The weekend of my dreams.

It's been a while since we've made the five hour drive to our oldest daughter's house for a visit, so we hit the road on Friday and spent the weekend. It was sooo good to see them all. I was supposed to have her new slipcovers finished, but since they were cut out and not sewn, I took them down for a pin-fitting. The grandkids really wanted to help. The pinning was a really good idea too because they needed a little adjusting.

 

Besides all the sweet hugs, kisses and conversations, we did some paper crafts.

And topped it all off with a trip to the once a month Ventura Antique Flea Market on Sunday morning. We saw so much fun stuff. I was drawn to a stack of vintage student fashion drawings which I didn't buy, a pile of vintage Nativity figurines, which I didn't buy (the baby Jesus was missing) and lots of other amazing stuff including these spools of thread (which I didn't buy).

Here are most of the things I did buy.

I always enjoy talking to the venders at flea markets. Some very interesting people.

 The drive home was enjoyable too. I love the landscape between our house and theirs. A very nice weekend.

Rearranging.

Wow! So many days, weeks and months since my last post. I’m not sure what happened to me. I am still making slipcovers and pillows and cushions and bed coverings. Still enjoying my family. Still trying to fit in more time for artwork. (Haven’t added anything to my etsy shop in a while.)

I recently did a major house cleaning and moved some furniture around. My sewing machine drawer collection ended up in the living room as part of the computer / office corner. If you look close you can see my paint color splotch. I am mixing two gallons of different colors of paint that I got free at the recycle shed at the local land fill. I think it will look good. I just have to get it done.




I moved my desk into the garage in my new art corner. I wasn’t thinking about how cold it is in the garage in the winter. It’s only California cold, but that’s still cold enough to be discouraging. This time of year it gets near freezing lots of nights. I like my corner in the garage because it is so quiet, but I think until it warms up a little I might have to try to be creative in the cozier chaos. 

Makin’ Buttons!

A couple of years after I started my slipcover business, I was so happy to have the opportunity to buy a used Handy Junior Button Press. My kids used to love pulling the handle down and Presto! a covered button. They are all grown up now, so it is mostly just me having fun with the button maker.

I have lots of vintage embroidered linens around that I use for my Etsy crafts, so I made some buttons from some of the smaller embroideries. These went over to my friend who makes amazing and fun button jewelry and other accessories. You can see some of her great stuff at Button Willow Jewelry. I hope to put some covered buttons in my Esty shop too soon.

Waiting for a ride.

I just finished  a couple of fun projects. A desk chair to make someone’s work more fun and a chair for new and expectant moms to rest in at a midwife’s office. Here they sit at my doorstep waiting for a ride home.






The slipcover for the bigger chair was really fun to do. The client found a vintage slipcover made of beautiful bark cloth for a taller, narrower wing chair and I took it apart and moved some parts around to make it work. I had to purchase a contrasting fabric for the back, but added buttons covered in the bark cloth.
They are both safely home now. I will miss them.

Strawberries.

I’ve been making these strawberry sachets for years. I fill them with lavender, top them with leaves made from wool felt, or felted wool sweater pieces, and tie them together with vintage rayon or silk seam tape. Most of these are made from vintage fabric bits, or from men’s ties.

I saw instructions in the Martha Stewart Craft book when I borrowed it from the library, and again saw instructions in the June, 2011 issue of Country Living Magazine.

 So fun and so easy.

Babies and Bunnies.

Well, one baby that is. Our granddaughter was finally born 11 days after the due date. We went down to see her when she was one week old. She is so very sweet and well worth the wait.


 


As I wait for some slipcover job details to come together, I have been working on projects for my Etsy shop. I just listed one more Bunny, and will be adding a new Lingerie / Pajama Bag tomorrow.





I forgot that I had included the seam allowance in my pattern when I cut this bunny out, so he ended up a little bigger than the others. (More to hug.)





It’s just about time to break out the spring jammies, right?

Along the way.

I recently spent 11 days at my daughter’s house, hoping to be there for the birth of their second baby. I got to spend a  lot of quality time with my 3 year old grandson while she finished up some work. (She is a talented wedding photographer and also designs albums digitally for other photographers.)



One day we went for a drive looking looking for snow. We met up with another family and went for a beautiful hike. We didn’t find snow, but ended up at a gorgeous waterfall and found acorns along the path. I got some great pictures that I will attempt to paint.



I have always been a fan of Salley Mavor who does magical things with wool felt and embroidery. I mentioned to one of the two little girls we were hiking with that the acorn tops can be hats for little dolls. So of course, when we got home, I was inspired to make some tiny dolls for them and use the "hats" we found. I love to spend my evenings with a pile of hand sewing in my lap.



I came home a week ago and we are still waiting for the baby. I am so looking forward to making the trip back to see the little sweetie when she decides to come out of hiding, and to give my grandson the acorn hat doll I am making for him.