Vintage Chenille

My top 5 favorite textiles of all time, includes vintage chenille.

 Nothing compares to its fluffy, cuddly goodness.

I'm kind of a chenille hoarder.  Collecting since 2005 - this stuff is addicting!

Over the years, I have made many quilts, jackets, toys, handbags etc... 

You name it, I've made it with chenille.

I don't sew with it as much as I'd like to anymore, but when I do, I'm reminded how much I love it, and... how much of a mess it creates in my studio - ha! 

The other day, I pulled out a variety of white chenille bedspreads from my stash and put together a quilt for Daphne's teacher.  

Both our girls had Mrs. Emery for 1st grade so we decided to give her something extra special from us, since our time with her is over.

It's probably a funny gift to give a teacher, but I wanted to make something that was useful and she could enjoy for a long time.

And... who doesn't like to snuggle up under an extra cuddly blanket anyways?

Even though the calendar says summer,

Seattle's temperature this past Friday, was 57 degrees F.  Brrr brrr

We're still waiting for SUMMER!

 

Flea Market Finds

oh, and finds from an estate sale too...

  Over Memorial weekend, while we were up on Whidbey, we hit a couple flea markets and an estate sale. 

I ended up with a few treasures, some I'm keeping, and others I'll resale.  

  

It's always fun to get out and do a little junkin'!  

Horseback Riding

Sydney's Girl Scout troop celebrated the end of the school year, with a trip to the Flying Horseshoe Ranch.  It was such a fun experience for the girls (and moms too)! 

For a keepsake from the trip, I made each girl an apron. I had a couple western/horse theme fabrics in my stash that worked perfectly. The girls looked really cute wearing the aprons while they finished up our dinner preparations.

Sydney loved every moment spent walking, brushing, saddling, and riding her horse Beulah. 

Guess who wants a horse now - ha!

Snowballs & A Laundry Soap Bucket

I've been patiently waiting for one of my Viburnum trees to bloom.

Today was the day everything popped!

Not much makes me more happier than cutting a few bouquets of these beauties.

Well, maybe except for... filling my favorite find from last years Farm Chicks show!

Parlor Chair Makeover - Painted Upholstery

 

Have you ever thought about painting upholstery fabric?

I hadn't, hadn't even given it a thought really.

I've had this cute parlor chair for over 5 years.  I bought it with the intention of reupholstering one day.

Well that never happened, but I did do the next best thing.

Paint!

 

Instead of the not so pleasing harvest gold, she is now the perfect shade of cottage white.

It's amazing what a little latex paint can do.

I didn't add any fancy fabric painting additives to my paint.

Just used it straight out of the can.

It took 3 coats of paint to cover completely.

This fabric took the paint really well,  the new texture is similar to canvas.

Given the chance, I'd paint fabric again.

Would you try it?

Garden Markers From Repurposed Forks & Tin Molds

Aren't these cute?

Somehow I found this site and was inspired to make my own garden markers.

I used a variety of tin molds and vintage silver plate forks I had on hand.

Aluminum tape is fun to play with.  I bought mine at Home Depot.

Instead of using silicon, I riveted the pieces together - works much better I think.

Although I don't have many plants in my garden, these markers sure make what I do have, look cuter!

Not Your Granny's Cart Anymore

Lined vintage market carts.
Another "to do" crossed off my list, and it feels so good!
I have had the cherry vintage tea towel stored away for a long time, it was nice to finally use it so it can be enjoyed.  That liner might be my favorite - then again, I do love vintage Glen Court barkcloth...
With the upcoming vintage flea market season upon us, there was no better time then the present to get these babies ready for some serious junkin'.
If you love shopping the shows,  lined vintage market carts make toting around your treasures that much more fun!
Hoping they go to good homes soon.