Southwest style

I have a very old Pendleton wool navajo jacket that I got at a thrift store years ago.  It has plenty of moth damage.

And I had an even older vest - probably had it at least 20 years.  I love Pendleton wool.  Can't get rid of it no matter what condition it's in.

The very last thing Kerry bought me was a Pendleton Wool blanket in Bend, OR.  It had denim hues to it and we both thought it would look great in our denim-themed art pod.  When I sold the r-pod, I had to keep the blanket.  The pattern is called "star watchers".  Kind of appropriate as we would sit outside and watch the stars at night on that last trip.

I started out with the tan jacket at the top.  When I took the lining out, the inside was primarily black.  I had enough to make an entire pillow and an insert to put on a denim pillow sham.  There was absolutely no moth damage on the inside and you cannot tell that it wasn't the outside.  One of the things I love about Pendleton wool.

And I was able to make a pillow insert from the vest.  I think they turned out perfect.  You can see the front side of the original jacket on the left, the inside is the black pillow and the pillow on the right is the vest.  I've had the bear for years.

I'm trying the bed out as a "daybed" in the event I move into a studio apartment

Think I have enough pillows? Those tan "wedges" in the back also allow me to convert the bed into a recliner or lounge.   They each have 4 possible positions.  We had them in the art-pod as well.

The rug is hand woven - we bought it in Hualtuco Mexico on our last trip there in 2009.  That's the year Kerry had his first heart attack.  I am surrounding myself with memories of places we've been and things we've done.  I really like the pendleton pillows.  Never throw anything out!!

A denim paint bucket for painting class!

Do you ever have one of those moments when you look at something that's been sitting around forever....and the lights go off in your head?  This was originally a green and black 1 gallon bucket cover....used for gardening.  And in my head - I saw it in denim!  Sorry that I didn't take a photo of the original....I took it apart and used it as the pattern for this one.

When you have something that you can use as a pattern, it's pretty quick and easy to re-make it.  And I already had the denim edging which helped.  Can you see the pockets down inside?  It's a sleeve that slips around the bucket and folds down inside.  So it will come off and can be tossed into the washer and dryer when it gets dirty.

And the bucket just happens to have a lazy suzan on the bottom so it will spin around for easy access to every side/pocket.   I've filled this up with paint supplies as I have a new watercolor class starting in a few weeks.  A paint bucket for painting!!  LOL!!   I'm always looking for lighter weight, smaller ways to transport stuff to class.  And I won't have to unpack a thing when I want to use this at home.

I'm almost afraid to look at anything else around here as it might just get turned into denim.  LOL!!!  I could recover the kitchen chairs, the keyboard bench, the patio furniture out back?  I do need a new sewing machine cover!  I'm pondering a design for a leather and denim journal cover as my sis and I have been working with leather the last couple of days.  

What would you re-make in denim???

If you want it......

There are more gift shops in this little town than I ever knew and the other day, this was hanging on the wall.  I snapped a photo and then the more I thought about it, the more I decided it would be perfect for what I'm doing with the master bath.  I went back to the store....it had been sold!

That weekend, I found these huge bath towels at a garage sale.  More like beach towels - from Loews hotel.  The lady sold me a whole bag for $2!

I found a pair of almost new Wrangler jeans at the local thrift store.  I cut about 12" from the towel at the border line and covered it with the waist band from the jeans.

From the 12" I cut out, I made a washcloth and used the jean trim to make the border for it.

Because the "Loews" monogrammed into the towel was wider than the pocket, I just covered it with denim, then added the pocket on top.

Have you ever tried to rip apart a stiff new pair of jeans?  Ugh!  But I think I did a fairly good job of replicating the set and I'm quite happy with them.  I'm reverting to my 1970s ways of denim....they used to actually call me "Blue Jean Jenny" in the office!!!  I don't think I have ever lost my love of denim and now I'm decorating with it!

So if you see something and you want it, best buy it right then and there.  Otherwise, you'll have to be like me and recreate it.  There is some joy in saying, "I made that!"  But on the other hand, there is joy in just going to the store and buying it!  :o)

Tomorrow starts the weekend retreat at the Abbey here in town.  I can't wait!  Time to start packing and I have no idea what I'm going to do!!!

American Girl Doll Sewing Classes

Dear Hannah,

I was 9 years old (pretty close to your age) when I first learned how to sew.  I remember that my mom had a whole cabinet filled with fabric...still on the bolt.  I didn't have to go to the store to find anything....she had it all right in our house.  I was pretty lucky.  But today, fabric is really expensive. And when you add all the pretty lace, trim and other things, it can get really expensive.  So I thought I'd show you how to buy old clothes at a thrift store and turn them into something wonderful for your American Girl Doll!!!

But first.....get mom or dad to take you to Hobby Lobby this week. All the American Girl doll patterns in the Simplicity catalog are on sale for just 99 cents!  Now, that's a great deal!!!

I bought this sweater today for $2.99 at a thrift store.  It's for an 18 month old girl.  You can see that it's a whole lot bigger than the pattern:

I laid out the pattern, and cut the sweater down to about 1/3 the size that it is.  That's one of the things I can teach you how to do when you come to class.  Then I sewed it all back together and just look at what a beautiful sweater it made for my American Girl model:

Not only is the fabric cheaper, but I could use the pretty embrodery that was already on it:

and just look at the beautiful border around the neck, down the front and around the bottom.  I couldn't buy that in a fabric store!

and I even kept the flower that was in middle of the back!  It only took me about an hour to make the whole thing!

And as you know,  I was so lucky because I found this American Girl doll at a thrift store for just $4.99.  But she needs a whole new wardrobe, so we are going to work on that this week.

 Next time I'm going to show you how to take a little girl's t-shirt and turn it into a t-shirt for your doll plus a matching pair of panties!!!

I can't wait til you come to class.  But you need to go find something at a thrift store that you can turn into a pretty outfit for your doll!!!  

One of the best things I ever did was to learn how to sew.  I hope you will love it as much as I do!

Love,

Jen

Meet Fred!

My first love really is doll making. And this is Fred. He is 24" tall. A Colorado rancher who would rather sit in his chair and sleep than do most anything else!



Note the white socks. I don't think there's a rancher in this state that does not wear white socks! And the red plaid shirt and overalls



The greatest challenge...his hair! to make it thinning, balding, white/gray....truly fun though!



Poor Fred, I think he fell asleep again! He'd really like to go fishing...his tackle box is hanging from his chair.

Mom taught me to sew at a very young age. Such a great skill! I only use it these days to make doll clothes. I stitched his shirt, his overalls, his socks and his hat. Amazing what you can do when you are inspired by art!



It was 72 degrees here today and we were out doing yardwork for a couple hours. When I came inside, I felt like Fred, I just wanted to sit in the chair and fall asleep.



At my age, I think there is a little bit of Fred in each of us. This doll was recreated from a photo of the husband of one of mom's friends. I don't think I've ever met the "real" Fred...but I sure feel like I know him!