Lingerie for the Kitchen

I loved making this apron ! I know you all have some of these pretty vintage slips laying about. I know you were going to make a pretty dress some day. Well I waited to long, I can't wear a slip dress at my age. Oh but I do love to wear an apron. I wear them at work, out junking and baking. I featured my directions in my article in the newest issue of Stampington&Company's "Apronology." I am so grateful for all the opportunities Stampington provides for artist and crafters to share our stories and projects. I can't get enough of their issues!

Just got a hold of the new issue of "Apronology. " I have been honored that Stampington&Company had choosen my "Lingerie for the Kitchen" apron to be featured in this years issue. I have read all the articles and set aside this week for sewing.  Nothing like one of Stampington's many magazines to get the juices of inspiration flowing. I feel an all nighter coming on. Thank You, Peggy

My first event booth!

Okay we finally got rain in Texas the nite before I was sceduled to do my first booth at the "Ride for Recovory," I packed the truck in the rain. The wind had just blew my tent a foot and Lola my dress form fell over. This was a biker rally to benefit Solutions of North Texas, I though maybe the women might want to shop Vintage. I sold all the Vintage Harley stuff first! I made a few sales and met a lot of women who do like vintage. I had to teather my tent to Cathey's of Winning the Fight just to stay in one place. Behind me there was a car show, of course they didn't have to show up at the crack of dawn like me.
    We all had a lot of fun and I learned so much! I think I should try a tag sale event next time!

Shabbyfufu's Generous Giveway

You must check out Janets blog at shabbyfufu.blogspot.com for a chance to win some goodies. One of her ceramic artist, Farnaz Farzad has painted a lovely tea set...Oh  la la. You also may win the new book by Fifi Oneill. AND LAST NOT LEAST, the new issue of Romantic Country magazine featuring Farnaz Farzad....Have you entered yet....the 15th is coming up fast.

Henleys Gallary

 If you are ever driving north on Highway 1 out of San Francisco towards Mendocino, Please stop and say Hi to my Mom. She created and runs this beautiful Gallary. When they finally build a shopping Village in Gualala, CA she was asked to be an anchor store. She sits up high with incredible ocean views.

      The picture came out dark, it does show that Pacific Ocean view.









    Every Christmas there is something special under my tree from Henleys. My Mom has comissioned  artist to do a Sea Ranch Christmas ornament anually for years now. This is how she met many gifted artist. These always sell out, you have to buy early. Sea Ranch is a beautiful Resort,second home comunity on the coast. I spent my last two years of High School working and living in the community. The number of full time residents has been increasing. I will blog next about coming of age at Sea Ranch.

  My Mom represents many local artist and has many mixed media pieces. Funny a lot of the Artist I read about in "Where Women Create" by Jo Packham are artist my Mom has carried for years.

I am so proud of My Mom's second act,I only hope to have a comparable act of my own. Someday when I retire from flying I'm going home to learn the business from my talented Momma!

 Momma never misses the Atlanta Gift Show. What a cute center piece for a Wedding cake! Sorry I didn't take more pictures, I will on the next visit.

Here's Momma w/ Mary Engelbreit in Atlanta, I sure miss her Home Companion Magazine!

 If you stop at Henleys tell Momma I miss here!

Spring Cleaning and Crafting for House Hold Solutions !

I was cleaning the pantry out and I had all those plastic grocery bags stuffed everywhere! Oh I want one of those stupid bag holders you see everywhere.......


I had to just create one I could stand. I used burlap for the base of the bag. It sews up so nicely, I had never tried it on the machine.

I just got a rubber stamp with sheet music images on it, so I stamped some muslin w/some of Tim Holtz's tea dye Distress Ink.

It worked, but was a little plain.

On secound thought  I added some more stamped muslin and a scrape of my favorite yellow material.  A small amount of yellow tulle simply tied around the bag. Oh I am much more satisfied!

Now it is too Pretty to put in the Pantry. I think I will try useing some Vintage Hankies out of my collection next.....some simple blanket stitches.

I will keep playing with them useing more Vintage Elements so I can add them to my Etsy Store!
         Happy Spring Cleaning All,
                                                  Peggy

Treasures found at JJ"s Designs & Boutique

My new favorite shop, JJ just has the best taste and is a gifted designer. I found her shop by acident one day while out junking in Justin, Texas. Yes thats the town where you can get the cowboy boots! JJ designs some great boots too! I  walked in not knowing what to expect....so many pretties, and BLING ! Yes Judy I said Bling!

After I noticed the bling I  noticed she carried clothes! Miss Me jeans and darling tops. You can find Cowgirl theme and Vintage feeling frocks. I had so little time....I had to get something! 

What a comfortable top, I can't stop wearing it. Its amazing the belt was flattering even though I have extra lbs from the holidays.

I went back a few weeks later and found this beautiful little dress. I wear it with leggings and can't wait till Summer when my legs will be shaved and tan.

If you are in the DFW metroplex its worth a trip to Jusin for a visit to JJ's. Theres an Antique trading post around the corner and they have a great spot for lunch in the back!

Stamping for Mother's Day

Last year I tried my hand at stamping. I made all the women in my family a necklace with their First Borns Birth Date , commemorating the day they became Mom's. I added some old lace and vintage pieces to finish it off.

If you have never stamped you can find some instructions on Youtube. My favorites are Roma Buchanans. She sells all the supplies you need in her Etsy shop Romazone.  Rather then cut my own discs I just buy them. These went so quick and were very satisfing!
                                                                                                         Happy Stamping, Peggy

A Note for Kerri

Something special to wear with a plain black dress during a choir performance. I used old Rosary Beads, new crystals and formed the clef note and findings in silver. James Avery makes a beautiful Clef Note pendent and it inspired me to try. I ended up making them for some of my daughters friends.

6th Fix my Ride at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, Texas

Again over 100 cars were fixed in Jesus name for single parents, and those struggling in these ruff times. Some cars just weren't fixable, and tears flowed as a Mom and her kids drove away in a slightly used but more reliable car. The plate was passed and a better car was bought for her!

Joe fired up the smoker and burgers and dogs were eaten while people waited. One women said "This is the first time this week my kids had a full belly."

Mike chipped in even though it was the first day he could be moving into his home, some one has to sample!

So many gifted Mechanics gave their time, as they always do when called. Everyone who helps in this event is so blessed by the experience! One guy relized he could never work on cars, so he went home and got a power washer and cleaned the cars before the keys were turned over to the grateful owners.

As the cars rolled in my husband would write up their needs and number them. We had part runners. Some voluntered in the kitchen. As the day wore on it got hot and Leah broke out the otter pops for all! I am so proud to call Cross Timbers Church my home, the love to tend to needy is astounding! So many members came to the church as broken people and have healed in Christ's name. I think that is why so many of us shed tears at an event like this were we give back, we once were here in these lines too!
                                                 Thank You Everyone for Your Giving!

Crystal in a Haystack

I parked behind my favorite Bead shop and found a new treasure in Grapevine, Tx. The owner of Cupids Vault is of the Swarovski Family and she does beautiful work with Crystals. What a cute Tin sided shop! You step inside and everything is shinny and bright! I didn't know were to start first! Besides Jewelry she has nice gift ideams! I found some more goodies for my Mom's Birthday gift pack! I want some of her pieces! The store is located behind main street in Grapevine, Tx. If you havn't shopped main street, you must make the trip if you are in the area.

These bracelets are just the Bling we are always looking for!

The Jetblue Flight Attendant

As a 30 year plus veteran f/a I just have to post! I put down my latest project to go out and fly and make some real money today. Of course all the talk was about the Jetblue F/A.

Why was it so hard for the passenger to offer and apology for hitting the flight attendant in the head with her suitcase? It is all he wanted. Hedid have a big shinner in the middle of his forhead.

Some back ground here: When I was hired the airlines tended to hire the classic codependent personalities. We were told the "passenger is always right." We would smile even when threatened, verbally and emotionally abused, hit,and sworn at. Thats why it was so easy for Sept 91's fatalities. We would do anything to please. We have all been retrained and they even offer self defense classes each year now.

I can tell you luggage is our biggest problem these days, if you don't stand back and take covor you get hit during boarding. I have bruises all over when I come home. I have seen people go down the eisle with bags over the shoulder hitting everone in the face, and they don't even know it! People fight over the luggage and who owns the overhead bin.

I have personally had to remove my self from a trip because a women was threatning me because I was trying to worn everyone the bins were full and they would have to check their luggage at the door. I didn't go postal,but I did loose it. I screamed for help as the passenger had me trapped. Then I ran to the cockpit and cryed! I can only imagine perhaps this Jetblue F/A was probley trapped in the eisle when he got hit in the face. Its an awfull feeling when you can't get away and get help. We do try to let another F/A take over in these cases to defuse the fights. In alot of cases when a flight Attendent looses it they only had 6 hours of sleep on a layover and are working a 12 or 14 hour day. It can be trying and add to that 30years or so of taking it and taking it. We all know how ruff it is on the passenger too. What everone goes through just to make a flight!

We all want it to be fun. Some of us come to work and have fun and escape some of the pressures at home. All and all I do see more random acts of kindness on the plane then I do anger and bad behavior.
I am always affraid I will loose it some day. There was a joke going around when I got hire that a flight attendant had lost it and crawling around on the floor looking under the seats. When asked what she was doing, she said "I am looking for the glamour in the job!"

I hope this f/a gets offered some anger managment or a twelve step program another chance at his job. If he was always a loose cannen then maybe retirement is best. Just remember where ever you go to practice what we all learned as a child: keep your hands to yourself, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, and always treat others as you would want to be treated. If you think your flight Attendant is going to loose it just ask whats wrong, can I help? If you think you are going to loose it, be honest and fiqure out what you really want and need now and tell the flight attendant so she or he can resolve the problem for you! We do care and we like to make things better!

To all my fellow Dumpster Divas

I finally got one of these made! I need to try some other t-shirt lines for a better fit. I love the style but I need a more aple fit for a womens figure. Any Ideas or suggestions? I want to get some more made!

Don't throw those old leather belts away!

I always addored cuff bracelets, I guess they remind me of those days in the 70's and they also have a rockstar biker look to them. This old belt already had the perfect holes to wind wire and beads through. I havn't sewn leather before so I choose to lace leather cord through the back holes to tie it on the wrist. With all the holes it even opens  up wide enough for him.  Even if that great belt at the thrift shop won't fit your waist, it can be reconstructed to fit your wrist!

Reworked the Vintage Spoon Bracelet

This is the first piece I made after reading Stephanie Lee's book Semiprecius Salvage. I played some more with it and am listing it on my Etsy shop. I found some more spoons while out junking...can't waite to create!

Keep all your mistakes!

This is the handle that broke off my first experiment in working with silversmithing. I was encouraged by Rita at Mammabellarte, my one and only fallower, thanks! I had worked the spoon end into a bracelet and I just found time to complete the necklace. 

You just need to move forward and challange yourself to find a new design. Patience is one of my best virtues! I was blessed to redue, tear out, and to try again!

Obsessed with Vintage Fashion

Just got this book and its so full of pictures and information, I am eating it up! Some of the photo's were even shot at The Santa Cruz Boardwalk,my hometown! Have you got any pretty fifties clothes in your collection. I am in the search for a vintage 50s playsuit pattern in large size. Summer is here and bathing suits on Ebay are catching my eye too!

I feel a Cowgirl Christian Necklace coming on...

When I finally got out to junk yesterday I found this cross piece. Its so glittsy, it speaks Cowgirl too me! I can see some chain and some pretty beads falling into place. So little time since getting a new puppy and traveling. I am ready to get into the saddle again and create! My spirits have been restless. I have been having fun traveling and seeing my daughters, taking care of my husband after his surgery. Sadie does require lots of training, they said Goldens make great dogs, what they didn't say was how active a puppy they can be.

Vintage Dresses

This was so pretty, and I couldn't zip it up. I passed it up a few months ago. Yesterday I found it was still there at a steal of a price. After all it had a Nieman Marcus tag in it. While trying to research what year it was made I serched out the Union Label I found on an inside seam. ILGWU was one of the first Female domanated unions formed by seamstresses back in the early 1900s in New York. They Struck Twice and were instramental in changing the way women work. Remember the fire in the garment district that killed many women because they were locked in.....and this was in NYC. Intresting, and  the color of the fonts and design dated the dress back to 1963. I am selling it on Etsy, I sure hope someone treasures it! I am always on the look out for 1950s dresses, patterns and research materials. Do you have a killer Vintage Prom Dress in your closet?

Our new family member "Sadie Belle"

Sadie was born on the farm with lots of other Goldens of all ages. She's good at potty training, but her manners in the house have caused us to keep her on a leash indoors. My house is not a farm, the backyard is for rowdy play! She hates her play pen in the kitchen. She holds her rubber squecky pacifer and barks and crys for 45 min. I only try this after lots of outdoor play! Nite time in the kennel has gone down to about 17min. Oh this is hard as I never let my daughters cry it out. Any advice? I am affraid to leave her alone in the house to go shopping?