Projects Galore: Seabiscuit

There's just something about cooler weather that makes me come alive again. I jump back into the sewing room and creativity flies from my fingers!

So over the next few days I'll be posting a few things all about the new projects I'm working on, and completed.

For today's project meet Seabiscuit. So christened several years ago by my mother, just after I found him. I Purchased Seabiscuit at and antique sale for the great price of $15 intending for her to be used by a friend's daughter when she came to play. He saw several happy hours of play back then and has been gathering dust since.

I pulled him out of the moth balls when my son came along, and he was seen in several of E-bug's "Monthly" baby photos.

6 Months

11 months

But then one day I realized something. Just after bug started walking he grabbed hold of the seat and red paint flakes came away on his hands... And mama's danger warning went off! No more playing with Seabiscuit!

I recently decided to do something about it. I could put the little friend away, never to be used again, or I could paint it. And I suddenly hear antique collectors everywhere gasp in horror! I thought the same thing. Wouldn't it be sacrilege to cover up the original finish? Perhaps... but if it was only worth $15 to someone who knew what they were doing, then it was worth more to me to have my children able to play with it. So to Lowes I went.

Yesterday I took it out in the sun and set to work. And here's what he looks like now!

 

The face was made with a, now tattered, decal, so I painted the more faded side, and left the other mostly untouched. I'm not worried about lead paint with the decal so I'll leave it alone for now and someday, go in with smaller brushes to re-work the details. Until then, I simply used a sharpie to brighten the details.

And now for a few action shots of a boy and his pony! Be sure to check out Our New Facebook Page for a couple videos of E-bug's first few rides!!

Lucy Anyone?

The Maternity top is finished, and I've gotten the chance to wear it several times now, Sadly the weather has not been conducive to taking pictures. We've had a very gloomy and rainy week here.

We made an impromptu trip to Historic Rugby, TN, and were able to snap one picture in between showers.

 

I'll get some more detail pictures, when the skies clear.

 

Until then!

Megan

The Beginning of a Maternity Wardrobe

When it comes to Maternity clothes, I have been very much inspired by Mid Century Vintage styles, Such as Lucille Ball wore on "I Love Lucy"

 

I find these styles to be both lady-like and sophisticated, but also, thy just look downright comfortable!

 

 

A few months ago, while on an Antiquing venture, I happened across Vintage Simplicity 2705 and decided to bring it home for future use.

 

                                      

 

Perhaps I am still a bit early yet for maternity wear, but I am already finding my everyday clothes to be a bit snug and uncomfortable, so I thought why not!

Today I finally found that I had just enough energy (and I also wasn't sick!! ) to possibly begin work on it.

I have several lengths of different materials in my stash, some vintage, some new, and this one just seemed to call out to become a nice summer maternity top. My Mother picked it up on a recent trip to Lancaster, PA. Amish country.

 

 

 

There wasn't quite enough to get all the pieces out of it, but after having taken the cuff off the sleeve I was able to get all the base pieces out of it, and I think a contrasting white will do well for the pockets and sash. And I have just enough of the scrap left to add to a quilt. So all in all I'm very pleased.

 

Hopefully I can finish it and get pictures up soon. :D 

 

 



I Could Write a Sonnet GIVEAWAY!

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for, the Reveal of the Giveaway prize!

I can't believe it took me a week to get it together! You see, I had quite a few hick-ups in being able to get things together, but we'll get to that in a minute.

I have decided to give away this handmade vintage style Newborn Baby bonnet!

It didn't take me long to decide to make a bonnet, it's just everything that came up in between that was aggravating. Moments after I announced on my Facebook  page that I would be hosting this giveaway, my Mother became ill and ended up spending the weekend at the Hospital. All is well now, but it took a while for life to settle back to normal.

\

 

 

I started off by grabbing McCall's 4865 from my stash. You would think that, being McCall's, that everything would be straight forward and come together easily.... no...

 

I cut out a newborn size and gave it a large seam allowance.. and ended up with something big enough to fit my 2 year old Niece..  

 

I pondered for a day or so on what to do next, when I remembered I had Vintage Simplicity 2656 in my stash as well.

 

 

This pattern was a joy to work with! And it came together like a dream!

 

It is modeled here by my favourite baby doll when I was little, who's name was changed so many times I can't remember what it was. Chrissy, I think... She used to coo and cry, wake and sleep, but alas no more.. :(

 

 The dress she is wearing is one I made last year that won a blue ribbon in my local county fair. The dress is NOT part of the giveaway, just the bonnet.

The bonnet is mostly hand sewn with white hand embroidery across the band. The embroidery is based on a vintage pattern I found through Pinterest.

 It is made in Newborn size and gathers at the back in a sweet little padded "Button" There are ribbon ties that can be tied in a bow under the chin.

 To enter, simply follow the instruction in the "Widget" below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sew for Victory Challenge

I have decided to join in on the "Sew for Victory" Challenge as can be found on Lucky Lucille's Blog. (Click the image below)

 



Basically I'm simply to sew something from the 1940's.

I have chosen this pattern and fabric. Now to just figure out which of the views to do! I bought it for the square neck, but I love the sweetheart too!

What do you think?

PS. For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, There will be a "50 Likes!" Giveaway coming up soon! I just have to get everything together and I've had a few hick-ups along the way, but will soon have them resolved and ready to go. So keep an eye out!!

Spring Has Sprung!

It's been rather a long time since I've been in the mood to sew for myself, but lately I've been watching a lot of Old movies and I just couldn't help but catch the bug again.

I wanted to put a little bit of spring in my wardrobe, so I went with this sleeveless number, a 50's  mail order pattern that I picked up on Etsy.

 

I had to expand the pattern quite a bit, as always, since I will never have a 28" waist... And while trying to save money I ended up buying only 2 1/2 yards  of fabric instead of 3. So I did make quite a few mistakes, but in the end they didn't even matter!

 

To dress things up a bit I put just a few lazy daisies on the collar. The greenery was done with satin and stem stitch, and the centers of the flowers are French knots.

 Hat: Vintage 50's - 60's , a gift from my sister.

Shoes: Payless, old standbys, I've had them for years.

Belt: Tractor supply

Necklace: Vintage 80's- 90's, costume pearls were my mom's.

This dress has to be one of my favourites that I've made. And I'll definitely be making this pattern again.