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?

Repurposed Treadle Sewing Machine

Grandpa Westwood loved to go to auction sales and buy old treadle sewing machines.  He would fix them up and get them sewing again. I think he would have been interested in my version of fixing up the old treadle.

1. Visit Westwood Cottage farm and have accommodating husband climb into a falling down barn to rescue an old treadle sewing machine base.

2.Bring home and have it sit in the shed for over a year.

3.Decide to make a table on my own and begin by spray painting the base black.

4.Go to Brandon and find several options to make the table top.  Return them.

5. Go to Brandon again and find a board that will fit and decide to tile the top.  Spend an hour deciding on the tile only to find it is going to cost over $100.00.  Start over.  Find reasonably priced tiles and spend another hour trying to make them fit the board – but can’t.  Hit self on the head and realize that I could cut the board to fit the tile!

6.Accommodating husband helps to cut the board and attach it to the base.

7.Apply tiles only to find that the board is warping!

8.Set table upside down in house with husband’s weights on it to try and flatten the board.

9.Table sits for the entire winter in front porch.

10.  Buy two more treadle sewing machines for future projects and put in shed.

11.    Summer is here and I decide that the little bit of curve in the board gives it “character” and finish table by grouting it.

12.Looks awesome on the deck with the fountain on it.  And I have a fun story to tell to boot!

   

      

Vintage Handkerchief Scarf

For years now I have been collecting vintage linens with the hope of using them in sewing projects.  I just can't bring myself to cut into vintage handkerchiefs.  So I was delighted to find a tutorial at the Skip To My Lou blog to make a vintage handkerchief scarf.  Why didn't I think of that? 

You can find the tutorial at  http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/05/06/handkerchief-scarf/ .  My handkerchiefs have scalloped edges so I hand sewed them together.  This would also make a really nice table runner.  Happy Sewing!

DIY Deck Chairs

BEFORE: Found two chairs at a yard sale for $8.00

DURING: Spray paint matt gold to match existing plant stand and replace vinyl on the seat.

AFTER: Sit and enjoy the summer!



Before and After- Upcycling Vintage Linens

For the past 6 years our "Parlour" has looked like this.  Nice but dark.  So a few weeks ago I decided to make some changes.  With $26 and and some help from my vintage linen collection here are the results.  Looks pretty good - lighter, brighter and less masculine. It was nice to be designing again and to let creativity do its magic.  Hmmm I wonder which room will be next!

This picture shows the table runner I hand fringed and two of my pottery projects.  I hand sewed the vintage doilies onto the pillows.  Vintage linens have a story to tell.

                                                           Two of my husbands paintings on the walls.