2016 September

Goodness! Grommets!!!
9/29/2016

I just love to find 'toys' that have been buried and then unearthed! Years ago I bought this machine to stamp grommets in draperies. I even drilled holes in the table in the warehouse so it would be ready to use when needed. Then the warehouse filled up with 'stuff' that I just couldn't live without and using this handy machine went by the wayside.




The table came to the studio and I just unearthed the grommet machine while cleaning out the leftover stuff in the building. I've made good use of it lately as I've started sewing for my house and for my daughter-in-law.




I like the fact that this machine stamps in the metal grommet and not the cheap plastic ones that are so popular these days.





Here are two shower curtains that I've worked on this week. Check out the pink valance attached to the top of this shower curtain. I followed the the pattern on the fabric to create a scallop edge to the valance. The grommets will go in the top of the valance so the whole curtain can slide on one rod. The blue and green curtain turned out gorgeous and will have grommets in the top without a valance.





This cute little black and white thing is my newest checkerboard ottoman, the Shabby Chic Checkerboard Ottoman.  It is a new size (16 x 16 x 16) that makes it a great fit for a small room. 



This size is perfect between two chairs for a fun look in a family room. I also think this would be a great Christmas gift for a child in their room. I am happy to talk to you about customizing one in colors just for you.





I picked up this ottoman, another Art Quilt Ottoman - Glen Meadow, from the upholster not long ago. It's my first attempt at incorporating leather in the design. It's paired with another one of the beautiful quilt hangings that I have, just waiting for me to be inspired. I used batik for the cording and am very pleased with the way it turned out. Don't be afraid to mix various types of textiles in your projects. It can give you a very unique and classy look.




Finished at last! Thirty six table toppers done and shipped to Charlotte, NC where they'll be used for an event sometime in October. They have been cut out for some time so I am happy to have completed another UFO this week! Feels good....

Table toppers really make a fun table and it's an inexpensive way to set the theme or mood for an event. 

I love to plan my Christmas party decorations around the fabric that I choose for the table. I think I'll start to plan a Christmas party now.... HMMMM...          


Let's have a party!





I was excited to be able to catch up with a friend of mine who was in from Texas. Our time to visit was way too short ... maybe more the next time she 
comes in.


Mary has a great online Etsy store that I think you will like, Lucky Cowgirl Design. Her work is exceptional and her choice of colors and materials are great. 


See if you can find something you can't live without!! If you order, let her know you read about it here. I love to support other artists!







Don't forget about the Studio Work Day in the studio next week, Tuesday October 4th. We will be making dust truffles, window treatments, pillows and shower curtains for Operation Care. Join us if you have a chance.

I am having an urge to get out the paints again. Let's see where that goes as jury duty allows.

1 Comment
Jayn LandoSuch fun finding treasures that you forget about and the excitement is new all over again

From One Thing to Another...
9/21/2016

Our Memphis Show at the Cooper Young Festival was a lot of fun and I would call it a success. We sold two chairs, an ottoman and lots of pillows - and, considering the sum of the purchases, I was pleased with that and the amount of cards that we handed out. Of course, it helped lots having our good friends from Memphis in the booth next door! Elizabeth saved me from all of  my technological messes with my square reader. I seem to be able to make the products... just not run the equipment to sell them! Be sure to check out Brian's beautiful glass creations at his MidtownGlassworks Facebook page. 






This little cutie thought she ought to be able to take that chair home for her room. I think she likes those colors!  


I do think this chair would look precious in a little girls room. Definitely a 'princess' inspired room.


I have new ideas for  a more masculine patchwork chair that I am anxious to try soon. Sounds like the beginning of October before that's going to happen.



Packed up and ready to head home. Shows with big pieces of furniture are hard on two people with bad backs and hips. 


I'm so thankful for my sweet husband, Jeff, who went along and pulled this trailer for me. He is bound and determined to teach me to pull the trailer but I'm resisting!  

If I learn to pull it then he'll have an excuse to not go along.... Oh honey... I'm not that dumb!!






I was so excited to get ready to teach my first two official Painting With Fire Torched Enamel Basics classes in the studio. The first one was on Thursday and the second, today. Love the pretty colors of enamel that can be put on the beads.



The last thing that Jeff said to me as he went out the door at 5:00 Thursday morning was "I sure hope you have the fire department on speed dial". Oh ye of little faith. We didn't have to call the fire department and managed to create some beautiful pieces!

We had a great group of ladies in both classes and had two fun days. We are looking forward to an Advanced Class for those who took the Basics. As soon as I figure out the jury schedule I will lock down a date on the calendar.

I'm headed to the store today to clean out some more stuff. It looks like it'll be a pretty weekend.  I hope you're able to do something a little creative for yourself this weekend... whatever that might be!!

1 Comment
Jayn Lando So sorry I didn't get to see you in Memphis!! Glad you felt it was a success. I definitely want to come take a torched enamel bead class!



A Colored Chalk Kind of Day!
9/14/2016

Or should I say, 'A colored chalk kind of week.'  
                                             "Some people need colored chalk." -- Ira Pratt (Judy's father)

I heard that saying yesterday for the first time when Judy and I were trying to get 20 hours worth of stuff ready in about five hours! We needed to be more specific with each other than we normally are since we were juggling several different projects. I like that saying even more than 'Coloring outside the lines!' At least this week I do!!

I spent the latter part of last week in Montreat, N.C. redoing the Youth Conference Supply Closet so that the staff would be ready for next summers conferences and know what supplies they have on hand. While I managed to make a little bit of order in a day and a half, the best part was being able to stay with my friend Beth, catch up with her, and enjoy a little time out. Here are a couple of fun food places for you to try if you're ever in the area. First, there's Native, a place in Swannanoa, N.C. just outside of Asheville. Their Falafel Burger and Brussel's Sprouts appetizer I had for dinner were delicious. Give them a try!  Also check out the Red Radish in Black Mountain. "That Salad" was wonderful!!



Check out my new
 ​Heart Wingback chair that I just picked up from Bobby. This is the first piece from our new 'My Vintage Home' collection. I love the way it turned out and it's ready just in time for the trip to Memphis to the Cooper Young Festival.



It's supposed to rain both days so we'll see what happens. I would love for the weather to hold out until Monday! Come by and see us if you happen to be in the area. Check out these other two chairs just finished and heading to Memphis too!










Here's another room I was able to put together last Sunday afternoon for Operation Care.  It feels so good to be a part of this project that is such a blessing to so many ladies... Why don't you join me!


I have set a Studio Work Day date to work on some more rooms in the near future.  So... if you can sew and can spare some time, the date has been scheduled for October 4th from 11-3. 


You can sign up online. We are limited to 6 because of space but are expecting to get a lot done. So be sure to pack a lunch and let's create some pretties for the ladies!!     



I just so admire talented people. Check out the new coffee table made by Jim Henson that's for sale in my booth at Reclaimed on Main. The last table he made sold immediately and I don't expect this one to last long either. I'm glad he has this table in the booth right now because I pretty much emptied it to get ready for my show. 







As I was cleaning out the store, I had one of the Shelby County art teachers come by and take some fabric scraps and stuff to use with the art department. Today it was fun to receive a picture of what one of the students made from a scrap of fabric. 

Christopher made a cell phone bag with a strap so he can carry it around. The strap will also tuck under the bed so he doesn't loose his phone when it's charging. It's hand sewn and lined with foam, and has a hole in the corner for the charging cord to stick out. Way to go Christopher!! 


​Thanks Maree for all you do for the kids!!










I have all my ducks in a row with these five small ottoman bases ready for design work. It's just a little of what I have waiting for me when I get home.  But first, we're off to the show in Memphis! Hope you all have a great week!






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They Cycle of Recycle...
9/6/2016

I love to see things being recycled. As I spent the time cleaning and redoing my Mom's room I was hoping for a way to use the items that I was taking out, since they have had little to no wear. I was so happy to find a place that will use them for women who are starting on a new path and am really pleased with the way the bathroom and bedroom came out. Next week I'll start on a new room.



If you would like to volunteer towards this project  I'm hosting a sewing day in the studio the beginning of October to work on two other rooms. Hopefully I will have October's jury duty schedule by next week's newsletter.  I can only take the first 6 volunteers to make sure we have enough room to move around and create. Sorry to delay this again but watch for details! This jury schedule seems to be getting in the way of my creative planning. HMMMM....


What a nice surprise. Susan Owens (at the left) is a writer who has been working with Harriett Abraham Rose on a book about Harriett's life and the Making Ends Meet building, her childhood home, at 701 Washington Street. Harriett's family built the house in 1913 and its strength and charm has served quite a few over the years. 


There is so much history in this book to be enjoyed!! Susan came last Friday to present signed copies to Judy and me and we couldn't be more excited to start reading! 


Photo: Susan read us a few fun excerpts from the book that just made us want to read more!


The main house is featured on the front cover of the book and the 'addition' is on the back of the book. It's titled "Not Necessarily Kosher", and I'm looking forward to going to the book reading by the author on the 22nd at the Carnegie Center in Lexington KY.  Won't you join us?




It takes a ton of supplies to make fused glass, as you can see by what was packed to come to our house for Labor Day weekend. 



The first attempt at Fire Torched Enamel Set up is pictured below.




We had a long craft weekend planned to PUNT.
           Play together
           Unwind from work
           New projects to explore
           Tasty food to be enjoyed.
​I think we managed to do all but the U
. Sometimes it's hard to unwind, but... we had a great time!​










Here is a set of wind chimes that I made as a gift for my mother (your Mother's Day gift is just a little late, Mom). 



We spent one  evening and the next day making fire torched beads. Look at the great necklaces that were created after our playing. I am looking forward to teaching this in the studio later this month!



We also cut some fabric for a quilt, worked on an antique wagon and wheel barrow that needed redoing and the guys managed to get in 18 holes of golf.  All that along with delicious food made for a great weekend!

The only one that was unsure about the company was my cat,  JP. He was sure that Abby, the Golden Retriever was going to get him!! And you can see by this picture just who rules the  roost.... I don't think there was anything to be afraid of from Abby!!





1 Comment
Jayn Sometimes a very busy but very fun weekend can be just as relaxing in the long run! Love the fire torched beads. Will have to check out that class!

Take a Seat... PLEASE!
9/1/2016



I was so excited this week to take a trip to pick up some of the chairs I've been working on for awhile. I brought three finished chairs home, along with twenty-one ottoman frames that I'm looking forward to figuring out what to do with! Hmmm... well, that's all I could fit in the car at the time. I also bought twenty-three box ottoman bases and fourteen wingback chair frames... shhhhh.... don't tell Jeff!!



My new 'Forest Bloom' chair is of painted canvas and was a test run. I wanted to see what it would do if I painted all the fabric and then had it upholstered. I do like the way it turned out and have learned some things in the process. Of course, when I saw the final result it gave me other ideas for the next one!



And like the Quirky Bird chair, this chair has a hole in the top for an accent piece. This one will have a flower or two on the top left corner made of wire and painted canvas to mimic the flowers on the chair.  I hope to have the time to finish it up next week.. 








Ms. Laura LaGreta turned out really cute and is definitely ready for a fancy shopping trip. She is ready for her trip to Memphis for the Cooper Young Festival... I know, I know... she should be on her way to Florida but that's not a scheduled trip right now so she'll take a detour with us to Memphis instead.


Two more of my finished chairs have been shipped to me from the upholsterers so I should be able to share pictures of them with you in next week's blog.



LOVE my new horse chair! It's a High Stepping Saddlebred Occasional Chair with shiny chrome stirrups dangling from leather straps that hang over the arms. Once again, this one is not completely done.


I think I'm going to add a thin black plaid on the horse appliqué as a finishing touch.  I really like the bold look of the black leather straps and black legs, and think that a little black on the horse will tie it all together nicely.


Jeff and I spent last Saturday, the hottest day of the summer - I believe - out in the garage again trying to finish the organizing and cleaning we had started several weeks ago. Company does that to you!

I want to get my work stations up and ready. There will be three main work areas out there.

Furthest away will be for my fused and stained glass works. I have one kiln set up and as soon as the table covered in fabric goes away, the second kiln will be set up in its place. 

The middle station will be for my chop saw and my scroll saw. The table on the right that you can barely see will be for my fire torching on metal.  Jeff had a heater put in the garage a year or so ago so we could use the space during the Winter in comfort.



Check out the flat panels that have created a simple and easy dust skirt for Mom's new room makeover. Now to get the drapes hung and ready for company.


The problem with makeovers is that you're left with linens and things no longer needed and I couldn't decide what to do with all the bedding and curtains that came out of this room. 

They were in excellent shape so I was thrilled when an opportunity presented itself this week to gift them to someone in need. As it turns out, most of the pieces and parts, including the matching upholstered chair, are going in a women's shelter here in town. That just makes me happy.







I really am not sure why Judy decided to add a picture of my laundry in this blog. My jean shorts are hanging to dry on the door going out to the garage.  

I guess I need to figure out something cute and funny to say about it but the only thing I can come up with is that not EVERYTHING I do is fun. Laundry has to be done in the middle of the play! Ugh, Just most of it is fun!!



I'm currently working on a volunteer day in the studio to make some dust ruffles, curtains, and pillows for Operation Care's Women's Shelter here in town. I would love your help. More details coming soon.


3 Comments
Laura DennisonI can't wait to hear more about doing the stuff for the women's shelter. I hope I am in town for it!
Jo PriceBe glad to help with making things for women's shelter. Just let me know when. Love your chairs!
JaynJudy probably showed the picture to show off the cool 4 panel art work just beyond :) If you hadn't said they were shorts my mind was thinking they were a valance! Probably won't get to see you in Memphis :( I think we're going to E TN for a bluegrass festival.

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