hand sewn hearts

 Although rainy days are a rare occurrence here, especially this time of year, I like to be stationed in my sewing room. It seems like the perfect reason not to be in my garden.

Right now my heart is thinking of love. So why not make some Valentine's Day vintage fabric hearts. Normally I make these hearts in all neutral colors and I sew on an antique key. I call these the "key to my heart" mini heart pillows.

But these are a little different. I've been saving this wonderful old cotton and linen table runner. Although there are stains, I loved the vibrant colors of the floral design. So I cut out as many hearts (roughly 6-8 inches each) as I could, trying to carefully avoid the stains. They are filled with batting and I added small pockets on each.

All of the pockets have a hand stitched message of love and include a small ephemera card so a personal message can be written inside.

No two hearts are the same because the way I cut the fabric from the table runner. And each little pocket is different as well.

The extra tiny pockets can also be used as tooth fairy pillows for wee ones. It's nice because the "fairy" doesn't have to fish the small tooth out from under the pillow of a sleeping child.

The slightly larger pockets can hold a letter, photo or gift card.

I had great fun creating these small puffed heart pillows.

If you are inclined to make handmade gifts for family and friends, this project is very simple. It's great for beginner seamstresses.

Nothing beats a handmade gift from the heart. After all, most of us are not out doing a lot of shopping right now.

I wish you...lovely projects for rainy days.

romantic ephemera

 February is the month of romance.

Personally, I think romance should be a part of our lives every day all year long. There is something about love. It should have great importance in our world. Not just any kind of love but romantic love.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I like to look through my collection of vintage Valentines. There is just something about ephemera that fills my heart with joy. The old paper, the script, the use of language and the stunning graphics in radiant yet aged color.

Not only do I love to incorporate these tiny works of art into my decor, but I love to read the letters.

The next thing I know, I find myself hopelessly lost in a daydream in lives lived decades ago.

Several years ago, I styled the guest bedroom of my Sanibel house for a Valentine's Day magazine photo shoot.

Red transferware is another lovely addition for a Valentines vignette.

And I simply can't help myself, seashells are a part of every design and every season.

This certainly inspires me to add a little extra romance into my world. I think tonight is a good night to watch my favorite version of Cinderella (the 2015 film adaptation).

CLICK HERE

to watch the trailer.

Enjoy!

grey: a cool neutral

The previous post featured my grey dining room.

I took so many pictures, I thought I would share a few close-up images of the details. You will see that my collections of vintage things are pretty eclectic. Yet everything does speak to my soul and bring me joy...

I think at first glance you will notice that the variety of things I collect seem to have no rhyme nor reason.... 

...as in the frog sprinkler, antique stoneware and sea shells in the first picture to the flower frog, transferware and delicate feather in the above image.

I find beauty in everyday items like watch parts, old hymnals and antique dishware...

...and keys and aged pewter.

Antique English transferware was made in a variety of patterns, colors and types of dishware.

Even the table runner echos the colors of the walls in the room.

It may seem odd to display the small butter pats upside down, but I simply love the back-stamps of the English Ironstone manufacturer.

I mix in a variety of metals from galvanized metal to silver to pewter.

This simple vignette is comprised of an antique plaster wall sconce, a McCoy vase, sea fan and a vintage hand shovel relief. 

  And I have to include fresh greenery and plants. This gorgeous tropical leaf is in a macrame vase hanger made by my talented mom.

Although the collections do not have a single constant theme, they are all things that speak to my soul: antique transferware and ironstone, vintage gardening collectibles and nautical treasures.

But how does it all work together?

Color.

If you maintain a color palette, mixing and matching collectibles create a cohesive stylized design.

So display the things that speak to your soul. Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy!

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!

the little things

 As I was looking through my bedroom pictures from the previous post, I realized it's the little details that are the things that speak to my heart. 

Junking and collecting have always been things that make me so happy. Although I have not been out and about since February of 2020, I find it fun to look through some of my little treasures and reminisce about the

"good ole days".

My various collections don't have any rhyme nor reason. Things just speak to my heart. The cohesion comes from a monochromatic color scheme since the mix of items are all so eclectic.

Some things are still out from my Christmas decorations. I love them so much that they might just stay out until next Christmas!

When looking at my bedroom, it really is the "little things" that make my heart sing. It's not just the visual beauty that speaks to my heart but it is in the memories that they evoke. Before moving to Florida, my momma was by my side throughout all of my junking adventures. So as I look at these little cuties, I revisit wonderful fun times with my mum!

What are some of your favorite things to collect?

I hope you have someone special that shares your adventures with you!

Happy junkin!

 

love of lace

 It's interesting how blogging lately has been a fluid process for me. meaning, one blog triggers a train of thought, then the next and the next. This blog is no different.

So in my previous post about the garden wash station, I mentioned that I like to use some of my stained or damaged old lace and linens to decorate my garden.

Truth be told, I pretty much surround myself with antique fabrics. They are my favorite color (all shades of white), they soften a space and I love the antiquity that they represent.

Here are some of the types of vintage linens that I collect...

table linens

antique collars

crochet pillow cases

miscellaneous lace trimmings

There is just something magical and lovely about old lace, crochet and linens. It warms my heart and conjures thoughts of an elegant way of life. Do you have old family linens hiding in a drawer, cupboard or a box in your home?

Why not get them out, iron the wrinkles and find a way to display them. It's hard to appreciate just how special these old pieces are if they are not being truly appreciated.