Another Family in Fabric Page

This is my second page for my Family in Fabric book.  This page shown my Grandma.  She always wore button front dresses.  I'm showing two photos of her with a button front dress.  They aren't exactly like the pattern but very similar.  She also always had a belt as does this pattern.  The vintage Butterick pattern is from the 1940's and so are these pictures of Grandma.  The other pattern envelope is one for a pattern she ordered  from the newspaper.  The address is in her handwriting.  My aunt gave me this envelope when I told her I was making the fabric book.

The fabric is from a vintage brown and white polka dot apron.  If you look closely in the bottom left you can see the edge of the pocket with lace edging.  The laces and vintage buttons are from my stash.  I have a box of vintage jewelry and a page dedicated to my Grandma wouldn't be complete unless it had a necklace.  You can see her wearing one in the photo with my grandpa.

I will bind the edges of the page but haven't yet figured out how I will bind them together.  For now I'm just turning under the edge where the book binding will be.   You can see my first page here.

"J" Quiltie - Jack of Diamonds

This is my April quiltie for Fabric in Altered Arts 2 Yahoo group.  We are doing quilties (6" x 6") with letters of the alphabet as the theme.  Penny, our hostess, selected Jack of Diamonds as the theme of the "J" quiltie.  I decided to focus on the Jack as also representing the number 11.  Since the Jack of Diamonds is red, I used red jewels instead of diamonds as embellishments.  Other embellishments are from my stash of game pieces.  The background is needle felted fibers and trims on a red background fabric.  I continue to work on my goal of "Using stuff in my studio" for my projects. 

Quiltie will go in the mail to Penny today. 

Thank You Fabric Postcard

This is a Fabric Postcard that I made for my friend.  We had an early birthday breakfast last week and I received a lovely candle and gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.  I decided to make a Thank You Fabric Postcard.  The heart is paper-pieces from fabric I received from Wanda of  A Frayed of Fibers.  I won a give-a-way on her blog last year.  After sewing the paper-pieced heart, I attached it to PelTex, added a backing fabric, and stamped THANK YOU  with  StazOn ink.  The edges were finished with a satin stitch in variegated thread and last I added a tiny bow. 

Fun way to say Thank You to a special friend.  It will be mailed tomorrow.

Beautiful Pink Flowers - Homer Laughlin Empire Green

Happy Pink Saturday

Look what I found at the thrift store this week.  Aren't they lovely.  They are Homer Laughin's Empire Green pattern.  When I saw the three pieces sitting there, I knew I wanted them.  I then checked the prices and I "double knew" I had to have them.  The large oval platter was 99 cents.  The vegetable bowl was $2.99 and the square plate was 69 cents.  Less than $ 5.00 for all five pieces.  They are in excellent condition.  I used the platter for fruit just last evening.  I think they will make great serving dishes.  I found the oval platter and serving bowl on Replacements, Ltd.  The Round Veggie Bowl was listed for $36.99 and the oval serving platter for $33.99.  I realize no one probably pays their prices but it did make me smile!

I thought the lovely pink flowers in the center of the dishes was just the thing for my Pink Saturday post this week.  Hope you enjoy looking at these beauties.  The quilt in the background was a gift from my friend, Susan.  The lovely fabrics just "sings" Springtime.  Hope you are experiencing Spring weather this lovely weekend.

For more Pink Saturday posts check out the list on Beverly's How Sweet the Sound.  Then "hop" on over to the Rose Chinz Cottage where you will find the most lovely things in pink.  There are flowers, tea cups, and lots more pinks.

A Touch of Vintage Apron

This is an apron I designed for Stampington's Apronology magazine.  They kept it for almost two years and finally returned it this week with a rejection notice.  Now I'm posting it here and it soon will be added to my Etsy shop.

I designed the pattern and used this lovely floral fabric that I found at the thrift store.  I just love the pink floral print on the blue background.  When I saw it, I knew I could make something lovely with the fabric and the price was right.  It survived the washing machine (the first thing I do to all thrift store purchases). 

I also found the vintage linen piece with lovely lace edging and embroidery stitching at the thrift store (I believe it is part of a dresser set).  The lace around the edges of the piece is so delicate and lovely.  I believe it is tatting.  I added a floral pocket to the vintage linen and then attached to the bib of the apron.  I added vintage lace to the bottom of the apron.  I thought it turned out really nice.  This is only my second rejection letter from Stampington.  I have been very lucky in having my designs published in Somerset magazines so I can't be too disappointed.  

 

Refashioned Jewelry

I've been experimenting with refashioning vintage jewelry with crochet fabric strip medallions and chains.  I listed one piece in my Etsy shop and it sold.  I actually used  fabric selvage  for the pendant that sold on Etsy.  I've made a few more but haven't listed them yet. 

Yesterday I decided to try using vintage seam binding for the crocheted medallion.  These are the two pendants I finished yesterday.  Each medallion features a brooch.  The top one is Monet.  There is no mark on the fish.    The medallions are attached to a simulated pearl necklace.  All these items were purchased at the thrift store.  I will be listing these on Etsy tomorrow.

Pink Saturday

Welcome to Pink Saturday. 

I am sharing two Bernard Picture Company prints in their original frames.  I believe they are from the 40's or 50's.  Some of these prints have dates listed on the back but these do not.  They are similar to prints from Turner Company.    You sometimes see them listed as Eames era prints.  

I found these two prints at a thrift store last year.  They are in their original frames and the frames have discoloration in a few places.  I am planning to hang them on the wall in my studio.  I just love the delicate colors and the vintage feel of the prints.  Hope you are enjoying your Pink Saturday.  For more Pink Saturday posts check Bev's blog How Sweet the Sound. 

Today I am linking to T's Daily Treasures.  Please check her blog, you will find some great posts there.

Thanks to all my friends in the blog world for stopping by and saying hello.

Easter Book is finished

I have finished the Easter book for my cousin. Here is a picture of the finished book. 

Easter Book Part II

These are the final pages of my second Easter book.  I left the final page blank so she can add a picture of all three grandchildren in the same picture.  They didn't email me one of all three and I'm sure she would like to have one in the book.  Book is now ready for rings and ribbon on the edges.

These are so much fun to make.  I'm having fun using up a small portion of my scrapbooking supplies.  (A goal for the year)  The only thing I had to purchase was a UHU glue stick. 

Another Easter Book

I'm just finishing a second Easter book.  I am making this one for my cousin in Kentucky.  She say the photos of my book and liked them.  I decided to make one for her.  They emailed me some photos.  I'm hoping she likes this book.  I'll post the remaining pages later today.

Playing Dress Up Quilt

This is a little quilt I made for my niece, Alexa.  Years ago my sister had given me some of Alexa's baby clothing.   She had been cleaning and didn't want to just throw them away.  So asked me if I would like to make something from them.  I've had them all this time but could never come up with just the right project.  The fabric was so thin that it would not make a quilt unless I added stabilizer.  So they sat in a bag in my studio.  Over the years I would look at them and think "I need to come up with a project".

Last Friday I attended the Arizona Quilters Guild Quilt Show.  One of the vendor had this little quilt on display.  It is called "Playing Dress Up"  by Renee Plains.  I purchased the pattern and made the quilt on Saturday and Sunday.  It went in the mail Monday and today Alexa called to say the quilt had arrived at her home.  She was so excited and plans to hang it in her daughter's bedroom.  I'm so glad I finally found just the right project for Alexa's baby clothing. 

Easy Ways to Pretty Frocks 1929

I am working on a altered book "Family in Fabric".  You can see my first page here.  I came across this little book in my vintage pattern collection.  It is dated 1929 and presented by The makers of Clark's O.N.T. Threads.  Today I am sharing with you the front cover and two pages on Developing a Plain Dress.  Click on each photo and you can read the instructions for developing your pattern.

Tomorrow I will post two more pages on how to use your pattern to make "frocks".

Hope you enjoy these pages.

Letter "I" quiltie - Inked Image

This is my March quiltie for Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  We are doing the alphabet and this month's letter was "I".  The theme was inked images with embellishments.  This is my nigthscape.  The background and moon are "inked" with Paintstiks. They were samples from a class I took last year.  I came across them while organizing my studio and thought they would make a great quiltie.  (My goal is to use "stuff" in my studio.)  The embellishments are crystals and Stickles.  The moon is red paintstick over yellow fabric. 

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

Welcome to Pink Saturday

This week I walked into one of my favorite Goodwill stores and this little adorable bunny was sitting on a shelf just waiting for me to take him home.  Isn't he the cutest thing.  He is dated 1961.  Manufactured by the Arrow Rubber and Plastic Corp.  After doing some research, I think the company also made the little rubber dolls of the 50s and 60s.  He is in excellent condition.  I gave him a nice warm bath. 

I just love his eyes.  They appear to be glass and in his early life opened and closed.  They will now close about halfway when you lay him on his side.  I think he may have had eyelashes but they are now gone.  The bunny is large.  Measuring over 10" tall and 11" long.  He was marked $1.99 and I had a 20% off coupon.  Total cost $1.59.  He is now on display with my other Easter decorations.   I simply love thrift store shopping.  You find the most interesting items. 

To see other Pink Saturday posts, check the list on Beverly's How Sweet the Sound.

Family in Fabric

My sister and I have been planning a family album featuring vintage fabric and patterns.  Our inpsiration was an article in Sew Somerset last year. We have discussed many methods of construction but I think we finally have one that will work.  We still have some details to work out (such as how to bind the pages). 

This is my first page.  I may add more embellishments and the outer edges will be finished with white binding.  I'm waiting to borrow my sister's large crop-a-dile before attaching the transparency collar pattern.  I think I will use colored brads. 

The fabric is from a vintage apron.  I purchased the apron in Kentucky.  I think it was a 4-H apron from the 50's or early 60's.  My actual dress was a white background with little blue flowers and blue rick rack.  It was made my mom in 1955.  She was an excellent seamstress.  My love of fabric and sewing and choice of a career are due to my mother's love of sewing.  She kept her old Singer busy sewing for my sisters and I.  Sadly mom passed away at the age of 58 but she left us all with great memories of   our "Family in Fabric".

Final Pages Easter Album

These are final three pages of my Easter Album.  I forgot to scan pages before assembling the book.  The photos aren't as clear and when I scan flat pages.  I love this little book.  The final touches were to add rings and ribbons.

Easter Album Part 2

These are the next four pages in my Easter Album.  The top two are photos are my two lovely granddaughters in their Easter dresses.  The photos were taken last Easter.  I decided to use vintage Easter images for the next two pages.  I'll be adding some family photos to the last few pages.  This has been a fun project and it allows me to use my stash of papers and embellishments.  Thanks to Two Crazy Crafters for the inspiration for this project.

Easter Album

I've been away from blogland for over a week.  Illness in the family and a quick "girl's trip" kept me away.  I'm back with some photos of an Easter album that I'm working on.  This is the title page and the first two pages of the album book.  My inspiration was a Valentine Album by Twyla and Lindsey on the Two Crazy Crafters.  If you haven't visited their blog, you are in for a real treat.  Their work is wonderful.

The Crazy Crafters album was made from paper bags.  I'm using a recycled children's book.  I cut the pages from the book and sanded them before glueing on the background paper.  I plan to use scrapbook papers in my stash and other embellishments from the studio.  (My goal for the year)  These two pages include Easter photos of our sons, Paul and John.  I'm planning to use the granddaughter's photos on the next pages.