Simple Dreams

pUmPkInS..................

2011-10-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

Here's some of this year's crop.

~ :: ~

simpledream2.etsy.com

busy, busy, busy.....................

2011-10-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

I spent the summer installing wood floors, took twice as long as I had planned. But it's done, and by the skin of my teeth just in time for my kids visit the early part of September. Finished installing flooring on a Friday, trimmed out the living room on Saturday, my sister helped me move the furniture back in place (it took longer to kill the dust bunnies) and by early Monday my kids were here and the house was pretty much back in order. I made sure to buy the right tools and the job was made so much easier, well worth the investment in tools. Anyway while my kids were here my daughter and I worked on her wedding dress and I have to finish the alterations this week. For a break from all of these "heavy" projects I decided to work on a couple fun projects, my stuffed pumpkins that can be seen at......http://www.etsy.com/listing/82638200/p-u-m-p-k-i-n-cotton-brown-orange and the above candle mats and they can be seen at......http://www.etsy.com/listing/83124363/kaleidoscope-quilted-reversible-candle.

I've been published...............

2011-04-30T19:08:00.001-07:00

Some time ago I was contacted by Lark Publishing to be part of their "Craft Challenge - Dozens of ways to repurpose Scarves".

The quilt I made was included in their current book.
The first thing I noticed was....they spelled my name right :).
That also was the first thing my sister noticed.

These are pics of my personal copy.
You can get one of your own.....soon.

These are some of the scarves I started with.

Above are the scarves ready to cut into squares for the back
and borders for the front.

I really like how the front turned out.
I didn't want to cut up one of my favorite bordered scarves so
I worked out a way to use it as the center focus piece.

I used an 80/20 cotton/poly batting and free motion quilting.
This quilt I am keeping for myself.
It currently is draped over the back of my chair at work
You can see other quilts and project at my shop
simpledream2.etsy.com

....more kaleidoscope..........

2011-04-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the table runner I just posted
in my etsy shop.....
Take a look.
simpledream2.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71834812/kaleidoscope-table-runner-or-wall

more kaleidoscope on it's way...........

2011-03-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a nap sized quilt based on the
above design and hope to get it finished
this weekend and posted in the shop.

...also, 2 more kaleidoscope 20x20 zippered pillow covers.
The fronts are based on the same pattern
strips as these below, with some different fabrics ......
the backs are based on the quilt back (above).
I had enough of this left over
from the color range quilt back
that I pieced up backs for the pillows.

check simpledream2.etsy.com
this weekend for the shop update.

Jeff's quilt

2011-03-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Last Fall when my Mom came over for coffee one day she brought an old pair of my brothers jeans and said "here you might do something with these". The "do something" is usually adding them to my stack(s) of jeans, for a project I'll get to later. This time I immediately had in mind a quilt for my brother based on past quilt designs I've sold in my shop. I cut up the jeans into 5" squares and since I have several boxes of pre-cut 5" squares and 2" strips the top was quickly put together. The back was from some plaid yardage and a blue men's shirt I recycled, plus a few framed squares left over from the front. Needless to say the completed top and back of this nap sized quilt sat around until a couple weeks ago when after getting the creative juices flowing again from making several quilted items I got the thing quilted. While sitting in front of the fire and watching tv last weekend I got the binding attached. Viola.....quilt done....not quite. Between work and family it took the rest of the week to get the belt loop stitched on and the tag personalized. At a family dinner at Mom's yesterday I gave my brother his quilt. He was surprised and so pleased....he hugged me....that's a big thing because my brother is not a hugger. As I watched my 2 sisters and Mom react I won't be surprised if they hand me some of their old jeans "to do something with".................

Featured on Etsy's Daily Finds 3/9/11

2011-03-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

Kaleidoscope quilted reversible pillow cover - 20x20......
Featured in Etsy's Daily Finds email 3/9/11.
Found using the search term...Farm

home on the (color) range

2011-03-10T17:29:00.001-08:00

Here are photos of my newest quilt........color range.

Here's the backside of the quilt.
Plaids, checks all work so well together
in this quilt.

I couldn't get a better photo of the front side.
But you can still see the gradiant color range.
It's just been posted in my shop.
Check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69789884/color-range-quilt48-x-48

simpledream2.etsy.com

more kaleidoscope

2011-03-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple 20 x 20 pillow covers
that I've recently listed in my shop. simpledream2.etsy.com

SUPER Sale

2011-02-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

I'm starting a new feature in my Etsy shop......

SUPER Sale............check it out.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/16301271/super-sale-medium-zippered-pouch

I've been in a sewing slump,
maybe moving some things out of the shop
will inspire me to sew.
If not then at least you'll get a great bargain.

simpledream2.etsy.com

busy..............

2011-01-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

Like everyone else I've been busy, but not with much sewing. I tend to go in spurts and was hoping to get some quilts done this winter and so far this is the only one that I've finished. Several more tops/backs are done just not put together to quilt. For some reason I'm not too pressured this year. Maybe it was all the pumpkins I stitched/stuffed and sold this Fall (next year I'll start earlier on these, stay tuned). Here are some of the things I've enjoyed making.

I've found a way to use up some of my scraps.

It's fun and turned out nice.
I'm currently making 2 kaleidoscope pillow covers.

Here's the back of the quilt.

This is one of several banners I made from a well loved cutter quilt.
I was also able to get 3 pillow covers from this quilt.

A Fall show at Bakers Creek Seed near Mansfield, Missouri.

You can see more at simpledream2.etsy.com

recent batch of echo pillows - shabby chic

2010-07-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Didn't realize I had SO MUCH fabric from when I worked for interior designers. I've combined remnants of that with other pieces that I've thrifted and they came out better then I anticipated. I am now working on more shabby chic style pillow covers. Check out my shop for more listings.....simpledream2.etst.com

Check back often.......I'm on a roll.

and more - blue - pillows

2010-07-04T21:24:00.001-07:00

I love these colors together.

My sister is gonna want this set.

I've been using some vintage thrifted fabrics,

remanents left from my days of sewing

for interior designers

and some treasures I've been hording.

Plus my stash of vintage and thrifted zippers.

I have lot's more coming......

shabby chic

primitive

reds

barkcloth

burgundy/navy

etc.

This has been a great break from quilting,

less stress on the shoulders and it's

a great way to deplete some of my stash,

by sharing with others.

enjoy...

more pillows......blues

2010-07-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Pillow set numbers 12, 13 and 14

The flour sack pillow is mine.

For those of you that sew

understand that sometimes you buy fabric

or an item that you would like to repurpose

such as flour sacks, drapes, etc.

BUT, have a hard time cutting it.

Then when you do and your project turns out great,

you want to keep it.

That's what I am doing with the flour sack pillow.

The rest of the pillows are in my shop- -
simpledream2.etsy.com

another set of 3 pillows

2010-07-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

These were listed in my shop this week.

I really like how 3 reversible pillows

using coordinating fabrics

offer a variety of looks.

These 3 pillows above were turned over

and viola........

.... you get this look above.

Fabrics used were 2 different vintage curtain panels,

imported French upholstery,

remanents, newly purchased piece from

a local quilt store and

recycled pieces from my stash.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50558402/echo-pillow-cover-no11

here's a link to one of the listed pillows.

Be sure to check out the others.

I've started working on several blue, denim, ticking sets. They are looking good.Hope to have them in the shop this weekend.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/simpledream2

Lake Mcdonald Glacier NP

2010-06-30T21:09:00.001-07:00

My son "e" is on his x-country bicycle trip and has been posting photos of his journey. It takes slowing down and appreciating your surroundings. This photo is absolutely mesmerizing.
Thanks "e".........Mom

I'm back.........

2010-06-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Now that I've cleaned up my sewing room from past custom projects

I have the room to sew.... and I've pulled out some of my stash

and have been making these

reversible pillows that fit

standard-size bed pillows.....

zippered on the side, removable covers for easy cleaning.

I love using these as a way to "store" guest pillows
without taking so much room
in a linen closet.

my latest projects now in my shop

simpledream2.etsy.com

green acres

2010-03-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

is the place to be...........

My son, would be proud of me when I, the city girl, entered the chicken coop with the new rooster with HUGE spurs to retreive my very first eggs. You see, my son "e" has ventured into raising chickens. As long as we get farm fresh eggs I'm okay with it. As "e" is getting closer to leaving for his x-country bicycle trip I'm going to have to get used to gathering my own eggs, I think I can do that; especially with my newly thrifted red Bass rubber clogs and my vintage egg gathering basket.

my newest projects.........

2010-03-05T22:14:00.001-08:00

After finishing several quilt projects and

before starting a couple more I decided to focus on a couple smaller projects,

and here's what I came up with....
.....zippered pillow covers.

Don't know about you, but I've found the small
12 x 12 or 14x14 toss pillows
are not comfortable for taking naps on.
My family naps on the couch
and these zippered covers fit
a 20x26 standard bed pillow.
Making them comfortable AND easily washed.
This floral print is from a scrap that I found
while thrifting in Chicago last June.
The brown batik-type print was from a
table cloth also found in Chicago.
The golden tan checkered back is from
new quilt weight fabric
I found on sale.
The zippers are thrifted
and are found on the side,
making them easy to remove
while not being obvious.

They are currently listed in my etsy shop
simpledream2.etsy.com

2010-02-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

What started out as scarves...........

.........and shawls........

..........ended up as a very special project............

.......a reversible lap quilt for a very special book.
More to come!!!!

book-quilt???

2010-01-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

Now that I have all my custom orders caught up with I really have to hit it hard this weekend to work on a quilt that has been invited to be published in a book. This is sooooo exciting for me. I could not wait for the long work week to end so that I could come home and get started. Then once I got home I didn't have the energy to even walk into my sewing room, besides it was cold. Instead we had dinner, kept the fire going (which is great for the single digit temperatures we are having here in the Ozarks), my son and I watched one of my favorite TV programs "Numbers" and then listened to NPR music while playing Mancala. Now he is asleep on the couch and I am getting ready to call it a night so that I can have sweet dreams of working on my book-quilt project tomorrow. I want to take photos of the steps and can get better pics in the daylight. The PLAN is to post the pics each evening that I work on the quilt so as to share my excitement. After this book-quilt is done I've got a couple more custom orders to work on, which is great for my simple dreams of sewing, but not so good for my etsy shop simpledream2.etsy.com because I've not had the time to make new items to post.

Keep your eye out for the quilt photos.

reaching up to touch bottom.....

2010-01-05T22:03:00.000-08:00

I've just finished alterations on a wedding dress, brides maid dress, suit pants and made 5 brides maids clutches for my sisters sister-in-laws wedding. Fabric that was used to make the clutches was left over from bridesmaid dresses that I made for my sisters wedding 12 years ago and the flowers were made from the fabric I cut off while shortening the bridesmaids dress that I just altered........an echo clutch.
Now on to a custom quilt for a book, and I have to hit it hard to meet the deadline, then on to a custom order quilt and a bit more alterations. Sometime after all of this and the day job I hope to update the shop.

and the winner is.......................

2010-01-01T23:18:00.000-08:00

Winiki............YOU WON.
Just go to simpledream2.etsy.com to "contact me" with your name, mailing address, etc. etc.
Thanks for the comment and enjoy,
Lisa

Come back again as I plan to have regular give aways.

simple dreams - - GIVE AWAY

2009-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up a couple custom orders and decided to clean out my two shops and will be having a giveaway on January 1st. Just leave a comment on which item you would love to receive. I'll be giving away one item on January 1st and plan on doing this once a month as a way to clean, organize and share with others.........enjoy, Lisa

vintage mercantile

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21644375

simple dream2

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17241194

Click on the links for more descriptions. Leave a comment and I'll choose one on 1/1/10. Check back again as I plan to have a giveaway the beginning of each month. This is open to US residents as I can offer FREE postage with the giveaway. If you would like to enter as international please leave a comment and if you are chosen we'll work out the postage.

Lisa

2009-11-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Here's the vintage floral table cloth.

Vintage floral backed by green plaid.

The side zipper make for easy cleaning.

I just love this look - -

green plaid with floral star held on with twine.

If you choose not to use the star for the pillow

it makes for a great candle mat.

Doesn't the plaid side of the star

change the look of the floral side?

Here's the plaid side as a candle mat.

This pillow is now listed in my shop

simpledream2.etsy.com

I have enough of 1,2 and 4 to make more covers.

There's enough of 3 to make only "one" more cover.

projects waiting to happen...............

2009-11-14T13:59:00.001-08:00

Take a vintage curtain panel, vintage table cloth and add some plaid gabardine and you get.........
You'll have to go to simpledream2.etsy.com to find out.

Greta's quilt

2009-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

I've made another abi23 quilt, for Greta. Hope she likes it.

2009-11-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

We're back to my favorite season - - Fall. My garden didn't produce the pumpkins that I would have liked. My son found that our (his) puppy was digging up the plants and gnawing on the baby pumpkins. So I made my own.

Goin' to the country, goin' to the fair..........

2009-07-31T18:59:00.001-07:00

I have so neglected my blog. Never did get around to posting the photos from the Country Living Event. Will have to do that SOON. Right now I am finishing up some things so that my son and I can set up at the Bakers Creek event on Sunday. Even made this banner for the canopy with my Etsy shop name. It turned out rather nice.
My son Ian, and I worked on this bike bag, he picked some of my vintage double knit polyester and some vintage trim. Looks cute doesn't it? It's currently listed in my other Etsy shop - Vintage Mercantile http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27714545

Off to Bakers Creek http://streetsofbakersville.com/2009/hd/ . But I have to make a homespun apron because period dressing is required. I'll try to remember to bring my camera and get some photos and actually post this time. Check back...............

On to Chicago and Country Living................

2009-05-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here is abi23 quilt. The original - - It has been sold and I've since sold another. The one that I will be bringing with me is one that I made as a gift, and am borrowing to take to the show.

This "forest" quilt has been sold and the buyer has been gracious enough to wait for shipment as I feature it at Country Living.

What to do with all those vintage linens I keep buying? Make a quilt...this is the yellow/green one. I have enough fabric to make several more of this color range and have pinks/green and yellow/browns also cut and ready to go.
This particular yellow/blue is made from two pieces of fabric that a friend, Patricia, gave me "to do something with", she had bought it some time ago to make curtains for a home that she has since moved from. As soon as I saw the fabric I knew it would make a darling quilt and added a couple pieces of my own to the back and here's what you get.

This is the stash of quilts I am taking with me to "Pitch" at Country Living. The last two quilts were made for my twin sons as lap quilts, which started this whole obsession of making quilts. Well, actually my Grandma Lena White was the one that inspired me. She was a quilt maker for many years and I have a picture hanging in my sewing room of her, when she was 51, sitting at her quilting frame handstitching a dresden plate quilt. I'm not too far from 51.......and will stick with my machine quilting. I have tried my hand at free motion quilting, on the last three quilts, one was recently given as a gift and I would not ask to take with me. I just LOVE free motion quilting..I am hooked.

Almost as exciting as attending the Country Living Event is the fun I will have the next week shopping all my old stomping grounds, thrift stores, in Chicago with very dear friends. I'm sure that I'll come back with more fabric and trims.

So much for making quilts to destash...........

Country Living - Women Entrepreneurs 2009 Event in Chicago

2009-04-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

It's sooo awesome that I am going to be part of the "Pitch your Product" at this years Country Living event in Chicago. What makes it more exciting is that I will be staying with friends before and after the event. I plan on "pitching" my Echo quilt(s) and tote bags, which means that I really have to get going on making a couple more items to bring with me. We have 5 minutes, 3 minutes to "pitch" with 2 minutes for questions. I have already been working on my pitch. A lot can be said in 3 minutes and I hope to make the most of it. I'll keep you posted.

If you've got any ideas and/or suggestions, please let me know.

delayed

2009-03-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today started out somewhat different then I had planned. The plan was an 8:00 dental appointment for check-up and cleaning...this turned into check-up, cleaning, replacing a filling that fell out last night AND having a tooth pulled. Needless to say working on the quilt has been.....delayed. I hope to have the binding on by the weekend, photographed and listed in my shop. Stay tuned.

echo quilt #6......forest......

2009-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

The quilting is done.......here's the back......

.....a close-up of the back......

.....here's a close-up of the front.....

......finally.......the tree.

Now I have to bind and add the label.........then I can post it to my Etsy shop. It's always hard to sell something that I like soooo much. Oh well...keep an eye out. www.simpledream2.etsy.com

can't see the....forest....for the tree

2009-03-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

I've recently met with a SBA (Small Business Advisor) to get advice on how to "grow" my business, ie, http://www.simpledream2.etsy.com/

He suggested that I think about what I really enjoy making and focus on marketing that........

.......so I've been working on a lap quilt. With some the fabric I have stashed over the 30+ years. I am incorporating some of my stashed homespun, cottons, thrifted and occassionally a new print.

The pieced back didn't turn out with true colors...browns and greens. It kind of washed out.

The pics of the front looks pretty true to color. I actually have been enjoying quilting it today. I would like to learn free motion quilting, stippling, for future projects, but didn't want to try it out on this nice quilt. I plan to add more photos of the quilting soon.

Keep on the lookout for the finished project in my Etsy shop - -

http://www.simpledream2.etsy.com/

Diamonds in the Rough

2009-01-12T19:44:00.000-08:00

Tess is putting together posts featuring other recyclers. She just featured two of my items in her new posting, Diamonds in the Rough.

Check out this blog - - http://www.artsyrubbish.blogspot.com/

Check out - - http://www.artsyrubbish.etsy.com/

There are some beautiful pieces here.

still working on creating the perfect purse......

2009-01-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

I will keep working until I find the perfect purse.

See more at - -

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19461633

Featured in Etsy Gift Guide - Environmentally Friendly 1/04/09

2009-01-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

I feel so priviledged to be featured in an Etsy Gift Guide - -

I plan on making "red" birds and "black" birds........keep your eyes open and check out . . .

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18985487

2 etsy treasuries.........WOW

2008-12-27T23:40:00.001-08:00

It's nice to know that others like what I like..................

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=29120

by thecozyloft

AND

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=29282
by warefoto

THANKS!!!!!!!!!

my loves.................

2008-12-17T18:04:00.001-08:00

Here are some of my favorite things...............

I brought these to work today and sold three of them......only two left. I'm even parting with some of my much loved vintage buttons by adding them as zipper pulls.

They are now posted in my Etsy shop - - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18789921

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18831004

new fun......................

2008-12-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

These have been in my head for some time and I finally sat down last evening and created..........

To see more check out - -

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5756719

cRaZy dOts

2008-12-07T18:02:00.001-08:00

After a little house cleaning and setting up for a custom project I will call it an evening, but wanted to post some of my most recent projects.

Here they are...............

If you would like to see more go to:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18291719

where it all begins.......

2008-12-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

This is what is looked like outside,
South/Central Missouri, this past Saturday;
COOOLD and snow on the pumpkins on my porch, these came from the Pumpkin Patch shown in an earlier posting. So I decided to stay inside with the fire roaring and get to some sewing projects. I'm so not ready for the snow this year.

This is where I "play".

Here is how a pouch starts out .

I work on several at a time.

These are parts that will soon become pouches.
My favorite ...........snowmen. Since we now have had our first snow I can justify making my snowmen goodies.

This is how he started out.........................

This is what he looked like finished.

Sorry he will never make it to my Etsy shop, because a co-worker bought it the very next day and I will fill it with my notecards created with my cRaZy dOtS. I will be working on more, check back.

This pouch along with another was posted on my shop this evening.

Take a look..................

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5756719

...the P E R F E C T purse....

2008-11-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for the "perfect" purse most of my life. A woman that I work with has said to let her know when I find it, she too is looking. Well, I decided to make one. I think I've found my new interest. With my HUGE stash of fabrics I've got to use it up somehow....so why not share the "perfect" purse with everyone.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17899790

here's the backside..or..is it the front?

2008-11-09T22:14:00.000-08:00

Anyway whatever you call it. This is the "other" side of the pillow.

For more details see:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17117884

did he leave his tie there....again?

2008-11-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

Just finished this pillow cover from linen and a vintage skinny tie. I had fun making this and keep on the lookout for more like this because I have several boxes of vintage ties.

For more details go to- - -
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17117884

.......and more................

2008-11-02T21:23:00.001-08:00

Can't you tell I love pumpkins?? My sister and I took our nephew to the pumpkin patch last weekend and enjoyed the beautiful Fall day and got to see the wonders of life thru the eyes of a 5 year old, again. Here in the heart of the Ozarks, the trees may not be as brilliant, but the pumpkins look just fine.

........more of my favorite things

2008-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

Aren't these colors so rich?
Beautiful..... just beautiful
by CindyVdesigns

http://cindyvdesigns.etsy.com/

A few of my favorite things.........

2008-10-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful beads

made by a dear friend of mine.

You can see more of her lampwork at

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=72171

taneres.etsy.com

2008-10-29T23:08:00.001-07:00

Yipee!!!

I'm in another Etsy Treasury.......

"Keep it Zipped".....

by contemporarystitches.etsy.com

Take a look.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=18095

Dreams

2008-10-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

My Dreams are coming true.....Now that I have a shop on Etsy - simpledream2.etsy.com - I can get back to my first love - - sewing.... I enjoy creating interesting and exiting things that I now would like to share with others. Besides I've always said that sewing is my therapy. While being a stay at home mom and raising 3 children I did a lot of custom sewing and felt pressured. My children are grown, I have my sewing room (again) and especially after a long day at the office, I am enjoying my "therapy". This shop gives me the ability to make one-of-a-kind items and share the excitment when others want to enjoy them also.

Stop by anytime, enjoy shopping and check back often.

So many ideas........so little time.