Linaloo

Koumpounophobics look away now

So far our weekend has been a bit of wash out weather wise unfortunately.  I'd hoped to take lots of beautiful leafy fall pictures, but alas it was not to be.  However, time inside meant a few more completed projects on the sewing machine - including a tutorial which I'll post in the next few days.  I'm far too lazy to do these on a regular basis, but given that I use a lot of other tutorials, I feel like it's my turn to offer a little something...  Here's a sneak preview - waiting for better weather so I can take some good pictures.  See that little button?  It's my most prized thrifted button - it took a lot of strength to actually use it!

 

Speaking of buttons, here's some more of my collection that are still attached to their original packaging.  I found a huge stash a while back in my favourite thrift store and it looks like many of these are from the local area. The needle trade was (and still is to a lesser extent) big business in Montreal in the sixties and seventies. 

   

And then a simple little project, this linen and doily tote.  Made in just an hour, I never really tire of this kind of sewing project...

 
How was your weekend?

H A P P Y

Just as I was sending everyone else to sleep with my insomnia woes and feeling a bit irritable and sorry for myself as a result, something arrived in the post today that elevated my mood to HAPPY. I'd been evidently grumbling a little too loudly on flickr about the lack of Target in Canada and how all this Orla Kierly business was making me green with envy. Crystal to the rescue - she sent these beautiful goodies, plates, placemat and a ridiculously cute apron. Just because.

I'm shellshocked. Thank you. Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart. This kind of generosity blows me away and truly made my day. I defy anyone not to smile at such treasures and the generous spirit in which they were given.

And if you haven't met Crystal before - go check out her blog, she's a great combination of crafty and hilarious. She also started the fabulous flickr group 365 for the domestic types where many of us post daily photos of our lives.

You rock Crystal!

(Um, not sure the Brit in me really allows me to say things like this without sounding hopelessly uncool, but there, I said it anyway!)

Thrift store score

Spring is on the horizon I feel it yay! I love how a longer day instantly gives me a much needed energy boost.

And how could I feel anything but bright and cheerful looking at such spring-like goodness. I only have one decent thrift store near me, but it's very reliable, I can always find something that lifts my spirits and my visit earlier this week was no exception. The fabric pictured above (mostly pillowcases) will be cut up soon for my next project.

Hidden in a dark musty corner, amidst old curtain rings and odd knitting needles, I found these treasures. Two humongous bags of buttons for $4. I need to buy a glue gun and a copy of this book.

Re-entry

Today signals re-entry into our normal life here. Children off to school, hubby and I back to work. It’s been a long (almost 3 weeks) and enjoyable break but I’m not very good at just “being” sometimes and like to keep busy.

I whipped up this over the weekend for my little man, not that he really needs another hat. At only four he already has an impressive collection thanks to his paranoid mother who worries that there’ll never be enough hats to combat the harsh Montreal winter. Anyhow – the pattern was a freebie via ravelry. Oh yes, I’ve succumbed. Isn’t it fabulous?

Learning to knit was one of last year’s craft resolutions but I’m not going to be making any more this year. Crafting and blogging without obligation is what I’m aiming for in 2009. The only commitment I’ve made to creativity is to the 365 group on flickr. It’s been six months since I’ve had my beloved camera and I’ve barely picked up the manual. Armed with a better photography book (thank you darling), I will be concentrating on becoming better acquainted with its full range of functionality, posting pictures daily here. Who knows, may be I’ll get some pictures for my walls by the end of the year?

Ice ice baby (I'm a child of the 80s, or was that 90s?)

 

Playing around on flickr. Think I'm going to have to upgrade.

- 17C, sunny and very pretty outside today with all the ice.

See the ice bowl?  I made it as a hostess gift for a party tonight and will fill it with candles later. 

Happy weekend all!

I heart orange

 

On my mantle piece.

 

First felted project, not quite finished.

 

My new favourite colour. 

Repurposing :: Thank You

Thank you for all the birthday wishes.

Thank you to all the wonderful and creative women who played along in this challenge. 

I'm wrapping this up at a bit early, but please do keep me posted on any future repurposing projects, I'm always interested and happy to post about them. 

A few last projects to show you, including this summery delight from Val, made from a tablecloth.

Jill has posted a bag made from jeans and a skirt made from shirts.  I love the jeans bag, I'm sure my teenage nieces would love one of these for Christmas.

So special thanks to:  Elaine,  Joanne, Melissa, Mary Beth, Lisa, Beth, Catherine, Jill and Val for sharing your ideas. Please go take a look at what they've made.  Hopefully I haven't missed anyone,  I sincerely apologise if I have - high humidity seems to give me brainache.

I'm taking a blog break for a while. Our visitors arrive tomorrow and there are lots of fun adventures to be had in the next few weeks. A good time to take a break from the computer and sewing machine and just hang out with my family and dear friends.  

Enjoy your summer - I'll be back soon!

Repurposing Challenge :: More inspiration

I'm lagging behind a little in the sewing department this week.  General busyness at work coupled with long hot sticky days are slowing me down somewhat. So no new sewing to share here.  Have no fear there's more sheet inspiration from Beth and Lisa, both of whom have used sheets to make fabulous skirts. I particularly like the Beth's idea of a using an old tshirt for a waist band  (scroll down to the bottom of the post)- watch out for at tutorial soon!   Lisa recently hosted a summer skirt sheet swap, check out the flickr group for the results and her blog for some pretty summer tops.

The flower is a nasturtium by the way.  They remind me of the seventies, I'm not sure why.  Their petals are edible (a bit peppery) and my children have been snacking on them every time we leave the house.  Tonight we had them in salad - yum!

Repurposing Challenge :: Week 3

OK, so I'm avoiding making a dress for myself.  Instead I stuck to the basics and made this pillowcase dress for Ruby.  I was pretty sure she'd dismiss it as too babyish but I took my chances anyway.  Surprisingly, she loves it.  For two reasons apparently.  Firstly because it is a night time and a day time dress (she wore it to bed last night, all day today and tonight - I guess it will have to be washed soon) and secondly, because of its Dorothy appeal. 

She's just discovering the Wizard of Oz and it seems to provide hours of endless imaginative play. She's Dorothy and Tommy is Toto...they even have their own yellow brick road!  Precious.

  

Back tomorrow with some more inspiration!

Repurposing Challenge :: Inspiration

Thanks for all the continued interest in the repurposing challenge! I finished off the second pair of lounge pants and tote last night.   This sheet is definitely a little more retro, I love the pattern but am a little nervous of what that the intended recipient might think!

Two of the commenters here in the past week are new to me bloggers, Catherine and Jill, who have both suggested wonderful ways of reusing old tshirts.  I have to be honest that the idea of sewing any tshirts scares me somewhat (not that easy I'm imagining?) but their ideas may inspire to feel the fear and do it anyway.

Catherine  made these fabulous mother and daughter t-shirt skirts (scroll to the bottom of her post) using the Alabama Stitch book.  Made using reverse applique, its a perfect example of how we can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Pretty stunning, I love the colours.

Jill has also cleverly reused a favourite outgrown child's tshirt into a keepsake. Take a look at her blog where she's posted a great tutorial for Riley the Repurposed Rabbit.

Thanks for the great ideas girls!  Keep them coming everyone! 

This weekend I'm making a dress for myself...wish me luck. My dress making history is basically a catalogue of disasters and write-offs....I'm hoping to make something I might actually wear!