Old Fashioned Wall Hangings

A long while back, during the Christmas season, our credit card was compromised, and so I had to make handmade gifts instead of buying them. I just ran across them in a box recently, so I thought I would share them. I got into making ribbon roses. I mean I went wild and crazy making them! So now I have enough to last a lifetime. I would make them while in the waiting rooms of doctors offices, at night in bed; and when we would go on a trip to make the time go by. So, I have made a lot. And I mean A LOT! I use them when I’m making my mini art quilts. 

Here is one of them:

Supplies used:

Scrap of velvet for the background

cardboard (cut in a circle)

batting (to glue on top of the cardboard circle)

ribbon (to make ribbon roses, as well as to frame the picture)

lace (to go around the frame)

laminated picture

pins (to attach the pearl beads)

trim (around frame)

Fall Is Here!

I love Fall! It's one of my favorite seasons, next to Winter, Spring, and Summer!  ;-)

It's a crisp cool feeling. 

I've used warm colors to make this "WELCOME" sign that is on my front porch.

"Suitcases" Stacked & Turned Into Table

These are "faux" suitcases I purchased at various nearby craft stores.  The old vintage ones—and who doesn't have any, are still in our garage that are way too high for me to get to. Of course TonyB, thinks I already have too much stuff in the house—what husband doesn't, so I won't ask him right now. 

Anyway, what do these faux suitcases have to do with sewing you ask? Well, aside from the functionality of stacking them to use as a table, as well as being aesthetically pleasing; inside are various sewing stuff, such as fabric stash, ribbons, and anything that has to do with, well sewing! "Sew" cool—right!?

I really have to be creative in hiding putting my sewing stash elsewhere around the house, since my sewing room, spare bedroom, 3-car garage, and old original garage converted into another spare room, that I'm not sure what to call it, are already full!

These are pretty boxes that I stacked...

...and covered to use as another table.

Antique Vintage Linen Napkins Turned Into Sachets w/ Lavender and Flax Seed

Throughout the years, I've been collecting old vintage linen napkins. They've been sitting in a drawer for years. Beautiful, aren't they? They're so so soft, and you could tell they have a premium quality to them. A few are slightly stained in some places, but that adds to it's uniqueness and beauty.

I thought I would reuse, repurpose, and transform them. One idea was to make small 4" x 4" square sachets. They were made using Sizzix Bigz Clear Die Square Scallop #655776. The sachets are filled with lavender and flax seed. That way, you could also put them in the freezer or microwave and place them on what ever hurts to sooth. The smell is relaxing--so I hear. (I have no sense of smell--really! I have one of my daughter's help me mix the lavender and flax seed together.)

 My beloved mother loved the smell of lavender. These sachets are small gifts of thanks to people I know.  I have plenty more of these old linen napkins, so I will be making a lot more to give away. 

Cinco de Mayo 2013

My husband "TonyB" loves to cook. In fact, he is the cook in this family. Here is a sampling of what he made tonight. Tacos that were made with grilled rib eye-steak! I not only ate it, I inhaled it!

Whimsical or Shabby Chic Decor for a Little One's Birthday Party

I made this whimsical decoration for my beautiful little granddaughter for her one-year birthday party at a park. The banners, including the one with her name, was made using Sizzix dies.

After, I brought this home to keep in my yard for a while.

Goodnight Baseball as Illustrated by Christina Forshay

It has been quite a while since my last blog! Too many things happened, one of which was my back surgery. Totally unexpected!  I am fixed and feeling much better now. Maybe I'll post about it one day.

On to more important things. My darling daughter, Christina Forshay, did it again! Her newest book she illustrated, Goodnight Baseball, was officially released this month. The first picture below, is what I took from her blog.

Please excuse me while I put on my "proud mom hat," to brag a bit or two! The front and back covers are beautiful. No jacket needed because they are so shiny with something called spot gloss. The cover also has a vintage look and feel to it. Christina's book was spotted at a Barnes and Noble.

Taken from Christina Forshay's blog

Picture I took of the front cover

Picture I took of the back cover

Below is a review taken from Publishers Weekly:

"Created in partnership with Sports Illustrated Kids... Forshay’s (The Really Groovy Story of the Tortoise and the Hare) energized illustrations are a high point, handily conveying the excitement of a nighttime game, while smoothly bringing the mood down as the boy falls sleep on the drive back home. ..."

A Whimsical Apron Made by Fay

A few of weeks ago, I met this wonderful sweet woman at a JoAnns store. Her name is Fay. She made aprons that she gives away! Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal, but the aprons she made obviously took a lot of time to make and are absolutely gorgeous and whimsical.

With her permission, I snapped a picture of the one below. While we were chatting at the store, she was approached by other shoppers to sell her aprons. She said that she makes them for free, and it wouldn't be fun to have to make them for people for profit. This picture doesn't do justice to the real thing. All of her aprons that she brought to the store were awesome! I took her phone number, as I would love to see more of them.

Missing Our Mothers

Ouch! I can't believe I haven't blogged in a few months! And…I don't have any excuses. I really meant to blog, but time just kept getting away from me. Believe me, I truly admire those that manage to keep it up--you know who you are!

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  This is the picture I use for everything.  Mom, I miss you now and always!  God Bless to all of those who have lost their Moms and think of them everyday--I know I do.