Vintage Songbird

the black & orange

2011-10-31T07:30:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Let me tell you what all the rage has been around this joint lately... ice cream creation. An ice cream maker was all hubby wanted for his birthday, but the kiddos and I stepped it up by adding this recipe book and these pint containers, and having a batch of vanilla bean all ready before he knew what was going on.

But what we care about for this post is the pumpkin. Oh, it's goooood.

My first experience with pumpkin ice cream was four years ago at Indiana's Covered Bridge Festival, and I've always wanted more.

Other recipes we've sampled include dark chocolate, mint, chocolate peanut butter... but the underdog here was the ginger cream, which was absolutely amazing on pumpkin pie. I will definitely have it around for Thanksgiving. If you care, we got the Cuisinart 1.5 quart ice cream maker in white, and it's doing a pretty sweet job.

Mmmmm... get yourself some pumpkin goodness today too! What's your favorite?

caution: block puzzles are addicting

2011-08-17T13:34:00.008-04:00

I finally bought Jennifer Casa's book Crafting with Kids, and let me tell you, it is amazing. Some really, really fun new ideas (I didn't know you could make chalk!)... plus a lot of the classic crafts that I didn't know how to execute well, like kaleidoscopes, tie-dye shirts, and anything using polymer clay or shrink plastic. 75 projects, people. With tons of photos. This is going to be a fantastic resource for us for years to come.

So yesterday we dove right in and made some Story Puzzle Blocks for an upcoming little friend's birthday. Picked up a bunch of old picture books at the thrift store for about $5, plus some wooden blocks at Hobby Lobby (thanks, Miss Wendy!). This morning after a final coat of Mod Podge we had ourselves a lovely handmade gift.

We like it so much we're making more for ourselves today. Something about cutting up the pieces and then putting them back together, like a mosaic, is so satisfying.

Sure, I'm doing most of the work at this point... but a little 3-year-old loved taking the discarded scraps and making her first real collage. And creative freedom is really what crafting time is all about, right? Love it.

done and done

2011-07-28T12:54:00.005-04:00

I finally got 20 potholders finished for Homespun (only the greatest indie handmade goods store ever)... you wouldn't think potholders would take that long, but when they're each basically a different mini-quilt, it takes a while.

I'm seriously tempted to keep this one, though: the Heather Ross horses in the upper left (and also her matryoshka dolls in the bottom right), a little navy and chartreuse, vintage and Japanese fabrics... this one is calling out to me.

Homespun might only get 19.

hot colors

2011-07-26T08:59:00.004-04:00

For hot days!

I grew the dill just for the flowers. :)

Pitcher by Ryan VanHoy.

¡cinco de mayo!

2011-05-05T14:45:00.003-04:00

Claire and I busted these out paper-snowflake style just a bit ago.

Inspiration photo here.

This is one of the few occasions that I've remembered Cinco de Mayo before it's Seis de Mayo (or later). Getting ready to call in a take-out order from my favorite local Mexican place, and looking forward to some homemade guac tonight!

thrifty scores

2011-04-23T19:27:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you find goodies, sometimes you don't... and today I definitely did whilst at my local Goodwill. That they nearly all mix yellow and pink and florals... well, that was a happy coincidence, and just happens to echo my mood this time of year. Love me some corals, pinks, and yellows together roundabouts May.

pristine vintage sheet - major score of the day and may be destined for some kids clothes. It's so perfect though, I'm conflicted!

bag for me

summer dresses for her

ironstone planter

Not pictured: vintage luncheon plate with little pink flowers. :)

Happy Easter and a happy spring!

these shots heavily curated

2011-04-08T12:26:00.005-04:00

...lest you should think my house is spic and span. Nope... high chairs, puzzles, books, there's stuff everywhere.

Brought in all this purple and white today, my favorite spring colors.

clusters

stolen from the vacant house across the street... anyone know what these are? some kind of wild hyacinth?

bradford pear blooms, which admittedly stink to high heaven

grape hyacinths from our garden

Claire said we had to put the tulip with the others

so it "wouldn't be alone, and it will be their mommy"

31 years today

2011-03-30T14:06:00.004-04:00

And a lovely day it is shaping up to be...

french toast with peanut butter; waiting for more tea

my first birthday with this amazing guy around

last time it snowed on my birthday was 2nd or 3rd grade

accumulation

festive quilt top

a little craft time

Can't think of a better way to celebrate than to be cozy at home surrounded by my family. I am truly blessed.

the behemoth

2011-03-25T09:14:00.003-04:00

On this terribly chilly morning, I'm so glad I didn't put our beast of a quilt away during the recent warm front. 70 degrees down to below 30... spring in Indiana is such a tease!

my spot

I made this blanket about a year and a half ago. My husband's grandma gave us all these flannel and corduroy shirts -- 7 or 8 in all -- from his late grandpa, and Rusty was not going to wear them. I thought they looked like the perfect mix for a cabin-y quilt. Plus, we needed a blanket that two adults could cuddle under without tugging back and forth.

The back is navy micro-fleece, no batting, sewn up pillowcase style, then just tied together with cotton yarn. It's SUPER heavy, but so great on cold days. I'm pretty much the only one who likes the kitschy aesthetics of it, but no one can resist its snuggle power!

*tip: if you're looking for shirts to do a quilt like this, don't dismiss one that is pilled on the outside. Look on the inside... it's usually not pilled at all, and the coloring will probably be the same because plaids are typically woven.

happy neighborly day!

2011-03-20T14:37:00.004-04:00

We watch a lot of Mr. Rogers in this house... I mean, there's nothing (or no one, for that matter) today on television that even comes close. And Claire completely loves it. I was totally stoked to find out last week that today is "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Day, in honor of Fred Rogers' birthday. Count us in!

Cookies? Check.

Sneakers? Check.

Sweaters? Check.

A round of the show's opening and closing theme songs, sung for the neighbors? Oh yeah.

It's such a good feeling. :)

purplelicious

2011-02-15T14:29:00.005-05:00

Valentine's Day for me this year was more about purple than red or pink. Started out with receiving these goodies in the mailbox...

followed later by these...

and then these.

Maybe it's just the time of year, but I'm loving all those periwinkles in there! The fabric is for a pillow to (hopefully) enter in the SMS pillow contest. We go on vacation this Saturday, so we'll see if I get it done by then.

And I'm still aware that I need to post some 'after' photos of the doll house. Every time I remember to take pictures, it's either gray outside or a complete wreck inside (the doll house... yeah). Also, I need to fix some curtains that got torn down by, er, over-excited children on its debut.

tea time

2011-01-10T15:41:00.003-05:00

Christmas day: tea; grandma's towel

Since going out with some special ladies to a local tea room last month, I have totally fallen in love with tea. It's so soothing. I have never liked tea on its own, even with honey... but at the tea room remembered that I had liked it in North Africa prepared the English way, with milk and sugar. Since that revelation, there's been no stopping it.

Now I have justification for all my vintage tea cups and saucers!

God bless us...

2010-12-25T08:00:00.003-05:00

...every one.

Merry Christmas!

phase two: color & flooring

2010-12-23T21:04:00.004-05:00

So yeah, these photos stink too. So much for getting it out during nap time. Really going to have to do that for the next photos.

What's awesome is that I already had all these wall colors in small sample pots from when I was testing colors for our house. So, that was a freebie. However, I noticed at Home Depot that you can get sample pots of flat paint for about $3.

The floor was really sticky and would not clean up, so I went looking for some peel-and-stick vinyl. Even better, I ended up getting a roll of wood grain contact paper for a little over $6. With 24 feet, it was long enough to search for a matching section to line up the pattern when I had to make cuts. The floral contact paper I've had for many years and is a Martha Stewart pattern.

I originally wanted gray for the roof and trim, but hubby reminded me that this is a little girl's doll house and I didn't need to get too sophisticated. He suggested purple, and when I imagined a dark purple-gray I was totally digging it. So I picked this one out pretty swiftly (by necessity with two little ones in the cart at the hardware store) and I think it coordinates well.

Next time: what I did with this amazing Cynthia Rowley woven ribbon I found at JoAnn's!

phase one: prep & white paint

2010-12-09T16:03:00.005-05:00

I know these photos are terrible, but I have to work on this after she goes to bed, and the sun's been down for about 3 hours by that point. I'll have to bring it out during nap time for the next photos.

No matter how badly I want to get started on the real fun in any project (painting with color), I have to force myself to slow down and do the prep work... clean and paint those base coats. I didn't do any sanding this time though... the wood is already pitted and grooved and all sorts of stuff, so I left all imperfections and previous owner paint drips, for expediency's sake.

I'm actually a lot further along than this now, thank goodness. It's helped to keep it in the downstairs bathroom, which constantly reminds me to work on it so we can get it out of there!

I always wanted a doll house

2010-10-28T10:15:00.004-04:00

So when my mother-in-law said she found a big wooden one at a yard sale with all the furniture for only $40, I told her to snatch it up! For Claire. Right. Then I begged her to let me refinish it. I've always loved miniatures, maybe because I'm kind of a miniature person.

This is going to be the Big Gift for Claire's birthday at the end of the year. Here it is in its current condition:

And the modern dollhouse inspiration out there is too amazing:

I particularly like this last one, mostly because I have some similar paint colors already from some test pots I bought. Also, I think I could perhaps get some peel-and-stick vinyl in a hardwood print. This is going to be too much fun! For Claire. Right.

just enjoying fall

2010-10-27T11:37:00.003-04:00

it's august?!?

2010-08-19T15:01:00.003-04:00

Yikes, where has the time gone? Little Aedan is 4 months old, and summer is almost over (thank goodness). After thinking so often how I want to come back to this space, I have succumbed to the realization that raising a toddler and a baby doesn't allow for much, if any, down time. Especially after this past Tuesday, when Claire managed to brush an entire small tub of Vaseline in her hair, and the other tub onto everything else in sight. Four baths in less than 24 hours followed.
So today was something of a "let's bake some comfort food" day. The theme I picked for this week's library books was cooking and baking, including the super cute How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. I think we are going to have to buy it, because it's so darn amazing. We used the apple pie recipe in the back, and Claire had lots of fun... mind you, I have never made real pie or pie crust from scratch because I don't like it.

Let me just say, this was probably the best pie crust I've ever had, when I was sure it was going to be terrible. Maybe it's the turbinado sugar we sprinkled on top, but this might be changing my mind about pie crust.

And just maybe I made a peach pie with the other half of the dough.

For unknown reasons, she only ate two bites. I had to eat the rest of it. Too bad.

our little man

2010-05-06T14:43:00.003-04:00

Aedan Isaiah. Born 4.12.10.

And his sister loves him.

There are quite a few reasons not to have an epidural, and spinal headaches are one of them... a completely crazy phenomenon in which caffeine is the magic drug for unknown reasons, along with lying down. So I am just feeling more myself here in the last week or so as my spinal fluid builds back up... but there has been lots of snuggling, cuddling, and laughing over the loud grunts and growls of this little guy.

On the docket today:
*shower.
*maybe we'll make it to Target.

saturday inspiration

2010-04-10T15:01:00.003-04:00

A little Saturday inspiration, à la jcasa.
Knitting, sitting, waiting, baking, and waiting some more.

oh, and I got this done finally

2010-04-05T15:12:00.003-04:00

aedan's quilt

overdue

2010-04-04T22:23:00.004-04:00

Not only am I overdue for a post here, but today is the day little Aedan is supposed to join us... not that I give much weight to due dates, but it is surely special to be due on Easter. Although there are still about 90 minutes left in the day for something to start happening...

today: Easter in the park

lately: lots and lots of knitting

And I'm proud to say that the first thing Claire went for in her Easter basket this afternoon was the "hop-hop".

Hope you are enjoying spring & new life!

citrus fever

2010-02-14T15:32:00.004-05:00

rind rainbow

I've been on a citrus kick now that I can get more exotic citrus from my local organic food delivery service we just started ordering from. (If you live in the Indy or Cincy area, you must check it out.) Anyways, all the fruit from those peels is now a four citrus marmalade (recipe here). I can't say it's my favorite thing I've ever made... I have never really liked orange marmalade, but it just looked so good! And you never know til you try, right?

I'll just pour on a little honey to sweeten it more when I use it. I'm a sugar fiend.

breakfast for my loves

2010-02-14T10:05:00.003-05:00

cinnamon raisin bread french toast, with orange zest

Happy Valentine's Day!

sunday inspiration

2010-02-07T15:26:00.003-05:00

A day late for jcasa 's Saturday inspiration... but it's all the same.

scrappy chevron for baby boy

cleaning before the big game... love my steam mop!

a little white, a little blue... go Colts!!!

when you are sick...

2010-01-30T20:18:00.003-05:00

...fresh flowers are such a pick-me-up. I'm nearly 31 weeks pregnant and seem to have acquired many of the wintertime illnesses all at once. Not too fun. But a little over a week ago I started some paperwhite bulbs that I ordered in bulk back in the fall... a little green + white goes a long way!

The blooms pictured died out several weeks ago, but since December I've been starting new ones every couple of weeks and it has been awesome.

Also, some sickness-induced TV watching: I am very nearly about to bawl my eyes out over Sleepless in Seattle right now, as if I haven't seen it a thousand times. Also, did the same with You've Got Mail the other day when she has to close the store and remembers her mom dancing around with her there... and I don't even really like that movie very much.

Pregnancy hormones + sinus infection = lots of kleenex.

chocolate... stat!

2010-01-08T19:57:00.003-05:00

Rusty, last night: "Why is there no chocolate in this house?"

Well.
You don't have to ask me twice.

happy new year!

2009-12-31T15:35:00.005-05:00

Just ringing in the new year with a blackberry oven pancake, in a gorgeous mini tart pan made by my sister-in-law for us for Christmas.

Fortunately, I managed to freeze a bunch of farmer's market blackberries before eating them all this past summer. And fortunately, Christina makes amazing ceramics and is awesome. And no joke, this is how our eggs cracked up this morning:

Hope your start to 2010 is just as great!

Clafouti (oven pancake) recipe
from Gale Gand's short + sweet
(I halved this for our 7" mini tart pan, and it fit perfectly.)

1 c. milk
3 large eggs
1 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
2 c. fresh or frozen berries
confectioner's sugar for sprinkling

In a saucepan, bring milk to a boil and then immediately take off heat. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl; gradually whisk in flour, sugar, and then hot milk, whisking thoroughly til smooth.
If possible, set aside at room temperature for two hours for more tender batter, or refrigerate if baking the next day.

Oven at 325º. Grease a 9" round cake pan, pour in batter and dot surface evenly with berries. Bake 35-40 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve!

notes: It didn't seem to bake any quicker with halving the recipe. Also recommend thawing frozen berries ahead of time to release their extra liquid, and also because the berries seem to cause the batter to shrink up more around them if baking from frozen.

DIY is fun

2009-12-29T11:34:00.005-05:00

Okay, so I am SUPER DUPER proud of the play kitchen I made for Claire's 2nd birthday. And it was just in time too... the night before her birthday, she drug out every single pot and pan from the cabinets and every piece of Tupperware.

First, I have to say that I was heavily influenced by play kitchens on flickr, especially Jane Little's photostream. Also, it helps to have a brother-in-law who will let you borrow his hand jigsaw for an indefinite period of time. And a hubby who will figure out the oven door hinge situation for you.

Before:After:(more photos on flickr)

I re-purposed wood from the nightstand wherever possible, except the back needed to be a sturdier surface for the shelf, so my husband picked up a piece of birch.

The break-down:
Thrifted: bowl for sink, salt & pepper shakers, nightstand.

Bought: Wood letter 'J' for faucet, acrylic paints for knobs/burners, hinges/magnetic clasp hardware for oven door, hooks for utensils, tension rod for curtain, picture frame, scalloped trim for chalkboard, piece of birch.

Free/already had: white paint, knobs, blank cd's for stove burners, chrome hanger, vintage towel, fabric for curtain (Watercolor Floral in Darcey collection by Anna Griffin), chalkboard paint from my sister, handle for oven door, tap light, vintage salad picture from pilllpat's photostream.

All in all, I'd say we spent between $50-$60. And a lot of time out in the freezing garage!

a happy day

2009-12-27T17:30:00.005-05:00

happy leftovers. recipe here.

smiley free download.

white outside.

I think you get the theme.

party favors.

the big gift!

assorted flavors

2009-12-02T22:41:00.003-05:00

at the chatham center this friday!

raspberry sorbet, chocolate-covered blueberry, apples & cinnamon

chocolate chip cookie dough, mango & mint, peaches & cream

mr. zippy pillow-to-be

hoopla this friday!

2009-12-01T21:00:00.003-05:00

Please come see me and 45 other vendors downtown at the Chatham Center this Friday!

Then follow the beautiful King Park white rain barrel luminaries to Massachusetts Avenue for more holiday hoopla: parties, gallery openings, holiday carols, ice carving, shop sales + more!

I can't wait.

late november checklist

2009-11-20T11:19:00.006-05:00

Make Claire's winter coat - check.
(more on flickr)

Custom stocking order - check.

Make items for the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange Winter Mini - ummmm...

the high today is 70

2009-10-29T13:19:00.003-04:00

But it's autumn inside.
What we've been up to today:

inspired by rachel's

yum.

been a while

2009-10-19T14:04:00.003-04:00

Just been up to some fun fall stuff... like the Indieana Handicraft Exchange (which was awesome!), pumpkin patch, mending a fabulous wool blanket from my sister, etc.

I have loved aqua + red for a long time, but it was Elizabeth's mini quilt color combo over at Oh Fransson! and some projects by Constança at Saídos da Concha that finally made me do something about it. So I made this mini quilt over the weekend to hang on my daughter's wall, to take the place of one I gave away.A lot of fun vintage fabrics in here, of course. Feels good to do some quilting again!

holla!

2009-09-25T14:07:00.004-04:00

Screenprinting + sewing...
coming soon to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange.

sock monkey + giraffe

quilted linen + wool felt + screenprint apples

selvedge

patchwork

fat quarters

holla back

more autumn colorways to come

T-minus one week!

2009-09-24T22:23:00.005-04:00

I'm totally excited to have been chosen to be part of this year's INDIEana Handicraft Exchange... next Friday and Saturday! I'm teaming up with good friend and crazy cool artist Joel Rockey of The Mustard Room to make some killer totebags, pillows, and other odds and ends, utilizing both his fantastic doodles and some new designs from me. Previews to follow shortly...hope you can come!

The Stats:
INDIEana Handicraft Exchange
Friday, Oct. 2 6p-9p
Saturday, Oct. 3 10a-6p
Harrison Center for the Arts
1505 N. Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN

*featuring: 70+ vendors
*contemporary handmade clothing, jewelry, homewares, bath and body goodies, toys and more
*raffle prizes
*live music and the Naptown Roller Girls!

bts!

2009-08-10T21:14:00.005-04:00

So this is what the little sneak peek was about... used Sandi Henderson's "analise" pattern (same as this dress) to make up a little 12-18 month dress for one of my expecting friends. Baby will be born in the fall, so I liked doing kind of a back-to-school color scheme. You don't actually have to go back to school to look like you are, right? I sincerely hope not.Bodice: linen
Skirt: (did not follow the patchwork layout in the pattern) American Jane 'Recess', Denyse Schmidt 'Katie Jump Rope', Heather Ross horses, Bees Knees, and some vintage (of course!)

yay! times a thousand!

2009-07-30T22:28:00.002-04:00

Getting ready to head out of town, but I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who voted in the Spoonflower weekly design contest! If you want to snatch some up at cost, head on over to Spoonflower's Etsy shop, where they'll be selling it for the next week. Gotta go!

just some horsies

2009-07-27T12:03:00.003-04:00

For a special little baby girl who will be born in October. The mommy will receive it this weekend (wish I could be there!), so I'll post more photos after that.

extending the harvest

2009-07-26T20:46:00.003-04:00

Trying hard not to check the Spoonflower contest vote-count every hour. It's a nail-biter. Distraction:

Cilantro: it seems people either love it or hate it. I love love love cilantro, but never really use coriander seeds. But that might all change now that I'm drying my own... my cilantro got leggy and flowered, so after harvesting what skinny leaves I could, I knew I should preserve the rest. The paper bag is for catching any leaves or seeds that fall during drying (just cut holes for air circulation).

I've done three bunches so far, and they smell heavenly drying in the pantry!

fabric of the week contest!

2009-07-23T10:17:00.006-04:00

I'm super excited that my "Golden Delicious" design is in this week's fabric design contest at Spoonflower.com! (The diagonal line in the photo is the fold in the fabric.)

I would appreciate any votes you could send my way... I've got some stiff competition and every vote counts! First prize is five free yards of fabric, and Spoonflower will sell my design in their Etsy shop for a limited time.
Vote here (ends next Tuesday 7-28)
Real-time voting results

Thank you friends!

market day

2009-07-09T16:19:00.003-04:00

I've been reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (thanks Alicia!), so I feel like a total champ for buying something from nearly everyone at our local farmer's market yesterday, and like a complete loser for having not shopped there sooner. The bounty was plentiful.Market totebag is from SparklePower.

Best Wednesday night communion ever. Wine was not from the market but is local.

Awesome fresh flowers you will never find at the supermarket? $3.

It has been far too long since I shucked an ear of corn. My husband has juvenile diabetes, so corn is a Bad Veggie... but I couldn't resist.

weathering the storm

2009-05-27T21:20:00.002-04:00

An interpretation of Ephesians 6:13.
Kite and pieced binding fabric from stitchindye.

I can save up money when necessary

2009-05-22T00:04:00.005-04:00

I want this bag.
Bad.

RosenbergCph Fauna travel bag, wave green

My current duffle has been around for the better part of at least 15 years, and it's seen better days... most of which ended five years ago.

So I've calculated it would cost me $153 with shipping from Denmark.
Time for a yard sale!

mini quilt monday

2009-05-11T17:07:00.004-04:00

For stitchindye's mini quilt monday.
"Picnic at a Zoo", about 15"x15". I will probably put it in my shop soon.
I managed to do this over Mother's Day weekend, so I'd say that's pretty good!

still hopped up on caffeine here

2009-05-04T17:05:00.000-04:00

To piggyback on my previous post, I was also thinking (in my frappuccino java chip ice cream-induced all-nighter) about how I just love the softness and femininity of my 40s/50s/60s vintage linens... so when it's time for a re-boot, I'd love for it to be in some farmhouse with white wood floors and tons of character as the backdrop for all my lovely flowery things that are currently not being used.

Plus Swedish design too though. Some kind of IKEA meets a-coat-of-white-paint-cures-everything.

1. vintage tablecloths, 2. Untitled, 3. Geraniums Vintage tablecloth, 4. gingham made bed, 5. Vintage Tablecloth Collection, 6. big bundle, vintage sheeting fat quarters, 7. Untitled, 8. Vintage tablecloths, 9. Our "New" Bed Linens

p.s. I realize I've become slightly infatuated with the flickr mosaic maker. That's okay with me right now.

this is what a pint of starbucks ice cream at 9 pm will do

2009-05-02T23:32:00.000-04:00

(written Friday 3:30 am)
It took me til 3 am to realize why I was awake.

But in the mean time, my mind was racing with thoughts of farmhouse living. Having grown up in the suburbs, I'm sometimes torn between the idea of either living in a historic bungalow downtown in the midst of everything, or owning several acres of property in the countryside. More and more though I'm drawn to what I suppose you would call homesteading... an extensive garden, canning, quilting, keeping some chickens, keeping it simple.

There is a humility I admire about farmers and country folk... salt of the earth people who aren't afraid to work hard and get dirty. They like it, in fact. From the many, many drives I've made through the back country of southern and central Indiana, I find myself longing for a house on a hill and a stretch of land to call my own. With no homeowners association.

But for now I'm getting my feet wet in my (very) modest garden, still living in the suburbanite middle ground. Putting down roots... it seems that will come later.
1. Clothesline, 2. Dutton Farm, Frichton, Indiana, 3. Gardens at the Huddleston Farm House, 4. Birthday present

happy may day!

2009-05-01T05:04:00.003-04:00

A night of arranging flowers while watching Emma, and for a while all is right with the world.

This could be addicting, and may extend long after May Day.

may day

2009-04-30T11:04:00.005-04:00

Every year in my favorite magazines they usually have some sweet article about May Day (May 1st), and the tradition of leaving nosegays of flowers on neighbors' doorsteps. And every year I look at those sweet articles and let May Day pass unnoticed. But not this year!

So I needed some (free) vessels for leaving flowers on friends' doors, and came up with this little project. You can totally do this today. It takes no time.

You will need:
*old magazine
*glue gun/glue stick
*small glass jar
*short length of wire
*ribbon
*scissors/wirecutters

1. Prep your jar: I used a glass spice jar. Secure a piece of wire under the rim, then thread your ribbon under it on either side and tie it off. Make sure the ribbon is long enough to hang on a doorknob with the flowers sticking out. Cut off excess wire and push the tail of the wire against the jar as much as you can (or use needlenose pliers). Floral wire would probably work just fine too.

2. Tear out eight colorful pages from your magazine. Fold them each in half lengthwise, twice. Then fold halfway to the other side lengthwise, then fold once more to the edge.

3. Find the middle of one of your paper strips and glue down the fold so it doesn't pop up on you. Lay another on top to make a "+" sign and glue it to the previous strip. Continue doing this until you've glued all 8 strips in a star pattern. These should be laying right side down.

4. Glue down the outer edges of the strips, again so they're not popping up.

5. Place your jar in the center of the strips of paper (push the ribbon down into the jar), and starting with the strip closest to the jar, glue the strips to the jar.

6. Cut off the excess length of paper, then glue down any remaining pieces at the top that are popping up.

7. Tie another length of ribbon around the top into a bow, and you're done!

Option: if your jar is taller, glue two paper strips together to make one long strip so it will go up the whole height of the jar.

I like the pleated effect the strips make. I also did this with print-only pages for a black and white one, which I love too. Now all I have to do is buy flowers!

antiquing queen

2009-04-27T15:44:00.006-04:00

Little rolling cart in the perfect cornflower blue...
And I had to have this, because you see...
I have the other slipper.

too nice for the bathroom?

2009-04-16T15:07:00.002-04:00

Got these done and hung in the bathroom, but seeing as the lighting in there is, well, a bathroom, I took these photos out in the kitchen. And now I'm thinking maybe I'll keep them out here! Or make more....

new growth

2009-04-15T13:14:00.003-04:00

I've been busy up in this hizzy.
Is my white showing?

rockin' the ranunculus

hope this looks good

love those tiny bells

broccoli + cauliflower hardening

project: using the junk

2009-03-27T14:19:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was swallowed with a sick baby and other goings-on. So here's the next challenge: lots of empty wall space in a half-bath so large you could twirl around in it (why?), and in the guest bath. Also no money in the budget for art. So seeing as how the junk drawer is overflowing, I was totally smitten with this project on design*sponge:

kate's uncommon valentine project instructions

Junk becomes art! I have gathered materials for the above design, but also came up with a couple of my own. Instead of butterflies, I'm using some paper scrapbooking flowers I already have. I kept everything relatively flat though, because I'm not shelling out extra cash for shadowbox-type frames. All the items will be painted black as well:

I hope these are recognizable as a tree and a stylized branch with flowers/circles. They will be 10" x 13" when finished because that's the size of watercolor paper I already had on hand.

It feels good to use what I have!

project: bedroom update

2009-03-25T10:12:00.027-04:00

My previous chocolate brown headboard was bringing me down. I scoured the interwebs long and hard for a home dec fabric that would complement our pale blue bedroom walls... and that the hubby might approve of. If given my druthers I'd go all out, but I share this room with another person and he has opinions. I wanted something flowery and spa-like, and couldn't believe he approved of this Amy Butler print:R: "It's kind of... girly."
me: "Yeah, but there's no pink or lavender in it."
R: "Okay."

Here it is on our headboard, tufted with spare buttons that I covered, although it's not hung up in its true place yet:
This bedroom is also a little bigger than I know what to do with. So I thought a reading corner would be in order, with a chair I picked up off Craig's List for $20. Upholstery fabric is Amy Butler again.
My upholstery job is... questionable. But it is fully functional and I did the best I know how. The selvedge edge was just too pretty not to use, so I trimmed the bottom in it... still a little girly, but not fussy.

project: upcycled sweater wreaths

2009-03-24T14:19:00.006-04:00

First of all, let me say that I did not come up with this idea. I first saw one on Etsy's homepage and thought it was so simple and lovely.

Inspiration: wool wreath by hersheyismybaby

So I picked up some nearly 100% wool sweaters at Goodwill, felted them, and got to cutting. This was the longest part of the project... cutting out all those leaf shapes. Then I hot-glued them to some straw wreath forms (cheaper than foam ones) and voila!

These are going in our bedroom above our not-new-but-improved headboard... more on that (and a before-and-after chair) tomorrow! Now what to do with all those left over leaves... a pillow maybe?

project-ing

2009-03-23T12:29:00.005-04:00

Projecting: attributing your own repressed thoughts to someone else.
Project-ing: forcing all my repressed project ideas onto anyone who steps into this house.

Many family and friends have now been witness to (or a party to) the serious project-ing going on around here. My sister picked up a truck bed-load of mulch in bulk for me and helped me mulch all the landscaping. Friends have seen the Craig's List chair finds awaiting transformation and the Amy Butler home dec fabric for bedroom projects. While my husband and another couple play a "Risk"-like board game, I'm sitting close by hot-gluing felted sweater cut-outs for a wreath project. Another sister walking into the craft room sees the broccoli sprouts growing under the flourescents and the fabric groupings on the floor hoping to become more fabric wreaths.

And there is so much more. Perhaps too much. But once I get excited about an idea I have to get started! So to stay motivated about actually finishing them, I'm going to post photos of these projects and more this week.

But for now, here's a celebration of spring! Sadly, these beauties did not come from my own yard... had to buy them.

erin go bragh!

2009-03-17T12:38:00.003-04:00

These first two are from a couple of years ago, but I love the green.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

yellow = warm

2009-03-02T10:25:00.009-05:00

It's so cold today, so we are staying upstairs... which means good incentive to work on things here in the craft room!

A box of old sewing stuff was donated to a nursing home my friend works at... they couldn't use any of it, so she gave it to me (thanks Margaret!). One of the items inside was this awesome vintage folding yardstick! Now it's on the shelf above the guest bed in my craft room. I will not show you the mess below, because it is embarrassing.

And for a long time I've been meaning to take a photo of this gorgeous crocheted chrysanthemum by suili. Her work is really beautiful. I had been wanting it for so long, and finally bought it a month or so ago. It's even bigger than I thought it would be, and so sunny! Definitely check out her shop.

friday morning

2009-02-20T11:52:00.003-05:00

Just a few things making me happy this morning... including my latest swatches from Spoonflower!

don't play like you gnome me

2009-02-12T13:01:00.003-05:00

That title doesn't have anything to do with anything. I just liked the play on words.

These are a sweet little custom order.

a conversation on modern design

2009-02-02T13:36:00.004-05:00

Hubby and I have some conflicting views.
Paraphrased discussion:

R: "So what are we going to do on that wall?"
me: "I have some ideas. There's something in my Etsy favorites I've been wanting to get."
R: "What is it?"
me: "A big vintage letter M."
R: "A big M?"
me: "Yeah, you know, like our last name."
R: (silence) ....... "That's weird."

marquee sign, SalvageNation

cataloging

2009-01-30T10:26:00.008-05:00

This started out as a mini quilt for Claire, but it ended up being a showcase for every vintage fabric I've ever owned... of those I have left, anyhow. Some I like, some I hate, some I wish I had bolts and bolts of... but in this venue I think they all look wonderful together. So it turned into a catalog of sorts, and I love it hanging in my craft room.

All the little scraps that weren't big enough for squares on the front I turned into a crazy patchwork for the back.
This is my first time quilting with linen, and let me just say... I like. It's so crisp and shows off the quilting so nicely. It won't be the last time.

the view from here

2009-01-28T17:13:00.004-05:00

Not much to say other than it's been very wintry, can you tell? 12 inches... yay!

Today was great for projects that have been on the back burner, like the lampshade for my little antique iron lamp. Instead of trim I opted for a blanket stitch. Blankets.... mmmm.....

aprons all around

2009-01-21T12:09:00.003-05:00

We are all sick here, but still trying to have a little fun.
What could be more fun than vintage aprons?

just a winter day

2009-01-14T12:33:00.003-05:00

is this a lush woodland scene, or...

2009-01-13T10:41:00.008-05:00

...my new terrarium!!!

My sister Alicia and I spent all Friday night gathering materials and making these puppies. There are some great instructions here, and we definitely did the step with activated carbon to keep the water clean through each cycle. Mostly because we don't want to have to mess with these ever again.

Before:

After:

We had to buy most of the materials, except the moss came from my backyard, as did some of the rocks.

Incidentally, after I was already planning on making some terrariums, I received my latest Country Home which had a great article about them. Sadly, next issue will be that lovely magazine's last. I'll miss you bunches, CH.

laptop cozy

2009-01-08T12:03:00.005-05:00

Here is a fun little project I did for my sister... it was her idea when she spotted a pillow cover she liked at IKEA. Then all it took was a layer of batting and felt quilted all together. The pillow cover already had a zipper at one end, which made it easy.

Order of operations:
1. Cut pillow cover to laptop's size, remembering to leave enough for seam allowance. Put the zipper* where needed before cutting. It's easier to quilt if you cut all existing seams (save for the zipper, of course) off the pillow cover. You now have two rectangles of fabric held together by the zipper.

2. Cut batting and felt to fit each rectangle of the pillow cover.

3. Layer batting on wrong side of pillow cover, then layer felt on top of batting and pin in place. Do this for both sides of pillow cover.

4. On one side, quilt all layers together in desired pattern. I did simple straight lines several inches apart. Repeat for other side.

5. Put the right sides of the pillow cover together, pin, and sew around the three open sides. Be sure to have the zipper halfway open or so before sewing!

6. Bind the seam by serging or sewing a tight zig-zag stitch around the raw edges.

7. Turn inside-out and you're done!

*This will only work with a plastic zipper that can be cut, not an old-school metal one. Pretty much all zippers on new pillow covers will be plastic, though.

i love that my sisters love etsy

2009-01-07T12:07:00.008-05:00

dainty tree vase from BROOKLYNrehab

'loop' tea towels from flying rhymes
'marcia' earrings from elizabeth williams

And what could be better than fabric-inspired makeup? My sister the awesome makeup artist gave us all marimekko for Avon. This is the eyeshadow... I don't know if I can bear to use it!

And word is I have some Australian screen-printed fabric on the way. Yay!

season's greetings!

2008-12-30T23:01:00.014-05:00

A tad bit belated, but hey... I made it before 2008 ended!

This holiday season has been such a whirlwind, I'm finally getting to post photos of some of the stuff I made for Christmas gifts. (But mostly because the recipients just opened them a few hours ago.) And, I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of the felt pine cones I made for my mom before I gave them away. I was inspired by (cough cough, okay I copied) Stephanie Barnes' snowcones. They turned out lovely and my mom loved them.

And oh my. How many fabric wreaths I made from jcasa's free pattern. My sisters loved them.

My little girl turned one at the end of the year as well. This was her party dress... the pattern is "analise" from Portabellopixie. The skirt fabric is vintage barkcloth-era drapery.

here's to new beginnings

2008-12-13T17:09:00.007-05:00

My best friend from middle/high school and I lost touch after she got married and I moved away from our hometown. Nine years later, after reconnecting through the internet, we got together for the first time at my baby shower last year.

My friend told me that after all this time she still uses a quilt I made for her back in high school. She just recently gave birth to her second boy... so I thought it appropriate to make another quilty something special.

today's project

2008-12-01T15:14:00.005-05:00

Actually, there is more than one project going on around here, but this one is the most fun:

brown kraft paper + carved eraser + acrylic paint = wrapping paper!
This stamp design is great because it can also be leaves on the top of stamped pears or apples, or back-to-back it could look like a butterfly.

Also, my fabric swatches from Spoonflower came!

The yellow is a little too lemony bright for me, and the red apples have a darker border I'll have to get rid of (neither of which can be seen in the photo, actually).

And a far more tedious project... I decided to check out my blog posts in IE rather than just Firefox... and discovered some posts were laid out terribly! It took forever, but I fixed them. Having done some web design before, I should have known to check that a long time ago.

Hope you're having a crafty holiday season!

early Christmas

2008-11-28T13:52:00.011-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love it when this happens?

Several awesome things I ordered came in the mail all at once today. A couple of them are Christmas gifts, but they might as well have been gifts for me! The beautiful packaging and extra items are so wonderful. Especially from Johanna at 12fifteen, who sent two extra letterpress coasters and cards! Wow!! You know I'm keeping those for myself. And Betsy at foundling's items were, of course, just lovely.

Feast your eyes upon the beauty.

Also, lately I've been craving some handwork in the evenings... just to sit downstairs with my hubby and have a little peaceful project while we chill. So I picked up a couple vintage stamped embroidery linens on eBay.

Since the ink should fade once I embroider and wash them, I'll probably do the birds' eyes differently.

giving thanks

2008-11-26T23:46:00.003-05:00

Many wishes for a peaceful day of thanks with those you love.

p.s. -- I'd like to say "thank you" to you all by offering 20% off all the items in my shop.

just for you

2008-11-25T12:07:00.002-05:00

In the shop now, and more being added soon.

perfect saturday morning

2008-11-15T12:24:00.003-05:00

socks for chilly floors
wrapping up in quilts
rain on the windshield
kings of convenience
long's bakery
bavarian cream

the gift that keeps on giving: water buffalos

2008-11-13T11:49:00.006-05:00

Last year, my husband's side of the family decided we didn't need to spend money on useless stuff for each other for Christmas. Instead, we bought chickens, Bibles, school uniforms, and even a cow for families in Uganda, and that was our gift to each other.

This year, my sister-in-law knew some aid workers that were going to Nepal soon, so we all did Christmas early and gave enough for them to buy a water buffalo.

Here is the e-mail from the aid worker:

Just to let you know, there is a small village in rural Nepal who had eleven buffaloes we had purchased for them that was flooded and ALL their livestock died, leaving them destitute. We were able to purchase a new, healthy buffalo for this village with your donation. The people were SO HAPPY and thankful. This one buffalo will help support them until we can get more. Essentially, it will keep them alive.

Thank you and your family for doing this.

Please consider doing Christmas differently this year, and check out this fantastic video. I've watched it at least 15 times.

vintage reproduction

2008-11-09T00:18:00.009-05:00

I've been totally stoked about Spoonflower (design & print your own fabrics!) ever since I first heard about it a few months ago, but this is the first chance I've had to play around with creating any designs. I don't have any kind of background in graphic design, although I have learned to use The Gimp (it's free!) over the last few years, and just this week downloaded Inkscape (free too!) in order to draw freehand. I used the tutorials from MammaMade, and they were incredibly helpful.

This is a pattern based off a vintage fabric that I only had a little snippet of. It will be a pretty small pattern... and I changed up the design and colors some from the original. It took a little fudging, but I finally got it to tile nicely.

Does anyone know what the copyright laws are for vintage fabrics and feedsack? I've seen reproductions for sale that are exact replicas (I know because I have the originals!), but I don't know if the designer had to buy the copyright to replicate it. I'd like to be able to offer some reproductions or re-workings of my favorites for sale in my Etsy shop, but I don't want to run into any trouble!

Update: Found some great info over at True Up and through numerous Google searches... but the boundaries in this area are murky at best. It seems being clear that the fabric is based on a vintage design, and not of your own design, is the best way to go. Determining whether a fabric is in the public domain seems next to impossible.

it'll be a nice day

2008-10-31T16:10:00.001-04:00

I know what I'm watching tonight...

2008-10-30T14:56:00.015-04:00

The wreath is done, and I even have a good amount of patchwork left to make a pillow or two to go with it.
Plus, I realized that it's so Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas.

I flipping love that movie.

fall inspiration

2008-10-29T11:32:00.005-04:00

I've gotten done all I wanted to for the craft show this Saturday, so I'm taking a break making things for others and instead making something for myself today: a fabric wreath inspired by jcasa's patchwork wreath tutorial. I don't have much fabric in an autumn colorway, so I picked up some sumptuous scrap wool at a local quilt shop. I used a fishtail stitch from Molly's wool blanket tutorial. I've decided I'm making a fabric wreath for every season.

And now, let me seamlessly segue into entering Jen at jcasa's baby quilt giveaway... she makes the loveliest quilts with such fun fabrics. I always love the Japanese fabrics she throws in. That said, if chosen for the giveaway, I'd love a quilt in greens, blues, and browns, as inspired by her cozy patchwork scarf.

And here's a sweet little babe who would just love it.

mini quilt

2008-10-13T11:10:00.007-04:00

Here is my mini quilt for the scrap challenge, yay!! I'm so proud of myself for getting this knocked out in the time limit (1-2 weeks), and I had fun making it of course too. I have a feeling I will be making more mini quilts from my own scraps come this winter, and displaying them in Claire's room for her to use some day for her dolls.

I cut the scraps into 2-inch-wide pieces of varying lengths... then some of the scraps that were cut at an angle had to be used as well, so I sewed them to white muslin to make them 2 inches wide. I think the angles make it so much more interesting than something I would have done if I hadn't had to use all the pieces.

The backing and binding are from the fabric I contributed to the challenge.

Now, off to work on items for the craft show November 1st!

scrap challenge

2008-10-10T18:05:00.004-04:00

I received my scraps for jcasa's scrap challenge the other day! For those of you involved too, I'm in group 7. The challenge is to make something using ALL the pieces... and I think I'm going to do a doll quilt. I'm in the mood to actually quilt something, and I've never done a small doll-sized quilt. I think it would be cute hanging up in Claire's room until she gets old enough to use it. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

berries & birthdays

2008-10-08T13:57:00.003-04:00

berries + angel food cake = breakfast.
thanks mary & margaret.

Rusty's birthday is Friday, but we're taking this to house church tonight.
Enjoy your Cubbies cake sweetie... just don't choke.

a benevolent monarchy is best, though

2008-10-04T01:56:00.015-04:00

Sigh.
I don't get political here because I can get so riled up.
But, I feel like the only one in the crafting world who thinks Barack Obama is nothing but a vapid fad.

That said, I would love to vote for the only candidate offering real change. And then he could deliver my baby. Were I pregnant.
Dr. Ron Paul, your revolution continues. And may the government fear its people, not vice versa. (Thank you, V.)

Downtown Evansville, IN.

Incidentally, if you want to know how our economy got in this mess far before any mortgage crises, check out this seriously fabulous video series by Chris Martenson. His bio is most interesting.

blogger series: people I know

2008-09-29T11:31:00.013-04:00

The first blog I'll be pimping in this new little series is that of my good friend and rockin' artist, Joel Rockey. His blog, A Rockey Home Companion, is always filled with his artful music and musical art flowin' like owen from his studio, The Mustard Room. Joel and I met in college: we jammed on campus ministry worship team, I learned his uncle had been my algebra teacher, and his now-wife of many years Miranda and I were roommates. Now, Rusty and I are so blessed to be living close to them again, and have enjoyed their company many an evening. Oh, and they have a new little bundle of joy, Olivia, who is keeping them up at night.

Stay tuned to Joel's blog for the much-anticipated return of the Aural Supplement (awesome podcasts) to RHC. And if you're headed to the Indieana Handicraft Exchange this Saturday at the Harrison Center for the Arts here in Indy, catch Mr. Rockey playing some tunes at 11:15 a.m. I will be.

getting started again

2008-09-28T17:24:00.010-04:00

So probably against my better judgment, I've decided to be in a craft show at the beginning of November, sharing a booth with another Etsy seller. I was hesitant because my inventory is like, nil right now. But, I need the kick in the butt. With all that we've had to do to get our new (to us) house up to par and get settled in (still not finished with that part) and all the bursts of creative energy spent, I've been pretty unmotivated to sew the last couple of months.

But I'm starting to get excited about it again... Sandi Henderson of Portabello Pixie (and a couple of fabulous fabric lines) just put her children's clothi ng patterns up for sale. I bought the Analise pattern for Claire's 1st birthday party dress. And something about autumn just draws me to the sewing machine to make fun and snuggly things in the evening hours.

p.s.- Is there anything better than a pile of scraps? I am not throwing these away. They will become something. Which reminds me: I am SO excited about jcasa's scrap challenge... I should be receiving some scraps from her in the near future, and I have no idea what I'm going to make.

p.p.s.- I am going to start writing some posts about my favorite blogs that have been inspiring me to create, while I've been in my un-creative trench.

quick quilt = not so quick

2008-09-21T12:43:00.006-04:00

So, I wanted to have this quilt done for the guest bed in time for my in-laws to use it when they were here last week, but that didn't happen. Some unexpected problems delayed it... let's just say, don't put "tumble dry low" on a quilt insert if there is ANY chance of it melting into hard pieces and getting all over everything in the dryer (I'm looking at you, IKEA). "Line dry" would have saved me a bunch of time.

Some prints are vintage, and a couple are from IKEA.

stitching + love

2008-09-11T09:10:00.004-04:00

A birthday gift for my aunt... a collage of items from her late mother's sewing basket, which I now proudly own.

to do: buy more from jcasa

2008-08-27T14:31:00.008-04:00

Fun in the mail! Today I received my order from jcasa. I love her style, and I fell in love with this list-taker that graces the tutorials in her shop. I thought it was a shame, however, that after finally ordering something from her, I didn't choose anything involving linen, which she often uses.
Hmm... might just have to do something about that.

Some wonderful little extras. I'm currently wearing the little hair barrette she sent too.

fun at the fair

2008-08-16T23:10:00.023-04:00

I LOVE the State Fair. I haven't been in years, and it was so fun to go with my husband and daughter for the first time. Beautiful weather... we had a blast!

1.the midway 2.fried zucchini 3.yo-yo quilt 4.carousel 5.squash
6.horse & buggy 7.kids 8.third place

now that's more like it

2008-08-06T16:30:00.004-04:00

Vintage feedsack found today at the Noblesville Antique Mall... couldn't resist!

am I alive?

2008-07-31T22:19:00.005-04:00

Yes.
Barely.
Okay, perhaps that was a bit dramatic.
But is there anything better than new carpet?
Perhaps a pedicure after three months of transition finally starting to come to a close.

By the way, I'm hoping to start up my Etsy shop again in maybe another month, now that we're moved but not exactly settled. Sigh.

it's a twister! it's a twister!

2008-05-26T22:51:00.006-04:00

"Sometimes" by erin tyner photography

During times of stress, major change, and chaos in my life, I routinely have dreams about tornadoes... a fitting symbol, having lived all my life in the Midwest in "tornado alley". Sometimes I'll even have the dreams several nights in a row. So considering that I had been packing up our apartment for the last four weeks, packed the truck on Saturday, and made the big move on Sunday, it's surprising I didn't have a dream with a twister until just last night... after we were already moved into our temporary housing.

The nice thing is that nobody really gets hurt in my tornado dreams, they just cause a ruckus... which pretty much mimics the stressful life event at the time.

organized chaos

2008-05-20T23:40:00.007-04:00

And:

Goodbye, little green desk. Or rather, big green desk. You are far too heavy to move with. Enjoy your new home.

first mother's day

2008-05-11T19:18:00.003-04:00

A little flower with Claire's fingerprint's in purple.
Your daddy did a good job!

I'm moving!

2008-04-30T01:02:00.003-04:00

...to Indianapolis in a month. We'll finally have a house, and I can't wait. Here's my Etsy treasury to prove it.

where I want to be

2008-04-20T18:41:00.002-04:00

On a hill with a pink candy tree.

fabric for generations

2008-04-14T11:20:00.014-04:00

My grandmother was such a special woman... the matriarch of our family to be sure. After she died, I was able to pick out some fabric from her fabric stash. One was a lovely tiny yellow floral, which I incorporated into my daughter's baby quilt. Now my cousin is due in June with her first child, a girl, so I wanted her to have some of it as well. Every time I look at Claire's baby quilt I think of my wonderful grandmother... now my cousin can do the same! (I don't think she reads this blog... at least let's hope not!)

This was my first time machine quilting free-style with the darning foot... I think the flower/loop motif was very forgiving of all my mistakes. Most of the other fabrics are from the "Swell" line by Urban Chiks. I figured the blues, greens, and yellows will be great for any of my cousin's future kids, whether they're a boy or a girl.

sometimes it's the little things

2008-04-10T15:23:00.002-04:00

Like purple tulips.