Thank you all for your kind words and your shoulder a girl in the dumps can lean on. Breathe I say. It gets me through some of those more grayer days. But…..
The sun is out! Literally. I say that as I picture myself outside twirling around. It’s still very chilly, but I’m O’so happy to see Mr. Sunshine pay us a visit. The best medicine if you ask me.

That also means yard sale season is just around the corner. More flea market trip and more goodies by the curb. I’m quite excited about it all. Really! Last years finds were wonderful. I get all giddy just thinking about it. I’m hoping this year will be even better.

I found an older pictures on my computer of thrifted cup I acquired but haven’t shared yet, a picture on flickr that I haven’t blogged about and a dresser that was one of last years finds. Snapped a photo of it earlier today. A little this and a little that.

Dresser was a free by the road find. I wish I had taken a before picture. You would appreciate it so much if I had. It was horrible. When my husband brought it home. I wasn’t very optimistic about it being revived. The veneer was peeling all over it, one drawer was broken and it was marked all up. It looked like it should have been sent to the burn pile. I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t the one that found it. But…..with all of us working to scrap of the peeling wood, A good heavy duty sander, wood putty, and bit of carpenter know how on my husband part. A functioning dresser was born again. Bound for my daughters room, where a dresser was much needed. Hence, the white color. If I had a choice, it would be wearing a beautiful mustard tone. I promised to step back from decorating her room. So, white it became.

Then this fabric, which I just think is so beautiful. It makes me think, no wish of RV’s, road trips and colorful dreams. I’ll say no more. Don’t want to cause something to fall through. I’ve learned the hard way that some things are best to be revealed at the grand opening,(if it makes it to grand opening) not during work in progress.  No good to expect fireworks and only get dudes. My kids always make that sad..ahhh when we get those. So no ahhh here today..hee. Nope, sunshine thoughts.

A set of saucers, cups and bowls from The Second Thought thrift. A hidden gem tucked in a quaint little corner. These say comfort of Grandma’s embrace and warm belly of her chocolate gravy to me. I know I’ve said this before, but such a fond memory for me. Never gets old. She had a set similar to these when I was growing up. Her’s were a bit chunky and bigger. Bigger servings could happen.

Back to work. A friend of mine has offered to take the kids for the day so I can get some work done. I’m really excited with what I’m working on. It’s one of the things that has kept me busy and my mind off unpleasant things. Nothing like pouring yourself into something. What’s that saying, Idle hands is devils play? I probably have it quoted wrong, I think I read it in one of Tasha Tudors books years ago. I’m going to photo it before the sun set any further.

Happy Day.

I’m not trying to rush the autumn season..oh no not at all. But soon the gift giving time of the year will be here. If your thinking of making handmade gifts, a little before labor time is needed. It’s a bit stressful to try turn out several little handmade goodies the night before…I know, procrastination at it’s best.
These bags are simple totes, but can be turned into a “green” gift bag. I think it’s a great idea. Making the gift wrapping & container even usable.

This little guy I machine stitched on a canvas bag. I’m liking his silly little self.

You know how I love the machine stitching, quilting thing. I seem to always find ways to add it into a project. Hot pads no different. Machine stitched kitchen accessories on them. I’ve been getting ready for another attempt at a craft show, so not much cooking is going on but when I do…these will be ready.

The days are becoming warmer and it’s a relief to air out the house from all those winter months. It’s giving me an itch to spring cleaning. Clearing out closet, boxes, and drawers. Summer like weather was here last week, allowing us to enjoy the outside, walks in the woods, friends over, cook outs. Which by the way you must try a melted, gooey marshmallow in between an Oreo cookie. Yummy! This week it’s really rainy. Perfect for staying inside and scratching the “spring cleaning” itch I have. Thought I’d share of few of the cute things I found while digging, purging and re-enjoying forgot and lost treasures. A most comical fluffy bird with his wild feather-do. He found a perfect home on a small bird’s nest the kids brought in. Along with several bird feathers that have been collected while playing outside.

A game of domino’s. Vintage children’s picture domino’s. I’ve always found old domino pieces to be fascinating but these are wonderful. Bright colors and great illustrations. I guess some game playing has been happening in between those cleaning spurts, reorganizing books, putting away winter clothes.

I’ve also went through a lot of my fabrics. Removing them from the containers they once stayed in and stacking them on shelves. There’s a lot there that I will probably never use. I didn’t want to add them to shelves only to have them sit there and I hated to just put them back in a box to be forgotten. Some of them are great fabrics.  I plan to bundle some of them up and list them on etsy next week, maybe a give away here to celebrate spring cleaning. Fresh starts. Making new. blooming crafts.

And sharing a little with you. 
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

The other day I was trying my hand at quilting circles and I had a bit of trouble. They started turning very lumping looking.  I had to put the piece down before I lost total heart on it. It’s something I really really want to finish too.  So, I was a bit weary when yesterday I decided to do curvy stripes and circles.   I attempted the curves first using two different fabrics. A common muslim and thicker vintage fabric that is a gorgeous muted red. Everything went smooth. I just took my time and I was pleased with them. One hurdle jumped. It gave me a bit of confidence and determination to tackle some circles again.  These turned out so much better. I used 3 different types of feedsack fabrics and hand appliqued them on. I’m definitely going to pick up my other piece and finish the circles. No more lumpy bumpy rotten peach shapes here.

A sneak peek at another quilting piece I’m working on. Made with little red riding hood vintage fabric. This one has been slow going. I’m trying to patched it together without it looking to choppy.  I’m also on the search for some blue fabric that matches closer to the tree color. If I can’t find it, I’ll be using the blue you see in the background. It’s not to far off.

Today feels like a great day. A good start to a week. Last week was filled with coughs, Popsicles, aches and a lot of sleep so that makes this week even happier. Only one lucky being in this house escaped it. It wasn’t me.  The sun looks like it’s going to make an appearance today despite the cold wind. I love the sunshine! And I’m thinking of warmer days can’t you tell.

I’m also excited about a trip to a Mazza Museum, the International Children’s Illustrator Museum we plan on taking in a few day. I do hope they let us take our cameras in. There will also be classes set up and the activities are for kids and moms a like. Can’t wait to find out what creative craft we are going to be doing. Here is a list of the mazza artists. This is also a good one to add to your favorites and browse all the amazing children book illustrators for future inspiration. I love childrens books!!!!

I heard it’s suppose to warm up this weekend. Yeah! Hopefully it will also warm up on the east coast for those who are covered once again in a huge blanket of snow. I also received a sweet package from Rebecca. We did a fat quarter swap that also turned out to be birthday presents. Our birthdays are just a couple weeks apart. A peak at the package I sent her is the above picture.

 Do you see that little package of 8 pins. They are handmade fabric covered pins! Rebecca and her friend made those. Very Cute!!! The fabrics are so fun too.

The apron she sent in the package is my birthstone color. Love it. 

This post is pretty scattered and randomly every where. isn’t it? (shrug shoulders)

I’ve been having a bit of trouble with machine quilting my last bubble quilt.  It seems no matter what I do, the tension gets all messed up. So, I took a breather from it. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is changing it to a new needle. I’m hoping that does the trick. If not, I maybe trying my hand a hand quilting. I made another small quilt. It’s just a small wall hanging one. I’m thinking a whole wall of these quilts would look nice. The black and white with one piece of pink is an idea that I’ve been wanting to try for a while. It’s been growing on me. The more I look at it finished, the more I’m thinking maybe I do want to make a full size quilt or at least make a large wall hanging.

Then this aqua vintage fabric is calling me to make something with it. I’m not sure just what yet but I’m thinking flowers, linen, something with a gentle feel. I’d love to have a skirt out of this fabric.

This post became this quilt top. Three layers pinned just not quilted. While I’m finishing up things left undone I think I’ll finish quilting it.  I named this one my bubble parade quilt.

Just thought I’d pop in to say. “Have a Nice Day”

Say hi to everyone Pippy.

Pippy: Just smiles and hides in the shadow.

She’s a little shy. 

And can you guess what this is going to be?  I bet you can’t.

I sincerely apologize for being away for awhile but anyone with a family of small children and a large extended family know there are times when you’re needed. Balancing life and my blog to where I can have them both meet happily in the middle is something I need to work harder on.  We have had another sad turn of events this past week ,there was a death in our family.  So please bear with me as we take care of everything.

Here is a picture of part of the quilt. Next week, I will give you the full story of how I ran around with pins sticking out of my mouth and a seam ripper strapped to my side.  And show all the pics of it. Have a safe weekend.

 

I was sending a much needed gift to a dear friend of mine. It’s a bundle a vintage hankys. The little tag reads, “May these someday wipe your tears of joy”. While I sorted through my hankys, I thought how crazy I have been to not do more with these handkerchiefs. I have thought about it, really I have. They have all even been hand washed and smell of lavendar but they have just been stored back away.  Well, no more.  These would be great for a quilt, but I refuse to start one until my lovely freindship quilt is finished. And a purse would be so fun, add that one to my list of to do’s.  A skirt with a few patched on would be nice, keep that one in mind. But I opted for a few quick little touches around the house. It’s amazing what something so simple can do.

A darling blue and pink one here. I love this pink stool.

And instead of sewing a liner for my library book basket. I used a few thumb tacks and spruced it up a little. And took only about 2 minutes in all. How great is that!  I put a few more of them here and there. Lined a bird cage bottom with one. Don’t worry, the bird inside the cage is mess free. What are some things you guys have used old hankies for?