Projects from the vintage sheet stash

I love vintage bed sheets and started collecting them almost two years ago. I think I have a soft spot for them because I remember having pink floral sheets as a child (they would now be vintage if they were still around) and I thought those sheets were just so pretty. The stash is pretty sizeable now and I tell myself that I will not buy any more but then I find another and can't pass it up! I will have to start making a dent in the stash soon.

I recently finished these cushions that I made for the children's playroom. They were in fact started last year but only just got around to completing them. The designs were appliquéd from fabric scraps that I have saved from other projects over the years and actually apart from the zips and cushion inserts I didn't have to buy anything to make these (and that's good right).

The one with the curved road was inspired by one that I saw on a blog once (in the days before pinterest so I cannot remember where - sorry) and the house one was a drawing that A did last year.

A's drawing and the resulting cushion - he picked out the fabrics for this one

Both cushions are backed with pieces of vintage bed sheets (which I now realise I didn't photograph). I still need to work out how to put in zips properly.

 
The cushions were made to go onto this sweet seat that I made the cover for - from my sheet stash. It is such a cheerful piece and I love it. It makes me think that one day I will make my girls quilts from vintage sheets. I really like the simplicity of large squares (from memory 5 inches).

Too many teddys'! Friends and family love gifting my children with teddys apparently

The best Op shop find ever

We have this little Saturday routine that I love - each Saturday morning I write up my grocery list for the week and then I go shopping. Sometimes I take A with me, usually though its H who wants to come along. My hubby stays home with Baby L (who sleeps) and whichever of the bigger children is not grocery shopping.

But every so often I go out all by myself! Its great. I have just my wallet, phone, shopping list and maybe my water bottle or lip gloss and even though I am doing the groceries I quite enjoy the time all to myself. On those rare Saturdays I like to pop into the fabric shop or the op shop or any other place that I usually avoid when I have small people in tow.

Well last weekend as I walked through the door of the op shop  spotted a small hard case on the opposite of the shop and I immediately knew what it was. I made a bee line to it and sure enough it was a vintage typewriter. I was soooo excited. I have wanted one of these beauties for years and here was one with a $10 price tag!!

And that vintage sheet was found in the same shop

The man at the counter kindly found me a piece of paper so that I could test it out and I was thrilled that all seemed to be in working order. The typewriter has clearly been well cared for , the manual etc. was intact as well as a few accessories and I have declared her the best find ever .

Though I do think that she needs a name - what would you suggest?

Mother Earth standing doll

I have wanted to make a Mother Earth standing doll for a while now and as it is spring and the children have a renewed interest in reading the story of the root children I thought it was time to make it happen.
 I get a little time most evenings to work on projects in little chunks.While I can find it quite frustrating not to be able to do things quicker I know that if I work away at something it does eventually get completed (may not be helped by the fact that I have multiple project on the go at any given time and a backlog of ideas in my head - sometimes I don't know where to start!)

I still need to make a blouse/dress and either knit or crochet a shawl but I am very happy with my progress on Mother Earth.

Paper Quilting

We seem to know a few little baby boys born lately and this is what I have been making for them.
It is a paper quilt where the little squares of paper are stitched together with gold thread. I am lucky to know the woman who has developed this style of paper craft and I even took some classes with her many years ago.
Paper quilts make great little gifts - and are something that I can get finished in a nap time or two.

I made and sent two of these little boats last week and have one more little boy to make for . . . maybe this weekend.

Winter Nature table

We have had a little Steiner style nature table in our home for about three and a half years now. Its a lovely little space especially on days when the clean piles of washing waited to be folded threaten to overtake the living room and I barely get to drink my tea!

I thought I would take a few pictures of our Winter table before we transition into Spring. I have taken photos in the past and love looking back on them. The changes from year to year are subtle but also somehow reflect where the children are up to.

Enjoy

This is our nature table - actually on top of a buffet unit in the living room

shhhh . . . the Root Children are still sleeping

Jack Frost, Winter sprite and some felt mice that Harper keeps putting to sleep

Sometimes this holder contains a picture - currently it is a verse that was part of a seasonal swap that I took part in last year

Jack Frost

Winter sprite with a little lantern