Lazy Girl Rocker Cushion

When I found this sweet old wicker rocker last week, I immediately threw away the ugliest cushion ever. She looked better 'nekkid'.

She needed a "cushy" cushion to sink into and I lucked out when I found a thick feather pillow just the right size at the fabric store.

 I turned up the corners and secured them with a stitch to 'round' the edges a bit.

From the moment I found her, I'd known which fabric I'd pull from my stash. This beautiful old flour sack. I was surprised to find it still stitched together along the side; most of the ones I find have been taken apart to ready them to use for dish towels or quilt pieces. (The sacks were only stitched along one side to leave a generous piece of fabric for housewives to re-purpose. And you thought your generation had invented recycling...no girls, it's been going on for-evah!)  See how the corner on the stitched side (right), is rounded?  

I got my sewing machine out and stitched a matching curve along the other corner.

Wonder of wonders, my pillow form slid right in to the sack...a perfect fit!  I added a bit of fill to the corners and then folded the extra fabric over the back - (a bit like wrapping a gift). A couple of stitches secures it. 

What do you think?  She's very comfy now, and just perfect for a little lemonade-sipping-on-the-porch.

I'd keep her if I had the room. Instead, she's headed out to my space at the Waterloo Antiques Mall tomorrow.  Somewhere out there is the perfect porch, just waiting for her.

Rock on, red rocker...rock on!

I'm linking up with At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

...and Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Let's go check them out!!


P.S. When I'm visiting a 'new to me' blog, I don't see the "follow" button along the top edge any more. Where did it go????

One Of A Kind Tote

Since getting my iPad, I've found that I have to have it with me everywhere I go. 

 It needed a fun travel bag.  

This fills the need.

Here's the other side...

 I've found that it's sturdy enough to provide extra storage when it's not out and about with me.

 Would you like to see the "before" shot?  Here it is:

A portrait...a little damaged and not terribly well done.  Purchased for less than the price of a cuppa joe. 

Your kind comments on the grain sack totes have inspired me to get busy.  I'll have some available at the Kane County Flea Market next weekend...I want to 'test market' them live, before offering them online.  Thank you all for your inspiration to keep sewing!  

I'm linking up with Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday and At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

Keen on Kane County Flea Market

The only regret I have about selling at the Kane County Flea Market this weekend is that I never got out of the building to shop. Driving through the grounds I saw rows of temptation and many of my customers were carrying purchases that I wished I'd spotted first!

My sweet  husband has a real aversion to anything that's chippy, rusty or dirty.  Because my show partner was busy at another venue this weekend, CG followed me down to St. Charles to help me unload and set up.  With only a couple of hours to get it done, I could not have finished without him. We were not quite ready at show opening, but snapped a couple of quick photos of the booth.

We met a lot of fun customers and I'm looking forward to seeing some of you again at Elkhorn on May 16th. It was also great to finally meet Jeanine from ChiPPy!-ShaBBy!  If you're anywhere near Cedarburg,  you won't want to miss her sale on May 22nd. 

With apologies for less than stellar photos, here's a peek at the booth.

Easy Project - Embellished Town Names Cards

Do you have boxes of "schnibbles", small little treasures & bits of ephemera that have followed you home? I do. I love tiny things, but what do you do with them?  It's difficult to display them so that they won't be overlooked. This weekend I decided that I would give a few of them the respect that they deserve.

Several years ago at a flea market I purchased a vintage post office training kit. It consisted of a suitcase-sized wood box with dividers, to mimic post office boxes.  With it came boxes from various states, with hundreds of small cards with town names printed on them.

I went through the box from Montana and pulled out the cards with interesting names. Digging in my boxes I found items that would complement the names.   An old brass button with a horse head on it was the perfect match for the town of  "Hungry Horse".  "Rosebud" was a no-brainer; a shabby millinery rose and a bit of scrap.

 A small cowboy hat charm was attached to "Roundup" with 20 gauge wire and I couldn't resist using that same wire to make a circle to attach a round token to the "Circle" card.  (The token reads "For Amusement Only".) All items can be removed from the cards for another use later, if desired.  

This idea is easily adaptable to any tiny treasure.  Print or stamp cards with a word or phrase to complement  your item. Attach your "schnibble" to a vintage postcard or photograph.  Select items specific to your guests to use as place cards or party favors. It takes just a few minutes to make each one and the possibilities are unlimited. It's fun, easy, and you'll enjoy showcasing your smallest finds.