Indulge Your Shelf

When I was growing up, the end of summer was signaled by the Millbrae Art and Wine Festival, a fabulous street fair every year in my hometown.  They're still having it -- now is the 50th year!   Even when I moved to another area, I'd still high tail it back to the A&W Festival, grab my mom or whoever I could talk into going, and walk up and down to Broadway, feeling nostalgic.  And when I moved away from CA, I really, really missed it, and hearing about it from my friends who still lived there made me very homesick. Well, here's what we have in Colorado Springs every Labor Day: a hot air balloon festival in Memorial Park. At this time of year, you can always see balloons flying in the early mornings, but it's been several years since we got up before dawn to drive downtown and see the lift off.  We did today and it was lots of fun! I first experienced a balloon festival in New Mexico about 16 years ago, and there's nothing like it for outdoor fun and people watc...

I belong to a few Facebook vintage groups, and one of my favorites is Vintage Crafters Cafe .  The group had a vintage pin cushion swap recently; we all made a pin cushion from at least 75% vintage materials, and swapped with another member.  I really had fun designing this one!  First, I sewed a pumpkin using vintage fabrics (only two of the fabrics were "new"): When finished, I mounted it on an iron candlestick.  It made for a tall, "statement" pincushion!  My partner won't lose it on her sewing table, that's for sure! I decorated it with some pins and charms and buttons and things, in an Autumn-y palette. Don't you love the rusty corkscrew wires, and the vintage orange millinery flower? I included this fun packet of vintage sewing notions from my collection!  Lots of fun old stuff...   I decorated this old Rexall drug store bag with fabric, a measuring tape, and old buckle!  Look at this little package of cheni...

I hope you've been enjoying your Mother's Day weekend...whether you're a mom or not, and whether your mom is still walking the earth, or not.  I'm a mom without a mom myself.  I've had a lovely weekend and day.  My son's home from college for a few weeks, which makes it extra wonderful for me! Recently I was going through my embroidery bag and I found this small snippet roll that I remember piecing together long ago -- probably more than a year back.  I had gotten as far as designing it and pinning on the elements and then got busy elsewhere and never finished it. It was really delightful to pick up where I'd left off -- with most of the project planned.  I sat down and sewed it one evening. I love this netted and silk ribbon embroidered embellishment; it was a gift from a blog friend overseas.  I had three pieces, and this is the last one.  Isn't it funny how sometimes you can tell stories about bits of ribbon or lace -- or buttons? Thi...

Terri and I are exchanging pocket letters, and the other day one she made for me for St. Patrick's Day arrived!  I was SO excited, and you will see why: This is the front!  That green bow on the side is madeof vintage, supple velvet ribbon.  Flowery bird and a vintage flower!  Such a wonderful selection of green buttons for crafting!  The second row, with lots of sparkle! And the third row:   I love the vintage buds -- and the lace, beads and bling! Then, she also decorated the back:  She even managed to find an Irish stamp, along with other green ones.   I can't tell you how much I love this playing card with the flamingo... and the little pop of pink in this flower next to it! Now, hold on to your leprechaun hat, because Terri included some more gifts, too!  I L*O*V*E this ribbon doll tag she made...  when I unwrapped it, I couldn't stop running my fingers throug...