turkey feathers

Material Girl

I'm not sure putting a coat of chocolate brown paint on the front door would be considered a creative endeavor, but it's one of the things I've been doing anyway.  And there was good mail.  Lots of lovely mail that kept trickling in throughout the week, that made me giddy when I finally had a chance to sit down and go through it all.  My kitty craft order was everything I hoped for.  Patchwork World (in Tricolor: red, white & blue) turned out to be fantastic.  Every page is a feast for the eyes and makes me drool with delight every time I flip through it. 

I finally got some of those darling Korean fabrics and that woven numbers twill tape.  The other tape has ladybugs on it. The site is down temporarily because Amy Lee is moving to the UK,  good news for crafters there.  But you can still check out some fun things on the site like her pattern room with two pages of very cool things to see and make.   

Then there was my order from Cia's Palette.  More wonderful tiny prints, always so beautifully packaged.  I can't decide which one I like best because they're all so sweet.  The red mushrooms are high on the list though.  I already used the floral print to back one of three shadow boxes I put together for the kitchen.  (More about that later in the week after I get everything hung.)    I also have in mind to make a new quilt after I finish up some old projects, and most of these fabrics will be incorporated in it somehow.  With all I have on the table (literally!) not sure when I will actually begin this, but I'll have everything I need to get that started when the moment is right.  Probably sometime in the fall when it's cooler and leaving the iron on won't be a problem.   If you're looking for old roses, romantic vintage-style florals, check out Jennifer's website Shabby Fabrics.  She carries an amazing collection, and everything I've purchased so far has been top-notch, plus she ships fast. 

Cool Corner

I hit the ground running today with a long list of things to do and somehow managed to finish them all except one little sewing project I need to get back to.  It will have to wait until this evening when it cools down though, as the house is too warm to switch on the iron.  I left the windows open too long before closing out the afternoon heat so I'm paying for it now. Just about melting.  So since it's Thursday, and since I don't have anything crafty to show, welcome to this lovely corner of my home.  Always so nice and cool because it's at the back of the house where the shade trees are, and there's a ceiling fan that kicks up a nice breeze.  It's one of my favorite places to sit with me feet up and flip through magazines, especially of the Japanese variety; like Quilter's Studio (ISBN4-579-11039-0) one of the new ones I ordered from Amazon Japan that just arrived.  That's it laying there on the table.  Buying these craft books online (mostly sight unseen) is always a bit of a gamble, but I'm really happy with this one.  It's full of wonderful things for, naturally, the quilter's studio. 

And then some.

This red and white applique linen bag took my breath away as soon as I saw it.  LOVE that rickrack edge along the top!  I guess you could call it a quilter's tote.  These colors always appeal to me and red and white polka dots especially sing to my heart.  There are about a dozen different designs for patchwork bags in this book and each one is amazing.  Here are a few other projects that looked fun:

A simple little vanity case.  The shape is so cute and the fabric combinations and colors work really well together I think.  I'd love to do a whole quilt like this.

Another project from the book;  a sewing machine cover cloth.  My sewing machine should be so lucky!

And something to wear while you're sewing.  The appliques look like cut-outs from printed fabric.

Sweet "sewing bags" which are little cloth books that open to reveal scissors, buttons, thread and a pocket for a tiny matching pincushion.

What more could you ask for?

In Another World

I thought it was time to take another peek inside the dollhouse to see what kinds of things the dolls have been up to.  It looks like the Mistress of the Manor has returned from her shopping trip to Paris and has brought home a sweet little hat.  This is my Club Little House submission this time around and I'm really pleased with everything now that it's done.  However, I'm still waiting on two hat stands to arrive by post, but the rest is all packed and ready to go, so I shouldn't be holding up the show long, as I feared might happen.  The pink valise was made by Amy herself, it's so cute and has travel labels on it, and even a little button & loop closure.  Just right for those weekend get-aways.  The yo-yo quilt works on the bed and as a little rug.  It was made by Debra, along with the bed pillows, complete with crochet lace and a sweet lavender bouquet.  I hope I have that right.  Once I took the tags off  and started "playing" with all the things that came out of that wonderful box it was hard to remember, but I think that was from her too.  I love how it ties in with the theme I've got going in here.   That tiny embroidered pillow was a commissioned piece from Rosanna over in Italy.   I've never seen anything so small and charming as this, all done so perfectly.  The pink bear was also another piece she sent and just look how cute it is in the nursery.  The children are having a party today.  Jenny made the teensy flag banner and it couldn't be more festive.  I love it.  The dollhouse children got so excited when they saw it they ran around the room in wild abandon.  They were finally sent outside to play by Nanny Nellie, who has her hands quite full at the moment and didn't care for the noise.  She hasn't noticed that little Bettie has snuck back inside to play with her new teddy.  And where is the Mistress of the Manor anway?  I thought she was busy working in her studio, but apparently she stepped out to visit a sick friend.  It appears she's made something to cheer her back to health.  Wonder what it could be?  Her well-stocked craft cabinet is certainly full of interesting bits and bobs, compliments of Cerri.  Chest of sewing lovlies made by Glenn and Victoria, post-mod table from Emma.  More Club Little House swap pictures here.   I can't wait to see what comes next!

Guys and Dolls

The porch needs sweeping and the flower beds could use a little sprucing up, but before I go and get busy with all my little chores this morning, I want to share this cute bundle of love from Dawn.   She makes the most beautiful things and when I saw this adorable sock monkey, "Arabella", on her blog I fell in love with it instantly.   By coincidence, Sarah had been asking me if I could make her another monkey after we gave GUY away to this good cause organized by Shanna.  But since I didn't have another pair of red-heel socks on hand, and no quick source for them, I purchase this for her instead.  Now I can cross that off my to-do list.  And needless to say, Sarah was absolutely thrilled.  Her dress is made from a vintage quilt, a crochet piece was fashioned into a vest, and those felt mary-janes are so cute I almost can't stand it!  There's also a little yo-yo flower tucked behind one ear.   Simply charming isn't she?

And there were more surprises inside the box that I wasn't expecting, a flower pincushion, with cute handmade decorated pins, angel ornaments for the girls, and an array of vintage buttons along with a darling little pouch made from an embroidered linen napkin.  So nice!  Dawn's shop is often full of wonderful handmade things so take a look when you have a spare moment.  And, oh.  I almost forgot.  We found out that Arabella was expecting and had a little baby named "Gus" when no one was looking.

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!