A New Life for Old Crown Jars

A recent kitchen renovation has unearthed lots of items I had almost forgotten about. For example, these old crown jars. Some pretty aqua blue ones and some plain glass.

I remember my mother actually canning with these but I certainly am not about to do that!  But how about making some decorative lid covers to dress them up? Fabric circles were the obvious solution but not too interesting. My collection of vintage doilies would make lovely toppers but most of them were the wrong size and for those that did fit, how to tie them on? The solution? Of course! Make my own doilies designed so that a ribbon could be threaded through to gather them securely to the zinc lids.

 

And I knew just what to use! Tucked away in the guest bedroom closet I had a couple boxes of crochet cotton that were purchased for pennies at an auction many years ago. 

It was a bit of trial and error but I think the result was worth it. 

 Now, instead of gathering dust, these jars have an endless array of possibilities open to them.

Up-cycled Pin cushions

Little depression glass and antique pressed glass containers made the perfect base for these charming pin cushions. The green oval dishes are actually individual nut dishes or salt dips in the English Hobnail pattern which was produced from the 1920's to the 1940's while the round container is an even older piece of pressed glass from the late 1800's. Fabric from vintage sheets was stuffed with some cotton batting and hot-glued into place.

I now have to take a closer look through my china cabinets to see what else might provide the perfect bases for more pin cushions.....

Laundry Hamper

I've discovered that my collection of vintage sheets can be used for much more than making quilts. Finding a stand with four TV trays at a thrift store led to what I think is the perfect eco-friendly item. Other than the thread, nothing new had to be purchased to make these up-cycled laundry hampers.

I loved this one which used the decorative top edge of the sheet for the top edge of the bag. A sheet with similar colours was used for the lining.

This bag has more of a masculine look to it with the large green, navy and purple plaid and polka dot interior.

Other combinations of sheets produced different looks.....

Pastel Baby Quilt

I had a request for a donation to a charity event but had only a couple days to get it done. No time to go shopping for material, and anyway I had a large collection of vintage sheets already at my fingertips. I found four that combined well together and set to work. It was a very simple quilt (after all, I wanted it to be completely finished when I donated it!) but I liked the result.

In fact, I liked the result so much that I decided to make another. Only this time I had no time constraints so, while I kept the same basic design, I added a light green sashing between the blocks.

I also added a bit more interest to the border by diagonally piecing together two of the prints and adding them to the quilt so that on the ends both of the corners were framed in a different print.

Another floral sheet which had the same blues and greens as in the front, but with the addition of a soft tan and coral, was used for the backing. The soft green binding, the same sheeting as that used for the front sashing, created the perfect finish for both the front and the back of the quilt.

Reclaimed Sheets

I have put together quite a collection of vintage sheets over the past couple months. Time now to put them to good use!

This delicate little blanket is designed with ties to attach to a stroller but would work equally well as a crib quilt. The ties could be easily removed by unpicking the stitches that attach them to the quilt, but the ties provide a great solution to the problem of keeping baby covered while sleeping..... just tie them to the crib rails.

Another  more retro looking sheet produced a totally different quilt. Each block is bordered with a soft green sashing, all of which is surrounded with a border of pieced rectangles. The back is a delicate print sheet providing a romantic shabby chic look to the reverse of the quilt. 

Christmas Balls

I know! I neglect my blog for weeks on end and then I do two postings in one day! But I wanted to share this idea with you. All you need are the plain glass balls (available at Michaels...don't forget your 40% off coupon!) and whatever you want to put inside. I started with fabric scraps cut into small pieces, then started adding strings of seed pearls. But then I started looking for something with more sparkle to it. I suddenly remembered that box of bows and trims saved from gifts received in the past which I intended to use in the future. I cut the loops off the bows, cut them into narrower strips and curled them. Just drop into the glass ball after removing the hanging cap and when filled (with just enough room left to gently shake to re-position the items inside) replace the top, add a bow and a hanging loop and you have a beautiful decoration for your tree or to give as a gift. All for only the cost of the glass ball.

Miriam's Sewing Studio: Modern Vintage Quilt

https://www.etsy.com/listing/113317119/modern-vintage-baby-or-lap-quilt-pastel

Modern Vintage Quilt

It's amazing how the choice of fabric can impact a quilt. When my sister saw a picture of the latest one that I made she asked if it was an antique. Other adjectives could be applied to it.... up-cycled, repurposed, eco-friendly.... but it was made only last week so antique is definitely not one of them. The squares were cut from vintage sheets and from a few pieces of discontinued cottons left over from previous projects. The white sashing brought it all to life and the soft green corner squares added another note of interest. The pale cotton print backing seemed the perfect choice for the muted pastels shades on the front.

Soft and pretty, this quilt would feel right at home in a shabby chic cottage environment.

Let's Have a Picnic

Lately I find myself browsing through thrift shops in search of fabric more often than I shop at my local fabric store. I have fallen in love with the feel and look of vintage sheets which take on a faded appearance and a silky softness from repeated washings. These sheets have been up-cycled into practical aprons, functional tea cozies, festive buntings and the most romantic of quilts. But my latest use for quilts was this picnic set. How cute is this??

You can have a picnic anywhere and at any time of year. Spread a quilt, unpack a basket full of  thrift shop find dishes, unfold a napkin, even hang a bunting, and a simple picnic becomes a memorable event!!

Bird Song Quilt

https://www.etsy.com/listing/84737902/lap-quilt-song-birds-green-and-brown

Almost a year ago I purchased a piece of fabric called Nature's Song that featured a variety of song birds that we often encounter here in southern Ontario. I just couldn't resist!

I framed each bird panel and offset these squares with a pieced block of brown fabrics surrounding a leafy green print and was pleased with the lap quilt that resulted. So warm and natural and the perfect thing to snuggle under on a cool autumn evening.

Wine Bottle Bags

When I saw this fabric at the vendor's market at the KW quilt show I knew it would be perfect for wine bottle bags. My intention was to use the poinsettia print for the outside of the bag with the contrasting stripe to line the "shawl" collar. But when I made the first one I realized that the intricate stripe fabric was not being given the visibility it deserved. So, using both fabrics with the addition of solid black strips to create a break between the two prints, I achieved the look I wanted.

What host or hostess wouldn't be thrilled with a bottle of wine presented in this elegant bag?

New Fabric

On Friday I spent most of the day at the KW quilt show. It's always a great source of ideas and inspiration and also a venue for finding more fabric for my stash! I showed remarkable restraint, however, and came away with only a few new pieces.

 How I will use most of these fabrics is still to be decided. But I have made a start. The zigzag stripe, combined with a print I already had, is now a beautiful iPad sleeve while the off cuts of the fat quarter were the perfect size for a couple of eyeglass and sun glass cases.