Cherries!!!!! Does it work contraption?

Oh how I love cherries, and you know what?  It's that time of year.  And you know what makes it even better?

This thing-a-ma-bob.

I am sooo excited by it.  I bought it almost two months back at an estate sale.  The second I saw the illustration on the box I snagged it.   I have never seen one of these before.  I didn't even know something like this even existed outside of a warehouse where a machine popped the pits out. 


Once again I love cherries, but the eating process was far from lady like (ahem...I like to think I try being a lady....haha).  You know, pop one in your mouth eat around the pit then spit it out.  Not the best example for the kids.  :-/

Can you imagine my excitement when I first tried it and it actually worked?  It pops the pit out still connected to the stem.  How cool is that?


I love this.  All for a whopping 75 cents.  I love thrifting!!!

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Hooray!!! I'm getting a Baby!

An Accuquilt Go! Baby that is.

I'm sooo excited!!!  This morning I woke up to one of the greatest emails.  I've won an Accuquilt Go! Baby from The Spunky Diva.  I literally jumped in my chair "What?!!".

I entered this giveaway a month ago, so I was super surprised to hear this.

Oh lord I can't wait....you know I'm gonna check my mail today wishing it would be here already, but I'll have to be patient and wait.  Ahhh! The suspense is gonna drive me bonkers (I've already been driven crazy :-P).

Yay!!!  One of my die choices is the 2" square.  I'm just dying to use it to cut up my itty bitty vintage sheet scraps to make what ever I decide to make with them.

Ahhh!

What a great start to the day.

Thank you Kimberlee from The Spunky Diva!

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Thrift Share Monday's - June 6

This was an Estate sale marathon weekend.  I was amazed at how many were going on this weekend, I went to a total of 7.

I know some people walk away with arms full of items, and I've been that person before, but I held back a bit and only grabbed what really caught my eye.  Keeping in mind would I want to keep the item in the event I don't sell it.

So here we go.

To the left a so sweet mouse on mushroom, with daisies sugar/jam bowl.

Set of three Vaseline glasses for a whopping $1.  These are being donated to my sisters collection.

A great tea cup, The Toscany Collection, with a lid and strainer/filter.  Awesome!

This super cool enamel gold-tone owl pendent.  It's pretty large 2 1/2" x 1 1/2".  He looks mad, and the head and tail sways from side to side. Love it!!

Milk glass mixing bowl and candy dish.

1981 Otagiri Victorian house sugar bowl.  (I previously found a 1980 Otagiri Victorian house bank....that I still need to list in Etsy).

Super awesome set of three vintage napkins.  I glanced at them when I decided to buy them since the colors yelled vintage.  Then for a brief while I was disappointed once I got to my car and saw they still had tags on them.  I thought to myself "ugh they are new", but the colors were still super fab.  However, once I got home and Googled the name I found out they were indeed vintage Yay!!!

Grabbed a bag of utensils for $1.  Hmmmm.... don't really know how I'm gonna attempt to sell these.  If I ever get around to it.

Now look at this.....wait for it....

This absolutely fantastic Metlox set.  Look at the colors so gorgeous!!!  Let me just say it was the third day of this estate sale with  1 1/2 hours left, and I got a deal....even if I didn't know anything about this set, but now I do.  SCORE!

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Embroidery - My entry

So I finished it.  My entry for the Prudent Baby "Use Your Words" contest. 

Yes, I am happy I actually completed a project.  It seems like these days I haven't been too productive in the crafting area.  Still very unmotivated due to my craft room mess (it's now been over a month...disaster).  It's one thing or another, organize a little, or sew a little.  I'm determined to get my space organized, so I choose to organize a little.

So this embroidery project I guess was a good creative outlet away from my usual crafting space.  Since I was able to sit in bed, in my car at lunch, and on the couch while watching T.V.

When I started to think about this project, like most, I had something kinda in mind.  This project was inspired by this quote, "A perfectly kept house is a sign of a misspent life".  A few months back I saw this on a local bloggers blog, Bounty Huntress.  Since her post, this quote has stuck with me, and I've known I wanted this up on my wall, but I wasn't sure what to do with it...until now.

I LOVE this quote! 

I went out to Michael's and bought some embroidery thread with one vision in mind (the quote and dandelions, the flyaway type), so that meant I bought colored thread to what I envisioned. However, that quickly changed once I got home and stood and stared at my neatly folded stacks of vintage sheets.  It was then that I realized I needed to use one of those for the fabric. So my original idea took a small detour.  The quote and dandelions, the flyaway type with poppies and daisies.

Next there was another project I've been wanting to try but haven't had an actual purpose, yet, which could be incorporated into the embroidery project.  Print directly onto fabric, using your regular printer.  I've seen this done on several web sites (sorry I'm not referencing any particular site because I didn't refer back to any for this project, otherwise I would reference it).  Basically you use freezer paper as a stabilizer for the fabric.  Cut the fabric and freezer paper the size of a sheet a paper.  Iron the freezer paper onto the fabric and run it through the printer.

Freezer paper on the backside of the fabric.

Since I wanted the print on a particular portion of the fabric design I had to do some measurements first to make sure the print would land where I wanted it.  I did a test run on a regular piece of paper and held it up against the light with the fabric/freezer paper to see if everything was ok.  Made some slight adjustments, and onto printing on to the fabric.

This process to me seemed a little iffy, and I'll admit my first time did not work.  The fabric got slightly tugged when fed through, which then led the printing to be all wonky.  I tried to wash the fabric but all the ink didn't come out.

Got a new cut of fabric, made some more adjustments to the measurements, since the cut of fabric is now different than the last cut, and this time it worked.  Yay!!  Happy dance.

I placed the fabric in the embroidery loop and was ready to embroider.


Yuck!!!  My start started off rough, as I previously mentioned.  I wasn't following any particular style (that I know of), and it showed.  I decided to open up my thrifted Home and Garden Embroidery book.  Looked as some stitches and decided on the back stitch for my "words".

Happy sigh.....ahhhhh.  That looks much better.  What a different a stitch makes. Once I got the whole quote done, I went back and corrected the first couple of letters.

So much prettier.

The quote alone didn't seem like it was gonna be enough for the entry.  So I went on and embroidered two of the flowers.  At first they seemed a little rough, also, but that's only because I kept to the actual pattern.  Once it was done they actually blend right in with the other flowers.  I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

Oh along with the words that were back stitched I have two other types of stitches here, a French knot and a silk stitch.

Now I don't know if this entry is award winning worthy, keep in mind this is my first attempt at embroidery, but you can't expect to win anything if you don't try or enter, right?  I have no doubt there will be some amazing entries, and a gorgeous one probably done by machine will win, and that's ok.  I know I tried...by hand, and I hate sewing by hand.  
 
Whew!

Next on my list a laptop sleeve for my daughters new laptop.

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Thrift Share Monday's - May 30

Yikes!  I'm running late for my Thrift Share Monday.

So lets get right too it.

I'm having vintage sheet luck and I'm loving it!  I especially love it when I find patterns I already have but in different colors.  The bottom right I have in a blue back ground with blue and purple flowers.  Ahhhh love it!!!

I'm gonna start hoard embroidery loops for this project down the line.  This week I've had great luck finding them at thrift stores.  Here are two large ones that I'm really excited about.  In the center is my bundle of keys so you can get an idea on how large they are. 

Now comes in my finds...that I would not have found if not for my mom.  I've pretty much given up on the Goodwill.  One, their prices seem much more expensive then the other thrift shops I venture.  Two, their shelves are horrendous.  Items are always jumbled, thrown on shelves and it's a mess.  So today, me and my mom had the day off, but the kids had school (make-up snow day)...so that meant we had most of the day to roam kid-free.  She suggested we go to Goodwill since she knows I've been thrifting and didn't go to any garage sales this weekend.  I reluctantly agreed.  Our first stop I had one small find.  This super cute pitcher.  The only marking on the bottom is JAPAN, but the styling of the piece looks a lot like a sugar, creamer set I currently have on Etsy by Fred Roberts. 

Onto Thriftland....no luck.  Onto another Goodwill and got this set of Corning Ware serving stands (mom found).  I would of completely over looked them.  Plus she spotted this Corning Ware "Wildflower" casserole dish (I have another just like it.  Yay!).

Oh!  And while I was checking out at the Goodwill I get a phone call from my mom.  She's in the back of the store where the furniture is.  There is a small, in great condition, particle board (yuck I know) desk...for $10, but it perfect for the kids.  I'll post a picture of it later.  Think it's gonna get painted before I put it in my room.  I'll create a little art nook in my room for them since they always want to be up here when I'm sewing.

That's all for my thrifting this week, kinda slow, but the sheets really make up for the lack in other finds.  So how has your thrifting ventures been?

I'm linking up to Thrift Share Monday over at Apron Thrift  Girl.

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May Giveaway Day Winner

Wow!  This was soo much fun.  It was so nice reading all the compliments on how nice, lovely my giveaway was.

Thank you everyone who stopped by to check out the giveaway.

Now onto the winner.

Mr. Random Generator please choose a winner.

And the winner is

Congratulations At Home With Michelle!!

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by during Sew, Mama, Sew May Giveaway Day.

Have a great day!

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Thrift Share Monday's - May 23

Don't forget to check out my giveaway (see bag to the  right -->)

Oh my! My thrifting week wasn't as jammed packed as it's been the last couple of weeks, but I did manage some small finds.

I am loving these snack, luncheon plates!

This pack of moving post cards are soo cute, I couldn't pass them up. Too bad I'm not planning on moving anytime soon.

I've been holding this super fab Pyrex hostage (only a few weeks), and I've failed to mention it in my other post. I know. Shame on me. 

This is from the previous week, but I couldn't bring myself to mention them...it. I'm sad to say (insert Taps here) there were three of these, oh so awesome, green and black cups, but (sniff) two of them leaped off their saucers and....and....I can't say it. Now there is one. May the other two rest in peace.

See? I told you I had a slow week. This is with three Estate sales, a church rummage sale, and one garage sale. Maybe I wasn't in the mood. Who knows what happened. Maybe I know I have soo much that I've already bought that I haven't listed (but there is soo much I don't want to let go) I unconsciously made myself not find anything.

Maybe it's one thing or the other? There's plenty of times I've been out scoring a whole bunch of kitchen items with no vintage sheet luck, but this week I have had some vintage sheet love. I've scored several super nice sheets with lots of color coverage. So I can't complain too much.

So why do I keep on buying these vintage sheets? I have bought dozens upon dozens of them them, and have sold very little. Do I need an intervention? It definitely has kept me from buying regular fabric which of course is much more expensive...so I guess I'm saving money...kinda...sorta...maybe, but not really. I guess it makes me happy. The colors are comforting in a way which is really weird because most are pastels and pastels are colors that aren't high on my color list. Oh well like I said they make me happy.

Don't forget May Giveaway Day starts today, May 23, click here for the details and my giveaway.

Thank you for stopping by!

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Rough start to embroidery

Hmmm.  I started working on my contest entry for Prudent Baby's "Use Your Words" contest, and I'll admit embroidery does look somewhat easier than it actually is, but when you follow an actual stitch it does make things a bit easier.

I don't know what I initially had in mind.  I just started stitching thinking I could stitch side to side like a sewing machine would, but that made a rough looking stitch. Ew!

It's time to open my Home and Garden Embroidery book.  Then I look for what seems to be the most practical stitch for writing. 

 

The back stitched seemed to be the best option, and it looks sooo much better.  

It's time to undo the first couple of letters and back stitch them, and then see where I go with this entry.  I'll keep you posted. 

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Thrift Share Monday's - May 16

Whew!  I was starting to feel a bit disappointed when I woke up yesterday morning (Sunday) with the lack of thrifting finds, since Saturday it started off with a list of garage sales and an estate sale with little little found.

The estate sale had the most potential, but with it being the first day there was a lot of high priced, full priced items like this pencil sharpener.  At $7 I was walking away from it, but with my kids at my side they begged for it.  My son was frothing at the mouth for it, and the estate wasn't taking any offers.  So we tested it and it worked very well, and after thinking about it this was a great deal.  For years I've spent who knows how much on a variety of pencil sharpeners, battery powered, hand-held and they all were not worth the plastic they were made with, so it's time to buy a heavy sturdy one.  At the end of the day I was very happy with this purchased.  Oh!  I also got this great, new, old storage (cardboard) box.  Haha.  Look! It looks likes she's folding fabric into it! Check out the old Target price tag too (top right corner).

Saturday night I was bummed that my weekend was unsuccessful, vintage find wise so Sunday I attempted another garage sale, but nothing.  Sigh...

I decided to go back to the estate sale to see what was left, if anything good.  Everything is half-off.  Yay!!  Let's see what I could find.

This Pyrex American Heritage divided casserole dish.  No chips or cracks, with one minor scratch on the other side. 

These Tupperware mugs with lids that double as coasters.  How cool are these!  My kids love them!!  They both claimed what color is theirs.  As you can see I can't part with these. 

These 8 Pyrex milk glass mugs.  OMG!!! How I'm loving milk glass and the paint color is fantastic!!
 
This pitcher (?), coffee pot? I don't know what it would be considered, but I loved the sleek shape of it.  I looked at it Saturday, but silly me didn't want to pay $1 for it (I don't know what I was thinking), so I paid 50 cents for it the following day.  Yay!

There was this really nice metal tumbler set with pitcher that was originally priced $35. OUCH!  When I went back Sunday it was still there half off, but I still was not gonna pay $17.50 for it.  I offered $10 and was declined.  I left my name and number to have them call me if it doesn't sell.  A few hours later I get the call and score it for $10.  Awesome!!!  Now can anyone tell me anything about this set?  It's by Neocraft Everlast Metal.  I've been able to find other types of metal tumblers but nothing by Neocraft. 

Ooohhh Ahhhhh it's soooo pretty!

Oh and last but not least...

When I went back for the tumbler/pitcher set, my third trip to this estate sale, I ended up seeing this ladder that I hadn't seen in my previous two trips.  OMG!  I want this to display my non-existent quilts.  Half-off $15, $7.50 I offered $5 and got it for $6.  Whew!  Negotiating is not my thing, but it works...sometimes.  I'm soo happy!!! 

So how was your thrifting adventures?

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Small projects completed

Wow!  I feels like it's been forever since I've sewn.  Two weeks to be exact.

Last week I started rearranging my room, which made it more of a disaster than what it was.  What ends up happening is that stuff starts getting pulled out of nook and crannies that may have not been viable, and I don't want to shove stuff back...at least not yet.  

Some areas look decent but my bed and couch are still a mess.  Right now these are the catch all places for stuff until I find permanent homes for them. Like this pile of scrap sheets.  Yikes!! I'm slowly bundling pieces for scrap bundles to list in my Etsy shop, but until then....What a mess!!

So I had to pull myself away, or at least look away, from the chaos that has me stumped.  I needed to feel somewhat productive.  This meant I needed to open up my drafted email of projects; I save links in a drafted email of projects I want to work on, and since I'm attempting to organize I'm in need of some sort of storage.  So I pulled up a tutorial from Whipstich of nested fabric buckets.  I've only managed to make one so far, but that's the biggest hurdle of a new pattern.  Getting through it the first time then it's a walk in the park from there.

I've been at a stand still on my I-spy quilt, but mainly because it's gotten lost underneath the piles of unfolded fabric and vintage sheets.  Now all that's been folded, or rolled and organized.  So these pieces have been resurrected and in a safe place, their fabric bucket, and hopefully a spot to keep me reminded of them so that I can get moving on that quilt.  I have other quilts in mind already, and I'm not gonna get anywhere with them if I don't get this one going.

That's small accomplishment #1.  Next is this board.  Last week I got this cork board at a rummage sale.  My sister had mentioned not that long ago that I should have an idea board to pin up my ideas, like fabric combinations. Which I thought was a great idea.  So the second I saw this board I snatched it up for $1.  The color wasn't my thing but paint is an easy solution.  However, once I got home I realized the cork wasn't my thing either so I figured fabric would be the best.

This seemed like a quick solution, but then I saw that the board was set in-between two frames, it wasn't gonna be an easy remove board from frame and wrap fabric around.  Hmmmm... well I have craft spray adhesive so lets see if that works.  Once I got the frame painted I slightly trimmed a fat quarter a bit larger then the exposed cork and sprayed the adhesive to it, the back of the fabric, then placed it on the cork.  Next tucking in the fabric edges underneath the frame.

Yay!!!  Now I got a pretty idea board.

Now I need a reminder list of projects I want to accomplish like that quilt.  I'm thinking chalkboard fabric somewhere, for that list.  I'll have to see how that pans out.

Hows everybody out there?  Still frazzled by Blogger being down?  I'll admit I was going through withdrawal not being able to read blogs.  LOL!  No seriously....and it really wasn't funny.  :-D

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