Vintage Laundry Bag

A pretty, decorative laundry bag hangs on the towel rack in my bathroom.  I keep my hand washables out of sight until I wash them and put them away. I found a picture of this laundry bag in Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions, An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion and Fun. It is a wonderful book. The laundry bag has no instructions just the picture and a small paragraph about it. It was a little difficult to figure out the best way to make it. I've made three of them so far. They are all made slightly different. I think I know which design is the best. Now if I make another one, it will be a lot easier.

             

Bluebird Post

 Bluebird Post was inspired by Tasha Tudor's Sparrow Post. I made it from a piece of old ply wood, small nails, hinges for the roof, regular wall paint and black tole paint for the faux bird hole. I have read about people in the past white washing fences, sheds, and houses so I thought I would give my Bluebird Post a vintage look and white wash it before I painted the details. The whitewashing doesn't show up very well in the picture. To open the roof and get inside, I put a cute little bird door knob. You can't imagine how excited I was in the isle at Hobby Lobby when I found the perfect knob for my Bluebird Post.

The Bluebird Post sometimes holds invitations to tea parties, bonfires, movie nights, or other such activities. One might just find a little note of encouraging words, a Bible verse, or a poem. It's always nice to receive little gifts like these pears I gave to my kids. Even my niece's little toddlers expect something for them inside when they visit. I am so happy to place something inside for them when I know they are coming. I think the Bluebird Post brings me more joy than it brings to the ones receiving the gifts.

 

    If you are ever at our house and you see the star hanging from the door knob, open the lid; there just might be something for you waiting inside.                                       

Autumn

The colors and smells of autumn!
This time of year makes me want to visit Washington State.
One of my life's cherished treasures is enjoying western Washington's towering Maple trees and the aroma and sound of their leaves crunching under my feet.
Decorating my front porch every autumn is one small way I celebrate this beautiful season. We made the pumpkin boxes in this picture many years ago with old, weathered wood. The candles placed inside are lit at night to illuminate their faces. The real pumpkins are from the garden, and the vines are grape and Virginia creeper that grow in our yard.