stitched with love

 For those of you who sent a note and asked about the quilt angel in the post from January 1st, I can't share where I purchased it.

Because I didn't buy it, I made it! And it is so easy to make. I have shared vintage quilt projects in the past, I have even shared them in magazines. I'm happy to share it again.

Here is a quick tutorial...

I don't have a pattern that I use, these are the basic shapes. Remember you need two identical pieces for a front and back for the head, body and arms.

Once stitched wrong sides together, turn it right side out and fill with batting. You can even add dried lavender and rose petal potpourri to create a scented sachet.

I create a retro 1930's hair style with yarn. The face is simply two light blue dots with a fabric pen and pale pink cheeks. Use your creativity and make any hairstyle in any color you wish: red braids, brown curly locks or long blond tresses.

For the wings, I find an old doily and weave a circle around the outer edge with wire. Then pinch the circle together in the center to form a double wing shape.

Fasten the wings to the back with stitches or hot glue. Then embellish your angel in any way you like.

I like to bring the arms together in the front to give the appearance of praying. Sometimes I place a starfish in her arms or flowers or a vintage ornament.

These precious angels can be made in any size. These are just a few tips to get you started. Use your imagination to create your special angel. This is a wonderful project for beginners just learning to sew!

And please don't worry, no quilts in good condition were harmed in the making of this angel. I use something called a cutter quilt for my craft projects. Cutter quilts are damaged and in very poor condition, yet there are sections salvageable for projects. These quilts are found at yard sales and thrift shops for just a few dollars.

Do you have a favorite craft project that you have enjoyed making during the pandemic? I lost my creative way for a bit, but revisiting things I've made in the past is helping to restore my joy.

Feel free to share your project ideas,

I love to be inspired by others!

a shining light

 Since my last post, I have been thinking a lot about family and some of my favorite times together.

My mom and I could pick up seashells every day and never tire.

My dad is a selfless soul that could take or leave shelling, but he is at his happiest just at the sight of his family doing something that brings them joy.

So my mom and I would collect as many treasures as we could find and my dad would haul them all to the house.

Once the shells were all cleaned, I thought it would be nice to do something with them that my dad could enjoy and help me with. Before I moved to Florida, my dad and I would spend most weekends in his garage creating, fixing, painting or refinishing things for my shop.

So a daddy-daughter seashell project was on my radar.

The vintage shell lamp...

I always have a "to-do" stash of projects in my garage or in storage. I thought a lamp might be a great project for us to tackle.

I had an old rusty outdoor post light with a fabulous aged brass sea green patina.

First, my dad removed the original wiring and replaced it with wiring suitable for an indoor lamp. Equipped with a plug and toggle switch. 

The original fixture would have been atop a solid post, so as it stood now, it was top heavy. So I rummaged through my vintage wood stash and found a weathered wooded block and a grey-blue board. Both have a driftwood look perfect for this project.

I replaced the candlelight arms with new sleeves and placed seashells inside the glass hurricane shade. 

I must say the finished product is spectacular!

The best part is that I was able to combine both my mom and dad in a project that will always make me think of them.

May Day

What is May Day?

 

To be honest,

I had to do a little research.

 

I think of children dancing around a May pole and people sprinkling flower petals about...as a celebration of the welcoming of the new season of spring.

 

It turns out that May Day has a rich history around the world. It's folklore and traditions vary depending on the heritage.

 

I would like to think of it as a time for new beginnings for all of us. We could use a little positive change...

 

How about a May Day project?

 

May Day Baskets

 



 

A few years ago I wrote an article about May Day Baskets for a magazine. May Baskets are a Victorian tradition from the 19th century. Hang a cone of flowers or special treats on the door of friends, family or even an unsuspecting sweetheart.

 

It's an easy project and perfect for children.

Just gather some craft supplies...

 

 

and lovely scrapbook papers and tassels.

 

Wrap a piece of paper into the shape of a cone and secure it with a staple, glue or tape.

 

Affix a ribbon or lace as a handle and embellish with buttons and other vintage trimmings.

 

I even dug into my stash of broken costume jewelry.

 

The cones can be made any size

and personalized for the special recipient.

 

I filled some with hand painted eggs and chocolates.

 

 

This year we are stuck making them for one another in the household.

 

Since we are self isolating this, it makes this tradition a little difficult to share with neighbors. Next year I think we should all make dozens of May Day baskets and hand them out to all of the lovely ladies in nursing care facilities around the country!

 

I sure hope next May is much healthier for use all...

 

Happy May Day!

 

quilt project

Well it's official.

I am obsessed with quilts.

 

Oddly enough, I tend to gravitate towards them in the spring. Probably because the ones I collect are fresh, cheerful springy colors.

 

Of course I love the pristine ones, but I also love the overly cherished and snuggled ones too. Those are referred to as "cutter quilts" because you can cut away the good sections and use them for projects.

 

One of my all time favorite cutter quilt project was upholstering my vintage recliner.

 

 

I found it when I was a new college graduate and had just opened my first shop. I was leaving my shop for the day and I spotted it in a dumpster.

 

It was red velvet and tragic.

 

I recovered it in a neutral fabric years ago until it became tragic once again. So when it was time to recover it, I dug into my collection of cutter quilts!

 

 

The chair is a remarkable design for an antique recliner. The body lifts out of the frame. When it is in the frame, there is a bar in the back with notches that allow you to recline in 3 different settings. (Much like a beach lounger!)

 

I used the main part of this lovely old quilt to cover the front of the chair. I didn't have enough for the back so I covered it with an old white Swiss dot baby blanket.

 

 

I painted the frame a soft matte white and slightly distressed it to give it a subtle aged patina.

 

Lastly, I used a new trimmings to hide the staples and give the chair a beautiful finished look.

 

 

I took to my sewing machine to make a few pillows.

 

 

Now she has an entirely new look

thanks to my stash of cutter quilts!

 

I am such a hoarder when it comes to

collecting old notions.

 

 

Sometimes I just bundle small quilt scraps with elegant ribbons and use them in place of pillows.

 

 

Somehow I find a use for all of my collections.

Are you the same way...?

 

I'm odd but I'm good with that!

I hope you are all doing well while sheltering in place.

 

This too shall pass...

 





garden clean up

Since I garden all year long,

I get out of the habit

of spring cleaning my gardening messes.

I've shared my ideas for upcycling

flea market finds into useful

garden organizing ideas.

These are my favorites...

 

wooden divider

 

organize my small jars

and new succulents



 



 

metal jars and glass frogs

 

small pencils, paint brushes

and root plants in water

 

 

tool box insert

 

 

perfect catchall

for garden stuff

 

recipe box

for saving seed packets

 

 

muffin tin

for starting new seeds

 

 

glass jars

for storing seeds

 

 

I've been soaking and planting

my new bulbs and onions.

I can't wait to see them grow!

 

 

Happy Spring from

my garden bench to yours...

 



old?

I've been thinking about my last post and I think I left out a few things. I don't often buy "new" or modern things for my home. But I do have a few pieces of modern industrial things...

they just don't look new!

 

This gorgeous rolling cart looks like an old factory piece but it's new! I was given this item years ago to photograph for an online shop. It was such a blessing to work with them!!!

 

Can you believe these details? They look beautiful

and have a real worn industrial look!

 

Although I don't use a landline often, a phone is a must. But I don't like anything that looks modern. So here is a great solution! This phone was a Pottery Barn find. Wonderful!

 

 

Fans are a must in Florida!

Look at this little beauty.

It looks so vintage but it is new

and cools like a charm!

It's made by Holmes. 

 

This funny little guy isn't old

but he was made from reclaimed metal.

Notice his bottle top eyes!

It's industrial art. Fun! 

 

I thought I needed to add these things to my last post about industrial décor. It's a nice touch to all the creamy whites and natural woods in my home.