October 11, 2010

Vintagey Goodness, Fame-ishness & and Giveaway . . .

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While I was in Denver my sis-in-law and I came across a veritable treasure trove of vintage fabrics in a large box marked $5 at an estate sale. We snatched the box up and spent three days going through the fabric stash of an apparently avid sewer {or fabric hoarder with really awesome taste}.  Though we cannot date the fabrics officially, judging by pattern and print {and unfortunately, smell} some of it was more than sixty years old.

Sandwiched between stacks of folded fabric was a pile of half-finished, hand pieced quilt blocks.  Having a mother who quilted, I can marvel at the time, patience and effort this woman must have put into this project though she never saw it to completion.

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The fabric choices were out of this world!  Individually, some of the fabrics were questionable, but when placed in a circle with twenty other fabrics the effect was so charming and nostalgic.

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Mindy and I knew we had to do something with this unexpected find. So we channeled our inner hand-crafters and spend a night creating Anthro-esque pins.  Here’s how we did it:

1.We  ran the edge of the quilt block through a sewing machine on a loose running stitch.  We then pulled the bottom thread to gather the fabric. IMG_7751

2. We tied knots in both ends of the thread, then wrapped the fabric around on itself to form a flower and hand sewed center of the flower to keep in intact.IMG_7825

3. We then glued vintage buttons onto the center of each flower to cover up my horrible sewing skills and up the charm factor.IMG_7827

4.  The finishing touch was a felt backing and pin hot glued into place. These pins are so happy and fun!  They look great on a jean jacket or purse and match just about any color T-shirt or sweater.  We were able to make twenty that night and sold half of them the next morning at the Paris Market. 

I came home with enough material to make ten more pins.  I’ve been hard at work, but must confess, it was more fun to do when Mindy and I were delirious at 11:30 at night, giggling and saying stupid things.  Crafting with Mindy is one of my favorite things.

In other news, I’m fame-ish.  That’s what we’re calling it around here since an article about me appeared in the County paper last week.  You can read the article in its entirety here. On Wednesday I will be doing a radio interview.  I am currently freaking out about it and spent the majority of last night lying in my bed worrying about what kinds of questions I’ll be asked and whether or not I am going to sound like an imbecile.

And finally, I just wanted to thank anyone who’s still reading this blog.  I don’t know who many of you are {comment, already, please?} but I’m grateful for you and grateful that I can write each day.  So, tomorrow I am reinstituting my monthly giveaway to show my thanks, and you won’t want to miss it. Especially if you have ‘a thing’ for Halloween.

But, you can’t win the giveaway unless you comment.  That is all.

22 comments:

Tobi said...

Did I or did I not tell you that your blog was going to be big one day? I so did!! Ha! I was right.

I think it's so freaking amazing that you are going to be on the radio.

I have a thing for Halloween. I can't wait to see what spooky and spectacular thing you offer up to the masses. =)

Nikki said...

I love your blog and check it almost everyday, although I seldom leave comments. I love your basement and am currently doing the same to my laundry room and making it an honest to goodness mudroom, thanks to you!

And Halloween happens to be my favorite holiday!

christy said...

Being a regular commenter, you already know I love your blog. Good luck with the interview. You'll do fabulous!

Suzanne C said...

See, I don't leave comments very often anymore because I don't want to seem stalkerish! And anyone with a cool blog name like this deserves to be fame-ish! Good luck, Sam!

Aiketa said...

Hi Sam,
I'm still reading your blog, althought it's been quite a long time since my last comment in your blog.
Congrats on your article and good luck for you interview. I'm sure you'll find the correct answer for whatever question they ask you.

Looking forward for tomorrow's giveaway!

Aiketa said...

Sorry for my spelling mistake, I meant to say: although (without that last T).

And also for all the other ones that I'm not aware of. :p

Aiketa said...

By the way, I didn't mentioned on my previous comments thats your flower pins are awesome!

Emily said...

Cute pin and cute photo of you and Owlie boy, my famous friend!

Unknown said...

Those are awesome! So beautiful, and I love that you turned something unfinished from who knows HOW long ago into something fun and stylish today.

TracyS. said...

What a beautiful pin! I still read and still love it although I don't often have brain power to string together comments. Thanks for the uplifting and inspiring posts.

Apis Melliflora said...

I shame-ishly addicted to your fame-ishness. Cute pins...hoping to win one.

KitKat said...

I marvel at your creative craftiness. I just spent $20 on only one flower pin at Ohio Mart (at Stan Hywett in Akron)! The cool thing about this flower is it has no pin! It has a magnet on the back. You put one piece of the magnet under your shirt or jacket and it stays very put. No pin holes in your clothing!

Sue said...

I'll comment if you promise to include one or more of those FAAAAABULOUS pins in the giveaway! You and Owlie look so mellow and poised in the article. Must be because all the big kids are back in school!

MelancholySmile said...

Great article! You'll be eloquent on the radio as well, I'm sure.

Laura Waltz said...

I love reading your blog. I'm horrible on commenting on posts, even people I know in "real life." Google reader is so convenient, but that is it's one downfall. I have to make sure I go to the person's blog and actually comment! So fun to read about your "fame" and that you have readers from so far away. :)

Pinspot said...

1. The Radio!?!? Holy Cow! That's the big-time, lady. Next thing you know Sherry Dew will want you as a contributor in her next book!

2. Fame-ish is now my new favorite non-word.

3. You forgot the step where you burn yourself with a hot glue gun 20 times.

Heather L. said...

Love the vintage fabric, and what a smart idea to make pins! So cute!

Vanessa said...

I feel like that "comment, already.." was for me! :) I have been reading for a while but I don't think I've ever left a comment. I think it is mostly because my husband has a gmail account and the computer always seems to be logged into his account and I'd have log him out and log me in (how lazy is that?!)

I do love your blog though! You always have such great ideas. I can't wait until we have a house of our own so I can steal some of your ideas like the ancestral wall and board and batten treatment! I'll keep reading and try to comment more.

Bells said...

Wow, I always knew you were grand and now you're even grander and fame-ish! I love your blog, you are real and funny and interesting and talented. Please keep this up for years to come.

squeezeme said...

All I can say is, "I want one!" I'll send my $10 today!! Glad you had a blast with Matt and Mindy. Congrats on your feature article. It was awesome.....and wow, that give away.....what was my favorite costume....so many to choose from....

Susan said...

Love the pin! You are so talented. I love reading your blog. It is always more fun to craft with your besties :)

Jodi said...

Love your blog. I don't how I found it but you are an inspiration to me in this crazy life. Thanks.