Hurray for the plaid, white and blue.

Hurray for it being finished, that is. I thought the fabric was going to be a stripe, which would have been slightly easier. This slipcover was pretty tricky, with the way the fabric has to make way for the arms, and all. So much for work......

I am having way too much fun blogging..... here is a picture of my thimble collection. I keep them in a box in my living room because I LOVE to watch kids put them on their fingers. ( It gives them something to do too, since there are not too many "kid" items in our home right now.)



Here is another use for thimbles:



Tom, if you are reading this, I am going down to the "workroom" to get busy right now!

Two for One

On my way to make patterns for three pieces of furniture, I stopped by my most favorite thrift shop to look for pattern material (old solid colored sheets). I love this place because of who runs it and what they do. I used to think that the California Grey Bears was a state wide organization, but found out that it only serves our county. (The bear is the state animal. ) They have a recycling center and recycle everything from paper to computers and other electronics. With the money they bring in and food gleaned from local businesses they feed the elderly who need a little help. And, oh yes, it is also run by the elderly.

I found the needed sheets and there was a basket full of these adorable new pin cushions. I liked them so much I bought six. I also found a bag of vintage lace.






When I know the money is going to such a worthy and local cause, I feel like I am giving and receiving in a single transaction. It's like a two-for-one coupon.... buy a bag full of fun stuff and get a good feeling for free.

Will work for home accessories

When I delivered the pillow covers I made the other day for Saffron and Genevieve, (see my last post) I couldn't help but look around the store. You know how looking leads to wanting, and well, I WAS getting paid for my labors, so why not take some of it in trade. I found these great wire baskets and this beautiful old framed crewel embroidery sampler, and stocked up on my favorite soaps (handmade in Amarillo, Texas, a place dear to my heart). It's a good thing that I work for a variety of people, most of whom, don't own beautiful stores, or I would be eating less and walking more (no money for food and gas). Hmmm.............. I could be on to a new weight loss method.

Keeping the pins flying....

...as in juggling. Having a blog is definitely improving my computer skills and I am also finally learning how to use my camera. I've always heard that learning new skills can help with memory issues as one gets older. So, since I am trying to learn Spanish, learning how to add things to my blog ,and encountering mental challenges in my job, I have nothing to worry about, right? I was discouraged to read the other day that chronic multi-tasking can contribute to forgetfulness. Apparently, it only works if you just learn one new skill at a time.






Yesterday I worked on these pillow covers for Saffron and Genevieve, a beautiful store.



Sewed three rows of my quilt together. (the blocks were already sewn into single rows)



and I worked on a slipcover pattern. Am I FORGETTING anything?
.

I can finish it, really, I can.

I really admire people who don't have partially finished crafts laying around, or more likely, tucked into baskets, hidden under the twin sized sheets in the linen closet, or maybe even in a plastic storage bin under the couch. Unfortunately, I can't claim to be a member of that group, because I do have ADHDP ( Almost Done or Half Done Projects) around that should either be set free, or finished. I don't feel too guilty about not finishing every single undertaking. Sometimes, it just isn't how I thought it would be. I made no vow to continue the relationship, so there is no real urgency to work through the uncomfortable feelings. For instance...I LOVE the way hooked wool rugs look. I found a pattern for one in a book I bought at a yard sale, collected used wool clothing, washed it, cut it into strips, put my design on a piece of burlap, drove across town to buy a hooking tool, and happily started my project. That's when I realized, after finishing about a fourth of it, that it is a very itchy craft. Wool and I have never really gotten along, and I guess I was just blinded by love.

There is one project on my list of ADHDPs that I do want to finish, so I am trying to make time for it. It is a hatbox quilt from Kaffe Fassett's book "Passionate Patchwork". I love his colorful designs and his fearless creativity.



This quilt design is a perfect use for some of my leftovers.



Of course, some of these fabrics came from my " can't walk past a pretty piece of fabric" collection.



It will be fun to look at this quilt when it is finished, (and it WILL be finished) and say, oh yes, that is the fabric that is in Mrs. Abernathy's bedroom, or on Mrs. Whites sofa, etc.



I have a quilt that my grandmother made for me when I was a teenager in the 60's. It was made from fabrics left over from my "I want to make my own clothes phase". It's fun to look at it and say, "Oh yeah, I made some shorts from that fabric to wear to summer camp back in the mid century era."

What kind of a life would it be without buttonholes?

I love buttons, just ask my family. Everywhere you look in our house there is a jar, or a can, or a vintage coffee carafe filled with buttons of all kinds.



But....a button usually needs a buttonhole in order to do its job. I have the need to make buttonholes occasionally, on pillows or duvet covers. And slipcovers look nice sometimes with buttons on the back. I recently saw a professional buttonhole-making machine for sale for $6000. Boy, would that be nice to have. It was big though, and well, besides not having room for it, I really couldn't justify the cost. I like the one I have, even though it's not as beautiful and grand looking as the afore mentioned machine.


I found this old White brand sewing machine and cabinet at the flea market several years ago for $20. The drawers were filled with all kinds of useful vintage tools, including a buttonhole maker. I'm sure they stopped making them because they are a hassle to use. You have to put a special plate down, then get out a screwdriver to put the thing on the machine, and you have to change the cam to the appropriate size, which means using your screwdriver again.


BUT... since I only use this machine for making buttonholes, it's not so bad. It makes pretty good buttonholes too. And I love vintage things. Useful vintage things are even better.

Bring on the May flowers!

Happy May 1st.



I wish I had time to make something out of some of these pretty fabrics today on this first day of May, but there are buttonholes to be made in drapery panels, wing chairs to be slipcovered and a couple of important errands to run.


Since I was talking about repairable jewelry yesterday, and it has flowers... I found this at a yard sale with a few of the rhinestones missing. I went to a jewelry supply store where they had replacement stones and some really strong glue. Now it is my favorite!