THE CATNAP COTTAGE

sunrise - 02/18/2012

2012-02-18T08:20:00.010-05:00

His beauty is all around us!

2012-02-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

hope your day is wonderful and full of love!

happy weekend!

2012-02-11T19:11:00.003-05:00

wishing y'all a fabulous weekend!! xx c

bedroom blues...

2012-02-03T20:15:00.006-05:00

nothing blue about these, except the color - am i the only one enamored with vintage linens...

happy birthday mr c!

2012-01-22T10:54:00.006-05:00

what do you buy a guy who you have been married to over half your life, who has everything, who buys what he wants, usually when he wants it and who has more bedroom shoes and lounge pants than anyone on the planet (gifts from me) .... i had to figure out something special for his "milestone" birthday, and it has been on my mind all week - what to do.... well, i called a few people i know and got one balloon for each year of his life delivered this sunday morning. if they were delivered yesterday, half would be on the ground this morning. so, my friend at Angel's Florist made and delivered them this morning while mr. c was having his coffee. i was afraid i would give it away as i kept going to the kitchen to look out the window, so i would rattle a pan or something so he wouldn't know what i was doing! :)

we are having a traditional southern birthday dinner - pot roast, greenbeans and carrots, my soon-to-be-famous smushed potatoes (red potatoes, butter, cream, s&p - all mashed by hand), rolls and cake with ice cream. and, afterwards, we will all go to the front yard and set all of those balloons free. i can hardly wait to see everyone's faces, especially the little granddaughters, when they fly up and away!

it has been all i could do to not say too much - i am such a blabber mouth about gifts - i usually give it away with hints or give the gift when i buy it - i just get so excited that i cannot wait! can you tell i am excited with all this blabbering! lol!! i am off to the kitchen to finish up - the kids will be here soon. hope y'all do something fun today!!

spring is on the way

2012-01-20T15:56:00.003-05:00

it has been such a whacky winter here in north georgia - we have had short cold spells followed by warming and then back to a cold snap. it did follow the hottest summer we have had here in about 100 years, though. i can hardly believe the forsythia is already blooming - it is usually mid-february around here when that starts. and, the robins, oh my, they are in our yard by the dozens, pecking at the ground for worms after the rain. and, i do have one daffodil that is blooming already at the cottage - i will have my head down for about two months doing "my day job", but once tax season is over, and i look up, spring will be here! :) wishing spring hurries to your doorsteps! xx c

vintage duvet covers

2012-01-02T18:40:00.008-05:00

...mostly from the 1940s/1950s - i found lots of them "new in the package"

i've soaked and laundered them...
and, they are just so fabulous!
they are about 70" x 80" and fit just the top of a queen bed...

like a european cover that just sort of floats on your bed like a cloud.

all cotton - i love the patterns...

they are so soft - i have kept a few for myself! :)

thanks for stopping in and have a fab week! xx c

happy new year!

2011-12-31T21:28:00.004-05:00

(this beautiful banner was made by inspirationalbanners )
wishing y'all the best for 2012
happy new year!
xx c

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T07:57:00.003-05:00

wishing you the merriest! from our house to yours!

xx c

last minute gifts...

2011-12-22T08:14:00.003-05:00

... how about a gift certificate! it is fast and easy - i can email it for you. there are several amounts listed in the shop and amounts over $25 are discounted. if you want a different amount, send me a convo. christmas is almost here! :)

here comes the sun....

2011-12-09T07:36:00.002-05:00

:-)

feed sack christmas wreath

2011-11-18T09:54:00.005-05:00

just one more thing to do with feed sack scraps

i put this together this morning

it is really against my nature to leave raw edges on things :)

crafting is actually a lot more fun if you let yourself go!
i love this! hope y'all do! xx c

pin cushions

2011-11-17T14:23:00.007-05:00

something fun to do with feed sack and old quilt scraps

hope y'all have a fun weekend - it starts tomorrow!

xx c

farmhouse quilt

2011-11-08T17:30:00.004-05:00

okay! i am so excited about these fabulous quilts i bought that came from remote kentucky farmsteads! mostly ca 1920s - i bought them because they are not perfect, intending to cut them up and make some pillows - here is the first one, all soaked and laundered and fresh as a daisy - now, could you cut this beauty up? i don't think i can do it - all the feed and flour sacks and the little handstitching and the old cotton batting - ahhhh heaven for this textile junkie! now, this is the main problem with why i am in the situation i am in - i cannot cut them, they are too precious! hence, the piles of chenille spreads, blankets and barkcloth fabric - but atleast i am an organized hoarder!

xx, c

more christmas tree ornaments

2011-11-05T14:09:00.014-04:00

i made these all from fabric scraps - some feedsacks, grainsacks and muslin

just cannot bear to throw a bit away!

hope y'all have a great weekend!

xx c

christmas tree ornaments...

2011-11-04T12:22:00.003-04:00

...it is quite chilly outside, the wind is blowing and leaves are flying off the trees. it makes me kind of sad, but excited at the same time - excited for thanksgiving and christmas. i am making scrabble tile ornaments today - it is fun and they are too cute. hope y'all are having a fab friday!

xx c

vintage feed sack quilt

2011-10-15T12:11:00.003-04:00

i found this gorgeous vintage feedsack quilt yesterday at a new antique mall in town! it is so pretty! just wanted to share it and wish y'all a happy weekend!
xx c

Daily Bread...

2011-10-12T20:19:00.003-04:00

... hey y'all! my daily bread flour sack pillow is featured today on Southern Traditions Boutique's blog. not bad for a hump day! hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week!

TGIF!

2011-09-16T15:16:00.005-04:00

it's friday! hope y'all have a fab weekend!

we will never forget!

2011-09-11T08:40:00.003-04:00

BIG sale - it's gotta go!

2011-08-28T11:14:00.007-04:00

50% off! i am clearing out almost 200 items, some of them i am actually giving away! selected items... handmade and vintage...some bedspreads, jewelry, pillow covers and home decor. all items are marked - shop here. use coupon code FACEBOOK and get another 5% off! it's gotta go!

tea party with a princess

2011-08-21T13:49:00.014-04:00

mini audrey hepburn

hurley's cheer squad had a princess tea party yesterday!

and, i got to go.... there were boas

pretty little tea cups...

mints, candies and quiche...

and tea, of course

the table was set

and there was makeup

fancy hair and a little crown

and lots of other princess friends

hurley really enjoyed herself and so did nana!

hope everyone has a fab week!

xx c

vintage grainsack pillows

2011-08-19T18:16:00.006-04:00

i hope y'all have a fab weekend! i'll be stitching up sacks!
xx c

vintage duvet covers

2011-08-17T20:22:00.002-04:00

aren't they lovely...

they fit your bed more like european covers...

just laying on top floating like a cloud...

i am hugely into them lately and want to keep them all!

but, my cupboards are full, so, i listed them in my shop.

thanks for stopping in and hope y'all have a wonderful week!

christmas stockings

2011-08-12T12:19:00.003-04:00

i have been working on christmas stockings - i figured i better get my thinkin' cap on and get started early - i am having a ball. what do y'all think???

i think i need help....

2011-08-07T16:20:00.009-04:00

i spent the entire weekend going through and listing items from my booth at the antique mall

if you are thinking....hmmm...didn't she just get that booth a few months ago.....

didn't she spend LOTS of time filling it and checking it....

you would be correct! some things just don't work out

but, ya gotta try or ya never know

i did sell my big 1930s radio with record player and short wave

and my 1940s wood ironing board

and a few vintage sugar sacks that were not fit for pillows

i just about broke even after paying booth rent

and, of course, i was always buying everybody else's stuff!

and all this in an effort to simplify! lol!!

i just make more work for myself and now my shop looks like a vintage variety store exploded!

oh, well! :-)

hope y'all have a happy week and do something fun!

happy birthday lucy

2011-08-06T07:21:00.002-04:00

(picture via orgsites.com)

she was one funny lady! i still love to watch her old shows!

happy sunday!

2011-07-31T10:17:00.003-04:00

wishing y'all a restful day!

xx c

just two more days...

2011-07-29T08:48:00.009-04:00

...on my etsyversary sale! there are still lots of vintage bedspreads and duvets, grainsack pillows and vintage decor! i have been adding new items all month. don't forget to use coupon code blog10 for an additional 10% off! hope to see you there! and, wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!

xx c

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree...

2011-07-21T15:47:00.003-04:00

... i know, i know! it is only july, but making these seed sack pillows today reminded me that it will be here before we know it! and, i could use some lower temps right now! whew! it is hot here!

it's a giveaway!

2011-07-20T14:13:00.008-04:00

hey y'all! :-)! the lovely natalie, over at the southern hostess, is having a $25 gift certificate giveaway to my shop - go on over and join in! she has such a beautiful blog and a really neat story - read her bio. hope everyone is having a fab week! xx c

feedin' the seagulls...

2011-07-18T19:20:00.002-04:00

here a chick, there a chick....

2011-07-17T14:47:00.006-04:00

...everywhere a chick chick!

i am in love with these chicken feed pillows - i know, i know, i say that about all of them, but these are just too cute! hope everyone has a fab week! xx c

catnap scrap packs....fabric bundles...

2011-07-16T19:04:00.006-04:00

...okay, say that five times real fast....catnap scrap packs! lol!! can't do it can you? lol!! okay, so i feel like i have wasted most of the day, well, pretty much all of it. BUT, it had to be done - my oversized antique cotton basket - you know, the ones they used to pick cotton a hundred years ago, well... it has been over flowing for a while. but, what should i expect... i have made hundreds of pillows and have never destashed it. so here we go.... i have so many of these packets and will continue to list them - am trying to keep a theme with each, but, it is not really happening. each pack has lots of wonderful vintage fabrics - small pieces, mind you! sampler packs that are ideal for small projects, patchwork, etc. here are a few...

they don't really look that great! but...

each one has lots of yummy fabric...

for patchworking, scrapbooking...

making pillows, sachets...

and more....

it will be another 5 years before i do this again,believe me! :-)!!

so grab a catnap scrap pack and let me see what you do with it!!!

becca, the creek and the turtle

2011-07-14T09:43:00.004-04:00

it's so hot! and this sweet picture of becca cools me off just to look at it! i can imagine dipping my feet in the creek and cooling off a bit!

the turtle says to becca..."kiss me becca, kiss me!"
becca says to the turtle..."i don't think so! i am already a princess and you are no frog"

stay cool, my friends!
xx c

sale - week 2

2011-07-10T20:57:00.003-04:00

this is week 2 of my 4th year etsyversary sale - all items are reduced, even vintage chenilles - i added lots of new items this weekend - and, if you use coupon code blog10, you get another 10% off. thanks for popping in and have a great week! xx c

etsyversary sale!

2011-07-03T07:56:00.008-04:00

four years on etsy - wow - how time really does fly! when the girls were little, i would drag them and my wares to craft shows all over north georgia. loading the car, grabbing poptarts, and then sweating all day long in the heat, but oh what fun! while i would man my booth, the girls would wander around, coming back every now and then for a dollar or two for something they found - usually a toy. and they always filled their bellies with funnel cakes!

i got away from it for about 10 years, life just got a lot busier as they got older. but after i finished grad school, i was itchin' to get at it again. bought my first piece of barkcloth about 8 years ago and started making barkcloth and chenille pillows. well....they were all dressed up with no where to go until one day in hobby lobby, the clerk told me about etsy and the rest is history.

i have met so many wonderful people, made new friends and have the best customers a girl could ask for. to celebrate my 4th etsyversary, everything in the shop is marked down 10% and if you use the coupon code blog10, you get another 10% off. this is a small way i can show my appreciation to everyone! sale is running until the end of july - thanks again y'all for a wonderful 4 years! xx c

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

2011-07-01T19:14:00.002-04:00

this is my little nephew - his daddy is in the army - active duty - has had several tours already. he serves because freedom isn't free! my niece took this picture! hope everyone has a wonderful independence day!
xx c

happy hump day!

2011-06-29T16:34:00.003-04:00

hope everyone is having a great week so far!

we are half way to the holiday weekend!

American Limoges China - Chateau France

2011-06-24T14:16:00.018-04:00

i recently found this lovely american limoges china

chateau france is the pattern

limoges china is named after the place it was made originally

limoges, france

from what i read, they stopped making it in 1930

manufacturers were already making it in the usa

hence the name, american limoges

22k gold filigree

beautiful countryside design

i found plates, soup bowls, smaller bowls, serving bowls

a creamer, gravy boat, saucers. it's all so beautiful!

this would be perfect for someone who does events or for a wedding as most of the pieces are plates in different sizes (only 2 dinner plates, but they would be great for platters), bowls, salad plates, smaller plates, saucers and the creamer and gravy boat for sauces. they are in fabulous condition - i will probably list them on etsy, but it is a big hassle shipping breakables - maybe i will list them for local pick up only. i wish i could keep them, but you would laugh at me if you saw all the dishes that i already have! thanks for stopping in - hope y'all have a fabulous weekend! xx c

the one girl pillow factory...

2011-06-17T15:45:00.011-04:00

...was open for business today and humming like a top! i love making pillows!

but do get a bit stressed out at all the stacks of sacks and fabrics to stitch up and have to remind myself that this is my hobby! :-)

and you would think that i would stop buying sacks, but NO, NOT ME!

after all, they may all be gone tomorrow!

and, i am starting to get the hang of my new camera mr. c gave me for my birthday!

i think i am brave enough now to try the macro lens - maybe next time

anywho - i am rambling again - my favorite today - love this rooster!

thanks so much for stopping by to read my babble and see my pillows!hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!
xxx c

Randomness...

2011-06-15T16:35:00.006-04:00

... at random, without definite aim, purpose, method, or adherence to a prior arrangement; in a haphazard way - this defines my week so far to a t! well, i mean i had plans and purpose, but it just does not feel like it... first federal jury duty - it is amazing what you learn about people when you are stuck in a small room with them for just two days - and now i am home for a few days - it is nice, but that rut keeps me grounded! soooo... i made some pillows...
i made a bracelet, i cleaned up and did some laundry, we cooked out... and it is only wednesday! i have a doctor appt tomorrow! that sounds exciting! right? lol!!! do any of you ever get out of the role you live in and then kind of flounder around? i mean, i am getting stuff done, but in just a haphazard way! well, it cannot go on forever, maybe tomorrow, it will be different - i mean the same as it is was before and i will be at home in my rut again!! xx c

etsy front page...

2011-06-12T19:16:00.006-04:00

(my aprons were an alternate and made it about half way as other items sold out)

... three times today - wow! i am humbled - here are the treasuries! i wish i could make fabulous treasuries like this...

aprons for sale...

2011-06-04T19:31:00.005-04:00

aprons for sale... i feel like the town crier! but, these aprons are worth "crying" over! i am about half way through with listing them. it has been quite an ordeal...mending, soaking, washing, drying, ironing, taking photos - why oh why! do i do this - because i love it - remind me again! sometimes it is overwhelming! but, i do love the hunt and the feeling of satisfaction of rescuing these vintage textiles and sending them off to new homes where they will be used and loved. here are the ones i have listed so far! hope y'all enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx c

it's hot enough...

2011-06-02T19:36:00.006-04:00

...so why aren't we in sunny florida..... hearing the surf.... smelling the salty air....

...feeling the constant wind on our faces...eating fresh seafood!

instead, i am just playing around with my new camera and some coral i found on a visit to key west years ago....

hope y'all are cool and happy where you are! xx c

SheKnows...

2011-06-01T19:11:00.003-04:00

...today one of my pillows is featured on SheKnows.com. i am excited! hope you gals have a fabulous week! we are half way through it and the weekend is just ahead!!

xx c

happy memorial day weekend!!!

2011-05-28T12:42:00.010-04:00

some of my crocheted afghans

...it's finally here! :-)! the kick off of summer! we are remembering all our family members and others who have sacrificed and continue to do so for our freedom! even though our nation is not perfect, it is still the greatest country in the world and i am proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave! hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

xx c

linen love...

2011-05-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

these vintage european pillow cases have been in my laundry basket for a while now waiting for a date with me and the iron!

soft cotton muslin

french seams

gorgeous eyelet trim

some are more ornate

some are simple

they are all beautiful!

but, there is a problem

i am having separation anxiety!

i am in love with the simple softness - they are quite beautiful and delightful to the touch!

so, my iron gets the day off and i get to clean out the linen closet to make room for these beauties! so there, i made quick work of that big job, now didn't i? lol!!

i did manage to list one pair in my shop, though - so i am getting a little better with this textile addiction that i have - i used to tell my husband that it was cheaper than a shrink, but it ain't any more y'all!!!! lol! Hope everyone has a fabulous day and finds beauty in the simple things in life!

♥♥♥

up early!

2011-05-15T06:25:00.002-04:00

i actually beat the birds up this morning! and now i am heading for the porch with a cup of coffee to watch the sun come up! hope everyone has a fab day!!!

meet pinky...

2011-05-13T20:14:00.010-04:00

...she is an old girl now, but when she was rescued from the hardee's parking lot by my teenage daughter, she was but a wee kitten. she came to our house, along with her sister (the brain). they were both in the advanced stages of starvation and the vet said if they lived, there would be permanent organ damage and they would live a short life.

well, it has been about 13 years now and pinky is still ticking - her back legs are a bit deformed (but she gets around okay) and she is extremely emotionally insecure. sometimes i get aggravated at how she meanders in front of me when i first get out of bed in the morning as i am stumbling for the coffee pot... i feel like a cat herder.

i once thought my tombstone should say "she laughs a lot", but now i think it needs to say "herder of cats" or atleast one cat! lol! i have never seen a kitten that would not play - it took the girls about three weeks to even chase a ball or piece of string, but with much loving care, they finally learned to eat - they had actually quit eating. pinky would just walk in circles, it was sad. i will never forget how happy i was when she first chased a ball and batted at a string. we found homes for both the girls, but pinky soon came back because one of my daughters begged and begged! you know what i mean!! lol!!

many years have passed and these days this old girl hangs out in my studio and pretty much follows me wherever i go - she is one lucky kitty...she hit the lotto that day in the hardee's parking lot! she's my girl!

vintage grainsack pillows

2011-05-10T22:14:00.003-04:00

just a few more that my singer and i put together - hope you enjoy them and have a wonderful week!

peonies for mom...

2011-05-06T13:21:00.004-04:00

...i made a little treasury on etsy for my mom - hope y'all enjoy it and i wish you all a happy mother's day!! xxx c

what's up??

2011-05-02T22:28:00.005-04:00

i am going to start packing up lots of my vintage decor and moving it to my new booth at the antique mall this week, what have y'all got going on?? hope a fab week is in store for everyone! xxx

luna moth

2011-04-29T14:18:00.006-04:00

this beautiful luna moth (i believe it to be a male) is on the side of our garage door today - it is hard to believe that his life as a moth is only about 5 days - spent most of his time as a caterpillar. truly amazing!

textile cuff bracelets

2011-04-25T18:13:00.004-04:00

i am itchin' to make a few more of these - maybe i will get to it over the summer - if i could only move as fast as my thoughts! lol! hope y'all have a fab week!!

He is risen!

2011-04-24T08:17:00.003-04:00

(by OliveRue on etsy)

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Happy Easter Everyone! Enjoy this wonderful day!

happy earth day!

2011-04-20T15:44:00.007-04:00

some of my pillows ended up on the front page of etsy today in this wonderful earth day treasury created by promopocket. and thank you, cottage in the sun, for the heads up - so happy i got to see it! hope everyone has a great week!!

chenille pillows

2011-04-18T06:16:00.006-04:00

i was so happy to get back into the studio this weekend! the vintage chenille pillows i made for mariclair turned out wonderfully and she loves them! looking forward to many more days! i have really missed crafting pillows!

...but first i have to get my studio organized again. all the grainsacks i have purchased during tax season are piled everywhere - guess this southern chick needs to get busy! thanks for popping in and hope y'all have a fab week!

xoxo

monday mania

2011-04-12T20:51:00.004-04:00

...have you had some today... some monday mania??? isn't it just part of the meaning of the word monday! hope y'all enjoy the rest of the week!

♥♥♥

oh give me a home...

2011-04-05T18:06:00.003-04:00

... no, not where the buffalo roam...but here! i shipped this bedspread to chloe about a year ago, and she sent me this picture today of her room. she said she still wants to hang a canopy and get a bedskirt, but i say, she has fabulous style!!!! love the side table...love the color on the walls...love it all!! look at this girls -just makes you want to retreat with a book or for a nap!

the dogwoods are blooming!

2011-03-24T19:47:00.002-04:00

and i do love it!

hope something is blooming where you are to bring you some cheer!

it's here...

2011-03-20T09:43:00.005-04:00

(forsythia is always the first burst of color around here promising us that spring is on the way!)

...finally here! tonight at about 7:30 is the official beginning of spring! and it was such a lovely day yesterday, the girls and i spent the whole afternoon out in the yard playing and picking up sweetgum cones! hope everyone enjoys this beautiful sunday!

happy birthday...

2011-03-13T11:53:00.010-04:00

...to me! still sick, still working 6 days a week, but,

today.....sigh.....i am the birthday girl!

had birthday coffee on the porch...

then birthday breakfast and guess what i got for my birthday???

a new camera from mr. c! a really nice one! i am a bit
intimidated by it, but it does have an auto setting.

in looking through etsy for a birthday banner,
i stumbled on these lovely pom flowers
don't y'all remember these - they are much
more sophisticated than the ones i made as a teen.

it was hard to choose just one image, they are all so...

lovely - pop on over to
Prost to the Host
for more fabulous eye candy!
hope you enjoy this lovely day
xoxo

feedsack pillows and chicken soup...

2011-03-06T19:26:00.008-05:00

i hope y'all have not been sick! i am now!... have not really been sick with the cold crud for several years. everyone usually gets it....hubster, kids, grandkids, but not me! i just keep on going like the everready (sp?) bunny!

well, until now - came on me the end of last week like razor blades in my throat and just so yucky feeling as it continues to have its way with me! but, lots of zinc cold tabs and hubby's homemade chicken soup and some vintage grainsacks are making me better.

i have to be just about dead to not want to sew. i went into the studio today to finish a custom order and then to treat myself, i made these two pillows from a vintage grainsack.

This old cotton sack once held oats distributed by the National Oats Company in East St. Louis, Illinois.

I will be glad when this old cold is gone and so is tax season - am tired of the 6 day work weeks - but 3 day work weeks are right around the corner.....and, so is my birthday...yep another one and it is this week!

hope everyone has a fab week - eat a cupcake, drink some wine, go junkin', have a facial or a hot soak in the tub - do it for me, for my birthay! xo c

fab finds...

2011-02-27T12:45:00.005-05:00

...from my junkin' therapy this week!

Most of these are for sale in my shop!

Thanks for popping in and have a fab week!

♥♥♥

spring is coming....

2011-02-20T12:36:00.005-05:00

vintage hand-crocheted pillowcase lace

....yippee - i know some of my northern blogging buddies are REALLY
looking forward to it!
hope everyone enjoys this lovely Sunday
and has a great week! :-)
♥♥♥

Super Hero Wedding...

2011-02-14T19:13:00.007-05:00

...here is Megan and Tom's very unique wedding

and here is the pillow I made to hold the rings.

etsy featured their wedding

today on their monthly post handmade weddings.

Go take a look, it will make you smile!

dreaming of summer...

2011-02-02T19:40:00.004-05:00

...but, i will settle for spring! :-)

shabby chic china

2011-01-23T18:07:00.005-05:00

i love it, don't you? especially the art deco influence! i have several different partial sets that i use at the cottage. i love to mix up the patterns! these pieces were found on a trip we took last fall - no markings on them, probably 1920 -1930s - shabbiliciously chic!

this is for sale in my shop

thanks for stopping in and hope y'all have a fab week ahead!

evie and ilene...

2011-01-16T17:01:00.007-05:00

...who are they, you might ask...my grandmothers! evie (evelyn) was a "well-to-do" socialite who lived in a big house on Peachtree Street in Atlanta in the 1920s. she spent her time at dances and running around with her girlfriends in flapper dresses. ilene was a farm girl, the daughter of hard-working irish farmers. she spent her days working on the farm and attending barn dances and the ocassional movie with her brood of brothers as chaperones. they have both been gone from this planet a while now and i still miss them! so i opened another etsy shop and named it after them! yep, i am nuts, and you don't have to wonder, just know it! i cannot sit still and it is fun, so why not! here are a few items from evie and ilene...

thanks for stopping in and hope y'all have a fab week!

♥♥♥

Time to Make The Pillows...

2011-01-12T12:15:00.006-05:00

... since we are sort of "snowed-in". Georgia just shuts down when the snow and ice come - the last time it was like this was 1993, on my birthday. I will never forget it - Mr. CatNap got in his four-wheel drive and went to pick up my birthday cake from a friend who made it for me! Anywho...no birthday or cake today, but I am thankful for the stacks of sacks that I have in my studio, so I have had my nose down to my faithful Singer and my pedal to the metal (well, really, it is carpet) and have cranked out a few more for the shop. Hope everyone is staying warm! And thanks for stopping in today!

♥♥♥

It's Soup Time Pillows...

2011-01-09T15:12:00.005-05:00

...I fell in love with this fabric - it is so fun and unusual. It was left over from an order that was made for the Museum of Modern Art. So, as you would expect of me, I made some pillows and aren't they fab! I love the vibrancy and fun they add to my living room. I made enough to share - hope y'all have a wonderful week, stay warm and have a cup of soup!

♥♥♥

1-1-11

2011-01-01T14:22:00.004-05:00

-(bekahjennings made this wonderful banner)-

---

Wow! It's finally here, but on the other hand, where did 2010 go? And it went so quickly! Time for a fresh beginning, kind of like cleaning out your sock drawer, but on a bit larger scale! No resolutions for me, not really, have lived long enough to know that they soon fade, usually in about two weeks. BUT, the 8 pounds I gained between Thanksgiving and today have got to go, so back to my regular eating and no more indulging on whatever looks good, eat it! And lushing with my beloved red wine - time to put on my thinking cap and forge ahead into tax season. I will be very busy at my real job, and will emerge April 16th tired, but with lots of ideas for pillows and jewelry! I wish you all the very best that 2011 has to offer - and oh yeah, maybe I will make just one small resolution and that is to stop and smell the roses more, enjoy my granddaughters just a wee bit more and spend time listening to my husband a little more, even when he talks about things that I have no interest in - kind of like Charlie Brown listening to his teacher... wah wah wah - I think you get the idea. I'll just slow down a bit and not make a job out of everything that I do, even my hobbies! Well, good luck to me with that! LOL!!! The stripes of a tiger do not come off, but maybe I can get mine to fade a bit! Thanks for stopping in and reading and all my best to you! xoxo c

Happy New Year!

2010-12-29T09:22:00.004-05:00

What a pretty white treasury from the front page

of etsy featuring one of my pillows! :-)

Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season

and has a Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T21:10:00.005-05:00

from vinyl lettering.etsy.com

wishing everyone a wonderful christmas and

a new year filled with many blessings!!!

Today is the day...

2010-12-04T09:31:00.004-05:00

Well, all my stuff is down from the attic and I have a few new items, but it is just hard to get started without a plan. I want something new, something to make me excited and charged up to decorate - I am thinking...why do I do this, when I just have to take it all down in a few weeks?? Truth is, I will decorate and will love it, just need a good kick in the rear - some inspiration to get me started. Soooo, I made a treasury of beautiful neutral items from the Cottage Style Street Team this morning and once, I have had a few more cups of coffee, I will be ready - aren't these items lovely....

Have a super day!!!

Vintage Earbobs!

2010-11-20T13:26:00.004-05:00

Yeah, I seem to get a bit carried away sometimes, well,

most of the time, but aren't they just so unique and pretty

picked them up in an antique store this week when

I went to pick up my antique cotton picking basket!

Hope y'all have a fab weekend!

♥♥♥

How Time Flies - 200th Post!

2010-11-18T14:00:00.006-05:00

antique cotton basket i scored today at an antique store in town

ca 1920s - 1920s

...it seems like yesterday my dear friend Barbara nudged me into blogging land! This is my 200th post - wow! It has been fun sharing the good, bad and the ugly and sometimes the quite beautiful with y'all. Thank you for laughing with me and crying with me and being faithful to support me in my efforts with my excessive need to create things and occasional rants about things I have no control over! The words are not flowing very freely today, I am struggling to find the right ones, so I am hoping y'all can read between the lines and know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you! Y'all have a great weekend and, until next time, take care and do something that you enjoy! Take time for you! You are special! xoxo

♥♥♥

Vintage Apron Fetish

2010-11-14T16:17:00.009-05:00

Oh My! Just when I think I have gotten my vintage textile fix, I get into something new...like these vintage aprons and I am in love all over again. I recently purchased about 60 vintage aprons, yes, I said 60! There is nothing like living large! LOL!! I have most of them washed, except the ones I have to mend. So now my laundry baskets are fluffed to the ceiling with aprons waiting to be ironed. I don't really like ironing, but I like how crisp and pretty my iron makes things, so away I go and this is what I have done so far....

Most of these were made by homemakers long ago - I love the variety of colors, patterns and designs - they show the personality of the gals who made them. Some are for sale in my shop and some are in my kitchen drawer - until next time :-) and thanks for stopping in!

♥♥♥

Christmas Tree Ornaments - Scrabble Style

2010-11-05T09:56:00.008-04:00

It will be here before you can turn around - time to trim the tree. That is my favorite part of Christmas! Love the smell that the fresh tree adds to the house, love placing each ornament on it and love the children's eyes lighting up when they see it! These scrabble tile mini wreaths are just so cute - I had a ball making them...

I made some last year too and decorated the tree in my studio -

hope y'all have a great weekend and thanks for stopping in!

♥♥♥

Oh Christmas Tree - Oh Christmas Tree...

2010-10-17T12:00:00.006-04:00

...okay, so I am a bit ahead of myself with this etsy treasury.

I promise y'all I am not dissing Thanksgiving,

but just could not resist these adorable vintage tree trimmings!

♥♥♥

in high cotton...

2010-10-12T17:34:00.004-04:00

This is a pic of my little nephew in a cotton field in the south - my mom picked cotton on my grandparent's farm when she was young and got paid 5 cent a sack. She is quite a lady and knows the value of a dollar. I learned a lot of my resourcefulness from my upbringing and I am glad that I had the opportunity to spend all those summers on the farm!!

Thought y'all would enjoy this pic and hope y'all spend your week

in high cotton!

I want this....

2010-10-07T08:28:00.007-04:00

... I would pack my bags today if I had the "chunk of change" it takes to buy this house. I could ship my pillows from here! Sally Lee by the sea has featured this beautiful Tybee Island home on her blog today - it is so dreamy! Click on any of the pics and read the entire post and see more fab pics on Sally Lee's blog.

Notice the chairs have my monogram on them - it is meant to be!

Imagine waking up in this bed every morning!

I love a white kitchen!!

And y'all know the porch is my favorite room in the house!

Thanks for stopping in and hope your day is just dreamy!!!

Gooder Than Grits...

2010-10-04T15:24:00.007-04:00

... Volume 3 of Southern Weddings Magazine is on newsstands tomorrow and I would be telling a whopper if I said that I had not been counting the days down along with their crew and readers. I had a priority package in my mailbox today when I got home along with a sweet note from the girls - and y'all know I gotta share this! Turns out my little ring bearer pillow is on page 15 at the top of the page - yippee! They said it best... it's gooder than grits!

Button Flower Bouquets

2010-10-02T12:00:00.013-04:00

What is more fun than a barrell full of monkeys....a tin of vintage buttons. Hurley and I tried our hand at making button flowers and we are so happy with the results. It was so much fun and I will never look at buttons in the same way. Most everyone used to have a button tin or jar in their home - it is amazing the story a jar of buttons could tell if they could talk. I bought this cute little tin on etsy and it came full of vintage buttons, so we got out the wire and cutters and got started. Took us most of the day, but we filled all the old bottles we had. We sat back with sore fingers and admired our work - our initial reaction to selling them is Nay! - but we might make some to list later - hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we did making them...

Vintage Grainsack Pillows...

2010-09-30T11:41:00.005-04:00

I have been a lazy blogger lately...well, not really lazy, just busy on custom orders and grainsack pillows - here are a few of the most recent ones.

I am loving the Robin Hood pillows!

To see all my pillows, just click on any of the pics.

Thanks for stopping in and hope you have a fab day!

♥♥♥

Happy Weekend!

2010-09-24T18:11:00.000-04:00

Hope y'all have a fab weekend!

♥♥♥

Vintage Chenille Bedspreads...

2010-09-17T19:46:00.006-04:00

Can one ever have too many...I don't think so :-)!

Hope everyone has a fab weekend!!

Shabby Country Pillows & Sachets

2010-09-06T10:50:00.005-04:00

There is nothing like the feel of a well-worn quilt for snuggling up when there is a chill in the air. It was 49 degrees yesterday morning about daybreak - this inspired me to run for cover, literally! LOL! I found this wonderful old quilt remnant in my stash and made these super soft comfy pillows and a couple sachets. Someone else had already cut a corner off of it, so it was easy for me to cut it! I made some for me and some for the shop.

Thanks for stopping by and hope y'all have a fab day!

♥♥♥

Featured Artist - What White Rabbit...

2010-09-04T21:08:00.006-04:00

...I am in love with this quirky little rabbit. He lives in this limited edition print made from an encaustic painting that won the “best of show” in a California juried exhibition. The artist behind the art is Julia Heatherwick of Breaking Ground Studio.

And what is encaustic??? I surely did not know before I purchased this beautiful piece of art...encaustic is a painting method where color-pigmented beeswax is melted, applied to a surface and reheated to fuse the paint into a smooth or textured finish. The word encaustic comes from the Greek language and means 'to burn in', which refers to the process of fusing the paint. Sounds like it is terribly difficult, but the result is delightful beauty. Julia creates lovely art - here are a few of her other pieces.

Held Still

Resonant

Connected

Julia is a delightful person and is very witty and funny - I met her on etsy. And now I have her addicted to vintage chenille bedspreads! LOL!! I am happy to call her my friend!

Yippee!

2010-09-02T17:54:00.004-04:00

Well, girls, guess what??? This little ring bearer's pillow is going to be in an upcoming issue of Southern Weddings Magazine in the "fab finds" section. Although one of my pillows was in a magazine several years ago, I was not credited, so this is the first time to see my name in print - I am so excited and so thankful! I will keep y'all posted! Yippee!

Here Comes The Sun...

2010-08-30T19:29:00.003-04:00

this is how my morning started - hope everyone has a fab week!

Double Rainbow

2010-08-25T17:19:00.004-04:00

What is better than seeing a rainbow? A double rainbow....if you look really closely over to the left of the photo, you will see another rainbow above the vibrant one! I've only ever seen a double one a few times in my life and was so happy to be on my porch when this one appeared!

Happy Weekend!

2010-08-21T12:23:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone has a fab weekend! Enjoy!!!

I Do...

2010-08-19T15:01:00.011-04:00

tiered cake pillow crafted with vintage Cabin Crafts squiggle chenille,

a white button and ribbons

...is what I said when I was asked if I wanted to make a ring bearer pillow for a popular wedding magazine. Right after I ran around the room saying OMG about 50 times, the fear set in - oh, what will I do, now I have comitted, but what will I make. Well, after sleeping on it for a few nights I had an idea and then another and then another! LOL! I ended up making four to send and I am hoping they choose one for a future publication. If they don't, it really has been fun for me and has inspired me to add this line to my shop. It is just another way I can repurpose vintage texiles into something useful and beautiful! And anything is an excuse to buy more vintage fabrics! Right?? LOL! Ok, now tell me what y'all think about them and which are your favorites!

♥♥♥

heavy hemp linen topped with a blossom made with

hand-crocheted vintage lace and a jute tie

reproduction flour sack with vintage button and jute tie

from the top

each of the backs have a little place so that the ring bearer
can slip his hand in to steady the pillow

vintage matelasse tufted with a button and satin ribbons
simple and classic

Cluck Cluck!!

2010-08-18T17:51:00.003-04:00

...my chicken feed pillow is featured on Tattered Tiques today. Go on over and spread some blogger cheer to Anne! She has some other cute items from etsy she has featured too! Hope everyone is having a great week so far, we made it to Wednesday, we will make it 'til Friday!

Happy Pillows...

2010-08-08T14:53:00.003-04:00

...yes, made me happy just to sew with this fabric. Hope y'all have a fab week!!!

And, thanks for taking the time to stop by!!

Re-purposed Tablecloth...

2010-08-04T19:28:00.006-04:00

...I recently scored a fab tablecloth from another etsian, Kim. She lives in the Netherlands and loves vintage too. I made two pillowcovers from it - I just love the bright and cheerful colors - she has featured the makeover on her blog this week - go over and take a look and spread some blogger cheer! Thanks for stopping by - have a great rest of the week!!

Back from Vacation....

2010-08-01T11:01:00.004-04:00

...well, like Dorothy said, "There is no place like home!" The beach was wonderful - the whole two weeks with family, and especially my precious granddaughters. But I am ready to get back to it! Lots of projects and pillows coming up - I have some fabulous European grainsacks that I am just itching to get at and some cute vintage tablecloths too! Just glad my reset button was pushed - I am refreshed!

Oh, the 1940s...

2010-07-10T07:37:00.005-04:00

1940s Kitchen Linens

...my favorite decade - was not a member of the human race then, but just love the big cars, elegant clothes, the movies, music, home decor - and you know this is coming.....the barkcloth and chenille bedspreads! Hope everyone has a great weekend!