Berry Birdy

Latest issue of Quilts and More is now on new stands! Check out the simply adorable acorn pincushion and needle holder... Found on page 80, designed by... Me!! I still get thrilled when I see something that I have designed and made on the cover of a magazine! This time I showed the cashier! :) enjoy!

My daughter requested this veil for her wedding on the 23rd of July, so I thought I would share what I did! First I cut out the two bottom corners so that they curved nicely, then with a beading needle and doubling my white thread, I knotted the thread right into the tulle. This makes it so the thread doesn't slip through since there isn't much for it to hold on to. Then started with 3 of the clear beads, 1/4" from the edge of the veil....made a small stitch in the tulle and three of the glossy beads. I continued to alternate in this manner all the way around the sides and curves, leaving the top edge to gather on the comb. This need up being a perfect weight and fell nicely around her shoulders!

This technique is like "whitewashing" but using stain over the paint to create a darker washed over look... So I call it "Stainwashing". First you paint the item with a semi-gloss acrylic latex paint. I like the semi-gloss because it washes over nicer with the stain. You may use a matte if you would like a less streaky look. Let it dry completely before using the stain. The stain I used is Minwax poly shades in Mission Oak. This one has a not so dark look but still creates a washed over streak. Using a regular paint brush, quickly paint over an even stoke over one surface. It good to start on a small part and work to the bigger areas so you can get the hang of it. The stain dries pretty fast and you will need to work quickly. When you have the area covered, take a cotton cloth and gently rub the stain in long even strokes. This will "rub" the stain in and create the Stainwashed look. You can do a couple coats if you wish, just be sure to let the first coat...

My friend picked up these old chairs which where brown, ripped off the seats and cut the two center legs. Then she painted then white and made a new pad the length of the chairs together and screwed it on. Oh-la-la!!! I adore this idea!

Went into the little shop today and put in a whole bunch of new items! It looks so great! Ready for summer!

I finished up a bunch of pieces that I had stored around and brought them all to the Trade Show this weekend! It's amazing what can fit in a 6' space....

So I don't know why I never came up with this one before, with all the adorable and inspirational sayings out there, why not have a sign you can change every day? My Dad used a Router on the edges of a 1/2" MDF board to make it look a little fancier, then I painted it with latex paint. After it dried, I applied the chalkboard paint with a mini roller which I found have a nice smooth surface rather than the paint marks that a brush left. I put on three good coats and let it dry in between coats. Then I drilled two holes in the top and used twine to hang it. Now a new saying or message every day! I also did the same to an old picture frame. I removed the glass and picture and used the hard pressboard on the back which has a smooth surface, perfect for a chalkboard. Applied three coats and painted the frame.... Put it together and now I have a cute message / list boars.