Crate Liner and Wings Update

Back in August, my inbox contained the most gorgeous photo of prettily-lined blueberry crates available from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture.  I loved the idea of lining these rustic old crates with pretty fabrics.  Recalling an old box I salvaged from a spring thrifting trip, I decided to make my own pretty liner for it using an old Ralph Lauren pillowcase. 
Here's the result:

And here's the original photo from RASC in my email:

I just adore the look of this garden, with our Blessed Mother statue, the paved stones, gravel and of course ROSES!  I love how the crates are stacked.  Wish I had more wooden crates to play with, because this one was fun to embellish...

The other thing I've been up to is making more wire angel wings.  I listed some in Etsy recently and all 3 sold right away.  This week I finished 3 more which will be listed soon.  I have two large sized wings ($45 each) and one small sized wings ($15) available. 
I know some of you fellow bloggers have been interested in the wings, so I thought I'd let you know.  I can reserve a pair on Etsy for you - first come, first serve - just let me know.

UPDATE - 10/14/12 - These latest 3 wings have sold, but I'll add more to Etsy this week.   

Thanks so much for your interest!

Pettengill Farm Visit

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of attending a Vintage Bizarre Fair at the nearby Pettengill Farm with my family.  It was a kid-friendly event with music, food and plenty of shopping!
Sweet Karen of A Shabby Moment in Time joined us on the glorious fall weather day.  As we posed for this photo, the observant lady behind us bought a neat old vintage bottle carrier I was eyeing.  You snooze, you lose!  :)

The owner if this vendor space was Martha of Tara's Treasures in New York.  She graciously allowed us to photograph her displays here:

neat old fleur-de-lis tin panels!

pillow from old ticking fabric

vintage mercury beads

wreath made with lovely vintage Christmas finds

Here's Karen shopping at another fabulous tent by Tracey of The Cozy Nook.  Tracey made some cool outdoor lanterns from fence posts:

I was a terrible photographer that day - too busy chatting with Karen!  Hopefully she'll post some of her photos of the event so you can see more. 
It was a fun New England fall day and I didn't even mind so much that I came home empty-handed.  Sometimes it's just good to browse. 
I'll leave you with a photo of this pretty old house on the property:

Sharing with Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday. 

WINGS WINNER!

Good evening friends!  It's late here, but I just pulled the winning #11 (using random.org) for my giveaway.  The winner is none other than Kathleen from Faded Charm!!  A big smile spread across my face when I discovered the winning comment was Kathleen's.  As many of you know, we recently said goodbye to our beloved White Wednesday link party that Kathleen has graciously hosted for quite a while.  She has inspired so many of us through them all.  I know the friendships and love of white that blossomed from her weekly gathering will continue to thrive. 
Thank you Kathleen - this is quite an honor to bestow the appropriately colored white wings on you! 

Thanks so much to the rest of you for joining in the fun.  Not to fear...I was diligently sewing up some more wings as I watched Dancing with the Stars tonight.  They'll be in my shop soon.  :)

Sweater Pumpkin Tutorial

I saw the most adorable sweater pumpkins on DustyLu Interiors blog recently.  Did you see them?  Here is the link for it:  www.dustyluinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/09/velvet-sweater.html

After gasping at these beauties on Lulu's gorgeous dining room table, I practically ran to the thrift store for old sweaters to make my own. 
Here are the sweater pumpkins I made, sitting pretty on my table with last year's 'glittered' white faux pumpkins:

They were so easy to make, I thought I'd share a tutorial with you.

I found two old sweaters at my thrift store.  This one was J. Crew size XS and made with wool.  Much too tiny to fit anyone, I rationalized:

First I cut the neck off.  It conveniently formed a tube, which is the shape you want to begin with.

Next, turn the tube inside out and gather one end together by basting.  I hurriedly basted with twine and a large needle, but you can gather loosely on the sewing machine:

Pull and fasten the threads together tightly to gather the end, then turn the tube right-side-out.  This gathered end will form the bottom of your pumpkin:

Next stuff your pumpkin with filling from the open end, leaving some room at the top:

Squeeze the top of the pumpkin together, then fasten it with an elastic band.  I also tied some twine at the top:

Lastly, wrap the twine evenly around your pumpkin to form the grooves, then wrap more twine around the 'stem'.  You're done!

I also followed these steps using the body of the same sweater as a 'tube' for my large pumpkin.  Here you can see I simply cut straight across under the sleeves:

I initially gathered the rough edge for the bottom of my pumpkin, then used the finished edge as a nice stem:

Hmmmm...now what to do with those left-over sleeves of my sweaters?  Perhaps I should take a cue from my stylish friend Michelle and make these cozy leg-warmers (see her post about them here):

(photo via PetiteMichelleLouise)

Hope you give these projects a try.  Let me know if you do! 

Sharing this tutorial with White Wednesday. 
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a pair of angel wings and a Somerset Life magazine!

UPDATE to this post (9/28) - folks, I just heard from none other than the creator of the amazing sweater pumpkins on DustyLu Interiors blog, where I got my inspiration!  Her name is Deb Kennedy and she has been designing these 'Sweet Sweater Pumpkins' for years.  You should see all the variety of gorgeous pumpkin creations she makes! 
Run over to her blog www.HOMEwardfounddecor.blogspot.com to take a look.  She also offers a tutorial of the pumpkins here: www.homewardfounddecor.blogspot.com/2012/09/tutorial-sweater-pumpkins.html
which is easier than mine because it's no-sew! 
Thank you Deb - these are perfect for fall!

Wanna Win Wings? - GIVEAWAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU!

Hello friends!  The end of September marks one year since I opened my Etsy store.  It has been quite a pleasure to design, create and sell handmade items in my little shop.   The time has flown by!  To celebrate this anniversary, as well as being published in Somerset Life magazines recently, I'm hosting a giveaway here. 
These decorative angel wings have been the most popular item I've sold in my Etsy shop, in both large and small sizes.  They are handmade by me, carefully sewn with lovely chantilly lace.   
I'm offering a pair of the large wings as part of this giveaway! 

Here are some photos of the giveaway wings on display.  They tilt inward for a dimensional effect:

The winner will also receive a copy of the latest Autumn issue of Somerset Life magazine, which hits newsstands October 1st.  It includes my winter wonderland styrofoam Christmas tree as well as spectacular designs and ideas from talented artists.  See more details here... 

For one chance at winning this giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. 
If you would like more chances to win feel free to blog, facebook or twitter about the giveaway and leave a separate comment for each of those ways you spread the word.  You can copy the giveaway image from this post (1st photo) or my sidebar. 
I will randomly draw the winner next Monday evening October 1st.

Thanks so much for all your encouragement and support this past year.  Good luck!

'Fall'-ing in Line

As we turn the corner to the next season, I've been enjoying adding touches of fall to our living room.  The summer sea-shells have been replaced with fall textures to warm up the room.

I started with my favorite arched window here in the corner and added vintage sheet music behind.  The sheets are hung on twine with rusty old clips I found on eBay.

The 'Ave Maria' sheet music compliments our Blessed Mother figure:



The aged coloring on this sheet music is just beautiful:

We're keeping the antique daybed in here for a little longer, but it won't fit with a big ol' Christmas tree in a few months...

It's still a comfy place to sit a spell, especially with some autumn reading:

 

The fall mantel (for now - I know I'll keep tweaking it)...

More sheet music and texture...

In the entryway, I've added some brown and green to this shelf and urn.  The look is quite a departure from my favorite whites, but I think it's a good change for the fall:

I'll be sharing this mini-tour of our fall living room with White Wednesday this week (since there's still plenty of white in here!). 

Ahhh...September

Gosh, what a busy September this has been so far.  Our clan is slowly getting into the routine of both children being in school all day.  I miss my babes, but I do have to admit that things have finally been getting done around here!  I have a full two-page list of house projects that I'm plowing through, while finding more time to craft. 

I'll be listing these petite frames with vintage wallpaper in my Etsy shop:

They've got a touch of German glass glitter on them:

Along with crafting, I've got more time to read the latest from Jeanne D'Arc Living.  Here's what arrived in my mail last week from talented Roberta:

What's in the brown package underneath, you wonder?  Never too early to start the Christmas inspiration flowing with JDL's new Christmas book "A Touch of France"!!!


Thanks for sending the order quickly Roberta!



Both publications do not disappoint.  I am especially enamored with the article on dress forms in the September issue. 

When I can pull myself away from this good reading, I find time to make angel wings for the shop.  Some small ones like these will be listed soon:

And stay tuned, because I'm planning a 1st anniversary of my Etsy store celebration giveaway and it will definitely include a pair of the large wings:

Thanks for all your encouragement this past year! 
I'll be linking to White Wednesday today - better late than never.