What's this blog all about?

I'm going to join the fun over at Modern Country Style today and link up to the Define your Blog party! I thought it might be fun to do since I have been blessed with so many new followers during giveaway month.
Plain and simple...I created this blog to meet like minded crafty and artistic women who love to hunt for anything vintage. It is all about sharing and inspiring for me. Why the name? Well, "rusty" because I love to collect junk.

Sometimes I decorate with my junk finds and add a little bit of "vintage" flair to our modern home. I love my friends in blog land who have decorating or home decor blogs. Such inspiration for how to use my finds! Like these little treasures...

Sometimes I use my rusty and vintage finds for mixed media art projects too. I draw so much inspiration from my friends and visitors in blogland.  I try to share techniques and tutorials as well as finished projects as often as time will allow.

Some are a bit quirky, some are cherished keepsakes...all made with my favorite treasures, collectibles and ephemera.  So, that leaves us with the "rooster."  Well, our home town has really grown over the past 5-10 years but one thing has not changed...the chickens.  Oviedo is definitely the suburbs. As I say in my profile you truly can get a Barney's coffee on one corner but have to wait for the chickens to cross on the next though.  You see years ago in our quaint downtown area a carton of chicks got loose at the local feed store.  Generations of those chickens have roamed the streets downtown for years. Even as the town grew, the chickens remained. The best part?? They make their home outside of Popeye's Chicken.

LOL! Isn't that great. A chicken crossing sign outside of the Popeye's chicken.  I took a few pics back in November while I was in the drive thru. So, that is what this blog is about....collecting rusty and vintage things for the excitement of the hunt and to use in my artwork or decorating. I love to follow you while you do the same thing! It is about sharing projects and inspiring each other, and it is about my town and my family.  I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm also enjoying sharing it with you! Thanks for visiting and for following along. I love your comments too.  Thanks for joining me in my month of giveaways! Saturdays winner will be announced on Sunday due to a prior engagement. Look for my favorite giveaway of the month on Sunday! Stay tuned.  xoxo

A thoughtful friend

I had a very thoughtful friend stop by my office today with a bag of goodies for me. She is preparing for a move and is simultaneously cleaning out her aunt's home.  Their family has done estate sales for years.  She is starting to come across vintage items that are far from perfect condition but she just can't let them go. Sound familiar?

 

She knows I love to thrift and junk. She knows I have a studio where I like to hide and create. She just wasn't sure exactly what I might like or need. I think she gets me just fine. I love this child's pillow case. She's fresh out of the bag so please excuse the wrinkles and such. Double click for a clearer shot. I snapped a few pictures while having a glass of "grape" on the porch tonight.  She's not perfect. A stain here or there, but that is just fine with me.

Inside the bag was this pair of embroidered and crocheted hankies or towels? I really love the colors. This would make a great journal cover.

Also rescued from the donation pile was this great vintage tablecloth. Great colors for Spring! It is in very good shape too.

Finally, she brought in a few pieces of costume jewelry for me to add to my collection.  I'm so glad she thought of me. Thank you, Michelle. I can't wait for your next visit! lol  I know you are going through old books next....I'm ready to give some a new home!

P.S.- Many of you have asked if I work full time outside of the home. I do. I have been in the mortgage industry for 22 years. I work full time and have an office less than ten minutes from home. I have a flexible schedule but it is a demanding job. It pays for the junking trips!...and college for the kids.  So, that will help explain why the shop has not been filled with items. Someday though! Keep checking. xoxo

Giveaway month continues!

Good Sunday morning to you all! This is my 100th post today! Thank you for joining me. A month of giveaways continues this week here at Rusty Rooster Vintage.  Remember a new weekly giveaway will be announced every Sunday in April to celebrate my blogging milestones and to help me make a special announcement later in the month.  I changed the order of my giveaway items so that this Easter themed gift will arrive to the lucky winner in time for the holiday!  So, that said, let's take a closer look at this week's giveaway.

You see these little altered tins all over blog land and Etsy.  I was inspired to make a few of my own when I found these flocked chicks at our local antique store. 

I glittered the edges and ran an embellished wire to create a "basket" for the little chicks nest to sit inside.  I added some pearls and some vintage lace to the handle on this one.  The other two are embellished with different size pearls.  I love the yummy green moss. The moss and chick are not permanently adhered to the tin, so you can change out the basket throughout the year with other items.

The winner will also receive this vintage Easter postcard and holder.  The holder was made by my friend Kelley of Gongy and Squish.  I added a bit of vintage lace you can use in your next creation and a mother of pearl button.  The postcard has beautiful handwriting on the back. Take a peek. Isn't it gorgeous?

TO ENTER:
You'll have until 5 p.m. next Saturday to enter.
You have two chances to win.
1) Leave a comment here
2) Leave a second comment here letting me know you added my giveaway button, picture etc to your blog.

It is that simple! Now, I'd love for you to become a follower but I won't require it. The weekly winner will be announced on Saturday evening. I will ship the item on Monday so that you hopefully will have in time for Easter. This giveaway is open to US bloggers only. Sorry! If you don't have a blog be sure to leave your email, or I won't be able to find you and will have to pick another winner.  Good luck!  xoxo

We have a WINNER!!

Hello to all! Thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to enter my giveaway last Sunday.  Now, before I announce the winner, don't forget there is a new giveaway EVERY Sunday in April! So make sure you come on back tomorrow to see what is up for grabs this next week.  

On to the important announcement...the winner this week is Sue from Beyond the Cellar!  Sue has been making custom rubber stamps for nearly 20 years. Now, she is dabbling in watercolors and collage. Please stop by to tell her congratulations and visit her blog and Etsy shop.  I stole a picture from her blog of her latest project. Isn't it beautiful?

I can't wait to finish up my post for tomorrow. I hope to see all of you back for another giveaway! Thank you so much for your sweet comments and follows. I'm really enjoying getting to know my new friends. Until next time...xoxo.

Favorite Distressing Tool

I love to heavily distress anything I make. These rooster tags were originally plain shipping tags the same color as the background in this picture. I think most of you are very familiar with distress inks that can be purchased at your local craft store. I've found something better though...and cheaper. I want to share!

Yup...shoe polish!  Now there may be some of you that have been using this for years, but you never shared it with me! lol  I was doing some online research about natural fabric dyes and ways to distress paper with things other than coffee and tea. I came across shoe polish and gave it a go with my trusty sponge. I love the end result.

Here's a tag that I rubbed shoe polish on in various places using a circular motion until the desired color  was achieved. Then I hold the tag in my left hand while brushing the edges in a downward motion with the sponge to distress the edges. See that the edges on the right are more heavily distressed than the left. All done with shoe polish. Distress inks work well but I really like the look and the color of shoe polish. It is much cheaper too! Do you have any tricks for distressing or coloring paper and fabric? Do share!
EDIT:  Many have asked if it rubs off.  If you let it dry thoroughly, it does not rub off.  I made these rooster tags over the weekend and just rubbed them on a white shirt. No residue. It gives the paper a real smooth texture too.

Have you entered my giveaway yet? One every week this month posted on Sunday! Enter this week's here.

Giveaway time!!

Ready for a month of giveaways? Well, you are in the right place! Every Sunday in April, I will post a weekly giveaway.   Oh, and there's a twist...there is a rooster theme throughout the month! Well, I like to say "rooster with a side of rusty and vintage." Ready to see more of this week's giveaway above?

Included in this week's giveaway is this adorable Breakstone's two pound cheese box with dovetail hinges. Great for creating a vignette or storing your supplies. She's in great shape and could be yours!

Also inside, you'll see that I've made you some handmade rooster tags for Easter and Spring decorating. These are heavily distressed and machine sewn. They were made with some vintage book pages and lace. Double click to take a better look.

These little lamb ornaments are also included. They are from one of my favorite local prim artists and smell delicious!

This vintage chicken cookie cutter could be yours too.  Isn't this cute? I just love to frame these, use them as magnets or display them around the kitchen in jars.

And last but not least, these altered wooden Easter eggs. I painted, glittered and added some cheesecloth and lace to these little eggs so that you can use them in your decorating.  You will receive both.

TO ENTER:
You'll have until 5 p.m. next Saturday to enter.
You have two chances to win.
1) Leave a comment here
2) Leave a second comment here letting me know you added my giveaway button, picture etc to your blog.

It is that simple! Now, I'd love for you to become a follower but I won't require it. The weekly winner will be announced on Saturday evening. This giveaway is open to US bloggers only. Sorry! If you don't have a blog be sure to leave your email, or I won't be able to find you and will have to pick another winner.

Thank you so much for helping me celebrate some blogging milestones this month.  I've reached 500 followers and I'm about to hit my 100th post. I also have a big announcement later in the month to share with all of you!  Until then...xoxo.  Linking up to:

Birds of spring

As the weather warms up, I am waking up each morning to the sounds of birds outside my window.  Their song and the nest like texture of these little whisk brooms have inspired me to alter a few more...with a bird theme.

Just a glimpse of these little creations. They are not quite done.  I've got a table full of projects right now.

What's on your project table right now?  I'd love to hear!  Don't forget April is giveaway month! I will announce a weekly giveaway each Sunday, starting April 3rd.  Are you ready to WIN some rooster with a side of rusty and vintage?! Thank you for your follows and comments. xoxo

I'll be linking up to some great parties.  Come and join me! Just click below to visit and be inspired.

Vintage Inspiration Friday