In my research, I came across the blog, "The Suburban Mom" that had a cute tutorial for making Minnie ears. Bingo! Awesome tutorial for sure!

I tried changing it up by using ribbon to wrap the head band, but found out felt definitely made a cleaner and easier way since I was using my hot glue gun. I added a bird cage veil and a bow in the wedding color purple. So fun! I think Minnie Mouse would approve.

While in the process of making the Minnie Mouse ears, I went to my local craft store to pick up a few needed items. I decided Mickey Mouse ears would be way too hard and impossible, so I nixed that idea. I mean where in the world would I find a top hat? Then it happened, I randomly came across a small black top hat. There it was looking at me and telling me I'm a wimp for not making an attempt. What is Minnie without Mickey? 

Reasoning with myself, I decided that if I failed no one would know any different. So I decided to give it a go. Not sure how in the world I did it, but it actually turned out pretty good! The ears were the hard part, because I had to shape it to fit the contour of the hat. I ended up not being able to hide the hot glue on the back of the ears, but decided that durability was more important than the back looking perfect. 

I just love it when a plan comes together!

Back in July, I went on a road trip to attend my best friend's bridal Shower. Thinking ahead, I bought her present over a month in advance to try and break the cycle of my procrastination. Wrapping the present and making a card was another story. I am usually very good at finishing projects before I hit the road, but the week before I left was chaotic. I waited until the last minute thinking finding wrapping paper would be easy! Frantically, the day before my trip, I went shopping for the perfect wrapping paper. No where to be found! So as the stores for the day closed, I decided I would just have to shop on the drive down.

On to the card, I picked out stamps, paper, ink and so on and began my card making. Noting the clock striking one am three hours later, I decided I should probably pack up all my crafting and continue the card making process in the hotel the next evening. Thankfully, I remembered everything I needed to finish the card. I did learn one thing though. I am a messy crafter, even in hotel rooms. Note photo below!

But it all worked out in the end like it always does. The party was a success in every aspect. 

Most of the cards that I make on the Vintage Dreamer will be products by Stampin Up. Six years ago for my wedding, Stampin up became very instrumental in helping me save money by hand making save the date cards, invitations, reception menus and so on. But after my wedding, I faded away from paper crafts.

Enter my brother's wedding reception, I was in desperate need for a certain stampin up paper color and turned to a new new stampin up demonstrator right down the street from my house. The reception was only days away with no time to order the needed paper from the web. She really helped me out of a bind, and I have been stamping ever since, but only when I went to stamp camps. That is until this summer. I have now started stamping in my craft room and cleared space for my new addiction. Just in time for my best friends wedding!

Enter the color purple! I was blessed to be the Matron of Honor and had so much fun crafting for her big day. The first product of my crafting that I will be blogging about is the Wedding present card. I found a photo on the web from "Moons and Stars" as inspiration and changed it around to match the wedding colors. 

Let the stamping begin!

I took the picture yesterday and am thrilled with how it turned out. It was a very blustery day which made it very hard for photographs. Especially since this little guy was hanging. Its a miracle I got a shot at all! 

Eventually, I will have the PDF link in the side bar. But for now you can only download it from this post.

Enjoy!

It was a quaint little museum full of rich history. It was definitely a step back in time, if you could ignore the modern telephone lines that lined the valley.

This particular box motor car was built in 1929 and was the car that pulled us back to the station. This was just one of the awesome running trains in the museum.

My favorite train car, which should be of no surprise, was the turquoise and aqua train. This Key System car #352 was built in 1911. The turquoise and cream color scheme on this train was used by the East Bay Street Railways, Ltd. from 1929 through 1936. After World War II, few cars remained turquoise and cream due to the wartime labor shortages.

The history of this car is fascinating to me. This Key 352 was scrapped in 1948 when all East Bay streetcar service ended. A train admirer bought the train car and kept it in his back yard in Berkley for 30 years before he donated it to the Western Railway Museum where it stands today.

I had to take a photo considering our color schemes matched. My husband of course thinks I am crazy because of my longing to put it in my backyard for 30 years. hehe. He just doesn't understand what I would do with a train car. However, I could think of several uses. A tea party in this train would be divine, or perhaps a guest bedroom. HA! I know you think I'm crazy too.

Oh well, a girl can dream cant she?

Here is a photo of our Tour Guide. He was fabulous.

You can find more photos on my flickr album: Outings with a Vintage Twist.

Vintage Trains and the Pacific Ocean comes to mind.

We are planning 2 fun day trips. First on the list is a vintage train ride. I'm hoping there will be many photo opportunities to share with you. More to come on that little adventure.

Next, will be a day trip to Carmel-by-the Sea. Our 5 year wedding anniversary is coming up in June and so we will be visiting a fun shop to pick up a special gift for the hubby.

The last time I visited Carmel, I hopped into this little shop: The Tea Rose Collection. Isn't the building just adorable? I love old buildings with character. This particular building was built in the 1920s. Hopefully I will get to stop by here again.

Next post will be chugging along soon!

Ok, now I will backtrack a little. Last week, my mom and I went on a little day trip for some fun shopping. First, we drove to Manteca, CA to do a little barn shopping. We stopped at Sue's Country Barn. She is only open for 4 weeks out of the year. Unfortunately, we got there toward the end of her sale which meant most of the good deals were gone. Oh well, it was still fun.

And now for my favorite shop on our trip!

The Green Pea in Escalon, California!

So happy we took the time to drive to this shop. The chair photo was found in this lovely shop. So many treasures at amazing prices! I even found a few treasures for myself. I found this great set of fire king mixing bowls. I knew when I saw them, my husband would want me to buy them. I was right, he loved them. He loves it when I buy vintage dishes that are so durable. The quality in the 1950's were actually very good.

The owner, Sandi, was extremely nice! You must check out her blog at The Green Pea Boutique. It was a fun day all around. Just outside the shop sits this fun train car, which of course I had to take a photo of. Cant wait to stop by this shop again!

Thanks to Jan from Little Pink Houses for the shopping tips!

With that being said, today I got the push I needed to start crocheting again. Currently, I have only been working on one crochet project. An afghan for my cousin, which is turning out quite lovely. Will share photos when it is finished and sent off.

With my website going in the right direction, I can now finish items on my list for my site that needs to be finished. For example my Amigurumi Picnic Ant.

This project is one of my crochet patterns that has been put on the shelf. I found a lovely note in my ravelry inbox today that expressed interest in my pattern. She wanted to make the pattern for a birthday present. I feel terrible that it has taken so long to start up this project again, but this is the encouragement I needed.

I immediately started digging in my drawers for all of my pattern notes. Thankfully, I found all of the notes. I am so excited to start finishing my patterns. The Amigurumi Picnic Ant is first on my list. My goal is to finish the written pattern for the Amigurumi Picnic Ant in the first 2 weeks of May.

Let the Amigurumi begin!