What a real beauty!

Every time we go out of town, particularly for parades,

I'm on the lookout for fixer-uppers for sale.

This one caught my eye the minute I saw

the three levels of porches through the trees.

Most definitely a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

But what potential it has!

The porches wrap around all four sides,

including the one that faces the lake.

Sadly it is way out of my price range,

unless I win the lottery or get adopted by someone very wealthy.

Furniture fixes with fabric

I went fabric shopping the other day,

for the first time in I can't tell you how long.

My sewing machine broke a year ago and

I've been destashing fabrics for a few months now.

With two very specific projects in mind --

one for Red Hen Studios and one for our home --

I felt justified in getting more.

Helps that they were at great prices!

The apple and owl prints were in the clearance remnant bin.

My plan is to paint both chairs a cheery red

and make removable cushions for the backs and seats.

I've made seats for these folding chairs before.

This time I bought outdoor fabric

so they don't get moldy from being wet.

My husband can't wait for them to be done

so we can once again enjoy our back porch.

Time to get sewing and painting!

Dream car

I've shared with you some of my dream houses,

but I have now come across my dream car. 

It shall have the license plate "R3D H3N"

and will be for transporting more than just children.

This  gorgeous VW truck was at a car show in NJ.

Its more "rustic" counterpart is for sale here locally.

Every time we drive by it the kids and I talk

about how cool it would be all fixed up.

And now we have something to aspire to.

This was such a beauty!

 

New life for old things

Now that I have more room in my workspace,

after destashing quite a bit,

my eyes are on refinishing things I have collected.

I plan to use Krylon Fusion paint for plastic

on these two preschool-size chairs.

It will also work on the rusty metal legs.

 

This sled will look great with all the metal painted glossy red

and with refinished and stained wood.

Not sure how to get the stain off the logo though...

 

These sweet rocking chairs need new fabric for cushions

and a fresh coat of bright paint.

 

The base of this globe is broken

so it will be turned into two lamps --

one uplight and the other a hanging pendant.

Time to go to the hardware and fabric stores

for color inspiration and supplies.

Let the sun shine

Like my yarn ball holder?

No need for a fancy one when a 50¢ garage sale find will do.

 I'd had my heart set on making myself a summery shawl

from this cotton turquoise yarn I had recycled from a sweater.

It just wasn't meant to be as I hated everything I tried.

Turns out, it makes better sun hats for wee ones anyway.

I was able to finish two of these during our weekend away.

This one is a 6-month size and the other one is 2-year size.

They are $20 each, including shipping. 

Let me know if your wee one needs some cute sun protection.

Unexpected surprises while thrifting

  I am in a bit of a quandary.

While thrifting I came across a garbage bag

with yarn, an knitting instruction booklet and

what I thought was an unfinished sweater.

I bought it all for $2 just so I could reuse 

the vintage Spinnerin wool yarns.

The sweater is actually complete.

And gorgeous, with cables all down the white.

I'd hate to take apart someone's handiwork,

but it has most likely been bagged up

for over half a century.

What would you do?

(PS, if you are interested in vintage knitting patterns,
I have quite a few books in my Etsy shop)

A reason to declutter

This furniture has sent me on a cleaning spree

for the last few weeks.

I visited the thrift store on a Saturday.

The set was then marked 25% off.

I went back the following Tuesday

and it was marked 50% off.

Even though I didn't have a place for it

I knew I just had to have it.

Who could pass up vintage toile for $90?

Not me, especially when I saw that the grimy surfaces

were actually custom-made slipcovers.

A quick run through the washer with a bit of bleach

and they now look perfectly shabby chic.

They just needed to come in from the driveway.

That was when my cleaning spree started.

My plan was to remove the dining room table and chairs

and move them in. Which I did.

But what about all the bins of fabric, trims, supplies, etc

that were taking up so much room in my work space?

I've been methodically moving things out.

Donating bags-full back to the thrift store, 

listing things on online crafters and garage sale sites

and getting rid of paperwork we no longer need.

I'm almost done.

Amazingly, I've made back more than enough

to cover the cost of my new seating arrangement.

And I am almost ready to enjoy the room again.

Thrift shopping

I went after-Christmas clothes shopping a few weeks ago.

Most people close to me know I really hate retail

and won't be surprised that my spree was at the thrift store.

TOTAL SPENT:

$77 (which is a lot for me in one outing)

WHAT I GOT:

7 pairs of boys' jeans -- Old Navy, Levis and Ralph Lauren

and Lucky Brand (retails for $100)

2 hoodies for the two smaller boys

Columbia ski coat and snowpants for the young teen

3 dress shirts for husband -- Eddie Bauer and Stafford

Eddie Bauer sweater and slacks for me

BEST DEAL OF THE DAY:

This West German gray wool pea coat for the older teen.

Thanks to Google Translator I know it's from the 1960s

and was made by Bulag of Auerbach.

"Bund ZB" stands for German Civilian Civil Protection,

whose members worked toward disaster preparedness

like as firefighters, EMTs, etc.

How cool is that?
He has a one-of-a-kind coat with some history.

Glad he likes vintage as much as I do.

Crochet stacking bowls-- with free directions

Most of my crochet projects aren't done from a pattern.

I find stitches I like and experiment.

My project from yesterday is one such example.

While in bed watching a "Law & Order"marathon, 

I hooked these three little stacking bowls.

Below, I am sharing my directions with you.

 

CROCHET STACKING BOWLS

I used bulky wool yarn recycled from an old sweater and an I-hook. You can use whatever you have on hand and adjust the size hook for your yarn, no need to check gauge. For a tighter weave, you can substitute sc or hdc for dc.

ROUND 1: Ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to create a ring; ch 2 (counts as 1st dc now and throughout), 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in 1st dc. (Join all rounds this way and do not turn at the end of the rounds.) (12 dc)

ROUND 2: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around; join. (24 dc) 

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR SMALL BOWL. SKIP TO ROUND 5.]

ROUND 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 11 times; join. (36 dc)

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR MEDIUM BOWL. SKIP TO ROUND 5.] 

ROUND 4: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 2 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) 11 times; join. (48 dc)

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR LARGE BOWL. CONTINUE WITH ROUND 5.]

ROUND 5: Ch 2, sk st with ch 2, sc around; join.

ROUND 6: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR SMALL BOWL.]

ROUNDS 7-8: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR MEDIUM BOWL.]

ROUNDS 9-10: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR LARGE BOWL.] 

After you get the bowl as wide and as tall as you want it, weave in ends and turn right-side out, so the pretty stitches show on the outside of the bowl.

I prefer the textured look of these, but bowls crocheted with wool can be felted by running them repeatedly in the washer and dryer until they are your desired sizes.

You can also make them any size you want. Continue following the pattern increases for a wider base [ROUND A: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 3 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc), then ROUND B: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 4 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc), ETC.] and make more rounds up for a taller bowl.

You can do what you wish with your finished pieces, but I'd appreciate credit for the pattern and a link back here. Share your photos too!!!

Fruits, er scarves, of my labors

Apparently, I was busy this winter.

Only I didn't realize just how busy until

I pulled together all the scarves I'd crocheted.

Most are variations on the double crochet stitch,

used because I could just keep on stitching

without really thinking about what I was doing.

Perfect projects for working up during

cold winter evenings in front of the television.

Soft and slightly fuzzy yarn, possibly lambswool or angora,

make up this scarf of wide stripes in cream, lavender and pink.

It is 4.5" wide and 70" long.

Super-soft acrylic scarf in lilac with a hint of white.

Measures 6" wide and 76" long.

These daisy chains are made of recycled sweater yarn,

in robins-egg blue with red centers.

It is 3.5" wide and 82" long, perfect for 

wrapping round and round multiple times.

First scarf made from hand-painted rayon boucle
bought from the Etsy shop Yarntopia.
This one is in more muted pastel tones and
measures a stretchy 6" wide by 66" long.

This one is made from a brighter pastel yarn

and is 4" wide and an extremely long 120".

All will soon be available for purchase

on the Red Hen Studio Facebook Fan Page.

Look for the photo album!!!

Crocheted bling for your fingers

Taking a break from crocheting fancy squares

but still working with a teeny tiny needle.

Bits of lighter-weight leftover yarns are 

turned into cute flower rings in no time.

They will soon be up for sale on my Facebook page.

Cardigans for spring

Oh how I wish these cardies fit me. I'd keep them all!

But, alas, I have shoulders like a linebacker

and these will only fit petite-framed girls.

How pretty will the four hand-crocheted ones

look cinched with a belt or closed with a brooch?

And the last one from Vogue and made in Italy

is so adorable all on its own.

All five are now available in my Etsy shop, 

just click the link below each picture

to go directly to its listing.

Lilac

Cream

Turquoise

Lemon

Italian Vogue

Three sheets to the wind

I just adore vintage sheets and

while I loved creating things from my finds

-- like this dress and this apron --

I'm listing many sweet prints on Etsy

as part of my recent destash.

Pretty pillowcase pairs.

Striped and floral zippered cases.

And a quartet of mismatched prints.

Plus many individual flat sheets.

Check out my Etsy linens and  fabric section
for these pieces and many others I listed earlier.
Will you use them as bedding or create something new?