jane's apron

simple collage

 

I had a little time on my hands last week and finally made a couple of collages that I've had in my mind for a while now.  The idea was to build a collage directly on a piece of 8x10 watercolor paper.  The watercolor paper is strong, has a good texture, is a pretty color, and acts as a mat for the collage.  The collages are kind of like the notecards I have made (not many lately though)...just a simple image on a a single piece of pretty paper.  I sized the paper at 5x7 and let the image go a tiny bit outside of the box...makes it a little more lively to me.  I scanned them and updated my blog banner with them because they looked so cute.  I'll put them in my etsy shop as soon as I get a chance (they look really, really cute in a simple black frame).

   

apron mystery - solved

 

No...the mystery is not why I didn't iron the apron before taking a picture of it (nor is it why the little pink thrift store sells aprons for $0.25...or why that makes me feel so guilty).  The mystery here is the buttons and button holes.  The apron has a button on each side of the waistband and a button hole at the top of the pockets.  I don't see how these are supposed to go together.  Any apron experts out there have any ideas?

I think the mystery is solved and I can't believe it...the apron turns into a bonnet.  Yes, a bonnet.  The best clue is that the backside of the pocket section is also finished with the little yellow rick-rack. I tried on the bonnet...and no photos will be taken...ever.  Thanks everybody!  Next up, I may ask for some help on the weirdest round embroidered linen thing I found.

And I had to share this apron idea (from Country Home I think)...love the apron as storage.

 

soft-sided train case

 

I found this pretty golden soft-sided train case at the thrift store.  It had a 70s-ish flower print on the top that I debated whether to use as-is or to cover.  I decided to cover it and the case took on a whole new look.  I used just two of my favorite papers (more Stella Ruby here...this one is called "Tea with Jane") and one sewing pattern envelope so the case is very, very simple.  

 

The top curved section of the pattern envelope fit perfectly into the curve of the top of the case.  And I just had to use the pink spool graphic.

The inside of the case is lined in a very cool golden/olive taffeta with elastic bands and a mirror.  I kept the mirror but also added a piece of fabric-covered cork to use as a small "inspiration board" inside the case.  

The pattern I used is for a two-piece dress (with classic three-quarter sleeves...very Jackie).  It is an uncut size 14 (bust 34) that I'd love to send to anyone can use use it...just leave a comment and it's yours.    

short summer

I wasn't purposely collecting summer-y flickr photos but, when I put them into a mosaic yesterday, they made a perfect summer square (even that little school house reminds me that summer will end soon).  

We all know that summer is short but ours is a little extra short this year.  My 13-year-old has been in an intense 4-week academic program for boys going into 8th grade...getting them thinking about high school, learning study and organization skills.  It was really tough with tons of work each night and weekend; complete with crying jags...from me.  He, on the other hand, loved every minute of it so I'm very happy. Graduation was last night and now summer, no matter how short, begins.  Well, almost...just one more swim meet tomorrow...   

spa pillows

 

Earlier this spring, I took a yoga class and the instructor gave us lavender eye-pillows at the end of the class. I was in heaven...the pressure of the pillow and scent of lavender made my chronic sinus headache go away for at least a few minutes.  I wanted one but had no idea where you could get them (plus I couldn't help but think that the pillows would be so much cuter in a better fabric).

I found a Spa Pillow project, with easy to follow instructions, on DIY Style and decided to give it a try. This is obviously not a hard project and the only thing I really had any trouble with was finding the dried lavender. I believe I only used the f-word once or twice (and that includes the trip around town looking for lavender). The pillows would make great, simple, personal gifts (if you're the organized type that starts to think of holiday project ideas in July).

red, white, and etsy

 

I always have to justify a purchase "for me"...it has to be my birthday or whatever.  This time, I bought the colorful necklace from LuLu Sparkles because I've lost 10 lbs. and I deserve a little reward.  The colors on this necklace are so, so happy...can't wait to wear it all summer long.

 

My sister is a designer for an architecture firm and she puts together artwork packages for clients (offices, hospitals, etc.).  I don't know that much about it, but I'm sure it usually involves looking at some kind of catalog of available artwork.  I think it is so cool that she recently put together a package for a hospital pediatrics unit using works from an artist on etsy.  The shop is called Alice in Paris and the print of the little red shoes is my favorite.  

Have a safe and happy 4th!

do-over

 

I created a few collages last fall that were made to fit those cute french laundry hangers...made a few Halloween-themed ones and some from big pages from a sewing pattern counter book.  Like the collage I re-purposed as a wall hanging, I decided to give one of them a crafty do-over.  

The collage was sized 6x12 and ready to fit on a 12x12 canvas.  I just layered it on a pretty 12x12 paper, punched holes in the top of the canvas, and threaded my favorite chocolate brown ribbon through a couple of vintage buttons. 

I'm always asking myself "What can I make with this?" and sometimes I have to do the same with something I've already made..."What can I re-make with this?".   I must be in the mood to ask questions this week...How do you re-purpose items you've made that have been hanging around your studio or shop a little too long?

thrifting with boys

 

Despite the fact that I had too many things on my "to do" list last week, I still managed to make it to the tiny pink thrift store.  Three times.  The first stop was just a pop-in since we were already at the post office.  The second was to take a closer look at a bedroom dresser.  I was busy inspecting the dresser and my son Ross, who is 11, spotted the cocktail glasses perched on top of the dresser.  They are a little "Love Guru" (and a little Anthropologie) but he was excited about them.  I had $2 in my pocket (this is a cash only store) so we bought 4 and left the rest behind.  The final visit was to bring cash to buy the dresser and have it delivered to my house...a project for this fall.

In a long-ago post, I talked about how my daughter, when she was really little, picked up plates at the thrift store and turned them over to see the back...a little copy-cat of me.  Ross likes to complain when I bring him thrifting but he likes it when he finds something good.  Anyone else passing on their thrifty habits to their kids? 

supplies

 

First of all, thanks for the encouragement for my new "three miles from my house" category.  I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one with photo phobia and that some of you are going to try similar posts.  Also, thanks for the input for my "shopping with dorothy" train case.  I listed it in my etsy shop and it was quickly sold to a customer that bought one of the cases in my last shop update (thank you!).  Join my mailing list and I will send an advance notice of any train cases headed to etsy (a new train case is on the way soon).

Now, about the photo of the ribbons...I always get questions about supplies that I use (stamp sets, paper, punches, glue, etc.) and I am happy to answer any questions you have...just leave a comment or email me...really, really, I love to share.  I have been wanting to include some of my favorite things in my "kits and supplies" section of my etsy shop...starting off today with some favorite ribbons and a paper punch. I may venture into more kits if there is interest also.

Things are extra busy around here but I've been squeezing in some creating time and some thrifting time. My 11-year-old son has quite an eye for the good stuff at the thrift store and is turning into valuable thrifting partner...back next week to share his latest find.   

shopping with dorothy

 

Everybody knows how I love paint color names...I'm the same way about scrapbook paper names and fabric names.  They are always so clever.  One of the papers I used for the patchwork background on this new train case is from the Basic Grey "Stella Ruby" collection and is called "Shopping with Dorothy".  I think I love the names because if I were naming things, the engineer in me would show and I'd come up with something completely technical...like "brown and pink patchwork with sewing patterns"....*snore*.

I am really, really picky when it comes to vintage train cases and will only alter them if they are pretty close to perfect.  This one is a light brown color and is perfect inside...with a tray, small mirror, and its original key.  I am listing it in my etsy shop as soon as I can this morning.