what I've been working on.....

Here's a few little linen pillows I made last week- vintage fabric birds appliqued on linen with nests made from stitched linen fibers. I quite like how these turned out...

I found out last week I was accepted in the Art By the Falls show in Chagrin Falls 6/11-12 (yay!!!)- so I've been making some smaller pillows for the show.

I also have spring fever- the weather here in Ohio has been really nice.

My next project I'm just finishing is some totes & new bags made from vintage quilts and barkcloth. More on that next week when I have time to photo them.

Have a great weekend!

Feature in Midwest Living Magazine

That's my pillow on the pages of the March/April issue of Midwest Living magazine!!! Oh Yea! A few months ago a writer from the magazine contacted me about my work- she was writing a feature on green crafts "in the spirit of Earth Day". (You can click on the image to enlarge)

I started using vintage fabrics years ago because I had collected so many tattered and worn quilts- too abused to repair. I LOVE the old prints and the colors. I went a whole year without buying any new fabric- with the exception of the linen "canvas". I always love putting random prints together- 40's quilt prints with mod 70's prints and a few Kaffe Fassett prints.

I was so excited to finally get the magazine over the weekend. Thanks Midwest Living! Visit my little shop for more vintage fabric pillows and bags.

Treasury Time

Weekends are busy for Etsy Treasuries! I wanted to share a few of my favorites that include my work. Always honored to be included in these curated collections!

Irish Eyes are Smiling

by DiVaRoCks- features all things Irish green, including my Vintage Applique Leaf Pillow.

Looking for Robins

by whiteoakroom- beautifully serene in shades of my absolute favorite color! I LOVE the enameled necklace by tekaandzoe. Thanks for including my pillow!

We do color well....

by VintageRerun is an explosion of color featuring Cleveanders- including my Tiny Silver Lovebird Earrings.

Take some time to look at these Treasuries & all the wonderful handmade finds.

Spring Almost Here?

I thought I heard birds the other morning- it must be Spring. Why is there still a chill in the air & snow on the ground? I love March- my birthday month. Many people very close to me share my month- all of them Pisces at heart!

I was overwhelmed the other evening with deadlines and other life stuff, so I put my sewing machine away and made myself a birthday bracelet. My absolute favorite part of this piece is the handmade lampwork glass bead. Made by starctcher, each egg is one-of-a-kind and very special. You really have to hold one of these eggs in your hands to feel how special they are- pictures really don't do them justice.

In addition to the glass egg, I used Korean jade, amazonite, leather cord, sterling, and a tiny vintage silver Miraculous medal.

Well- I better get back to work! Have a great weekend!

Best Friends

This is a new little "sampler" I just finished this morning. I have a whole sketchbook full of little scribbles like this so I decided to bring a few to life. My usual use of vintage 1940's quilt scraps stitched on to linen.

The patch is only about 8" square- so rather than make a mini-quilt I made a pillow. Originally the sketch had "best friends" stamped onto twill tape, but I didn't think I needed it.

I have this crazy picture from the 70's of my 4 sisters & I all lined up in age order on a diving board- probably ages 4 to 9- in typical 70's style. I think I'll applique that for my Mom for her birthday next week. Hmmmm...I better get to work!

A Very Fine House- Part 3.....

Here are 2 new vintage fabric house pillows I just finished. These are 20" x 20"- with a mix of vintage quilt fabrics, hankies & lace, and a few newer prints mixed in.

I love this larger size, but my work table is small, so I have to take over the dining room when making them. I hope to list these in my Etsy shop soon.

I'm working on some new designs- more on that next week. I'm off to watch the Academy Awards!

A Very Fine House- Part 2.....

In my previous post I wrote about my dilemma on whether or not to sell one of my favorite pillows. Well, in the end I did sell it this morning. This is the other one she ordered- I added a "full moon" and little stitched stars.

I really like working on these larger 20"x 20" pillows. The only downside is that the larger size pillow form costs more and shipping really drives up the price.

I'm off to make more houses! Have a great week!

A Very Fine House....

So- here's my dilemma. I made this cushion as a special order for a repeat customer. It's bigger than most- 20". She's waited about 3 weeks (I had some problems getting inspired) Now that it's done I don't want to sell it. I really feel attached to this pillow!

I usually don't feel that way about my work. I admire the finished project, photograph it, and move on. I suppose I could make another for myself- I do have some of the same vintage fabrics left over....I just love the vintage fabric used for the back of the pillow too...

Ahhh! What to do? In the end I probably will let it go. I won't make another one because I hate to make the same thing twice.

I'll let you know tomorrow what I decide :)

Have a great night!

My Hearts...

I first shared this heart one year ago.....it was inspired by a Rebecca Sower blog post when I joined her in spreading hearts all over our cyber world. Do check out her old post- it's well worth spending time pouring through the submissions. It was fun!

I stitched my heart on linen with an old Japanese glass heart and tattered lace. I set in in an old pocket watch frame and backed it with red leather. Since making this I frame a lot of old photos in these pocket watch frames and hang them in a collage on the wall.

These heart stones are among my most prized possessions. My young son gave me these treasures he found with the words "I love you with all my heart". Just holding these stones lift my spirits when I'm down.

I hope you all take the time to share your heart today with your loved ones.

XOXOXO

Spring Sale at RobinsEggBlue!

It's that time of year again- Spring Sale in my Etsy shop. I usually mark down bags after the holidays, but this year I marked down some Vintage Fabric Birdhouses too....

I need to make room for this spring's edition- so I'm selling these petite birdhouses for $14 and the larger ones for $16.

These are all one-of-a-kind, made from all vintage fabrics and other vintage materials.

Hopefully they will find a new home this spring!