Friday Freebie

This one comes from an undated "Real-Photo" Post Card. The caption says "Une jolie Musicienne" I wonder where she's from. What is the instrument? (Right click the image to save it to your computer.)

Aunt Martha Give-Away

Last week I told you about Aunt Martha's fabulous Iron Transfers. Here's is another sample from these fabulous, kitschy packages. They are perfect for making tea towels and pot holders. But, what else could you do with them? We are looking for ideas.


We're having a give away! So, put your thinking caps on, and let us know what creative use you come up with to use these transfers. Try to think of something other than the traditional use. We will reward your hard thinking. We will choose the most creative answer and reward that lucky person with one of Aunt Martha's Transfer packets and a pack of collage items from our own studio. You have some time to think about it, but don't wait too long. We will choose a winner Monday, March 31.


Post your best ideas here.

Old wool

One of the treasures that Kerry and I found while cleaning out some of my mom's old sewing supply stash were bags and bags of old wool scraps. The material was originally used by my mother and grandmother to make suits and dresses for themselves in the 1950's and early 60's. For some reason, they saved the pieces left over from cutting out their patterns. Perhaps they couldn't bring themselves to throw out material which probably cost a lot or perhaps they had a project in mind; I'll never know. But that brought us to the question. What do you do with old wool?

Aside from being odd shaped pieces, the fabric was in good condition. Kerry washed it all (on gentle cycle with Woolite). And then sorted the larger, usable pieces by color. And then we bagged it and put it away. Still sitting with the question, What do you do with old wool?

Even though the material is 40 or 50 years old, the colors and patterns were still vibrant and interesting. There were blue boucle plaids, several different colors of herringbone, light greens, dark greens, and tartans. We have also have vibrant reds, oranges and pinks. There are more sedate browns and greys. Some of them are more masculine, and others quite feminine. I have seen photos of my mom and grandma in dresses made out of some of these materials.

We each took some to play around with. I decided to make a few small clutch-style bags with my pieces. I liked the idea of using suiting material for a rather feminine design. I paired the wool with bright trims, satin linings, and antique buttons and broaches. I really like the results. I added pockets inside each bag, just right for a phone and a lipstick. The tassel trim isn't at all practical, but neither is the bag. It is just a special occasion bag.

Kerry made a beautiful tote bag for me using all the blue colored wools we had. Using our favorite patchwork patterns, she was able to incorporate all the different patterns we had. She accented the handle with brown and white ribbon and the result is quite nice. It has been a lovely winter bag to use.

On the web I found several others with ideas about how to use old wool. HGTV.com highlights a "Trash to Treasure" feature that recycles old wool coats to be made into placemats, photo frames and pillows. Who knows, maybe I'll try one of those projects next.

What would you do with old wool? And if you have any good ideas for wool, what about men's ties? We have a nice stash of old ties, too.

At loose ends... (or too many irons in the fire)

I feel at loose ends lately. Maybe I just have too many unfinished projects. I felt I started off the year with a bang. We even had a tidy list of (attainable) resolutions to make this year great.
So, self check here, how am I doing on keeping those resolutions?

# 4, 9 & 21 - I have alternately consumed more wine and less wine depending on whether or not I am trying to shed a few pounds or recovering from one of my too many flu-like maladies of the season or if I am relaxing with one of my meals consisting solely of appetizers with lit candles for ambiance (#2 &11).

# 25 - I have met this goal, we both have. My children have new, cute backpacks, and Kerry's girls have super cute Webkin's bags.

#14 - It is a funny thing, when you water plants, they grow beautiful, new green leaves. My plants are thankful for the attention.

#23 - We have made lots of fabulous tote bags, which we have shared in our blog. Now we are looking for new designs and new patterns. And also we are looking for lots of occasions where we can tote our new bags.

While there are other resolutions that I am "working on" I feel that I have too many unfinished projects and so many supplies to work with. Sometime the choices can be a little daunting. More is sometimes too much. Currently on my project to do list I have two candles to finish for my home, one or more tissue boxes, also for my home, an unfinished magnet board and some tote bags and drawstring bags that I want to use for gifts, and that's not all. I guess I had better get moving on some of these unfinished projects.

It's as if I have a creative "writers block." Just how do I get motivated when I am feeling overwhelmed and uninspired at the same time?

Perhaps it is malaise. Wikipedia even talks about a "winter malaise." It is a real thing. So my feeling of being out of sorts can be attributed to, "the culmination of the body adjusting to cold winter conditions and a possible depressing atmosphere due to either being forced inside due to the cold, or forced into a mundane daily routine because of the winter conditions." Now that it is nearing the end of March, I would have thought the winter doldrums would have passed. Hopefully a dose of spring sunshine and fresh air will snap me back into shape.

So, off to work on some unfinished projects. I will keep you posted on the results. Any ideas for battling malaise? you keep me posted.

First bloom

Spring has started here in Colorado. The first bloom has appeared in my garden. It is a tiny, early iris.
The daffodils will be next. If we can avoid heavy frost and if I can figure out a way to stop the squirrels from digging up everything I plant, we may have some pretty bouquets this year.















Does anyone have any ideas about the squirrels?

Friday Freebie

(right click the image to save it to your computer)

Happy Easter

Have you met Aunt Martha?

Kerry and I were shopping one day and found a fabulous craft item! We were fascinated by the pattern choices, the titles and the kitschy packing. We quickly snatched up 7 of these little beauties! There is one problem, however. We don't know what to do with them!

The stated intent of Aunt Martha's> Iron On Transfers is to provide a template for embroidery or fabric paint. Neither of us fancy embroidery, nor do we want to start. But, there must be some other applications for these kitschy-cute transfers.

Each packet contains one large folded sheet of newsprint-like paper with simple line drawings, in reverse. The instructions state that you can get several clear stampings from each transfer by using a hot iron.

I found the directions for the Dutch Girl Tea Towel Transfers most amusing. It emphatically states, "This pattern is DIFFERENT." Different from what, I ask? They go on to give specific instructions for hair, eye and dress color for the Dutch Girl.

The other patterns are equally amusing, with names like "Chicken Romance," "Monkey Business," "Dancing Dolls," and "Barns, Barns. Barns," who can resist? They are reminiscent of the tea towels which hung in my grandmothers kitchen. You know, the kind you can find at garage sales and antique stores that say things like "Wednesday - Wash Day."

We thought the store must have found an old, forgotten box from the 50's, and put them out to get rid of them. But no! Looking at the little packets, we discovered that many of them have print dates in this decade. Who knew?

We're having a give away! So, put your thinking caps on, and let us know what creative use you come up with to use these transfers. Try to think of something other than the traditional use. We will reward your hard thinking. We will choose the most creative answer and reward that lucky person with one of Aunt Martha's Transfer packets as well as a packet of assorted collage items from our own studio. You have some time to think about it. Since we're going on Spring Break next week, we won't choose a winner until March 31.

Good Luck! We can't wait to see what you come up with!