Tree Hearts

How great is that!...Heart shaped tree logs. :-)

We had to have a very large ash tree taken down this weekend. It wasn't dead or diseased, but it was somewhat of a hazard. A few limbs had fallen during some recent windy weather, one of which went right through my car's windsheild. It also towers above the house almost 3-4 stories tall and is on a slope that has been satururated with water run-off for the better part of the year. The anxiety of it crashing into our bedroom during the next big storm was just getting too overwhelming, so for peace of mind, hubby agreed to have it taken down.

We have friends who can use the firewood and we'll keep some of the stumps to use as seating around the firepit. Hubby also had the tree guys keep one section longer so he could use the wood to make a rustic outdoor bench.

Anyway, just had to share the awesome naturally heart shaped tree pieces with you. Wouldn't they be pretty as side table tops? :-)

Blue Cut Velvet Boho Bag

I apologize for yet another bag post. But honestly, its been so long since I've spent any quality time in the sewing room, I got a little carried away. :-)For this bag I used one of my favorite cut velvets. Its a gorgeous blue design on a shimmery beige ground. Although still an upholstery fabric, this one is a little more supple and probably dates a little older than some of the other cut velvets that I've been using. It, too, goes well with the corduroy and I've outfitted it with the same features (interior zip pocket, magnetic snap closure, and long cross-body strap). With the left over pieces, I made a small matching zip pouch. This bag is available on Etsy.

Lime Vintage Cut Velvet Boho Bag

The next bag to come out of the sewing room is this boho gypsy style hip bag. It sports a vibrant lime green vintage cut velvet upholstery fabric paired with corduroy. A long strap can be worn across the body to hit comfortably at the hip or knotted to create a shorted shoulder strap. This design is slightly different that the previous champagne velvet with the addition of corduroy at the bottom of the bag. Although it was out of necessity, because of the size of the green remnant, I think I like it even better! :-)This one also has a magnetic snap closure and interior zipper pocket. I'm lovin the size of this bag and already picking out fabric to make one of my very own. :-)

This bag is available on Etsy.

Champagne Cut Velvet Bags

I've been in the sewing room making some more bags. My focus this week was a lovely shimmery champagne colored vintage cut velvet. I've been wanting to make a larger shoulder bag and this upholstery fabric was perfect for it. I paired the velvet with a tan corduroy and added a long shoulder strap that can be worn across the body. A magnetic snap and interior zippered pocket will keep items secure.

I also had enough fabric left over to create a matching foldover clutch. I love the simple design and think it would be right at home with jeans as well as a fancier evening out. Both of these bags are available for a limited time on the website with free US shipping before being added to the Etsy Shop. I have a couple more of the larger bags almost completed and will share those soon.

Has cooler weather inspired more activity in your sewing room, too? :-)

Labradors and Mud Puddles

This picture will be a very common site around here for the next few days. Lots of rain in Southern Ohio, and although Hunny isn't exactly fond of rainy days, she does love playing in the mud. :-)

She was also very excited to receive a fun gift from her doggy blog pal Abby. This cute Pooch Pouch for her treats and a Key Leash to take with us on our walks.

Abby's mom is the talented Stephanie of Loft Creations. Stephanie has generously posted tutorials for both of these items, plus lots of other fun projects, on her blog here. She also sells PDF patterns for her fabulous bags in her Etsy Shop.

Felt Burger, Berries, and a Fridge

I'll be watching my niece again over her winter break, so I wanted to have a few new things for her to play with while she's here. In addition to a new FurrReal pet, I also made a couple more felt food items for her 'restaurant'.

A small basket of strawberries...

Oh my, don't look too closely at the uneven stitches, hand sewing is not my forte. lol

And I also made a hamburger with pickle slices.

I also turned a cardboard box into a refridgerator. True to my love for vintage, I went 'old school' with the design. :-) I'm on the hunt for another box to use for an oven.

A Fenced Yard for Hunny

One of the main reasons we loved this new house was the large lot that it sat on. Its a little over an acre and would give our Hunny plenty of room to run. The only problem was that it was not fenced, and since our dog listens to very little we say, she would surely take off and terrorize the neighborhood children if let off her leash. So, in order to avoid the daily long walks in knee deep snow again this year, it became our goal to get the yard fenced in before winter rolled around. For the majority of the yard, we went with a wood fence style called Kentucky Board. It runs up the hill and ties into the existing farm fence at the back of the property.



At the sides of the house and across the driveway, we had a dark bronze aluminum fence and gates installed. It looks nice with the brown brick of the house and ties in with the porch railing that Hubby made.

Hunny LOVES it! Although she still won't go outside by herself (huh?), she loves to run through the yard chasing birds, and barking at Ava and Patty (the horse and cow that roam the farm land behind us. (Photo taken last winter, we don't have snow yet, thank goodness).