Vintage Textiles

Lately, I've really been wanting to get back into sewing. Now that I've got a little bit more time on my hands (and I do stress "a little bit more". This house still owns nearly every waking moment that I'm not at work) I'm tempted to set up a little sewing station within the closet where all my sample books used to be. Now that it's empty, it would be the perfect place to store fabrics, my machine, thread, patterns, etc. I don't plan on doing anything too intense, but I'd at least like a place to spread out, ya know?

I've been very inspired by vintage textiles. Mostly florals, but today I ran across these delightfully vintage embroidery and cross-stitch pillows! It's making me wish I had the patience to learn to do either one of those activities, but let's be honest, I don't. For now, I'll just worship these babies from afar!


Livingston and Porter


Vintage Special


Sassydoggs


Sassydoggs

Moderncard

My favorite is the last one with the goldfish on it. Doesn't it have a great unique shape? Do any of you know how to embroider and/ or cross-stitch? If so, who taught you? I feel as though it's a dying art- much like sewing. I'm grateful that I have a mother and grandmother who taught me what little bit I know about sewing. My husbands hole-y socks and jeans are grateful as well!

Handmade Nation

Handmade Nation is available on DVD November 3rd! Go here to see the trailer! and here to pre-order!

Get Chunky

Remember my longing for some great chunky necklaces for fall? Well I'm being bombarded by them! I think the universe wants me to buy them... all of them.


RibbonsAndLace


StarOfTheEast


GreenEyedGirlShop


lavien


Accessorius

Cowling you Out!

My mother bought an orange knit cowl for me last Christmas and I've been wearing it with everything lately! Yesterday, I wore a knit dress over skinny jeans, knee-high brown boots, a camel blazer and of course my cowl. Everyone keeps asking me where I got it (and I also get a few "Is that a scarf? Or a hood? What IS that?) It's a cowl. And I don't know where my mother got mine (I'll guess Kohl's) but Etsy has some GREAT ones! So this is for you, Hillary!

Here's one that is similar to mine:

By HappiKnits.

And here's one for the fellas:

by MooCowHandKnits

Stay warm and stylish all season long!

Chaos.

An entire week without a post... that's pretty disappointing. Sorry! Trust me, it's not just you. I'm so far behind on reading blogs for this past week that I don't know how I'll ever catch up! It's not that I don't want to write- quite the contrary. I love to write. For me (and for many of you, I know) writing is an outlet. I have plenty of things to write about. The problem is this: chaos breeds chaos.
Let me explain. My dining room table has been serving has a make-shift pantry for about a month now as we slowly but surely re-design our kitchen. I can't use my oven. My refigerator is covered in plastic. My carpet is covered in saw dust. My sink is also covered in plastic. My garage is full of boxes of other things from the kitchen- including food and various plates. I can't remember the last time my house felt CLEAN even thought we clean a little bit every day. It's Chaos... and it's spilling over into other aspects of my life.
That's exactly what chaos does to you. It multiplies. I can't find my car keys in the mess, or I forget a very important sample book for a client because it wasn't in it's usual spot, or I can't sleep because we're currently keeping our cocker spaniel, Lucy, in the bedroom with us at night instead of in the kitchen. Chaos... and in all that chaos, I'm struggling to find inspiration inside my home- the one place I've always been able to use as a haven for inspiration.
This is the reality of home renovation, I'm learning. The use of actual plates and silverware becomes obsolete also.
My hope is this: once the cabinets have doors on them once again, and the refirgerator is back in it's place, and I have access to my sink once more, I will love my home so much more than I did before because I will know the hard work and love we have put into it. I won't just see a brighter kitchen, I'll see a stage in our lives where we worked together- side-by-side- and created something beautiful. The transformation will serve as my inspiration. But until then, you'll have to bear with me, yes?
Thank you.

Mid-Century Midwest Today

Our guest room gets a mini-facelift with this asymmetrical gallery wall! Check out Mid-Century Midwest for more!

Speak up

Here's something I'd like for you to weigh in on:
Dogs in Clothes.
I'll be honest, I have been known to be STRONGLY opposed to this sort of cutesy shenanigans, but then we got Lucy.... and she is the single cutest thing ever. And you know what makes things cuter? Cute outfits.
No no wait! Don't get all wait-you're-a-hypocrite on me. Let me explain. I don't condone putting fluff and frills and costumes and full armor on your dog, but it is really so bad if they've got on a cute little honey bee t-shirt? I don't think so.
Let's recap:

BAD:

GOOD:

**General Rule: if you wouldn't put it on your own body, don't embarass your dog by making him/her wear it**

I actually just liked the cool lattice-work print on it. I was just going to get her a bandana, I SWEAR! But I ran across this little gem and knew she wanted it. She also wants an OU t-shirt... she told me.

Do your dogs wear clothes?