She's Sew Pretty

Show and Tell Sunday: Linens

Today's Show and Tell Sunday is all about Linens.

I love embroidered linens.  These are just some of my favorites. 

Pillowcases.

Pretties.

I like to use vintage linens in my sewing.  This is my favorite antique and thrift shopping bag.

Here's a corner of my laundry room. The rag dolls are made from vintage linens. I made the doll on the left.

Don't even get me started on tablecloths.  We'd be here all day!

Thanks so much Cerri.  I've got to get me some coffee so I can sit here and check out everyone else's linens.
 

On the Road Again

Want to see what I've been up to this week when I wasn't at doctor's offices?  We took a drive to Kaweah, California to clean out my in-law's "little shed". My father-in-law passed away over three years ago and we finally got around to cleaning out his tool shed.  The property was sold more than two years ago and the new owner was nice enough to not push us to get it packed up. While the guys sorted, I chased a turkey around the property. He wouldn't cooperate for a good picture though. We're going to miss this beautiful place (turkeys and all).  Here's my little pile of stuff.  My hubby's marbles that I thought he'd lost, old bottles and tools.  A milk glass snack set. This box was full of old greeting cards.  My mother-in-law was going to take off the stamps and throw the rest away.  No!  So, I offered to take off the stamps and send them to her.  I've been having fun reading through the cards.  Most were sent to my in-laws when my hubby was born.  I kept teasing him that he must have been a girl because they were all pink babies. Then I finally found one that said, congratulations on your baby boy!  Good thing...I was getting worried.
Today, I got around to washing some of the bottles and the snack set.  I'm going to put buttons in some of the bottles.  I'm not sure if I'll keep the snack set yet. My hubby and I have a deal.  When I bring something into the house, I give away or sell something.
Speaking of selling-here's my newest pincushion. Sure, it's a blatant plug for my Etsy. How else am I gonna buy more buttons?!    ;o)

Such a Babushka

Aren't these the cutest, babushkas ever?  My daughter crocheted them for me for Mother's Day.  Then my kids and my son-in-law chipped in and bought me a new swing for the back yard.  When we actually have some time, we'll get it put together.  I've been busy getting poked, prodded and scanned.  Today, I have to go back for another mammogram to check out "something suspicious" on the last one.  Say a little prayer for me please.  If you're one of my "real life" friends, I'm sorry I haven't called.  Been just too busy with life.  That's me with my new dolls.  I'm kinda shaped like my babushkas.  I have a big life decision coming up about that extra weight around my tummy.   I'll be back in a few days with some news or some sewing, whichever comes first.

* Didn't want to wait to share my news.  After a much more thorough, tear running down the cheek, silently screaming,  boob smash, the radiologist declared me cancer free and told me to come back next year.  I admit I was really scared. Because of other problems, I've been having, I convinced myself that they must be all side effects of cancer.  Funny how your mind plays tricks with you.  Turns out I have diabetic neuropathy that is giving me pain that comes and goes in my back and abdomen.  There's nothing that can be done for it except to change position when the pain occurs.  As it doesn't happen all the time and goes away as soon as I change position, I can handle that.  Anyway, enough about my problems.  I'm ready to get back to my sewing machine! Thanks so much for your well wishes and prayers!  XXOO

Happy Mother's Day

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."
--Washington Irving

Don't forget Show and Tell Sundays.  Today's topic is Mothers.  Analise is the hostess today and she has a very sweet tribute to her mom.

Sing Like a Bird

I've been working on my screens for Karla and Beth's Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop swap. Or maybe, I should say I've been driving myself nuts instead. First I made these two.  I couldn't figure out what to put in the window with the ladies.  Then my hubby said, "they're not quite up to your usual standard."  Hmph.  So I put them to the side.  These two were next, but when I measured them they were too big.  Drats.  I guess I should have measured the bingo cards first.  I'll blame it on my few blond hairs.
Last night, I popped the Andrea Bocelli "Vivere" Live in Tuscany dvd in and started all over. This time I measured and cut the cards first.  I like how they turned out.  Thanks Andrea!  Oh my, if you love opera and beautiful music, you should rent or buy that dvd.  It is absolutely stunning.  I listened to it twice.  It came with a cd too.  I'll be driving around town with Andrea blaring from my speakers.  Watch out!

Estate Sale Treasures

When my friend Amy came to town the other day, I took her shopping at some of my favorite places.  While we were at the Emporium, I saw a notice for an estate sale on May 5th and 6th.  I was busy most of the weekend.  I had a luncheon with my daughter in honor of mothers at her mother-in-law's church and Japanese food out with a friend.  I kept thinking about that sale though.  It was calling my name.
I finally found some time and drove over to it.  It was at a cute, little, white clapboard house surrounded by red geraniums and a white picket fence. The area was bad, but this was a little jewel in the middle of the block.  I walked up the driveway and right away saw a hat box that I had to have.  There were long tables filled with treasures.  The best thing of all was that it was the last day and everything was half price.  I walked around, trying not to hyperventilate, tucking things in my new hat box. There was a table filled with Marie Antoinette look-a-likes with crocheted lace skirts. I spotted this little girl though and she had to come home with me.  A table full of linens held lace doilies, aprons and bags of sewing notions.  These patterns look fun.   The apron pattern by Betsey Johnson is uncut.  I also bought a huge bag of buttons and another of costume jewelry.  Look at all of these buttons. 

I'm still sorting it all out.   I see lots of new projects in the future! And those little angels (50 cents), they cleaned up really well.

Let's Go Shopping

This Sunday's Show and Tell is a visit to our favorite shops. Come with me for a tour of my favorites.  Good Goods in Visalia, California is a day trip for me and my hubby.  The shop is a restored Victorian house that is filled with good things.They sell beautiful antiques and  home decor.  There's also a big barn full of furniture and a garden shed  filled with outdoor  tables, swings and  other garden decor.

My hubby likes to eat at Taylor's Hot Dogs in Visalia.  We compromise.  I get to go to Good Goods.  He hangs out with me and then we have lunch at the hot dog place.   
I also like to browse through The Emporium in Clovis, California.

It's a nice big antique store with a little bit of everything. I don't always spend money there.  I like to window shop and look at all of the goodies. I took Amy there last week and she  pointed out the little pink dress in the frame up on the wall.  Cute idea.
This shop is called Heart's Delight. It is my favorite place to shop for my friends and my sister-in-laws.  They have everything from Mary Engelbreit to Department 56. 
Of course, the best place to shop is right here at my computer.  I love visiting Etsy and seeing what's new. 
(click on this picture to see some of my favorite sellers; I tried posting the mini and it wouldn't work for me)

Thanks Cerri for hosting this week's Show and Tell!

Ahoy Mateys-I'm Soiree Bound!

Despite rumors to the contrary, I am here to tell you that Captain Jack is bringing me to Donna's Soiree.  I promised Jack some booty in exchange for a ride on the Black Pearl.  Booty being my grandmother's gold locket.  (git yer minds out of the galley)  Hey, if I can hitch a ride with Jack, I figure I can look 30 years younger and have a 17 inch waist. Those corsets work miracles!

People and Presents

My daughter's birthday party was Sunday. Her hubby and mother-in-law cooked a wonderful lunch of shish kebab, a middle eastern salad and other yummies.   You all were right when you guessed that I made her an apron.  I wish my picture had turned out better.  Some times my camera plays tricks with me.  I think it's possessed.  Could be the operator though.  The party was fun.  My son-in-law's one year old twin nephews stole the show though.  They even serenaded us.  They are so adorable and so sweet! I wanted to take them home.
Yesterday was a real treat too!  I met Amy at Abundant Curiosities almost a year ago.  She was reading my blog and I said I was looking for a little hanger for this cute baby dress.  Amy had one and sent it to me and we began a friendship through email and our blogs from 3000 miles away.  Who would have thought that we would ever get to meet in person?  Well this week Amy is visiting California from Ohio and yesterday her sweet sister-in-law drove her down to meet me.  We had a nice lunch and then Amy came over to my house. I showed Amy where I make my messes art.
(me, Amy and my daughter)
My daughter dropped by on the way home from the dentist (Poor baby) and was able to meet Amy too.  Then my hubby and I took Amy and Sue to visit Old Town Clovis and hang out in some of my favorite stores.  Amy is so sweet and cute!  We had to laugh because Amy and I were both wearing black tops, khaki capris, black headbands and even our wedding rings were almost identical.  We had such a good time.  I really felt like I had known Amy forever.  There weren't any awkward silences and I didn't want her to leave. We'll have to plan a trip back east one of these days.   

Happy Birthday to My Girl!

She might be all grown up. She might have a great job.   She might be married to a great guy and live in a big, beautiful, new house.  Tomorrow she might be turning 24.  But, she'll always be my little girl.
Want a sneak peek at what I've been working on for her this week? Can you guess what it is?
Please, go wish her a Happy Birthday.  Tell her that her mom sent you.