Fresh Idees

I love these calico petals plates grouped together. Photo courtesy of our friends at Pinterest of course.
They plates appear to be the same pattern and type. Do you know what they are? Just curious. Maybe they're not vintage, but rather re-makes.

I'm fond of this kitchen nook picture too. It looks cozy and inviting, warm and friendly. Doesn't it?
Notice how both pictures share plate displays.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I have a small display of my favorite plates in my kitchen.

Do you have some of your favorite plates on display in your home?
I believe plates add a certain charm to any decor.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Flower seeds as gifts...

The cockscomb is a most unusual looking flower. It's easy to grow and flourishes during the heat of the summer. You simply pick the large clusters of blooms in early autumn and bring inside for drying. They dry beautifully.

I'm putting together a few seed packets to give as gifts.

I'll be creating a new seed packet for the assortment of seeds.

Zinnia, moon flower, brown eye susans, bee balm are some of the varieties I'll be sharing.

You may remember the seed packet I created last spring. It was inspired by my Great Aunt Enid. She was a natural garden guru and a wonderful cook.

H'm not able to share the pdf on blogger post. You can catch it at Bittersweet if you want to print out the seed packet.

Here'a a link.  Reduce to 100%.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Share your creative space...

I thought it would be fun to share our creative spaces this week.
Do you have a special nook or space that inspires you to create?
You can add a picture and link to your creative space below on the link button.
Simply follow the prompts.

This picture was taken last summer. It's the entrance to my home studio. A place where I share my creations with friends and patrons. I've been operating the shop from my home for 5 years now. Before that I owned and managed a shop downtown.
It's fun having a shop in your home! It's worked out great for me. If you're contemplating a home shop, I say go for it! It makes perfect sense to me. You'll have the best of both worlds!

Pretty ~ pretty

Several months ago I found an enterprising blog packed full with creative idees and information. One in particular stood out from the crowd. Who wouldn't love making pretty tapes in a variety of sizes and widths.
The blog is called "Just something I made." Click here to visit the cute blog. I love the fact Cathe, the blog creator offers sources to purchase the items needed to make your own pretty, pretty tapes.
The tapes would be a fun winter craft project, I think.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Vintage Christmas Aprons

I absolutely love this! If you're fortunate to have a vintage Christmas apron collection then why the heck wouldn't you show them off? Honestly, I see no logical reason why you would NOT!

How Calico Cute is this? Love the red and white. Two of my favorite colors when decorating. The gingham wall covering is to die for! It could have been too much, but the creator of this darling Calico kitchen has perfected the look with just the right amount of white trims, counters and appliances, Perfect, with a capital P,  I say! New decorating term, "Cutie Patootie!"

Happy Christmas!

Warmly,

Jill McDowell 00

Nosegay oh Nosegay where can you be?

A Calico favor to ask my readers... Have you seen this nosegay fabric? I purchased a few yards at a local fabric store a couple of years ago and have been on the search for the posy textile ever since!
I've searched high and low online but no luck finding this pattern.

The nosegay was the perfect choice for these handmade Calico's. Love mixing the blossoms with gingham.

The search continues...

Warmly

Jill 00

♥ Soulful Gift

My friend Julie gave me this hand painted vintage jar for Christmas a couple of years ago. The jar was filled with an array of old ric-rac, trims and baubles and such. It was a joy to go through the jar exploring what its contents were.

I now store vintage notions and millinery flowers in the darling bluebird jar. I proudly perched her upon a shelf in the studio. Every time I look at the jar a smile appears on my face. What a thoughtful gift my friend gave to me.

Running some idees before you...

A vintage glass jar filled with baubles and bows, such a delightful soulful idee to give as a gift during the holiday season.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Pretty Little Coasters

I'm trying to sneak in this handmade post. The recipient reads Bittersweet blog but I don't think she comes to Calico Petals.
Making these pretty little cloth coasters for her for Christmas. Easy to pull togerther and sew, minus the ric-rac and trims. They are a bit finicky to add.

I'm sewing an assortment of six. Two each of the same swatch and trims.
I think they will fit in with the other handmade gifts I'm making this year. Cocoa and homemade marshmallows, herbal vinegar, cranberry chutney, toffee, Scottish shortbread, and maybe if I have time some "hot pads" as my grandma would say.

If you want to try your hand at making the coasters. Cut a four inch square of two matching fabrics. Then cut another four inch square of interfacing. I had thin interfacing on hand so I tripled the cut. Insert trim or ric-rac in the inside and make sure two fabrics are front to front, place interfacing on top of one and carefully sew around the edges making sure you attach the layers. Turn inside out and poke corners with something sharp making sure not to tear corners. Sew a running stitch along all four finished sides.

Warmly,

Jill 00