Frenchie Stripe Obsession

So.  Everybody knows that ‘old people’ love their routines,

which explains why every morning, like clockwork,

I head to Pinterest + gaze at whatever I’m currently obsessing about.

Today I enjoyed all sorts of Frenchie striped linens;

here are but a few:

thevintagerosetasmania.blogspot.com

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If these initials are K K, as I suspect they are, that’s my monogram!

I think I need that pillow, don’t you?  (As if I could afford it.)

* * *

Yes, most vintage French stripe linens are over my budget, sadly.

What to do, then, when one is me?

Well, there are some lovely reproductions out there.

Here’s one:

I’m a fan of the new upholstery fabric

with what appears to be an authentic vintage linen pillow!

http://www.decortoadore.net

* * * *

And attention, all my St. Louis-area  peeps!

This yummy shop, Gingham Buffalo, is in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Their gray wall + pair of striped chairs rules my world!

https://www.facebook.com/ginghambuffalo

* * *

Meanwhile, ’tis quite often that my obsessions find their way

to my pillow making biz.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/redbirdvintagehome

Yesterday I blogged about all things Hudson’s Bay . . .

. . . + I shared that I’m obsessing about making my own version

of Hudson’s Bay style pillows.  YUM!

* * * *

But wait!

I have been making my own versions of Frenchie stripe pillows for years;

here are 3 that I sewed just last week!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/178607322/gray-french-stripe-pillow

I always use vintage buttons for my closures; these are black metal.

I cut my own stencils of Frenchie stripes + hand stencil them on canvas:

* * * *

Another side closure with more gray vintage metal buttons.

You can just glimpse the ticking stripe fabric lining:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/178466762/dark-aqua-ticking-stripe-pillow

* * * *

Finally, this rectangular Frenchie measures 21″ long x 12.5″

+ has a button + loop closure that I made for the first time!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/179047927/rectangular-red-french-grain-stripe

I think it turned out well:

* * *

Well, that was fun!

Sharing with the class always is!

Time for me to get my nose to the sewing grindstone!

Hudson’s Bay Blanket Love

When one is me, one never knows when design inspiration will strike.

This week, I was struck on Facebook — not once but twice.

First up was my Canadian BFF, Sarah Richardson . . .

. . . who shared that this winter’s Canadian Sochi Olympics team

was being outfitted by the Hudson’s Bay Company!

https://www.facebook.com/sarahrichardson.design

Check it out . . . you can even buy your own Olympics wool duffle coat:

Regularly $275,
now on sale for a mere $199
http://www.thebay.com

* * * *

Speaking of coats — also on Facebook last week,

one of my favorite vintage shops

Betty’s in Morris, Illinois

posted she had this vintage Hudson’s Bay jacket!

Swoon!

https://www.facebook.com/bettys104

Now, there’s your iconic, striped Hudson’s Bay blanket,

the one with which we’re all familiar, am I right?

Pinterest

* * * *

I remember having recently seen these towels from Pendleton:

$39.50
http://www.pendleton-usa.com/home.jsp

Only they don’t call them “Hudson’s Bay” towels;

on Pendleton’s website they’re Glacier National Park towels!

* * * *

Quickly,  my mind raced back to a photo

I’d seen in Country Living magazine,

in which a pair of Hudson’s Bay blankets were hung as drapes:

Hubba hubba!

* * * *

And soon, I was off on an online trip

to find yet more Hudson’s Bay inspiration!

The treasure trove of all things Hudson’s Bay can be found

in the Hudson Bay Collection, here:

http://www.thebay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/thebay/search/hbc-/hbc-home

People.  Hudson’s Bay bedding?!   Yesh, please!

If my budget was just a tad larger than it currently is

I’d get myself this awesomeness:

$395

Or, for a lot less, how about a stylish umbrella that no one else will have?

$28

I could order a hipster travel mug for G.O.

Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart?

Or I could just order a pair of these mugs:

Only $7 each

And for our doggies:

Regularly $45
Clearance $31.50
http://www.thebay.com

Somebody pass me my credit card!

* * * *

But wait!

There’s lots more online Hudson’s Bay merch!.

For babies!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FarmFreshHats
OMG — you have got to head to this shop
+ see all the adorable-ness!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/baabaabaxsheep?ref=shop_sugg
Please. If you love north woods ANY-thing, you must check out this shop!

* * * *

For the wackiest of Hudson’s Bay apparel . . .

. . . there’s even footwear!

$120
Jack Purcell for Converse
http://www.thebay.com

Hudson’s Bay booties
anthropologie.com

Disclaimer:  these shoes have been out for a while;

the sizes are very limited for the Converses.

* * * *

This adorableness wins the prize

for most unusual Hudson’s Bay merch:

A wacky pin cushion!

I love it!

Only $7!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/UpTheCreek

* * * *

In my opinion,

for the pinnacle of Hudson’s Bay merch,

one must head to Pinterest + search for

Hudson’s Bay blanket upholstery projects!

Hudson’s Bay Thonet Chair
Mid-century modern your thing? Check out this shop on etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ModernHaus

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Source unkown

Yes, you can even buy pillows from Hudson’s Bay blankets . . .

. . . but now I’m pondering how I might incorporate their iconic stripes

into some pillow projects of my own!

Stay tuned!

Only 2 Days Until Our Christmas Cabin!

Our ‘really big show’ is coming up this weekend.

3 FRENCH HENS HOLIDAY MARKET

MORRIS, ILLINOIS

Look at the fantastic flyer that Stacey, of Kismet Junk, designed for us!

I’ve been really excited, preparing for said-same.

Tonight I’m tired + realizing I’m not as young as I once was,

especially that one year when I did 12 shows

in addition to having my old retail store, Heart-in-Hand.

Omigosh, now that I think about it — that was exactly 20 years ago!

* * * *

But back from memory lane — I’m glad it’s TODAY —

because now, for inspiration, all I have to do is head to Pinterest!

I’ve been busily re-pinning lots of photos

that evoke a ‘cabin Christmas’:

Sorry — didn’t get the source!

Seems that vintage metal trucks are all the rage online,

+ I’m loving the red + white license plates.

karnushus.blogspot.com

Wish I could get my hands on some ‘scrawny’ trees like these.

Who doesn’t love an urn (or 3)?

sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com

I’ll have some similar glass pinecone ornaments to sell.

theprimitivecountrybug.blogspot.com

I’ll also have a vintage white watering can with a faded, red stripe at the show . . .

. . . and G.O. dutifully gathered fresh greens from his brother’s farm today,

so my can will be tricked out in a similar fashion!

Martha Stewart’s Anvil Gray

Speaking of G.O. — on Sunday afternoon he re-painted some screens

that were in my booth, back in the good, ol’ days.

They’ll be making quite the statement this weekend,

as they’re marching across the back of our Cabin Christmas booth.

Fingers crossed,

 he can somehow hook up these awesome red industrial lights, too.

(I know he can — I’m so excited to see them in use!)

sjarmerendejul.blogspot.com

Wish I had a few dozen old baskets like this.

And some ginormous pine cones, too, please?

bymildred.blogspot.com

Talk about your inspiration!

I do have lots of old boxes to sell, + I have been making white with red pillows.

I prefer simplicity + not-too-Christmas-y when I decorate

 so I think these pillows fit the bill.

That red cross makes the pillows look a little like Christmas presents, doesn’t it?

Here’s something similar of the rectangular persuasion:

Right now, they’re listed in my etsy shop . . .

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167229633/modern-red-and-white-swiss-cross?

. . . but of course, come Friday, they’ll be in our booth.

* * * * *

Here’s a look-see at some of my other Christmas Cabin projects:

These boards were the original porch floor of our Dutch colonial fixer-upper.

Who knew? — that a long-ago owner of our house would love the color red, too!

Everything is vintage here — the chair, the slipcover, buttons + ticking fabric.

Wish I had dozens of neat buttons with words on them, like this one.

This vintage ticking stripe material is from an old cot cover.

Towels!

* * * * *

I think I’ll have about 5 chairs at this show,

including this one, which is a ‘tad’ different than what I usually make:

It’s an old folding chair from the Moose Lodge, + I’ve added a chevron pattern.

I think it’s fresh + modern.

So, is there a chance you’ll make it to our show?

I’d love it if you stopped by + said “HI!”

INTRODUCING CABIN CHRISTMAS!

My friends,

Stacey of Kismet Junk,

+ Alan of Patina,

are collaborating with me + my business, RedBird . . .

 . . . we are busily creating a CABIN CHRISTMAS

for the upcoming French Hens Holiday Market in Morris, Illinois!

http://3frenchhensmarket.blogspot.com/2013/10/holday-market.html

Come see us!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH + SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH

MORRIS, ILLINOIS

Morris is uber quaint + only 1 hour s.w. of Chicago.

When I say quaint, I’m talking about a vibrant downtown,

filled with adorable shops + fantastic restaurants + pubs.

Here’s just one amazing boutique, WHIMSY:

http://whimsydecor.blogspot.com/2013/10/holiday-market.html

I’ll share more Morris shopping + dining highlights in upcoming posts,

but first . . . back to our CABIN CHRISTMAS!

I’m making banners for each of us:

Oh, look — there’s my Cardinals World Series shrine on our art ledges.

THAT World Series didn’t turn out the way I’d planned,

but as ‘they’ always say: wait ’til next year!

* * * *

On to happier thoughts!

Here’s a few sneak peaks at our CABIN CHRISTMAS offerings:!

First up, Stacey of KISMET JUNK:

Awesome tags + vintage spools with baker’s twine!

http://kismetjunk.blogspot.com/

* * * *

Next, Alan of PATINA:

Fantastic vintage finds!

http://patinachicago.blogspot.com/

* * * * *

And finally, my business, RedBird!

I’m slipcovering vintage chairs!

I’m making pillows!

This one is made from repurposed Army tents.

Here I’ve incorporated some cool measuring tape ribbon + vintage buttons.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/redbirdvintagehome

Stay tuned for more sneak peaks!

Baseball (Again!) + Pillow Musings

Hola again, sportz fanz!

If you didn’t know of my epic St. Louis Cardinal fandom,

then you’ve not been paying attention!

Why do you think my blog + biz are called

R E D B I R D ?

Here’s why:

Look!
My grandlad + me at Busch Stadium, St. Louis!
September 27, 2013

Any-hoo, maybe you heard:

 my Cardinals won their deciding Game 5

v.s. the Pittsburgh Pirates last night (YAY!) . . .

There they are, my 2 favorite Cardinals:
pitcher Adam Wainwright + catcher Yadier (YADI) Molina!

. . . which means they can advance to the next series,

which will pit them against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers!

Get it?  St. Louis v.s. Los Angeles?

SO, in my world, this is perfect timing

 for some shameless self-promotion!

I make these awesome (if I do say so) city pillows;

they’re sold in my online etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/redbirdvintagehome

I hand-stencil + sew them myself, using repurposed canvas + vintage buttons.

AND I just introduced some grain sack pillows

 on which I’ll stencil any name.

Fun!

I just sent this one as a wedding gift to a couple being married in November:

Fingers crossed they’ll love it!

* * * *

But what’s going on at the Dutch colonial project, Kay?

Do I hear anybody asking this?

Well, the most photo-worthy update

is that I coerced/nagged G.O. into hanging my ginormous Cardinals flag there.

“BUT WE DON’T LIVE HERE YET!”

HA!  Whatev, G.O.!

If we DON’T do stuff like this, they won’t win!!

* * * *

But I digress.

Not much else at our project is really that blog-worthy, sadly.

They are framing for new windows, at long last,

so that’s going to be a morale boost!

Stay tuned + go Cardinals!

Irish + French Weekend

Hoping everyone had a great weekend!  While we celebrated the Irish by making corned beef, cabbage, potatoes + Irish soda bread yesterday, the rest of our weekend was devoted to all things French!

This is a sweet, sweet French movie that we couldn’t recommend more.  You can access it with your Netflix on demand.

2 thumbs up from us.

Meanwhile, I kept my nose on the pillowmaking grindstone, as I do most every day.  What does that have to do with France? you ask.  Well, the pillows I made are my tributes to the vintage French grain sack, without spending a fortune.  I stencil the designs myself, in a medium gray.

The dressmaker in me loves it when the stripes match.

Vintage button closures.

The close up photos really show the texture of the canvas that I use.  Here’s another pillow with the clock face stencil that I designed + cut myself.  I don’t know if that’s French, but methinks it is.

My mom, Doris, taught me how to sew when I was in 7th grade.  At one time, I belonged to the International Ladies Garment Workers union + sewed band uniform collars all day, and if I do say so, I used to make the cutest clothes for my sons, when they were young!  My sewing pinnacle has to be the uncut corduroy Stegasaurus costume I made for Halloween 1986.  I’ve been sewing pillows like a bee the past few years.  I have 2 galleries selling for me — one in L.A. + another in Jackson Hole, WY.  I also have an etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/redbirdvintagehome.