One Year Later...Open for Business

It has been over a year since my last post.  I'd be surprised if any of my readers are still out there.  If so, hello again.

So much has changed over the past year.  Good changes.  Life altering changes.  Such changes that turned my world upside down, I set aside the blog without warning.

The dust is starting to settle, and I'm ready to blog again, but what do I talk about now?

We've moved to a different home, and honestly, posting photos of our home on-line doesn't seem so appealing any more.  Privacy is more important to us now.

When we moved, the spousal unit declared war on vignettes and knick-knacks.  After packing up countless books, vases, bowls, and trays, I can't say that I blame him.  Three months after we'd moved in, I opened one box filled with little bird figurines.  I unwrapped one after another after another after another.  It was rather embarrassing. Enough!

So where does that leave you and me?  Honestly, I'm trying to decide.  My craft room was the last room to be packed because it was such a mess.  Organization was finally heaved aside as moving day approached.  I marked one box "Essentials" and one box "Etsy." The rest was just tossed in boxes simply labeled "Craft Room." I can hardly find anything now.

The good news is that I have Christmas pillows this year!

Truthfully, I've been so dismayed to see Etsy become filled with mass produced stuff.  What happened to it being a market place for vintage and handmade items?

I've looked into alternatives, but for now Etsy makes the most sense for me and my little shop currently operating from the dining room table until my craft studio is finished which may be years from now.

Be advised that I am running low on everyone's favorite damask, so this might be its last year.

I do have pillows with green bows available, but I still need to take new pictures of them.

I've added a teal bow this year.  Isn't it cute?

Visit my Etsy shop here to see more.

Put a Ruffle On It

I'm usually not the sort of person who would buy a guest towel.  My husband says, "You would never buy a guest wrench!  'Don't use that wrench!  That's the good wrench!'"

But I saw this tea towel at Hobby Lobby, and it was too cute to pass up.

As cute as it was, it was missing that little something extra, like a ruffle!

I cut a strip of fabric 8 inches wide and 36 inches long, folded it in half the long way, and stitched.  I turned it inside out and pressed it flat.

Next, I took a lot of pins and began creating the pleated ruffle with a lot of trial and error on the spacing.  "The King's Speech" is avaible for streaming on Netflix right now, so I pleated and pinned and re-pinned and re-pinned while watching Colin Firth.

Let me tell you, it's not a bad way to spend the evening!

When I was satisfied with the pleats, I stitched the ruffled to the towel, removing the pins as I sewed.  Don't stitch over the pins!

And the end results...

I'm linking up...
The Shabby Creek Cottage
At the Picket Fence
Funky Junk Interiors

Sit a Spell

I was busy this weekend.

Busy with outdoor work but not really working outside.  Saturday was kind of hot.

So I spent the hottest part of the day in the basement, where I'm re-organizing my craft studio, again.

It's really become a disaster, again.  I mean a real obstacle course!  Once I had enough room to work, I made a wreath for the garden.

Isn't the little sign cute?

Originally, it said something along the lines of "My husband said if I bought any more flowers, he would leave me.   I'm sure going to miss that man."  But it was fading and my husband didn't really appreciate the sentiment.

So I repainted it to something a little less offensive.

Next, I turned to a stack of old pillows I had been saving to recover for the patio furniture.

I had found a floral print in a remnant bin at a fabric outlet. I paid about three dollars for about two yards of it. I wasn't one hundred percent certain about the colors, but the price was so great for outdoor fabric, I decided to take a chance on it.

Then I found a geometric print, which coordinated perfectly.

I combined the two for the square pillows.  Check out my lazy trimwork.

I just have a hard time putting a lot of money or effort into something that will eventually be pooped on by some passing bird.  Don't you agree?

That's two projects off my list.  I think I'll set a spell for while for now.

I'm linking up...
Southern Hospitality
Savvy Southern Style

Ten Years in the Making

This past winter I found pieces of two quilts I started about 10 years ago inside a long-forgotten box in the basement.

My first two quilts.  Quilt #1 is nothing but a few squares so far.

This one is the second quilt I started and the third one I actually finished.  You can see last quilt I made here.

Originally I envisioned this as queen-sized.

It ended up being lap-sized.

Basic Table Runner

I blame Spring's earlier-than-usual-arrival for my creative funk.  It was almost HOT here this week.  Some people are saying we could reach 90 this weekend.  It's not even April yet!

The yardwork is calling.  There were indoor projects planned.  I've been battling colds and seasonal allergies.  And there are never enough hours in the day.

But I did finally put away the Christmas table runner this week.  In my defense, it's not technically a Christmas pattern.  It's just green, gold and red.

Yeah, kind of Christmas-y.

Our dining room table is large (one of my pet peeves is being crowded when I'm eating), so a custom runner was necessary.  I finally found a print that could carry me through several seasons, Christmas excluded!

This is so easy to make, you hardly need a tutorial.  First, determine the width and the overall length of the runner.  I like the points to hang about 3 inches above the chairs at the head of the table.  If you are sewing the seams, add a half inch seam allowance to all sides.  You can use Stitch Witchery as well.  Just  add the necessary allowance to create a hem when you fuse it in place.

If you are using a sewing machine, fold one side under 1/4 of an inch then fold it over again 1/4 inch.  Stitch along the edge.  If you are using Stitch Witchery, just fold it over as much as you need to cover the fusing and iron according the manufacturer's instructions.  Repeat on all four sides.

Fold each end neatly to make a point and press with an iron.

Tack the flaps in place with about a 4-6 inch long seam. 

If your fabric has a print and you can match the thread closely, you'll hardly see the stitching on the front side.

That's all there is to it!

Random

I'm having issues with focus.


I pulled all the books off the bookcases in the basement several weeks ago.  I rearranged the three mismatched bookcases and gave up.

I asked the spousal unit if we can retire the old bookcases and get new ones that matched.  Nothing fancy.  He said "Not right now."

Sigh.

I'd really like to check out Ikea's uber-affordable Billy system, but we live in an Ikea dead-zone.  The shipping charges alone for three Billys is $349.  I could drive to the nearest Ikea 8 hours away, stay the night in a decent hotel, and then drive 8 hours home. 

Better still, just stay home.  I'm sure I can find three nice bookcases locally for less than $500.

Moving on...

I've been dusting off my painting skills, mostly abstract landscapes.  The husband has been dropping serious hints about his dislike of the generic Tuscan scenes I bought several years ago at a national retailer who shall remain nameless.   

Let me practice a little more and then I'll share.

Moving on...

I've started cutting out pieces for a new quilt.

I'm going with a different pattern this year.  Here's a peek.

Next...

My big accomplishment last week was replacing the ball rod assembly in of the bathroom sinks.  That's the gizmo under the sink that makes the drain stopper move up and down when you pull on the little knob next to the facet handle.  Not really a blog-worthy project.

We have six bathroom sinks in our house.  I've replaced four of these ball rod assemblies.  I'm pretty flexible and I have long fingers so I'm pretty good with under the sink work.

I did re-paint this cute little tray I found at a thrift store to corral my hair styling products.

I spent last Saturday cleaning out dead brush and remaining leaves.  Mid-way through mowing the back yard, the self-propeller on our 14 year old mower stopped working.

We'll see what it takes to fix it.  Buying a new lawn mower is going to take a serious bite from my garden budget this year.

Bummer.

So the books are still scattered on the floor.  The painting is finished but not hung on the wall.  The quilt is about 1/3 cut out.  This week I'll have to load the icky, dirty lawn mower into car to get it fixed.

Maybe this week will be more inspiring.

Feeling Girly

I'm feeling inspired by days with straw hats, flowing skirts and gardens.

Burlap Farmers Market Tote

Cameo Necklace

Petite Ruffle Pillow

Esty Update

I took a break from posting new items in my Etsy shop after making so many Christmas pillows in November and December, but I'm ready to go again!

It's been a mild winter here, and I'm concerned we might be paying for it in March.  With thoughts of shopping the produce markets in May, I have some new Farmers Market totes to share.

I love this novelty chicken fabric.

Or maybe something more subdued?

Update: This tote has already sold.

I know that burlap is not everyone's thing, especially in hot, sticky August, so I'm beginning to make my totes in canvas.  I wish I would have had this canvas bag to carry when we took a pre-Christmas break to the beach last month.

How about burlap and canvas together?

Update: This pillow has already sold.

 This petite toss pillow was a lot of fun to make.

I'm not a frilly gal, but I'm really digging the ruffles right now!

Best of 2011

Ready for another "Best of 2011" post?

Yeah, I thought so.  Let's get to it.

10. Handpainted "Bienvenue" sign

I loved this sign!  I'm always on the hunt for another old cabinet door like it so I can make another.

9. Dumpster Rescue Chest of Drawers

Poor thing had names of hair bands scratched on its drawers, but it's been cleaned, painted and given a new life in my craft studio.

8. Got Egress Window?

I added visual length to tiny basement egress windows.  It took two tries, but it's finally how I wanted it...at least for now.

7.  Adding Patina to a Concrete Birdbath

I used outdoor craft paint and lots of ebow grease to add years to a new concrete bowl.

6. Lantern Love

Lanterns were everywhere this year and I had to have one.  A big one please, but not a big price.  ReStore to the rescue!

5.  Cheesy Dog-Print Be Gone

What dog doesn't love a good makeover?  I pulled the stuffing from the old smooshed bed and made a classic basket sans canine-themed print. 

4. Refresh a Built-in

Stay tuned because I'm not finished with this built-in yet!

3.  Sweet Cabinet Makeover

Poor little thrift store cabinet was covered in gobs of glossy brown paint.  Amazing what a little love and A LOT of paint stripper can do.

2.  Potting Bench

What to do with an old garage workbench left behind by previous homeowners?  Turn it into a potting bench, of course.

1.  Disappearing Nine-Patch Quilt

This project gets top honors because it took me 10 months to complete it.  Then I gave it away.  And that felt so good.

Thank you for joining me for another year.  2011 wasn't a big year for projects at Casa de Tallgrass, but I have high hopes and big dreams for 2012.  I hope you join me!

Comfort and Joy

During garage sale season, I'll scour Craigslist for the free leftovers people put at the curb after the sale has ended.  One summer I found a darling vintage sleigh.  The homeowner said his wife was debating whether or not to part with it, but it was clear he wanted it GONE.

I wasn't going question his judgment.

A few weeks ago at the holiday open house held at a local antique store I found a sweet teddy bear.  He's not really an antique, but he's jointed and his fur shows that he's been well loved.  And he was only seven dollars.

(I only felt slightly foolish carrying him around the store while I continued to shop.)

I could see him dressed in a fancy vest with holiday trimmings and sitting on the sleigh under the tree.  So I fashioned a vest from some scrap fabric.

His jointed arms made it easier to tailor the vest for a close fit.  I used some spare buttons I had on hand.  I purposely designed his vest to be open at the bottom so his tummy would show.  The bead-and-berry pick came from a box of chocolate from a past Christmas.

Isn't he darling?

Looking Like Christmas

Did you score any great Black Friday deals?  We only had two items on our shopping list: new pillows for the bed (on sale for half price) and a new desk chair for the office.

Pillows?  How boring is that?

We didn't venture out until 1:00 on Friday, and we had to go to two Office Max stores to find the chair we wanted.

I was itchy to get home so I could start Christmas decorating.

This tray has become one of my favorite holiday decorations.

I made one of my Christmas pillows just for the living room.

I usually make these from linen, but it's too light for this room with its olive green walls (what was I thinking?)  I make much prettier ones for my Etsy shop.

I stayed up until one o'clock Saturday morning.  And then I slept like a baby on my new pillows.

Christmas Pillows

The Christmas pillows are back in my Etsy shop!

My pillows are completely handmade with 100% linen and cotton applique.  I prewash the linen so it has a wonderful soft feel.

The black and cream damask was the most popular last year.  This year's version is a little larger.

I also offer it with a green bow as well.

Want a little more color?  I found this great fabric filled with Christmas colors and a traditional damask-like print.

If you are looking for something a little more manly with a cabin feel, I have a new plaid pattern this year.

I'm offering PRIORITY MAIL shipping on the Christmas pillows so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy them this holiday season.