jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Vintage Tablecloth: Blue Cherries

January 29, 2010 jennifer Linens

With two cherry trees in the backyard, someday I’d love to find a large vintage cherry tablecloth that is a real stunner. For now, this little number does the job.

It measures 34 by 34 inches and is hemmed on two sides. One of the loveliest things about it is that it is printed on linen instead of cotton. I love the feel of old linen, drapey and supple but so strong.

Of course I love the colors, the blue cherries, light blue background and cherry blossoms all over it. It has no stains or flaws, just the gorgeous linen weave.

This tablecloth has no markings on it. I wish I knew who made it and how old it is. It’s a beauty!

Dumping

January 29, 2010 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

I guess it’s been one of those weeks. You know, the kind when although you can name at least three specific times when it was sunny, it still feels like it’s been gray all week. So I’m giving myself permission to record 5 complaints and then I’m going to take a deep breath and move on (meaning, clean the house, or the kitchen at least).

1. I’m not yet accustomed to what it means to have a bunch of almost teen-aged boys in my house. I’m not used to the noise, the food, the mess. I’ve got to figure this one out, but right now all it does is give me a headache. Today when I offered some food to them to eat, I discovered later that they had just eaten the top layer off the ENTIRE pan! Seriously?! And then I thought of President Hinckley and how he said to just look the other way, so I did. It’s still sitting there. So are the dishes they left all over the place.

2. I feel like I’ve been quilting my Rouenneries quilt… FOR. EVER. I decided to do a diamond quilt pattern on it, and it’s so full of flaws that I don’t know whether to cry at how imperfect it is, or to cry that it’s still not done.

3. I should remember that the days when I want most to enjoy a bit of quiet, or a small space of cleanliness and beauty, will be the days when it is loudest and messiest. Especially when you’re potty training a cute little boy. You never know what sorts of things will happen. We’ll just say they’ve been happening.

4. Much as you love your children, is it OK to have times when you’re just not sure you can handle being in the same building with them? I have one particular child who screams more than the other 7 put together. Sometimes screaming children are more frustrating than other times, even when I know that the variable that changed is my tolerance level, not the screaming level. But if I do go deaf early, I’ll know whose lungs caused it.

5. I’ve said this a million times before, but I’ll say it again. I really, really, really look forward to having my Heavenly Father explain to me someday why my hormone levels had to be so closely connected to my emotions. In particular, I’d like to know why my body is wired for postpartum blues that last much longer than normal. Sometimes I feel like I really need to understand it NOW, but mostly I’m resigned to understanding it someday when it probably won’t seem so important to me. For now, though, I’m a little tired of days when you know that nothing out of the ordinary is wrong, yet you feel like crying or hiding or running away or some combination of the three.

OK. I just dumped my 5 negative things. I’m done. Move on. Life is good. It’s the weekend, right?!? Hope yours is a good one.

Valentine Ribbon Pillow

January 28, 2010 jennifer Quilting and Sewing, Ribbon, Valentines Day

My project for the May Arts Valentines challenge is completed!

This project was fun to do, and I may have found a new favorite ribbon in the process.

The ribbons I used are all manufactured by May Arts. Here’s how I did it.

I began by cutting a piece of unbleached cotton to the size of my pillow for the pillow top. The pillow I made is 16 inches high by 24 inches long. I liked this cotton because of it’s natural color, and because the fibers create a sense of texture that sort of offset the ribbon. It looks a lot like linen, but was much less expensive.

Next I laid the ribbon out on the fabric until I’d arranged it in a design I was happy with. I was going for some fun stripes. Then I pinned the ribbons in place.

I like this shot of the ribbons with ruffles on them. This particular ribbon was SO fun to work with. It’s 1.5 inches wide, and the center is a faux suede. It’s really beautiful, and I loved using it. It could be my new favorite.

Setting my sewing machine on it’s slowest speed, I carefully sewed each ribbon into place, changing threads as necessary to have them coordinate with the ribbon. These ribbons were fairly wide, so I sewed down both edges of them.

Soon they were all sewn on, and it’s looking cute!

Next I went for a second layer of ribbon on top of the suede stripes. I opted for the red velvet ric rac down the center of the white stripes.

Although I’d never tried it before, I cut a length of the white leaves ribbon and decided to see if I could successfully sew it on, too.

A bit tricky, but it worked! I love it!

Now the pillow looked like this:

I felt like it needed something to help break up the stripes just a bit, so I toyed with several different shapes and decided at last to sketch a little bird (since I’m really loving bird images and a Valentine pillow could certainly have a little love bird on it, right?!). I grabbed my favorite Valentines quilting fabric and went to work.

I added a single length of white velvet ric rac for the bird to sit on, but decided that I needed something more. Then my eyes happened to fall on the length of suede leaves ribbon that I’d received in the mail, and I wondered if I could use some of it. Isn’t it pretty?

I cut three individual leaves off and arranged them on the pillow. Then I sewed across the tops of them, leaving the rest of the leaf free so that it adds some dimension. ***Easter/Spring pillow idea bells start ringing in my brain at this time! I also realized how versatile this suede leaves ribbon would be in so many altered art projects. It’s neat stuff!

I traced my bird pattern on some interfacing and ironed it to the back of my fabric. After cutting it out, I was ready to peel the backing off and iron the bird to my pillow.

After ironing it in place, I carefully stitched around the edge of the bird for stability.

I like the end result.

It was time for the backing. I chose to piece my back with a zipper near the bottom of it because I prefer to use my pillow inserts year round with different looks. Lay the pieces with right sides together and carefully line them up.

Pin around the edges and sew it together! If you choose to stuff your pillow, be sure to leave a hole to do it, and if you use a zipper, be sure you open it a little so you have a way to turn the pillow right side out.

After sewing around the edges, I trimmed the excess ribbon and also trimmed a bit at the corners. Turn it right side out, and ta da!

I quickly grabbed my feather and down insert and stuffed it inside. Finished!

It looks great on the guest bed in my studio.

I’m liking my little pillow. This was a super fun project! The possibilities for embellishment with ribbon are endless. I enjoyed tinkering around with these. Thanks May Arts!

4 comments crafts & activities, Ribbon, sewing, valentine

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