My Gift Shop/Cabinet

 The nice thing about owning a Bed and Breakfast is you can actually show what you make and try to make some money to feed your habit.  In the entryway I have a beautiful old cabinet filled with Fiber treasures.  Things move along slowly but it's good because I can keep up with it. 

Of course my Fiber Friends contribute their items as well.  We have all natural, super soft wool scarves, face scrubbies, warm cowls, felted purses, potholders, "Guest" towels, Potpourri and more.

My mother made the Victorian lady potholders which I just love. I machine embroidered some red work towels.

 Here I have some nice washcloths and my glycerin soaps (see larger photo below) and the finished Princess Coat that is way too large for Cara Isabella.  I also hand crocheted some lavendar scented sachets.

 Home made potpourri!  I use flowers that were left behind by guests, hang them up quick to dry, snip them and spray a nice, gentle scent on the mix.  Put it in a vintage basket with a vintage hanky and you are good to go! You can just imagine the memeories of wonderful getaways behind each batch.

Softly scented Glycerin Soap using only Essential Oils of course.  Each has a vintage photo adhered to the top which makes them especially charming and one-of-a-kind!

And last but not least, my crocheted wash/dish cloths. 
I use 100% cotton and, don't tell my Fiber Gals this, but the real pretty ones are made with expensive "Noro" yarn.  They are the best.  I just love them and they hold up way better and longer than my cotton towels.  Love the colors and the feel.

Please, consider emailing me pictures of your projects.  Let's inspire one another!

It Takes A Village....

The first thought that crossed my mind when I started this blog was "It takes a village to raise a child".  That is so true.  Unfortunately "we", our society is not doing a very good job at that these days.  Something to pray about!

Anyway, I made these "village" pillows from a Simplicity pattern quite some time ago and they never get thrown out so we must enjoy them.  It was fun, easy and used up scraps which is really great!

Then of course, with the theme, we have a child.  Our granddaughter "Cara Isabelle".  She is a cutey and quite the independent one but loves to cuddle so...she is perfect.

She is always going into the cabinets so we decided to dedicate one as her "playroom".  She loves, loves, loves it. She's in there often.  Don't suppose she'll fit too well for very long but for now it is her perfect castle.

Can hardly believe we will be blessed with another granddaughter July 14th.  Yay!

From Drab To Fab!

This is my Nantucket Basket...at least I think that's what it's called.  It was a basket kit where you could finish the top so I embroidered, on my machine, this old sewing machine and it says "Only God is perfect, our quilts don't need to be".  It just reminds me to lighten up!

This is the inside of my basket.  A pocket for all the necessities: needle, thread, scissors, tea and of course "pin" money! 

Here is the "DRAB".  A purse I sewed out of wool with a "crazy quilt" top.  Cute enough but I just didn't like it.  It didn't "pop" for me.  I bought the kit at the Paducah Quilt Festival 2010.  My dear friend Susan offered to take me with her and her husband Roy to the show.  I didn't think I'd ever get there.  It was a blast!

So....anyway, I got around to putting the mix and match button on the handles and I just wanted to sing.  It was exactly what it needed to go to "Fab".  I use it all the time now because I love it and because my Ipad fits in it!!!!

I must start sewing some more.  Those UFO's I have around!  I don't think I'd have to buy a kit for 2 years and I'd still have kits to put together.  Note to self: Finish exisiting projects!!!!

Country Fair

 When we moved to Galena 10 years ago I decided to enter things in the County Fair.  It's something I would have probably enjoyed doing as a child...like 4H but it just wasn't meant to be at the time.

I attended a hat making class at a museum in Freeport, IL.  This is where I made my first bonnet. Pre Civil War bonnet and you can tell by how deep the crown is.  You cannot see left or right unless you move your head in that direction.  Modesty was everything!

We used materials from the lady giving the class and buckram.  It is a hard, sand paper like foundation for these hats. I liked this striped fabric because it is satin and has a nice shine.  It was quite fun but my fingers were sore by the end of the day!

On the picture above you can see the little rosette I patterened after a bonnet they were displaying at the museum.

Now comes the interesting part.  I had to choose feathers and a ribbon for my hat.  I was instructed to pick something that purposely didn't match because in those days people used what they had and they did not give a lot of consideration to what went with what.  Same for the feathers.  My instructor was very proud of my creation.  The underside is gathered satin.

I entered this in the County Fair - so proud was I!  You can imagine how I felt when I read the judges comments.  I did win a blue ribbon which was worth $1 but she actually said "You should have used a ribbon and feathers that matched better".  WHAT??????!!!!  That is all I'm going to say because I do not want her job.

We used to dress

up more because this is Galena after all and everyone has a civil war outfit but since I finished this hat we haven't been dressing up so unfortunately I haven't worn it out.  Actually it would be in the wrong period.  In any case, it was fun and the guests enjoy seeing it!

Enjoy

Pincushions

Aren't pincushions wonderful.  They come in such a variety. 

This one is my favorite.  She goes wherever I go.  I find her simply delightful and a comfort to have around, seriously!

I started a pincusion collection (only the finest, not just anything) several years ago.  Because I'm so picky about it I don't have very many of them but I love each one.  I will be posting them in the future!

This one was purchased from a catalog and I have not seen it again since unfortunately but if you see another one let me know!  I hope I get to work on some of my sewing projects before winter ends but it's not looking good.  I did just start back up on my "grandmothers garden" quilt using 1" hexagons.  It was about 1/3 of the way done two years, yes two years ago when I got bored with it.  I'm anxious to finish it this time!  I'll be posting that as well.