New website

I've moved my website and blog to a new address. 

Kristy-Jo.com

I'd live to see you over there! :)

What She's Wearing

I am so lucky to have teamed up with this gorgeous girl, Mary-Kate and her amazing photographer, Sabra McKibbon for all of my modeled product shoots!

 It is especially great because now you can see what The VC Scarf Straps look like when you are wearing them. 

These two are a great team and I couldn't be more thrilled with the end result!

Bonus: Mary-Kate is a ballerina and my little Lily could look at pictures of her all day! It's kind of a magical thing for Little Miss Lil that "the Ballerina is wearing momma's scarves!".

NEW!! The VC Scarf Camera Strap

 Think I am more excited about this new item then I have ever been about one in the past. Maybe it's because it combines two of my most favorite things (aside from my cute family of course) sewing and phtography or maybe it is because it is finally the solution I have been looking for since I first took the ugly strap off of my camera and started shooting strapless. 

I have looked for over two years for the perfect camera strap. I have even made a few. The fact is that I kind of found them cheesy. There I said it. They all made me feel a little less professional.

These VC Scarves feel so classy to me. I'm absolutly in LOVE! 

They are shipping for free today! Use CODE:MLKDAY on your order of any size for free shipping in the US. There are a lot more in my new shop thevintageclothespin.bigcartel.com so feel free to check them out. :) Do you have a favorite?

Ahem...

He's coming in May and we couldn't be more thrilled!

The New Normal

I've never been much for the whole resolution thing. For me it has always felt like general resolutions are set, "I want to lose weight, I want to eat better, be more organized, have a clean house etc." with no plan in place every January 1st. By February  old habits have again taken over and nothing has really ever changed. I know that is not always the case, but it seems to be most of the time. I also never understood why the need to wait until January 1st to make a change in life. It's kind of like waiting till Monday to start eating better. Why not start TODAY?

As I was watching Lily color with such concentration today I really started to think about how excited I am, now that my Christmas rush is over, to start studying and working the things I have a passion for again. This led to me make a list. I'm a huge list person so if there is ever anything in my life that can be listed you can bet it is! Books I plan to read, subjects I want to learn more about, passions that have had to sit on the back burner, this last crazy year, being reignited, new things to craft and sew, places I want to visit it's all there in my neat little list. 

I am ready for a fresh new start, but I'm not going to wait until January 1st. I'm going to start now. I'm going to do the things that are uplifting to me and that I love now, today and then, well then I'd like to blog about them so I can remember all I've accomplished! Sometimes you need to be able to see where you've come from to remember where your going. 

I am so excited for another fresh new start, I seem to need them more often then not. Am I the only one with new plans in mind?

I'm new to Bloglovin!

I don't know where I've been in the whole keeping up on blogs world! I'm the girl who slowly types in the URL to each of my favorite blogs and hopes for an update. Did you know there is a lovely website called Bloglovin where you can go and see all of your favorite blogs and all of their glorious updated?!? It's all in one spot and all at your fingertips and it's FREE!! 

If you didn't know you can thank me later. 

If you did know WHY IN HEAVENS NAME DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!!!

Anyway, as of today I'm now all signed up with Bloglovin and following all my fav blogs. Here's a link if you'd like to try it out and while you're there go ahead an follow me. :)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

three little monkeys...

Who can resist jumping on the bed?

Even if it is just a mock-bed, made of of three bouncy mattresses, set up for a quilt shoot. 

Twins In Stripes

Having Twins, I couldn't resist making twin quilts. 

These will work with any twin combo you were blessed with: 

Boy-Boy,

Girl-Girl, 

 

 and even Girl-Boy. 

Only need one? Don't worry they come together at the same price as a single pattern. Just a little twin bonus for you! :)

Find it in the shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/155387673/twins-in-stripes-quilt-pattern

*Disclaimer: Even though these two patterns are priced the same as one I feel it my duty to dispel any rumors or comments to come. Twins are not actually a 2 for 1 deal. I'm here to tell you, they cost the same as any other 2 children. They sure are a great deal of fun though!! ;)

One more FLASH before Lunch

FLASH! THE BIB

First flash of the day:

 Email or comment if you want it to be yours. :)

TODAY ONLY!!

TODAY ONLY!!

FIRST EVER FLASH SALES!

It's that time of year again. Spring. The time of year when my mind goes crazy with all sorts of new ideas. When I can't sleep because I'm constantly thinking and drawing in my book. 

This year I decided it was time to get a few of the things out of my shop to make room for more new fun stuff. So today I'm going to be flashing items from my shop on my blog and facebook page so be sure to follow both to stay updated. This is the perfect time to stock pile for all those baby shower gifts!!  

All throughout the day today I'll be having some amazing FLASH SALES!

Here's how it's going to work:

• After an item has been posted that you want either comment or message me. If you're first it's yours.
• You'll be emailed an invoice which must be paid within 2 hours. If it is not paid in this time the item will be flashed again.
• All items Flashed today will be shipped out tomorrow!!
• FREE SHIPPING!
• After today everything will go back to its normal price and shipping costs.

I'll be flashing everything in my shop today, except quilts and patterns, plus some random extras so feel free to sneak a peek and pick which items you want to be on the look out for.

FOR SALE

SOLD
FOR SALE

A few months ago I upgraded to a full frame camera. Since then I have been keeping my Nikon D7000 as a back up. The other day, when I looked over at it on my desk, all sad and collecting dust, I knew it was time to let it go.

I'm selling, as a bundle, my Nikon D7000, Nikon 35mm 1.8G lens, and my Nikon 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 VR lens. 

All together for $1450.00

 If you are interested or would like more info just email me (thevintageclothespin@hotmail.com) and I'd be happy to answer any questions. 

All of the photos on this blog taken after November 2010 were taken with my Nikon D7000 and these lenses. 

My Book

This is my book.

This book is filled with me. 

It is filled with my very first sketches of what The Vintage Clothespin would become. 

My first sketches of oven mitts, bags, shoes, wallets, bibs

and my most recent ones 4 years later quilts, more bags, dresses, scarfs, and so many more. 

It is filled with my heart.

 It is where I go when I need a break. 

When I need a place to put the things that keep me awake at night on paper so I can stop fearing I'll forget them in the morning.

I started with a note book I got on a back to school sale then thought that I wanted something more me. Something that I would want to keep around forever. 

So I made this.

 My first coptic book. 

My first journal of the things I wanted to create.

My book is starting to get full. Only a couple pages remain empty. It's going to be sad to put this book on the self, but I am pretty excited to start filling another one! Do you have a place to keep your special things and ideas?

For All The True Blooded Aggies!!

Show me a Scotsman,
Who doesn't love the thistle.

Show me an English man,
Who doesn't love the rose.

Show me the true blooded Aggie from Utah,

Who doesn't love the spot...

Where the sagebrush grows!  

Utah State University will always hold a soft spot in my heart. It is here that I first met my husband and it is this school that I looked at every day while I grew up in the BEAUTIFUL Cache Valley. I just didn't feel right making this blue onesie into anything else. 

Here you go Aggie boys and girls, near and far these onesie cardigans are just for you!! 

Twin sets are listed too!

Let's hear it for the Utah State Aggies!!

Go Aggies

Go Aggies

Hey, Hey Hey!

Find them Here in my shop.

A Talent For Some, But Not So Much For Me

My husband and I have this problem. We like to take unsightly things and make them better. Or we think we are making them better. 

When we had only been married for about a year and were still in that, "oh how poor can two people possibly be" phase if life we went to the DI. We were in need of some night stands and found nothing. We did find a HUGE "spool". Not really a spool, but that is what it looked like. I know you have seen them, the things that farmers keep mass amounts of twine on. Anyway we purchased the huge spool for about $3.00 and then Mod Podged the center of the spool with wrapping paper that coordinated with our bedroom. We turned the spool on its end and wala a night stand. We were very impressed with our creative decorative abilities and honestly if blogs would have existed then we most likely would have started an interior design blog. I mean we were so good.

Then we had a friend come to visit (this friend will never forgive me for posting this!). We were showing her around our ridiculously small apartment and made our way to our bedroom. She walked in and instantly started laughing. It was then that I realized I may not have the talent in interior design I thought I had. That was okay it wasn't really a passion for me anyway. I am thankful though that I didn't start that design blog after all.

Then Once Upon a Time... I saw this at a thrift store.

Quirky? Yes, but I fell in love and thought I'd try my hand at interior decorating again.

A crazy amount little bit of white fabric and a little love is all this baby needed.

I think my talent lies in sewing not Mod Podging. ;)

What do you think of the transformation? I might be up for a few more, but it could go completely the wrong way considering my history. What about you? Do you have any treasures you've transformed or totally ruined?

Bibs, They're Back and Cuter Than Ever!

Back by popular demand...

The Bib

I listed these beauties today and there are a few more to come.

Probably the best thing about these bibs (beside the super great absorbent terry cloth backing, the meticulously pieced front and the adorably heirloom quilting that holds it all together) is that they are each one-of-a-kind. 

I never make the same bib twice, I think it's kind of boring and every kid should have at least one thing that no one else in the world has right?

A Few More Little Man Cardigan Newbies

I'm loving these little guys!

I think I'm leaning toward the striped ones. Do you have a favorite one so far?

The Little Man Cardigan

After I started making little shoes for girls I got asked a lot when I'll get have some stuff for little guys in my shop.  Long ago I sold little guy onesies but that is about as boyish as it got around The VC.

I've thought a lot about how I could incorporate boys a little better, I do have 2 of them after all. I've been kind of stumped though. As I was looking through my daughters closet of cardigans (we have a bit of a cardigan obsession Lily and I) I had a spark of an idea. 

Then as I threw out all her stained onesies it kinda hit me.

Here it is! 

The Little Man Cardigan

It's here in the shop just waiting for your little guy to make it look good. Watch for lots of new colors and styles to come, I just can't stop!

For the next 3 days use this code and take 15% off!

CODE: littleman15

A New Little Ditty.

I'm planning a fun GIVEAWAY when my facebook page reaches 300 

"likes". I just thought you might need a little extra excitement to head on over. 

Click here to visit and "like" The VC facebook page.

Calling all Quilters and Non-quilters too!

Hey all!

I'm looking for a few of people to test a couple new patterns. If you are interested please comment below or email me. I'll be choosing 3 people of all different levels. So even if you've never quilted before I'd love to have you as a tester.

Just a few things:

A)You would need to be able to purchase all fabric needed as it will not be provided.

B) You will need to be able to commit to finishing the quilt within 2 weeks of receiving the pattern. Please make sure you will have the time to make this happen before submitting your name.

C) Let me know what skill level you are. I'd love to have a few quilting and sewing newbies as well as a few who have done it for a while and all the in between. 

E) I will need photographs of your finished product. I will be using the photos on my blog so in submitting your name you are also giving me permission to use your amazing images of your finished project

D) If you have any pictures of a blog of your work I'd love to see it. Mostly I'd just like to get to know you a little better. :)

That's all. Easy right?

Is there any item I sell that you would like to see in a pattern?  Which of The VC designs would you like to make?

UPDATE:

Quilting call now closed.

 I'm beyond words! The response to this post has been incredible. My inbox is overflowing. I'll be taking the next couple of days to look over all of your submissions and I'll be sending out emails at the end of the week to everyone to let you know. If you commented on this post or facebook and do not have a link for your email address please leave me one. :) Thanks!

Snow Day Giveaway!

I'm having a giveaway on my Facebook page! Head on over and vote to enter!!

ENTER HERE

The 4th Annual Sewing Weekend!

Every year I host a Sewing Weekend. This marks the 3rd year (the first year we had so much fun we did it twice.) This also marks the 1st year all of my Anderson family girls were able to attend. We had a BLAST!

My Hubby took the kids to his Momma's house for the weekend while his Momma and our two Sisters-in-law came to our house. The agenda included a weekend full of sewing. I made it clear that this was a hard core event, there would be no shopping and no going to be early. We were here to sew/craft all day for the next two and a half days (I get a little intense during sewing weekend).

Friday started out with everyone arriving and me not being at my house when they did. I was at Target making some last minuet purchases when I got a phone call that they were waiting on my porch! OOPPS!! I already broke the first rule of no shopping.

Everyone was greeted with their very own pair of slippers. I purchased the pattern last year and have just been waiting for the perfect chance to use it. Since this weekend I have also purchased the little boy and little girl pattern for these slippers. I just couldn't resist.

We sewed and crafted and ate fondue (which I don't have a picture of because of said intensity to sewing weekend) made a frozen custard run and stayed up late, a couple of us until 2:39am!!

Katie found it a bit disturbing that I kept putting pins in my mouth to hold them. Am I the ONLY one who does this?

Saturday morning we awoke to the wonderful smell of a breakfast casserole in the oven with fresh, warm bran muffins waiting for us. Thanks Momma Carol for rising early to feed us! I then broke the no shopping rule again when I decided to change my quilt pattern a bit thus needing more fabric. I felt so bad. I told everyone I had to go to the fabric store, but they were welcome to stay and sew if they wanted. Let me just tell you that as fabric store junkies it was not a problem and we all went shopping with the Witches. It was a huge Witch event at Gardner Village and we loved every second of it.

Brooke and Carol had to leave Saturday afternoon so we said our goodbyes and they were off. Katie and I got back to work and work we did. Two quilt tops later I was ready to call it a night. 

All in all we got so much done. Brooke worked a lot on a Christmas present for her kids and it's going to be so cute!

 Carol...well the thing is Carol forgot most of her fabric so she volunteered to help us with our projects and keep us supplied with fudge and frozen custard, which in my book contributed greatly to this event!

Katie finished her quilt top, and quilted said quilt top, that she has worked on for the last I'm not allowed to mention how many sewing weekends.

I finished two quilt tops, quilted one of them and basted the other (to be fair on of the tops was almost done!). The pictures for those will have to wait though. I can't spoil what's to come. :)

Thanks Ladies for such a great even this year! I already can't wait for next year!

A few things I learned this weekend...

A) Katie has some mad accessorizing skills.

B) When I'm tired frozen custard makes me kind of loopy! I think I scared my sisters forever!

C) These apple pie scones are just as good as they sound!