On the cutting board this week.

Yesterday was Sew Therapy Day. I need more of these days. I am working on a prototype for a new project and after several tries this is what I have so far. This is just a teaser. I'll show the final result and what it is when it's finished. Hopefully soon.

Cowgirl Something.

Thrift shopping with my daughter.

We haven't done a lot of thrift shopping recently because there have been other major things going on and we have so much to work with already. We had a 30% off coupon to Savers from all of the donations we have been making and had more to drop off, so we decided to go look around. This is what we found. 



A two yard piece of vintage alphabet fabric, a Raggedy Ann and Andy Sheet and a geometric print sheet which conjures up all sorts of ideas.

A mustard yellow, orange and white floral sheet which is my favorite find, some white cotton valences with a crocheted lace which I am going to use for an up cycle sewing project, a few vintage doilies and two orange and yellow vintage wash clothes for our thrifty vintage bathroom.

Add to those finds these blue and pink floral sheets and what a wonderfully bright collection of linens to add to our over grown stash.

In the glassware we found a vintage Pyrex oval bowl with lid and a lovely mid century modern pitcher made in Japan. Not much, but the time with family was great and I look forward to many more outings. Please stop by the shops to see all the new listing. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week.

poetcharms.etsy.com
butterflyplace.etsy.com
butterflyplace.storenvy.com

I like aprons.

My daughter and I just love sewing and aprons have been a big part of that love.

 

 

 

Recently I made this sheer apron out of an up cycled curtain panel and some fruit print fabric for pockets. It was made just for fun and to keep one curtain panel out of the landfill. I also reclaimed some trim from a second curtain panel. Some times we just have to get those ideas out of our heads.

 

 

 

I also made this one out of denim. I like the durability of denim and I added just some simple eyelet lace around the bottom. Fancy isn't usually my game, but lately I just need to fem it up a bit.

At the following sites are two of my daughters funky fabric aprons. I love these too.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/50480811/egg-stordinary-vintage-waverly-fabric

https://www.etsy.com/listing/50554502/whats-cookin-very-retro-reproduction?ref=shop_home_active

 

Stop by the stores and see what's new.

butterflyplace.etsy.com

butterflyplace.storenvy.com

poetcharms.etsy.com

 

We sure hope that if you're creative you have the time to make it happen. Have a wonderful week everyone.

 

 

 

 





Using my thrift finds.

I thrift many fabrics because I am obsessed with it, but I have come to the conclusion that I will never use my accumulations in my lifetime. I've been cleaning it out and offering some to friends, donating to good causes and listing most for sale. Since my daughters remade my sewing space for me I have made the time to actually sew. Getting some of my ideas out of my head and just having some fun. I have been sewing since I was seven years old and I still enjoy it.

 

This weekend:

 

 

I cut oven mitts and potholders out of vintage reclaimed fabric. I'm in love with this fruit pattern and lately I've been making things for myself. I've got to find a few more thrifted packages of double fold bias tape for this project. Then it was time to create a soft toy out of all the pieces of scrap that has been accumulating. Also trying to use up a shoe box full of rick rack.

I'm pleased with the result and will be listing these on my store, butterflyplace.etsy.com, and see what happens.

 

 

 

I hope every one has a wonderful week.

 





In all my years.

Canning is second nature to me. Or is it?

Failed Strawberry Jam.

Imagine my shock.

 

So with strawberries being so reasonable and my last jar of jam gone, I decided to make some more. I have been canning and putting food by for about forty years now and this is my first ever failed batch of jam. By failed I mean that it didn't set. Not fatal and I know I can make it over. But...

 

 

Imagine my delight.

After thinking it over for a while I decided it wasn't failure at all. I will set them aside in the pantry and use it for special things. Strawberry shortcake through the winter, cheesecake topping, ice cream topping and even some for atop home made waffles. Being so sweet I may have to add a few fresh strawberries with them, but for now I have strawberry GOLD.





A few thrift finds this week.

 

Vintage items found this week.

 

 

It's not that there are so few items to be found out there because if I had the room to store things I could make this a booming business. I think this will come in time, but for today taking one moment at a time is the best I can do. First find was a leather purse handle. It's 24 inches long and although it's not vintage it will make a beautiful addition to any home made purse. My first vintage find were these waxed paper stencils used with window wax to decorate for the holidays. Admitting that I used  these, ages me and age is a number not my life. I have a lot of living left to do.

 

 

Then there was this lovely set of Wamsutta rainbow and clouds sheets. These seem to sell quickly on etsy. There was also this lovely 1950's Vera scarf.  It has her famous lady bug trademark on it. The camera will not do it justice. It is dark purple and pink not the blue that the camera is picking up. I have some friends that will be helping me get better pictures so that it can be listed.
That's about all for today. I have some growing and marketing to get done, but I wanted to get this post done and stay up with everyone. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I'll be watching my blogs list to see what everyone else is up to.

Visit poetcharms.etsy.com to see all her new listings including some of the above items.



Lots of things been going on.

 

I wanted to learn a new craft and the library was having a brown egg etching class. It was so fun. You can tell that we're not expert, but if I wanted to do it again it's not expensive.

 

Thrift Finds

 

 

Just a few items found at one short stop. Include is a set of four playing card themed napkins now listed on poetcharms.etsy.com. Also found were two sets of vintage K-Mart post card books. One featured Christmas music and another woodland creatures. Also found was a Ben Seibal bowl by Iroquois. It is a dusty aqua color with a white interior.

 

 

 

From the sewing room we continue to up cycle reclaimed fabrics. Created this week were some cotton coasters and we cut out oven mitts and pot holders. Cutting things down makes more space available and things are ready to get to when the time is available. Now that all the graduations are behind us and we have some more time to enjoy summer, maybe we can get to some more thrifting and do some of the things we like doing.

My Daughters have given me a new start.

36 Square Feet to CREATE

 

 

My official address has changed and my eldest daughter is taking good care of me. This past weekend my younger daughter gave me the stacking shelf where my fabric is stored. My eldest daughter put together this 36 square foot  sewing center for me after convincing the landlord to take out a closet door. We found a corner desk for $10 at a flea market and I was in business.

 

 

We have utilized as much space as possible. The corner desk had shelves on either side and she hung a thread rack for me so that everything I need to start over is within reach. I have hung some art work from my best gal in CA and some other funky stuff to make it mine.

 

 

The corner desk worked out perfect for my serger and serger thread. I have a few more things to hang on the wall, but I am the most blessed woman in the world to have such wonderful children. It amazes me that I could have such a wonderful work space in just 36 square feet. I even have room for shelves on the wall if I need them. So as far as I'm concerned waking up this morning, June 17, 2013 is the start of a whole new life. I hope everyone has a great week.

 

Thrifty finds with friends.

Vintage linens found include fruit print cotton towels, a yellow towel for the vintage bathroom and floral pillowcase.

 

 

We found vintage orange fabric, doilies and dresser scarfs.

 

 

 

Some simply wonderful vintage sheets were found along with some Dansk Gourmet Design fish shaped hot plates or wall hangings. We found some vintage recipe cards from Current and four Pear shaped dishes that may have been part of something else, but would make a lovely afternoon desert dish. Find some of these items listed on poetcharms.etsy.com. This store has some of the nicest home made bags and fun bags too.

Please stop by the Craftzone Facebook page and like http://www.facebook.com/TheCraftZone1

Have a great week everyone.

 



New listings on one of my favorite stores

 

 

Up cycled Bo Ho Bag

Stop by and see the happenings at poetcharms.etsy.com .

 

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153069442/boho-bag

 

The Path

Where is this path leading?

 

With summer just around the corner it was time to take the time to figure out where my path was headed. I spent some time at the lake shore enjoying the newness of life. Breathing the fresh cool air and trying to find some inkling of an answer as to where I am headed. Today's path took me to the shore of lake Ontario.

 

 

 

Checking out the beach and enjoying the blue view.

 

 

The path took me through the park where trees older than I led me to admit that they are wiser and more understanding of the world than I. Like soldiers they shelter us from the sun and clouds.

 

 

They shelter the paths and roads like covered bridges. A natural protection from the encroaching world. These trees much older than I have no plans, don't fight their destiny and don't even worry.

 

 

Today's path took me past natural art. A tree fallen and assumed gone, but still giving beauty to any one who takes the time to look.

 

 

 

It led me past wild bushes displaying their magnificent flowers. How could I not stop and take the time to see? After all this was where the path had led.

 

 

It took me past the meadows where the deer had just walked through. It helped me smell the newness and hear the nature that surrounded me. It was a short path to travel today but it gave me insight into what I need for me. I will not worry, fight my destiny and I will stand like a soldier and enjoy the path no matter where it takes me.

 

 

 

 





The Windmill; Penn Yan, New York

Today I spent time with good friends in Penn Yan, New York.

www.thewindmill.com

 

Todays visit to Penn Yan had a real purpose. A dear friends mom had left three quilts in an Amish shop to be hand quilted. This was over a year ago and she was so excited to get the call that they were finished. It was a beautiful day for a ride and the quilts were simply beautiful. Now the only task for her is to bind them and she is ready for the task.

The Windmill itself is a marketplace full of vendors who sell every kind of meal, ice cream, food and or craft. We had a wonderful lunch and the most wonderful ice cream for desert and then walked around to see some of the wonderful shops.
 

 

People were just happy to walk around, or sit at a picnic table and enjoy the sun.

 

 

Shops filled with scarves, aprons, pot holders, towels, baby items and every kind of wine bag/gift bag and tote bags. There were cork screw people to hang as art,

 

 

pots, pans, shoes and boots made into lamps, bird houses and anything you can imagine.

 

 

Canned pickles, relishes, mustard's, ketchup's and all those summer picnic goodies.

 

 

Hats, scarfs, jewelry and all kinds of items to appeal to the fine ladies.

 

 

Plants of all kinds and fresh produce.

 

 

Several different Amish bakeries. Yes I brought home a pumpkin whip cream roll. It is a holiday you know and we needed another desert.

 

 

Gourmet coffee's and spices.

 

 

And last but not least the fun we had just spending a few minutes laughing and playing with this vendor's rubber ducks. Just when you think you can't have any more fun with good friends and family along comes a booth of rubber ducks. I'll leave it to your imagination.

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday. Yes the true meaning of the day was celebrated at the Windmill too, including a stand still moment of silence for all of our fallen soldiers who have given us the freedom to be a part of this country. I hope everyone has had a great day and as summer has officially started, stays safe and enjoys themselves.