~Beautiful Fall Colors Found in Fabrics~

If I could decorate my house in Fall colors and with Fall decorations all year long, I would.  I've always been drawn to the warm and earthy colors of brick reds, rusts, eggplant purples, goldish yellows, bark-colored browns, burnt oranges ...you get the idea.  No bright, primary colors for me...no sirree.


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Several months ago, I purchased a pack of 5" square fabrics from Moda called Harvest Moon.  I was in love!  I knew that I could AND would do something with it sometime in the Fall.  Now that Fall is here, the creative light bulb finally came on and I have several things in mind that I want to make. But this little pack of fabric just wasn't going to go very far so it was time to start the hunt.  Then I hit the mother lode!! Oh my....the collection I had was designed by Kansas Troubles Quilters and, come to find out, they had designed more lovely fabrics that coordinated beautifully with what I had and was looking for.

 

 This is, by no means, the entire selection of Kansas Troubles fabrics, but I've got a pretty good start on my collection.

You may be thinking I've lost my mind when I say that this makes my heart go pitter-patter.  You're thinking that, right? 

 

Beautiful tans with touches of green, red, brown, blue....

 

Deep emerald greens and bark-colored browns....

 

Dark brick-colored reds....

 

Rich blues....

 

and some other fabrics that I already had on hand....in various shades of browns, golds, oranges and rust..

 

All shades that coincide with the rich, deep, warm, earthy and comfortable colors of Fall!!  I'm not finished collecting but I think this is a good start, don't you?  And, with the projects I have in mind, it won't take long to use them up. :/

 

I'm so smitten with these fabrics that I've been thinking....the home I currently live in is already decorated with some warm, earthy type colors but on a lighter scale.  I'm drawn to the idea of decorating our new home (all year 'round) with the same color scheme found in these fabrics.  I think that with the right balance of neutrals, I can pull it off.  What do you think?

 

I'm getting way ahead of myself here!  I've got to get back to work on the projects that are on my sewing table...a few tablerunners, wall hangings and pot holders that I've got to get done and in my Etsy store before the Fall season totally gets away from me.  It's never too late to start or to continue decorating for Fall, is it?  I hope to be sharing those with you by the end of next week.

 

Until next time.......

p.s.  By the way, Moda Fabrics and Kansas Troubles Quilters do not know me from Adam.  I am not being compensated in any way for sharing this fabric collection with you.
 

~A Little Orange and Black~

Orange and black.  You're suspecting that this has something to do with Halloween or Fall, right?  Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It has nothing to do with either but rather something much more important and fun...school colors and school pride!

This is my granddaughter, Monkey, with her Mama and other grandma, JuJu.  They live in Nebraska and are big Cornhusker fans...I mean really BIG!!  Monkey got to celebrate her 7th birthday by going to her first college football game.  But they are also Oklahoma State Cowboy fans because her daddy and his side of the family (that's us!) are diehard, bleed orange and black Cowboy fans.  And, to top it off, her Poppa (Mr. Bill) played some college football there!  Anyway, her Mama asked me to make her something orange and black (school colors) so that she could show off her Cowboy pride.

She showed me an outfit from a retail place and asked if I could make something like it.  Do you know there are no peasant type dress patterns for little girls?  Seriously.  I thought they were "in" this year.  Anyway, I had to combine two patterns to come up with this dress.

A nice wide, black and white polka dot sash really stands out against the orange chevron print.

I finsished the edges of the sash and ruffle trim with my serger.  I think the two rows of ruffles are so cute.  Adds a bit of flounce, don't you think?

Jane, Monkey's mama, also asked if I would make a hairbow.  This is my first attempt.  I've never made big girl hairbows before.  Can you believe it?  I've got three granddaughters!!  Anyway, I layered together two pieces of the chevron fabric with interfacing to give it some stiffness, cut into several strips and trimmed the edges with my pinking shears.

A covered button made with OSU logo fabric finishes it off.  It was fun to make but I have to admit that it was rather hard on my hands.  I suffer from arthritis in my thumb joints :/   Bummer!

It's done and they went in the mail yesterday.  I just hope it fits!  Though I used the recommended measurement on the pattern, I have a feeling the neck opening may be a bit too large.  Thankfully, we are going up there for a visit in about ten days so I can make some adjustments, if necessary, when I'm up there.  Can't wait to see her display her Cowboy pride!    I had so much fun making this outfit and hairbow that I've got one in the makes for Tater Tot, the 5-year-old granddaughter.



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GO POKES!!

 

p.s.  Referring to the arthritic pain in my thumbs....I wear Handeze arthritic gloves (if I remember to put them on!) when sewing, use BioFreeze around the joints and have my hands worked on by the chiropractor and massage therapist when necessary but the ol' thumbs still give me issues.  If you suffer from this affliction, what do you do to help overcome the problem?

 

 

Until next time.....

~Like A Bee In A Flower Garden~

Have you ever wondered what a bumblebee is thinking whenever it comes across a beautiful flower garden?

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Can you imagine what it (he..she...) is thinking with all those beautiful colors and scents?  "Oooh...look at that beautiful yellow!   Oooh....oh, I like the smell of this pink one over here.   Ooooh...that red one is calling my name!" That's why they flit from here to there constantly not knowing where to land first and how long to stay there!!

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Well, that's the way I'm feeling these days.  Like a bumblebee in a flower garden.  Well, not with flowers but much more important things!  I spent a gosh awful amount of time cleaning and packing and purging over the last year, which ended up being really good exercise in disguise.  My energy level has picked up somewhat and the desire to move onto bigger and better things has kicked in.  So guess what??  My creative mojo is coming back!  Well, I've made things for the grandbabies but that doesn't really count.  I'm finally getting back in the mood to start sewing and being creative for myself.  It's been awhile.  But the problem is.....

where to start!  Well, actually, where to land and stay awhile.  :/  I've already started on a  few of these projects.  Yeah, did you catch that?  "Started on a few of these projects".  Like this one.  I love to crochet but hadn't done it in awhile until I came across these patterns earlier in the summer.  I bought alot of soft, pima cotton yarn (mostly from the UK) and I love how it feels.  The one on the far left is called African Flower...coasters and placemats maybe?  The one in the middle is a heart...wouldn't this make an adorable banner?  And then the medallions are from an 1893 pattern....more coasters!

 

I've been coveting some sling bag purses that Dawn from The Feathered Nest has made and decided to make one for myself.  There couldn't be a more beautiful combination....canvas muslin, ticking fabric, vintage laces and trims.  Well, I had so much fun making it that I decided to make some more to put in my Etsy store.  They're almost done!

 

And then there's this.  I am over the moon in love with this Pam Kitty Morning fabric!!  While watching TV in the evenings, I am working on some cute little things that are going in my Etsy store soon.  But more about those later. ;)

 

I love the colors of Fall and have some fabric pieces that I want to use.  Maybe a table runner?  I've got this book that I've been getting some ideas from but not quite sure yet on what to make.

 

With all the hand sewing I do from my comfy recliner, I wanted a small, portable storage box for thread, needles, scissors, etc.  So I need to cover this little gift box in some fabric and pretty trims.  Can't decide exactly how to finish it though but, once it's completed, I'll show you.  What should be at the top of my sewing "to-do" list are these projects....

 

I started this quilt project way back when my youngest daughter was about 18 years of age.  That was over...ahem...ten years ago!!  With moving out here several years back, health issues and such, well, I had forgotten aobut it.  Until I came across it in the top of my closet last winter.  Yeah, pathetic huh?  The squares are a bit tricky (for me anyway) to put together and I've been dragging my feet about getting it done but I promised her I would have it finished this winter.

And last, but not least by any means, is this felt stocking kit for Little Bubba.  I started a tradition of making each of my grandchildren a Christmas stocking, which stay at my house for little goodies that Santa brings for them.  Yeah, Santa still comes to my house.  Next year, I have to make one for Peaches.  She's too little right now to know any better so I've got some time to get one purchased and made for her.  I'm so glad that I started this as the children anticipate them being hung on the stair railing and love looking at the intricate details on their special stockings.

 

See?  I feel like a bee in a flower garden!  Sigh...I am so thankful that God blessed me with the ability and desire to be creative but sometimes it can be a curse.  LOL  So many things I want to make!!  I haven't even shown you what I made Monkey for her birthday and I've got one more thing to get finsihed and in the mail.  Busy, busy, busy!!

 

Until next time.....

 

p.s.  I told you that several of these projects will end up in my Etsy store so if there's anything you would be interested in purchasing, let me know.  I'll give you more details and put it at the top of my list! After all, Christmas is just around the corner.  Can you believe it?

~Pink, White and Soft Lace~

First of all, I have to apologize for the quality of most of these pictures.  They were taken over several days and, wouldn't you know it?  It was cloudy on all those days.  Plus, I made the mistake of letting my 10-year-old grandson take pictures with my camera and I think he messed with the settings. He took the first picture shown below ;)

 

This is Tater Tot, grandchild number four.  She had a birthday earlier this summer and turned five years of age.   Five!?!?!  Goodness.  Anyway, she was in desperate need of some new bedding for her sage, pink and white bedroom.  Not too frilly, nothing bold.  Very simple.  Much like the Pottery Barn style of bedding.

While fabric searching,  I came across this most adorable fabric at JoAnn's and just couldn't pass it up.  It was just so darned cute and I knew that it would make an adorable pillow.  But, there was just one itsy, bitsy little problem.  See all those pink and white flowers?  They are very flimsily attached to that ribbon tape and flap wildly in the breeze.  Plus, the fabric backing is a very sheer fabric.  I could just see Tater Tot (or ornery little brothers!) trying to pull those babies off.  So I backed the fabric with some white cotton and secured each and every flower with some fabric glue.  Yes, each and every one!!

After that, I made this little pillow for her.  I think it turned out so cute!  Next, it was time to for the quilt cover.  I was going to do some simple quilting but Mama wanted a duvet and it had to be white.  Tater Tot's current bedspread is white and she took very good care of it but the thing just wasn't made very well and was falling apart.

 

I came across this white, quilted-look white fabric that looks very shabby chic.  Perfect!!  And then this pink and white  cotton fabric in  a simple floral pattern to use for the backing.  The flowers are shaped almost exactly like the flowers in the pillow.  Scored again!!  Of course, every little girl needs some frill and I found a simple eyelet  lace to dress up the bedding some.  Forgot to include it in this picture though :/

 

First, I made the pillow using the pink floral for the front and back.  I created an envelope opening on the front but it's hidden underneath the lace.  I also added some Velcro under the lace trim for a way to keep the pillow closed.

 

The white fabric used for the duvet was tricky.  The fabric was only 54" wide, so I had to piece together one large middle panel with a narrow panel on either side but it was extremely difficult to get it lined up straight because the pattern design wasn't even!!  I think I had to take it apart three times before I was finally satisfied wtih it.  Grrr....

 

Look closely.  It almost looks like a mini chenille pattern, doesn't it?  This fabric was more lightweight than I would have liked, so I lined it with some cotton fabric for more durability.  And then did some straight line machine quilting lengthwise about four inches apart.  The front of the duvet just looked too drab so I created a flap with the floral cotton that I used for the back.  I attached a Velcro strip all the way across the top and added a variety of pink buttons since I didn't have enough of one particular design. (did the same thing on the pillow).

 

 

 Oh, before attaching the backing, I added the embroidered lace around three sides.  I found some large pink flower-shaped buttons on Etsy to use around the duvet.  Looking back,  I should have ordered more to use across the top of the duvet and for the pillow but I like the way it turned out.

 

Tater Tot knew I was making this for her but she didn't know when it was gong to be completed.  Truth told, it was about six weeks after the big "5" celebration.  She was at her other grandma's house when I took it over and we put it on the bed as a surprise.  You can kind of see the pink checked curtains on the window.  I made those for her when she was born. :)  Her bedroom walls are a pretty sage green.  Mama was supposed to take a picture of Tater Tot on her new bedding but I got tired of waiting for her.  LOL

 

Tater Tot told me she loves her new bedding.

 

 

 Until next time ~

~Vintage Sewing Accessories~

I have been sewing since I was about 12 or 13 years of age and I love it!  It's a passion I think I will always have.  Sewing is something that I can do for hours on end.  Well, at least, I used to anyway.  Now I can sit and sew for about 2 to 3 hours at a time and it's still just as therapeutic.  I don't know why but it wasn't until just a couple of years ago that I became intrigued with vintage sewing notions and accessories. 

In my sewing/craft room, at the end of my cutting/work table, I had stacked several old wooden crates to create some shelving and display space for some pretty things, the few vintage sewing notions I have collected so far and for some things I need when working on projects.  Most of the crates are in storage now and all the pretties and vintage pieces are packed in boxes to help simplify and stage our home for selling.  If you haven't read about that decision, you can find that post here.  It was looking pretty bare.  I couldn't stand it.

 

A couple of months ago, Mr. Bill and I were out browsing around at an antique store in his hometown and I came across some salesmen-size, mini handcrank sewing machines and some mini handcrank ones for children, some really old and some what we now call "vintage".  I love that word!  haha  I never even knew they existed until now.  Where have I been all these years?

  

All I ever knew were the little electric ones and they don't hold a candle to these, which are so stinkin' cute.  I was smitten.  I wanted one!  But those babies were expensive. Next step? Look on eBay!  Found out they're even expensive on eBay but I was finally able to snag one at a pretty reasonable price.  Woohoo! This one is a child's sewing machine, cast iron and made somewhere in the 40's or 50's. 

 

And what makes it even better is that it is a pretty shade of green (even though it looks blue in the pics) that goes really well with the pinks and greens in my sewing room!  Isn't this little thing adorable?  Can you imagine a little girl's excitement as she's crankin' away at this thing learning how to sew and make things?  Was she making doll clothes?  Or maybe a little blanket for her baby?  I think I like these much better than those little electric ones that are most likely made of plastic anyway.  What do you think?

See that little maroon-colored box?  It's a little jewelry box probably about 6 to 7 inches wide.  Petite and sweet.  I'm thinking about repainting it and adding some bling to it.  I'm not sure yet.

 

 I'm using it to store bits and pieces of crochet trim, doilies and such to use on upcoming projects.  Or maybe down the road projects.  Depends on how many other things I let get in the way first. ;)

 

I'm wanting to start a collection of antique or vintage pin cushions and found this Victorian style one. I had never seen one like it before.  The seller labeled it as an Art Noveau Spelter Metal Footed Pin Cushion.  I have no idea about such things.  But I thought it was beautiful and unusual.

Look at those sweet little birds!  I thought it was silver when bidding on it but it ended up being more gold.  A beautiful gold patina.  Of course, it's missing the "pin cushion" part but that's okay.  I'm gonna fix that!

I wanted to use some old velvet fabric but I didn't have any in my stash.  I did have some dark red woolen flannel, which I thought would work okay. I filled the pin cushion with crushed walnut shells.  Did you know that it's the best stuffing to use for pin cushions?  The sharp edges of the shells act as an emery board to help sharpen the pins and needles while the oil from the shells keep them from rusting!  That's my little tidbit of info for the day. ;)

My newest find didn't come from eBay but from a local thrift store.  Now, it's not a sewing accessory but it was a necessary item in every household a generation or two ago.  This old, rusty, REALLY heavy iron.  For only four dollars!

 

I mean this baby is REALLY heavy!  I feel sorry for the women who had to use such irons.  Talk about a workout!!  Goodness, and no wonder what they had lasted for as long as they did.  I love the rusticness (is that even a word?) of it all, especially the stand part.

And look....here's where the plug (two prong) was attached.  Unfortunately, the cord is long gone.  Don't think I'd use it anyway, do you?

 

I think I'll always be on the lookout for more vintage sewing (and household) accessories.  They have such charm and I truly enjoy having them in my sewing/craft room.  And could they be what is helpng me get my "mojo" back?  The creativity bug has really bitten me!!

 

Until next time~