Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Treasure Hunting

 I can never resist a bag of buttons. Especially when the procuring of them is made entirely too much fun. The vendor had cleverly stowed her button collection in one large and alluring vintage bucket complete with a metal ladle. I kid you not. I was sifting through her buttons for a good half hour picking and choosing carefully until this bag was brimful to the top. I find it adorable how the bag's pear shape makes it look like a patchwork fruit from a distance.

A quarter seemed none too much to pay for this wealth of miniature white rings. I cannot wait to try crocheting them into little wreath ornaments with different color schemes for each holiday.

Lastly, I found these abandoned finials and mini tart tins. I think with the right glue, I can make the finials into a tiered plate stand for craft notions. Undecided as to whether I want to keep the weathered brass or just spray paint them some vibrant shade of aqua or pink. The tart tins have come in handy for displaying tea lights or small candies. They also work exceedingly well for corralling roly poly thumb tacks.

Treasure hunting through vintage ephemera is always so exhilarating! What lovely finds have you been exulting over recently? 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Super Sweet


Thank you, Homeschooljewelrymom, for nominating me for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. It was so kind of you! The award comes with 5 questions about me, so here goes....

1 - Cookies or Cake?
Depends on what I am craving. Cake mostly. Pie even more!

2 - Vanilla or chocolate?
Vanilla ice cream. Chocolate everything else. 

3 - What is your favorite sweet treat?
Hard to choose! Anything dark chocolate - espresso beans, peppermints patties, truffles, bars, etc... 

4 - When do crave sweet things the most?
Um... just about 24/7. Definitely have a sweet tooth!

5 - If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?
My mom sometimes called me sweetie pie or sweetheart when I was little. 

Have a sweet day, my friends!


Friday, February 22, 2013

Happy Yarn!


 I could not believe my eyes when I found this lush vintage yarn with original wrappers intact for only a dollar a skein! Oooooh what a happy day! I am thinking of making some delicate floral broaches, but not entirely sure as yet. Just delighting in the possibilities for the moment.

What treasures have you recently discovered?

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Caravan Love

Welcome to The Shabby Shack.

This cutie was on display last fall at the Country Living Fair.

 Can you imagine the sweetness of reposing in this tiny bower as a gentle spring breeze rustled the curtains? I can almost inhale the lilacs now...

 Every corner was brim-full of vintage happiness.

 I so very much wanted to sit down for a spot of tea. 
Just look at those sweet iron coasters!


What happy adventures must be had in this darling little "Shabby Shack." Small living at its best. 
Maybe someday, I will own one of my own tiny treasures. 

Until then, I shall sweetly dream on...

Monday, February 18, 2013

Cuppycake Purse


 This free Red Heart pattern worked up well and relatively quickly. I must confess that patterns which require redoing the same motif a second time to make a back get a little monotonous for me, but the payoff was well worth the effort. Sewing on the little round dots was probably the most tedious part of the whole affair, but the results were so cute that I am all ready thinking of making another!



Happy Crocheting!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Tea Time Reflections

This Friday finds me in a rather contemplative mood. Many changes are afoot in my life just now - all very exciting yet somewhat scary in that they herald the advent of something new and not quite known. I am going to begin my Doctorate degree using an online university this summer. Academia has long been a heady passion for me, but I also know from past experience that it requires a very large time commitment and a boat load of work. I am older now than when I last put my nose to the grindstone for my Masters degree and have more responsibilities in my life.  However, I have been in much prayer and consideration over this and realize that if ever I am to pursue a Doctorate then this is the time. I will be specializing in Reading & Literacy Education which has always been close to my heart. For the past year, I have felt like I was in a holding tank just waiting for what was to come next, restless in the meantime. Exhilaration is bringing to me a new breath of life for the first time in a while now. This is a three year and one quarter commitment. There will be times of doubt and anxiety to be sure, but the joy of accomplishment that is waiting for me at the end of this time will be what spurs me on through times of ebbing spirit. I am also bolstered by the knowledge that I can depend on all my lovely blogging friends to support me in my endeavors ;-)

So wish me luck and cover me with your prayers, dear friends. 
My start date is July 8!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Wedding Shower Gift

I had such fun making these dishcloths for a dear friend and his fiance. It was especially thrilling to know that this lovely young lady adores vintage and handmade goods ~ somehow makes the work more rewarding that way.  

 For the multi-colored cloths, I just made simple squares of double crochet. For the white cloths, I made squares of single crochet and then trimmed them out in an aqua scallop (sc/hdc/sc then slip stitch into the next second stitch. Repeat)

 I finished off by tying the bundle of five together with a pretty Shabby Chic tag, then tucked these treasures into a bag with some Bath & Body kitchen soaps and a yummy candle. 

What is your go-to handmade wedding shower gift?

Monday, February 11, 2013

Valentine Tidying




The house can seem so sad after all the Christmas pretties have been put away for another year. Nothing like the balm of happy reds and cheery pinks to pluck up the color in these dismal grey days. The heart bunting brings such a dainty gladness to the windows that I must confess I shall probably leave them out long past February 14!

The quilt on our coffee table was handmade by hubby's grandmother. It is also the quilt he used to set for our surprise engagement picnic luncheon nearly 3 years ago! I am glad I found a way to more prominently display this cherished heirloom. 

What's been inspiring you lately?

Friday, February 8, 2013

Bibs for Baby Zeke



My best friend from college had her first baby, a son named Zeke, this past December. In celebration of this joyous advent,  I whipped up a couple of crochet bibs. I loosely translated this pattern opting not to add the ruffle since it was for a baby boy. For one of the bibs, I crocheted then appliqued this star pattern. Sewed a couple buttons and I was done! Quite the nice little weekend project.

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Dishcloth Delight


This has to be one of my all time favorite dishcloth patterns. Easy to work up with endless color combos to imagine. Find this delightsomeness here.

Happy crocheting, my friends!




Update: I am afraid the pattern is no longer posted. Someone shared this similar pattern if anyone is still interested. 
Similar one is Daisy cloth.  Change colors as you like. Join each row with slip stitch.
Chain 3, close loop.
Row 1: 10DC in loop. Join.
Row 2: 2DC in each stitch for total of 20.Join.
Row 3: 2DC in each stitch for total of 40.Join.
Row 4: Repeat over 4 stitches: 1DC, 1DC, 1DC, 2DC; repeat to end for total of 50 stitches. Join.
Row 5: 1DC in each stitch for total of 50 stitches. Join.
Row 6: Repeat over 5 stitches: 1DC, 1DC, 1DC, 1DC, 2DC. Will have 60 stitches total. Join. 
Row 7: Basically any shell stitch worked over 4 stitches. Chain one and slip stitch in the starting slip stitch of the previous row. Skip DC, work 6 triple crochets in next stitch, Skip next DC, SC in next. Repeat to last 3 DC then skip DC, 6 TC, skip last DC. Slip stitch and finish off.