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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

Progress and Kites

The other day we decided to go kite flying. Ellie saw "Miffy" flying a kite, and she really wanted to do it. So, I went out to find us some kites. I ended up getting two inexpensive, resusable kites at Walgreen's. They both worked really well.





I remember trying to make my own kite as a kid--from dowels and Wonder Bread bags. The kite was pretty, but wouldn't fly. I recall dragging it down our street in Northvale trying to get it up in the air. I'm sure there was no wind at all that day!




We went down to Seaside Park and there was a wonderful, strong breeze blowing off the water. Sorry my pics are so bad--I was simultaneously flying a kite, keeping an eye on Robin, and taking pictures.

It was just such a sweet, simple activity and so much fun. We want to do it again soon. We also want to try to make our own kites.

And, I made a little progress on my cloth napkins. I have five done now. I'm actually going to try to make another one tonight...

Our Tree and Cloth Napkins

First, some photos of the lovely tree in front of our apartment...

Next, a work in progress...

Our family has been using cloth napkins for nearly five years now. We recently got all of these beautiful dinner napkins from my mom's, but they are enormous. So, with inspiration from Chez Beeper Bebe http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/06/cloth-napkin-project.html and Quince and Quire http://quinceandquire.typepad.com/quince_and_quire/2009/10/a-little-more-cheer-for-monday.html, I decided to cut them down and make them into cuter and less unwieldy napkins. I've only completed one so far, and I imagine it will take me quite a while to make as many as I'd like. Sewing rickrack was another new adventure, but as they say, practice makes perfect.

Yes, progress is slow for me. I usually only have a few precious minutes each evening to do some sewing or blogging. Sometimes, I can do a little sewing while Robin naps and Ellie does her own art alongside me.

Most nights after I put the girls to bed, I'm ready to collapse. I'm amazed at the moms who keep up with their projects and their blogs!