Here's a little sample of my Christmas decor. I have been busy decorating instead of sewing. I should be sewing.....I have many things to sew. But instead I find myself baking, decorating, and spending time with the kids. Tis the season for family......sewing can wait a few days or weeks.
Booth details.
Here is my *late* November booth.
More coffee cup bling.
A couple of new bags.
A western themed sling bag.
I have been making these adorable coffee cup cozees with scraps left over from sewing aprons and bags. The great thing is that they are washable and reusable -- and best of all -- they give your latte or coffee a little bling!
They are really simple to make. I had to break down and buy a latte from Starbucks (awww shucks) so I could get myself a template cardboard sleeve. I use contrasting fabric on the inner side and inner-facing to give some insulation. I also used pony tail holders or elastic and vintage buttons or fabric-covered buttons to form an expandable closure. I have made some in seasonal and non-seasonal prints. Simple and pretty.
A new home decorating store is opening in a neighboring town in a few weeks, and luckily for me, the owner asked me to make a few things to consign to her store. I'll have to wait and see how well consignment works. I hope to be able to go to her store before it opens and take a few pictures to show you -- I can write more about the particulars later. In the mean time I wanted to give a sneak peek.
The store owner, Diane, LOVES french country.
My table runners are all completely reversible and complementary
This is my favorite table runner by far.
Finally posting some pictures of my outdoor fall decorations. I made this pumpkin and squash topiary from simple things we had on hand, and best of all -- it is super easy to make! If you don't grow your own pumpkins and squash, I'm sure you can find some similar vegetables at the store to use. Last year, I just used pumpkins stacked one on top of each other. To glue the vegetables together I used super strong {construction adhesive}. Contractors use this stuff on everything from flooring to drywall and everything in between. We just happen to have some laying around (gee...I wonder why?) This stuff GLUES.....glues EVERYTHING.
Then I wrapped and twisted slender birch twigs around the topiary to cover the glue showing in between the layers. Viola! See, I told you it was easy.
The kids were anxious to make a scarecrow this year. I must say, he does look pretty scary......and lumpy bumpy. We stuffed him with leaves -- a supply we have no shortage of around here.
He loses his head almost daily (didn't want to use the handy construction adhesive on the bouncy ball head -- it would never come off!!!) And the other night during a very windy spell, he lost his head and torso! He has also lost his hands because of {this dog} who just happens to have a leather glove fetish. Poor scarecrow.
Corn Maiden of the Palouse -- she greets you partway down our driveway.
Here are some quick photos of my booth this month. I had to rush things to get the booth ready for last weekend -- Hullabaloo -- a fall celebration in our town. For about 1 1/2 years, I just sold pillows and had a very small display. I decided to take a step of faith and expand my little "store" when the space became available.
I plan on making many more bags
This antique display hutch is the center of my booth.
More to come......more aprons and bags, reusable fabric coffee cup sleeves, nursing covers (aka hooter hiders), fabric remnants, little girl ruffle pants (baby and toddler size), and *maybe* note cards made from some of my photos.
This is my first apron. I named the design "Betty" after my only living Grandma. (My next one I will name in honor of my Grandmother that has passed on). This apron was not as hard to make as it looks, and I love the vintage-looking print. The only thing I would change at this point is to somehow add pockets.
Betty is being modeled by a vintage dress-form that I scored at an antique/junk shop that is closing. The model has seen better days, but who hasn't, right? Actually, she probably looks better than me right now -- four babies in 8 years will do that to you.
Ruffles
Mercy me! This is to show you how the apron straps cross in the back instead of tying at the neck. The straps could tie in back or the front, as I have tied them. This strap configuration is quite comfortable. Betty is currently on display at my Farmhouse Accessories booth in Grady's Corner. I will post pictures of my booth later (hopefully tomorrow).
I have been sewing. Imagine that! Here is my first bag--it is a market bag of sorts. The pattern is after Anna Maria Horner's Multi-tasker Tote. The fabric is all Amy Butler.
There are 4 pockets on the outside, and one on the inside.
I love the colors.
The inside pocket with loop.
Remember when I said that September was supposed to be my month for sewing? Ha Ha. (And I don't think it is very funny.) I'm sure you know what it means when I say, "Life gets in the way." And it didn't help any that I decided to hand texture the walls similar to what I did on the ceilings. It looks so much better. The old orange peel texture was more like pea gravel texture, and so the smoother plaster-like texture is a nice respite from the former busy looking walls. But all that texturing took a LONG time and then I had to prime everything (ceiling and walls)...... and a certain little baby girl, who is not so much of a baby anymore loves to get her hands in EVERYTHING.
I guess that when you have a major renovation of your living area, it usually takes longer than you think it will. The good news is: I now have some furniture in my living room (after 3 months of the furniture in storage in our old garage).
Do you like the color? I LOVE it. Let me amend that statement -- I LOVE the color during the day-- at night: not so much. At night, the green goes from a sagey green to a greeny sage. Not sure what if anything I will do about it (i.e. will I repaint?) I spent many hours agonizing over picking the paint. I bought way too many samples, poured over all my paint chips time and time again, picked one color, then another, then another. I even wrote a "Vote for the right color post" on my personal blog. I finally just picked my favorite color and went with it. The color is "Georgian Green" by Benjamin Moore (and not one of the first colors in the running.) I think I maybe should have just stayed with one of the golds. Who knows? For now, I will just live with it because having furniture in the living room seems so much nicer than repainting. Besides, I NEED to SEW!!!!!
I especially like this picture, it is on the front cover and inside, and I find it very eye catching. The flowing drapes and table coverings would not work so well in my house, although I still love them. What I REALLY love is the slipcovered dining chairs. The fabric softens and feminizes them. When I get my living/dining rooms painted, I will get my dining room chairs out of storage and show you the slipcovers I made for them a couple years ago.
I tend to like French country fabrics -- a lot. Mmmmm--the colors, toiles, florals, animals, textures--all appealing.
More slip-covered dining chairs in a more modern setting.
Even more slip-covered dining chairs-- parson style.
