turkey feathers

Easing Into Summer

The weather couldn't have been nicer yesterday, or today for that matter.  The storm finally passed and the sun came out and we spent most of the day outside doing things around the house.  After lunch, the Mister and the girls took their bikes along the riverfront path, while I stayed home and baked a pie.  I would've liked to have gone with them, but my twisted ankle is still on the mend. Apple pie was definitely more my speed.    

While it was baking, I had one brainstorm after another and a little sewing actually happening.  Now that we are heading into summer, the playhouse is on my mind again, and I finally made the cushion for the other half of this aforementioned changing table to use as a kind of miniature settee. (Use your imagination here!)  It could do with side arms, but it's really fine the way it is, and the kids are happy with it.

Pass the Smelling Salts

Oh my heart is all a-flutter over these; from a current issue of Cotton & Paint magazine.

Egads, is there no end to Japanese craft cuteness? 

Click on image to enlarge.

 

Monday Morning Fix

Who doesn't love this? 

It's from Tiny Patchworks (ISBN4-529-03898-X) and it's chock-full of wonderful things. I've been drooling over this book since last fall. Just pulled this up to gaze at it. Would you just look at those tiny stitches along the rim of the cup!

This book (ISBN 4-89396-838-6) was a more recent purchase and also has some fantastic ideas.  I'm quite smitten with these bags.

  

And check out this pen case from ZAKKA (ISBN4-579-10967-8)

Pink and Red

I heart felt flowers!

Happy faces!

Pretty dress-ups.

.

Sweet sachets.

 

Love.

Fabric flowers.

 

This crazy cute kitty cat (from tar-tan).

This handy and cheerful sewing companion. 

(I could use a little hat like that). 

 . . . .

Update:  All of these lovely things were made by other hands.  Found treasures online, various makers, regions and websites--which are no longer linked.

Pumpkin Vase

I just left the kitchen where we've spent most of the day preparing an abundance of side-dishes for our Thanksgiving feast tomorrow. Grace (bless her heart), was still standing at the sink peeling the last of a ten pound sack of potatoes when I ducked out to give my feet a rest. We'll leave the spuds to soak in cold water, and throw them in the pressure cooker later (in batches) for the best mashed potatoes ever. 

This pumpkin vase table arrangement was so easy to make and really turned out cute.  I bought a small bouquet of flowers from the market and filled in with clippings from my backyard garden. The variegated sage and artemesia herbs added a nice contrast to the flowers.  I placed a small jelly jar (filled with water) inside the hollowed-out pumpkin, to poke all the stems into.  Voila!

Pins & Needles

I finally snuck back into my sewing room last night and started on this summer blouse before summer is over.  Got it all cut out and started stitching and then company arrived.  Lily is not much of a lap-lover, but wherever I put my feet, she will plant herself underneath them and won't budge an inch, no matter how much I fuss and nudge.  She's like a warm fluffy footstool.  Silly girl. 

Dotty & Dolls

I was delighted to find this amazing little bird in my mailbox today! (Thanks Cassie, I love it!)

Dotty is even cuter in person and those flower pins are simply wonderful. The little tag is a work of art too. I'm really pleased and want to tell everyone to go check out Cassie's online shop Bella Dia Designs. I think she's done a fantastic job on her new PINTAILS!

Getting Organized

Summer is here but I'm still spring cleaning. Getting drawers organized again even though they won't stay that way for long.

Oh, the price of creativity. 

Check out my little Felt Cottage Needle Holder; it's a FREE pattern download from me to you!