Vintage Finds + New Fabric

So, I'm back in full swing, sewing up a storm lately, and I still can't manage to keep up :) Such a busy week, but first, time to share my new fabric from my favorite quilting shop!!

Color Therapy by Vanessa Christenson

Birch Farm by Joel Dewberry 

So excited to get stitching up these new designs, but first, I need to finish all those custom orders and get them shipped :) And now for my wonderful garage sale find from last weekend...

 I have been on the hunt for a gorgeous vintage hard shell suitcase, that I can re-model into a large sewing kit/decorative piece for my shows! Practical and pretty! So, I finally found  exactly what I was looking for! Isn't this piece gorgeous?

Originally I was told it came from the early 1900's {how cool would that have been?!}, but we finally did find out that it is actually from 1940 {still pretty neat!} and it is in near perfect condition! So, this is how the case came, and I will have to post photos in the next few weeks, showcasing my suitcase remodel :)

I want to put some pockets on the inside part of the lid, as well as make some fabric dividers for organization! Can you tell I am just a little excited?! I can't wait to show you what I turn this fabulous case into! Oh, and it comes with original keys to the locks...how amazing is that?

So, last Friday, I decided it's pretty pathetic that I make all these aprons for people, and I don't own one of my own unique creations! I had bought some linen canvas earlier in the week with intentions to make an apron for myself, so Friday was the perfect day to stitch it up! Besides my little handmade business, I also cater all summer for the company my husband works for and small events throughout the year, which is the perfect place to wear my handmade designs! So, here is the apron I made, which I then posted on my Facebook business page and ended up selling :) So, I still need an apron for myself!

I did find it a little funny that I chose colors that although are very beautiful, aren't typically my style, so I think this apron was meant for someone else from the start :) However, it was so fun to design and stitch up, and I love the ruffled scoop pocket on the skirt!!

And...I FINALLY attempted my first throw pillow!! I actually used some leftover fabric from the apron I made {I am really loving that fabric!} I was quite happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to tackle a few more styles!

I really love the twisted flower on the corner, and I think a row of those running diagonally across a throw pillow would be gorgeous! So many ideas to try!  

Happy Thursday Everyone! 

Summer Livin'

Can I just say that I LOVE June?! To be honest, there isn't one month that I dislike, but June has to be one of my favorites! My husband is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and our busy season of Aerial Crop Spraying begins late June {typically} and sometimes runs until August-September, so June is the month we pack full of the summer fun {and laziness} that we typically don't get the rest of the summer. June and September are the two months we cram all of summer into, and for those reasons, I adore June! Also, the weather is usually delightful here in June and the lakes are made for living at! Just a few reasons I am silly about summer...

Now, there is this urban legend that sewing and crafting happens only in the winter {especially in our area of the country, where winter lasts forever and if the cold doesn't get ya, you will get snowed in}, but since sewing is a way of life, my machine plans to stay busy all summer long {it will just be working double time so that I can have those lake days as well}. So, let's take a look at what's been on my worktable:

So, most of the time I just wing it when sewing {I'm instilling confidence, I can tell:}, and usually I'm VERY comfortable with that, however, I was commissioned to sew an apron that is really more of a dress {I am not even joking}, so I felt the need for a pattern! You know the whole "Measure twice, cut once" saying, well in this case it was "Measure 5x, draw 3 patterns and cut once"! So, I sketched my own pattern, and let me warn you, I CANNOT draw! I have tried, I have really, really tried, but I bomb even at Pictionary - I can hardly draw a straight line to save my life! So, no, I will never be a pattern designer, but thankfully I can make it work for my own personal use :)

I am SO excited about these new labels! I designed the graphic online and found a super affordable shop in France to print them up for me! Now every item sold will have this unique {and can I say, adorable?} fabric label attached! This is the crazy dress-like apron I have been working on, more pics to come soon! 

Oh, and just for a cuteness factor before I go, check out this adorable baby MINIATURE calf that I got to play with, cuddle and feed the other night! Just when I think all the farm girl in me has disappeared, I spend a day at the farm, get to tromp around in the pastures and corrals, and I feel like I'm back home again. A move to the country might be up for discussion sometime in the next few years :) 

Ok, that's enough cuteness to melt anyone! Happy Thursday everyone! Enjoy this gorgeous June!

Charity