Mommy, Daughter, and Dollie

I've been working on a set of Mother, Daughter, and Doll Christmas aprons.  These are my experimental models.  I will be making some of these for family members (I'm not telling).  I've purchased some cupcake fabric for one set (yes I did actually purchase some fabric).  But the fabric above was from my stash.  It was purchased at JoAnn's after Christmas sale a few years ago.  It was perfect for these aprons.  I purchased a book with the child and doll apron patterns but designed my own adult apron pattern.  They are reversible.  Thanks to my friend Susan for her help with this.  I'm pleased with this set and think it may be listed on Etsy.  If I get my Etsy shop back open in the next few days.

Vintage Pink Crochet

I found this little crochet booklet at a antique mall in Kentucky last month.  When I looked inside, I saw the most wonderful crochet items in pink.  Today I'm sharing them with you on Pink Saturday.

The booklet is by Coats & Clark's ONT and is titled New Quick Tricks to crochet and knit.  Original cost 10 cents.  Dated 1954.  I was disappointed when I got it home.  Some of the pages are missing but I still love the great images.  The "Glass Jackets" remind me of those being made today by crafters.  My favorite is the "Happy Chappie" pot holder.

Both my mother and grandmother crocheted.  My grandmother traded her crochet for other handmade items.  There was a magazine in the early 1950's (don't know the name).  In the back was a list of the names and addresses of people who wanted to exchange their handcrafted items.  She exchanged some of her lovely crochet pieces for  rag dolls for my sister and I.  I remember the lady lived in Texas.  I wasn't very old (maybe 4) but I still remember that little muslin doll with the blue dress.  Oh how I would love to have that doll today.  As I think back on this time,  my grandmother was one of the first craft traders but hers was by snail mail not the inter net.  Things really haven't changed much when it comes to people trading their handmade art with other artists.

I learned to crochet as a child and in college I made vests and things with granny squares.  I them graduated to making doll clothes for my little sis's Barbies and even made a really cute sweater for myself.  My last projects were afghans for our home.  I haven't crocheted much in years but I'm seeing those crocheted flowers and thinking I need to make some of them.

Thanks for joining me for Pink Saturday.  Special thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting this weekly event.  Check her blog for a list of other participants. 

Another Vintage Hankie Tote

I completed another Vintage Hankie Tote yesterday.  This one I am donating to a fund raiser for Delta Kappa Gamma (a group of women educators).  Funds raised will go to support women in education and children.

Again I used fabric from my stash.  Some left over from the last tote.  The hankie was given to me by a friend.  She would be pleased to know that it is being put to good use.  I added one of my "Sew Vingtage Chic" tags to the handle.  Hope it received some bids.

Fall Centerpiece

I put this little Fall centerpiece together for the table.  The base is a copper charger that my son and daughter-in-law purchased for me in Mexico.  They bought a total of 8 of these copper chargers as my Christmas present a few years ago.  They are handmade and lovely.  I made the pumpkin a few years ago from a quilted metallic fabric.  It is much brighter and more colorful than the photo.  The pattern was in a magazine.  I made a few with cotton fabric for family members and this special one for myself. 

The acorns are from the oak trees on our Ky property.  The leaves are the ones I made with my Janome 11000 embroidery machine in September.  I probably should put a table runner under it but I like the simplicity of the piece.  It's easy to move, if needed.

Vintage Chic Fabric

I found 4 yards of this great vintage fabric at the thrift store today.  It still had the price tag attached from Penney's.  4 - 1.00  Didn't have a date but can you imagine getting 4 yards of fabric for One Dollar at Penney's!  I'm thinking 60s or 70s.  It's cotton and I've already washed it.  It needs pressing but looks great.  I love the vintage colors.  Even though it's blue, it has a Christmas feel.  The design reminds me of abstract pine cones and pine needles.  Can you see it too?

I'm hoping to decorate for Christmas with blue and white in my newly painted light blue living/dining room.  Maybe I'll make Christmas stockings from this fabric with some vintage lace or vintage hankies around the top. 

I must thank Linda from Itsy Bits and Pieces for inspiring me to go thrifting today.  Check out her Goodwill shopping.

Fresh and Fancy Table Runner of the Month

This year I joined the Cotton Way Fresh and Fancy table runner series from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Kits are shipped each month.  They are complete with all the fabric needed to make both sides of the table runner and binding.  You just supply the batting.  I have found them to be great little projects for my time at our vacation home in KY since everything I need is in the package.  I must admit that I do not complete each table runner as they are sent.  I completed the one above in October and it is actually the February one. 

I love the Moda fabrics that are included in each kit.  I also completed another runner in October and will share it tomorrow.  They will make wonderful Christmas gifts for some of the special people on my list.

Vintage Hankie Tote

I just completed this Vintage Hankie Tote this morning.  The tote is simple to make.  The focal piece is a vintage hankie placed on the diagonal on the front of the bag.  Bag is lined and top edge is finished with fabric binding.  The vintage hankie was given to me my a friend.  I couldn't believe it when I found this fabric in my stash.   It is a perfect match to the lovely hankie.  As many of my regular readers know, my goal for the year was to use fabric from my stash.  So far I've been quite successful in finding projects that work well with my stash.  To add to the vintage look, I added a vintage crocheted flower cut from a a crochet piece I purchased at a yard sale in KY.

Now on to another Christmas project.