Downton Abbey in Needlepoint!
May 16, 2013 § Leave a Comment
Gah! It’s my cross stitch pattern, Down with Downton Abbey – modified by Elpoo in needlepoint AND a tea cozy! She even added Lord Grantham with his dog and detailed the castle with a brick stitch. Bravo!!
And a special thanks to the local news team of Action News 17 and reporter Joan Davis for picking up the story of my flag for the To Boston With Love project. I hope it inspired a few more flags from my region! Time is short if you are interested in making and sending a flag – find out more here. Also, I saw that my flag (the strawberry print heart) made it to Boston and is being prepped with other amazing flags for the show this Memorial Day!
–Lisa LeBlanc
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Spring Blooms and Grumpy Turtles
May 15, 2013 § Leave a Comment
We had an amazing weekend; the shop was busy-busy with everyone snapping up last minute Mother’s Day gifts. I finished up the mini-series Top of the Lake on Netflix (anyone else watching – oh my, that WAS good) Of course, I really just wanted to play outside the whole time, which by Monday (my day off) I finally did!. Most of my time was spent weeding…are there any natural remedies…that work…for weed prevention? Anywho, take a look at my gorgeous flowers! My day lilies are super impressive right now – I actually forgot about the one pictured; what a nice surprise! The rose shown has also been a surprise. I bought it several years ago as Rina Hugo – an intensely pink tea rose. Life happened and my care for it faltered and this delicate antique pink rose popped up in its place. I suspect it may be the root stock. Rina Hugo is a French Rose and this looks like Maidens Blush – also a French rose known for its hardiness. (I actually much prefer this rose than the previous). And what gardening adventure would be complete without a little wildlife. I saved this turtle going to the street; as you can tell – he seems overwhelmed with gratitude!
–Lisa LeBlanc
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Friday Featured Fabric
May 10, 2013 § 1 Comment
Another oldie but goodie! I listed this last week on Etsy and have it in store at the shop’s sewing center – it’s getting quite a bit of attention so I figured I better highlight this fabric before it’s gone. A thick cotton fabric panel (similar to tablecloths of the 1950′s and 60′s), it features a beautiful tropical print of orchids and palm leaves with a coloring that feels very now to me. I have two panels listed, measuring 26″ x 62″; I’m very tempted to keep one for myself (but then I walk into my workroom, see my overflowing stash and think better of it!) It looks like a perfect beach side resort fabric for pillows or bed linens; maybe a beach tote as well? Remember, just two panels so grab it before it’s gone!
–Lisa LeBlanc
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From Berrytown to Boston with Love
May 9, 2013 § Leave a Comment
Somehow, miraculously I was able to squirrel away a couple hours this week to sew. I’ve been following along with the To Boston with Love project; a now international makers event that is gathering these darling handmade flags with images of hearts and messages of hope to fly over Boston at a Memorial Day event at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
It’s such a tiny flag, 8″ x 6″ and it took just two fat eighths to complete. I chose the scrappy heart and picked a couple strawberry fabrics as it is my town’s official fruit (we have an official fruit!)…I freehand-stitched the back with my town and state (that took the longest, especially since I had forgotten a hoop at home).
All in all, I am so delighted with the finished flag and so happy to have taken part of this project. It feels like being part of one very large but quiet conversation; I hope all who visit the installation will be inspired, uplifted and encouraged to make the world better no matter how small the contribution.
if you are itching to stitch one yourself, the deadline is now May 21st. All details are here including other flag designs.
–Lisa LeBlanc
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Friday Featured Fabric
May 3, 2013 § Leave a Comment
I am reaching once again into the time vault (or my vintage stash) to share another beauty with you this Friday! A medium weight cotton floral that I estimate from the 1960′s – 1970′s. It actually reminds me a lot of the period that this season of Mad Men is in – 1969, I think. (wouldn’t it be just perfect for Betty’s dark and gothic abode???)
The print is really lovely with lots of detail; the colors are dark and rich. I currently have 4 yards (and then some that I’ve keeping for personal use) – and at a medium weight there is plenty to upholster a small chair or a create a set of totes, but certainly light enough still for a smashing dress or skirt. Grab it here!
–Lisa LeBlanc
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Hooking Up: Preemie Crochet Beanie Pattern
May 2, 2013 § Leave a Comment
This past Thanksgiving, we got the news that my oldest and dearest friend was expecting! She opened her home to me in Houston when I was under treatment at MD Anderson, and every few months we visit again during my scans; so she, her husband and their adorable 5 year old son are like family and we were just ecstatic to welcome a new little bundle. I wanted to do something really special…make a quilt or crochet a blanket. A couple months later she calls; “you sitting down? It’s triplets!” Fast forward, everyone is doing well – all boys and though they are due in June, we know they will be early. So, with THREE little ones, unfortunately quilts and blankets fell by the way side, but Auntie wanted to make them a little something. I decided to make some preemie beanies as they will be super tiny when they arrive. Unfortunately, there was not a lot available on Ravelry for that size and the patterns I found were incomplete or too feminine. I started playing around and once I had one hat complete – I realized quite by accident, I had written by own pattern!
Using Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe (so silky soft), I finished off the two additional hats and I had the pattern down pat! Really, its a very quick and simple pattern that is nicely gender neutral, so I hope others find it useful too. I’ve played around with it a little further and changed the yarn – a bulky yarn brings you to a nice newborn size without editing the pattern. Try Lion Brand Baby’s First Yarn for a new take on this beanie.
The pattern is free for download on Ravelry; please let me know how it works for you and what edits you use to make it your own.
***the triplet onesie set was a custom order I planned with my embroidery vendor from my store – she’s agreed to make them to order, so contact me at the shop website should you find yourself surprised with similar news!
–Lisa LeBlanc
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Things That Happened Today…
May 1, 2013 § Leave a Comment
The best and worst thing about having a business open to the public is you have no earthly idea how your day will turn out. Sure you plan, make a list, but somehow you reach five o’clock in the evening and you can’t really recall if you’ve sat down, ate lunch, or much less went to the bathroom all day (I did…I’m pretty sure). So, here ‘s a quick run down of today:
- photographed and listed the beginning of a new series of colonial reproduction fabrics here and here (down here they are also know as civil war reproduction – sounds awful but they are actually darling).
- received a call about a product I sold in 2011 – did I still have it and do I have two – um, no.
- a good friend brought me vintage lace – a very good friend indeed
- Committee Chair for the Ponchatoula City Wide Yard Sale called to discuss the progress of the June 1st sale – slight panic attack; that’s in one month and somehow I’m on the committee!
- Another good friend stopped in, shopped while we swooned over the new little man in her life:
- a vendor came in and got mad at me as last month (yesterday!) sales reports were not done *rolls eyes*
- priced a couple new vintage picks – milk glass pitcher and a darling egg tray (must remember to put online!)
- found this vintage pig serving tray researching vintage finds – *squeal* I want it!
- two guys came in to sell tools for gas money
- took two aspirin and made cup of tea
- straighten the shelves and tables
- and blogged.
–Lisa LeBlanc
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