Friday, May 28, 2010

Magic Buttons

Magic buttons, he's got half a dozen...



What's gonna happen when you push the first button?

What's gonna happen when you push the second button?



Okay, we are really into the Wiggles around here right now.



But, these vintage buttons ARE magic. I found a whole BOX of them at my neighborhood consignment shop and got an amazing deal. Oh, I love these little gems, and am thinking of lots of things to do with them! Somehow, I'll find the time.


Sunday, May 23, 2010

Tea Towels


My Aunt Patti recently moved to a new house in Indiana. I embellished these dish towels for her as a housewarming gift. I bought the towels at Make & Mingle, and the fabric is California Dreamin' Blue Bodega Bay from Freespirit Fabrics. It was a quick project--something I think I could make for a future Etsy shop. In the meantime, I'll be hunting down vintage dish towels from the thrift shops! I really want to make new things out of old things...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Pink Tablecloth


This is a little section of a retro pink tablecloth that I found at Goodwill. I have discovered that when I start my own business that I want to make things out of vintage tablecloths, napkins, placemats, and tea towels. These are always my favorite things to find when I go thrifting. This pink tablecloth is definitely a favorite find! Shortly, I'll be posting a little item that I made as a gift recently. I think it's going to be a prototype for the future Splendid Blue Wren shop...stay tuned.


Saturday, May 15, 2010

Patchwork Appreciation

I've always loved patchwork things. But, ever since I took my quilting class, I've really come to appreciate what goes into making anything quilted, and anything handmade for that matter. I found this Christmas tree pillow at my local consignment shop. I think it cost a $1--it was among discounted Christmas items after the holiday. I loved it and gave it to Ellie for her bed. She loves it too. It's a year-round decoration for us!





I found the pillow cover behind the tree at Goodwill. It too, was a dollar, but I know someone, somewhere worked very hard on it. I wish he or she could know that it's still being appreciated. It sits on Ellie's bed right now, but it will go on Robin's bed when she gets into one (sniff, sniff).



The patchwork quilt in the photo was mine before I met Brendon. Recently, I had it cut in half and sewn into two small quilts for the girls (wasn't a sewing job I could handle). The quilts are small, but fit the IKEA day bed(s) perfectly. I was so happy to reuse that beautiful quilt in a new way!



Here are some more photos from the girls' room...



This dog I bought at IKEA many moons ago. I just love him.


Some of our favorite books...




And, my vintage Raggedy Ann from when I was a little girl.


Friday, May 14, 2010

Mickey Mouse Belt

Hello,


Sorry I've been away for so long. I'm having a hard time keeping up with my blog and my creative projects. I'm behind on laundry, cleaning, correspondence, and paperwork, too!





Anyway, here's a little something I made today. Ellie always wants to put on Brendon's belts, which are enormous on her, of course. So, he came up with the idea to make a belt for her from his old Mickey Mouse necktie. I found this little vintage belt "buckle" at Make & Mingle. I cut the tie down to size (actually I made it a bit big for her so she can wear it for a while) and just sewed the end by hand onto the buckle. The skinny, pointed end of the tie is the end of the belt, so no sewing necessary there.





Cute!