Market Totes........pattern by Bijou Lovely

Ok, I finally have my pictures loaded to share with you.  These are the totes I made for my mom and sisters for Christmas....  I know it is the end of March.  Not very timely but I am trying to get it together.  I had some cool flannel with little cowboys on it and paired it with some denim to make the tote for my mom.  Here is the first pic:



I just love the little cowboys and cowgirls.  I added a pocket on the inside for keys or smaller items.  It is lined with the denim and the pocket is made out of the cowboy fabric.  I am sorry I can't tell you any more details about the cowboy fabric.  I bought it many years ago.

Here is the interior pocket:

In this pic you can see a leopard print and that is just a throw that I had already put in her "gift" tote bag.  She loved it.  This pattern is Bijou Lovely's Market Tote.  Please head over to her site and take a look at her pattern and make sure you check out her flikr page too.  She has an amazing blog!!

Here are the pics of the other totes I made:

This tote was for my sister, Julie.  I picked out the fabrics.  She uses to take her current project with her when she is out and about and knows she will have time to work on it. 

The tote for my younger sister, Jamie.  She picked the zebra print and the red.  I wasn't sure about it but it turned out great!

I am very happy with how the totes turned out and how easy the pattern was to follow.  I hope you go visit Bijou Lovely's blog, it is really great. 

Many blessings,

Jan

Garage Sale - Asking for your Suggestions/Opinions

My mom, sisters and I are preparing for a garage sale.  The last time we had one it was rainy and sunshing off and on - and when the sun came out it nearly lit us on fire it was so dang hot.  We sold some stuff but it wasn't the HUGE success we really wanted.

The sale is going to be 4/13-4/14 in my yard this time, it was at my sister's house last time.  We are going to pull out a bookcase for the books.  I think they will sell better on a bookcase.  We are getting lots of tables for the kitchen/household misc items.

We thought we would offer "bundle" prices on the second day - bundling the books like 5 for $1 and then offer box flats of household misc items for a couple of bucks and do clothing bags, a bag for a few dollars like $2 or $3....

What suggestions might you have for a successful garage sale?  Our thrift stores have gone sky high and we want to MOVE this stuff out.  We would like to make some money for the effort but whatever is left over will be going to Gently Used Resale store which is nearby our home town.

I welcome your thoughts/suggestions/opinions.

Blessings,
Jan

New to Pinterest

I have added a "Follow me on Pinterest" button.  Please come follow me and let me know if you have a pinterest page so I can follow you. 

Blessings,
Jan

Where have I been???

Many apologies to my friends.  I have been mia for several months and I deeply regret just dropping my blog.  I am going to start posting again and have lots of crafty things to share, thrifting finds to share and lots more.  Have a wonderful day and keep an eye out for what is coming next.......
Blessings,
Jan

Project for the weekend.....

I need some inspiration in my sewing room that doubles as a guest room.  Currently I have a twin bed, rocking chair, 4 drawer chest of drawers, sewing table with machine, file cabinet and 2 organizing 4 drawer clear totes.  The wall are a stark white.  The colors in the quilt on the bed are very soft, blues, yellows and greens oh and I have very neutral curtans.  Help me pick out the right color for my bedroom.  let's hear them please.  I value your opinions and desperately need your guidance.  Thoughts??

An inspiration from my friend over at The Ivy Cottage Blog

Thanks to my friend Amanda, over at her blog The Ivy Cottage Blog, I was inspired to try a lamp revamp all on my own.  Thanks Amanda.  Please check out her blog, The Ivy Cottage and in particular this post of a lamp revamp. 
On Friday night after work I stopped by my local Goodwill store and found two amazing lamps that I thought could use a revamp and I got busy.  I didn't think to take before pics so I apologize for that first off.  Please trust me when I tell you they were Hideous!!!

They both were really heavy, substantial in size and weight with impressed me.  The first lamp was a 1980's throw back with a hunter green middle section that reminds me of a pineapple with peeling gold plastic above and below the pineapple.  I was immediately struck with the idea to paint it white, a flat white.  Here is the end results"

Here is the second lamp that started out in a hideous bronze that tapered into a brownish kind of color the closer it got to the center of the lap.  I looked at it and thought, metallic silver for sure.  Here is the after picture. 

I love how they both turned out, don't you?  Now I begin the search for the perfect shades.  Does anyone have a favorite blog tutorial to make a shade or maybe you can think of a store that has a good selection of shades that I should peruse in my quest.  Thank you tremendously to The Ivy Cottage for sharing her wonderful idea of upcycleing.  I love it and it really inspired me. 

Best to everyone,
Jan

 

Amazing blogs make me feel like a slacker....

I just have to give a nod, high five and a standing ovation to many of the bloggers out there, especially the ones I have linked on the right column (right over there and down a little, see the list???), for the stamina to blog every single day AND show off their projects and process.  I give a shout out to:

Oh, Fransson!

Her quilts are auh-maze-ing!!!  She has created and is working on a Space Invader quilt that is simply divine.  As a kid who grew up in the 80's I am uber jealous of her nephew and this awesome quilt he will be getting.  Way Cool!!!!! 

Oh and have you been to:

Cute Cupcakes.  All The Time

She posts the most clever, unordinary, special cupcakes I have ever seen on her site.  I mean, WHAT???  The ideas the execution, get outta here.  I like cupcakes but those are masterpieces!!

And if you haven't visited:

The Ivy Cottage Blog

Check out this Mardi Gras Bead Lamp.  I would have seen that lamp at the store and thought it was awesome but never would have thought to use mardi gras beeds and silver paint to re-create that lamp on a budget. 

Oh and you will just be hysterical reading:

Thrifty Crafty Girl

Her blog is so dang funny and real.  She puts together the coolest vignettes and then tells you how to put it together for yourself.  I love her stuff!!

I have been so crazy busy with work, DAR keeping on top of my "life" that I am still working on that first tote bag that I started over 11 days ago.  Seriously I feel like a slacker.

So here is my plan, tonight NO TV, nothing.  There is nothing on Wednesday's nights to watch don't even turn it on!!  Finish that first tote, take some pics for posting.  Get 2nd tote cut, and fused with interfacing and ready to sew.  Ladies you inspire me, tonight I make no excuses and take no prisoners - the work will get done.  :)  As the saying goes in one of my favorite movies, "Chop, chop Owen!" 

Have a wonderful day, live, love and create.
Jan