Happy Valentine's Day

Thought I would get a head start and make a few Valentines this year rather than purchasing paper ones. As I have previously posted, art has never been bestowed upon me. I appreciate it in many forms. I didn't do too badly when I drew this one from scratch - placed it on a piece of red fabric (from my unlimited stash) - I even figured out how to work my zig zag elements on my old Singer sewing machine to sew the edges. I lined the piece, turned it and pressed it and then using thread to match - ran a closely sewn zig zag stitch all the way around, which caused the heart to have some flexibility. Stuffing (actually purchased some at HL (Made in USA) was added to make it soft and fluffy. Slip stitched the edges and then added the cute black and white checked ribbon. Was excited to post this, however, could not get a good photo of the front door where this cutie is displayed, so I chose the only other bright lit area - the back kitchen door. Hope you like it too - you have 5 days to whip one up for YOUR Valentine.

Speaking of Toile...

Isn't this pillow gorgeous that Bettie made for me to give my Daughter-in-Law Ashley for her birthday? Ashley has four furbabies and I knew Ashley would love something depicting her "babies"...Bettie made a similiar, cute pillow for our cousin Patty (are you reading this Patty?) and then she made one for my Mom...and Ashley raved about them during Thanksgiving...so this pillow was a joint effort with Bettie doing the main sewing and I helped her print out the photos on fabric...I think the combination of the toille and black/white prints is stunning! don't you agree?

Pillows for Fall Compliments

I’m sure many of us have purchased these nice suede-like giant leaves for placemats in the past. Over the years, I have changed approaches to how I dress the table for company and I became tired of using the leaves. They stayed tucked away for a couple of years in the bottom drawer, lying flat, to avoid being wrinkled and I made sure to place something heavy on them. Recently as I started fall decorating, I came across the leaves, still waiting and I decided to bring them out and present them in a new fashion. Why not make a pillow? Using a piece of beige linen fabric from my stash, I sewed the leaf on, carefully stitching on the existing lines which allowed me to evenly stitch the leaf to the pillow front. I made the back of the pillow as usual and wow – for hardly any money, I reused a previously purchased item. I make pillows with an opening to allow for reuse of pillow form for another theme. Recycle – that’s what it’s all about.

Christmas Tree Napkins

To compliment your best Christmas dinner to be served - how about adding this Christmas Tree napkin to your tablescape? It's easy and you can make them in a flash. Check back in a few days for "how to" instructions.

Wall Hanging to Pillow

The cute Christmas wall hanging was handmade by someone. I was lucky enough to pick this cute thing up at a thrift shop in northern Virginia for $1.75. Didn't want to take the time to repair some of the threads on the blanket stitching, so I decided this would make a better holiday pillow in my house. I love pillows - never saw one I didn't like or wish to embellish with something else, more suited to my taste and decor. The blanket stitching was removed along with the wooden dowel and string. Then I top stitched all around the inside (just like a picture frame) and added a backing with an opening and now have this cute Christmas pillow that will greet guests. Think outside the usual box - you don't have to use an item in the same way it was intended. I like making pillows in this shape because they fit most chairs and I can remove the pillow and use it in another project to compliment another season. Try it - you'll be pleased at the money you save and you won't have to store all the pillows - only the item you make. Enjoy!