monday = thrifted

Wow – I had a very productive weekend! I finished several projects, started a couple more and just in general feel really good about what I accomplished. How about you?

Today I’m going to share one of the projects I finished. I was inspired by Creature Comforts post here, as well as The Constant Gatherer’s post here and this beauty by Emily at The Black Apple, and decided I wanted to create some sort of covered scene. However, the kinds of containers I wanted to use are expensive new or as antiques so I wasn’t sure how I was going to proceed. But then, as often happens when I put a thrifting request out into the universe, I found this at the thrift store:


It’s pretty small – a cheese server maybe? But it had a pretty glass lid and that was what I was looking for so I snapped it up for $1.

A trip to the craft store for a bird’s nest, moss & fake flowers then a raid of the crafting stash at home for birds, green glitter, cream paint, candle rings & glue and I was set to try to make something.



All together it looks like this & I am quite happy with it:



Over the weekend I also had some time to look at some magazines and wanted to point out a couple potential project ideas for repurposing thrifted finds from the April issue of Country Living.

I had to laugh when I saw that photo in Domino with the painted animals…for a second there I thought maybe I am cool! BTW – I haven’t forgotten about the owl, I’ve just been too busy to paint him. Plus, I’ve managed to collect several additional owls and so I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate them all in the new mantel. But you’re right - I need to get on that…soon, I promise!

Also just wanted to pass on this link to yet another beautifully photographed & written post at soulemama. I can’t wait to see Ezra’s finished project & see what the other projects pictured become. There was also a sneak peak of more of her little quilts here which I can’t wait to see more about!

{p.s. I am back to posting in the evenings when I get home from work…it was nice posting in the morning before work but its just not realistic on a long-term basis for me since I never get up on time!}

saturday = final giveaway winner

Congratulations Mommiesbee - you are Friday’s winner!

I really enjoyed reading your comments this week and meeting those of you who normally don’t comment. I’m especially grateful for your encouragement regarding selling the rings. I’m seriously considering it!

I’ve got several new projects to share with you next week which I’m really excited about, plus I’m starting some new projects this weekend that I hope will be ready to share soon as well.

So, I’ll leave you with a photo and thank you again for playing along this week. I’m sorry I couldn’t send each and every one of you something in thanks for making this blog such a fun place for me to visit everyday.

Have a lovely weekend!

friday = misc.

Congratulations Katherine {of kittens lost her mittens} - you are Thursday’s winner! {your blog giveaway must have given you good random number generator karma!}

{ please remember that overseas comments are closed}

I’m so glad to read in your comments that you guys pop in here & that you are enjoying the blog. I’m especially happy to hear that so many of you share my interest in embroidery & was really amazed at how many people commented! {You know I expect you to comment more often now that I know you’re out there…} I wish I could send you all something!

Since Friday is a Misc. day I tried to put together a mix of stuff for today’s giveaway:


I had yet another duplicate of that book – it scares me what lurks in the dark corners of our home! Petunia is another duplicate, some more fabric, another practice embroidery I did, some fun buttons and a plain felt bag ready to be made into something.

And I saved my favorite color for today’s ring:


I’m sad that Embroidery week is coming to an end. I’d like to thank Floresita & Pip for the genius idea & coordinating everything – thank you!


As usually Friday is the day I am running the latest so I have to dash – I will post today’s winner Saturday morning & next week we’ll be back to our regular posting schedule. Happy Friday…now where are the car keys?!

thursday = embroidery

Congratulations Hanna {last comment of the day} - you are Wednesday’s winner!

Hanna is in New Zealand so very sorry, but overseas comments are now closed.

Here we are at embroidery day, which must mean its Thursday!

Today’s giveaway includes several Vogart envelopes {duplicates of other patterns I have & not all there – sorry!}, an embroidered pillowcase I thrifted as well as some practice embroidery I did long ago that I hope someone craftier than I can figure out something to do with.


And here is the ring:


I am so loving the week of embroidery – running around to different blogs to see what they posted each day, so fun! Here’s my contribution for today:

And finally an interesting test to determine what woodland creature you are {found via lisa’s blog}.

I was not a doe…

wednesday = books

Congratulations Elizabeth {comment #2} - you are Tuesday’s winner! {Elizabeth is in the US so please feel free to continue to comment today if you are outside}

You guys blew me away with the number of comments for the fabric! They were so heart-felt too, I wish I could give you all some fabric…its breaking my heart, seriously!

And thank you for all the nice comments about the rings. I’m starting to think maybe I should give etsy a try…maybe I could sell some fabric packs too.

For today’s books I’m giving away duplicates, 2 of which I’ve featured on past book days – here & here which are probably two of my favorite titles in my little used, but much loved craft library.


And another ring:


And today’s embroidery pattern:


I’m running late so have to run…have a great day!

tuesday = fabric

Congratulations Nicole - you are Monday’s winner! {Nicole is in the US so please feel free to continue to comment today if you are outside}

I ‘m so flattered so many people commented by the way, now don’t be shy & lets start all over again with Tuesday’s fabric:


And ring:


Also, you’re probably already aware but I wanted to mention the Week of Embroidery that floresita is doing over at meet me at mikes. What a great coincidence that I am doing a pattern each day this week – that there’s what you call serendipity!

There are lots of people participating – links are conveniently provided so you can click your way around the web & collect embroidery patterns to your heart’s content!

And here’s my contribution for today:

And in other random news:

I discovered this embroidery related tidbit last night – Helen Dardik the {amazing} illustrator and blogger behind orange you lucky! is working on an embroidery kit which, by the looks of the samples that won’t be included {if these didn’t make the cut imagine what did…}, is going to be very cool!

Oh and have you seen this adorable elephant quilt over at house on hill road?! I find it incredibly inspiring!

early bird special’s wall hanging is also stuck in my head, inspiring me…

I wish I could finish projects as quickly as I think up new ones!

Monday = thrifted

Okay, so here we go – giveaway week!

Monday’s are all about thrifting {regular posting will resume next week btw} so I’ve put together a selection of items I’ve bought but really didn’t need. I thought I needed them, but really I don’t! So I’m hoping they will find a home with someone who will give their existence meaning.


There are several craft booklets involving pom poms, feathers, foam & babies. Oh my!

There are also 3 coloring books: smurfs, care bears & strawberry shortcake. I thought these would provide great line drawings for someone doing embroidery for kids.

There’s also some birds, felt flowers, ribbon & a wooden deer {like the one on our mantel.

And the bonus is this ring; I made using a thrifted earring:


I’ve been collecting vintage earrings and made rings for myself for a while now. But since the earrings come in pairs I have leftovers I’ve thought about selling on etsy. I’m not sure if there’s a market for these though so if you have any thoughts on it, let me know!

So, now you have to leave a comment so that you can be included in the drawing…don’t forget the rules, okay!

Oh, and because I want everyone to get something this week, I’m also going to be providing an embroidery pattern every day from the mail-order transfer Design #838:


You might recall that the very first transfer I shared on the blog was the chick from this collection. Fitting considering this giveaway is in honor of my 75th post, which is coming up shortly…

friday = misc.

I’m so happy its Friday!

I’ve got quite a bit to do this weekend – most important of which is preparing for the giveaway next week.

This is the plan:

- each morning next week, before I go to work I will post a photo of that day’s items
- you will have until the next morning when I post the next photo {& the previous day’s winner} to leave a comment
- you can only leave one comment per daily giveaway {don’t leave a second comment after midnight before I post the next giveaway…or you’ll be banned for the rest of the week!}
- you can only win one time during the week
- in your comment you will need to leave your email address & if you live outside the US you will have to mention that as well
- I will ship internationally, but only once. {sorry – I hope you understand}
- each day’s giveaway will correspond to my posting schedule

I think that covers everything – I reserve the right to change the rules at any time because, well…its my blog.

In fact, I might add more specifics to the comment requirement…make you work for it a little bit more than just leaving your info. I’ll have to think about that.

And with that, I leave you with a wish for many chocolate bunnies to bite the heads off of…

thursday = embroidery

Oh, do I dare say the word…

Spring!

I think its here, I mean I know on the calendar it says its here, but I feel it in my heart & soul too.

I thought I’d share this guy I found a couple weekends ago when I was cleaning & organizing my work area:


He’s an Aunt Martha Pattern which I bought at Joann’s {I think} and stitched up this past summer.

I think I might hang him up on my workroom wall in a hoop as a reminder that I can work on fabric that isn’t white or natural! I really like this color combination…yeah, I need to hang this up…maybe right now…

Happy Spring!

wednesday = books

I bought today's book last weekend at a thrift store for 30 cents and am totally in love with it!


Title: Attack & Defense: Antler and Horns
Illustrator: Hubert Meeze (adapted by Ellen M. Dolan)
Publisher: Webster Division, McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Copyright: 1964/1967











Tomorrow is already embroidery day again...can't believe it?!

tuesday = fabric

Just a quick post to share some pretty vintage fabric swatches with you…







Have a great day!

monday = thrifted

Here it is Monday again…the weekend went so fast! I didn’t do much so I don’t have a lot to write about – sorry. I do, however, have some photos of recently thrifted items to share with you:





I also wanted to thank kittenslosthermittens and highdesertdiva for showing how they used some of my free pdf downloads. Does my heart good to know they are being used!

I would also like to thank all the 7 random things players – I had so much fun reading your posts this weekend!

friday = misc.

I got tagged by Rach at average jane crafter so I’m going to do 7 more random things, although I doubt you guys really want to know this much about me!

But first…I’m going to include a photo because I can’t do a post without at least one:


Ok 7 more random things:

1*Our pets found us - we didn’t plan on getting them. They are all rescues – although they were very young and don’t remember being strays so they don’t appreciate us as much as they should.

2*I have sweaty feet

3*I don’t blare my horn, or flip people off but I definitely talk/complain to myself, out loud, about what bad drivers most people are when I’m behind the wheel.

4*I want to put a sign on our front yard that tells people that we pick up after our dog on walks and that if I catch you not picking up after your dog on our lawn that I will follow you home and empty bags of excrement on your lawn & see how you like it. I would also mention that he’s a big dog & poops A LOT.

5*I wanted to be a vet when I was young. That didn't work out, but I would still like to get my wildlife rehabilitation certificate.

6*I took piano & violin lessons when I was young. And while I would be fine never picking up a violin again, I would like to have a piano again & maybe even take lessons. And this time I’d actually practice…

7*I wear gnome pj’s

This time I’m going to tag 7 other people:

kittenslosthermittens
sweetbe
pinky & boo
little acorn
heather
mama & jack
sweetjessie

{I think I’ve picked people who haven’t done this yet…if you did, or if you got tagged by someone else or if you just don’t want to you don’t have to!}

Should be a quiet weekend around here – I am not planning to post over the weekend, but I am planning to embroidery & thrift {as usual!}.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend…

thursday = embroidery

I think Embroidery Day really helps get me through to Friday…Thursday can be a tough day because you want it to be Friday but its just not.

When I saw this image on flickr I knew I had to stitch it up.


I don’t know what I’m going to do with this yet so its not totally finished but I couldn’t wait to show it because I’m really happy with the way it turned out {although its really more orange than yellow but it scanned funny}. I just printed it out onto the kind of paper you can send through your printer & then transfer to fabric with an iron. Then I just stitched over the black lines.

I also wanted to share this uber cute pattern, which I bought yesterday:


{photo used with permission}

You can buy it via Aimee’s etsy’s shop. She delivered it lightening fast digitally – I wish I could whip it up just as quickly!

wednesday = books

Thanks everyone for your comments of sewing support & tag thank yous! I’m probably not nearly as hopeless a case as I made myself out to be when it comes to sewing. I know however, that my issues are mostly mental, so it was very helpful to hear others have similar feelings.

Today, in honor of the coming of spring & all the Robins suddenly in our neighborhood during our morning walks, our book is:


Title: Hi, Mister Robin
Author: Alvin Tresselt
Illustrator: Roger Duvoisin
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
Copyright: 1950




I bought this book last weekend for 10 cents at the thrift store. I love the style, colors & compositions of the illustrations so much!



I also wanted to share this page from the April/May issue of PaperCrafts that I found inspiring:


I can’t believe tomorrow is embroidery day already – this week is a blur!

{I haven’t forgotten about being tagged – I think I’ll save it for Friday}