Patriotic Vintage Photo Props

In my vintage Patriotic photo shoot you might see some familiar things, depending on how old you are or if you were around your grandparents during the 70's and 80's.  Some items would be a console t.v., Norman Rockwell paintings, coca-cola glass bottles, a coca-cola wooden crate, the Pledge of Allegiance, church hymnals with a patriotic song, or a red wagon & WWII Ammo Box. I had a lot of fun putting this together so I hope you enjoy and I am hoping to expand my collection for party and photo shoot rentals. Join my facebook page to inbox me for rental prices. www.facebook/thegirlwithpanache.
My photos are not edited but still, please Enjoy!

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Vintage Patriotic Toddler Outfit made from old shirts

 I'm gearing up to make some Vintage Patriotic photo props and while running through some scrap fabric I decided I would try and make a little outfit for my 2 1/2 yr old daughter.  My theme is vintage red, white and aqua blue for the fourth of July.
Surprisingly, this little sailor girl romper outfit is made from 3 old t-shirts from both my husband and I.  The blue was a button-up collar cotton shirt from Target, a cotton and a red t-shirt from Walmart and the white ruffle slub knit shirt was from Banana Republic, which had shrunk in the dryer and had a stain on it. 
I just knew I could use this fabric one day and today was the day.  I simply cut out the collar of the blue shirt, reversed it and sized the shirt to my daughter, cutting out the old sleeves out as well. I took the buttons off and sewed the button holes down flat.  I pieced the white shirt to the blue shirt and cut the trim from the red shirt neck trim to trim these sleeves. 
 By cutting strips of the remaining blue and red shirt I was able to make ruffles for the shorts.  The red sailor bow was just simply made by cutting out two rectangle shape and rounding the sides, sewing right sides together. I turned the right sides out and sewed the bow directly onto the shirt, gathering just enough to make it pouf out.  I took the ends and sewed them by hand so they would not flop around.
When my props are finished I will feature the 4th of July final photo session on a separate post.  Check back to see what other fun things I have up my sleeve! (no pun intended)
Update: Here's a peek of the photo shoot with my daughter and son.  Check out the full post and a look at a retro tv console makeover into something you'd never imagine.

I was also able to make a short little fringe bunting with the remaining strips along with another old white t-shirt. It is featured at the end of this post.

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Landon's 6th Birthday: Vinage Train

A lot of work went into the theme for this party, so be prepared, there are quite a few pictures! However, the party itself was so easy since we had it at a vintage train car restaurant and Park, there was no need for decorating. I managed to plan his party in two weeks, since the original plan was to go to the train depot and have the party there or on a train car on the week of his birthday.  The last train opening was at the end of October and we had a budget and could not pay train conductors to come down and open up a train car and could not travel to NW Arkansas. I remembered the West End Park in Ft. Smith with the restaurant and the vintage Ferris Wheel and thought we'll just go there the week of his birthday. Wrong! Park Closed October 31st, but the restaurant was open all season, but not after Christmas. So, to make a long story short, we celebrated his birthday early and had a photo shoot 2 weeks before the party. Not to mention it was in the middle of planning Livia's 2nd party two weeks after his party! Whew, to say the least......I was so proud of the results, but extremely exhausted trying to plan all this, plus home school & managing a toddler.  So here is a lengthy look at what we did. The pictures were taken at the Van Buren Train Depot and edited by myself with photoshop free trial download. He is wearing suspenders and clip on bow tie from an Etsy store, a newsboy cap, khaki pants & white dress shirt from Children's Place. Enjoy!

A group of senior citizens had just gotten off the train and a big group were waiting to board......along with several people wanting to take his picture, a sweet lady offered to take our picture.  She said she knew how it was when 'mom'doesn't get her picture taken usually.  Everyone was giggling and watching the photo shoot. Landon was embarrased because everyone was 'laughing' and smiling at him.  It was such a fun experience!

This was the image I found that pulled the theme together. I used it for the invitations on Facebook and used it for various print outs.

I searched online and found these printable train tickets and was able to customize them for each invitation.  I printed the invitations on card stock and made the envelopes on brown lunch sacks in my printer. I mod podged vintage train images to look like original stamps. When I get the links I will add them to this post.  Each guest got a wooden train whistle with this image on it and a wallet picture of Landon.

Custom Typography of Landon's Favorite Things

                                            

Boomerang Diner, Vintage Train Car Cafe

Menu included Deserts of their choice with frozen yogurt ice cream

Rides on the Ferris Wheel and Merry Go Round at the West End Park in Ft. Smith, AR

Shoe Shining Station

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!