Getting projects done - one by one!

Today was a great day spending time with my youngest daughter, Jen, and two of my grand kids, John and Addy.  We love to go to garage sales so that was our plan.  The kids found lots of fun stuff - Jen and I - not too many!  At least lunch at the DQ was successful!  Those new Pecan Pie Blizzards are too good...

I showed you pictures of my workroom/studio where things have just piled up and up.  Well - yesterday I spruced up one of my cupboards so I can begin to organize my stuff!

Here's the before picture:

The finish on this cupboard was bad...could hardly sand it smooth.  It kept clogging up the sandpaper so I did the best I could and then primed it.

I'm so happy with the results although it is a little whiter than the upper cupboard.  I might use a little raw umber in water and wash it so it looks more aged/shabby.  Tomorrow I will begin to fill it up with stuff.  I found that the wire baskets (like mail baskets) fit three across so on one shelf I will see what they will hold.  I might get those Rubbermaid shelves and stack the baskets on them.  We'll see.  I painted the inside a wonderful aqua green...one of my favorite colors.

A while ago I made a couple little dress clothespin keepers.  They were lots of work but I decided to make more to sell...I couldn't find my pattern!!!  So I made a pattern from an old clothespin keeper I found at a wonderful sale.  And then I did a bizillion other things.  So instead of making a cute little dress to hold clothespins, I bought little baby dresses and closed up the sleeves, bottom of dress or matching panties.  I do love the hunt!!!

Here are the pretty little clothespin keepers all in a row!

I played with the necklines a little - some I turned the dress around and rearranged buttons, etc.  I think they are so cute and now I've used up those little dresses that have been stored in my sewing room for over a year!  Yeah!!!

Tomorrow I will work on the mini-bar I'm making out of a shelf and baby changing table.  I've almost finished painting the top part (shelf) so I hope to complete the bottom part (changing table) and soon show you my next completed project!

It feels so good to get projects completed.  Usually I do inside stuff when its hot and humid outside but there has been just enough of a breeze the last couple of days so I've actually accomplished a couple of painting projects out by the pole barn.

You can see I'm using my blog to encourage myself to start and finish lots of projects.  Our trash to treasure sale is only two weeks away so I plan on showing you lots of recycled, renewed and repurposed farmhouse and cabin furnishings!

Take care,

Bonnie 

Creating new stuff with old stuff!!!

Today was quilting day with quilting friends.  It continues to amaze me that I have met so many like-minded women in our small town.  To be able to laugh and to share with friends is one of the great joys of my life.  Our lives are unique but so similar in so many ways!

I finally finished a couple of Pocket Pillows.  On both of the pillows, I ran muslin thru my computer copying the pictures and then I sealed them with Modge Podge.  Much cheaper than buying the photo fabric.

"There is only one queen ... and its me!"

"Dance with me!"

My cousin and I were born on the same day so when I found a couple of pictures of us I thought it would be fun to use them in my projects.  In the top pillow we are sitting on a blanket on my Aunt and Uncle's farm.  I used the faded lining of a red wool jacket I felted to make the flower where I added a dangling pearl or two.  I copied old button cards attaching old buttons and stuck them in the pocket.

The bottom pillow I used an old label on the pocket, made the hanger out of an old paper tape measure adding old buttons for embellishments and another button card in the pocket.  I know I will be adding things to both of these pillows.  For sure I will be adding a crown to my cousin's head as soon as they come in the mail...the ones I have are too big.

I love the hunt for supplies so I thought I better use a one of the purses I found at our local thrift store.  My husband hands me his old jeans and I cut them apart reusing the zippers and pockets and whatever else might be left of them.  He doesn't give them up easily!

"I didn't just say that!"

So I used one of his pockets, added a picture of the cousins, added a little lace, old buttons and its now awaiting a lacy hanky!  The hunt goes on!

I finally got to the fun project that I purchased at the quilt show we had in May.  This purse is really easy and fun to make.  The ends of the handles come off and the body of the purse just slides on!  I've already chosen dark blue batiks with chickens for my next purse change!

I love the funky large prints that are back.  I used the same fabric line for the purse I made with the flower pin and showed you on my last post.  That fabric had a black background where this one is red.

Well, I think my summer will slow down now somewhat.  Although we have another Farmgirls Country Sale August 6 & 7.  I will be selling some Pocket Pillows and Picture Purses.  So I better go to my room...sewing room that is and get something done. 

I have taken some before pictures of some projects like another potting bench that can double for a mini-bar where I'm combining an old cup and saucer shelf with an old wood baby changing table.  So tomorrow I am going to paint and then take an after picture for you to see. 

Can you see Norma Jean in the window??? She watches and/or follows me most of the time - sometimes so close she almost gets stepped on!

"Pretty Kitty!"

And whenever I call Norma Jean, Honey gets up and comes to me like I'm calling her...there is some jealousy between the two of them.  Many times Norma pummels Honey by sitting up on her hind legs and boxing Honey as she walks by.  Good thing she has no front claws!!!  We were so lucky to find them at the Northwoods Humane Society!

"Our one-eyed Aussie beauty!"

Hope you have good friends to share laughs and thoughts with - it is so good for the soul.

Take care,

Bonnie

Happy Birthday America!!!

The land of the free and the home of the brave!  How lucky we are to live in such a grand country!  We get together each year with picnics and fireworks to peacefully, however, noisily  celebrate our Declaration of Independence!  Our flag is so beautiful - doesn't it look good with my bee balm?

It is very hot and humid so I have been sewing in between picking raspberries and clearing some small trees that have popped up in my garden along the pole barn.  I can see part of the area from my computer but don't get out there much until the raspberries are ready...and much to my surprise - lots of willows, roaming raspberries, and some other healthy volunteers.  So yesterday in this tropical weather, Hubby and I began our taking down of trees!  We got the easy part done and now maybe tomorrow we'll tackle the last half of the garden of lovely plants - hostas and other shrub types planted by previous owners in rock!  I hate gardens planted in rock!  I'll show you a picture when its done and pretty.

Completing projects has got to be one of my favorite past times!  I have  completed three Victoria Knitting and Sewing Totes by Sue Spargo.  This one is a surprise for someone who had a birthday in June so I'm not very late!

 

This may not look like a lot of work but let me tell you - IT IS!  I had some sample books of decorator and upholstery fabric.  So on each side of the center panel are 16 2 1/2" squares - each hand picked to coordinate with the other fabrics and panel.  I barely got the panel of the tropical bird out of the sample book but it worked.  The buttons are all old and large - 11 in all!  So when you multiply that by 3 bags...it adds up and I thank my friends for their donations!

While at the lake last month, I made this purse by Heather Bailey, her Marlo Bloom Handbag.  It sure was fun picking out the fabric at Country Fabrics, Quilts & Collectibles in Brainerd.  The fabric is Oz by Moda.  The purse is reversible and has a fun fabric flower pin.  The inside is the same as the handle for those days when you want to be more subtle.  I will be making more of these with matching makeup bags!

 

I'm working on organizing my sewing room and my studio where I hope to be making more mixed media projects.  In order to get myself motivated, I am going to show you my sewing room before so I can show you my sewing room after.  So don't get scared - its messy!!!

And this is my future studio!  I have been collecting treasures and stacking them up.  It's time to be accountable and organize so you are my organizational police.  I will be updating these two pictures as I get busy.

                                               

I hope you are having a great time celebrating America's great birthday and if you are out driving - be safe!

                                  

Take care!

Farmgirl Bonnie