Upcycled Linen Decorator Pillows

A while back at the local thrift shop I found a dress that was destined for parts unknown. The dress wasn't my style but it was made of linen and had wonderful machine embroidery on it. I snatched up the dress thinking there was plenty of material in it to make something....but not sure what.
My recent shoulder surgery gave me a few ideas.....and a little bit of time to work on them. I took a good look at the dress and decided on pillows. At first I thought big square pillows would be good (and easy, too, the inserts would be pre made) but since I like a challenge, and didn't really want to fool with buttons, I decided to make two small pillows that would be a good size for travel, or support my poor, miserable arm when I try to sleep. (Forgive my whining. Sorry).

Here are some pictures of the fabric I used.

 Each side of the skirt had different embroidered flowers, too pretty to throw away.

I like the natural color of the linen, too. 

I made the pillow cases envelope fashion, no zipper. I had to make the pillow inserts to fit the pillows. 

Here are the finished pillows. One is a little longer than the other but .......

Not too hard to make. Another unfinished object (UFO) out of the pile, and I sleep better with the little pillow to help support my poor shoulder (sorry, whining again). 

I still have quite a bit of fabric left. It was a large dress. I thought a pincushion or two might be nice. Not sure what else but that's the fun of recycling/upcycling.  

Black Friday Sales on Etsy: Miss Eileen’s Picks 11.18.11

Black Friday Sales gearing up throughout the country. The news, print, cyber, and the airwaves are full of Black Friday advertising (what did you think I was going to say?). There’s a number of shops planning Black Friday sales on Etsy, too. Oh, you’ll probably miss a few things, like standing in line in the cold or buying something everyone else has or buying something mass produced. You’ll spend a little more, too, like more time with family and more time hearing oohs and ahhs over a gift that was handmade. No missing turkey dinner and the good feeling of giving a hand crafted gift. I think I like that a whole lot so this week’s Etsy Picks is dedicated to shops with Black Friday Sales on Etsy. Let’s see what’s there:

  Pine Cone Garland by Kzannoart For a little rustic feel.

 

Black Wooden Filigree Earrings by Expressions by Cheree I can’t get over the fine detail done in these wooden earrings.

   Howlite and Silver Button Cuff Bracelet by MV Treasures  Big, bold, and chunky. Destined to make a statement!

   Zebra Stripes and Dots Crayon Roll by Mrs Crafty RVing With so much going on, the little ones need something to do. This fits the bill. Make a good little stocking stuffer?, too.

   Small Seafood Spice Kit by Cook Outside the Box For the foodie.

Cassette Tape Night Light Lamp by Break the Record Unusual and good looking!

 Large Hoop Handmade Silver and Burgundy Paper Quilled Earrings by Honey’s Hive Amazing work. Beautiful, too.

 Aqua Fingerless Mittens by Knit Wit Boutique Love the color.

OK, those are my picks. Got a favorite? Vote for the item you like the most. Winning shop gets an interview with me, Miss Eileen.

Congrats to last week’s winner, Shaka Soap and their amazing Handmade Glycerin Soap Fresh Snow.

Post by Miss Eileen

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks are dedicated to new and upcoming shops. I receive no gifts or money in exchange for inclusion on the “Picks.” If you know of a shop that you think is overlooked and has awesome finds, leave me a comment and I will take a look.

Leaving on a Jet Plane: Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 6.3.11

Summer is just about here and with summer comes vacation. I heard on the news that a lot of people are flying to their destinations instead of driving. Someone was quoted as saying the cost of gas for their car made it worth it to fly (I guess that depends on how many people are in the car and how much time you have for a trip). Anyway, I thought it would be fun to look at Etsy finds with a jet plane, taking off for vacation, theme. Here goes:

 

Valet Tray Crafted from Recycling Old Record and Album by BrindaKayDesign Great looking trinket tray for the traveler (or one who would like to be).

Spin 8x10 Aircraft Photo by AerieImages  Maybe it’s the vintage look but this photograph is wonderful.

Silver Camera, Heart, Eiffel Tower, Airplane Charm Bracelet by CerenaLeigh Fun little charm bracelet to get you in the mood or bring back fond memories.

Nouveau Couture Passport Cover by SugarCaneTrain What a glamorous way to carry a passport!

Crayon Wallet Airplanes by MyHappyHobbies Keeping those little ones busy on a flight is always a challenge; here’s a helping hand.

Vintage Scarves in Sea Green and Airplanes by Ricracandbricabrac.  Oh so Grace Kelly!

Recycled Cashmere Eye Mask by HauteGoatLabs After saving a buck with the red eye flight, a nap might just be in order.

Personalized Embroidered Preschoolers Airplane Vacation Duffle Travel Bag by LindaSewFashionable  A trip can be scary to a little one but making the trip fun and exciting helps. This duffle could do just that.

OK, so what do you think? I still got that John Denver song playing in my head. At least it’s a good song. Vote for your favorite. Don’t forget to tell your friends. Poll will be in the upper left corner.

Looking for authentic vintage sewing patterns? Don’t forget GoofingOff on Etsy or Artfire. Fabric, modern patterns, and sewing supplies are there, too. The Artfire shop specialized in Full Figure patterns.  For vintage go to MissEileen on Etsy. I’ll be listing vintage clothes as well as goodies for the boudoir. Yummy! Dan’s painting again so check the shops for vintage house wares brought back to life. There’s even some vintage belt buckles in MetalWoodsnWater on Etsy for the guy in your life.

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 5.27.11 Getting Ready for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a few weeks away. What a good day to show the men in our lives how much we appreciate them. In my case, the hubby is a creative soul re-doing an old motorcycle, showing me the paint job with awesome orange undertones and metal flecks (I can’t paint with a spray can…. I so appreciate a person who paints well) yet still has time to cook supper when I work and do his own laundry.  I thought it would be a good idea to look at things for the men in our lives on Etsy and allow for shipping time.  As always, poll is on the top left corner. You pick who wins the interview next so don’t forget to vote.

NYC Subway Token Vintage 1953 NY Transit Cufflinks (SB) by Subway Cufflinks 

OK, I am a little biased due to the fact of my birth but these are still very cool. They also satisfy the vintage part of me.

Me and My Daddy... Your Child's Artwork on a Fine Silver Keychain...Made to Order by Metalmorphis 

A great way to keep that special artwork forever.

Old English Signet Ring by Christienano

A single initial done strong and masculine.

Recycled Bicycle Chain Cufflinks by Bicycle Recycled

Wear your passion!

Bass Bath Soap Set of Two by MosoSoap

Wonderful idea for the fisherman (who eats, drinks, and breathes fishing).

Nautical Gentleman’s Cowl with Hand Painted Buttons by Gypseatree

Classy look, don’t you think, with a hand made touch.

Recycled 3pk Bottle Cap Fishing Lure by Luregasmic

Awesome way to recycle, and catch dinner. Be ready to hear about the one that got away.

Leather Cord Eyeglass Necklace Chain Holder by Eye Wear Glamour

Keep those sunglasses from falling in the water (or off the back of his neck).  Hubby approved.

OK, there’s the eight. What do you think? Did I do good? There are so many awesome things on Etsy it’s hard to pick only eight but here’s mine. Don’t forget to vote.

When you get the chance, take a look our shops, GoofingOff Etsy and Goofing Off Artfire for authentic vintage sewing patterns and sewing supplies, Miss Eileen for vintage house wares and vintage fashions, and MetalWoodsnWater etsy or MetalWoodsnWater Artfire for cool men’s gifts and bones (yes, bones).

4/29/11 Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks of the Week

 

It’s Friday, time to announce my Etsy picks of the week. With so many awesome things on Etsy it can be a challenge. I hope you like this week’s. I tried to mix it up a bit.

Before I forget, congratulations to last week’s winner, Jean Abbott, with her yellow and green chick.

Industrial Pipe Bookshelf with Antique Knob by DirtyBits

Cool Recycled License Plate Belt Buckle New York Handmade by HalfMoonRoad

One Piece Playsuit Romper by Persine

Risk Large Size Sketch Journal by 2CheekyMonkeys

Cody mixed metal pet i.d tag by DoggoneTags

 

Lime Green striped Capelet with removable Sunflower brooch by BenaBasilsDesigns

Edible Cake Toppers - Safari Animals by SugarDoughDesigns

New York Beauty Quilt Top in Rusts and Tans by Patchmaker

Did you pick your favorites? Don’t forget to vote. The winner gets an interview on this blog. I think all of the items are fantastic.

When you get a chance stop by my Etsy shops, MissEileen, GoofingOff.Etsy, GoofingOff.Artfire, and MetalWoodsnWater (the hubby’s). Have a cup of coffee, chat a while. Coffee’s always on, just bring your cup. :)

Do you have a shop or a favorite item that you would like to see featured in the blog. Drop me a line in comments. I love hearing from y’all.

Fabric Roses

I’ve done it. Again. Over promised my time again. It isn’t enough that Prince William is getting married soon but he just so happens to be getting married the same day and a friend. OK, so I am not going to his. No problem. I am, however, creating the decorations (at least some of them) for my friend’s shower. In addition to that, another friend is getting married, too, and I am doing the decorations for her shower, too. The showers are 4 days apart. I am getting stressed.

I fell in love with the look of fabric roses. I don’t know about the silk ones, though. They are very pretty but I don’t work too much with silk and don’t think it is too good an idea to start now, especially with a deadline looming. I chose to make the roses with recycled linen (thrift store finds) and yellow dotted Swiss. I tried doing the rolled roses but I am out of practice with a glue gun and blistered my fingers. Back to needle and thread. I will keep y’all posted on the progress. Hopefully, they will be as beautiful as I plan.

In the meantime, here is a cute pattern from the 60’s. What a beautiful spring dress this would make.

60's Dress Vintage Sewing Pattern Butterick 4069 32 Bust

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy, GoofingOff.Artfire, and MissEileen.Etsy