#vinylallthethings

I've been such a "cut-up" lately...

I had been wanting to make a giant canvas for a long time. A little re-decorating of the front room plant shelf was my impetus.

This is Psalm 100 on a 24" x 36" canvas from the HobLob.

My friends are relocating their antique shop to downtown Glendale and asked me to make a few signs.

front shop window

I usually spend way more time designing than the cutter takes to cut the vinyl! 

And then my friend found stashed (& forgotten) stocking-stuffers from 2 years ago. I tried a little stretch vinyl on them. 

I also made the hubs a shirt he'd been asking for since the one he special ordered at a shop (who knew tall men need longer t-shirts?!?) has started to wear.

I've also got a few more projects in the planning/designing stage...

catching up: Spinning Wheel Antiques

My dear friends Sara & Bob decided to open a little antique shop in Glendale’s Historic District. Spinning Wheel Antiques is the realization of a long-time dream for them. They had a few booths in various antique “malls” but those venues were hard hit by the economic downturn so closed their doors.

Bob & Sara looked around town for a place to open their own shop, and found this adorable 1942 bungalow available in Catlin Court.

I have had the joy of being able to help out now & then. I love the way Sara merchandises their collection of vintage finds.

Bob has “man stuff” in one of the rooms and vintage tools in the mudroom off the kitchen. He’s also allowed to display his “kitschy” items in the closet.

The kitchen overflows with beautiful wooden dry sinks, cast iron utensils & hand-carved rolling pins.

My favorites are the glass displays in the dining room.

The doll room is just brimming with nostalgia…

This incredible old thread cabinet catches your eye as you enter the shop

and this Edwardian mourning suit always catches me off guard: “How can I help you, ma’am?”

So, come see them anytime you are in Glendale. Well, not anytime, because they’re only open Saturdays until Sara retires from teaching school…

un-Christmas gifts

My favorite gifts are the "just because" gifts. Not required by the holiday, birthday, or anniversary...

These gifts say, "I was thinking of you."  These gifts are from the heart & speak to my heart. They could be extravagant or picked up from a dumpster. 

My lil' sis knows me well. She knows my heart. She knows I am a lace & pearl romantic, and have a wedding shrine in my bedroom. She knows I love wedding gowns of all shapes & sizes, and have a small collection of them. 

My sweet sister happened across two and brought them down for me over Christmas. 

ahhhhhh! 

the lace -- the ribbon -- the chiffon -- the horse-hair braid in the hems... 

She also knew that if I didn't want the gowns themselves, I'd certainly find a way to use the fabrics.

Thank you, Beverly! 

new quilt

Work in progress -- baby (girlie) quilt using vintage fabrics:

cut out:

pieced:

tagged for embroidery:

embroidered:

STAY TUNED so you can hear me say - pressed, quilted & bound!

Progress on U.F.O.s...

So, I've been asked about my wonderful playing cards I showed you here. 

I ♥ The Graphics Fairy!  I printed her three graphics on photo paper (ideal thickness for cards from the deck, b.t.w.) and found some frames from IKEA.

As my game-themed room is ever-evolving, it takes time for just the right inspiration to hit.  I was searching for the "perfect" ribbon to hang the 3 frames, but never found it.  Almost settled for gold wired ribbon, but held off.

God bless Hobby Lobby for having a 50%-off sale when I need one!  I had my 40% coupon in hand, but found the iron wall decor was half-off! WOOT!

But even better than that, I ran into MY chess pieces, for yes, 50%-off, as well.

Had to "fix" the knight & king:

 

I love it when a plan (starts to) come together...

Now, here's the progress on the side wall I showed you here ...

♪♫ Happy birthday ♥ ANNA ♥ ♫♪

My niece's favorite color is orange. The only "orange-y" fabrics I have in my stash would be felt and an old t-shirt I'm saving for a boy's quilt.
But, I had acquired from my mom a bit of vintage fabric:

Somewhere, I believe, there is a mid-'60's snapshot of my sisters & me in matching short/top outfits from this fabric made by our grandma. She must have gotten quite a bit of it, because I remember cushion covers & quilt squares from it.

I found pink "fur" to make a phone pouch & beaded a yellow/orange handle,

embroidered her name,

and even "singed" up a flower to match...