Weekend in Atlanta

I traveled to Atlanta last weekend to visit my sister and her family.

On Friday night we lit a fire and watched the North Carolina Basketball Game on TV.



On Saturday Leah, Isabelle and I had breakfast with Tim Gunn. Afterward they headed for The Atlanta Fall Classic Horse Show while I met a friend and went to the Lucky Brand Fashion Show at the Perimeter Mall.






On Sunday I went with Leah and Isabelle to the Horse Show. It was a beautiful day and Isabelle collected lots of ribbons!



On Monday while the kids were in school, Leah and I had fun at High Arts Day which included tours of two FABULOUS Atlanta homes.



It was hard to say goodbye!

Vintage Patchwork Messenger Bags

My generous friend, Darlene, gifted me with this vintage postage-stamp quilt top and I have made a couple of bags with it.

I wanted to try something new - the "sketchy" stitching that is oh-so-hip-and-trendy right now. I stitched a face and added a little color with pencils.

Working with some vintage patched "dresden plate" blocks, I arranged everything on the patchwork, added some detail with trims and buttons and finished it as a messenger bag.



Here is the back. I added a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" block and some free-motion stitching.



After standing back and taking a good look, I wasn't sure I liked it. The problem, I think was actually the face. Too "pretty" for the whimsical patchwork. Also, I had covered up one of my favorite parts of the plate block - the bright yellow center with black primitive stitching.

So I made a second, similar bag:



Instead of the face I added an embroidered bluebird and a little message. (The first bag also has a message, did you notice?)

I DO like this one more.

I have never been the "hip and trendy" type!

Sneak Peek

Working on some cheery new designs!

Orange You Glad...?

After using up just about every scrap of vintage patchwork in my previous projects, I wondered if i could create my own...

I went through my stash and pulled out anything with a 70's orange/lime vibe. I was in high school during the 70's and this combination always makes me smile.

I cut and pieced 4.5-inch squares and created this bag. There are dishtowels, tablecloths and vintage fabrics all in the mix.

The carrots are crewel embroidery.



Here is the back...because everything is improved when you add a rooster.





I had enough patches to create a couple of handbags as well.

Vintage enamel daisy pins decorate the flaps.



What do you think?

Happy Summer!

This yellow daisy necktie bag makes me smile!

Congratulations Will!

William starts high school in the fall...and he picked out this tie himself.

Vintage Patchwork Bag

I purchased a bundle of patchwork at the Retro Indie Market. It was the very end of the day and our booth had slowed down considerably so I took some time to shop. When I asked how much for the fabric and heard "three dollars," I took it even though I wasn't sure what it was.

When I got home and unrolled the piece I discovered that it was probably a former curtain. Someone had cut into it and made perhaps a vest or a jacket. Rather than pinning the pattern to the fabric, "she" had traced around the pieces with a red marker. So what I had purchased was cut up and the pieces required for the jacket were obviously gone. Red marker was also evident.

But come on... THREE DOLLARS!



I took out the trusty seam ripper and removed the damaged pieces. With what remained I made two of these schoolbags, a handbag (below) and a zipper pouch. Not bad eh?

I used a vintage (damaged) tablecloth for the linings and altogether feel like a proud recycler. Only the magnets were new purchases.




By the way... I would LOVE to see that jacket!

Kaitlin's Birthday!

Vintage Bag

I love books and magazines and I purchase plenty - especially sewing and decorating titles, but I rarely make any of the projects.

In fact, I recently challenged myself to recall even ONE project ever made from any of the hundreds of titles in my library and I couldn't identify a single one.

I do plenty of sewing of course. I just seem to prefer making "my own designs." I always have. So, why do I need all of these books and magazines?



A couple of months ago I told myself that I would make something from the next magazine I purchased. Otherwise, I wouldn't buy it. So, when I saw this title at my local Barnes & Noble I decided to try to purse on the cover. Isn't it cute?

I drafted the patterns and marked and cut out the fabrics carefully. It was a little tricky because the instructions are metric.

This was a good exercise for me.

After the project was done I thought, "Okay, there I've done it. A completed project from a magazine." It turned out pretty much like the design on the cover. Although it is nice, it doesn't really look like "me."

So I hung it on a drawer knob and forgot about it.

Later Kaitlin was over and she spotted it from the hall. MOM!!!! This is AMAZING!!!! Go figure. So now my precious daughter has a new bag.

I also concluded that there is nothing wrong with reading these books and magazines just for fun. My mom enjoyed reading cookbooks. Same thing, right?

I love a happy ending.

Cupcake Couture!

Kennedy, Sarah and Olivia

My local Bernina store, "Sew From The Heart" held a fashion event today called "Cupcake Couture."



I was expecting that grandmas would be making Easter dresses etc for their granddaughters and that this would be a great opportunity for the girls to model.



Now, my neighborhood has the CUTEST GIRLS EVER and even though I don't have any granddaughters of my own, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make some skirts so that we could participate in the event.



I made three daisy skirts - the girls seemed to really like them.



Of course the cupcakes made the day just perfect!

Thank you "Sew From The Heart!"

Cupcake Couture April 8th!

Blowgun Tournament!

On Friday night Will was prepared to defend his championship title. Would he be able to beat this group of tough competitors?



Alas, Will came in second to "Sparky" McGurk (in the red tank top.)
We'll get you next time, Sparky!

Mama Klu's Saturday Adventure Series - Chapter 2

Last weekend, Daniel, Ryan and I went to the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

It was a gorgeous day!

Mama Klu's Saturday Adventure Series - Chapter 1

After a delicious lunch at Postino in Phoenix; Kaitlin, Ryan, Joanna and I headed for Zinnia's at Melrose where Amy and Jill joined us for shopping!



There is a vintage clothing store inside called Antique Sugar. The girls had a great time trying on dresses. Here are Ryan and Joanna getting ready for the prom.





Amy as Olive Oyl...



Kaitlin as Princess Jasmine...



Ryan as Princess Marigold.

Okay, I just made that name up...



Kaitlin couldn't resist this hat. Could you?



The girls carried on with coffee at Lola Coffee Bar and I headed home. Gotta plan the next adventure...

Retro Indie Market Report!

Last weekend I traveled to Florida to visit my dad and to work with my friend, Darlene at the Retro Indie Market.


Where's Darlene?

The event was held in a large historic school building. We were on the second floor.



All of my photos were taken before the show opened. Afterward, we were just too busy to get out!

Darlene is an antique dealer. Here are some shots of her booth:





Here are some of the booths near us - I wish I had more photos!




These dolls sold out quickly. They were only $15.00!!!! So cute!



This is Amanda, one of the organizers of the event.



This is a vendor named Stefanie...


and her booth...



The line of shoppers waiting to get in stretched around the block. It was a little bit cold for Florida and they were anxious to get in!



Were there cupcakes? Of COURSE there were cupcakes!



Thank you to Michelle and Amanda and everyone who made this event such a success!

More photos here.