My New Crafty Blog…Little Blue Cottage

Back in April, I started a craft blog but I couldn’t tell anyone about it because I had a picture of a quilt that I was making for Suzanne, our lovely friend who awaits her baby’s arrival home from Kyrgyzstan.  But, now that the quilt has been given and I can move on to other quilts, this little blog can go forth into the crafty bloggy world. 

Pictures will be forthcoming as my camera is very unwell at the moment. 

http://littlebluecottage.wordpress.com

 Tina

Isabel’s Room Got Jealous – NaJuPicMo

That Suzannah’s room got the big re-do, Isabel told me that her room needed some spiffing up too. I rose to the challenge and started going through boxes and thinking about colors. I repositioned the crib and cleaned out the closet. Here is what we ended up doing.

1 yard oil cloth: $7.99
1 packet of doll house clothes pins: $1.99
Flower-Shaped placemats: $12.00
Redecorating with stuff I had around the house…PRICELESS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the kiddie picnic table all done up with oil cloth which I love for kids’ projects and under high chairs and picnics too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got out all the doll dresses that I played with when I was a girl, some of which were my mom’s doll dresses from the 1930’s and 40’s.  This is only fueling the ongoing vintage dress obsession. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, I didn’t make this.  I got it about 6 months ago and it’s from the Land of Nod catalog and I have coveted it ever since Suzannah was a toddler.  Yay for having two girls!  Izzy gets to lay in her crib and wake up to tiny doll dresses on her wall.  (Are you noticing a theme here????) 

 

 

 

The lighting on this is terrible, I understand.  But, if you can imagine buttery yellow flower-shaped placemats, then you can see what I’ve done with them.  I got out about a yard and a half of ribbon, glued on these flowers with fabric glue and about two hours later, I had an instant valance for a very plain window.  No sewing whatsoever.  I bought the placemats on deep discount not having any clue what I’d do with them.  I love it when things turn out to be a perfect thing for something you haven’t even planned yet.  So now Isabel’s room is very soft and warm and inviting.

Patterns for Kit’s Feedsack Dress

I have been on a mission to find the holy grail of a pattern for a Kit Kittredge dress for Zannie.  There have been many that I’ve liked and Shea directed me to beautiful vintage dresses.  Anyway, here is a sample of patterns I’ve found that may help you out if you are in the same boat as I am; needing to make one of these dresses and not a clue where to start.  Here’s what I’ve found so far.  (By the way, a real seamstress could make a nice little chunk of change making these dresses and selling them on ebay…)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Project Runway’s line of patterns for Simplicity (#2986)  It starts at size AA 8 and goes up, but I think if you’re an experienced sewer, you can cut the pattern to fit a smaller size.  I particularly liked the detailing options on this pattern, particularly the sleeves and the trim at the neckline.  I think the feedsack and calico fabrics are going to look fabulous worked up in this pattern.  I think you could put in a faux belt if you wanted mid-way or you could do it drop waist also. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Simplicity (#2878 ) and I bought it for the neckline detailing alone.  Those flaps, fastened down with black buttons were screaming out to me!  I think for 1930’s styling, the bodice is too nipped in, but the piping and the small print on the example here made me buy it.  (That and Simplicity patterns were 40% off right now) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a very sweet and cute pattern, and I’m not sure I’ll use it, but I do like the sleeves on this and I think you could customize it all over the place.  I think it’s too pleated for 1930’s, but it’s all about what you like personally, right? 

I ended up buying more yardage as well because the fabric is irresistable to me.  Here are companies that are making reproduction feedsack fabrics and modern takes on vintage fabrics.  Enjoy!

http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/designers/darlene_zimmerman/

http://www.fabricattic.com/newpage12.htm

http://www.fabricattic.com/aunt.htm

http://www.sewmamasew.com/ccp0-catshow/CLSWELL.html

Please, let me know how you all do and if you make a Kit inspired dress, please send me a photo!!

 

Tina

Farmer’s Market & Flea Market Treasures – NaJuPicMo

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish you all could smell these – they’re incredibly fragrant and ready for eating. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will be put to work in a tangy pickle we make with plums, red onion and infused with star anise.  We serve it with grilled pork chops. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A local farmer was selling blossoms from his hydrangea bush.  $5 for 5 stems!  I couldn’t pass these up; they always reminds me of old-lady bathing caps.  After the farmer’s market, we headed over to the flea market and I scored a Kelvin Chen tea pot for $1.