Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Continuing to Stitch Along...

And playing catch-up for the last few days. That's what I've been doing...
I'm happy to say, I'm officially caught up to day 30 - whoohoo!
Here's what I've done.
Day 21: a piece of vintage tablecloth
Day 22: container of popcorn
Day 23: rose
Day 24: fish

Day 25: posies
Day 26: bumbershoot
Day 27: music notes
Day 28: lace flower
Day 29: heart
Day 30: sailboat

Only 10 more squares to go!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

25 Cent Toolbox Centerpiece

I've had this metal toolbox kicking around in the garage for awhile. Purchased for a whopping 25¢, it even came with tools!

On Friday, I spray painted it my favorite aqua/turquoise color and filled it with Martha Washington geraniums. A cute centerpiece in a matter of minutes.

I decided I needed a table runner so at noon, with company arriving at 5, I whipped up this white burlap runner, inspiration from here.

FYI, four layers of burlap is a real pain to sew through. Aaahh but in the end, so worth it!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Feeding Ducks & A Couple Roosters Too

We went and fed some of our local ducks today. They came waddling right over to see what we were offering. Two roosters didn't want to be left out of the feeding frenzy either. Boy did we jump when they let out a loud cockle doodle doo!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Bunnies Welcome Spring

I wanted to do a little spring sewing, so I whipped up a few bunnies to add to my etsy shop.
They make a sweet one-of-a-kind Easter basket filler.
But I think they look positively charming in a spring vignette!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Liberty Of London

Free time today sans 2 little girls. What do you suppose I did?
I wandered around Target for 2 hours!
I had to check out the new merchandise by Liberty of London for Target.

Wow, what a great collaboration with lots of cute items!
Many items were already sold out where I was, but I did grab a pair of wellies. Aren't they the sweetest?


I might have to get back to the store and buy another pair for the girls to wear 'cause I'm thinking these look too cute filled with pink tulips sitting on our mantel...

They make me smile!

Lollipop - Day 18

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Homer Love

You know, I've never met a Homer I didn't like...
I can spot one a mile away, and am immediately drawn in.
Maybe it's the colors, could be the patterns, I don't know, I just love 'em.
Last summer, I picked up 8 place settings of Homer Laughlin "pink rose".
One of my all time favorites.

I was so happy to find 4 place settings of Homer Laughlin "gold crown" while thrifting not too long ago.
It was the blue that caught my eye!
I'm slowly accumulating things for a kitchen redo and this blue is part of my new palette.
We'll be using these as our everyday dishes.

In the mean time though, they set a pretty table for my mom and hubby's birthday dinner.

Little Birdie - Day 17

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Friday, March 12, 2010

Wellies - Day 12

If I hadn't told you, could you tell what these were? It's challenging to "draw" with a needle and thread - aye yai yai.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Fancy Hat - Day 9

Sydney's concept on paper.
My square.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Day 8

Flea Markets Are So Great!

Timi knows how to throw a party! This definitely was the place to be Friday and Saturday. Wonderful vendors, and lots of great stuff. It was fun!! I'm pretty excited about the few things I bought. My first purchase - these fabulous pictures!
While shopping, I was immediately drawn to them, as I was pretty sure I have other prints by the same artist. The dealer must have noticed my interest, because she made me an offer I couldn't refuse! The prints now hang proudly in our tiny master bathroom.
Since finding the prints, I changed the direction I was headed with the embossart. I hung the two I have in the bathroom too, (and love them) but there's no need to get all crazy searching for more. Well, until the next flea that is..... Ha!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Squares 6 & 7

I'm having fun stitching a square each day. Both girls are having fun coming up with ideas for the squares too. I think Sydney has drawn enough ideas to fill up 20 of these samplers.
Their choice for day 6 - a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone. I'm bummed how it turned out. I think I should have started over since it turned out kind of wonky. We'll just say it's melting...
Day 7 - the ever cute sea turtle. Could you even tell what it was? Hmph - I think his head looks weird, but oh well.

Coming up next, sunshine!

Friday, March 5, 2010

I'm Stitching Along - 39 Stitches


Amy Powers stitch-along looks like to much fun to pass up! She has invited anyone to join her by stitching a square a day from March 1st to April 8th. To sign up, or just follow along, check out her 39 Squares blog HERE.
I'm playing catch-up since I found out about the stitch-along yesterday. I'm happy to say, I'm all caught up and on track. Whoohoo!
I chose a very springy pastel palette for my sampler. This will be a fun challenge for me, since I've never really done embroidery stitching. I'm already thinking I don't like doing a satin stitch - gosh, it's hard to keep those stitches straight and neat. Ugh!
Here is a breakdown of my squares so far:
Day one: a piece of vintage green variegated tatting
Day two: lavender daisy
Day three: cross stitch stars, tiny ric rac, and pastel beads
Day four: cherries
Day five: bunny

Time for me to check out the day 5 squares from other stitch-along girls - you should too!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

1940's "Embossart"


Uh-oh, I kind of have another collection brewing...
Quite awhile ago, I saved the above picture from a pile my parents had headed to the Goodwill. What I loved about the picture (besides being from the 40's) is how the image is raised - kind of three dimensional like.
I have the picture hanging in our master bathroom now, awaiting something more to go with it. A couple weeks ago, I picked up the below picture at a thrift store. It's the same embossed type picture and for three bucks, I had to have it!

Now, I want to cover one wall in our tiny master bathroom with these kinds of pictures. I've been inspired by my mom's collection of very old pictures she has covering some of the walls at the beach house and her house in town.
I have a long ways to go to fill our small wallspace, but at least it's a start.
I'd have an even better start if somehow I could find a way to sneak this embossed picture off her kitchen wall...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Winter Daphne

Grandma's Winter daphne is blooming, and it smells so good!

Daphne loves sharing her name with a flower, so we took her picture with it today.
You know, when we named her, I don't think either hubby or I had ever heard of the Daphne odora plant.
I actually chose her name while watching a movie when I was pregnant. I loved the character named Daphne.
And no... it wasn't a Scooby Doo movie. Ha!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Lunch Notes

What do I do every night before I go to bed? Create a lunch note!
Back in September when Sydney started first grade, it was an adjustment for her (and me) to be away from home all day. Afterall, it's the first year in her life that we aren't sharing lunch time together, and I miss her! To let her know I'm thinking about her, I include a note in her lunch. Lately I've been writing a silly joke that somewhat corresponds with a drawing. She looks forward to this each day, and tells me the kids at her lunch table do too.
I was surprised how significant these little lunch note have become to her.