Cheetah Velour

Etsy

2012-02-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

Now in the shop- Vintage button necklaces!

Your guess is as good as mine

2012-02-07T11:24:00.001-08:00

Dreams really can come true!

2011-12-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

Stopped in this place on my holiday road trip and was NOT disappointed. It's exactly what it says it is.

PS- THEY ALSO SELL PIZZA.

Worst Christmas ornaments ever?

2011-11-27T16:48:00.001-08:00

Me: I can't believe I'm buying this.

Walgreens cashier: It happens more often than you'd think.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love the Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en?

hot diggety

2011-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

No update in a while, but I leave you with this...

What are you eating this holiday weekend?

Clown Motel

2011-08-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

If you are ever in the beautiful state of Nevada, make sure you stop by the Clown Motel in Tonopah!

It's good if you like clowns. LOTS AND LOTS OF CLOWNS.

Everyone is welcome at the Clown Motel!

The clown below rides shotgun in the annual town parade.

It was hard to choose one favorite thing, but I think the painting below wins that honor.

After seeing the lobby, I was a little nervous about what might be waiting in my room. Every door has an identical hand-crafted clown on it.
Fortunately, I asked for a smoke-free room and also got a clown-free room. Apparently some guests go around the room covering up the clown pictures because they can't take it. Next time I am asking for the room with the MOST clowns.

Here's another shot of the lobby for good measure.

All in all, I give the Clown Motel...um...4 clowns! Clean room, comfy bed, friendly staff. Oh yeah, and CLOWNS.

I realize that clowns make some people uneasy & that's ok. I'm not judging. If you can't handle looking at clowns, there is always the cemetery across the parking lot.

At least it will take your mind off the clowns.

Etsy update

2011-08-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

A few new things in the shop-

today's thrift scores

2011-07-21T13:41:00.001-07:00

First, ANOTHER tiki mug. This was $3.99 and I'm pretty sure I've never paid $3.99 for a tiki mug in my life. That's highway robbery!

I was feeling a little bitter over the price, but of course I wasn't going to turn down a tiki mug. Then my thrifting luck changed...

Arabia of Finland 1960's pitcher- 8" high, completely adorable, and $5.99 at Goodwill.

There's one on ebay right now. 11 bids, the current price is $97. That's CRAZY!

Have you made any good thrift scores lately?

2011-07-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

Back from vacation in the CA desert and ready for a little show and tell.

Boron, CA

Two words: NOT ME.

One night I kept seeing a cute little snake popping out of a hole while I was trying to set up camp. Cute little snake turned out to be a Mojave Rattlesnake. Oops, my bad.

Bagdad Cafe, actually in Newberry Springs.

Get out of the way, ROAD HOG!

I couldn't figure this one out. What does it mean? Is it parking for Gary Busey? I wouldn't want to upset Mr. Busey by taking his parking spot, so I hightailed it out of there.

What are you up to this summer?

garden stuff

2011-06-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Summer finally arrived with a vengeance. The garden isn't much to look at yet, but sometimes it's just nice to sit outside with morning coffee or evening adult beverage and just look at the dirt.

This succulent soda crate frame is a work in progress...you can find the tutorial here at Modish!

Does anyone know what this is? I will (possibly) give you a bright shiny quarter if you answer correctly.

Edited to add special bonus picture:

The fabulous ZootsuitMama sent me this great vintage tablecloth just in time for outdoor dining. I bought some great stuff from her Etsy shop and she was sweet enough to send this along. too!

I love vintage tablecloths. Sometimes they get a little patch job with doilies and my sewing machine. Ta da!

R.I.P. Ray Bryant

2011-06-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

"Ray Bryant, a jazz pianist whose sensitivity and easy authority made him a busy accompanist and a successful solo artist, beginning in the mid-1950s, died on Thursday. He was 79."

You may remember him from his song “The Madison Time,” which appeared in Hairspray. It reached #30 on the Billboard charts in 1960.

In honor of Mr. Bryant...it's Madison Time.

November 1943

2011-06-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

I recently framed a couple of old linen postcards to hang up on the bedroom wall, and noticed that this one had writing on the back. I'd forgotten all about it.

Hello and how are you? I think about you often but never get a chance to write. How is everything with you? Do you have any turkeys this year? Know any late gossip? Write when you have the time.

Ruth

aprons!

2011-05-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

The lovely ZootsuitMama has asked everyone to show off their aprons. I love aprons, so how could I say no? Let's see yours!!

I made this one for Wardrobe Refashion out of some thrift store sheets. Pattern is Simplicity 8698.

Next one is Orla Kiely for Target. Not made by me, not vintage, but I love it.

The next three are thrifted. I'm a sucker for vintage fabrics.

How about you? Do you use aprons/have a favorite? Looking forward to seeing everyone else's- thanks, Zoot!

road trip part 2 (or "everyone I know has a big but")

2011-05-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

Spring road trip itinerary included a stop at Cabazon, CA home of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs!

What's inside Dinny the apatosaurus (the artist formerly known as brontosaurus)? Why, a gift shop of course!! I bought a snow globe & a smashed penny for my collections.
You have to pay admission to go into the exhibit, but it's worth every (smashed) penny if you love a good roadside attraction.

While you may or may not agree with the views presented at the attraction, all I am going to say is: DUDE, DINOSAURS! Plus, you can go upside Mr. Rex and pretend you're Pee-wee.

Tell me about your big 'but'.

road trip

2011-04-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

We here at Cheetah Velour Industries recently found ourselves in downtown Amboy, CA. Amboy is located west of Needles on National Trails Highway, formerly known as Route 66.

Apparently Amboy was quite the bustling place until Interstate 40 came along in the 70's and bypassed it. On the day I was there, the cafe was open selling soda pop, snacks, souvenirs and gas. The post office is still in operation, too.

Beach House "Used To Be" from matt amato on Vimeo.

Nevada

2011-04-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

My camera has this weird color swap feature. I love a good gimmick! I took these in Nevada in August and forgot about them until now.

Enjoy the Easter egg-like colors.

WIP show and tell

2011-04-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Now that Spring has sprung, I am all about the works-in-progress.

My Top 2 are the bathroom and the garden. I started painting the bathroom last July, only to discover that the walls were so bad they were crumbling underneath the paint roller. I started refinishing the walls and it stopped being fun after about ten minutes, so...I quit because that's how I roll. Now I'm back with a renewed vigor and enthusiasm which will last at least 20 minutes, so let's see how this goes.

Also in the works this year is a real garden! Here are my li'l seedlings: fish pepper, tomato, jalapeno pepper, chive.

BTW, I am in love with the little paper pot roller I got on Etsy. Cinder block garden in progess:

There may even be some hops growing later if we're lucky. We shall see.

Time to quit goofing off on the computer & get back to work. That bathroom isn't going to primer itself. Do you have any home projects going on right now? Do tell!

who, me?

2011-02-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

I received a Stylish Blogger Award from ZootsuitMama!

Thanks, Zoot! This is a fun one! The rules are simple: you tell 7 facts about yourself, link back to the person who gave it to you, then pass it on to 4 others & let them know they've been awarded. I can't wait to see what other people post.

Where do I begin?

1) Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday. I love the costumes, the candy, the decorations, all of it. ZooitsuitMama surprised me with some great Halloween goodies and what better time to show off and say thanks again? So...thanks again!

PS- NO COSTUME, NO CANDY! That goes for me, too.

2) My favorite outdoor sport is camping. Don't tell me that's not a sport. Sitting around drinking beer and cooking hot dogs is totally a sport.

3) I have a motorcycle license but no motorcycle.

4) I have only been fired once. I got fired from the swim fin factory. That's all I'm going to say about that.

5) I played the clarinet for years in school. I was not good at it. I can't read music. I hope my band teachers aren't reading this.

6) I got married in the same chapel that Ann Margret (Rusty) and Elvis (Lucky) got hitched at in Viva Las Vegas.

7) I still don't know what I'm going to be when I grow up.

Ok, my turn to tag some other bloggers (in no particular order):

sew-sew

Vintage Home (Norway)

Fashion Serial Killer

Everyone Goes to Mick's

Kwik Way

2011-02-27T13:08:00.001-08:00

windowsill

2011-02-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

happy v-day!

2011-02-14T16:43:00.001-08:00

It's official. Meat-themed valentines are the worst.

crafty room

2011-02-12T07:55:00.001-08:00

The crafty room is coming along. Some new paint (Sherwin Williams Holiday Turquoise), some Ikea bookcases (I know, I know...) and some thrift store curtains, there you have it.

Work on the bathroom pretty much came to a grinding halt when I discovered that the walls needed to be refinished before painting & I would be the one doing it. Where's the fun in that??? Maybe I'll get inspired to pick up where I left off someday, but today is not that day. It's supposed to be 71 and sunny, and I'll take any excuse.

weekend haul

2011-02-07T11:24:00.001-08:00

sunday funday

2011-02-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous weather down at the flea market today!

This is my sister's hand holding up Mrs. Potato Head. Mrs. Potato Head has a car and HER OWN SHOPPING TRAILER. Mr. Potato Head is in trouble.

Big trouble.

Feeley Meeley is possibly the worst child's game ever. Kids stick their hands in a box and feel things. This seems like a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

Where is the Fried Chicken Department and how do I apply?

This is a truck full of vintage dresses. Wow!

How was your weekend?

Martinez, CA

2011-01-20T19:12:00.001-08:00

"There are as many storied origins of the martini as there are ways to make one."

Martinez, CA claims to be the home of the martini. San Francisco, New York and London also claim to be the home of the martini. Who gets the credit? The world may never know.

But I betcha Martinez is the only city with a cool plaque.

potato ships

2011-01-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm..! Who wants potato ships?

tiki tiki tiki!

2010-12-29T19:25:00.000-08:00

Picked up a couple more tikis at the thrift store recently. The tiki hutch is overflowing*!

* Well, maybe not overflowing.

This, exactly!

2010-12-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

thrift scores

2010-12-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Some recent finds...

Have you found anything cool lately?

Happy birthday

2010-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

to Louise Brooks, born on this day in 1906...and me, born on this day in a different year. ;)

trick or treat!

2010-10-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

Do you remember?

2010-09-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been around in quite some time. Been having some technological diffculties & I don't think this computer is long for this world...

So for now I say "hi" and leave you with THIS:

Happy 21st night of September.

beef 'n' tires

2010-08-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am loving the Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch. If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for? Here's my latest submission-

My mom recently bought some new tires at one of the big tire chains (with ”400 store locations throughout the Western United States”) and brought home this fabulous gift with purchase!

Lucky for me, mom didn’t want this and insisted that I take it. Mom knows what I like. The tire place I usually go to only offers free tire rotation. FREE BEEF, though?? Who thought of this promotion and WHY? Would this make you pick one tire chain over the other?

Wait 'til you see what's inside!

Summer Sausage, which is like the Christmas sweater of meats. Like the bad toupee of meats. Like the polyester of meats.

I CANNOT WAIT TO EAT THIS.

Baby Rose Marie

2010-07-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

On a tip from Java Bean Rush I checked out the autobiography of Rose Marie. You might know her best as Sally from the Dick Van Dyke Show-

Or you might know her best from Hollywood Squares-

But did you know that Rose Marie has been performing since the age of three? She was well known as Baby Rose Marie in those days. I decided to check out some Baby Rose Marie clips on Youtube and wow! She was often compared to Sophie Tucker and actually, a lot of people accused Baby Rose Marie of being a 'midget'!

From an early age Rose Marie performed with the top stars of the day- Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, WC Fields, and even Betty Boop- well, her voice performed with Betty Boop. Rose Marie was uncredited as the voice of Sally Swing.

I don't want to give away all the secrets, but if you're looking for a fun summer read about show biz then check out this book.

(While you're at it, why don't you check out Java's Journey for classic film facts and fun? I promise you'll love it!)

calamine lotion pink

2010-07-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

...for the bathroom.

It's really Shadow Pink from Sherwin Williams Interior Preservation Palette, but calamine lotion was really what I was going for so let's just call it that.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Heywood Wakefield

2010-06-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just got the hutch of my dreams to house the tiki collection!

Heywood Wakefield Ashcraft, first spotted at the flea market almost two months ago and after a lot of sweating it out and phone tag it finally came home to live with me. I was kicking myself for not getting it the day I first saw it, but I'm really thankful that persistence paid off. Lesson learned!

LOVE.

Hello (again)

2010-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

I finally made the move over here to Blogger.

If you're looking for my old blog, it's over HERE.

fabulous palm springs!

2010-06-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Back from a much needed vacation & ready to post some pictures of fabulous sunny Palm Springs! First stop is the Visitor's Center-

These are just some shots from around the neighborhood where we stayed. The lovely buildings and scenery were just killing me!

As you probably already know, Sonny Bono (singer, actor, politician, Salton Sea champion) was once the mayor of Palm Springs.

This shop window was a sweet tribute.

And Sonny Bono wasn't the only bronze celebrity I spotted. No, I'm not talking about George Hamilton!
More pictures later...

Do you have any vacation plans this year?