A Blondie Day

Just Like Mine

About a month ago, I made myself a Go To Work Bag... a Messenger Bag, actually - nice large one.

 

 

I have been using this bag faithfully whenever I go to my Blondie Blu Office, and I am loving it, so I thought I would make one to share.

So, here it is, in the shop...

 

 

 

 

Nice and big, just like mine, it will fit file folders and magazines, sketch pads and other Important Things.

 

 

 

So stop by  the shop and take a look!

 

 

 

I also have 2 new wall pockets in the shop as well...

 

 

 

 

If you are organizationally challenged - like me - these can help.

 

 

 

 

Happy Day to you My Friends.

 

XO Helena

 

Tea Totes

New pretties are in the shop!  Tea totes are here...

 

 

 

Pretty, vintage-y, repurposed and useful...all my favorite things.

 

 

 

And lots of styles, from cute to funky to pretty...

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a moment, stop by and see them all.

 

Much love

and Light,

Helena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Gypsy

In the shop today...

Little Bit of Gypsy Prayer Flags.

 

 

 

 

 

Made with little bits of many of my favorite things...

 

 

 

 

...vintage Sari fabric, barkcloth, upholstery, cotton, lace, seam binding, doilies and ribbons.

 

 

 

 

 

XO Helena

 

Five Swallows Go to the Office

A few weeks ago, I posted a pic on my Facebook Page of an old flour sack that I had purchased on eBay.  I wasn't sure what I would make of it, but I knew I loved it and therefore had to have it.

 

I didn't mind that there had been a printing error on it.  That made it all the more loveable to me.

So after having it around the house for a few weeks, staring at it, picking it up, holding it next to various fabrics, etc., I finally knew what it was to be.

A big ole' Going To the Office Bag for me!

I am setting up my new Blondie Blu office in 2 weeks, and therefore needed a perfect bag to carry the hodgepodge of goods that I would be toting along with me from day to day.

So I got to work and made me this...

 

 

It's a very large bag measuring 18 in. across, 13 in. down and about 4 in. wide.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not quite your traditional briefcase, but that's what makes it perfect for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The size and style of it remind me of the old bookbags I used to use for school as a child.

 

 

 

 

Inside I gave myself many pockets for pens, small papers, cell phone, buttons and other assorted trinkets.

 

 

 

 

So I and my Five Swallows Go To the Office Bag are ready!

 

 

XO Helena

 

Today's Doings

Wings are growing here.  Spring is in the air, and although we have a forecast for snow tomorrow night, we are feeling optimistic.

I am working on my Etsy listings while listening to Motown on Pandora. The back door is propped open.  The sun is shining in and a warmish breeze is blowing.  Gretel is ecstatic with the open door and has gone in and out into the backyard too many times to count, poking her head inside now and then to make sure I am still here and that there aren't any tasty tidbits floating around that she should know about.

 

 

 

As excited as I am about the arrival of spring, I am also quite OK with a little more snow one more time.  I don't mind being warm and cozy inside while the cold wind and white stuff whips through the air outside, making me feel extra grateful to be warm, secure and loved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also wouldn't mind another day of school being closed.  Another bonus day of having My Girl home with me so we can make macaroni art and snuggle and watch The Smurf Movie for the 128th time.

 

 

 

But at the same time, I am excited about spring.  Excited about new beginnings and new possibilities.

 

My little Blondie Blu office will be up and running in April, and this is the lovely place in which it will be.

 

 

I am over the moon happy about The Little Spot That Will Be All Mine.  There is something to be said for working at home, and I will still have my sewing studio there.  But it is also nice to have a place away from home, out and about, that will give me a fresh perspective and a clean slate to start from.  I will be working on a different Blondie Blu project there, and I think it will be the perfect spot to do so.

 

At home, I have begun spring cleaning and spring brightening...

 

 

 

...while still making sure my snow shovel is near.

 

 

XO Helena

 

Notebook Scribbles and Other Encouragement

I've gone on many times before about my love for black speckled Composition Books.  There has been one by my side since I was 11 years old, and I can't live without them.

Every so often I like to pull a page out and dress it up a little, and then I keep all the pulled pages in a folder to look at from time to time. The goal is to put them all together, create a fetching cover and make a nice little creative book out of them for myself.  But for now, they rest in a folder waiting patiently in a line with other forlorn projects.

I thought it would be fun to share from time to time my Notebook Scribbles in the hopes that it will give some encouragement- or, if I'm very, very lucky, some inspiration.

They are nothing fancy - just some scrawls and bits of this and that, with words that to me are lovely.

Notebook Scribble for Today:

 

 

 

I do have some exciting news to share.

I am getting my very own out-of-the-house studio/office!

Well, perhaps studio or office is too big a word.  It's more like the corner of an office with a desk and a table.  But it's all mine.  It is in an office building that was previously a beautiful center hall colonial home.  It's just lovely, and I am over the moon excited to set up a place to work outside of my home.

I will still have my at-home studio, but this will be a place to work out in the world where there is inspiration and where I will feel a little bit more "me" - away from the laundry and dishwasher and dust.

 

A little daily encouragement never hurt anyone.

 

 

I think this will be good for me, and it will also give me a place to work undisturbed on a project that I have been tossing about in my heart. One that I hope I can share soon.

 

 

 

We all need to believe that there is a little something special inside of us.

 

 

 

 

The astonishing light of our own beings.

 

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

A Trip to the Thrift Shop

Today was a perfect day to head to my favorite Thrift Shop, especially after not having done so since before the holidays.

Would you like to come?

I almost always find something here, and rarely leave without some kind of trinket in my hands.  But right before the holidays, I was having a thrifting dry spell, so I waited quite a while to go back.

Here is my regular route that I take upon entering the store.

First I check the "smalls"...

 

Then I head over to dishes and assorted housewares...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then over to linens...

 

 

...and more linens...

 

 

 

 

...then furniture...

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes...

 

 

 

bags...

 

 

 

 

and clothing.

 

 

Today I only found a few treasures, but was very happy indeed.

 

A lovely afghan in shades of peachy melons and pinks.  Just perfect for brightening up the house in the middle of a grey January.

 

 

 

 

This afghan has also been approved wholeheartedly by Gretel.

 

 

By the way, Gretel's full and formal name is "Miss Gretel Elsie Angel".

It suits her perfectly and it seems to meet with her approval, much like my afghans.

 

 

 

Another very pleasant surprise is that this pretty, peachy melon pink afghan also goes perfectly lovely with the new rag quilt I made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very first rag quilt I ever made!  It was so very easy and was great fun.  I had it done in a day.  It's a great way for using up odds and ends pieces of fabric.  

 

 

The backing is a soft rose printed flannel and is so snuggly. (Gretel is showing you.  Thanks Gretel!)

 

 

 

And one more find at the thrift shop was this soft and stretchy black velvet dress, which I will use not for wearing out, but for around the house in a comfortable attempt not to look like a bag lady while at home.

 

 

It may end up embellished, but for now a vintage pin does the job nicely.

 

All for now friends!  May you have a happy and blessed weekend.  Thanks for coming to the thrift shop with me.

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

 

Long Island in the '50s

Over the Christmas vacation, we had such fun visiting an exhibit at a local museum... 1950's Long Island.  

I thought for sure you would enjoy some of the vintage luv.

 

 

 

 

 

I would wear this dress in a heartbeat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember my parents had this tray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around the house, the New Year has motivated me to tidy up a little...

 

 

 

 

And get sewing!!!

 

 

 

A Happy Day to you Friends!

 

XO

Helena

 

 

How To - Kissing Corners Pillow

This adorable little pillow is a breeze to make and would be a lovely gift for someone special.  Each corner is sweetly puckered, just like a kiss.

 

 

Here's a quick How To.

 

You will need:

 

    1.  1/2 yd. (30.5cm) total light to medium weight fabric.  (I used a different fabric for my front and back, but you can surely use the same fabric.)

    2.  tape measure

    3.  scissors

    4.  pins

    5.  dental floss (or other thin, strong string)

    6.  polyester fiber fill

 

Cut out two rectangles of fabric.  My rectangles measured approx. 17 in. X 11 in. (43.2cm X 17.9cm), but you can make it bigger if you'd like.

 

 

 

If you'd like to embellish the pillow with bits of doilies or lace, or whatever pleases you, now is the time to do it.

 

 

 

Once you have finished your embellishments, place your rectangles right sides together.  Pin and stitch, using a 1/2 in. seam (1.3cm).  Leave a 5 in. opening in the center of the bottom seam for turning and stuffing.

 

 

 

 

Measure and mark approx. 2 in. (5cm) in from each corner point and wrap and tie securely with dental floss or thin, strong string of your choice.  Don't use a string that will be too bulky, or your "kiss" won't look as nice.

 

 

 

 

After you've tied all four corners, turn pillow right side out and stuff with polyester fiber fill until firm.  Turn in raw edges and slip-stitch opening closed.

 

 

 

 

And there you have it - one Kissing Corners Pillow!

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

XO

Helena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty Monday

It may be Monday...

the day may be gray...

the air may be chilly...

but there are always pretty things to be found.

 

 

 

Custom made pillow covers ordered by a lovely friend...

 

 

 

... and freshly washed and ironed vintage aprons...

 

 

 

...just waiting to be worn.

 

 

 

 

And a sweet little boy that knows precisely the best way to spend such a day...

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday.

 

 

XO

Helena