Vintage Embroidered Badges

More from my make it yourself books. The badges caught my eye.
Click for larger images.




These Fonts by Rodrigo German at dafont would work for hoodies and badges. There are also some other skateboard and cartoon fonts by him that are suitable for stitching.

Vintage Hoodie Embroidery Patterns

I'm going to be sharing some of the ideas from my 20 volume set of make it yourself first published in 1973 and then published in English by Columbia House.
click to read publisher info.


Hoodie Embroidery. Click to enlarge.

Then there is this inspiration from a Danceteria flyer

Organza Flowers

Excellent tutorial by capusitalinda. I have this type of organza ribbon. I think some already burned circles should be in the kit I'm making for Sophia. She went nuts for the beads in my craftroom and feels confident that she will like beadwork because she knows crossstitch.

My Charmed Life

Inspiration board in my office

Whew! It's been an amazing journey; living a real life. I've taken care of business things, doctors and dentist and had lots of company.

The space beside the fridge bothered me and I knew I wanted a little bookcase there to hold some of my cookbooks and the vintage handyman books that even have instructions for building a bomb shelter. I found the 4 student slates at a rummage sale and am using them for lists. Some of my guests write on them, too! Click the pics for enlarged views.

Theresa and her daughter Sophia were visiting from Oregon and stayed a night on the way to a few days at Disneyland. Sophia went shopping in my craft room. I adore the way this darling 8 year old speaks the language of crafts. Sue is here today painting some plates and bowls for a birthday gift.


Recovered my ironing boards and the bedroom stool was treated to beautiful brocade that was a gift from Jen-Chi.


New tool! A Pazzles cutter fits with so many of the things I want to do like make stencils in order to paint that wall behind the stool. It's only just arrived, been unpacked and parked on the kitchen table.

That's all the news for now. Hugs.

Make Your Own Buttons

Hoo-Boy, I really love these buttons! I was browsing CraftStylish and fell for the project only to find that it's designed by my favorite CraftyPoder, Diane. No wonder I like it. Bag makers take note. It's the details that count and this one has some of my favorite attributes. It's interesting, cost effective, green, materials are easily available and the step by step photos and text are great.

See what I miss when I walk away from the computer for a period of time? Sometimes I just have to do it so I can hear my own internal voice.

Printable Butterfly Paper Craft

My favorite Queen of Paper, Patricia of Agence Eureka, has shared two pages vintage butterflies on her flickr page. She even cleaned the images and offers them without the backgrounds. In her blog comments she says that they are meant to have motion but she may have used a paper that is too heavy.

Newspaper Seed 6 Packs

When I was with the Friends of the Scappoose Library seedlings were our best sellers at our spring booksale. This tip would have helped to save us from a shortage of recycled pots. Brought to you by Little House in the Suburbs. Check out her printable Garden Planners.

Entrepreneurship

Been studying at Stanford University's Entrepreneurship Corner. Great lecture videos and podcasts. May as well learn from the best.

Lampshade Ideas

Lately I've been very interested in lighting of all kinds.
Love this faux capiz shell idea by Monica Ewing of Craftynest.

There are 4 lamp ideas at G-Whang's Digi-Fab Documentation. Instructions and EPS drawings are shared. This is a student project page.
This lampshade is called Rain.

Currently

I've been worried about what it is exactly that I will do with my future. While I was stressing and not coming up with any good ideas I just stopped any effort at creativity. I had forgotten that I live a charmed life and that something will happen if I only move forward with my life.

I'm working with this silk which was a gift from my father's partner, Jen-Chi. It's a lovely pink satin that was embroidered in silk by her mother, Su Chen, sometime in the 20's. On first sight I thought that it couldn't be hand embroidered because the stitches are so fine. I've gotten so much joy from studying the back seeing her long stitches often couched and the remains of her pencil marks on the front. I'm hemming the edges and adding rod pockets so that it can hang behind my headboard.

Here I am with my friend, Judy (wearing the hat), and her grandaughter, Mackenzie, who is a terrific softball player.

Grow Tomatoes Upside Down

So Sorry

Thanks to all who left comments and sent messages of concern regarding my absence. I'm fine and getting better every day. Moving, starting a new life and suffering winter pain even in California has been overwhelming and I had writer's block in a big way.

I feel as if I've been simmering. Dreaming of what my future life will be, fighting my own ageism. Asking myself "What do you mean, you're going to start a whole new career?" That's really being a late bloomer.

I have been collecting some interesting blog fodder on my travels and will start posting some of that.

I hope you will forgive me my very rude and selfish behaviour. I am among the luckiest of women to have friends such as you.

Hugs and much love,
Kathy aka meggiecat

Free Templates and Great Project Ideas

The Cheeky Magpie has some really great projects and free templates. Love her blog.

Star Shaped Gift Box

Patent dated 1896. Nice star shaped gift box.

Candy Cane Stick Horse Pattern

This cardboard stick horse patent drawing would make a cute cover for candy canes.

Display Ideas

Display ideas have always fascinated me and I watch TV and movies for the set decoration. My brain is tuned to business now, still trying to figure out what (or if) my product will be. Are any of you thinking the same?
The following 2 pictures are from the 1964-65 Fall Winter McCall's Needlework and Crafts. Display needs to be cool but not so cool that people want to buy the display piece rather than the product.
This first pic is of a lifesize paper girl wearing a cloth pinafore. Click the pic for a larger view to study. Don't you think her hair and face look up-to-date today? I think this is a great idea for pattern pictures, craft fair displays etc.

I am fascinated by this winter imp, too. It is made of styrofoam balls, dowel, glittered batting, small christmas balls, silver garland and shiny paper.

Pin Prick Paper Angel Ornaments

1993 Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas supply these angel ornaments. I would print on brochure weight, watercolor or photo paper (If I had a printer....right now I'm out of luck. Printer died). The angels are outlined in gold then pricked with a variety of needles, nails and thumbtacks. Gold cord for hangers and the harp if desired. Click on the pictures for larger versions.

1964 Embroidered Wall Piece

This wall piece really caught my eye. Unfortunately, there are no instructions but the leaflet description says that it is done with a full size tissue pattern of the embroidery which is basted to the base fabric then torn away. Click the pics for enlarged images.

Santa Gift Box

I love the feel of this little box.

Paper Toy Sled

I seem to be interested in paper crafts today. Here is a cute sled pattern by A.F. Lagerstrom from 1902. Clicking the picture will take you to the full patent drawing at Google Patents.

Christmas Papercuts / Scherenschnitte Patterns

Twin Image Trims from Vintage McCalls Jiffy Tree Trims.
Click the pictures for larger versions.



White Silhouette Trims.

Pleated Paper Ornaments

The 12 Days of Christmas from a vintage McCalls Jiffy Tree Trims (date unknown). The birds alone caught my fancy.
Click the pictures for a high resolution version.

Christmas Gifts Already!

This morning's e-mail brought 2 great gifts! Kim sent a holiday banner that she made for me. How cool is that? She knows that digital art is not my strong suit, that I like a scrolly looking font and do love birds. So much thought into that gift. Thanks, friend.

Then Russ Billington sent this card and included a coloring page just for us. Wow! He made my heart swell. Click the black & white drawing for your own coloring page. Thank you, Russ. It's very generous of you to think of us.