A Blondie Day

I'm still here!

Yes, it's been a long, long time.

I do miss my little blog, but my brick and mortar shop, home and family take up all my time, so as the expression goes "something's gotta give", and that something is this blog.

Someday I hope to return and spend more time here and make it into the kind of blog I always envisioned, but for now I spend most of my time on my Facebook Page, which is so easy and convenient to update. I do hope you visit me there!

I love my brick and mortar shop, and in April I had the opportunity to move it to a new and beautiful location!

 

(My great grandmother.)

 

 

I am in heaven!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And soon I will be introducing my very own line of custom women's clothing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So please come and visit me on my Facebook Page to keep on top of the day's happenings...until the time when I can devote more time once again to my little blog. 

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Homestead

Just a heads up, my Happy Homestead Pillow Collection is in the shop today.

The collection is inspired by dreams of my great grandfather's farm. Although not owned by my family any longer, I was privileged a few years ago to visit the house and farm once owned by my great grandfather where my dad spent all of his summers growing up…and I got to take my dad there once more before he passed away. It was an amazing experience and I was in awe at how much I felt at home and at peace there.

 

 

 

As of late, my creative heart has been divided into two parts.  This is one part...so the next collection of pillows will be inspired by the second part....coming soon!

 

Hope you enjoy them.

 

XO Helena

Ruffles and Gypsies

Just a quick note that there are ruffles...

LOTS of ruffles...

in the shop...

 

 

 

Rufflette Bags...

Blondie Blu Army Backpack...

 

 

... and crossbody bags...

 

 

 

 

Also, Gypsy Bags!

 

 

All in the shop today.

 

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

Now That It's Over...

I survived my first craft fair!

And although I know I have already posted pictures of my mock up booth in every which way possible 'til you are all about to scream, I just NEED (yes, need) to post one more pic (I promise) of my actual booth all set up at the fair...

 

 

It was hot and humid and I never worked harder in my life, but I loved it.

My next fair will be a Holiday Boutique in November...more info to come.

 

And now that the fair is over, I can move on!

So back to my little shop..

 

New wares in the shop today!

 

 

Blu Eyes - vintage eyeglass cases...

 

 

 

New postcards...

 

 

 

 

Folklore Keychains...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Yardstick Crosses...

 

 

 

 

 

...and more to come later in the week!

 

 

 

My little blue house's decor has suffered greatly in the last weeks, so I tried to make amends yesterday with a little bit of sprucing up.  MUCH more to do.

 

 

Much love and many thanks for all the good wishes and vibes sent my way.

 

XO Helena

 

Silly Lucky

I have been so lucky at thrift shops lately, it's silly.  

Yes, silly!

First, you may remember this...lovely and most beautiful vintage silk embroidery...

 

 

 

Then there was the amazing discovery of a stunning, very large piece of barkcloth...yes, in a thrift shop!!

 

 

 

Most recently, I came upon bag after bag of vintage lace - some of the prettiest I've seen - also at the thrift shop.

Be still my heart.

 

 

Then there is this beautiful large oil painting in a breathtaking frame...yes a little beat up, but prettier for it, I think.

 

 

There are other assorted finds, but I think this is enough for now. It's more than my heart can take.

 

But I do have a few new wares in the shop!

 

Brand new - blondie blu army bags...

 

 

I am so loving these.  They are sweet, vintagey and funky, and I am most in love with the custom blondie blu dog tags.

 

love your life...

 

 

 

 

 

Here's to the Thrifting Fairy spreading the wealth around a bit more. 

 

XO Helena

 

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