Things that are making me smile right now.....

Using my son's monkey sharpener and fish pencil. Shhh, don't tell him Please....

Sweet satsumas and a hot cup of tea.

Reading the post it "love notes" from my son Liam:

" I love you mom"

"I love your her" (my favorite)

"Chres I love you From Liam"

And best of all - listening to my six year old play with his childhood friend in his room next door.

Lavender Sachet + A Tutorial

Every Christmas my mom sends gifts to our relatives in Germany. We try to find local items from Seattle, at least the U.S. My mom asked me to make a sachet similar to one I gave her years ago. I was thrilled with the idea as I have lots of scraps to use. I'm really happy with the way they turned out. The gnome and ice cream truck fabric are Munki (so cute!) The Matryoshka doll fabric is from Heather Ross.

The lavender I use to fill them came from Purple Haze Lavender in Sequim, WA. It is heavenly.

To Make them you need:

• 1) 4 - 2 1/2" squares of fabric
• 2) Silk or Poly organza for back
• 3) New or vintage button for front
• 4) Stay button for Back
• 5) Ribbon (optional)
• 6) Lavender florets to fill sachet. I got mine here.
  
• 

Cut 4 - 2 1/2" squares of fabric. I used two of each print.

Arrange the squares as you like.

Stitch the two left and then two right squares together with a 1/4" seam.

Stitch the center seam using a 1/4" s.a.

Flip the front over to the Right Side. Cut a piece of organza to fit the square and pin each corner.

Stitch around the perimeter using a 1/4"
seam allowance. Leave an opening approximately 1" centered at the bottom.

Clip the corners and press the s.a. open.

Turn to right side.

Make a funnel out of paper and fill your sachet.

I ordered 1/2 pound organic lavender which is enough to make many, many sachets!!

(My table never looks this clean. I should take photographs on it more often!)

Slip stitch the bottom opening and add a button and optional ribbon to front.

Don't forget the stay bttn on the back!

Toile and a finished project!

I adore toile fabrics and decoration. I recently purchased this book, Toiles De Jouy, which has beautiful examples of the French fabric maker's toiles.

I started collecting this version of toiles - transferware plates - about eight years ago when my husband's grandmother gifted us reproduction red and white Spode dinner plates for our wedding.

I've been collecting ever since and have purchased them on Ebay (left), at auctions (center) and on my travels in the South of France (right).

More of my ever growing collection. I found the plates on the right at my local T.J. Maxx for $1 a piece!

I recently finished these pillow covers. (Yay, 1 more thing to cross off the list!) The white swirl printed fabric is actually napkins I bougth at Anthropologie some time ago. The toile was purchased at Jo-Annes.
I love the way they turned out!
I used three self fabric covered buttons for the back envelope closure in contrast red toile with red toile binding in the same pattern. I had never made covered bttns before. They were so easy and I'm really happy with the look.

Happy sewing and collecting!