Sketch Book Sunday

SS Week 1 Strawberries and Lemons, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

If you are looking for a way to jump start your creativity or just a way to while away the sumer days I have a great new group for you.

My friend Cheryl started a sketch book Sunday group that is open for anyone to join. Here are the basics, every Sunday she will list a new subject for the group to "sketch". She is using the term sketch loosely to allow for photography or whatever medium you are most comfortable in to allow for more people to join in on the fun.

Submit your entry into the Sketchbook Sunday flickr pool, images will be posted on her blog the following saturday.

Click here to get more specifics on the group.
Click here to join the flickr pool.

The group just started last week and the group challenge was to sketch your favorite summer fruit. This is my submission Strawberries and lemons. 

This weeks challenge is to sketch a trio of small items (3" or less) found in your drawer. I am thinking up my submission for this week Can't wait to share it with you all!

My Garden

My Garden - Butterfly Decoration, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Happy Monday all you sweet people :) We had some sunshine finally this weekend so I thought I would get out into my yard and take a photo of the garden decoration that I picked up in Royal Oak at the Antique show.

Isn't it pretty! I just love the green glass but it makes it hard to see from far away so I may have to move it somewhere else in the yard so I can see it more clearly.  You can kind of see my white hydrangeas in the photo too, these were a gift from my brother's new back yard which is overloaded with too many beautiful flowers. I am very happy that they seem to be doing well in their new home, and I can't wait to get more from him in the fall. Thanks Scott.

Well I thought while I was out there with the camera  I might as well take a couple more pics of the ole yard. We did a bit of work on it in the spring and I really like what we have going so far.

Check it out we have pears!!!!! My husband and I planted this little pear tree last year with the hopes of fruit but I was still amazed when I looked out one day and what do you know little pears. However, I did make a rookie mistake by not spraying the tree, so the leaves look kind of junky but now I know for next year.

Forever Blooming Hydrangea 

Climbing Roses 

Hosta 

Hanging Basket 

Huge Score of Vintage Goods

Huge Score of Vintage Goods , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

So someone had a lot of fun at the Royal Oak Garage and Antique sale this weekend.... oh yeah I think that was me!

Look at all the great vintage linens I walked away with, beautiful handkerchiefs, tea towels, a huge bag of buttons, a rice bag, and a table cloth. Plus I got a beautiful (new) garden accessory that I forgot to take a picture of as it is already in the yard, I will have to take one to post for you later.We had so much fun looking around, there was a lot to see even though there were fewer vendors this year.

I think a lot of this is going to end up in the shop sometime soon as pillows, bags and who knows what else I can upcycle them into.

I also got this pretty little apron from a shop in downtown Royal Oak. Unfortunately I don't remember the name as it was a quick trip inside to see all the beautiful vintage clothes and accessories and right back out as this guy was getting real antsy.

I am hoping to go back soon to check it out again when I can spend a little more time and get the name to share with all of you.

WIP Wednesday - Vintage Handkerchiefs

WIP Wednesday - Vintage Handkerchiefs, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Hello everyone, this weeks WIP Wednesday is a new addition to the Cottage Collection. Pillows made with vintage handkerchiefs.

Some of the hankies were given to me and some I have picked up from various antiques fairs. I have been kicking around different ideas on how to use these lovelies for quite a while.

It seems like every couple weeks I get them out stare at them longingly, play with them for a while trying out ideas and then put them back away.

But this time I think I have it and I am so excited to see how they turn out! I can't wait to post them finished for you all to see.

I am hoping to get at least one completed before the weekend, as the Royal Oak Antique and Garage sale is this weekend. If they turn out as cute as I hope I will be picking up a more handkerchiefs to add to the collection. If you should be in the RO, Michigan area this weekend you should come and check out the show, it's really great I look forward to it every year.

Last week's WIP pincushions are now posted up in the shop click here to pick-out your favorite.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Cottage Collection

Cottage Collection Pillow , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Introducing The Cottage Collection by Sweet Things Design. The Cottage line is inspired by cottage style decor and my love of the water and water living.

Stay tuned for lots of great beach cottage style and shabby cottage style handmade goods coming to Sweet Things soon. Check out this great blue coral pillow slip available in my shop now.

In case you are wondering I will still have retro style aprons and make up bags available in the shop.

I have so many ideas and styles that I like and that I want to create! The retro and cottage styles are just 2 of many. I so wish that I had the time to explore everything that is in my head. I can only hope to be able to keep this up long enough to get to everything that I want to do eventually.

WIP Wednesday - Pincushions

WIP Wednesday - Pincushions, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Happy Wednesday! I love Wednesday, it is officially the middle of the week, you are half way to the weekend past the worst part of the work week (the dreaded Monday!).

Plus it's So You Think You Can Dance night! I confess I love SYTYCD, I used to dace when I was in school and have carried a love for it in my heart since then. I did tap when I was very young, then jazz and then clog dancing. I would love to take up tap again but I have not been able to find a class in my area. They are either for the very young, or the very old neither of which am I. So instead I have to comfort myself with watching shows like SYTYCD and old movies, oh Fred and Ginger how you make me smile.

Any how here is a sneak peak at this week's WIP, pincushions! I am having a lot of fun making these sweet little pillows! The cushions shown are made with Moda Wonderland fabric for the top and linen on the bottom. They are so cute already I love them, I have been wanting to use linen for a while and am so glad that I finally did. The linen compliments the colors in the Wonderland fabric so well. Now I just have to figure out how I want to embellish them.

I am hoping to have time to finish these up after the garage sale on Sunday so that they are available on Monday. If not on Monday they will for sure be available in the shop sometime next week. Stay tuned for the up-date.

Christmas in July

Girlie Girl Apron - Holiday Wishes, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Hey there folks, so I kinda took a rest over the holiday weekend to spend time with family and catch up on stuff around the house. I do however have a few items that have been and will be added to the shop this week, including 2 Christmas aprons. Visit my Etsy Shop to take a peek.

Seems early to me too but really it wont be long, we will blink our eyes and it will be here. I have some other holiday goodies on the brain that I hope to add to the shop later this month. Along with some stocking stouffer type items.

Lizzy Dish Full apron

Lizzy Dish Full apron , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

FINISHED! And available here in my Etsy shop, it was so much fun to try something new. It took a little longer than the half aprons usually do but it was so worth it, I have to say I am pretty proud of this little number.

I cut out the pattern for the next full apron but I have a few projects ahead of it that I want to get out of the way first.

Plus I am having a garage sale this weekend, ugh. A necessary evil I am finding when you have a baby, we have stuff coming out of our ears! I can't wait to have it over with, it will be nice to have my guest room back, right now it is over-run with garage sale items.

If you are in the area stop by and pick up a onsie or two or three or four, and a stack books :) We have them by the dozen.