*What's Good for the Gander Isn't Good for the Goose?

Well, well, well.

Some things never change...everyone's an art critic.

If you and I are friends on FB then you will know what's going on, but for those of you who don't know...here's the story.

I am working at my shop, Dwellings, and 3 ladies enter,

look all around and one becomes enchanted with my pin cushions.

What can I say? They ARE so sweet!

She purchases two...well, you know what that means, don't you?

Of course, there will be a run on them...I must dash home and crochet more.

 A few little changes and additions and they are ready for their coming out party.

So it went...hours and hours of crocheting...and many, many cushions are now ready to be sold.

Everyone in the fam...is making fun of my pin cushions...but YESTERDAY ANOTHER ONE SOLD! AND THEN ANOTHER!

 I may have found the golden egg!

I even have a pumpkin cushion in honor of the long overdue Autumn season!

So what you may ponder?

Well, let me fill you in....

My delightful husband of over 34 years saw my feverish efforts and remarked that

all my "money making" ideas were futile. He stated that I didn't make things people HAD to have..

that in a recession nobody wanted a pin cushion. Heck, women don't even sew anymore.

Or so he said! Now tires...there's something I could sell. They wear out...a pin cushion does not.

Yes, yes, yes....tires. I could mount them and rotate them, plug them...

I could see the gold mounting  in his mind.

Personally, I think he's stripped a gear, but really...tires?!

So I posted our conundrum on FB...all sorts of comments came popping on the screen..mostly in my favor (because they are all my friends after all)...

but today really took the cake.

As I arrived at work, my crochet basket filled to the top with pin cushion yarn galore,

I heard the snickers...I heard them laughing and smirking about "here comes the pin cushion lady"...

nevertheless...

I worked until 4:00 (and didn't once have a chance to crochet, I might add) and just as I was preparing to leave, I saw my son (the #2 Snickerer) whispering with a customer...

The customer had just brought in something he thought we might like to sell...

What was it, you ask? Oh, let me tell you!!

How about a Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine...but that's not the worst of it...

attached was an old Victorian metal bird that clamps on the machine...guess what kind of bird?

A PIN CUSHION!!

#2 Snickerer couldn't get to his wallet fast enough.

All I have to say is, "MEN!"

Pin Cushions

For the past two months, I know exactly how a pincushion must feel..

.many doctors appointments = the "pincushion" effect.

So in honor of the fact that I HOPE I am through with all the medical drama,

I spent the better part of this weekend crocheting some little cushions!

I searched and searched for patterns..

.my very favorite ones were on a blog that was written entirely in Spanish...that was a no go.

The other instructions I found were too cumbersome and had way too many rounds.

 So I just winged it.

Some had flowers..

Some wore flirty ruffles...

Some sported buttons...

All wore a small green card...

"Dream BIG!"

These were crocheted with vertical stripes...

And were topped with rolled fabric flowers and leaves.

Whether old or new...I LOVE PIN CUSHIONS!!!

Above is a puzzle ball cushion that I made years ago.

I found this at a flea market and can't bear to part with it..

It opens twice...once to show a thimble and needles and once to show thread.

I salvaged squares of old fabric and fashioned this one in vintage crazy quilt style..

she lives in another state...an Etsy purchase from my store.

Felted wool polka dot one was also purchased from my Etsy shop.

I have a hard time parting with objects I make...I feel very disloyal.

I have collected red tomato and strawberry emeries for years.

Whether old or new...muted or bright...

isn't it wonderful that women through the ages have taken

such a mundane and utilitarian object and made them more fun to use?!

Hope you had a restful weekend,

(and for my friends who need special prayer for upcoming events in their life..rest well.)

Tray Made From 100 Year Old Wood

I ran into some 100 year old wood from an old farmhouse last week...(really, I was having a work counter built for the shop and I begged for some of the leftover "brace" wood..) What to do? What to do? Birdhouses? For sure...anything else? What about a tray?

So the hubster and I actually tackled this together with very little drama,

except for the handles...

I wanted big iron scrolly type handles...no where to be found...so I bought some dinky vintage ones...yuck. We found these at Home Depot...Martha Stewart and VERY reasonably priced...not exactly what I invisioned, but they will do.

 I decoupaged some butterflies on the inset part of the handle and I rather like the look.

The wood is tongue and (in?) groove, it's hefty and a great size for outdoors.

The tray would also be an ideal base for a kitchen or dining vignette.

I carefully sanded the bottom of the wood and polyurethaned the whole thing.

I really like the look and have enough wood left to do a coatrack.

I am using the porcelain pear knobs for the coatrack "hooks"...both will

be at the shop this weekend.

Tray is $22.

Before's & After's & New Shop Service

My "chief scout" Susan found this bedraggled old chair by the curb.

Oh, she was quite the sad sight!

So with a little clamping and gluing and puttying...

A little paint...

A little wax and distressing..

Here she is...so pretty!

She will go to work with me tomorrow!

I also have added a little service to the shop that I think customers will find helpful.

I have begun a notebook of ideas that will stay on the counter.

Pictures from magazines (mostly Country Living) which show the creative use of  vintage items will be easily accessed by anyone who needs some creative guidance!

There are also pictures from magazines posted close to items in the store...for instance, pictured below

are several pictures showing the "new" way to showcase the "old" round oak table!

The pictures are taped to guess what? The real oak table!

Below are some end pieces from fruit and vegetable shipping boxes.

Taped below the actual ends is a picture of how to display them for a colorful area in your kitchen.

Old Readers' Digests anyone?

Can you spot the magazine article within the display of the real books?

Matches in this magazine article below are $16 per little box! What??!!

My version may be bought for $1.50.

 I am working on more covered ones: burlap, toile and ticking as coverings.

Helping others with their dreams is our purpose!

Drab to Fab in Under an Hour...If Everything Was That Simple!

Here's a quick little re-do I did this afternoon.

I picked up this fabric at Hancock's ... love the colors..

This material includes all my present favorite colors!

turquoise, orange, apple green, brown...

I found the stool at the thrift shop...ooohhhh, poor girl!

What  a truly pathetic sight! She needs the magic wand in the worst sort of way!
Cleaned her up...removed the old plastic fabric...installed new... wrapped the outside with twine and...

Whalaaaaa! What an improvement...

Hope you made somebody happy today!