Dora's New Backpack

Ok so, technically, it's not a backpack; but I thought that would be clever to say. It's a carry-on bag and it's quilted.





I was testing a little pattern out because I've been looking for an 18" doll for my little girleen, and Dora was the closest thing we had at home.
I thought it was a cute idea to make this little bag and a few outfits for Dora and the new doll once I get her ordered. Dora is a nice fill-in doll, even though she isn't a full 18 inches.








It consists of 3 coordinating vintage sheets and light batting. It's about 7" long and quilted with straight lines. It is fully lined and has 3 pockets on one side. It can double as my girlie's purse or even a makeup bag or pencil pouch. I think I'm going to keep it for the dolls for now. I am, however, going to draft a bigger one for my daughter so that when we travel she can stop using mine.

Thrifting 12.3.11

I haven't been thrifting in awhile. I've been trying to take some time off and just focus on home and such. I was anxious yesterday from all the ridiculous things that have happened throughout the week that I needed to get out and clear my head. So I ventured to the thrift shops. I read a horoscope once in a quilting magazine that Taurus (myself), when feeling low; anxious; in a bad mood, feel the need to be surrounded by fabric; touching it; running it through their fingers but not necessarily purchasing it. Whoever authored that article had no idea how true they really were. Whenever I feel like I'm going to wig-out, just the sight of fabric (or vintage sheets) calms my spirit. With that said let's get on to the small treasures I brought home.

I didn't find many sheets this go around, but I did find some things that I haven't seen before. I bought 2 sheets, 3 curtain panels, some yellow linen, some paisley silky dress fabric, and some yarn and knitting book for a swap partner's Christmas stocking.






This is the curtain panel. I found 3 of them bundled together. I thought they were pillowcases until I got them in the car. I realized they were curtain panels, EVEN BETTER. I had been coveting this one after seeing it on flickr many moons ago. So glad it's in my possession.


I love love love this one. I'm so happy to finally find a sheet with purple in it that is a floral. I never find purples. Well I've found some sheets a LONG time ago that were mostly blue with a few lilac sprigs here and there. But this one has more purple than any of those florals.


I also love this sheet. I actually have one just like it, but it is so cut up from previous sewing. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's the perfect shade of kiwi green, one of my favorite colors. I actually think I'm going to use this one on my bed since the elastic is still in tact and it matches all of my bedding. I'm so glad to have find it.


Lots of yellow linen. I'm not sure about yardage as I haven't even opened it up yet. I think there is at least a yard. I bought some mustard linen when I was in New York and have been reluctant to cut into it, so I think this is a wonderful practice piece.


This is some great fabric as well. I bought some navy and fabric similiar to it in Thrifting 9.9.11. It's very silky and has a woven pattern and a printed pattern almost like a Jacquard does. The paisley print on the front is much more intricate than the mottled image that shows through on the back. I sort of like the back a bit more.



What have you thrifted lately?

Sponsored Giveaway!

Head on over to The Vintage Sheet Blog! Heather is hosting her wonderful bi-weekly linky party for holiday gift suggestions and I'm sponsoring a giveaway there.

You will get a chance to win a patchwork pillow sham, market tote, and owl card wallet.
So what are you waiting for? Go! Check out all the fun Heather is offering on The Vintage Sheet Blog.

In-The-Hoop Crayon Roll File Available

For a limited time, I am offering this design download for 4" x 4" hoops in PES format.


I created this ITH crayon roll for two reasons: 1.) I wanted to donate a few of them to charities for kids this season so they will have something to take along in their pockets, and 2.) I wanted to give people with 4x4 hoops something more to stitch out than just regular aplliques and filled designs.

The design is available for download at Sew Forum for a few weeks. The terms of use and instructions are also posted there.

Enjoy!

My New Wall-hanging

I bought a clearanced custom frame last year when I worked at Hobby Lobby. It was an odd measurement; the opening measured 12" by 29.5" and it was a natural wood with no stain. I bought it in hopes to turn it into a headboard. I couldn't ever think of any great ideas for a headboard. So it sat in the way until today.

Today I figured I would finally turn this odd frame into a piece of art. So I went to my vintage sheet scraps and pulled a few pieces out and started working. And came up with this:

I'm not sure if I'm going to still use it as a headboard or hang it on the wall. I rested it on my thread rack just for picture purposes.

It's made from some thin muslin, vintage sheet scraps, vintage bias tape, and some of my own machine embroidery. I live the addition of the little birdies testing on top of the bunting. I layered the fabric on top of some felt just for stability before stapling it to the frame.





I didn't sew the bunting pennants down because I like the movement they have when the wind catches them. It seems like a real bunting floating in the wind.

Glittery Gingerbread Crayons

I've been wanting for a while now to make some shaped crayons with my girlie. So yesterday we finally made some. I went to Hobby Lobby and got a silicone gingerbread ice tray and to the dollar store for a big box of crayons. I already had fine glitter at home.


We broke up the crayons and put them into the little shapes, and I added glitter to it. We put 2 different colors into each mold just to give it a swirled/marbled effect. I, then, put them in the oven. This was trial and error for me because we used 2 different brands of crayons, and I noticed that one brand wasn't really melting how it should. So I had to fill those molds with crayons that would melt and reheat them all.











They also make great building blocks when they aren't being used to color.










I think these may make their way into the goodie bags for the kiddos in her class this Christmas!

DIY Leaf Ring

I ordered some brass leaves a while ago from Fancifuls, Inc to use to make some earrings. That never panned out. I was messing around the other night with the leaves and decided to make rings instead. It's a fairly simple process that makes a pretty stunning piece of jewelry. So let's get started.

All you will really need is a malleable metal finding or embellishment about 1.5" to 2.5" in width, your fingers, and pliers. My leaf is 2.25" from tip to tip.


Then start to bend both ends inward to curve into a ring shape.


Now take your pliers and slightly bend your ends, taking care not to push too much so that you don't poke it into your finger.

Shape your ring a little more. Try it on and make adjustments as needed. When I'm done I take the ring and roll it on a hard surface so that you smooth out some of the roughness of your handiwork.


Wear to your next outing!


This is what it looks like on the back: