Sew Much Fun & A Little Pony

This summer I went on treasure hunts to find furniture to makeover.  I quickly learned that I need/want to sew.  Not just with a needle and thread by hand, but by machine!  I never liked the idea of using a sewing machine.  I never even had the patience to learn to use one.  I found an old sewing book from the 1960s at my local goodwill and just loved the artwork in it.  Also, I found an old pair of pinking shears still in the box!

If this old stuff doesn't inspire me to learn how to use a sewing maching, then perhaps the fact that my sweet cousin has a love of a certain toile fabric?  Well it did.  I just sat right down in the driver's seat and went for a ride! With my mom's guidance, I took several notes---ok, I resorted to capturing her on video due to my ignorance of sewing terms---a zipper foot vs. a regular foot?  Who said anything about special feet?  Are we going shopping for shoes? Count me in!  I can't even remember the other terms on the machine.  Anyway, my mom is the BEST!  She helped me sew my first project!  Here is a sneak peek of the fabric...my cousin, Boston Bee, already knows what I am up to ;) 

As for those really neat pinking shears...yeah, what are those for?  Cutting fancy paper? No, not really.  I will be using those bad boys to cut ribbons for project pony.  Remember me mentioning mini-me test riding this icky thing at the Gdub?


PROJECT PONY

First, she happily played salon and gave it a haircut.  Then, after heavy sanding, priming, painting, and more sanding...pony actually turned out pretty!

For a new mane and tail, Creative Cousin Alyssa suggested some colorful ribbons to make her very whimsical.  Fantastic idea Aly!  Lily had a blast picking out rolls and rolls of different ribbons.   

Sadly, pretty pony has been bald over the summer.  My dilemma was how to attach ribbons without them falling apart or unravel.  I bought a shining new staple/finishing nail gun and heavy duty glue sticks.  Hmmmm....what to do.  I think for now, pillows take priority over pony.  Oops!  Did I just spoil my surprise?  Drat.

Well, Gram and I came up with a nifty plan that just work out just fine.  She is happy in her new home and doesn't mind having her mane braided.

 

Refreshing Fruits

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I have been visiting with family and I have been hunting for new treasures to makeover for my new hobby.  I am not ready to give a sneak peek just yet, but summer is almost over and I am still trying to enjoy all the wonderful fruits that are blossoming.  The other day, I was munching on a beautiful white nectarine that was so juicy and yummy that I grabbed some colored pencils and sketched the bowl of them---they were scrumptious!  Sadly, they are all gone, but here is what is left...

(Sorry the pic is not right side up...my computer is not cooperating...the gray shadows should be on the bottom.)

Another lovely fruit...the mango.  It never goes unappreciated!
This fresh cucumber-mango salad is inspired by my friend, Natasha.

In a large bowl, add 1 large cucumber diced up, 1 ripe mango cut in little pieces to your liking, about 1/4 cup-1/2 cup fresh parsley (just eyeball it, so you don't use too much), drizzle with a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil, and squeeze the juice of an orange on top.  Gently mix and serve.  Dee-lish! 

My first table makeover!

My first table makeover is about to be revealed!  I was so excited when I found this sad, ucky brown table, that was crying to be loved.  I brought it home to my garage and gave it a quick sanding and bath of kilz

primer. 

My wonderful and amazing cousin, Alyssa, suggested a very pretty, sea mist gray with a hint of lavender called, "Bay Fog",  for a fresh new look.  Well, unfortunately, my local Walmart does not carry the Kilz line of paint anymore (How dare they!)  However, I did find a wonderful, new, 2-in-1 paint by the Glidden Brilliance Collection, which I absolutely love.  The color is called, "Amethyst Haze".  While the 2nd coat was drying, a moth landed right on top of the table!  It left tracks and got stuck which was really gross!  I set it free, and the next day, I had to do some sanding.  Well, that sour experience gave me a wonderful lemonade idea.  I ended up sanding all over and now the new gal looks like a shabby chic gem! 

Her name, "Ooh La La Lavender By the Sea."

I had so much fun with my first makeover and I am looking forward to doing more.

Hand sewn toy friend

My daughter said that her toy dog, Myrtle Beach, needs a friend.  So, while browsing the craft section at our local Walmart, she picked out a small swatch of fabric.  (Dog print of course, for this canine loving gal!)  She also picked out a small package of little buttons to use for eyes and a nose.

When we got home, I just traced  a small paper template of what we wanted to use on the reverse side of the fabric with a pencil.  I did this twice so that we would have the front and back of the friend.  Next, I cut them out and then pinned them together inside out and hand stitched along the pencil tracing (leave the top or bottom open to stuff with fluff).  After stitching, I turned it right side in, and had little hands stuff to liking.  I had to use the handle of a teaspoon to get the arms and legs just right before stuffing, and then while stuffing.  Once the little guy was just right, I stitched the opening closed and used a hot glue gun to stick on the eyes and nose.  When he was completed, guess what she named him?   Watermelon.

I Heart New England: Martha's Vineyard (Part I)!

I Love this blog!

I Heart New England: Martha's Vineyard (Part I)!: "'Afternoon, everyone! As promised, today I'll be showing you the first half of the photographs of my trip to Martha's Vineyard! Hope you en..."

WannaBeBostonBees in North Carolina!

My very dear friend, Elizabeth, whom I adore, has the most beautiful flowers in front of her house.  There are just dozens of bumblebees buzzing about collecting sweet nectar! 

Her beautiful garden flowers with a pretty milk glass bowl of yummy fruit.

Gram's bistro chairs get a makeover!

My mom's pine green bistro chairs have been looking pretty sad lately...tattered and a bit rusty.  I believe she acquired these over 10 years ago,  hand-me-downs from someone whose name shall not be mentioned for security reasons (ah hem...big brother from FL.)
These are screaming for some TLC!

After a wire brush aggressively attacked them, my niece kindly rescued and comforted them with the base Rustoleum primer and then I finished up with the final coats of Rustoleum color of Gram's choice.

Voila!  A new bistro set  minus the table---not exactly sure how to salvage Mater with the glass top just yet.