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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

hmmm...

I made this pillow out of a very old hand embroidered (by someone else) pillowcase. It's soft, probably from being washed so many times, the lace is definitley a bit shabby from age-I kind of like that. The needlework is impeccable and the color is bright snowy white.
In my imagination, the woman who made this was an excellent keeper of the home, evident by her meticulous needlework and laundering skills.
It made me think of my grandmother, my mother's mother. She lived in Ireland, I spent only 3 weeks with her when I was very young during a visit there. I was there only once and she never ventured to the states. She did, however, always know what was going on in our lives as we did hers. She called me "Emmy"
From what I understand she was a strong woman who was widowed young and to support her 7 children she made hand embroidered tablecloths and other linens.
As I go to garage sales and thrift stores in search of previously loved linens. I often find myself pondering how life was so different for the women of previous generations.
I'm quite sure in my imagination I romanticize what it must have been like.
I wonder...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Lulu and Tutz...

I loved this boutique the very first time I stepped foot in the door. It is like walking onto a page of Romantic Homes, Victoria, or Country Living Magazine. So Pretty!
If you live locally and haven't been yet, it's located behind the Creamery in Strasburg.
It's a feast for the eyes!
I met with the two lovely sisters who own this place today and they will be carrying some of the pillows and other things I make. Soooooo exciting!
Here are some of the vintage pillowcase dresses...
recognize the pillows on the couch...
Here in the kid's corner, are some of my tooth fairy pillows.

If this wasn't exciting enough....and for me, it really was.

When I got home I checked my email, there was a note from Lulu and Tutz.
A woman had come in just after I left and bought five of my pillows!!!

Sometimes I think God just likes to blow our minds a little and show us
His love in extravagant ways. Things like that just don't happen on there own.
This day has His fingerprints all over it.






Wednesday, April 16, 2008

sewing...

I love to make something new out of vintage and thrifted materials. Here is a sampling of some new pillows I made recently. The lighting for these pictures wasn't fabulous.
I love the pink dot chenille found recently at a tag sale. Some have some new fabric but the trim is vintage, thrifted or recycled.

The green and yellow stripe one has some old hankerchiefs and a vintage white button.

I love the old pillow ticking, so pretty. I recently saw some similiar pillow ticking at Joanne's, looked similiar, but it just wasn't the same, at least to me.
Using old stuff that people don't want anymore and giving it new life
is one way I try to keep it a little "green".
I hope to be selling some of these real soon, details to follow...

a few more reasons to love him...

and he brought me these just because...

Monday, April 14, 2008

signs of spring...

flowers and laughter...
exploration...hopscotch...
friends...

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Thursday, April 3, 2008

welcome wreath...

I am not generally a fan of artificial flowers, however I do like a wreath on the front door. I just think it looks pretty and very welcoming. I really like it to at least look real, like the flowers and colors could actually occur in nature.

I made this one for someone else, I have to work on another one for our door.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

wardrobe malfunction...

"Mommy my pom pom came off, so I fixed it".

As I look down and see her little ankle wrapped in scotch tape.
Oh how she makes me laugh!