A Blondie Day

New Thrift

The thrift shop has been nice to me lately, so I have some new findings to share with you.

First is this very handsome guy.

 

I couldn't believe my good fortune in finding him sitting there on the shelf, staring at me with an impatient gaze as if to say "well, it's about time you got here".  He is quite large and quite heavy, and has found a perfect home in my garden.  

 

And I love his blueness.

 

Also found were pretty glass flower shaped plates, which will also go in my garden as an edging.

To continue with the outdoor theme are these bright yellow daisy paper plate holders for BBQ's and such.

 

 

 

An old framed daisy watercolor and a funky green printed mug to take to my new office.

 

 

 

 

An old metal picture frame, pinkie peach plastic basket (always useful), some old upholstery fabric in a pleasing print and a New York World's Fair velvet pillow cover.

 

 

And lastly, an Aisian print metal tray - a little chippy and scratched, but pretty nontheless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Am I.

 

Hope the thrift shop is being nice to you as well.

 

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

 

Brand New Sparks

Sometimes I like to look about me and take stock of the things that I am most excited, motivated and inspired about - creatively that is.

Here are a few things that I am spending time with, soaking up the creative energy that it is giving me (it's better than eating chocolate, with little sleeveless sundress season coming and all)...

Small, pretty prints.  I am all about these right now.  I still love (and always will) nice large, flowery fabrics, but right now - little is nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Sari fabric I recently, happily acquired.

Oh My.

I am so in love with these, and my head is spinning with anticipation of what I will make.

 

 

 

Yum.  The colors, textures and patterns are heavenly to me.

 

 

 

 

 

Next, vintage linen tea towels.

What more can I say?? They speak perfectly for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Asian shop has just opened up near me, and this is one of the pretties I purchased there...

 

 

 

Colorful, patterned chopsticks - too lovely to be left in a drawer.

 

 

 

 

I picked up this printer's drawer at a yard sale for $1 about 2 years ago and have finally hung it up.  Procrastination, thy name is me.

 But better late then never.

 

 

Filled with little doodads and what-not, including My Girl's beloved Gromit, who looks like he is pondering something - like how to get off this shelf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And off I go to see if I have the courage to cut up my pretty Sari fabric.

 

Hoping sparks of inspiration are finding you today.

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess What

Today I went to the mall, which I haven't done in a very long time.  Probably the last time was a year and a half ago.  But since I am looking to buy a new iMac for my new blondie blu office, I thought I would go browsing at the Apple Store.  

Hence, the mall.

But lo and behold, I discovered the mall has changed quite a bit since the last time I was there.  There are several new shops that made me squeal with delight.

But one in particular was my favorite.

Can you guess...

 

 

 

 

 

...which shop...

 

 

 

 

 

..it is that is now at the mall??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Happy!  Joy Joy!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Anthropologie.

 

Yessiree.

 

I'm a happy girl.

 

 

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

 

Royalty

Today I made a quick stop by at the thrift shop. Today's plan did not include that.  I was to take Gretel for her morning walk, do the food shopping and then head right home to begin pic taking of the new goods for the shop. 

But before I knew it, there I was.  And so glad am I, because look who was waiting for me.

 

 

 

At one time, this little fellow was some kind of lamp.

 

 

 

But now the part that used to give light appears to be like a crown upon his head.

 

 

 

 

So I've named him Prince, and he currently rules upon my nightstand.

 

 

XO Helena

 

Hearts

 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

 

 

 

May you give (and receive) lots of love today.

 

XO

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Love

Merry Christmas Friends!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me.  I am always honored that you do!

May you have a very Happy Holiday and a Blessed and Healthy New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

Much love,

Helena

 

XO

 

Warm

Looking around my house...

 

 

 

at all the colorful and cozy afghans and blankets...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...that I've collected and thrifted over the past few years...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...there's never a reason to feel anything...

 

 

 

 

 

...but warm and loved.

 

 

 

 

 

Snuggle in!

 

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