Vintage Postcard Pocket

The little birthday pouch was made from a vintage postcard.
Simply cut out a half moon shape on one side, fold and sew together.
You can stick money in the pouch or maybe a gift certificate or even a little posy of flowers.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

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

Forget- Me- Nots...

A single stem of a forget-me-not stands tall. I do believe this is my favorite little flower!
Even though considered a spring blooming flower the plant seems to be holding up in scorching 100 degree heat.
The blessing with this flowering blue is that most always when planted it does not flower until the following season. Having said that, I felt privileged to have this lovely bloom appear with the first planting.
Next spring, early I am going to plant oodles of this favorite blue and yellow blossom!
I'm engrossed with the folklore tales and ancient stories that surround this delicate beauty of nature.

The forget-me-not flower lives on forever in my mind.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Those Lavender Sachets

They are so sweet! Tuck a berry here, tuck a berry there.

Calico Petals and Bittersweet and Jill for that matter have always had a liking for any kind of lavender stuffed sachet.

The skies the limit on what to use for fabric. Vintage textiles make soulful little sachets.

Seal the berry with a hand sewn topper.

There's something about hand sewn items. They make me feel warm and fuzzy.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Pretty Hat Box

Isn't this a pretty hat box? I picked it up at my friend Julies shop.

She had a collection of hat boxes lined on a shabby shelf. This one stood out from the crowd!

I'm going to use it for photo opts.

That's a picture of Julie and I taken a couple of weeks ago.

Then another shot of my best friend with Lennis.

Isn't summer grand?

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Pretty Paper continued...

Along with pretty paper comes all sorts of charming tags.

These tags were made with some of my favorite fabric remnants.

Purchase ready made manila tags

Cut fabric in small enough to piece over tag

Spray fabric with adhesive

gently place onto tag and smooth with fingers

Cut around tag

Using a hole punch, follow hole on tag and punch through fabric to match

Insert vintage ribbon, rope or string

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Pretty Paper...

Most of you are like me and love pretty papers. While out and about I'm always on the look out for vintage wallpaper and bits & pieces of unusual paper items. 

The fascination with pulp traces back to when I was a young girl. I remember my collection of paper stationary to this day. One of my favorites was scented paper.

The paper doesn't necessarily have to be old for me to love. Nowadays, there are so many to choose from.

When I finish client design work I always fold their work into a pretty file folder like the ones above.

If you've never made hand-made paper before, I encourage you to. It's a fun summer craft.

Just tear up small pieces of newspaper or whatever paper you have on hand and place the pieces in blender. Add enough water to make a thick paste. Pour your pasty mixture onto large cookie sheets and place outdoors in a shady spot to dry for a day or two.

You can add flower blossoms or rose petals from your summer garden if you like.

Once your paper tray is completely dry. Peel and enjoy!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Basket full of love...

This wire basket is filled with lovely hand-made items, some of which I've made. The beginnings of a quilt that I began way back when, lavender sachets, cherry picked hangers, and one of my favorite hand-made flea market find, the embroidery booties.

As I gaze at its contents I think to myself someday I will finish that quilt! I also ponder warm thoughts of love as my eyes wander over the pretty hues.

You probably have a basket very similar to mine. One that contains freshly hatched creations. 

One day when we're old and gray we will think back on this basket full of love, and realize its significance.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Lavender Days...

While the studio re-do continues I'm slowly working my way out of the working part to the merchandising area's.

Lavender has always been a main staple to create Bittersweet and Calico creations.

Sachets, Soaps and Laundry Essentials are all flavored with  tincture's of Lavender.

This is one of my favorite pinnies! It reminds me of summer and lavender.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Saturday Studio changes under way...

Well I've began the re-do on the studio. I guess the word re-do isn't an accurate description of the task. Maybe the word restructuring is a better fit.

I have however began the very long process of sorting, separating, putting away items that aren't used regularly, unless their cute of course, then I want to be able to see them.

Since my studio is also my shop, and a small space, I wobble back and forth with practicality, functionality and merchandising. All of which, reflect my personality and feeling of well being. 

 

This is the working room part of my studio. I very seldom share. This is where I create. I guess the reason I don't disclose is simple. It's usually a total mess! I make over one-hundred hand crafted items! There's no way it's going to be orderly. Usually stacks of freshly cut soap bars line the walls, and fabric stacked high from work in progress and new designs.

This little corner of the work room however usually stays the same. I think it's good to have a corner that never changes. 

My Mom's wooden bench fluffed with softness. My favorite little lamp. All my baubles and bows in clear glass jars so that I can see what I have, cause I sometime forget!

 

It's the best of both worlds I believe having your shop in your home. 

After all, home is where the heart is!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

 

Summer Studio

I plucked this little vintage apron from my friend Julie's shop.

The petite size apron is very old. I'm guessing from the 1920's, my favorite era!

The delicate embroidery work and satin tie is a delightfully sweet design.

I hung the new apron on the studio door.

One of those simple but satisfying little things that bring joy to my summer. 

I'll be sharing an updated studio soon. 

Happily,

Jill 00 

 

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