tutorial

I write once a week for the Glitter and Grunge blog. And yesterday I wrote a tutorial about how to make a yo-yo.  It is surprisingly simple.



Here's what I've made with my vintage yo-yo's in the past.  These are yo-yo shirts!  They have mostly vintage fabric yo-yo's and vintage buttons.  I am stitching up some more cute little yo-yo's to make some new creations.  I'll show you what they turn out like, next week.

happy day!

It's Earth Day!  My kids are picking up trash at school today.  And they aren't happy about it.  I guess the kindergarten class picked up trash yesterday.  But my huge 7 year old wants no part in it.  I always think their school looks great.  I had no idea there was trash lying around.  Maybe they are a little messy leading up to Earth Day so the first graders can be put to work.

Well since it is Earth Day I am doing a special giveaway.  I have a wonderful collection of organic fabrics from Harmony Art.  And I haven't really been sewing with it lately like I should.  But I do have one of my stuffed elephants all made.  It's made with 100% organic fabric and stuffing.



I made this elephant with the inspiration from a vintage stuffie that my hub had as a baby.  His grandmother from Kansas made it for one of his older siblings and it has survived being passed down to each child and the many grandchildren.  I took this old elephant and just laid it down on my copier and enlarged it a bit.  Cut up the copy and there was my new pattern for "Ella".  The ears even have a bit of stuffing in them too, just like grandma Myrtle made it.

The "Ella" that will be in the giveaway is the blue one in the middle of the photo, with the small leaf pattern on the ears.  The last date of the giveaway will be next Wednesday, April 29th.  Just leave a comment to enter!

Happy Earth Day and thanks for participating in the fun!

tomorrow

I will be going to the Roseville Antique Market.  It is the first annual event!  I'll be hooking up with Claire and walking around to meet over 50 vendors.



There will be two vendors there that I am looking forward to seeing.  The Tin Thimble girls, who you know I love.  And I am so looking forward to running into my friend/shop owner, Jacque.

I shopped at Jacque's Lincoln shop, Green Acres, when I first moved to our new home.  I can still walk around my house and I know which things I bought there.  They are usually the pieces that are all really banged up too!

And I love it soo much!

So, catch up with me in Roseville tomorrow for the Antique Market!  It's all hosted by the fantastic girls Erika and Sandy of The Tattered House.  There are sure to be some wonderful collectibles that you won't want to live without!  I'm sure you know the feeling :)  And remember your sunscreen, it's going to be 80+ degrees tomorrow.

417 Oak Street, Roseville

8 am - 4 pm

my first

My first book signing (yes there will be more) was a great day.  Thanks for coming to see me!  Here are some sweet pics I took of my day.

my pillowcase collection

cupcake treats, and I just fell in love with these tea cups and saucers

coasters, special box, and little match box all made with pillowcases

chattin' away, it's actually funny seeing a picture of myself not smiling.

I had a great day, so thanks for coming to the beautiful New Castle, Tin Thimble.  I'll be doing another book signing at Indie Sac on May 2nd.  See you there!

i'm ready!

I have all of my pillowcase fabrics cut up, wrapped, and ready for sale at my book signing.  These are little kits so you can make your own coasters.  All you will need is a little interfacing cut up in 5 inch squares.



My gracious hostesses of The Tin Thimble will have coffee, tea, and cupcake treats to delight you with in their cute little fabric store.   Part of the fun in coming to their shop is the beautiful drive to New Castle.  Come and see me tomorrow for a memorable day out.  See you!

The Tin Thimble

595 Taylor Road, New Castle

Saturday, April 11th

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

Book Signing

what's up

This week my three are off from school.  And it's funny what does and doesn't get done each day.  My hub came home today from work and he says "what did you do today?"  And that is just how I feel too!  What did we do all day?



I posted a new baby gift set on my etsy.  Applique onesies with a little burpcloth.  These are a staple and must have in my shop!



Finished up and mailed off a custom gift to Massachusetts.   It's a little pair of baby booties and a cute bag to put them in.  This was my first time making booties and it won't be my last!  And the bag was made without a pattern, soo fun with Dick and Jane!



And of course we had to make a quick stop at my local thrift.  I found this big bag of barbie clothes for my girl.  So, yes we played dress up with barbie all afternoon!  I especially love the hats that were in the bag.  They had to have been from Kelly.  I thought it was so cute that my girl put these adorable hats with the fancy dresses.



And I'm still busy cutting up my vintage pillowcase stash.  Making little kits for all you will need to make your own fabric coasters, with a fun and funky mix of fabrics.  This is just a supply kit, if you want the actual directions, you need to buy the book!  The kits will be with me for sale on Saturday, see you!

book signing

You are invited to a book signing!

Please join me on this fun day!  Meet the Tin Thimble girls, Sharon, Emma, and Hannah.  We will have the pillowcase books for you to purchase, snacks, DIY coaster kit,  demos, and a surprise giveaway that you will have a chance to win!

See you there!

Saturday, April 11

11 am - 1 pm

The Tin Thimble

595 Taylor Road

New Castle, CA

916-663-2134