Mom-mom's Attic

This past weekend I got to spend some time with my grandparents and even got to explore some nooks and crannies of their home. I've always been a big treasure hunter (you'll find me with a metal detector on the beach when I am 80!) and one night I was talking about the sewing I have been doing my mom-mom piped up and said that my great grandmothers sewing table was sitting right behind her seat. She said she never looked in the table drawers! Say what!

So I happily moved furniture around so we could explore. We found wooden bobbins, lots of buttons!, some scrap fabric that is still in good shape and a ton of crocheting needles. Some are even made out of bone. I guess I'll need to start crocheting.



I was also privileged enough to explore her attic . And that's when I spotted these old frames. Oh, the possibilities! Can you see it? I already have a plan for them. This is going to be exciting!


This has to be continued at a later time. I still have more stuff to share, but the husband is home and we have some boxes to sort through.

Whirlwind Adventures

My life has been a whirlwind lately. Between family visits, bridal showers, reuniting with old friends, job interviews, and moving apartments I haven't had much time to devote to the computer.

I'll have to take the time and download pictures from my camera soon. On there you'll find the bridal shower presents I made for my cousin, grandma crafting hand-me-downs (!!!!), and the latest sewing project.

I got adventurous and tore apart some thrifted purses to find out how they were sewn together and then continued to make my very own patterns! I am in the testing phase now. But they are currently all packed up with the move. Not that we moved far. Just next door in fact. Double the windows, slightly bigger, and a more feasible layout all for the same price. All in all, a much more pleasant living experience. My plants are thanking me!

Spring Tote

Even though I have yet to see a green blade of grass growing in my back yard, I have been bitten by the Spring Bug. The weather this week should have the country side greening up with temperatures staying above 60 and sunny. I got so excited about the weather Sunday night, I decide to utilize some of my thrift finds to create a springy tote. With warmer weather comes outdoor flea markets!


I repurposed a $1 thrifted bed sheet. Used some interfacing from a thrifted jacket I recently tore apart (I am learning how to sew clothes, so I wanted to see how it was put together.) And then made the delicate buds from a ladies hankie found in a drawer of the hutch I just purchased at Salvation Army. *I realize those are all fragmented sentences. It just looks better typed up this way*


The sheet must of been well loved. It is so soft.

Saturday of Fun and Thrifting

Some fun was had by me this weekend. Even though the snow is still around from Thursday's snow storm, I made my way over to the local Flower and Garden Show at the community college. I was offered a job at a lavender farm (too bad it's 45 min away!), chatted with a couple that recycles old silverware and their work they do at the local farmers market, and snapped a few photo's (always with permission).


Isn't this elephant planter the cutest! I wish I could find this thrifting. I guess I am liking the orange in the environment of browns and greens. This was placed on the bottom shelf of the latter, but after speaking with the shop owner we decided it's place belonged on the top self.


They were selling these solid wool felted pumpkin and apple pin cushion's for $12 a piece. They looked so good piled in the wash basin that was priced at $68.


And part of the exhibit was tabletop decorations put together by local groups. Even though I think this one could be improved upon I loved the Wizard of Oz theme. See the yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City?

Afterwards I headed in town towards my favorite thrift store. And I was very lucky in getting a few choice grabs. Because of the snowy weather and St. Patrick's Day, not many people were in the store. My best find was an oatmeal colored, crew neck, cashmere sweater in my size for $1.50. Couldn't get any better! I also grabbed these supplies.
The most expensive item was $2.00 and that was the large cone of twine. I figured it would come in handy for binding packages or labels to things. The polyester green polka dot fabric was $1.00 for 2 yards. The rolled remnants were $.25 each. There was a bag of white cotton eyelet trims for $.75 and then I found a bunch of zippers for $.10 a piece. I also picked up a zippered change purse for $.25 that I ripped apart last night to see how it was put together. I am going to make a few changes and try to make my own pattern today and sew my own version.

And all this week I have been working on the 3 year quilt project. I started hand quilting/embroidering the top to the backing. I use a thimble but I decided I need a few more. My finger tips were getting sore from pushing the needle through all the fabric. I then resorted to placing band aids on all fingertips, which helped some. But I need a few days rest on this project for my fingers sake.

How could you resist?

$3.50 flowers? That's what I am saying! And when the flowers are bright orange rannuculuses it's a no brainer even when we just had the discussion to cut back our grocery spending even more! I just had to share since they are so pretty.

Progress

I made some progress on the cow embroidery project. I used a different fabric I had in my stash to see how the stitching would turn out. Its a medium weight cotton twill I picked up on sale in the deco fabric section. And it's cheaper than linen. I am still up in the air about it all. I got my JoAnn's coupons in the mail yesterday. I'll use the 50% off for some real linen and see how it goes. I always test things a million times if it's my own design. I just don't want to waste my time and effort some something sub par.

Anyways- meet Clover Bud!

She reminds me of a happy little cow that just freed herself from a 4-Hers grasp at the county fair (when Dad wasn't around). Just off the fabric you can imagine a poor little 7 year old rubbing his backside from falling backwards. She just likes her freedom that's all. In addition she probably just stepped into the ring and onto nice, new, soft saw dust. Cows love the feeling and can't resist to be a little feisty and run around. I should know. I have had many 4-H projects do just that same thing. Leaving me to rub my backside.

New inspiration

Last week I was running my errands and a thrift store was on my way. I said "why not?" and stopped in for a brief visit. And I am glad I did because I found the cutest metal hutch for sale. Awful color, but that's why us thrifters are blessed with seeing potential!

It cleaned up quite nicely. Before it was a mustard-y/green. But the mustard must have been nicotine because now its a faded sage green with a hint of yellow. The color still doesn't do anything for me, so I am considering a deep red. But alas, we are still renting and the remodel will have to wait until we have a well ventilated space. Until then it is sitting in our mishmash mess of a living room. Which is OK because we are living like college students until we purchase a house. No sense buying furniture that won't match or fit into a new home! And in case you are wondering the milk crates are stacked and acting as end tables. :p

But it fits all my crafting supplies and fabric. It's fulfilling its purpose and that is a good thing.

This weekend I also picked up the book Sew U by Wendy Mullin with Eviana Hartman. It's the basic "how to sew clothing" book I have been craving. I finally understand how to read a pattern. It is not Greek! And understanding the basics of how fabric acts on the bias, weft, warp, etc... was a great for me. I mean I knew all the terms, but not what they really implied. Oh, and how to finish an edge. I never made garments before because I don't like unfinished edges and I don't have a serger. This book shows three different alternatives.

I can't wait to get started. Also while thrifting I picked up this ugly styled house dress with the most beautiful black and white print for $2. It's a few sizes too big for me, but a perfect item to try and refashion into something I would wear. I love the challenge of it! It's actually a hand-made item too. But the fabric is quite thin and it I wore any underwear you'd see it. So I also must make a lining for it or buy a slip. I haven't worn a slip since I was 6.

Once I refashion the item I'll show before and after pictures. It's a beautiful day today and plan on spending most of it outside!