Sunday, July 12, 2015

Pedal to the Metal!

I'm catching up with still five days left to amass more inventory for the upcoming local Fair next weekend.  Seeing as we are scheduled for three days I certain want a larger variety of inventory.  

Here are three which I made this morning, the others from last week have already joined many others in the travel tote box. 

I so enjoy the process of actually quilting the fabrics I use in my bags.  Be they large or small, I so enjoy the actual quilting process, and while I am sitting there quilting my fabrics I get to wool gather....not even finished one bag but already planning another.  

Here is but a small cosmetic bag, or, if the person who buys it wants it can be a bag for anything at all....

I adore fabrics which are bright, and most of all I favour natures beautiful Dragonfly's' so when I find some I hoard them for far too long, finally I grabbed this beautiful red with metallic outlined Dragonfly's and flowers.... Is it not a pretty patterned piece of fabric?





Now I believe this turned out really nice.  It is small as in 5 1/2" High/Tall by 6 1/4" wide and 2 3/4" at it's bottom.  

Next up is one made from silver dyed suede.  It came from a remnant and it turned out to be so pretty.  It has a tiny bit of finished dimensions being 5 1/8th" High/Tall by 6 3/4" in width with 2 3/4" at its bottom!  Not really so noticeable, but certainly the difference in the fabric makes up for some minor differences in the finished product...wierd huh?





AND finally, I made a different style altogether from a design pattern from Atkinson Designs.  These are so useful and I am never able to keep these in stock.  I make so many and have none left over.  I have one lady who bought three and using them for various out of doors activities, once certainly for her Geo-Caching adventures the uses so very diverse.  





This little cinch bag with zip pocket measures 9 1/2" in Length by 6 3/4" in width.  I certainly like the colour combination of this little dual purpose bag, Red, white and blue, but enjoy having mingled the lady bugs with the flowers. It was fun to make. 

over the past many months given up time to the Vintage shop, so this past month and a half (almost 1/2 of July has disappeared already) can you believe it.  I was moaning so long for Spring and summer to arrive and now I am astonished to see I have frittered away almost one month of official summer!  I have been cheating a bit too, since my Student left I have been watching my beloved GOLF and of course now the PanAM Games have begun!  Have you seen the Opening Ceremonies?  Were they not stupendous?  Well, I thought they were and Toronto has every reason to be proud of itself, job well done....

Now it is once again time to push myself away from the computer and head on back to the sewing machine, once again it is pedal to the metal time.  These remaining days must be put to the best use possible. 

Have fun, stay safe, remain cool and come back to visit soon. 


“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.”– Erma BombeckRead more: http://www.keepinspiring.me/positive-inspirational-life-quotes/#ixzz3fhJaFEZe

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

UP-CYCLED FUN

Children love their own personal items as well as their own personal space.   

I make these bags just for children, but while the children have the fun, mum dads, even grand parents benefit from these because the child is busy playing and not bored while the adults visit.   I call my bags that I make BIZZEEE BAGS, and many of these bags never get to the on line shop!   

Last week a repairman who came to fix my furnace was telling me his little 3 year old just loves his toy bag, it goes everywhere with him.  It has been washed and washed since it was given to him at Christmas time as a stocking stuffer gift from his granny and it is one of his favourite things he carts around and takes along when they travel to visit with family and friends.  He has it brimming full of all his own stuff....

This is the bag I finished this morning from a little boys sheet.  I have made several from this sheet and they never stay in my inventory for very long.  Making a new item by giving something used a new life through up-cycling is a good thing , wouldn't you agree?    The bag I made this morning can be found here.



Children love things that are different as well as eco-friendly.  Our children are now being taught to conserve, recycle and reuse as much as possible.  


Here we have cute up-cycled Lunch Totes for little girls...not only would these lovelies make great lunch totes, but given the fabric used would be wonderful to take along to the beach with a towel, beach shoes and swimsuit.  The open weave will allow any loose sand to sift out leaving the majority of accumulated sand at the beach and not anywhere else...I found these cute bags at Sewsacksew.

Look at this wonderful idea for children this summer, this is terrific, wouldn't you just love to give this to a child as a gift this year?  It really is such a wonderful play idea and its sure to fire up a child's' imagination.   A very long time ago I can remember my brothers playing for days with this idea.....not just out of doors but inside on rainy days made for tons of summer fun.






This is called a Fort In A Bag, a fantastic idea and it can be personalized with the child's name on it, making this a very special gift.   I discovered this terrific item at UrsulaGlassGoddess

Another Eco-friendly Fort in a Bag comes from zJayne!




There is nothing better than up-cycling, useful, washable and lasts forever, to be handed down from one child to another.  Endless hours of imaginative fun and learning.  How much simpler can summer get?

One last item I found that I thought might be a whopping great gift to give kids this summer!  Up-cycled Crayons!  From TheUPcycledCrayon these look alike Lego Robot Man Minifigures will please a child to no end, once again using something which has been given a new life sure to provide hours upon hours of fun!



There are numerous creative and talented shop owners at Etsy shops, all independent and brimming full of wonderful ideas suited for children.  Two months of summer is a very long time and keeping children busy with creative ideas can make this summer less stressful for all of them as they play away their days with terrific up-cycled things to keep them BUSY!

Off I go to sew some more, see you soon!


The world is so full of a number of things, I ’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”― Robert Louis Stevenson

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Popcorn Anyone?

Finally my lawns and gardens look civilized!  I took yesterday off to have them manicured and spruced up because they looked so worn and bedraggled.  The heavy rains took their toll, no complaints about the rain though because all that came down from the heavens saved me having to use my well water, which is right up my recycling and conserving alley!

After speaking with my lawn man and watching him get down to all of that hard work, it made me tired!  I actually didn't even bother with the computer much at all yesterday, I grabbed my latest Fern Michaels novel and enjoyed the day away!  

Today I wouldn't mind sharing something I found while browsing through Vintage shops on Etsy last night.   I found myself in a shop called Jalopee and discovered this amazing Electric popcorn maker from the 1940's !  Even I don't remember these from my past although I really should.  An electric popcorn maker as far back as that and it bears no resemblance to those we've seen from the 60's, 70' but wonders of wonders I bet, it still works today in the year 2015!  


Discovered at Jalopee!   

Remember this one from the 1960's?  Once again, a treasured memory to me and actually still working and looking as shiny as it probably was on the day it left the store shelf away back when!  I discovered this at TwoCousinsCollection



AND this one from the 1970's discovered at digatomic!  Remember these, made from a plastic resin, easy to use and easier to clean up....



Then there is this one from a store know far and wide with the name of  Bed,Bath & Beyond...harking back to the "Nostalgia" of yesteryear!  


Can you not smell it?  That aroma of freshly popped corn wafting over you from a cinema lobby concession booth, or, at the drive in theather (do they still have drive-ins?  If your like me, salted and smothered with melted butter ready for devouring!
Real freshly made buttered popcorn is One of the reasons I love going to a cinema! Before you even buy your ticket the aroma of it permeates the entire lobby making you want a fresh batch just waiting there at the Concession booth with your name on it! YUP these popcorn makers always did a number on my smell and taste buds every time, no matter where it is I!  Needless to say I hear you saying "Butter" and all that "Salt" Yikes, not healthy, but guess what - it tastes soooooooooo yummy!

Browsing around Etsy Vintage Shops is such fun, you won't believe the hundreds of items and gadgets you'll find there!  From hand mixers for baking to telephones and everything in between you can possibly think of.  There is nothing more fun than a ramble down a memory lane, and for those of you born in the 1990's your in for such a treat!  Everything from those "Good Ole Days" can be found and bought.  

Vintage shop keepers go out of their way to research the items they've found for the public who know the true value of something made over 60+ years ago and can still be put into service.  Be it a retro kitchen your decorating or a remodel of a room in retro style, your sure to find just the right items for your décor and use here at Etsy.
To find something your interested in, just plug in the words using Etsy Search engine and it is sure to pop up....You will be surprised at the amazing things you'll find in these Etsy Vintage shops...


Now because I have waxed on about those wonderful popcorn makers, it is time I had some, so see ya later...and please don't forget your comments are welcomed at any time!

Plant more trees, God's garden needs them!





Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Keepers

During the past many years, Vintage items have become sought after, and no longer need an individual be a collector of things which lived in our historical pasts, but now more than ever before these wondrous things have been dusted off and made visible and become very accessible in a broad genre of categories, thanks to on line shop owners.  
As one of Etsy's shop owners of Vintage Estate pieces, I want to share some of my finds with you.   All that is required to find anything your interested in is the Etsy Search Engine.....it will lead you to whatever it is your searching for. 

One sought after category is the delicate porcelain china or glass items used to adorn a boudoir dresser or side table even a room as a colour accent to enhance a specific décor, or for that unique gift you might wish to give that special someone in your life.  

This Antique Bisque trinket dish is wonderfully unique and different!  Look, a young couple in love each clad in traditional colours depicting gender sitting atop of a brown coloured vessel (dish) depicting which I take to be a log!  This is just so sweet and would make the loveliest of gifts to give any woman for her dressing table.
I discovered it for sale at HunkoFunko.



Red is Vibrant and striking, conjuring up visions of those ladies in red evening attire *such as in Gone With The Wind* or the more modern film *Pretty Woman*! This beautifully crafted Limoges Covered Trinket Dish is just the piece I would think women everywhere would adore!  It is dressed in the finest of red with gold trim and features on its delicate lid a transfer printed Fragonard scene made popular in the 17th and 18th centuries "the every present "Courting Couple" once again clad in the gender specific colours of Pink for her and Blue for himself.  



I discovered this at Taingtiques and this shop has the most exquisite ring keeper which caught my breath actually created and made in the 1980's by Royal Stratford. If I actually had a dressing table I would snap this delicate beauty up in a heartbeat!

These delicate exquisite pieces were made for women whose jewellery when not worn would be placed inside a beautiful vessel, even when not worn their precious keepsakes would be safely guarded against misplacement or damage. 

Like this set from Noritake during the Art Deco period of porcelain which I found at TeaJay.  It is actually a set of three pieces, featuring two Trinket Pots with lids and a Ring tray.  Each piece lavishly hand painted and dominated with lavender coloured flowers and trimmed in gold!   Absolutely stunning pieces.  



When redoing a bedroom or boudoir, one cannot go wrong hunting for décor accessories at any one of the thousands of Etsy shops!  Vendors take great pride in what they themselves collect and offer up to the public for sale.  

Because I ended up with an Estate to liquidate I too have several delicates for sale, one piece I simply love is this Depression era Elegant Frosted Pink Glass Shell Shaped dish set into a gold coloured metal holder.  It looks delicately fragile, but it is strong and sturdy and would look beautiful in any room.




This can be found at Bygonera.


Wishing you a wonderful day free from crisis and worries and as I am want to remember, Faith in our Creator is simple, without Him, we wouldn't exist!


Monday, June 22, 2015

A Blue and White Day

After a long hiatus I'm back! It has been quite a busy 6 months at my house and time seemed to sprint past without leaving me any time to come and play.  Now that I have more or less caught myself up and it being an absolute real old fashioned summer day, I'd love to begin sharing many beautiful shop items which may be bought from the thousands of independent shops located at Etsy once again!

Today I have been enamoured with the colours of Blue and White and found some prominently displayed in several shops such as this lovely Vase from Carriage Oak Cottage 

Or how about these cup cake wrappers?  I found these at ooohlalapaperie!  Wouldn't these make your muffins or prettily decorated cup cakes look divine!

How about this very pretty blue and white Quilt from QuiltedPleasures?  It is handmade and the toile squares are so very vintage looking and would fit into any room for any person, or accent any theme.  Nothing like a pretty quilt to set that home feeling to a room, or comforting to take a snooze under.

Who could resist a little Angel dressed in this frilly Blue and White Cinderella dress also handmade from Knotted Wear 4 Kids!  Oh my how sweet this would look! 

There are 250 pages of images holding Blue and White items of every thing under the sun you could be searching for.  ALL you have to do to discover what it is your seeking is put BLUE and WHITE into Etsy's search engine and voilla it will display a plethora of items in all shades of blue and white. 

I leave you with one more item of blue and white, which are Nikko Blue Bonnet patterned saucers from Bygonera, Vintage Estate items!   *A disclaimer here, Bygonera is the Authors' shop. 

Blue and white is some a versatile colour combination, from Greece to Great Britain to The Netherlands and Scandinavian Countries, this combination can set the tone and theme for whatever decorative or fashion design your following. 
You can wear it, sleep in it, eat from it, decorate with it, or just simply admire it!

I leave you with just a sampling of beautiful blue and white things which can be bought at shops over at Etsy.com ....time permitting you might come and visit with us, we are certain your going to see and find things you don't necessarily see at other on line shops....why?  BECAUSE these items are all either HAND MADE or VINTAGE! 

Have a perfectly wonderful summer day today, and I'll be back with more of my Etsy forays.....

**My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_inspirational.html#4Va2oDurQUyB5lQk.99**




Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Saying Thank You..

Remember that day dream I was into yesterday?  Today, I was thinking of costs and how to keep them reasonable for a Wedding and of course both the Bride and the Groom will want to extend to their Brides maids and Grooms men a lasting memento and a thoughtful thank you gift for standing along side them during their nuptials!

Thank you gifts do not have to be over the top expensive, but these must convey how thankful you are that these individuals in your wedding party are thought of by you and your intended.  

There are some wonderful gifts to give at very reasonable prices which in my humble opinion are super to give and to receive!  These I happen to have shared with you today are merely a smattering of the wonderful and inexpensive gifts which may be bought through Etsy shops,  of which there are hundreds and thousands of individual shops to choose from, all in the giant world wide mall which is called Etsy!

For the Brides maids you could select a number of beautiful gifts, one such beauty I discovered while browsing through Etsy shops was this gorgeous White Chiffon Scarf, soft, white and delicate making it a gift your receiver will make use of for years to come!  Looking through this shop you will discover this beautiful scarf in other sumptuous colours such as turquoise or shell pink and I just bet if you speak with the shop owner you might obtain another colour other than what is currently listed for sale in this shop!

 This particular chiffon scarf may be purchased through the SevinchJewelry Shop!

How about this reasonably priced and hand made delicate personalized Twisted Bow Bracelet from the TwinkleStar Jewelry a beautifully crafted lightweight piece any woman would not mind having around their wrist!  



Or how about choosing this very delicate and pretty set of bracelet plus matched earrings hand made using classic Swarovski Ivory Pearls and glamorous Rhinestone Balls and Rondelles accents?  Very affordable for such an elegant gift!

 Easily found at the WeddinGlam shop on Etsy!

For those handsome and attentive Grooms men, possibly some of these may be a good choice as lasting thank you gifts to give and for them to receive?

At the VintageStampJewels shop I discovered this masculine single band personalized Sterling Silver bracelet!  This indeed would look attractive on any mans' wrist!  It looks expensive but is classic in its design and its cost will not break the bank!


Or how about a stylish and distinctly sophisticated set of initialled  monogrammed cuff links?  I found these over at the OttavaDesigns shop!  Any man can always use a set of cuff links and with his initial it makes the gift entirely personal and special!  These are the type of links which can be worn in any year with any dress up or down attire!


What man doesn't like using a pocket watch?  I found these exquisite personalized pocket watches over at the MyPersonalMemories shop!  Once again a classy type of personalized gift to give any of your Male attendants and one which I am sure will be very well received!


It is the most important event in a young couples life together, barring the birth of their children!  When your friends consent to stand with you at the most important day in a couples life then the giving of thank you gifts with style and class is of importance.   

Personalizing thank you gifts is a thoughtful process wherein you express your deepest and heartfelt thanks to those who have been with you since the engagement and planning process of your momentous day!

Thank you gifts do not have to be over the top expensive, but those gifts should be thoughtful,  keeping in mind the character and personality of those who will be receiving what it is you choose to say thank you with and Etsy Shop owners are always at the ready to be of assistance to you in completing this important step along the way to your actual wedding ceremony!


****The choice of items I choose to write about is my own, I am not affiliated with any crafting community, sellers or the shop owners or individual or company!    I do not extract nor do I get paid  for my publications of any item or items or personal opinions contained within this my personal blog.   I do not know nor am I affiliated with any person or shop I write about whatsoever*****



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Beach Wedding Daydreams

Valentine Day!  The day many engaged couples seem to have chosen for that Romantic Event in their lives, their Wedding Day!  Many couples seem to be moving with the trend of  being married on warm sun kissed beaches with pristine white sands under bare feet and in attendance, close family and friends... to this end I have planned the perfect day dreamy beach wedding with a thought to keeping costs at a minimum and maintaining the  Romance of the entire event from the wedding dress to the attendants beach apparel!

I tend to romanticize what a Beach Wedding would look like but with that Vintage easy going Bogart and McCall cinema feel to it so I think I will allow my daydream planning to take over this morning!  

This absolutely stupendous vintage wedding dress fits my idea of what type of dress a bride might wear on that beach on her special day, with a gentle Caribbean breeze in attendance and the slow lapping of waves the orchestra against the beautifully stretched carpet of white sand the back drop for this bride in her stunning Vintage 1960's "NANCY" wedding gown from MaggieMayBridal.  This is the perfect dress!


While the Bride may be wearing a Vintage gown, her brides maids would match her perfectly in this Bright Azure Blue maxi dress of crinkled linen with white trim....this is a very flattering dress for any body shape and fits perfectly into the wedding scene I am playing out in my day dream!

This dress comes from azulsol!

Now the Groom and his grooms men could be wearing these comfortable and dashing white linen beach pants!  These are perfect for men, fit well, are comfortable and would fit in perfectly with the entire Wedding party!


These can be found over at Maliposhaclothes and if you look further into this shop you will find the perfect shirts to go with this pants and still retain the that beach wedding look....and again would look great on any body shape!


From the VanCaronCollection the Brides Bouquet with the Matching Grooms' Boutonnière could be composed of Blue Dendrobium Orchids and White Garden Roses!  How very romantic, being faux flowers, these would remain forever fresh and a reminder of how beautiful the Special Day was!

Each wedding party attendant could wear these matching corsages and boutonnières as these!

With the cost of travel to a warm sunny venue for the wedding and the matching outfits for the bridal party, the costs of all of the above would be reasonable and attainable without breaking the bank. 

Hearts in tune, shells scattered on the sands, waves lapping at bared feet while the Officiate presides over the ceremony, in my mind it cannot get any better than that!

I have had fun planning this make believe Valentine's Day wedding, so tell me, does anyone need a wedding planner/Personal shopper?  (pick me, pick me)  I would love to be on the beach and escape this frigid winter weather!  LOL!!!!

****The choice of items I choose to write about is my own, I am not affiliated with any crafting community, sellers or the shop owners or individual or company!    I do not extract nor do I get paid  for my publications of any item or items or personal opinions contained within this my personal blog.   I do not know nor am I affiliated with any person or shop I write about whatsoever*****






Monday, January 5, 2015

The Onset of 2015

Happy New Year to you and yours and may it be much improved over 2014!  
My introduction to the onset of 2015 hasn't been too bad, if you don't count the many hiccups experienced in the first few days of this new year all brought on by the foul winter weather which made its appearance felt in large all over North America.   Suffice is to say the Winter Solstice has been and gone, the days are becoming longer, even if only by minutes each day, spring is in the not too distant future and your life is still 6 inches above the ground! YAY I have made it to 2015! 

For many Etsy shops 2014 was a stellar year and for others not so great, so this morning I would like to take us into the new year with an introduction of some Tiara's I found being sold.  Tiara's are one of those wonderful items we would hardly choose as something we just have to have, but with the advent of "FROZEN" our little princesses certainly have become interested in them and simply sparkle and glow each time a Tiara is placed upon their heads....

The definition of a Tiara is "a jewelled ornamental band worn on the front of a woman's hair".   Since the weddings of Princess Diana and Miss Kate Middleton there has been a resurgence of the Tiara!

We all are enamoured when watching video clips of the Royals from Great Britain or Europe all dressed for state occasions and are wearing a Tiara, like that which the Great and Beloved Princess Diana wore on her wedding day in 1981, or the Tiara called the "Halo" loaned to Kate Middleton by Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding ceremony to the dapper and fashionable Prince William!

Possibly this year there is a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a tween in your circle who will experience the desire for a Tiara, and many may be bought from a number of  Vintage shops at Etsy. 

Like this Vintage Diamante and Pearl Flower Beaded Wedding Tiara from a shop named Glamragzz.  



This Rhinestone fillagree worked "Cross" Tiara was found at the BlueLakeMercantile shop with it having all rhinestones in tact!  A sparkly vintage piece to be sure!  

 Another Tiara was found at a shop named KenoleeEnterprises.  It is described as being made from Silver with White Rhinestones!  


I discovered this absolutely delightful and looking quite beguiling 1960's Pearls with flowers headpiece at the Sometimeschichappens shop!   It looks so delicate, wouldn't you agree?


From the Yankytreasure shop I found this stunning regal looking Crown Tiara made from Silver and Crystals, described as a Wedding Tiara!


 There are more Vintage shops at Etsy who have discovered such wonderful head pieces for just that right moment in a woman's lifetime event like her Confirmation, or her first ever Prom, Home Coming Queen, Beauty Pageants, Ballroom Dancing or that very special of all events in a woman's life, her wedding day when all eyes will be upon just her!

Tiara's are the crowning glory to any number of outfits worn for that most special moment in a woman's life when she takes center stage, no matter the occasion and Tiara's are not a new fashion trend, but an enduring fashion statement for events of distinction in a woman's life!

This is the first of my 2015 posts about the many and diversified products which may be found and purchased through the wonderful shop owners you'll find at Etsy!


****The choice of items I choose to write about is my own, I am not affiliated with any crafting community, sellers or the shop owners or individual or company!    I do not extract nor do I get paid  for my publications of any item or items or personal opinions contained within this my personal blog.   I do not know nor am I affiliated with any person or shop I write about whatsoever*****