Aidan Gray Holiday Giveaway

Wouldn't you love to figure out where to use a pair of these Aidan Gray candlesticks.

For a chance to own them visit Janette Mallory's blog and enter her Holiday giveaway.

Hurry, giveaway ends December 5th 

Ornament Exchange

I participated in an ornament exchange sponsored by Marsha at Marsha's Musings.  We were given partners and were able to look at their blogs and determine what kind of ornament we wanted to send them.  I decided what to do but it took me longer that I expected it would to complete it.  I received my ornament from my exchange partner Kathi, a few days before sent mine to her.  Kathi makes mini dollhouses with all of the tiny creative details.  Her blog is called Beautiful Mini Blessings.

Here is the ornament she made for me. 

 Isn't all of the detail lovely?  This kind of art work I would not have the patience to do.  The pictures don't show you how pretty it really is.  Visit Kathi and see the picture she took before sending it to me.

I sent her an ornament done in cross-stitch.  My eyesight is not what it used to be so this took longer to complete then I expected.

You won't want to miss Marsha's virtual Christmas Tree to see the other ornaments given in this exchange.  Visit the other blogs linked to Marsha's post and get a closer look at some beautiful ornaments.

Creating Vintage Charm Magazine

While I was visiting a few blogs today I came across a new magazine that I know I would enjoy.  The 2nd issue of this new magazine called Creating Vintage Charm is available now.

To celebrate, the next two issues of the magazine could be yours in this giveaway.  Go take a peak at this lovely new magazine.  I am going now to order a copy of this issue, the first issue is available for purchase also.

More Fall Decorations

A couple of weeks ago, Heather from Me Making Do wrote a post called Crochet a Pumpkin or Two?   The pattern for these pumpkins is here.  I had seen these and had thought about making some.  I accepted the challenge and here are the three I have made.  This will be the last of my Fall projects for this year, it is time to get started on Christmas but I had fun making these, they are a great take-along project.  Now after two Fall swaps and the things I have made I will have to purchase a new tub to store my Fall decorations.   Yeah!

I decided to try one white pumpkin, using white seems to be very popular.  I think I might make more white next year.

I will be linking to Your So Very Creative at Me Making Do 

and Make it For Monday at Cottage Instincts

Swap Party Reveal!

Parsley at Season of My Mind hosted a fun Swap Party!  You could choose  Fall/Thanksgiving or Winter/Christmas as the theme for your swap box.  We were to fill a medium size flat rate box with fun things for our swap partner.  We could learn a little more about them by looking at their blog.  I chose to recieve a Fall themed box.

I received my box last week and took pictures right away and I will share them with you now.  My box came from Doris, her blog is called "Crocheting in Georgia"

My grandson Caleb was outside raking leaves with his Dad and Papa and our friend Lance.  He took a break to say Hi and to help me find out what was in my box.

 Caleb had the appropriate ooohs and aaahs as we unwrapped each item.  He then helped me lay them out so that we could take a picture or two or three, etc!  Look at all of the wonderful Fall items.  Doris made all of the crochet items herself.

Caleb had his eye on that brown and orange striped hat.

I love these towels!

Isn't this dish towel apron cute.

Here is one of the towels hanging on our oven handle

Cute little Autumn sign.

Caleb just had to give the hat a try and of course he gave me a cheesy 5 year old smile.

Thank you Parsley for hosting this swap and Thank You Doris for all of the fun goodies in my box.  Visit Seasons of my Mind and see what the other participants received in their swap boxes.  If you visit Parsley you will see what I put in the box I sent her.

Fun Mail

Here it is Saturday already and I have not shared about the fun package I received on Wednesday.  I have mentioned Linda from Prairie Flower Farm in past blog posts.   I have been reading her blog for some time and have been working on  her snowman quilt blocks throughout this year.  I just completed the

Winter Thyme Block

The Spring , Summer and Fall blocks are complete also.

 My pictures are blurry, I'll take a better picture when the project is finished.

  I am looking forward to putting them all together.

Now back to my Fun Mail!

Linda entered a recipe for a cute Snowman Cookie to the Create & Decorate magazine.  She was featured in the December magazine and had a giveaway to celebrate.  I won her giveaway and this is what she sent me.   A copy of the magazine, signed by Linda.  This is a wonderful magazine full of fun ideas.

Linda also sent me one of her delicious cookies, they are the cutest!

Linda will be featured in other issues of Create and Decorate at a later date.  She submitted other projects  that have been accepted by the magazine.   Visit Linda's blog, you will enjoy your visit to Prairie Flower Farm

Monday Meeting at The Raspberry Rabbits

I feel honored that Michelle of The Raspberry Rabbits featured my blog at her Monday Meeting.  I have been reading her blog for some time and I am a big fan of her textile folk art.  I know that all of you who love needlework will enjoy her designs as I do. Even if needlework is not for you you will enjoy your visit to her blog just to see her beautiful creations and of course you will want to meet her bunnies, Sugie Bun Bun and Sir Walter Harrington.  Click on one of the links above and I guarantee you will enjoy visiting with Michele.

I have a link on my side bar for a Tea Swap and Blog Party.  Click on the link and take a look.

Crochet Topped Pillow

Thursday I had the day off and spent most of the day here at home.  I decided to create something that I could complete in a couple of hours.  I had just been to the Goodwill and found some new linens and was reminded of some that I had found in similar bag at Goodwill a while back.

This is the crocheted piece I found.  It was stained and a few things were loose on it so I washed it and let it dry in the sun.  All of the stains are gone.  I really like birds and yellow and blue are some of my favorite colors. 

This picture was taken before the stains were removed.

I began looking around my sewing room and found this towelling.  I bought towelling at an antique store in two colors, this and a lighter one with just a blue line on the edges.  I purchased this a few years ago so I have forgotten what I paid for it but I know it wasn't much.

I love the color of this towelling

Notice the yellow and blue stripes on either side.

I folded down the edges about 2 inches, pressed and sewed 1/4 inch away from the fold, then pressed toward the center to make a pleat. 

It is hard to see but both edges have a 1/4 inch seam on the folded edge.

I decided to have two seams so I folded the fabric again 3/4 inch away from the first folded edge.  The seams were all pressed toward the center (I am not sure why I pressed them in and not out, hmmm, I guess that's the way it is)

Here it is ready for the crochet work to be centered on the fabric and hand sewn on.

A closer look at the corners.

All sewn together and ready for a pillow form to stuff  inside.  I made one from muslin to fit the measurements.

Stuffed and sewn closed and now on a chair in my dining room.

The picture below shows a closer look at the edging and the little pleats all around the pillow.

The pillow was sitting in this chair just to have its picture taken, I am not sure where it will find its new home.  I do know that I had a lot of fun making it.

I am linking to November Creative Spirit Challenge at Whimsical Musings 

 the Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts

Homemade Ornament Exchange

Do you like to make Christmas ornaments?   Tonya at Hillbilly Handiworks is hosting a Great Holiday Ornament Exchange and she is "begging" for more participants.  I have joined in and think it will be great fun.  I busily working on my ornaments, I think I will be able to make more than I had thought, we'll see.  Go visit her blog and sign up to participate.  Do it now!  Don't miss the fun! 

Vintage Noel and Vintage Linens

O.K., I just had to stop at Goodwill again this week when I was out on the road and it was just two blocks off my planned route.  I gave myself a 15 minute limit and headed straight for the plates, bowls and glasses isle.  I found nothing there so I headed for the isle where there are sewing and craft supplies, kits, yarn, fabric, etc.  I found two plastic bags stuffed with linens, each priced at $2.99.  Of course they were stapled and taped closed so I had to make a decision, buy both or pick one and take my chances.  I chose to do the later, I am also trying to limit my spending to the cash in my wallet.  So I headed out and walked by the Holiday decorations tables, I took a quick look and found something  I just had to have for 99 cents.  Total, $3.98 plus tax.

Enough "talking", I will show you my finds.

First the linens

All of these items were stuffed in my $2.99 plastic bag.

A little closer view

I will add the four cut work napkins, bottom left,  to the six I purchased last summer and used in my

tablescape last week, they are very similar.

S M E, not my initials but I will find a way to use them separately.

I really like the tan colored netting like piece on the left.

This crochet edging was worth the price of the whole bag to me.

I really like the flower ring crochet trivet and the two napkins in the back right.

I will have to work a little on the stains.

  

This is what I found in the Christmas section for 99cents.

The pictures on the side of the box show suggestions on how to use this.

The television in this picture takes me back and makes me think vintage.

The couch and table in this picture make me think 50's or 60's

The box says this is ANOTHER CAMPANA ORIGINAL

made by Campana's Art Novelties in Camden, NJ

I decided that if I left my Noel in this condition it would probably sit in it's original box and not be used, so I decided to update it.  I am working on that right now and will show my finished product at the end of this post.

Oh, I can't forget this, $1.00 at Goodwill last week, it will go on the back of my sewing chair in my sewing room.

I spray painted it off white, painted the holly and berries and covered it all with glitter.  I had thought of keeping it all white, but this way it will match my Christmas Holly Tea Pot.

Here we are all finished and back in its box, what do you think?

I will be linking to

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

 Junkin Finds at A La Carte

and Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Take a look at some of the wonderful blogs linked to these parties.