Apron Winner!

Having only three friends sign up made it very difficult.

Random number 2 picked though.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Apron Giveaway

As promised a little apron giveaway, this pinnie, a 1967 patterned pinnnie will be so cute to slip on this Summer.

Leave your lovely comments for a chance to win.

I'll be announcing the winner sometime next week after Memorial Day.

Good Pinnie Luck!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

A Vintage Tea Towel Apron

I have a large collection of vintage tea towels and table runners, some with stains that I know I'll never be able to remove.

My re-use, recycle, re-purpose remedy.

Simple tie around the waist half apron.

I made a pattern, just straight lined rectangle out of linen, cut out long ties, and attached the piece of vintage cloth to the front of the apron.

It's one of my favorite aprons.

Coming Soon...

An apron giveaway you won't want to miss.

Keep posted.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

See you at "Art on the Hill!"

Happy Champignon

What is it about these Happy Rooms?

I'm having too much fun making them!

If you want an easy Spring project that will surely add some charmingly happy moments then I would suggest making these.

Easy to make:

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Start by making a round template out of paper or cardstock, this is your pattern.

Place round pattern onto fabric choice and cut around circle.

Cut one more of contrasting fabric for bottom of room.

Sew two circles together leaving a small opening around circle for turning inside out.

Stuff with cotton batting. I prefer bamboo stuffing.

Cut one long strip of muslin approximately 12 inches by 4 inches.

Sew strip together except for bottom.

Turn stem inside out and stuff with cotton batting. I use bamboo.

Place stem on bottom side of room and hand-sew in place.

Sew bottom of stem by hand too.

Now you have a Happy Mushroom!

Place in a sunny window.

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Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none, right?)

Vintage Wallpaper Paquets

Vintage Wallpaper Paquets are now available at Calico Petals web site.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

New Pinnies

New Pinnies making their debut at Calico Petals. I've listed two of my favorite's for now.
Hurry, they go quick! Once they're gone, they don't return..

Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Spring Thoughts

Having two blogs is proving to be a challenge at times to keep up with.

With the ownership of two hand-made companies and the constant demand for economic change, you'll probably see less and less of me around.

Hand-made business's are experiencing a stunt in growth due to the tattered economy.

Both Bittersweet and Calico Petals continue to evolve and twist and turn during the slow times.

I've always believed the key to operating a successful business depends on your ability to change with the times. You can't continue the same old, same old during slow economic times, you just can't.

You must be creative and resourceful and imaginative and replace the traditional open shut door into an ever changing revolving door, one that's easy to turn and constantly spinning.

Since Calico is a fairly new company and Bittersweet, her older sister is seasoned and been around the block a time or two, Calico will carefully watch and learn from her big Sis.

I believe storing and keeping a good record of a new business and it's happenings are good practice, blogging offers both opportunity's.

It's very common for me to travel back in time on Bittersweet's blog and explore how I did things back then. As I look back, I can't help but notice the changes in packaging, ideas, thoughts, and so on. It's nice to have an easy reference at my finger tips.

Coming up..

Apron packaging dilemma solved. I'll share that and a few more things.

Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Couture Carton

A few Easter's ago I was looking for some creative ideas for packaging a little sewing kit.

The kit practical in nature, but too, a bit whimsical with bits and pieces of ephemera.

The result, The Couture Carton, better known as the Stylish Sewing Ala cart at Calico Petals.

Busy putting together more Couture Cartons for Easter.
Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

The Vintage Bunny

Several years ago while flea market shopping I found Mr. Reginald Smith, the vintage bunny in the basket. I fell in love with his simple embroidered face and his feed sack apparel. I would say he dates back to around the 1930's.

I traced around Mr. Smiths body to make Mrs. Smith his companion. The two took an instant liking to one another the first time they met and they haven't seemed to take their eyes off each other, bunny love.

After their meeting, Mr. Smith asked Roberta, Mrs. Smith if she would marry him. Mrs. Smith happily and proudly said, yes!

Enjoy caring and sharing bunny loving days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Wild Strawberry's

I guess you can blame my wild strawberry passion on the long cold drawn out winter.

I'm getting cabin fever too.

These scented strawberry's help to ease the cold Winter blues and they'll add some Spring aroma therapy to your space.

The berries come packed inside a pretty pink desert box along with jute string for hanging. In case you want to hang a berry rather than have it sit.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

My fascination and love for bags and pretty fabric inspired me to make these cosmetic pouches.

The pouch is the perfect size for holding keys, credit cards, cash or cosmetics.

They will be available at the Calico Petals shop soon.

They are $14 each and make a lovely gift.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)