Wreath make-over

Let me start by saying, I am not a wreath person.  I have two one for all season and one for Christmas.  They stump me.  I can never get them to turn out right.  The ones that you buy are outrageously priced.  Enter, the creativity of a Horticulturalist and her tools...

Last season, Mary Carol Garrity of Nell Hill's had this bird cage hanging from her door beautifully adorned with white flowers.  Lucky for us she sold them at her store.  They are meant to be a note hanger and came with clothes pin.  I followed Mary Carol clearly the rule breaker that she is.  Better to call her a trend setter.  She is such a lovely lady.

As a gardener, vintage tools are certainly one of my favorites collections.  An old garden fork and shovel criss crossed over a nice branch of dogwood and some daisies.  

Tucked in a pair of garden gloves to add some volume.  Again, this bow had me stumped...upholstery strapping gives that burlap look and rustic feel.  

As my luck would have it, we need a new hose so I grabbed up the old one and claimed it as mine.  The color was perfect for me.  I tried to keep the hose end around the bow so that it would show.  The bow ends up flattened because the wreath is sandwiched between the front door and storm door.  It is far to windy in Kansas for it to swing freely outside on its own.

 For a non-wreath person I am happy with the result.  With any luck I won't have to come up with anything new for a few years. 

My Friend Alice

The snow started to melt in the warmth of the sun today.  You could hear the birds in the trees.  It was a get up and enjoy it day, and that I did.  A couple of hours in a new flea market was just a wonderful treat.  Oh how people decorate their booths.  My how I keep finding new things.  It is so much more fun when things are priced reasonably.  Here are a few of my finds.

I cannot wait to decoupage this cute little dolly box.  The inside has a few vogue labeled dresses that are a touch bigger than a Barbie.  Very cute hot pink and black.

My very first coloring book.  None of the pages have been used, darn who doesn't love a cute crayon masterpiece?  A sweet little clock planter to add to the collection.

This sweet little refrigerator jar with the pink decals made me smile. A recipe book labeled My Best Recipes complete with a kissing couple.  Heels and an apron...I cook that way every day...Ha!

Ohio Art...say no more.  I love these for my markers and pencils, etc.

Stork Bingo with the cutest images.  

I don't think the vendor knew what she had because these little Lefton sweeties were way under priced.  I haven't seen these before.  She has one little holly leaf nick but that's all I could find wrong, well that and they weren't in my Vintage Christmas Collection.  The gingham tray was a clearance item at $1.00 I know will work great at Christmas time too!

Decals make me weak in the knees...and even though this isn't the sweet little lamb that makes me drool, I love the block details.  I have been looking for a doll crib for some time and this one fit the budget.  I look forward to sewing a sweet little crib bed for it.

The before picture on this did not turn out but let me tell you it was not recognizable.  After a gentle washing I discovered one of my favorite pincushions.  I pretty sure it is a peach.  Gorgeous peach colored velvet make this pincushion a keeper.

These flea markets can be overwhelming.  So much to look at, it is hard to find the goods.  Once you find something you find out it is out of your price range.  Sometimes, you find something.  Today, I found Alice in Wonderland!  The price was so low I almost ran to the front to verify it.  I kept my cool and proceeded to wander through the booths, Alice firmly clutched to my chest.    This is one of the sweetest planters.  I have had my eyes on a similar one that was much higher on eBay.  I am so glad I waited.

The day was beautiful.  The mountains of snow melted to puddles.  Not to worry though.  This is Kansas and what weather you like today will change tomorrow.  Monday, snow is forecasted.  That made today even more beautiful.

Welcome Gnome

Sometimes I find fabric that is just too fun to pass up.  Sadly, it will sit in the stack until I find a project fitting for it.  I might move it around my office.  Pull it out a couple of times.  Eventually, I get around to it because it is just as cute as can be and deserves to be stitched into a piece of work.

Last year this Michael Miller Gnomeville fabric came out.  A quick order of the lot in half yards guaranteed this charming fabric would soon join my stash.  I spent more than six month enjoying it in its folded state before it demanded to be worked with.

Patchwork and gathering.  Rick rack and trims.

Here's what I came up with.

There is not a room in my house that this will match.  It is just pure fun. 

The fabric on the back is a panel that depicts the gnome town.  

There are laundry lines, toadstool houses, gnomes riding bees (so cute) and loads more.

A quick envelope closure on the back for washing.  Finished with rick rack for the edging.  

On another note...Happy Harris of Happy Loves Rosie stopped by to help me out with a little blog updating.  I am sure there will be more.  I am one of those people who is never done.  Anyway,  Happy was a dream to work with and has a stunning blog as well.

I do hope that you all enjoy the changes and updates...I am loving the images.

Look what came in the Mail...

Oh how I love to get the mail.  This week is no exception.  Manila envelopes packed with unknown contents ready to be ripped into.  Airmail packages from foreign lands give even more thrill.  I wonder who has packed them?  How far have they travel?  Hand written notes of thanks wrapped around a long awaited treasure.  These are a few of my latest finds.

A fantastic new book of stitching projects from Rosalie Quinlan.  

I found a wonderful little fabric shop that will ship from Australia.  You can find it at this address  http://www.fabricpatch.com.au/main/ .  I cannot wait to start on any one of these projects.

My new Vintage little 2011 calendar came from Pretty Little Studio

http://prettylittlestudio.com/. 

Each month has a sweet little image on these 4x6 cards.  

I had to have these cute little boy cut-out images.  There are three more on the other side.  To be fair I got the girl cut-outs too!  Perfect for tags.

I have nothing to say other than my weakness got the best of me and while I was ordering this just jumped into my cart...sort of.  Whether I use these to display or craft with, these modernized vintage images are so sweet and colorful.  

It is a pretty website to peruse if you too get craft block...or just because!

Dear Jane,

Oh, how I love a good pattern!  This one is a new find from http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/

Miss Alicia Paulson's design.  It was very simple to follow and took a little over an hour to complete.  The straps were the hardest part. You can purchase the pattern from her website via pdf.  

This is my first version and certainly not my last.  The center pocket is a vintage kitchen tea towel.  I used the ribbon trim from the towel to make the strap.  Some polka dots to add contrast and a vintage table cloth for lining.  Rick rack for trim and vintage button sandwiches for kicks.  

The pocket is nice and deep and has a twin on the other side.  There are no pockets on the inside.  Something I think that I will add to the next bag, a s well as a key ring clip.  I hate digging for keys.

Although I really like the pattern of the X stitching on the strap, I'm not sold on the idea of sewing straps on the outside.  Another thing I think I will change, move the straps inside and make them a touch wider.  They seem too dainty for this bag.  (It is highly likely that it is just me.)  The bag is substantial enough to need bigger handles.

This great tablecloth has been waiting for the perfect pattern.  I absolutely love the square base of this bag.  The pattern asks for a cardboard base, I used heavy interfacing pillow cased inside the lining fabric.

  

Now, I wonder how many people on my list will get this for Christmas?

I am linking this up to Sewing Christmas over at Sewn with Grace  http://sewnwithgrace.blogspot.com/.  A big thank you to Renee for hosting.

Out and About

Thank you so much for your kind words of support for my crafting block...I am sure that this snowy weekend will see a lot of scissors, glue and paper.  Today I hit two sales that seemed to be duds but at least I made it past the car line at school.  We are expecting more snow on Sunday..  I am loaded up with projects so there is no need to get out for a few days...The small fort the kids started on out front is beginning to resemble a hotel!

I lucked out with these great Atlas and Ball jars for a $1 each.   I am on the hunt for old lids.  They all have the old bubble glass and are different shapes and colors.  More great storage vessels.

Books I don't have...this 1924 holiday book is fantastic.  The inside cover previews all the holidays it includes.  Forefather's Day,  Bird Day (aka Arbor Day)  Armistice Day, American Indian Day and Hallowe'en.  I haven't read it yet, but at a glance it references most of the holidays to the presidents and or the Christian faith.  

The pictures are Victorian and all in the colors of black, green, and orange.  I can't wait to read it all. It is not that long and was obviously written for an elementary audience.

A bundle of tea towels with the original tags...oh my luck.  Still starched and ready to hang.

One of my favorites.  Children's handkerchief's.  This is a lot of 4 in different colors.  All the same print and they appear to be unused.  These look pillow perfect.

Bargain basement favorites are always hard to pass.  Gun metal grey stapler.  These things always work better than the new plastic ones.  For fifty cents I'll take it.  A box full of old sewing machine feet.  I can never find feet for my early 1900's machine.  This is worth a try again at fifty cents.  If they don't work,  they will find their way to the local charity shop.

Thank you all again for being so supportive and cheery...It is such a pleasure to be a part of such a talented and friendly community.

I have been working on several sewing projects and a few stitching that I should finish for Monday's Sewing Christmas.  

This and That

Most of this week has been spent tying up loose ends and finishing up a few projects.  I worked on some more tags to try and refine my paper crafting skills.  I have to say I am a bit intimidated by all these great crafters.  Paper crafting is not new to me, I have been doing it for years, but I joined the digital world for brief time and things changed overnight it seems.  Everyone seems so advanced I feel like I need to pick up the pace.  Oh boy I feel old.

After scanning in some of my patterns, I went to work adding more than just paper.  Stitching the buttons on and adding a snap for the flower on the cap was my first step outside the box.

My first Valentine!  This time I went even bolder...some vintage sheet music, book pages, millinery, sequence, snaps, rick rack, and glitter.  I struggled all day with this one.  Just not easy for me to combine things in my mind.  I can't seem to get past this crafting block.

Back to my comfort zone...too cute little silverware drawer.  Except I haven't figured out what to do with it.  I like it, but not with these tools in it.  Great, back to my crafting block.

I finished the great little shelf I found last week.  I am loving the new yellow color.  My little enamel containers fit great.  I will be looking for some more.  Sadly, there are some great sales tomorrow and we are currently in the middle of a 10 inch snow storm.  They have already canceled school.  Looks like my luck isn't turning around anytime soon...bummer.