Leftover scrap of embroidered dresser scarf + Very Small embroidery hoops

+ Scissors

+ Glue

= Tiny Art

The End. :)

We’re just starting to feel a bit settled here.  This corner of our bedroom is filled with favorite things: a vintage Luxo lamp ($3 at a yard sale in Blacksburg), a vintage GE alarm clock ($3.50 on eBay + $7 shipping), robin’s egg blue table ($20 at an antiques mall in Tulsa), and refashioned vintage hankie art by me (hankie = $2).  Oh, and that Liberty of London mug  is new but still a favorite ($6 at Target).

I love finding a good deal on something old and pretty.  Especially when that old, pretty thing is still quite useful.

But altering an old, pretty, and useful thing can be rewarding too. :)

I hope you enjoyed this tiny peak at our new place.  More show-and-tell to come!

New prints!

Do you find it hard to blog in the summer?

I do.  Apparently.

Here are some pretty cake plates I spied at Abingdon, Virginia’s Antiques Market last week.  I’ve never seen so many gorgeous collections in one place.

Like this display of ice cream scoops.  I feel like this collection belongs in a glass case on the wall.

And I fell in love with this small gathering of Chinese dolls.

Would you believe me if I told you I stumbled upon all of this during the lunch break of a creative writing conference?  That’s why I was there! My Mother-in-Law and I were attending a conference where the keynote speaker was Robert Olen Butler.  When we arrived, two giant tents filled with antiques were erected beside the conference center.

Like they knew we were coming. :)

Our family spent the weekend traveling up to Galena, Illinois for a family reunion.  When I say family, I mean 170+ people descending from Evan’s Grandmother.

She turned 95 yesterday.

(Happy Birthday, Grandmother Eleanor!)

Every year, the family has a huge campout.  Here’s the group:

They’re so much fun!  And I feel like I really know at least a fraction of the group.  Which is definite progress. ;)

While we were there, I ventured out to beautiful downtown Galena.

And visited some antique stores.

And showed tremendous restraint.

It was a great trip.

And now it’s time to house-hunt.

I’m here.  Really here. 

We moved halfway across the country, and then we vacationed in NC for a week.

And now I am here — here being Virginia.

It’s pretty.

All our belongings are piled in a corner of the basement.  Except our Sleep Number bed.  It’s assembled in another corner.

Oh, and the TV.  It’s at the foot of the bed.

This picture was taken on our dining table, which is covered with cords, Wal-Mart bags, the Brita container, and junkity-junk.  And a tiny space for me.

To go make something outta nothing.  Or make something outta something else. :)  Here are some ideas from the Thimbly Things archives:

1. Romantic Blouse from frumpy nightshirt

2. Girl’s Easter Dress from Mommy’s old shirt

3. Fashionable Skirt from incredibly frumpy thrifted dress (And here’s another one.)

4. Chic Dress from perhaps even more incredibly frumpy thrifted dress

Happy Earth Day!  Go redeem something old and ugly!!!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

It was a good year, I do believe!

Made (almost) entirely from the skirt of the dress.  I reused the pockets, and I used muslin for the inside of the waistband.  For added flourish, it has several rows of stitching near the hemline.

ME [holding up skirt to show Evan]: It’s not ugly anymore, is it?

EVAN [smiling uncomfortably]: Not as ugly.

I then punch him lightly in the arm as he grimaces and flinches a bit.  Then we laugh, and I tell him how he doesn’t know what’s in style. :)

And here I am sporting my dyed jacket with it.  Collar popped and all.  I’m so freakin’ cool.  I look like I’m pretending to model it on a runway, but really I’m just running away from my camera, trying to get a clear shot in my allotted 2 seconds.  And nearly falling over in my wedges.

I wish I’d made it a smidge shorter (same way I felt about this skirt).  But what if someone tall wanted to buy it?  Then it would be perfect, right?

It’s finished.  It has pockets and a slight tulip shape.  This was fashioned almost entirely from the bottom ruffle of the dress.

To cinch the waist but leave a little wiggle room, I made it so that the waistband wraps around from the back and ties in the front.  Does that even make sense?  Anyway, I can tie it in a bow or twist it (as it is in the picture) or whatever.  Maybe even a brooch could hold it together on the side.

I think it could be 2 inches shorter.  Because less is more. ;)