Valentines Hearts

I finished my little crochet garland. Someone asked for the pattern. I just found it on You Tube. There are so many how to's and instructions for things. I didn't even know how to do a triple crochet, so I Googled it.

I've showed these pillows before, but thought I'd add the link on how I transferred the patterns from vintage Valentines. So easy and fun to do.

My little Ikea Christmas hearts look cute in a vintage scale.

Look what I received! A wonderful surprise from Elizabeth at Creative Breathing. I was honored to get this cute package. This little Valentine Bellhop is helped by his little bunny friend. Notice-he's standing on the state of Texas.Thank you, E! I love him.

She also enclosed some vintage valentines. I'll have to get busy on some crafting soon.

I've been sidetracked by some home fix it projects. One is a dishwasher in the middle of my kitchen.Waiting on a hose for Hubs to install. Hope you all in the Northeast made it through the blizzard safely and with heat and power. Can't wait to get back to some craftiness .I thought I'd leave you with a few pic's of the Dollhouse Sweet Shoppe. 

They are getting ready for the Valentines Day rush.

 Hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day!!!

Leslie

Valentine Pillows

Valentine How-to-

. Here is a simple version of how to transfer a valentine onto an embroidery picture. You may use this vintage valentine or any image that has simple lines to it. I scan my image and enlarge it to about 5" across, or how ever big you want your image to be.I usually go over the main lines with a thin marker, so when you trace the design it will show through. I don't transfer every line in the valentine. Just the outside and a few details.
I use a light box, and a fabric marker. You can also tape your fabric up to a sunny window. I use white cotton light weight fabric. Take your time drawing, and hold or tape the fabric and paper down.
I use a straight stitch, because I can get alot of detail. Don't be afraid to omit or add details. It's your own creation. I added color to the girl on the left. I use crayons and color lightly, and iron over it to set it. I do this before embroidering. I haven't finished these yet. I need to get some trim, and then I'll sew on a back square and have my little Valentines pillows.
I love doing this kind of project, because it's portable and once you've drawn on your design, you can just take your time. I added some matching fabric strips and trims. I'll show you my finished pillows later. Give it a try with the valentine above, or try one of your own. Have fun, and if you make one, I'd love to see it. I'm joining It's A Very Cherry Word for Rednesday. Go over to see some more fun reds!

Leslie

Vintage Toys

Family Room Tour- Vintage ToysI'm joining Sue at It's a very cherry word for Rednesday. Above is a little pepperment set,I found in McKinney a few weeks ago.
Snowman vignette, Snowman cards are from a few posts ago if you would like to copy them.
Our tree is mish mash of homemade and bought ornies-no theme-just ones we like.
My older son and I will fight over this one. He had the barn when he was a kid-it's still in the garage.
I decided to do a vintage toy them this year and pulled out all my kids stuff from around the house.
Picture on the little piano is of me and my brother on Christmas morning. I got a toy iron and he got a guitar. Wish I had those things now.
Kids Christmas books and an old red record. Sock monkeys from garage sales and thrift stores.
The stockings were my brothers and mine. I will change them out to my kids stockings before Christmas, so I can fill them.
Vintage card and ornie. I have to use blue and red in my family room, so I think this ties it in nicely.
This concludes part 2-still to come kitchen and vintage piesafe. Happy Rednesday!

Leslie

More Christmas

Here's more Christmas decor. I put my my little homemade houses in my bedroom.

The colors are soft green and a little pink. I made the salt shaker snowmen last year. I got the idea from Mamie Janes blog.

The houses were from Hobby Lobby. Just paint and add lots of glitter.

Here they are all together.

This is my little vintage vignette. I decided to do a sleigh full of reindeer.

A vintage pretty piece of wrapping paper framed up. Easy to do.

Some happy elves. This guy is hanging on for dear life!

 I have been trying to change out the banners for each season on my little chalkboard.I resized my vintage Christmas cards and pinned them on to bakers twine. 

I'll show you the last of my decorating next week. I loved reading all the Sweet Shoppe comments. Thank you! I had so much fun doing that. Next year, I'm going to decorate the inside for Christmas.
 I'm linking up to It's a Very Cherry World for Rednesday. Please go check out some fun and pretty reds.
   It finally got cold here in Texas. It's really kind of nice.I hope you are enjoying the snow, if you got any. One more week to finish shopping, baking, and have a piano party for my kids. Hope you have a good week!
Leslie

Red, White and Blue

I've been decorating for the Fourth as you can see.
I finally repainted my vintage chalk board with Martha Stewart chalkboard paint. The old surface was messed up and you couldn't write on it. So happy I took the time to do this.
The little banner is a freebie from Jenny Harris at her wonderful blog- Allsorts. You can download these freebies and cut them out then string them on bakers twine.
It's hard to take pic's through glass, but my dear friend Donna gave this to me and I used my vintage Uncle Sam and a cute Liberty tag I picked up. Can't remember where-sorry.
On the new mantle- a flag bouquet.
A little bit of Texas. I made the little Tx flag at a rug hooking workshop years ago.
Close-up of the embroidery-primitive style is always fun to do-no straight lines.
My big clock and patriotic horns in my entryway. I'm getting into the patriotic spirit! How about you? Dropping son off at the airport this afternoon-he's going backpacking in Europe for a few weeks. Lucky him! Wish I could do that. Have a great day!!

Leslie

More Easter

Here are the rest of my Easter decor pic's. The giant vintage Mrs. Chick came from a garage sale years ago from a teacher. I got a bunch of bulletin board stuff.The little felt chick baby shoes are from Old Navy via the thrift store.
I love the pink Happy Easter Daddy card. It's one of my faves.
I'm a little late to the Easter party, but at least I made it this year.
Love your comments and I love checking out you guys in Blogland. So many creative people out there. Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie

Easter Parade

I finally got out the Easter stuff. I didn't get to decorate last year, cuz of the move. These bunnies and egg were made by my Aunt Ruth. If you've followed this blog-you know she loved to put long eyelashes on any animal she painted. Check out the lashes! I love how the bunnies go with the thrifted tablecloth.
I did a mini end- tablescape using orange, yellow and pink. I have more fun going into my vintage linen stash and pulling out stuff to use. The felt Mrs. Bunny and Mr. Mouse were bought at a shop in Arkansas, I could not pass them up!
I still need to find one more fire king cup and saucer that has a different pattern. Love the way they stack-the colors are so springy.

Had to show you my pillows from a few years ago. I love working in 1 color-no thinking.
I have more to share-I'll add them hopefully by the end of the week. At least I made it before Easter! Have a good week.

Leslie

St. Patrick's Day

I have a little Irish in me from my mom's side. I brought back this little guy holding a shamrock from my Dad's house. I had the little chalkware sheep.
Thought I'd make a little St. Patricks Day vignette. The candles are from Christmas.
This cottage picture usually hangs in my bathroom, but I thought it went well with the theme. Gotta get some corned beef and cabbage for next week. Does anybody have a good recipe for cooking it? I'm working on plumbing and painting- little projects that need to get done. See you later.

Leslie