Snowplows outside and a new garden grows

Surprised myself to find how quickly my garden (collection) of vintage enameled flower jewelry is growing. Here's just my latest acquisitions. I'm going to have to round them all up for a photoshoot soon.

Made with Love, literally

Lately, my sewing machine didn't see much handbag action, until Amy Butler's new line of fabrics called "Love" showed up crisply folded in those pesky cardboard boxes that seem to reproduce on their own (and always at my doorstep this time of year).

As I rifled through the tissue, these two fabrics seemed to jump out on their own ahead of the rest of the line, straight to the cutting table. With a bit of my favorite German ribbon, (getting close to the last inch of this one ....sigh....)--and a rather spirited bag resulted!

A Happy and Colorful Friday to you!

hmmmm......how quickly Thanksgiving has breezed by. The last of my sugar pumpkins appeared on our table stuffed with bread cubes, cheeses, and heavy cream--all baked until bubbly and it was so wickedly, lushly, rich--the turkey didn't stand a chance! The best part? -- the hubster made them all on his own.....definitely a recipe worth keeping.

A Utilitarian Bag?

Last week I visited the local Joann Fabrics to buy Gutermann thread in my favorite "taupey" khaki color (#509). This Joann's is an older store, that likely needs a freshening remodel, and unfortunately they don't carry the fabrics that I tend to use. But like that comfy old fleecy coat, it's just right when you need it, and I needed more thread. While loading up on the thread, I remembered "red ticking". Joann's would have to have classic red ticking. My thoughts of late have been to team ticking with some upholstery weight linen that I have on hand.

Purposefully I find one of the wonderful ladies who work there to guide me towards the ticking. ( I do enjoy asking them for help, they always have excellent suggestions--shout out to the "Jeanamagig"--another post at another time). Rather than just give me some quick directions, she walks me to the ticking in a section named "Utility Fabrics". A disappointing name, it just didn't do justice to my ideas for the ticking.

Oh well, that rather "utilitarian" label did little to dampen my ideas as you can see in the above photo.

Tiny Holiday Pillows

Vintage red velvet ribbon wraps up a tiny pillow to hang from a doorknob or shelf.

Rest Your Merry Head Pillow

While shopping for Halloween decorations and party supplies on October 7th, I actually had to make my way past the Christmas aisles. Singing bells, twinkling lighted lawn ornaments--by the time I found the spider rings and vampire fangs, my head was ready to explode from the sensory barrage of LED polar bears and Santas.

This year, the Christmas theme in the Nell Gleason studio is tranquil color.

I purchased several yards of this Cowtan and Tout fabric a few years ago. Linen backs velvet stripes of seaglass greens and blues. Back then I had no idea how to use the fabric, but I think its time has come.

Fluffy Puffy Color Powerhouse Patchwork

Head of the bed, or slouch of the couch, this fluffy puffy powerhouse patchwork adds a snap of attention with color. Some of my favorite Anna Maria Horner colorful fabrics quilted together with a babywale aqua blue corduroy for the backing. This pillow measures 29 inches long and 12 inches high.