at home

{ i started decorating the house for the holidays }

{ new.vintage kitchen rug }

{ our halloween costumes -mad men- } 

{ new.vintage yarn storage tote }

{ finally found a use for the old kitchen scale i bought last summer }

{ another new.vintage yarn tote i bought on etsy }

It's Been A While...

{ hand sewing hexies in the car }

It's been quite a couple of weeks!  I haven't posted in a while due to my dog Laila taking ill. 

Long story short we thought she sprained her paw.  However after multiple 2 hour long trips back and forth to the vet with an extremely sick dog { I literally had to carry her } we found out she has Lyme's Disease.  After receiving her last antibiotic today { HOORAY } she's looking & feeling a lot better.  I am beyond happy and humbled to have her healthy.

We also took a business trip out to Chicago & stayed in a pet friendly hotel which was a lot of fun!  We ate at Portillo's - they have the best cheesy fries and Italian beef sandwiches!  
I spent the long hours in the car working on hand sewing my hexies for my new throw pillow!  I finally finished it, and I am very proud because this was my first attempt sewing with hexagons/quilting!  I am hooked now and can't wait to start my next project.

{ We've been having the most beautiful sunsets here lately }

Easy Bow Brooch

I usually make purses with a patterned fabric, but I found this really pretty purple tweed!  When I was done with the purse it was missing a little something.  So, I made this super cute felt bow brooch.  

They can be used on sweaters, cardigans, scarves, coats...anything!  Plus it's very easy! 

Materials:

Fabri-Tac

Ruler

Scissors or Fiskars Rotary Blade

Safety Pin

Felt 

Twine

Cut a strip of felt measuring 5" x 1 1/4" 

I used my Fiskars rotary blade and healing mat.  You can use scissors too!

Fold the fabric inwards to find the middle.  Add a strip of Fabri-Tac to the center.  

Fold the sides inwards.

Place another small drop of glue on the underside of the felt.

Pinch the middle and hold for about 30 seconds.

Take about 16" of twine and wrap around the bow's center.

Leave a small strip hanging in the back to tie off.

Double knot both ends and clip excess twine.

Push the safety pin through the underside twine.

Here it is the completed bow on my new Fall purse!

Find other purses similar to this one here at my Etsy store: Lace Anne Queen

Deer & A New Purse

Anyone that knows me knows just how much I love deer!  I've only been fortunate enough to see them in our backyard only once until yesterday!!  I was busy sewing my new Fall purse when I heard Laila growling out the window.  I ran over to the window and there were 2 deer in our backyard!  I went screaming and running through the house to find my camera!  The 3 of us sat and watched the two deer eat what was left of some of the green leaves in our yard for about 10 minutes until they casually walked off onto the woods!  I honestly can say I love where I live!

 I was laughing so bad at the intensity of Laila & Buddy watching the deer! 

I finally completed my Fall purse!  I found this vintage purple tweed at my secret fabric spot.
I added a mustard colored button for an extra front pocket.

The inner fabric was purchased in Mexico on our honeymoon this past Summer.  

I made a mustard colored pocket embellished with vintage lace and a typed label.

I added a flap and sewn the same inner floral fabric on the backing.

I make similar purses H E R E in my Etsy store: Lace Anne Queen 

LAQ Packaging

One of my favorite parts of selling on etsy is my creative process with my packaging.  I rarely do the same thing twice due to the variety of items I sell, however there still is the same 'ingredients' involved in the process!  Here is a glimpse of a package I just packaged this evening!

 I bought this washi tape from etsy seller: { Pretty Tape }  She has beautiful washi tapes!  Highly recommended! 

One of my favorite components are my gift tags!  I use scrap fabric and feed it into my typewriter, then type away!  I sew it directly onto the actual paper tag.  I find them more unique than those machine made label tags. Plus in the long run it will save you a lot of money!