I hope you had a nice weekend , and here we are again with a new week upon us.   I thought our weather would begin to stay warmer, however, here we are with the possibility of snow showers this evening.  In Missouri, we can have 70 degrees one day back in the 30's the next day. The sweet Spring flowers are rather confused.

Since this is rather a gloomy cloudy day, I decided to bring some Spring into the dining room and change things up on top of my old hutch, which I love.  This hutch was my Grandmother's and is quite old, and I have never done anything to it in the last 49 years, except to polish. 

"Spring Basket"

     The large basket has been in a closet storing pillows, and I decided it would be a fun focal piece to decorate.  I just put a large bouquet of lavender stems I purchased a few years back, added two pieces of vintage stoneware I bought at an estate sale, two chocolate bunnies, some burlap ribbon and greenery.

     Taking décor which I already have and changing the feel and look is one of my favorite ways to decorate my home.  I have always felt, mixing old and new with a touch of rustic always blends together.

 

Till next time, "May the light of God's love guide your path".

                  Sharon

The Beauty of a Rose

Over the last couple of years I have found great pleasure in photographing many of the flowers I grow in my yard to use in crafting projects and making note cards to send to family and friends.  Last year I took this photo of a beautiful pink tea rose bloom, and have been pondering on going to one of the local stores with photo centers and having the photo printed off on canvas.

Here is the finished canvas, which I was really pleased with, as I am not the best in cropping photos.
All that is left to do is attach a hanging element and find just the right place to display. 

My next project is to design a fabric and lace journal to keep the many flower photos in as a remembrance of each year.

 

 

 

 

Spring is one of my favorite seasons as new life comes once again in nature.  God's blessings are abundant with beauty all around us.  I love the small colorful blooms showing up now.

"Spring Floral Bag"

Today, I finally completed this quilted bag for Spring and Summer.  I began by making my own pattern for this bag cutting out a rectangle, then slowly curving the sides. 

I was attempting to make my own design by taking three different Moda fabrics, then cutting long strips from each fabric, then sewing all the strips together, then cutting strips again from a different angle, then stitching all the strips together, and lastly cutting and sewing again.  However, I missed a step somehow-----as the design did not turn out as I had envisioned.   I told myself I had to just go with the flow and see the project to the end.

Since, this was my first attempt, I was still rather pleased after I backed the fabric with batting and interfacing, then began to use decorative stitching to quilt the fabric and give it the quilted effect.   The bag is finished with beautiful sea foam green rayon loopy ribbon, an old fabric lace coaster, which I found at an estate sale, and embellished with pretty pink beaded trim. 

The inside of the bag is a pink quilted fabric and the handle is from another piece of quilted floral cotton in my stash of fabrics.  I ended up using a magnetic snap for the closure.

I have a deep appreciation for all the talented individuals who quilt and make their own designs!  There is so much planning, designing, and sewing and learning.

I may list this bag in my little Etsy store, www.rusticunraveled.etsy.com along with my other creations.  I hope you will stop by for a visit sometime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birds and Bling

Over the weekend we received sleet and snow here in SW MO, however, today the sun is shining brightly, and I felt somewhat creative, so walked out to my small sewing room, to work up this bird seed bag, my husband had saved for me. 

I have seen several bags over the internet, however, I wanted to make this one more personal with some of the supplies I have saved.

What I enjoyed was letting my imagination take hold, adding color and texture. The bright fringe was crocheted last year while I sat around our camping spot.  I thought the colors really brought out the woodland bird images.  I also stitched a small vintage fabric coaster to the bag, and accented with a white old pearled button.  I had purchased the vintage belt buckle at a recent sale.

The bag is lined with beige quilted fabric, which really gives structure. 

A fun bag to put small sewing or crafting projects in,a great book bag, or carry with a casual outfit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May your day be filled with sunshine.
                  Sharon

Fresh Orange Italian Cream Cake

  While sorting through my unorganized recipe box, I pulled out the recipe for Fresh Orange Italian Cream Cake, from and old Southern Living Magazine.  I had forgotten how good making fresh orange curd is. I have used the commercial curd, however, fresh homemade is so-o-o delicious as is the cake along with the creamy cream cheese icing.

This cake takes some time to make, and making the curd one day ahead of the cake, is easier, in order to let it set. Assembling the cake with the orange curd between the layers, then finishing off with a cream cheese icing and toasted pecans. AND, leaving some to sample.  The extra time is well worth it.  A really pretty cake for Spring and Easter.   For Easter, the cake would be pretty decorated with chicks, bunnies, and tinted coconut for grass.