Sewing Swap & Vacation Haul
Monday, July 21, 2014
Hello all!! I'm back from the beach with a tan and recharged batteries. I thought I'd share a few pictures of my trip along with the sewing goodies I brought back with me. First though I want to share what I got in Kestrel's Spring Sewing Swap. This is the 3rd swap Kestrel has hosted and the 2nd I've participated in. I would like to thank Kestrel for hosting these swaps. It's so much fun to get to shop for someone else when sewing notions are involved! It's also fun meeting new peeps. Thanks so much Kestrel!!
I was paired with Kristin of Sew Classic. I really enjoyed shopping for her because we seemed to have the same tastes and I was right, we both got each other beautiful floral fabric! If you would like to see what I got her take a looksie here.
- Betsey Johnson floral silk ~ I think I will make another attempt at a silk Afternoon Blouse since I failed with my first try.
- Ivory lace trim ~ gah, this is soooo pretty!! I can't wait to use it. Any ideas on what I could use it on?
- Fuchsia sequin cutouts ~ perfect for the pattern included.
- Simplicity 2281, Cynthia Rowley ~ I've almost bought this pattern on several occasions.
- Sew-on snaps
- Tiny folding scissors
Thanks so much Kristin!! I can't wait to make something with that silk!
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I went with my parents to visit my little brother in Florida. It was a lot of fun and the week seemed to fly by like vacations always do. I really enjoyed spending time with my brother. I don't get to see him as often as I like now that he lives away. One of the first things we did was visit a butterfly garden. I'm a huge butterfly lover and yes I also have a butterfly tramp stamp.
Isn't the Monarch sooo beautiful!? The exhibit had a little room where you got to feed the butterflies. I think we just dipped our fingers in Gatorade. They loved it and they loved my mom. She had them hitching rides on her back, her shoulders, even her handbag. I picked up a couple of tiny air plants from the gift shop. Inspire for my sewing room and Strength for my office desk..some days I need a lot of that, ha ha! The only thing I need to do is spritz them with water once a week.
We visited the beach of course. Holy moly it was so hot! I seriously could only stand it for about an hour. Granted we came totally unprepared...no huge umbrella...no snacks...no drinks...WHAT!? However I did get in the water and got to test out the Bombshell. She handled it pretty well. I did have some sagging after it got wet. I think I could stand to shorten the bodice to get rid of some of the excess fabric next go around. I didn't get a chance to wear my vintage Simplicity Jiffy bikini, one day at the beach was all we had time for. I am going swimming with a friend tomorrow so I'll get to wear it then. I think I was most excited about getting to use my new beach towel, a peg legged Pug, ha!!
After the beach we visited the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse nearby. I was all cocky saying I was going to climb to the top. I didn't even get to the second window and my legs started to buckle. If I would of managed to make it to the top I don't know how I would of gotten down. You would of had to peel my cold, curled fingers from the railing, knocked me out and lowered me down in a gurney.
We did lots of shopping, my favorite being the antique stores of course. One of the antique stores downtown had roosters/chickens that just roamed the streets wild. You could hear them crowing while you were in the store shopping and they didn't mind having their pictures taken.
I found some sewing notions and a few patterns...
- McCall's 5597
- Simplicity 7911
- Marian Martin 9056 ~ I had never heard of Marian Martin. From what I gather the patterns were available in catalouges or pattern books for mail order only.
It's not a successful Florida trip without bringing back something Disney related, whether you visit Disney World or not!
And we all know I'm a sucker for the ziploc bags crammed full of sewing goodies. That's what I look for in these places. I found one and got all this for $6 bucks! The little mushroom belt buckle was well worth the $6.00 and the hose supporters for a good laugh!!
And if I could of I would of strapped this beauty onto the car. It was in mint condition!
A few other things I picked up were these butterfly wall tapestries, a cast iron mermaid for my bathroom and this hilarious "Bud Man" tin sign for my husband...he collects all things Budweiser.
No worries, I left the creepy doll at the store. I think it was trying to steal my soul.
No Florida trip would be complete without spotting an alligator. Unfortunately this big guy was not spotted out in the wild but rather cooped up in a cage. I felt bad for him being stuck in a pin with only a puddle of water to cool off in. I could see it in his eyes, he was aching to be out in his natural element. We had a moment. ;)
I'm itching to get back into my sewing room. I've done a little reorganization and decorating since I've been home. Got a little DIY post planned about it once it's all complete and am thinking of doing a sewing room video tour. Would that be interesting? I've also got a giveaway planned soon to celebrate 3 years of sewing so stay tuned for that. Have a good week ya'll!!
15 comments
Sounds like a great vacation! Nice haul too. I never seem to think to look for vintage sewing notions when thrifting. That must change! I have a new sewing room and thought of sharing it through a video too! :) I would love to see yours!!! I have enjoyed watching Gillian's fabric haul videos and it would be so fun to see everyone in their sewing rooms via video! So yes.... do it! Maybe I will too.
ReplyDeleteYou sure came back with a lot of goodies! Glad you left that creepy doll behind!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you make with your goodies! You found a lot of really great things in FL as well, what a wonderful vacation!!
ReplyDeleteCuuuuuuuuute! I love this on you!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great trip! I am so jealous of your pirate pug towel - it's awesome!! I love that table and chair set too - gorgeous! Looks like you got some great things!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good trip and what a lots of sewing goodies you got. Can't wait to see what you do with it all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip! Love the package you got- that fabric will be so cute on you, especially with your tan (dammit! I'm so pale!). I once climbed to the top of a lighthouse with a coworker because we had to take photos from the top, but we're both afraid of heights. We finally got to the top, opened the door, and it was so windy that we were too scared to stand up and took the photos with both of us on our hands and knees crawling around on the outside of the lighthouse! Climbing down took about four times as long as going up because the stairs were grated so you could see through them and we were being total babies!
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing but it's totally not funny at all!!! I'm just picturing you poor things crawling around up there! I would totally be in the same boat. I don't know what it is but when I get too far off the ground my legs turn to jello! And climbing down was the worst part of it all. After I got the hell outta there I was standing outside and I heard some little kid ask if there was an elevator to take him down once he climbed up. haha!
ReplyDeleteI've been glued to you tube the past few days watching sewing room videos. haha!! I've got one little project left to do then I think I'll give it a whirl.
ReplyDeleteI love Marian Martin patterns - they are one of my favourites. Mail order only, they have some great patterns with lovely details. I like the ones from the 50s.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great trip!
What beautiful fabric and I love that you were going to buy that pattern too - excellent shopping by your partner!
ReplyDeleteSooooo cute!!!! I am thinking of ordering the book for myself for my B-Day :), I think you just convinced me! I'm new to sewing and to your blog... appreciate all that you share about sewing! Karen (lifesewsweet.wordpress.com)
ReplyDeleteHaha!! I had a couple people on Instagram tell me that butterflies scared the crap out of them!! So your not alone.
ReplyDeleteMaximum cuteness :) This blouse was also the pattern that stood out to me in the book. I really love your version!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip. Your sewing finds are wonderful, especially the mushroom belt! So charming
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