Westwood Cottage: January 2014

Sunday, January 12, 2014

I Pad Mini Case

I am addicted to Pinterest and I am sure Grandma would have liked it too- well not the technology part but the idea of it for sure. So this year's goal is to make as many Pinterest projects as I can and post the results - good and bad!

I am so excited to have received an I Pad Mini over the holidays, so my first project is a case for it. I cruised around Pinterest for ideas and then went to work. I knew I wanted to use linen and found in my sewing room a linen tea towel that I bought at Value Village (my other addition). Using back stitch I embroidered a labrynth on the towel for the front of the case. Labrynths are so interesting and calming and red is my favorite colour. I used a nice red cotton for the lining. To make the case I made a smaller version of the Artsy Clutch from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing Book.

I am very happy with the results! Here's to a year of fun projects, what are you making?

Before and After Sewing Room

My sewing room is in the front porch of my house. Which is awesome most of the year and freezing cold in the winter. I sew in the kitchen from November - March. In the winter it becomes the catch all room and then every spring I clean it up so I can sew in there again. Summer of 2013 I finally organized it so it looks awesome and I can find everything - well most things if I am honest! I love it! Winter 2014 has been extremely cold and I can hardly wait to get out of the kitchen and back into my sewing room in March.

BEFORE

The Rocking Chair sat in the corner of the kitchen in Westwood Cottage. Altough difficult to see the table is a drop leaf table that Grandma and Grandpa refinished. It sat in their porch covered in plants etc.

Gotta love IKEA storage. The picnic baskets belonged to my Great Aunt - Alveretta Pansy (her real name) Grandma's Sister.

Hats that both of my Grandmothers wore, framed hankies, Grandma's jars full of buttons and old sewing baskets.

Hand crank Singer sewing machine and antique sewing basket.

Westwood's Cottage

There's a cottage in the country,
A place that you should see,
It's a haven in a harsh world,
A place of quiet peace.

There's a grove of spruce and lilac,
Planted there with tender love,
To break the wind, on winter days,
A home for wren and dove.

When you walk through the picket gate,
You know that you have arrived,
At the home of some gentle people,
You can see the love in there eyes.

The flower beds surround you,
Ablaze with colours bright,
The butterflies flit by you,
The crickets sing at night.

When you enter the cottage you're greeted,
By the smell of fresh baked bread,
And gingersnaps, just like Grandma's,
The aroma fills your head.

The tea kettle sits singing,
The table is set with care,
With special cups and saucers,
It's all because you are there.

As you sip your tea and visit,
Just take a look around,
You'll see more plants and flowers,
And handicrafts abound.

Yes, it's a country cottage,
Filled with life and love,
For all of God's creations,
And blessings from above.

Written by Carol Sumner March 21, 1984