Monday, April 30, 2012

Crafty Weekend







































This past weekend found me pushing pause on the quilt making and picking up a paintbrush for the Cafe.  This little cupboard was the ugliest rust brown.  Several coats of white breathed some new life into it.








































The decals were made using vintage "Happy Birthday" wrapping paper.  I lined the cupboards with scrapbook paper and some crochet trim from an old piece I had in my scraps.












































The bottom half is lined with the vintage paper.  I left the corner that gives the copyright of 1962, the year I was born.












































The biggest project of the weekend was this cut out cupcake.  I had fun using my jig saw and drill.  It took a few hours to complete.  I hope the little ones that visit the cafe will enjoy peeking through to get their picture taken.  Tomorrow marks the 50th day of the cafe opening and we are celebrating with an icecream social.  Everything is better with icecream (and sprinkles!).


Smiles,

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Scripture


Source: etsy.com via Renee on Pinterest



"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river,
or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15

With joy,

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Making Memories







































It's that time of year when the t-shirt quilt orders start coming in.  It's a fun quilt to make and let's me go on a little journey of a person's life.  Most of them are for graduation but some are for those who have already graduated, like this one above.  I have six custom quilt orders to complete.  Five before the end of May.  Time to put the pedal to the floor!


Smiles,

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Peek-a-boo








































This photo was taken last spring at the farm.  This past Sunday I was there for a meeting with a client. What occurs every year is a spring gathering of local barn cats who come to the farm to have their babies.  While taking a stroll around the grounds on Sunday I stooped to talk to Frannie who was weaving in and out of my legs.  Frannie is a black cat and the only cat who belongs to the owners.  I looked up to see pairs of eyes looking at me from inside the barns.  Three different pairs of eyes.   Looks like there's some kitties in hiding.  Gosh, I hope those eyes were kitties…


With joy,

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Not Any Bag




Source: modcloth.com via Renee on Pinterest



I want to show you these two adorable bags I saw on Pinterest.  The top one is Cath Kidston and the bottom one is Modcloth.  Both are sold out ~ of course!  I wish more designers would make items like this for those of us who craft.  Have a great Tuesday!


Smiles,

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Moments


Simple knitting
of a flower washcloth
the size of a placemat
grr…

Smiles,

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Sewing Room







































I tried to get some good pictures of the sewing room but the sun was not cooperating with me.  I snapped a few anyway.  I also avoided the mad dash around the room to clean up.  It is what it is, as the saying goes!








































This room is located off the kitchen and is separated from the dining room by french doors.  Actually, this used to be the dining room.  It's pretty small though, so after some room swapping it makes for a sunny (on a good day!) spot to sew.








































I have some wonderful storage, thanks to my friend, Keith, who took vintage windows and built the cabinet around it.  For being on fabric lockdown, I still have much to use up!








































I'm very happy for my own space to create.  Everyone should have a little spot of their own.  For me, that has sometimes been a corner of the family room and that's okay too, as long as you've got a place to dream.  Blessings!


With joy,



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Sunlit Rooms








































The sun was coming in so pretty tonight that I thought I would show you some of the rooms in my house.  This room is called the "pretty room".  Boys are not normally allowed but they tend to sneak in anyway!








































This room was sage green until recently.  We don't get much sunlight in here so the blue makes it much brighter.








































I really do enjoy decorating and nothing stays the same for very long.  Things often get moved from room to room.








































I have always wanted a round dining room table and found one earlier this year.  It was made by Amish men and is 72 inches round.  It seats eight comfortably.  It is screaming for a quilt which is on the never ending list of projects.  Maybe a rug too!








































This piece was purchased at a resale shop for under $250.  I have found many of my pieces from resale shops, flea markets and garage sales.  There are some wonderful bargains out there.  Oh, and I would wallpaper every inch of my house if I could!








































I thought I would throw in a picture of the kitchen, post dinner, lest you think that the rooms are always clean.  If I can make the sewing room presentable, I will show you that tomorrow.  Blessings!


Joyfully,

Monday, April 16, 2012

In The Yard







































I was able to get some yard work done this morning before the rain set in.  I even managed to get a little Preen on some of the flower beds.  Although last years hydrangea flowers are dry, they still look pretty to me against the black of the wheelbarrow.  I hope you are having a productive Monday!


Hugs,

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sunday Scripture







































"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may
be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  ~2 Timothy 3:16-17


Sunday Blessings,

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Little Bunting Wreath







































Isn't this adorable?  My sweet friend, Chelsea, made this for me!  You may remember Chelsea and her fun shower here.  I love it!


Smiles,

Friday, April 13, 2012

From Old to New







































The tables we used for Hope's party are 60 inch round.  The church provided white tablecloths and I new I wanted to add a pop of pretty color but I didn't have enough time to take on a big sewing project.  I remembered that I had a vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt that was in really bad shape.  I had purchased it with the intent of making it into something new.  I found a large round container and I traced 17 circles on it with a thick sharpie marker.  Then I cut out the circles (the first cut made my heart hurt a bit) and then I sewed pom-pom trim in pink and white to all the circles.  Each table had a quilt circle on it with a pitcher of flowers.  I am using some now for placemats in the kitchen.  So fun and so easy!


With joy,

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Braided Row







































It felt wonderful to be able to do a bit of sewing yesterday.  I am making Brenda Riddles wonderful quilt titled, "By My Hand", as a block of the month program through Shabby Fabrics.  You can view the quilt here.  For March we had to complete the braided row.  I'm very excited to be making this quilt.  Brenda is an extremely talented quilter, pattern and fabric designer.  You can view her blog, Little Acorns, here.  May you find a bit of time to do some stitching today!


Smiles,

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Vintage Suitcase


Yesterday my church threw a surprise party for a wonderful lady named Hope.  The party was to celebrate her 90th birthday.  I was responsible for the decorations.  We needed a box for cards and I remembered that I had purchased a vintage suitcase for that very reason.  Though I had planned on using it at the farm for weddings, it was perfect for a birthday party as well.  It sat on a table next to a large blue hydrangea plant.  The blue of the plant complimented the blue lining in the suitcase.  We had a wonderful time celebrating Hope, a woman who fears and loves the Lord, one that is an example to many.

Hugs,

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday Scripture




"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid," for 
I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Matthew 28:5-6

Happy Easter!

Praising Our Savior,

Friday, April 6, 2012

Giveaway Winner


















The winner of this months giveaway is Karen at Quilting, Losing and Tea!  Congratulations, Karen, I have sent you an email.  Happy Sewing!







































I have been working on the new window display at the cafe this week.  I've gone with a vintage birthday party theme.  I had a lot of fun finding vintage birthday cards on line and mounting them on card stock.







































I used my crinoline dishes in pink and aqua.  Each teacup is filled with a knitted cupcake.  The vintage paper birthday cake came from Etsy.  The yellow dress is part of my collection of vintage dresses.







































Such a happy, cheerful place to visit.  I wish you all could come for lunch!


Blessings,

Monday, April 2, 2012

April Giveaway







































It's the first of the month and time for my monthly giveaway!  Time has gone by so quickly and we find ourselves at the fourth giveaway already.  I am so enjoying these giveaways and all the fun things I learn about you through the question I pose each month.  This giveaway will run through Thursday, ending at midnight.  I will announce the winner this Good Friday, winner selected by random generator.


To Enter:

~Please be a follower of Sewn With Grace
~Tell me about an Easter tradition in your family

You will win:

~This beautiful selection of fabrics and pattern
to make the darling ShelbyMine bag
~Three vintage strawberries and some other surprise vintage goodies!


Jodi from Pleasant Home has some wonderful kits to offer
and she has a fabulous blog, you can visit her here.

Smiles,