An outside project

One of the things I really wanted to complete this spring was this display. It sits to the right of our front door to welcome folks and give 'em an idea of what we're about. It started with an old sewing machine my sister gave me. It had been in her garage for years. It was in it's original table but, sadly, the wood was so badly warped and mildewed it was not salvageable. Since I couldn't save it, my dad helped me remove the machine and the iron treadle/stand and pack it in my little Rio for the trip home from NH to VA, where it sat on the porch since last September.


Last week, B and I bought some wood to make a tray and I hit the treadle with a touch of flat black spray paint. I wiped it down to remove the dust and cobwebs but I didn't try to cover up or remove the rust. I liked the look.




We stained the tray and while it was drying I cleaned up the machine with some Mr. Clean. I should note that there was no hope of using this machine- it would need a complete re-build so I was okay with re-purposing it for decorative use! I had to use a light touch with the Mr. Clean so it wouldn't ruin the paint. Then I sprayed it with a clear protective spray.



I secured the tray to the treadle base, set the machine on it with some scrap wood to level it and arranged some flower pots I had around. I chose flowers and vines that would offer color and green fill, as well as different levels try it make it pretty and interesting. The flowers represent my husband (the aforementioned 'B'); he loves his flowers. (The cow is also 'him'!) And I figure if you've been reading me, you know what the sewing machine stands for! This picture was taken the day after planting. It has since filled out a little more.


I think the amazing part of this whole project was I dreamed it up on the ride home from our visit last fall--- and less than a year later it has actually come to fruition. That HAS to be a record for me! Thanks, B!

No time-

How do you know it's showtime around here? No blog posts! "Smoke on the Mountain-The Homecoming" opens tomorrow. It's a fun show with good music and funny bits. Not a real challenge costume-wise. It's set in the late 40's, very country-ish and the loft had plenty of clothes to choose from, plus the cast chipped in their own stuff so all I had to do was co-ordinate. I wouldn't have even spent a cent on this show except we opted to get a 3/4 wig for one of the girls. Super nice, talented cast-- this was a fun show to do.
Also getting underway--- this summer's Shakespeare in the Grove. Has it really been a year since "Macbeth"? Wow! This year's offering is "As You Like It" and, for reasons unknown to my understanding, the director is setting it around 1969. MadMen meets Hippies meets Brady Bunch-- oy vey! Although we've discussed where we (HE!) want(s) to go with the costumes, I have to submit more detailed designs tomorrow morning. Do you think I'm ready yet? 'Course not! Between schooling and child care and trying to fix up outside I have had no time to boost the Etsy store supply or sew for fun. I hope that changes next week-- my sister's wedding is in a couple of weeks and I wanted to make a dress to wear. (I wanted to lose weight too, but that didn't happen either.) So much still needs to be done outside but I really would like a day of rain so I can't work out there and can sew guilt-free!

"Treasures"

Remember when I mentioned finding "treasure bags" of sewing notions at the thrift store? Here is one of the cool things in the last batch-- a crown shaped pincushion! The fabric is a gold velvet; trimmed with a metallic gold braid. The metal base contains a retractable tape measure and there is a clip on the top that holds a thimble as the crowning 'jewel'. All the pins and needles on it came on it---- as well as the dust!

Then there's this... needle? Awl? I don't recognize this tool. It's about 3 inches long, one half is smooth with a sharp point at one end while the other end is rough, like a file of some sort. Does anyone have any ideas?

A bug took over my machines today-

My Jaciebug, that is. It's not the first time she has sewn but it may be her first project that she shopped for the fabric, had it cut on her own, measured, cut, and sewed herself. I was there to instruct but she did it. I have no idea why she chose those fabrics/colors. But she's happy and I'm proud!

She's faking.

What NOT to do with buttons-

A two foot tall, umm, sculpture(?), currently for sale on Etsy. I dunno-- I guess the idea is okay. It's just--all those beautiful buttons that could have been on a cute shirt or lovely dress or just looked at and imagined into wonderful creations. Or this. *sigh*

Some women like diamonds, some like pearls--

What do I like? Thrift store goody bags from the sewing department! Whenever I find a plastic bag filled with the most random notions I consider it a successful mission, no matter what I was looking for! I hit thrifts a lot for my costuming and I always check for these bags. Often, they are the result of someone emptying a box, basket or drawer that held supplies for an older sewer and it was donated to the thrift as part of an estate. These bags contain the most wonderful little surprises and it always makes me wonder about the original owner. Did she sew often? For pleasure or necessity? Did she sing while she hemmed her daughter's dresses or curse while patching her son's jeans for the umpteenth time? My favorite things to find are wooden thread spools ( I display them in a vase on a shelf above my machine), fabric measuring tapes (retractable ones are a bonus!) and buttons. LOVE buttons! Especially if they are still carded. I keep telling myself I'm going to sell some in my Etsy shop but...not yet. I always find hand sewing needles ( I have enough to choke an elephant), rusty pins (usually threaded through a random scrap of paper or cardboard) and one half of a snap set. Always. Why does every notion drawer or box have only one side of a snap set? Is this a Murphy's Law of Sewing? Anyway, I found three great bags this week! I want to share some of the neat things with y'all but I can't find my camera--I might have left it at the theatre when I took the publicity photos for "Savage''. I may have to borrow my son's-- there are two items I can't identify and I hoping someone out there can help me out!
Also, sending thanks again to Donna over at Comin' Home (http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/) for the lovely note cards I won from her giveaway! They are beautiful!

Well...hi!

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I sat down to write something! Must be showtime! "Curious Savage" opens tonight and I'm overall pleased with the look of the show. The actors are a terrific group. I finally got my nerves together and auditioned last week for this summer's Shakespeare. Although selections haven't been finalized yet I'm pretty sure I didn't make it. C'est la vie. I still get to costume! This year's play is "As You Like It" and I think the director is going for modern costuming instead of the heavy, Renaissance-style like last year's "Macbeth". Coolness all around. Happy Spring, Everyone! I'm looking forward to catching up on all your great projects!