Birdcage umbrella

Do you love umbrellas like I do? I would have a million if I could.

Maybe it's just because I'm a Seattle native, but I do love the rain.

I stumbled upon this lovely birdcage umbrella from Lulu Guinness.

I love the details.

I wonder how hard it would be to make your own umbrella? Or where you buy the material? I'm guessing you could buy a used umbrella, take off the original covering and add your new design?

My ideas work harder than my brain sometimes.

I guess for now, I'll leave the umbrella making to the experts, and daydream of owning this beautiful little birdcage someday. chirp chirp

A Treasury Thank you - The Vintage Look

Have you ever felt like you're in a funk?

I'm so there right now.

Is it the gloomy, cold weather?

Absence of inspiration?

Whithering motivation?

All of the above?

Sigh.

However, amid winter's lingering chill (come on groundhog, you said spring was coming!), there's nothing like someone thinking of you, to warm you up and bring in some sunshine.

Thank you to The Lacey Placey for taking the time to feature my shabby ruffled pillow in your beautiful collection, The Vintage Look.

Thanks for a little sunshine.

Sugar and spice

I made a little sugar and spice fancy bib for my friend's adorable little bundle, using this fabulous bib template from Homemade by Jill. I love her pattern. It's the pattern I use to make gifts for family and friends.

I had to add a bow. I just couldn't help myself.

My sister's baby will be greeting us in a few months...I've got a few things planned for her as well. And I'm sure at least one of them will have a bow. Or a ruffle. Or both.

Twin Needles: double the fun

I have a sewing machine with lots of stitch designs to choose from, but 99% of the time I end up just using a plain old straight stitch._ _ _ _

I bought a twin needle a while back, well, just because, but hadn't ever tried it. So in a moment of madness, I pulled it out and gave it a whirl.


I was pretty careful putting that twin needle in. My machine directions say, "turn your machine off and unplug it before adding your twin needle". Wow. I guess somebody's machine worked when it was turned off and stabbed them with those two razor sharp points. Sounds like I've watched one too many Lifetime Movies to me.

Anyway, they scared me into being careful. But I'm a rebel and didn't go so far as to unplug my machine.
And yes, my fingers are still all in tact.

Ah, so that's what that extra post is for! If you have two spools of thread the same color, add it to your extra post. If not, you can use a bobbin with the same thread.



It was a little strange threading from two spools down the sewing machine obstacle course...I kept feeling like they were going to start tangling any moment. But they didn't. Both threads stayed where they were supposed to. Just thread each through their own eye.

The twin needle is just what it says it is.
Very parallel.

Perfect finish for a t-shirt or other decorative stitch.
Just watch for corners. No pivot privileges. It's a lift and re-start.