, if you're looking at this blog right now, you know two things: one, that I refashion dresses; and 2, that I sell vintage stuff on Etsy. My question: which category do these dresses belong in? Remake or resell? The first dress would be challenging as all hell and I'd probably screw it up. You can't really tell from my sucktastic pics, but the bottom part of the dress wraps a little, like a sarong. I'd have to remove the sleeves altogether and then try and deal with the weird sleeve holes left behind.
However...I do a lousy job at selling dresses. I seriously don't know what I'm doing wrong, because my Etsy shop is practically half dresses, and account for like, 0.02% of my sales (imaginary math used). For instance, check out this one:

Red 80s print dress on Etsy I love that dress, but it's too big. I didn't want to risk screwing it up, so I listed it on Etsy to find it good home.
(Sound of crickets chirping)
Has been listed since February with no buy! Am I the only one who likes cheesy "Saved by the Bell" looking graphics on a silky, '30s style dress? How about '40s style?

Damn it. I don't plan on selling that, I just wanted to share its glory. I just pulled it from my closet and grabbed a couple pictures. Glory not shared. Worst pictures ever. I'll model the damn dress and do a "part 2" on this post. Because I love that dress and I'm not sure why. The sleeves are too pooffy, but I'm not going to risk alteration. It has a tight waist and the length is perfect. The designs are a bit over the top.
Before I sign off, I'll just share more from my "why won't you buy this thing?" collection?

I absolutely adore this dress. This is one of the first items that I listed when I opened my Etsy shop. So, my pictures weren't as good as they are now (sarcasm alert). It's a bird print! And it's kinda goth-y! I didn't sell it, and I haven't relisted it yet, either. I should probably drop the price on this next thing, too:

I'll relist it with better pictures, too. My ruffly, printed blouse on Etsy. It's a shirt. With the contents of one's junk drawer as a print.
I guess I better get to work on selling things. Please tell me whether I should sell or keep those dresses!

Thrift Hoard: What my mind looks like

 So...much...vintage...
A legitimate friend came by last week. She lives in Indiana now, but back in the day, we were bffs. When she looked around at all my stuff ( as I insisted it was "merch" and not just a mess), she remarked that she imagined that's what my mind looks like. A mess of unorganized crap.
Seriously, the stuff I'm showing off in this post is all over the place. Not cohesive at all.
I've never sold fabric. I wonder if I can sell fabric. Paid $0.99, for two yards, so I guess I won't cry if I can't sell this fabric.

 Look at those things. Old pink flamingos that I got for $1 at Goodwill. I slapped a coat of spray paint on them. Now, I have to coat them again. Spray paint is hard.

What else can I show you? How about a sweet pile of loot?

blue suitcase, daisy waste basket, ceramic panda set, Red Stag Inn wall art, green train case, gorgeous old Memory game, spatter paint planter, clock, and yarn art. All mad cheap, and the only thing for me is that little trash holder. Those pandas...I gotta try and sell some smalls.
That kick-ass planter...

Paid $2, and it sold for $25, as soon as I listed it. Some things I just have a feeling on. I would have made a nice match with that little green train case:

Stupid luggage. Every picture I took of it looks not good. Look here! It comes with its mirror intact, it's plastic thing, and a little matching pouch.

I tried staging it and everything. It looks as drab as an old piece of Tupperware without the camera's flash. With flash, the hardware is reflect-y. What am I an amateur? Yes. That planter would've also looked nice with this thing:

It's a 60s shift dress. I listed it next to the spatter paint planter on purpose. But, I can't sell dresses! Like how I'm trying to look like I've got a theme here? Ooh! Wait!

THAT ALSO MATCHES. Wasn't even intentional. I was thinking of selling that with some smaller wall art, like a set. Small like--oh, where was I? My pile. A piece like this:

$0.50 for that happy little 8" x 6" piece of yarn art. What until you see the details up close. When I list it. Later.
This post is getting long. I better hide some behind the jump.

I'm only wearing it ironically: flowery refashions, part 2

I made a second post. The other one was somewhat long, I figured I could pad up the blog by splitting these up. I'll start this post tonight, if I can't finish it, I will tomorrow. I was supposed to do this during May, so it's gotta be posted today!
This skirt:

Goodwill, $2.50. Not that old, probably 80s or 90s. Big size. 

But, how ya like that retro print? In daytime natural light it looks black, at night with the flash on and it looks dark blue .And you can't really see, but it's got a nice ruffle at the bottom. It really works as a dress.
The mind-numbingly simple step by step:

 Pull the dress up, without zipping it, (bra hider worn in this pic, in case anyone in the school district is watching.) and fold one side over the other side until the top fits securely. Safety pin in place.

Not sure why, but I was still able to button it. And you can't even see the safety pin in that picture. I did think that the top of the zipper looked a little weird.

So, I added that round brooch over it. Brooches fix everything. Brooches and belts.

See how it looks with no belt? It just hangs there. I guess it's not that bad, but I scored a plain black elastic belt that works for fixing baggy things. Now, look at my pics!

 

Oh my god, I'm so freakin' cute. I think. Fuck yeah, there are more pics...

 

 It's super hard to smile in these pics! Besides, this is super serious modeling work, not a fun flower dress selfie.

 

It's cool, I'm only wearing this ironically: flowery refashions.

"Would you be caught dead in this outfit?" I asked my inner self. My inner self is the me that I've been for most of my teen years and adult life. Inner self likes black.
Also, I half-heartedly declared  May "skirt month" so I assure you, on this 5/31, you will see a skirt.

 Ha ha. Look at this ugly-ass dress. It's all flowery and stupid.

Look, people; I'm not putting on makeup and fancying up to take "before" pics. Sometimes I edit my head off. What is with that dress? It's got that thick waistline that doesn't seem to be at the waistline. Is this dress supposed to be a drop waist (those suck, btw) or was I supposed to pull it up and have a huge ass top?
Sometimes I don't know what draws me to an item so unlike the stuff that I normally like to wear. Perhaps my love of vintage clothing led me to appreciate the bold retro print. Maybe; because the weather is warming up, I feel the need to "dress the part" and do brightly colored florals.
I feel like this dress is somewhat of a costume for me. If I'm gonna wear summer stuff, I'm gonna go big; you'll goddamn know it's summer when you see me coming.
It was at the Goodwill for $2.50 and I thought it could make a nice summer "costume." The selling point? That waist. It's got a ton of shirring at the waist. I like that. OK, off to the cutting board.

The first thing I did was take a lot off the top. For some reason, I folded over the raw edge before taking the picture. Kinda like that teal Grecian disco dress, this one had a bodice that would not quit. I knew what I wanted to do. (I'll find a picture to show what I was going for, later) I wanted this to look like a 50s party dress. The top was going to be like a pouffy tube top held up with elastic and spaghetti straps.

That is too pouffy. I would have to take it in a little. Ugh... another step. I figured it would work best with two darts in the back.

I took it in in two places, like so. On the right, you see how much I took in. On the left, look! I got shears! Can you see? That's gonna make things easier. I just cut off that excess material, I'm sure it will work fine. Now, the top is still loose fitting, just not huge.
I folded down the raw edges of the top, about 2 inches. No damned idea why, but I used a turquoise colored thread and a zig zag stitch. Then, I sewed a not so straight line because I've got no skillz.

Looks ok, right?

Do you see the stitching? Are you sure?  I left a one inch section unstitched so I can add the elastic. I did the old safety pin thing and pushed it through.

Yeah, there's both sides of the elastic meeting up. I guess I felt that needed to be included. I put the dress on and pulled the ends of the elastic to fit properly and pinned them. Then I sewed the ends together. Duh.

In case you were wondering, this is how I made straps! I cut strips from the leftover material I took off the top. Then, I did a quick fold over and sewed it down. Riveting, I know. Here it is.

Ta da. I'll spare you a tone of "after" pics, because unfortunately, they didn't come out all that great. Also, I decided that shirred waist needs to be tighter. I wasn't staying where I wanted it. Another seam or two, and I'll be good.

It's not like I'm trying to look like a villain in these pictures...I'm just evil? Probably? I lied about sparing you on pics.

Add filter; fix self

Another adequate refashion!