you are too creative

Thrifty Thursday

2010-02-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a few of the goodies from last week's thrifting:

Cute Coke glasses -- juice-sized, for those who like to begin their day with toast and Coke. And four funky daisy mugs + sugar and creamer. These must be from the 70s? when gold and avocado were the 'in' colors. For some reason, I could not overlook their cheerfulness.

Here are my favorite finds of the day. Vintage fruit crate labels, all framed up. And at a fantastic price. (More colorful than shown here. Hard to capture.)

I heart 'Chickie'. That one may end up in my kitchen. But first I'm offering all three to Z, for his new apartment. He thinks he'll like 'Buckingham' but he might want all three -- certainly has more empty wall space than I do.

Oh, and see the vintage tablecloth above? It's next on the Flea Market Bag worktable, perhaps.

Thank you, Salvation Army!

Another Flea Market Bag

2010-02-24T07:42:00.001-08:00

I'm just so excited about this bag! It's made from pillow ticking (from an old feather pillow), an old embroidered doily, and some polka dot fabric -- love me some polka dots, especially white on red.

The ticking fabric had limitations -- size: slightly too small for the pattern; condition: a couple of stains. So I made the bag slightly smaller than the first flea market bag I did and used the exterior pocket and a little button heart to cover the stains.

I also had to use some canvas for the interior of the top placket and had to piece the handles just a bit to get the right length. (So pleased about the change of stripe-direction piecing on the handles.) And I lined the handles with the red/white dots.

Love!

Thrifty Thursday, er Friday + Wristlets!

2010-02-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

Just popping in to show a couple of fun finds from last week.

A pair of '70s pillowcases and some vintage patterns. Thinking of sewing up some library totes from the pillowcases. . . .

And I'm sewing wristlets -- these from some fabric scraps that I 'won' from sewmamasew blog. I'm trying out the side zipper idea -- I think I like it a lot.

And -- big thrifting news -- the Salvation Army thrift store closer to me seems to be undergoing a transformation. Usually this particular store is a mess, with chipped china and stained linens and total chaos in the book section. Only occasionally do I find anything I want.

I popped in there yesterday, hoping to find maybe some more pillowcases, at least, or tablecloths for sewing projects. And, oh my! Shopping-cart-fuls of goods were being unloaded onto the newly organized shelves. After circling the aisles again and again as the carts were emptied, I emerged (was it an hour or two later?) with many many goodies, most destined for resale on Ebay or at the Inn Shop. I'll show some of my finds next week.

Enjoy the weekend. Spring seems right around the corner here, perhaps as soon as the 8" of snow (remaining from our recent 16") melts. The light is just beautiful.

Flea Market Bag

2010-02-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

Oh, hello!

I haven't been here in a long time. But now it's February: almost spring and time to make great bags for all the wonderful markets -- flea, farmer's, antique -- that will soon be here.

This great bag is from Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to Sew. It measures a very generous 18" x 17" x 5.5" and has wonderfully deep side slits that allow the bag to open wide.

I decided to sew it up exactly per instructions, using an Amy Butler print for the outside and a thrifted piece of soft-handed woven green/blue fabric inside. I also put in the zippered pocket, using a technique I had not tried before: after attaching one side of the zipper tape to the pocket, the other side of the zipper tape is attached directly to the lining and then the pocket is topstitched down. I'm not convinced that this is the strongest pocket, but I wanted to try the technique. And I do like a zippered pocket in such a deep bag.

The outer fabric has ironed-on interfacing, which gives it just the right amount of body. I did add a second piece of regular interfacing to the top band to give it a bit more body and prevent droopy-droopy. But that's the only change I made.

All in all, a great pattern, easy to follow, and good results, I think. Am thinking of more more more to make -- especially with vintage tablecloths?

Thanks for reading my blog. And I promise not to disappear again.

Christmas Corners of My Home

2009-12-11T05:11:00.000-08:00

A little peek . . .

at two of my Christmas trees.

Don't eat the candy canes!

Merry Christmas to all.

A Golden Harvest

2009-11-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

The bees have done so much work this summer. And now, in autumn, our neighbor returns to harvest the honey.

Some of the frames were almost empty. I think the additional levels of frames were added a bit too soon. Next year we'll wait a bit longer.

Jimmy took some frames for harvesting with a centrifuge. He left several levels for the bees' winter home and food.

And he gave this frame to me to harvest by hand. You can see the caps on top of the honeycomb. I scraped those off very lightly. The honey just glistens! I'm so grateful to the bees and want to give them more flowers in their garden next year.

These jars are from my harvesting efforts.

The honey is light and delicate. So beautiful.

A sweet golden harvest.

A little 'Inchie' book

2009-11-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

This has been my obsession over the past week.

It's a little 'inchie' book -- 2 1/2" tall and 1 1/2" wide. (Although I think an 'inchie' is really an inch-square collage. But anyway.) When I saw this project at the Stampington website, I just had to try it. Right then. At 5: 45 a.m.

I put it together using materials on hand. So some of the pages are rather boldly patterned papers, but I think they work. This is maybe my favorite spread -- with the tiny ferris wheel on one side.

I love this page with Mr. Lincoln, too.

Each page is a little collage, and I found the size to be so right for a project to turn back to again and again in the spare moments of my days. And I can't wait to do another. Maybe one for Christmas? What do you think?

Little bundles

2009-11-03T04:44:00.000-08:00

The garden is in its late autumn beauty now: seed heads mark where the full garden glory once stood.

The larch tree has dropped its needles, and a few fallen branches with cones are treasures to me.

The feverfew and lady's mantle are a froth of dried flowers at the edges of the beds. Rosemary and thyme offer still-green beauty; the rose gives its loveliness.

I gather bits of the garden into little bundles to bring inside. I'm not ready to say goodbye.

In the Autumn Garden

2009-10-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

Amber hydrangeas

Little pepper ornaments

The angel with one wing

A Project, Completed, in Season

2009-10-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

As the season turns, I need to put away my farmers' market bag project -- juicy peach print + green-and-white polka dot fabrics -- and turn to the fall/winter schemes. This little bag is an Amy Butler Frenchy handbag, using a squishy green chenille-like fabric for the body and a cute-cute bear print (Japanese fabric) for the upper part. I cut the pieces out last year but never sewed them together before the season changed again.

So, with fall here quite officially (both calendar and temperature say it's autumn), I took the pieces from the sewing armoire and put them together. I used the longer handles of the Frenchy shoulder bag and the smaller body of the Frenchy handbag.

The button is decoration; it mimics the pleats of the bag. I'm loving this bag.

Next up: finishing the curtain for the patio door (fabric purchased 4 years ago; cut out last year). Then, on to some holiday sewing projects, to get ahead of the season for once!

Are you finishing up any projects from long ago?

Thrifty Thursday: Vintage books

2009-09-24T05:32:00.001-07:00

Of the many things I search for at the thrift or at garage sales -- rickrack, vintage ephemera, dishes, always dishes -- old books seem the easiest find. Here's a stack from the last few weeks.

Anchoring is the red book with gold: 'New Dictionary of Thoughts.' Well, that should cover about everything, I suppose! In case I need more guidance, there's 'Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette.' Useful info, like how to address the children of a Baron. ("All the sons of a Baron and their wives have the title Honourable. The daughters of a Baron also have the title Honourable," fyi.)

Isn't this a lovely book? 'Complete Book of Needlecraft,' c. 1959. And it is compete, I must say. Knitting, crochet, embroidery, quilting, rugmaking, tatting -- all the needlecrafts I could imagine ever attempting.

What really revs my creative engines, though, are foreign language dictionaries. This one is special: it is a Spanish - German dictionary: 'Suer Spanische Konversations-Grammatik.' No copyright date, but quite old -- the German words are in calligraphy -- love that!

Don't you love old books? I'm wanting to do some altered books this winter. . . . after the flannel quilt is finished, the patio door curtain is done, and some wristlets are made. Too few hours in the day for us dreamers.

Sewing Round in Circles

2009-09-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

I got a song, it ain’t got no melody
I’ma gonna sing it to my friends
I got a song, it ain’t got no melody
I’ma gonna sing it to my friends

Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?
Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?

lyrics by Billy Preston

potholders sewn on 'Ginette' from pattern found in Handmade Home, Amanda Soule

Linen, lace, and mother-of-pearl buttons

2009-09-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sewing again!

This is my take on the wonderful linen bags I've seen in Japanese craft books. I love how soft and scrunchy the linen becomes as I use this bag.

And this was the right bag for some vintage mother-of-pearl buttons that I'd been hording, er, collecting for a while now.

Oh, and I love to do a hanging, quilted pocket inside for my cell phone . . . and to do a little patch or two on the inside of the handles, for just a glimpse of what's inside.

My assistant

2009-08-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

This may be why I can't get things done!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-08-13T06:01:00.001-07:00

Oh, it's been a good thrifting week! I've got a couple of photos to share with you today . . . more next Thursday.

First are these old handcolored prints: Eggs. Amazing to find at a garage sale! When I walked up and spotted them on the grass, leaning against some large plastic toys, I thought, 'Those I want. Those I want. My price is $5.00 each.' (I'm not a big spender.)

Do you do that? Set a price in your head before you find out what the asking price is?

Well, happy me. The price was $3.00 each. I took the 'protective' wrap off the one on the left because it was torn and grody. Hoping to find my stash of old frames . . . where did I store those?? . . . or to find some suitable frames at the thrift.

And let's not overlook the fab-o oil lamp in the center. That beauty was at the Inn Shop, the consigment shop at the Historical Society here. My husband said 'I want that.' No problem. It's lovely and old and the base is a wonderful, heavy turquoise glass.

And not to rush the season, but Happy Halloween! This grinning goblin-man with his jack-o-lantern was made by Monnie Wilson, a paper mache artist in Wisconsin. I was so happy to rescue him from the detritus of that particular garage sale. He looks happy to be here.

How about you? Any fun finds lately?

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

2009-08-10T04:36:00.000-07:00

I love cherries.

I heard on public radio the other day that the cherry crop this year is abundant. All the cherry trees bloomed at the same time and so all the cherries are ripe for market at the same time. And cherries from the northwest are flooding the stores and are very cheap.

Unfortunately, not cheap around here.

I could eat bowls of cherries by myself. And I have.

On the little farm back in Michigan, my Grandpa had planted many fruit trees: lots of apple trees, a couple of pears, and some cherry trees. In the yard behind the house were the cherries. By the time my parents bought the house and all of us kids were born, only three cherry trees remained. Two were those dark sweet cherries – maybe Bing – and one was the yellow with red blush. The trees were great for climbing all summer; the massive lower limbs seemed arranged just right for our bare feet and grasping hands.

The best time to climb, of course, was when the cherries were ripe. Sometimes I’d climb up the tree, pick cherries, and eat them right up there, spitting the pits across the weedy lawn.

We'd pick and pick the cherries, and have large serving bowls of cherries in the fridge. And Mom would can the cherries and in the winter we'd have bowls of soft, syrupy cherries for dessert. Or when I'd feign illness and stayed home from school, I'd open a jar of those cherries, sneak it upstairs, and eat all the cherries, right from the jar. And then feel slightly ill.

I'd do it again.

I love cherries.

Thrifty finds

2009-07-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Don't you love the tin! It's the Queen Elizabeth. Found it one day, and then the red box the next. I heart hearts.

I'd like to eat a couple of Benson's 'Quality Confections' right now.

Or maybe have a cigar? Cigar boxes, to be used as storage or maybe altered at some point. . . .

Actually, it's time for lunch . . . maybe I can find a recipe or two in the 'Electric Refrigerator Recipes and Menus -- SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THE GENERAL ELECTRIC REFRIGERATOR.'

Copyright 1927, original price two dollars (which seems like a lot for back then).

Bonus of handwritten recipes tucked inside -- I especially like that the recipe for Egg Spatzen was written on a scrap of MARSHALL FIELD & COMPANY paper.

Would you join me for an Informal Luncheon? I'll serve salad greens and dressing or maybe a jellied soup stock, kept in a covered glass jar in my fancy General Electric refrigerator.

And we can have frozen whipped cream on our dessert -- maybe even delicately tinted pink green or yellow. Fancy.

Remembering sound

2009-07-27T07:55:00.001-07:00

The white coneflower and the Rudbeckia maxima right next to the beehive have never stood so tall. Is it the sound of buzzing coming from deep inside the hive that prompts them to grow so happily?

The first day that the hive was in the garden, I stood close to it and listened to the buzzing. I’d heard that buzz before – constant, insistent, low. I was transported back to my childhood – a foggy distant memory of Grandpa George and his beehives.

The hives were not in the small apple orchard that stood between our house and Grandpa and Grandma’s house. They were in the far-off orchard that was tucked back beyond the grape yard. The bees were there to pollinate the orchard and grapes, I suppose; I don’t remember any harvest of honey. I do remember the buzzing and the heat of a summer’s day and riding with Grandpa in his old pickup.

Memory is connected with our senses and I’m often taken back on the wings of scent – the smell of apple blossoms, of cinnamon and yeast, of muguet de bois and Coppertone and line-dried sheets.

But the sounds of memory -- harder for me to summon up. I'm mulling this one over.

What are your sounds of memory?

Patterns in the garden

2009-07-13T04:49:00.001-07:00

On a quiet Sunday morning, finding patterns in the garden:

stripes . . .

and dots . . .

It's my favorite time of the week.

Festooning the nest

2009-06-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

A little corner of my 'studio'

bedecked with thrifted ribbons and beads.

We all like to festoon our nests.

A day for garden visitors

2009-06-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

The garden guest book for today:

lots of birds, of course, and the honeybees.

Also:

a baby toad, a hummingbird,

a doe and twin fawns (in a client's garden),

and a dragonfly.

And here is a lantern for the midnight fairies.

Honey Bees in the Garden

2009-06-05T04:35:00.001-07:00

We have a beehive! Back in early May, our neighbor set up a hive in our little garden. He has quite a few hives, at his house down the street and near some cranberry bogs up in Wisconsin, and had asked us if he could put one here. Oh, yes!

A few weeks later the bees arrived. He opened the back of his vehicle and there were boxes and boxes of bees for the new hives he's setting up -- and a few strays just flying around.

He set up the first part of the hive and then put in the queen. (She's in the little rectangular box in his right hand.)

She's sealed in the little box with a bit of beeswax and when the other bees find her, they eat away the wax to release her into her new kingdom.

All the bees are poured on top of the racks and when they settle down, with a little smoke applied to calm them, the top boxes are stacked into place.

And here's our new hive. It's so fun to watch the bees and see where they are each day. They were very busy on the crab tree a few weeks ago. Yesterday they were all over the patch of mourning-widow geranium. Usually I deadhead the geranium a bit early so it doesn't self-sow all over, but this year I'll be waiting for the bees to finish. And I'm planning to put some more plants in just for the bees. Then maybe they won't mind sharing their honey with me at the end of the summer.

Birthday wishes

2009-05-27T04:35:00.001-07:00

Spring means birthdays for my two sisters. L has an April birthday. When I was a little girl I was enthralled and envious of her birthstone. Diamond! Like so many little girls, I dreamed of Wedding and all that goes with it. I remember a long family car trip to Montana. I sat in the 'way back' sketching out wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses on little scraps of paper that my father brought home from shop. And my sister's birthstone was tangled up in my wedding reverie. L did not have a birthstone ring, but it was enough for me that her birthstone is diamond. Lucky duck.

My other sister, C, has a May birthday. Oh, yes, I had a reason to be envious of her birth month as well: her flower is lily of the valley. Muguet des bois. The most beautiful of all the spring floral scents. And the perfume! Oh how we loved that perfume. The scent of lily of the valley and the greening of spring and my sister with the blonde hair that I ironed for her . . . .

Sweet memories of a shared childhood. Flowers and car trips and daydreams . . . . and my little envious wishes for me have turned into many many joyful wishes for you, L, and for you, C.

Happy birthday sisters.

I Heart Fritillaria

2009-05-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

Here and there in the garden are fritillaria. These little checkered lanterns dangle in the shade right next to the hellebores.

Another fritillaria, this one from Turkey, has beams of light along its edge.

This must be the night light for the garden fairies -- a soft green glow cast onto the earth.

I heart fritillaria.

Bloesem

2009-05-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello beautiful May: crab, larch, redbud.

(If you're looking for me, I'll be in the garden.)

From the garden

2009-04-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Skeletonized magnolia leaf and poppy pod = Garden 2008
Chionodoxa 'Pink Giant' = Garden 2009

Buying spring

2009-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

OK, it's not funny any more. We had snow again last night and spring seems as far away as ever.

But I get to buy spring -- that is, I buy flowers and plant spring container gardens for a couple of our clients. So here's what I found today: hydrangeas, osteospermum, and stock. I've already purchased pansies, dwarf daffodils, and grape hyacinth. And now my cold back room looks like spring. Cheery!

April showers

2009-04-01T15:22:00.001-07:00

After a day of snow and then lots of rain,

the garden looks a bit chilly . . . . and quite soggy.

But spring is here.

I'm glad.

Sharing a giveaway!

2009-03-30T13:13:00.001-07:00

You all know by now what a nut I am for fabric.

Here's my most recent purse 'creation' -- vintage barkcloth and some Joann's fabric atop; a pretty green polka dot and an amazing coral batik with dots are inside.

I love putting together the various fabrics, playing with patterns & colors. And so I always try to have lots of options on hand -- a great stash of fabrics, always!

And because I love fabric and I think you do too, here's a fabric giveaway you need to see:
http://wondermommy.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/good-folks-giveaway/

Hope one of us wins!

At The Inn Shop

2009-02-25T16:13:00.001-08:00

There's a little consignment shop that I'm pretty fond of.
It's run by volunteers and benefits our local historical society.

The Inn Shop

Project Blue & White

2009-01-28T15:20:00.001-08:00

I love the crisp contrast of white and navy blue . . .

. . . and how a soft blue looks like it is emerging from the field of white.

Here is my first blue and white project: a pair of potholders, from a repurposed tablecloth. It seems too easy to do a blue and white sewing project -- but, really, isn't it another way to get in touch with color? Like doing an inspiration board or collage/journal page -- getting involved with color. And it helps hone my sewing skills. (And convinces me I really really need a walking foot before I tackle any larger-scale quilting job.)

More blue and white (I hope) before month's end.

The Blues: A Year of Color

2009-01-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

I've signed up for A Year of Color -- a wonderful, year-long exploration of color, full of inspiration, projects, photography. You can learn more about it here.

January's theme colors are blue and white.

First step for me is to set up an inspiration corner. I've gathered some objects together, finding some wonderful shades of blue to set against snowy or pearly white.

I guess it's a sewing or textiles corner. Don't remember where I got these French bobbins.

But I remember well the garage sale where I found this little homespun, homemade doll coat. Two sisters run a sale from their garage twice a year and when I see their sign, a block from the library, I get so excited. I know I'll find some treasures there. Sigh. In the midst of the longest month of winter I really miss my favorite garage sales.

Onward to step two: Next for me will be doing some projects inspired by the blue and white theme. I sewed this batik bag last summer. The blues are so saturated -- just wonderful! Like living in the ocean.

And in this long winter month, it's also good to be inspired by the promise of spring.

Blue + White.

Seriously Cold

2009-01-15T06:54:00.001-08:00

Oh, yes it is cold!!

Just the perfect day for sewing, don't you think? Cats snoozing by the woodstove, kettle on, lots of fabric to play with.

We ventured out as far as the library this afternoon, where I picked up this apron book. So many patterns inside . . . but all the ones I love are encircled with bias tape. I'll have to get one of those little bias tape doohickeys so I can make my own. Right now I'm playing with fabrics, as you can tell.

And these fabrics are Jay McCarroll's by Free Spirit -- recent purchase on Fabric Hound. He's the first winner of Project Runway, in case you didn't know. And WHERE, by the way, IS PROJECT RUNWAY?!? Those bozos need to straighten out their differences and get that show back on the air. I need it. Badly. Especially when the weather keeps me inside so much.

Do I sound a wee bit cranky?? A little cabin fever setting in. Oh, the red/white polka dot fabric is Michael Miller. Love polka dots and I'm always looking for red and white. This will suffice for now, but I need one that has a bit smaller polka dots. Love the pretty little purses book, too.

We'll be exiting the cold weather by the weekend, just in time for our son to return from Oklahoma City. He has completed his air traffic controller training at the FAA facility there. Yay! Maybe I can sew him a little tote for his manual or his galoshes or something?!

This cabin fever may be serious.

How are you surviving the cold?

It's cold!

2009-01-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

Bracing for below-zero weather . . . and the little birds who come to my walk for little bread crumbs and coarse corn meal might not even show up tomorrow morning.

Most days, recently, have been spent organizing receipts etc. for 2008 tax return -- I think we're encouraged not to be creative in that area, however. So I'm finishing up an ATC for myself tonight; already sent one to each of my two sisters. That will be my 'do something creative' for today.

This McCoy bowl -- a recent 'Treasures' find -- makes me happy. Neat size -- about the size of a cereal bowl -- color is fab -- scroll pattern is the best. N tells me to keep this for myself -- at least for a while. Good advice.

A New Year of Creativity

2009-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

These days after Christmas are a time to reflect on the past year . . . and time to make some plans for the new year. Resolutions, maybe . . .

I have been thinking about creativity and the new year. 'Do Something Creative Everyday' is the slogan of Paper Source. And that seems like a good intention or resolution, but I start to think about my day-to-day life. Can I really do that? Be creative every day? I don't think so.

Unless I rethink creativity, of what it is to create, to be creative. I can be creative when sewing or when papercrafting, obviously. But also when cooking, or gardening. Or when I am volunteering my time. Problem-solving is creative. . . .

More thoughts on creativity later, perhaps. Time to make something. A new patchwork potholder or a wristlet. A collage card or ATC. Or some eggs for breakfast. Creative eggs.

Christmas wristlets

2008-12-19T06:24:00.001-08:00

Time for some Christmas sewing projects. These little wristlets are fun and kinda easy. I use the tutorial here mostly, although I've not been very good at her zipper technique. But after making four wristlets, I'm getting the 'hang' of them (!). I may just continue with winter wristlets and spring wristlets, since Ginette is out on the table.

This wristlet is made from a thrifted napkin with pom pom trim on the bottom. Took me way too much thinking just to figure out how to layer the body of the wristlet without removing the trim from the original napkin. Some days are like that. But the end result is sweetness.

And we've got a white week before Christmas! My camera has decided to stop working, so this is last winter's snow. But 2008 snow looks the same. Dutch word of the day: sneeuw.

'Oh the weather outside is frightful . . . .'

The accidental post

2008-11-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Re: accidental post -- I was putting together some photos and somehow this post was published before I'd written anything. So I'm editing now to offer some thoughts, though the thoughts I'd thought back then have long since faded into forgotten thoughtland. -- 12/09/08
----------------------------------

Fall comes and the sunlight that reaches into the house changes. The last anemones -- the fall Japanese anemones -- are pure white and lovely.

Finished this purse for a customer just as the fall leaves were changing. This time the stripe is a 'tube' which is topstitched onto the body of the fabric, rather than pieced together. Worked well -- the stripe is a light, woven Indian cotton and the purse fabric is an upholstery weight.

Of potholders and cookbooks

2008-10-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

I'm somewhat obsessed with making potholders. Love the arranging of the colors. Love going through the scrap box to find the bits of fabrics -- chickens! And each one I make seems to teach me more about patchwork and about machine quilting (oh, and the importance of ironing as you go -- with the steam off).
Entered into a barter for this little 'Holiday Goodies' book, published by Peter Pauper Press, so I decided to make a couple of potholders. The first one is pieced and the machine quilting outlines each little 'brick' of the patchwork. Satisfying. Nice effect. I like it! Took me lots of time, however -- seems I'm kinda slow at arranging the bits together. So I made the second of this wonderful fall-hued folk art fabric -- much quicker to sew up -- and it matches the cookbook. (My barter buddy kindly sent the book right away, so I can show it here. Next pic shows the reverse of the folk art potholder.)
And isn't this always the way? Found the little ABC of Cookies cookbook, by Peter Pauper Press, at the library sale the very next day. Two makes a collection?

Flannel Quilt Throw and Smocked Gingham Apron UFOs

2008-10-02T04:52:00.001-07:00

Do you have unfinished projects? More than a year ago, I saw a wonderful throw pattern by Amy Butler in Country Living magazine, done in her wonderful flannels. I hadn't really sewn much in years, but decided to take this project on. The easy part was purchasing fabrics, I thought. Many months later, I began sewing up the quilted throw, using these flannels from Hancock fabrics. I think that was last November.
I now want and need to finish this project, even though the flannel fabrics/colors seem less than wonderful. I alternate betwen hating the fabrics and liking them just kinda.

But it is getting colder here, and the flannel throw will warm me and the cat when we watch Project Runway (yes, I'm a fan). And it'll give me my first experience in machine-quilting a large piece.

My other UFOs are these four wonderful gingham embroidered aprons, which only need the waistbands and pockets attached. These aprons traveled down an interesting path: first, they were embroidered by a woman who has since passed on. Her daughter contacted the proprietress of one of my favorite shops in order to sell some items -- these items were deemed not of value and were about to be tossed into the trash. The shop lady decided to rescue them and she then stored them for several months in the basement of her shop.

But since they are unfinished, they could not be put in the shop. So the shop owner, who knows I like to sew, gave them to me.

Isn't the work just beautiful? Look at the smocking and the pretty way the rickrack is attached along the edge of the apron.

I guess the moral of the story is to finish what you begin, or your UFOs will become someone else's!

How many unfinished projects do you have?

Pretty Patchwork Potholders

2008-09-29T09:28:00.001-07:00

Although I've been sewing since junior high Home Ec class, I haven't done a lot of patchwork. And it seems each patchwork project I try, I bungle a bit -- but learn so much in the process. Saturday was a patchwork potholder day.

I followed the instructions in Pretty Little Potholders, which has patterns for all sorts of potholder fun. My first two log cabin potholders (shown front and back) were pretty successful, except that they became a little wonky when I trimmed the edges after machine-quilting them. Also, I hadn't read the hint about sewing the strips so that one colorway dominates one side and a contrasting colorway dominates the other. So these are Random Wonky Potholders.

Why not do another potholder, deliberately wonky and with some color organization? Voila -- the Autumn Wonky Potholder. I just sewed pieces and rotary-cut the shapes as I went along. Pretty successful, except for the upper right corner, where I made a bad color choice; having run out of rust-colored prints, I used a red one.

Right now I can't imagine sewing an entire quilt of strips. But it would be beautiful. Whose blog did I just see with wonky quilt squares? Loved it. Denyse Schmidt's quilt book has a great wonky striped quilt. Should I put that on the Project list?

My minimalist style

2008-09-27T06:01:00.001-07:00

In our office-corner, which we 'redecorated' last winter, I've gone with a very spare style. Instead of four shelves above the drawing table, full of hard-to-reach and therefore seldom used books, I put just one Ikea shelf. The black boxes hold office supplies -- envelopes, stamps, paper.
I try to keep other items to a minimum. It's a perfect place for a posy or, like now, some foxtail grasses. (I must admit -- the velvet violets and little box of vintage stencils somehow migrated here just this week. It's usually just the boxes and one vase.)

I caught a glimpse of the contrast between the office area and the kitchen this morning. The light is so very different, as is the chaos-level. Really, if you saw my computer desk top and drawing table, you'd see some chaos there as well. At least the walls have that minimalist style that I crave. And I like the spareness when I'm 'at work'.

When I'm very very brave I'll show the room of fabrics and paper that is my quasi-studio. Now there's chaos!

What I've been sewing

2008-09-23T14:08:00.001-07:00

On these last days of summer, I've been sewing bags and purses.

Squirrel purse -- for hording acorns (fabric from Superbuzzy)

I love the saturated colors of this batik bag. And a carved mother-of-pearl button (swoon).

'Summer's End' -- dragonfly and sunflower tote.

Which one is your favorite?

Editing

2008-09-01T06:21:00.001-07:00

I am in serious need of editing.

This is a pic of two shelves of my kitchen bookcase.

It's where all the extra stuff lands.

You know, when the seasons change and the little oil paintings of winter scenes have to come off the wall? Those are on the top of the jadite batter bowl. And the brown teapot, which did not sell at consignment: in front of the old wire flower frog, which used to be on top of the living room bookcase, which is now in the craft room.

And the stack of dessert plates, also failing to sell at consignment, is now under a bowl on the top shelf. And the clay marbles, the ME paper box . . . these were in other areas of the house and ended up here.

Here's the 'after' -- how I wanted the shelves to look. Pretty simple, just the green stuff and the two camellia pictures that I'm so fond of. I do think the bud vase should go, tho, don't you agree?

(The shelf edging may need some explanation: a friend gave me two cut-off pillowcases because she thought I could use the crochet trim. I tried it out here on the shelves and pretty much like the look -- except on the bottom shelf you can really see how it is just fabric cut off. And they are not wide enough. But I like the idea.)

Anyway, this is the story throughout this house: too much good stuff, landing haphazardly atop, next to, and under other good stuff. I sometimes feel like I'm a minimalist with a bad collecting habit -- I love all the stuff, but I reallyreally love a bit of spare and a bit more space.

And I used to be an editor. Apparently I need to be one again.

Another walk in the garden

2008-08-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hydrangea 'Blushing Bride'

Buddleia 'White Knight'

Elephant ear

Love-lies-bleeding

Caladium

Nicotiana + Verbena bodnariensis

Which one is your favorite?

Regrets at Summer's End

2008-08-27T05:43:00.001-07:00

Where does the summer go? I feel a bit of melancholy at the end of summer. Long days seem to slip away so fast.

And now we're at summer's end, looking toward the next season. The list of projects I wanted to complete is long. And I just want to be in the garden, sharing its beauty and plenty with Mr. Chippy and Mr. Toad.

Here's an early summer project still to be completed: ATCs for my two sisters. Ack, ack! And the theme was my selection this time: Strawberry. Note the due date: June 16. Why, that's just last week, no? No?!

I will make the cards. . . . very very soon. Promise.

If anyone is looking for me, I'm in the garden.

Roasting the Harvest

2008-08-23T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here in the shady suburbs, we have a small garden patch out by the street -- a raised bed on one end -- just enough room for tomato plants. It's always so difficult to temper my springtime tomato buying. This year we have two Green Zebra and one each of Sweet Million, Fantastic, Superfantastic, Principe Borghese, Juliet and Roma.

The Sweet Million plant is over 6 ft tall now, some of the others nearly so.

Juliet has lovely grape tomatoes all lined up on a stem.

It seemed forever for any of the tomatoes to ripen. . . . but suddenly we seem to have ripe tomatoes on all plants all at once.

And just when I needed it, I've two methods of oven roasting tomatoes. This one, from Smitten Kitchen blog, I tried today with the Juliet tomatoes. Some are now diced up and put over a mini farfalle pasta , sprinkled with parmesan. Delicious!

The second method roasts the tomatoes a bit longer and slower, resulting in an oven-dried tomato. This recipe is in the Chicago Botanic Garden newsletter, coming from the owner of The Rustic Kitchen in Chicago:

Oven-dried Tomatoes

Slice six large tomatoes or halve smaller ones and arrange in one layer on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, as well as thyme or rosemary, if you like. Place in a 200-degree oven for about eight hours.

Let cool, then transfer to plastic containers and freeze.

Enjoy all winter in salads, sauces, sandwiches, and flatbreads.

For delicious infused olive oil, add enough oil to cover the tomatoes to drizzle on salads or to finish off pasta or risotto.

I intend to try this one tomorrow. Yum! Tomatoes tonight, tomorrow, and in the winter, too.

Vintage Fabric Goodness

2008-08-13T05:39:00.001-07:00

Just got this great piece of barkcloth fabric -- gray and wine -- washed it and put it on the line.

And this sweet little piece, too, with bows -- a nice weight of cotton.

I love finding the odd fabric pieces at the thrift or garage sales . . . . I try to wash them soon after purchase, otherwise I get them all confused up and can't remember if I've washed them or not. Right now a couple more are 'living' in the back room, waiting their turn in the soapy water, and there's also a couple of felted/almost felted sweaters back there, ready for another spin in the washer and dryer.

But aren't there just so many wonderful new fabrics out there? (These are from Superbuzzy, purchased last year.)

I make myself crazy looking at the various sites with such goodies for sale. And then I tell myself to go do fabric laundry and then actually make something out of the fabrics I already have.

(More last-year purchases . . . again from Superbuzzy and from local quilt shops.)

But who can resist? Maybe one little on-line purchase, soon. Just one. Or, while I'm paying for postage, maybe a couple of yards. Of different fabrics. And some more to coordinate. And to contrast. And I really need some red with white dots. . . .

I think I need to go do more fabric laundry.

Sewing again!

2008-08-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

Newest sewing project completed: a tote bag, made for my cousin. She supplied me with this fab fabric -- it's irridescent, sputnik-y, and altogether cool. Inside is royal purple.

We went on a 'photo shoot' together at the Evanston Art Center. Oh, what a beautiful old building. I need to go back and explore and photograph some more.

Wouldn't you love to have a greenhouse like this? Details are amazing -- the carved orb begs to be touched.

And next door is the Grosse Pointe lighthouse. A stately old beauty on the shores of Lake Michigan. I love this place.

Thrifty Seibel Plates -- Back to the 70s

2008-08-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

These are 'Trellis' plates, designed for Mikasa 'Duplex' by Ben Seibel, recently thrifted. The line was in production from 1974-75, my first two years in Chicago. The gold and green colors are so 70s, I think -- earth-tone colors.

And maybe that's why I strangely love these dishes -- not my usual colors or style, but the graphic quality and colors of the flowers remind me so much of the mid-70s, my first years of solo independence and self-expression. Trippin' on plates.

Summer garden and Introducing Mr. Hopper

2008-07-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Mr. G. Hopper visited the garden today. He might be looking for Mr. Toad.

The garden will soon reach its summer glory. Coneflower are in full bloom, as are the verbena bodnariensis. Blue salvia, coral nymph and white salvia, white alyssum, hot pink impatiens . . . all are contributing to the symphony of color.

Both white and yellow buddleia are about to open; bee balm and dark phlox are already blooming, and the white phlox should be fully out by the week's end. My garden is not full sun, so many of the perennials are a bit slower to open fully.

And the monarchs have finally arrived. My husband says they are practicing for the Oshkosh air show -- they seem to be doing acrobatic tricks in the air as the dip in and around the gardens.

Not another toad -- this is a frog vase, holding a wonderful 'Annabelle' hydrangea bloom.

Summer colors to store away and remember when we are in winter's gray and white.

Another Toad in the Garden!

2008-07-25T04:49:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of days after I last saw Mr. Toad in the garden, I spotted this little guy.

At a garage sale.

So he came home with me.

Welcome to the garden, Sir Toad.

(More garage sale finds to be posted soon.)

Toad and Me

2008-07-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

How long has it been since my last post? I'm like the toad in the garden . . . making a sudden reappearance.

Spring has gone, we're half-way through summer. And I'm still working away in the gardens and yards of clients.

And this toad is now showing up every couple of days in my garden. Always somewhere near this very large hosta. He must be very busy, catching flies or mosquitos or whatever toads catch.

And then he takes a break and shows up to greet me. Suddenly.

So here I am -- showing up again on my own blog. I've been out there visiting all your blogs since spring and into the summer. Seeing so much wonderfulness, having a great time. Sometimes commenting, even. But not finding the time or energy to post myself.

I've resolved to do several posts each month from here on out.

And here's one of my thrifty finds: little plastic chairs -- actually for a rather large doll house, I presume, as each is 5 1/2" tall. Aren't they vintage modern, N?

I'll be back soon! Ribbit!

My favorite things: Rhubarb and tulips

2008-05-05T07:34:00.001-07:00

Tulip 'Monte Carlo' -- double early tulip -- fragrant and wonderful.

Rhubarb crisp for breakfast. (Recipe from Martha Stewart website.)

These are but two of my favorite things!

Serviceberry and other spring wonders

2008-04-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

In our side yard, we have this serviceberry tree (Amelanchier grandiflora).

It's so lovely -- covered now with little white flowers along the gray stems.

The berries will follow -- looking like tiny blueberries. If the robins didn't eat them all first, I could make serviceberry jam:

Serviceberry Jam
10 cups ripe serviceberries
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar per cup of pulp
6 oz liquid pectin

Wash and stem the berries. Place into a saucepan and crush. Add the water and cook over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Measure how much pulp you have to determine the amount of sugar you'll need. Add sugar and return to pan. Place over low heat and cook for a few minutes more or until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and add pectin, then hold boil for 1 full minute. Remove from heat, skim foam, and pour into hot, sterile jelly jars and seal.

from Klehm Plants newsletter

Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris)

Birch catkins in the rain

Blue and white scilla . . .

snuggled against the birch's roots.

And some spring thrifted treasures -- little bone china cups, sans saucers, become storage for little white buttons.

I'm inspired!

Yummy Spring

2008-04-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Spring!

Every year these lovely, nodding hellebore blooms amaze me.

First garage sale finds of the spring: vintage wooden-spool threads in vintage cups sit on an old bench in my garden . See the leaves of rhubarb behind the bench?

Yummy threads. Yummy rhubarb.

Yummy colors of spring.

Little Lavender Dresses . . .

2008-04-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Most recent theme for our (three sisters') ATC exchange: Lavender.

Check out that little English lustre saucer. Couldn't leave it behind at the thrift - - what else was I going to do with that 40 cents anyway?

These little felt dresses are stuffed with fiberfill and a bit of lavender, a la Alicia Paulson's little pincushion dresses (in the Softies book?).

For once, I finished my ATCs on time!

Crafty creativity has now derailed here, however. Trying to finish up the taxes (ugh!) and to get all the garden designing, container planting, invoicing, contract writing, and all the rest of doing-business business rolling. The season has begun. And I miss my sewing machine already.

Sewing Cards Trio

2008-04-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

I made this trio of cards for J.

Am finding that my style in creating papercrafts is rather simple and clean. The placement of each object on the card is important . . . balance . . . color . . . repetition.

These cards are like a postcard -- no interior -- and I imagine them posted on an inspiration board or lined up on a windowsill.

I love them (said modestly).

I hope J loves them, too.

Potted spring + birthday card

2008-03-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of two pots at the entry of a client's home. Because it's still too early for pansies and other spring annuals, I used mossy twigs, pussy willow, horsetail grass, and pink statice in these potted gardens. The entry is covered, so the pots are never hit with snow or rain. I pushed the stems directly into soil and then watered the pots when done. The statice and grass should hold up for several weeks.

The pots have to be redone fairly often when I use living plants because the light conditions are poor. Will probably interplant some violas and stock later. I like the twigs and pussy willow stems for the extra height and more dramatic scale they provide at the entry.

A windowsill garden for me. Found the tulips and hyacinth at Home Depot -- half-price after Easter -- and planted them into a copper window planter. So cheery to see it right outside the kitchen window.

Birthday card for sister's birthday, coming up on April 20.

Back of the card, with a little 'legend' explaining all the elements on the front.

All in all, a creative weekend.

Spring Green

2008-03-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Could it be? Pushing through the brown and gray of last year's leaves . . .

Wearing caps of cotton instead of wool . . .

Encompassing a world of hope . . .

Delicate spring green.

Recent projects

2008-03-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Recent sewing projects: purse/tote bags using this tutorial. This one uses some vintage, some new fabrics -- the French linen is from superbuzzy.

Here's the inside pocket -- with a mini rickrack trim. (Colors in this pic are a little bit truer.)

I love the polka dot fabric -- only have a couple of strips left and am hunting for more. Funnily, the fabric stores here don't have red with white dots. So onto the web I go. Any suggestions?

This next bag is one of three batik bags I made -- all three have sold. As usual, I forgot to take pics of the first two! This is the third.

A couple of years ago I found batik remnants at a store -- shown here on my clothesline. The colors are so saturated and so beautiful. Brought them back out of the stash during Project Runway and found myself inspired to do a 'series' of bags. (My own collection!) The other batiks are thrifted or newly purchased.

Piecing on the straps -- I love the movement of the fabrics up and down.

Inside quilted 'hanging' pocket -- and metered corners on the binding using Alicia's instructions (Feb 21 Binding Tute). The binding goes on so neat and proper.

Well! Next up is a custom 'sputnik' bag for Cousin N. Will take pics. Promise. No really. I will remember.

I'm here

2008-03-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Oh, were you looking for me?? I've been crazy-busy this winter -- will write about it sometime if I can make it interesting. But I'm here now.

And I've been busy as of late making these sweet little pincushions. Followed the directions in this book.

Vintage-look fabrics, old buttons, a bit of embroidery floss and voila! Little pincushions.

Cousins and sisters may be the recipients of these . . . if I can bear to part with them.

Projects of all kinds

2008-02-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

Everything is lovely in blogland.

I love to show the beautiful amaryllis on my desk, so intensely red and purely white. I love to show projects and share recipes.

But sometimes reality takes over.

Sometimes a pipe bursts inside the bathroom wall at 9:30 p.m. and you both have to try to devise a fix-it plan and suddenly realize you have to run to the big box store before closing and wildly buy parts -- both 3/4" and 1/2" because who knows what size is behind the wall -- and some kind of torch tank thing and some flux and solder. And you make it to the store 5 minutes before closing.

Sometimes you stay up til 1:15, holding the lamp-with-the-lampshade taken off because the flashlight battery has worn down, as your husband cuts a hole in the drywall and finds the split pipe and solders on a shut-off valve pipe thing.

And when you turn the water back on, the freshly soldered piece shoots off from the water pressure. And he does the soldering again. And this time the valve doesn't close all the way and the water is still leaking. And so you keep the water turned off all night and hope other pipes don't freeze.

And you can't get to sleep, from all this home-fix-it excitement, and finally you do sleep and then sleep in way too late. And by the time you get up, husband has already purchased the additional pieces needed and soldered the cap on once and for all.

And you are grateful for your Superhero Wall-Destroying Man husband. And that you still have some of the bathroom's wallpaper stashed in the closet.

And I'm happy to have a project to share. My sisters and I trade ATCs on occasion, each of us taking turns in choosing a theme word. Because I was so very late in doing the previous ATC (oh, was I almost a year late???), we were all delayed in making 'Autumn'.

But here are mine, ready to go out to L and C. I really got into making a mini-quilt kind of card, doing handsewing and playing with color and texture. And this time I am only 2 months later than they were in finishing the card. Progress.

The World Turns White . . .

2008-02-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

The world turns white
snow erasing all color
we are left with cold, soft
shapes, lines.

Dutch Currant Bread

2008-02-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

KRENTENBROOD
Dutch Currant Bread

My brother and sil serve the most wonderful currant bread at Christmas. It's a long, low loaf, so full of currants that there is only a little bread between each little black dot. I love it.

A box of currants in the pantry and a wintery day inspired me to find a recipe for Krentenbrood and try to make it myself. I used the recipe here.

The dough was easy to put together in the stand mixer and I hand-kneaded just a little bit before the first rise. I may have made a mistake on the yeast -- used two envelopes of yeast for the 2 tsp called for -- I think each envelope may have 1 tablespoon, but I compared the amount of flour in this recipe with another and two envelopes seemed right. The first rise was proper, and once the loaves were shaped, the second rise seemed right, too.

My only other changes were to proof the yeast in 1/4 cup + 1 T of the sugar before putting it in and to plump up the currants. The currants appeared withered up to me, so I soaked them in hot water for 10 minutes and then dried them on paper towels. In the loaf, the currants are nice and plump -- so good.

Results? Pretty yummy! The two envelopes of yeast still seems right, but I may do it with two tsp next time and also not use loaf pans to see if I can duplicate the long low loaves. And MORE CURRANTS are needed!

Currant bread is so good toasted and spread with a bit of butter.

Time for another slice.

Winter Days, Winter Projects, Winter Thoughts

2008-01-29T17:12:00.000-08:00

A new tote for my sister. The fabric is crazy-quilt printed in such a cool way -- looks like the embroidery is real. I love love love the cherries. And the vintage button looks like it has stitchery on it as well. Love the bag -- love my sis!

Breakfast -- wonderful raspberry jam from Sunflower Sundries on 7-grain bread. It is the very best raspberry jam I have ever had. Just the right breakfast treat at my desk, while making a seed/plant order from Select Seeds. In just a few months I'll show the beautiful flowering tobacco, Nicotiana mutabilis, in the garden. Right now it is a mail-order promise of warm days and honey scents.

Vintage postcard. On winter days, thoughts turn to family and friends, near and far, here and gone. I am thinking of you.

Felt Sweetness

2007-12-23T08:35:00.001-08:00

Little felt bears made for a two-year-old. Aren't they sweet? Easy pattern, except for the bitty pieces (oh, my eyes aren't what they used to be!). From this book:

Much more sweetness inside -- including the cutest kitties. Love this book.

Happy holidays to all! I wish you goodness and peace in the new year.

Corners of My Home

2007-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

A new corner of my home. This is in the kitchen: an old pine chest of drawers just purchased at the consignment shop, immediately bedecked with some sewing stuff. The pipecleaner-button tree I made a few years back. . . . The short green tree is surrounded by red buttons; the green bobbins are a birthday gift (thanks, N!). The cones of white thread look like snow-covered trees to me. A new sewie corner. I love it.

Chai Days

2007-12-07T14:11:00.001-08:00

Crazy-busy these days. To get through, I drink Chai tea. At least one a day.

Thanks to The Spice House, I can now make a decent, fast cup of chai at home. I use an Irish Breakfast Tea bag from Trader Joe's, a good scoop of the chai spices from The Spice House, a little warmed milk, a little honey, and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. Mmmmmmm.

What I like

2007-11-18T15:21:00.000-08:00

Oakleaf hydrangea, in glorious color . . .

Golden creeping jenny, dressed in her new fall wardrobe . . .

Buffalo china custard cups, sweetly waiting for me at the thrift shop.

Orange Books on the Classroom Shelf

2007-11-08T17:53:00.001-08:00

My first four years of school were at Beeline School, a two-room country schoolhouse. We walked most days down the gravel road, running the last few yards if the bell started ringing (one of the boys was assigned the task of pulling the heavy rope to ring the large bell atop the school).

One of my clearest memories of the schoolroom is of the little library -- long, low shelves of books, really -- especially I remember the long row of books on the lowest shelf, the biographies with orange covers.

I remember reading so many of them and learning odd 'facts' about various famous Americans. The book about Thomas Edison told the story of how he lost his hearing -- he was running to jump onto a moving train and stumbled; the train conductor grabbed him by the ears and pulled him aboard, thus damaging his hearing for the rest of his life. Well, that doesn't even make sense, does it? But I sure was fascinated by the story.

All this rushed back over me when I found 'Jane Adams: Little Lame Girl' at the thrift shop. It's pictured open above, showing the silhouette illustrations. How fun to find it! Copyright 1944, published by Bobbs-Merrill Company, part of the "Childhood of Famous Americans Series."

'Bird Girl: Sacagawea' soon found me, too, via Ebay. And listed in the series is 'Tom Edison: Boy Inventor.' I also remember 'Clara Barton: Girl Nurse.'

'Twould be fun to find more of these books -- but not the more recently published of the series -- I want the orange books of my childhood.

Two more bags . . .

2007-11-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Found this pattern online -- Tiny Happy blog -- and decided to try it out, using a thrifted pillowcase and a piece of green calico for the lining. Because I thought it needed a little more body, I added a flannel interfacing. The front has a cellphone pocket.

And the back has an interesting pattern. Seams are up the middle (front and back) and at the top of the handles. Easy pattern -- size is good for a little library trip -- check out the tutorial here.

Second recently finished purse. I love this one! It's quilted on the outside and has a magnetic snap inside; the lining is blue and red floral, and the inside pocket is of the same fabric as the handles. The tutorial is on Creative Little Daisy blog -- patchwork purse here.

I do think this purse needs a little more -- either a few red buttons or a flower pin. I'm thinking a pin, made before next summer, when I'll want to use the purse to dress up my usual jeans and a teeshirt outfit.

More purses to come. CK, your tote is next. Then it's time for the custom purse for NL (you know who you are)!

New Old Sewing Machine ----> Inspiration!

2007-10-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a beauty? This is my new old Singer sewing machine -- a 301 Singer, circa 1954. The model is the 'big sister' of the famous Singer Featherweight.

I purchased it from a dear friend, who is an experienced Singer sewer and who had this 'extra' machine. No, really! She has two Featherweights, bought this one, and then found another 301 with cabinet. So now this one is mine.

I have named her Ginette. That name is in an old French textbook I thrifted the same week that the machine came to live here.

The gold detailing on the machine is so beautiful.

And so is Daisy, my pretty black cat, who just had to have her picture taken with Ginette.

Here's Daisy again, in my spring tote bag:

I've already finished two projects with the new machine: a quilted summer bag that was nearly done for a while (stalled after putting in the magnetic snap on that one), and a 'Tiny Happy' bag, made from an old pillowcase with a pattern from Tiny Happy blog. Will post pics of the bags tomorrow.

So pleased to have a substantial machine -- one that does not stall when confronted with a bulky seam. The motor just purrs. It's my new love. (Don't tell Daisy.)

A Finished Project

2007-10-18T14:21:00.001-07:00

Why, yes, I can finish a sewing project -- just not often!

This is a Frenchy Bag, an Amy Butler pattern. The floral fabric is thrifted this summer; the stripey top is from my stash -- got it at a quilt shop a couple of years ago and it has a flannel-y softness to it.

I had to piece the inner portion of the handles because I had very little left of the floral -- kinda like the pieced look of it.

The pattern sewed up very quickly, until I had to install the dreaded magnetic snap. No, they are not hard to do. I just worry myself crazy about messing up the project at such an almost-done point. So it hung here for a good month or more. Finally I realized that if I totally muffed the snap installation, I could just resew the lining.

And the snap install went easy, as did the sewing of the lining and the outer bag.

Then, of course, I had to wait another day until I could muster up the courage to topstitch. What's with that??

Here's the inside of the bag -- the fabric is new and reminds me of Minnie Mouse. The two inner pockets are big and deep, each going the entire width of the bag. I thought they would just gap open all the time, so I added a topstitch seam down the center of each, making four pockets. Works for me.

Time for a new bag/purse project. I bought some great fall fabrics from Superbuzzy and it's almost too late to sew them up for this year. May have to move on to the 'winter line.'

Quilts

2007-10-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my thrifted 'finds' find me! This is a quilt top that came to me as a tied quilt with the inner batting all bunched up. Someone washed & dried the quilt, apparently, and it looked like this:

I took off the backing, the little ties, and the batting and now I have a pretty quilt top. The fabrics are an interesting combination of wool (the gray), cotton, and an occasional rayon. The top has some 'issues,' with a few worn spots, but now it can begin a sweet new life as a table covering. Check out that blue fabric with the circles -- love!

The quilt came to me along with these two:

All three came by way of a local senior center, where they were headed for the dustbin, and are considered, at best, 'cutter' quilts. But the lavendar 'Flying Geese' could end up in our bedroom, with a little mending.

And this quilt, which I had temporarily set down on the floor, immediately became our grouchy old cat's favorite snoozing spot. The entire back is that beautiful flowered print on the right -- makes me swoon -- love! This one is a true 'cutter'. If I do cut it up, at least part of it will become kitty's winter-nap throne pillow. It makes him as happy as it makes me.

Fall crocus

2007-10-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Amazing color for fall -- rosy hues of colchicum -- a bulb that blooms like a giant crocus in the fall. Some years these are blooming as the colored leaves fall around them.

This is the 'Waterlily' colchicum.

The bulb sends up large leaves in the spring, which die back for the summer. Then in the fall these leaf-less blossoms show up -- always surprising me.

Time to plant more bulbs for some spring surprises. (It's fun to be an absent-minded gardener!)

A Walk of Yo-yos

2007-10-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Learning how to do yo-yos this week . . . and I'm also learning that there is no spot in my house with good natural light! So out onto the sidewalk with my favorite stools and my new yo-yos.

These large yo-yos are made using the Clover large-size yo-yo maker.

The small and wee yo-yos on this stool I did the old-fashioned way. I love sewing them up this way, 'all by myself'. Can you see the beginnings of my red-white Christmas garland? and a blue + light blue winter garland?

And see the two flower-shaped yo-yos above? Those are made with the Clover flower-yo-yo maker. I need more practice on those, I think. But I can see the possibilities for yo-yo flower bouquets . . . yo-yo adorned cards . . .

Autumn comes soon . . . perfect time for making more yo-yos, and for finally sewing with these batik pieces that I purchased last year. Here they seem like laundry-day prayer flags.

When there were no blogs

2007-09-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Found this old photograph at a garage sale yesterday. Can you imagine the set-up for this? (Be sure to click on it for a closer view.) The woman wants to display all of her needlework pillows, the girl wants her dolly and buggy in the picture, oh, and put down the rug and the new table, pick some phlox from the garden, put it in a vase and hold a sprig of it, and get the dog in, too!

This is like her blog -- a way show friends and family her projects, her house, her life. That's what we're doing, isn't it? Look, see, I want you to know what I'm doing, where I am. I want you to know that I'm smiling.

. . . and I'm back!

2007-09-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted; all awkward and tongue-tied again, writing for whomever to see. I'll just jump right back in and show you a couple of thrifted finds. This woman is a salt shaker -- her head removes and is the shaker part. The vintage French textbook is from Salvation Army -- I had two days of wonderful book finds.

Salt-shaker woman is holding vintage spools, found at my favorite Evanston shop.

And this old iron wheelbarrow (from a flea market years ago) is holding my first yo-yos. Aren't they cute?

These are cards I made. In a resale shop, I found a set of tally cards, each with a hand-crafted Sunbonnet Sue cover. Can you see the details? Felt bonnet with tiny flowers; real fabric calico dress; lace pantaloons; hand-inked hair, feet; a wash of watercolor grass.

I glued paper gingham or calico onto a ready-made card, glued the tally cover atop, and added a vintage button to cover the hole at the top of the tally cover. And there -- handcrafted cards! All the detail work not done by me.

I've been selling them individually, occasionally, at our historical society's consignment shop. These are the last ones, perfect for fall.

Now I feel better; a new blog post completed. Thanks for visiting.

Yo yo!

2007-08-31T15:34:00.001-07:00

Some yo-yo pillows, found this summer.

This favorite star pillow is from a favorite cousin.

Well-worn old yo-yos of a pillowcover. Found two of these probably 10 years ago at an estate sale.

I wonder about the women who made these. Taking little scraps of fabric, cut into rounds, hemming them up and then pulling each one into a yo-yo. These days some of us use CDs as templates. They probably used a plate or a tin can. Wonder if they treasured these pillows as much as I do?

July Farewell

2007-07-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the last post in July, I finally took a picture of this amazing flower with the most evocative name: 'love-lies-bleeding'.

I've always wanted this plant in the garden, and have several seed packets in my stash as witness to my intention. Finally picked up a little 4-cell pack of the plant in mid-June and used it in this purple and rose container combo. I pinched back the top of the plants and have been multi-rewarded -- the plants are just so beautiful and soft -- like ropes of chenille. (There's a green-blooming love-lies-bleeding, too -- must plant that one next year.)

So, with love-chenille blooms in the garden, it's goodbye to July. I can see autumn on the horizon. But first August, that last wonderful month of summer.

Back on the farm growing up, the entire summer was long long long days of hollyhock, wild strawberries, swims in Dumont Lake, 'spook-tag' around the house in the darkness of the country night. We'd lie in bed sweating through July and especially August. No air conditioning; just one giant exhaust fan mounted on a home-made stand that was supposed to cool off the upstairs of the farm house. (It didn't; the noise kept me awake and aware of the sweat running down my face.) Mid-August we found the long long days of summer suddenly fewer -- back to Beeline School come September. August is half-summerwonderful, half-sad.

Goodbye July. Here comes August and the knowledge that the beautiful garden of summer will soon be gone. Love-lies-bleeding.

Summer spot

2007-07-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

We don't have a front porch. So in the summer, we have this little spot, positioned between the entry garden (below the birch tree) and the big perennial bed in the middle of the front yard. My favorite place to eat breakfast (usually solo; spoon-size shredded wheat with bananas and cinnamon) and for the two of us to sit at the end of the day. Love the summer spot.

Balloons in the garden . . . . and WIP

2007-07-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Balloonflower -- the buds are balloons!

'Annabelle' hydrangea and 'Prom Puff' somniferum poppy. Don't the seedpods look like balloons?

This is globe thistle. A fuzzy garden balloon!

Beginning a purse, using Creative Little Daisy's tutorial. Pleased so far. . .

Fabric!!

2007-07-21T14:52:00.001-07:00

Just what I need . . . finding a garage sale with tables of fabric for sale. Nice sized pieces, these are all new fabric. (The one on the top left is a finished needlepoint square. Thinking of making a purse with this on the front. . . . )

And these are vintage pieces:

The top one is a little rayon piece; second from the top is barkcloth; all the others are cotton (I think barkcloth is cotton, too, isn't it?) Much fun! P.S. Did you know if you double-click on the picture, it becomes much larger?? Check out that vintage stash close up!

Seeing Spots

2007-07-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Tiger lilies in the garden

Tiger lily petals fell to the table . . . next to the spotty bananas.

I love the extreme curves of the petals. And the intensity of the yellow. But if I assigned a flavor to the petals, I'd say lemon rather than banana.

Red White Blue

2007-07-02T15:59:00.001-07:00

I made Strawberry Rhubarb muffins, using Soulemama's recipe, and the taste reminded me of my Mom's Strawberry Shortcake. So -- I broke up a muffin into a bowl, added crushed, sweetened strawberries on top -- oh yum! Red.

White is 'Old Man's Beard' blossoms -- Fringetree, which blooms here in late May. So serene. White.

My cousin and I went on a merry chase for blueberries up north Michigan a summer or two ago. Samples are swell! Blue.

Outside In, Inside Out

2007-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

Crabapples are in full bloom here. One small tree, which had been ailing, had to be cut down entirely, so I took the good branches inside for a splendid display. Seeing the blossoms inside and close up is amazing.

Airing out the rummage finds

After reading about the fantastic prices and finds at church rummage sales, I just had to stop when I saw the large sign early Saturday morning. "Would you like a bag? Fill the bag for $8," I was told as I entered. Oh! I think I can do that! I emerged with 5 vintage tablecloths, 11 aprons, 7 cookbooks/booklets, vintage needle folders, cards of buttons, a set of letter N O E L candleholders, a small white teapot, and more! So much more that the price averaged out to 12 cents per item. I gotta find me another rummage sale!

A Seed Stash

2007-04-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

Seems I have another secret stash! This one features hollyhocks, verbena, baby's breath, four o'clocks, zinnias (both green and white), cup-and-saucer vine, poppies, morning glory, castor bean, sunflowers, love-lies-bleeding (green and red), cardoon, basil (purple, green, cinnamon), ageratum, cosmos, love-in-a-mist, and five packets of green nicotiana 'langsdorfii'!! Maybe this is the year that I'll make better use of my stash, like the fabric stash, and create a patchwork cottage garden extraordinaire. I'll let you know my progress. For now, the fun, as always, is in the sorting.

When Spring Turns Cold

2007-04-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

What to do when the May weather in March turns to February weather in April? Pick as many daffodils as you can and bring them inside to enjoy.

The little duck planter holds my business cards, and the tray is an old oak-framed mirror -- I glued little circles of felt on the backside and voila! A mirrored tray.

Suddenly Spring

2007-03-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

A few short weeks ago, inches of snow covered the ground. Suddenly spring has arrived -- in color!

Stash becomes Purse

2007-03-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

A year ago, I began a fabric stash. I purchased several fabrics at the local Hancock fabrics, then started finding pieces of fabric at garage sales and thrift stores. Of course, I intended to use these fabrics, so I also bought a couple of patterns for handbags, including one Amy Butler and one Laura Ashley.

Funny thing, the stash somehow became The Stash-for-Stash-Sake. Finding, buying, washing and ironing, folding, stacking -- this was enough! I could spend a stray hour just looking over the fabrics, sorting through the colors, restacking, and then leaving the craft room again. Almost every week I found a new piece to add. Ah, but now I need to create something with these fabrics. So here are my first efforts, sewn in the last weeks -- my new purses!

The week gone by

2007-03-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Thrifting this past week . . . found these wonderful stools and domes that I love to display things in . . .

Why is it such a joy to find a cast-off treasure? To search through all the cracked and chipped china, past the 70s leather coats, the plastic wreaths, the burned-out pots and pans . . . and then finding the gem. Aha! There it is! I knew it was here! I could almost feel it calling out to me. The joy of the hunt and the thrill of The Find. So satisfying.

2007-02-12T15:30:00.000-08:00

For a year now I've been visiting blogs, finding one after another, like hidden candy eggs on Easter morning.

Links draw me on to another crafter, another artist, another chef or baker. Seeing their projects, reading about their lives, their concerns and triumphs.

Little visits with people I've never met, and I come away happy and a little disoriented.

What am I doing with my time? Do I have something to share?

Am I creating the life I want?

Last summer, husband and I sat in lawn chairs,

listening to the chatter of the young girls

on their trampoline in the back yard across the steet.

Drifting over the fence, this phrase: 'You are too creative!'

aha!

What does it mean?

For me, sometimes it means that all of you are so creative,

too creative,

and I am not even close.

And sometimes . . .

just sometimes . . .

I feel that I can do things . . .

And so begins this blog.

u r 2 creative