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Monday, December 31, 2012

BIRD TOWELS AND SOMETHING EXTRA


Looking through one of my favorite sources for graphics, The Graphics Fairy, I came upon a few vintage bird graphics that I knew would look great printed out onto some natural 100% cotton osnaburg.  So I made a couple "patches" using one with a swallow on an old advertisement for chocolates, and another showing two lovebirds on a nest.  The heart and arrow on the second graphic is a good one to use for Valentine's Day projects.  You can find them here, at the Graphics Fairy website. Just do a search for any topic and you'll find it on this blog - she has everything!

  Make sure you use Leslie Riley/TAP paper, it does iron on transfers without the shine and plastic-like feel you want for a project like this.  I find mine at our local art supply store, or you can also order it online. 

Then, I machine hemmed two towels out of 100% cotton toile to a finished size of 21" x 29".  Then printed out the bird graphics on Transfer Artist Paper.  After ironing under the edges of the patch, I machine stitched it to a corner of the towel.  The patches are about 4" x 6".
  Add a little fabric loop for hanging . . .
 And don't forget to miter the corners for a clean finish.
And here's the 
SOMETHING EXTRA!
Using the same toile fabric, make a little 9" x 9" pillowcase.
Slip in a square of cork (you can buy cork by the roll at places like Michaels).
And you have a pretty (and washable) fabric trivet for your table.
Not only does this look nice, but it doesn't slip around on your table, AND it's washable!  Just slip out the cork, wash, and replace the cork.  Make it out of a fabric that coordinates with your dishes or wallpaper.

Friday, December 28, 2012

WORDS OF LOVE

In preparation for Valentine's Day and all the loving decor that goes along with that day, I've made some Vintage Inspired Valentine flash cards.  When my kids were young, we would celebrate our Valentine's Day dinner with heart shaped meatloaf (frosted with ketchup), a red jello mold, and anything else that would conjure up thoughts of the day.   Being a former teacher, I'm kind of surprised I didn't use cards like these to add to the celebration.

Below, are the cards I used last winter for a milestone birthday celebration.
 The possibilities are endless . . .
These cards could be made to fit most any occasion.  

Pre-made flash cards, or PDFs to make your own . . . check them out at Gillyflower Cottage.  




Thursday, December 27, 2012

TIME FOR SOME HEARTS

I waste no time in boxing up the Christmas decorations.  Once Christmas has come and gone, I'm ready to move on.  Don't you love *sparse* after all the extras with Christmas?  

So.  What's next?  

Valentine's Day!  

It's time for hearts, and pink, and white, and red!  I looked around on Pinterest for inspiration and then got started.  I got out some of my burlap stash, which seems to multiply in my sewing boxes, and cut out hearts.  Many hearts.  Then I rolled up a few linen roses, attached some white ball trim, book page leaves, antique buttons, and a little string.   Here are just a few.  Rustic and humble.


This swag is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, Gillyflower Cottage.

What am I working on tomorrow?  

Osnaburg hearts with antique graphics transfers.


Sharing on:
Fabulously Creative Friday
Funky Junk Interiors

Thursday, December 13, 2012

MY FAVORITE ROOM - CHRISTMAS 2012

No words needed for this post.  Just a photo by photo tour through this beautiful shop in the heart of downtown McKinney.  This feminine little shop is all decked out for Christmas and it looks beautiful!