Category Archives: Crafts + DIY

Gettin’ Crafty :: Dollhouse Bullet Planter DIY from Danielle

Crafts + DIY, Guest Blogger

When the Peach turns five, she is going to inherit my sweet dollhouse, which is chockablock with mid-century madness, because my parents bought the less contemporary dollhouse since it was deeply discounted. AHH YEAH!

And to make sure I give it the right bit of vintage oomph, I’m SO going to make one of these sweet dollhouse bullet planters using this fun and easy to follow tutorial from Danielle Thompson from Thompson Family-Life.

Aren’t they stunning? So perfect. And thankfully Danielle, who is the queen of step by step tutorials really breaks it down, so you know you’ll get something great at the end of it.

 

And these little full ones are just too adorable for words. I think I’ll make some and put them on the edge of my office window sill.  Wouldn’t that look cool?

 

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Danielle!

 

Crewel to be Kind :: Vintage Needlepoint

Crafts + DIY

photo NeedlePoint_1.png
image: Goodwillionaire.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve kinda been crushing on crewel or embroidery with wool. Crewel has always been a popular way for a young lady to spend  an afternoon in the 1800s, but when I think of crewel, it’s not really Laura Ingalls, but more those groovy ladies of the seventies that were embroidering sweet sweet signs like this in the seventies.

And clearly a lot of mushrooms.

(Images via: 1, 2, 3)

Check out this little soul train!

Image via: Etsy.

These darling pieces of vintage crewel cuteness can be found in almost any thrift store today. Danielle scored this sweet kitty.

But sometimes, crewel isn’t so sweet. But more nightmare inducing…

(Image of my worst nightmare via Etsy.)

I still think I can’t help but go to any Estate sale and find the remnants or an unused kit just waiting to come to life.

So, maybe I’ll pick one up at the next estate sale. Have you ever dabbled in the world of crewel. Did your mother or grandmother? Any memories of this wild and wooly craft lurking in your attic?

 

 

Dottie’s Kraft Korner :: Attack of the UFO Update.

Dottie's Kraft Korner

Friends, today’s UFO is a old one. Like two years old.  It was in my vintage seventies prep phase when I HAD to have a Bargello needlepointed pillow for my sofa.  Two to match my Denyse Schmidt quilt that I love so much that I couldn’t leave it in the bedroom, but needed it in the living room on the sofa. I know. I’m weird that way.

Anyhoo. I was on my maternity leave and knew that crafting and my sleep deprived lifestyle might not lead to the most charming finished pieces. I needed an easy craft that I could do while zoning out watching TV. Bargello needlpoint seemed like the perfect solution.

And it was. And two years later I finally finished my pillow fronts. But after you spend two years on a project, you really don’t want to screw it up. Friends, there is a time and place to call in the professionals and this was one of them.

I took my two lovely finished pieces to Needle in a Haystack, a mammoth store dedicated to all things embroidery.  People it’s seriously HUGE. People travel from miles to go to the Embroidery mecca for good reason.  They know everything there. And most importantly they have nice people who can turn my pieces into pretty pillows. So, I handed my baby twins over to these kind people along with a hefty check and waited six weeks for the call.

And the call came. My pillows were ready for me to pick up. I nearly wept when I saw the final pillows. Oh. So. Pretty.

Oh, I’m so happy with the results! It’s amazing to see something you worked on for two years finally be done.

I am so enamored with this technique of having someone else finish the project that I think I’m going to try that with a couple of quilt tops! Whoohoo!

Stay tuned for more adventures in UFO attacks!

 

Dottie’s Kraft Korner :: UFO Update–Week #3

Crafts + DIY

I know I skipped last week, but I’ve still been sewing up a storm for Project UFO (aka “UnFinished Objects”).

Including two new little tops for Miss Peach! But this time I started off with vintage fabric for her tops.

First vintage fabric came from this old apron I bought at an estate sale for $1.00.

It turned out to be very short–like a middriff bearing apron. But the fabric was too charming not to use in some way.

So, I cut it apart with my handy dandy seam ripper, pressed the heck out of it and put my tried and trusty Burda pattern on it.

Voila! Peach top!

The second top, I used some vintage fabric I bought ages ago and has been kicking around in my fabric stash for YEARS.  It is at least 10 years old, so I gave it a new life in top form.

And added a little ric rac to the sleeves and bottom edge because ric rac and dots just go together!

I’ve also been doing other little UFOs that aren’t worthy of photos but important nonetheless, like fixing busted seams to a pretty vintage dress!

‘Til next week, friends!

Dottie’s Kraft Korner—Attack of the Killer UFOs: Week One

Crafts + DIY, ,

Week One in my mission to knock out some projects that have been on my UFO To Do list and I’m quite chuffed at my success.  This week I attack:

9.) Make the Peach a few light-weight summer shirts—DONE.

When the mercury starts to climb our Peach turns into one sticky little lady. She needs tops made of lightweight cotton that cover her shoulders and allow for air circulation to go along with her capri pants that suit her slide-loving lifestyle. Just a couple of light fanciful tops as a nice alternative to t-shirts.

I found the perfect little pattern, Sophia at Burda.  Looked super simple right? Well, yes, I suppose it was, but I’m process seamstress who enjoys the whirring of the sewing machine and try to find little ways to make the piece extra pretty.  I also like to finish my seams with my beloved serger because the Peach can be tough on clothes.  This pattern was nice and easy and sweetly girlish without being an explosion of lace and ruffles. And a couple of nice techniques added–like simple gathering on the sides.

This was my first time using Burda and the instructions were pretty basic which isn’t an issue and I like the instant printable access of buying patterns online. Pretty much followed it to a t except I used a hook and eye in the back and also had to widen the collar quite a bit for my clearly big headed baby.

So I knocked out two pretty quickly and they were perfect for the warmer weather we are having. And really dress up the super simple Target capris that are turning into her summer staples. Along with her saltwater sandals. Why yes, I did base all of the fabric choices (pulled from my stash) on what would go with her shoes…

Stay tuned for next week’s UFO update.  Squee! Very excited!