Etceteras: vintage button snowflake

I was invited to a Snowflake Party. Now, I know for most you that won’t sound strange but many people will be wondering what the heck a Snowflake Party is. For instance, when I told my family that dinner would be a bit delayed because I was finishing my project for a Snowflake Party – they gave me that blank look that I often get…   A Snowflake Party is basically a group of bloggers and a hostess all creating a themed project. Fun!

Sew & Tell: sentimental vintage treasure

My friend recently gave me a bag of vintage linens and sewing notions that were her late mother’s. Although they were treasured items she had no need for them and told me to make some pretty things with them.

Show and Tell: printable paper buttons

How cute are these printable paper buttons from Ez at Creature Comforts?

Creature Comforts is one of my favorite blogs and Ez is so generous to share her creative talents with everyone.

Ez hand painted each button design and then scanned them into her computer to create the printable templates.

It’s the hand painted effect that gives these buttons their extra charm. 

Head on over to Creature Comforts for daily inspiration and this super cute download.



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Sew and Tell: vintage button display

 

I’ve been thinking about how to display some of my vintage buttons and decided to use embroidery hoops for frames. I grouped the buttons into color categories.

Brown buttons on grey flannel

White and cream buttons on beige feed sack cloth

Green buttons on white cotton

Each button is so unique and I love the detail on them.

Now my vintage buttons can be displayed and enjoyed instead of being tucked away. 

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This project is linked at the following:

And other link parties that I participate can be found here.

The Inspiration Board: falling for fall

It’s time to get serious about chestnut brown, moss green and pumpkin orange. Summer flowers can be replaced with acorns, gourds and twigs. And cool summer drinks and fresh fruit will become hot cocoa, apple cider and pumpkin bread. I love autumn and all the colors, sights and smells that come with this season.

For added inspiration, I created a fall inspiration board. The images are a mix of magazine clippings and images found online. I mounted them on cut up grocery bags and used my vintage button tacks to pin them to my board.

Happy Friday! Hope you have an amazing weekend.

Etceteras: my vintage favorites

I love vintage goodies. Here are some of my favorites that I’ve collected over the years.

1. Demitasse teacup and saucer. I have a set of these and they’re stamped Made in Occupied Japan which dates them between 1945 – 1952. I think these have become quite collectible.
2. Vintage coat buttons. Love these huge buttons in pretty fall colors.
3. Frankoma pitcher in sunny yellow. So cheery.
4. My grandma’s quilt. Amazing fabrics.
5. Enamel pitcher – a flea market find – great to use as a vase.
6. Vintage cutter tablecloths. I've used bits and pieces on so many projects.
7. A tiny vintage iron used for doll’s clothes.
8. Peppermint extract. I’ve never used any but it’s been slowly evaporating over the years. Oh well, at least I’ll always have the bottle.
9. My grandma’s sewing notions.

Going through these photos has inspired me to create a project with a vintage theme - which may require a trip to the thrift store for additional inspiration.  Can't wait...thrift store = fun!

Sew and Tell: home ec and my tomato pincushion

I’ve had the same tomato pincushion since high school home ec - which by the way, is no longer taught at my high school. The home ec room was turned into a computer lab some time ago. I can count myself as one of the lucky few who left high school knowing how to make a wrap skirt and a tote bag.

Anyway, I was way overdue for a new pincushion. Here it is...or here they are.

I used 100% grey wool, sewed the edges in a blanket stitch and added a button.

I hope my home ec teacher approves.

Sew and Tell: button thumb tacks

More vintage goodness. These are my cute button thumb tacks that I use on my inspiration board.

They’re so easy to make. Just glue a button onto a plain thumb tack. I have to stop myself from making more and more.

You can change out the look so easily.

I’ve been thinking about redoing my inspiration board and using white fabric with super colorful buttons. Here are the colors I’m thinking about.

Hope your weekend is bright and colorful.

Sew and Tell: Vintage Pillows

I love vintage fabrics and linens. I made these sweet pillows out of vintage tablecloths and scraps found on Ebay years ago. Here’s a tip – purchase scraps or cutters which are sold for far less money than perfect vintage linens and piece together a pillow, table runner or whatever you’re inspired to make.



Tablecloths are often sold as cutters because of stains or imperfections (we all have THAT one relative that spills something at Thanksgiving dinner). You can also find vintage notions, like buttons or ric rac to make your project even more charming.


These pillows make me smile and inspire thoughts of a cup of tea, a good book and a fluffy cat. Happy sewing!