Welcome to my Sewing Room...A place where I love to spend time!
Can you tell that RED IS MY FAVORITE COLOR ? Can you tell that I LOVE POLKA DOTS?
This week I am hoping to spend some quality time stitching up the final details on my "giveaway" for my first official visitor who commented on my blog...her name is Shirley of "Zetta's Apron" and her blog is delightful. I will be popping it in the mail. When I know Shirley has received her gift, I will post a photo of it! I pray you all have a wonderful week, my dear friends! Blessings, Carolynn xoxo
Good Monday Morning...My sweet family and friends! Many people don't like Mondays...but, I do!
Today, I have the pleasure of spending the day hanging out in my sewing room...or, as I like to call it..."My Sandbox". (I'm like a child who, once I start sewing, doesn't want to stop...No matter what!)
Can you hear me singing..."The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music"?
Whatever in the world made you think that RED IS MY FAVORITE COLOR?
I hope you will come back in a few days...I will be posting some of the sewing projects that I have had the fun of stitching up.
Have a great week, sweet friends! Blessings, Carolynn xoxo
I posted my Red Sock Monkeys on REDNESDAY... www.suelovescherries.blogspot.com
What a joy it was to stitch up these children's aprons for the precious little ones! I thought I would share my latest projects. There are four of them.
One of my favorite fabric collections...1930s reproductions.
Adding a ruffle in a coordinating print.
Close Up... My favorite gathering method: 1. Knot one end of DMC floss and then... 2. Zigzag over floss (lay floss 1/4" from edge of fabric). 3. Find center of ruffle piece and apron and then pin together. 4. Tighten DMC until gathers are equally spread on both sides of center pin. 5. Pin entire ruffle in place. 6. Stitch carefully along gathered edge making sure to hide zig zag inside seam. (1/2" seam) 7. Remove DMC after stitching is complete.
(I like this method because the DMC floss doesn't break when gathering.)
I love using coordinates...the more prints the better! The apron bodice is lined with a coordinating fabric for extra strength and wear.
Making my own "Chenille Cottage" labels and adding them discreetly to the inside of the apron.
Red, white and blue beach balls. I love sewing with my favorite color... RED!
My signature label...
PINK POODLES! Ooo Lah Lah!
Feit Avec Amour (Made With Love!)
Vintage reproduction prints add such a sweet old fashioned look to this little apron.
Instead of a tie...I chose to add a "scrunchy" that slips over the child's head. It's so much softer on a little ones neck.
Thank you for spending time with me in my sewing room.
I love to sew I love sharing my latest projects and I love blessing others with the work of my hands.
Have a wonderful week, my sweet friends!
Blessings, Carolynn xoxo
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."Proverbs 22:6
Thank you to my sweet friend, Jann...for featuring my aprons on your lovely blog. I hope you'll take a moment and pop in and say hello. "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson" www.jannolson.blogspot.com
Thank you, Elaine, for featuring me on "Sunny Simple Sunday". I hope you stop over and visit her blog. "Sunny Simple Life" www.sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Hello...My sweet blogging friends! In my post I'd like to share some of the bright red cherries that are sprinkled throughout my home. From cotton aprons trimmed with old fashioned red rick rack to cozy quilts...They are all such a lovely addition to any country cottage decor!
Each year my sister, Sherry, blesses me with lots and lots of cherries. I like to dehydrate and then freeze them. They are delicious in homemade ice cream, nut breads and homemade granola bars!
I've been busy in my sewing room this past week making up thissweet little 1940s vintage apron.I found this wonderful vintage pattern thenmodified it a bit for this apron.
Pardon my camera exposure...The apron looks blue, but it's black with tiny little cherries and cherry red rick rack.
Aprons always look so sweet garnished with rick rack. The original 1940s vintage pattern incorporated lots and lots of it.
I was thrilled to find this 1940s Vintage Apron pattern. When I have an etsy shop I will be stitching up these darling aprons for sale.
I love...love...love the back of this apron. If you look closely there is a band between the shoulders to prevent the straps from slipping off your shoulders. I attached the straps at the waistband with buttonholes and shiny black buttons.
The finishing touch!
MORE CHERRIES!
The table runner with the bright red cherries was lovingly made by my sister, Patti, for my birthday. Doesn't it look pretty snugged in with the vintage quilt and red pillows? (I "TWEAKED" this sadly worn antique settee...It's in dire need of a new upholstering. All the soft textiles offer a simple disguise!)
So many of my blogging friends have a penchant for cherries. And, so do I!
HERE ARE A FEW CHERRIES FROM AROUND MY HOME.
This is a closeup of a large tole painted glass jarthat I store my twill tape that I use for my"Chenille Cottage" labels.
Isn't she lovely! My darling adopted daughter, Paula, from "Rose Fairie Cottage" made this sweet little quilted portrait for me for Mother's Day.
(This is the fabric I used to recover my ironing board.) Thank you my sweet friends for stopping by for a visit.
How I would love to share a slice of freshly baked cherry walnut bread and a hot cup of tea with each one of you!
Have a wonderful week! Blessings, Carolynn xoxo
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8
Hi to all my dear family and friends, Today I have three special people that I want to THANK. Cindy from "OLD TIME FARMHOUSE" BLOG surprised me by choosing my name to win her vintage apron Giveaway. I love aprons...and, especially, gingham ones!
Paula from "SUGAR SWEET AND PINK" BLOG created and lovingly stitched such sweet gifts for me. I'd like to share a few of them with you. I love each one! Mark...my hubby Thank you, Honey, for the cute as pie polka dot tea pot and the matching polka dot plates. You know just what I like. You are such a sweetheart
Polka Dots... Whiskers on Kittens... My favorite color...Red These are a few of my favorite things!
Paula, My darling adopted daughter created this adorable kitty cat. She designed the pattern and the hand stitched touches. Paula added the crowning touch...the tiny blue and white creamer and saucer. I adore it, Paula!
You guessed it... A few more of my favorite things! Gifts from my hubby...
More RED... and More pretty Polka Dots!
"My Little RED shoe Pincushion" It sits proudly in my sewing room.
"Raggedy Ann" Do you see the light blue gingham apron draped over the chair back? Can you guess WHO gave it to me?
Heart Shaped Pockets... Oh...How cute, Cindy! I love your darling giveaway!
Cindy sent me this sweet vintage apron. I don't have the heart or wear it and get it dirty... I think it will hang proudly in my kitchen.
My RED vintage kitchen chair with country tole painting. I found this at a Craft Faire in Tennessee. It has been used as a high chair for little visitors and has sat in my kitchen for many years.
Sweet Paula gave me this beautiful vintage linen table cloth. I love the fine stitching and RED crocheted edging. Thank you, dear.
Gifts from my sweet Paula Play Pals... Patti, Penny & Kitty
"When you wish upon a star Makes no difference who you are Anything your heart desires Will come to you.
If your heart is in your dream No request is too extreme When you wish upon a star As dreamers do.
Fate is kind She brings to those to love The sweet fulfillment of Their secret longing.
Like a bolt out of the blue Fate steps in and sees you through Your dreams come true."
(Disney Theme Song)
Special thanks to: Paula at www.sugarsweetandpink.blogspot.com and Cindy at www.oldtimefarmouse.blogspot.com
Each week I love joining in my favorite blog parties. I'm linking with: Boogie Board Cottage www.boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com Mockingbird Hill Cottage www.mockingbirdhillcottage.com Sunny Simple Life www.sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com The Dedicate House www.thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com The Little Red House www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com Etsy Cottage Style www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com Cozy Little House www.cozylittlehouse.com Knick Of Time www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com Lavender Cottage Dreams www.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com Have A Daily Cup of Mrs Olson www.jannolson.blogspot.com My Rose Chintz www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com Common Ground www.debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com I Gotta Create www.igottacreate.blogspot.com Rooted In Thyme www.rootedinthyme.blogspot.com The Charm of Home www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com Meet and Greet Blog Hop by Laurie www.createdbylaurie.blogspot.com Show-Licious Saturday's www.sew-licious.blogspot.com
I have been busy in my sewing room making more aprons! On hot days it's so nice to squirrel myself away in the air conditioning and stitch away!
I love making aprons as gifts. They are a passion for me with their old fashioned charm. I have always felt that the gifts I give should be the gifts I would love to receive.
Just right for Mommy's little helper! I had the fun of making this little apron for my great niece, Ainsley. She's our family's miracle baby! She was born two years ago prematurely at 27 weeks. Baby Ainsley weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz. Last week, she went to the doctor and weighed in at 29 incredibly wonderful pounds. She's healthy, happy and such a sweet little girl! She celebrated her second birthday this past weekend. Happy Birthday, Ainsley Marie! To God be the glory! We thank Him for touching our little angel girl!
It was a pleasure stitching up this summery apron for my friend, Sharon. I hope she will wear it in comfort and good health. It is a colorful version of my original flapper style apron that I shared in one of my previous posts.
I enjoy personalizing each apron I make with my "Chenille Cottage" labels. I machine embroidery my labels on twill tape.
AN APRON WITHOUT RICKRACK...IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE!!!
Thanks, so much, for popping in...my sweet friends! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings, Carolynn xoxo
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
I am still pinching myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming...
Oh, my goodness...Just look at these adorable treasures. Precious Paula of "Sweet Vintage Rose Cottage" knows how much I love the color Red!
I spent a lovely afternoon just ooing and ahhing as I opened each charming gift!
I adore this chubby little elephant perched high upon a bright red tomato...This is the cutest pincushion! I love it and will enjoy displaying it in my sewing room! Thank you, my darling adopted daughter! I do feel extremely loved and you have blessed me so abundantly!
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above". James 1:17
Blessings to you for sharing this moment with me...and, love to my darling adopted daughter, Paula! Carolynn xoxo
How I love taking something that is ugly, ugly, ugly... And giving it a pretty new face!
"Sitting Pretty" Perched high atop my cutting table for photos.
I enjoy using several coordinated prints when I make slipcovers, pillows, & window treatments. I repurposed a soft yellow Mattelasse that I bought years ago. The red paisley is a home dec fabric that I bought on sale at Joann's.
I like the rich texture of the yellow Mattelasse. I chose two coordinates for the corded piping and ruffled skirt.
I designed the slipcover for the chair back including a soft pleat. This added a bit of ease along with a little touch of charm. The corded piping is red paisley home dec fabric.
"The Good, The Bad, The Ugleeee!"
I just didn't have the heart to show the "Before"... And this is why!I'm so glad you stopped by my sewing room. It's that time of year when my creative juices are flowing...So many projects...So little time!Blessings,Carolynn xoxo"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."Proverbs 3:6
Linking toCozy Little Housewww.cozylittlehouse.comA Delightsome Lifewww.blissfulrhythm.blogspot.comLittle Red Housewww.littleredhouse.blogspot.comCoastal Charmwww.linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.comKathe with an ewww.kathewithane.blogspot.comRednesdayswww.suelovescherries.blogspot.comLavender Garden Cottagewww.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.comHave A Daily Cup of Mrs Olsonwww.jannolson.blogspot.comIvy and Elephantswww.ivyandelephants.blogspot.comBrambleberry Cottagewww.brambleberrycottage.blogspot.comFresh Eggs Dailywww.fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.comMockingbird Hill Cottagewww.mockingbirdhillcottage.comSunny Simple Lifewww.sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
The dress. I spot it on a Goodwill rack. Discarded by some other shopper, it immediately catches my eye. Obviously vintage, and handmade, its deep tealy-blue background covered in bright sprigs of tiny red-and-yellow flowers presents a visually pleasing palette. If only it fits...
I carry it into the dressing room where I slip it on. Miracle of miracles, it fits. Vintage clothing is often sizes smaller than our modern shapes, cut for larger and weightier bodies. I'm delighed by the details as my eyes rove over it. Sleeveless, split halfway up the shoulders, the armholes are finished with fine white piping. The same piping runs horizontally along the front of the shoulders, where it catches tiny gathers and finishes at the neckline. The high rounded neck plunges at the front to a V, all outlined in white piping which runs down to the gathered waistline, accented by pairs of tiny cream-coloured buttons. The skirt is full and round and fairly long, lined with a swishy shiny version of the same deep foam-green teal.
I love it. I'm sold. I slip it off (difficult, but it happens) and take it to the cashier. On the way I notice some small tears in one shoulder, and then a drooping bit where the hem has come undone. I ask the girl running the register if they qualify for a discount. She picks up the phone, calls her manager, and tells me that I get half-price. $2.99 for a wonderful vintage handmade dress.
I take it home after work, where I sew up the tears. It's a flimsy polyester-ish material which easily rips. I also discover that the hem, though finished by machine, has been tacked up with fragile white basting thread that is coming apart. Most of the hem needs re-sewing, which I do.
As I sew, I wonder. Who was the girl who made this dress? What was it for? It looks like it could have been made for some summer party, high hopes of romance and fun carrying along the maker's hands and dreams as she sewed. Why was it taken to Goodwill? Did its original owner keep it until she cleaned out her closet, convinced that she'd never be able to wear it again? Was it part of some woman's possessions, shoveled out as worthless by relations as she prepared to move to the nursing home, or worse, the morgue? Was it a prized last keepsake treasured by someone's mother, momento of a life cut short? Why was the hem never finished, though it's obvious the dress has been worn? Mysteries like this haunt me and play lively scenarios in my brain as I contemplate...
And that's, partly, why I love buying vintage clothes. The story behind each one. The little life dramas that might have been enacted while they were being worn. The mystery. The history. And the uniqueness, garments that you'll never find again. The funky styles that aren't being made today. The thrill of the find. Shopping at thrift stores is one of my earthiest life pleasures...
