Covered Thumb Tacks

Covered Thumb Tacks.   I'm on a creative roll today.   I wanted to make some cool thumb tacks for my new little office cubicle in Student Support Services where I now spend Monday-Fridays.    I'm going to give in and say that Red has now become my new favorite color.   Sorry Blue!   Thanks for the life long friendship. 

  

 I have also become quite fond of just about anything Asian. Especially the textiles and the Vintage Japanese ladies.    So here is the result of both Asian and Red inspired.  These photo's don't do my little project justice.  I couldn't get the darn flash off.    Anyway, hope you enjoy my  Thumb Tack project.

1960's Retro and LooseButtons

Recently added to my Etsy shop, New Retro 1960s patterns. Some of you may remember the days when ladies started to leave the home for careers. If you recall, we were only allowed to wear "smart" suits or dress. Absolutly "NO" pants in the work place.
We matained our modesty ladies, no bra straps,clevage or slips showing and the skirts had to be just above the knee. Wow! Much has changed and not always for the better I might add.
These Retro Patterns were a main stay for we girls. Back in those days to be a succesful house wife, you had to not only be able to cook and clean, but be able to mend your families cloths and sew your own outfits.
I remember my mother would tell my sister and I. "I will buy you all the fabric you need, but you have to sew your own cloths". Not a bad idea looking back on it now. Sewing saved my mom money, and we girls could buy shoes with the money we saved.
Today, my passion is sewing and I have developed a nice little business from that skill earliest taught by Dear Ole MOM! Thanks MOM!

Loose

Old Hat

This Old Hat!
I recently found these lovely little hats at an Estate Sale just but a mile from home. Recently I decided not to attend Estate Sales and save my money. Seems today there is just not enough money to go around.
We don't know how long this "Depression" is going to last. There! I said it! "Depression"! No, I'm not depressed, but this country of ours sure is.
Some of my friends that I have known for years and some of my sisters, Mom and I often lament, how bad things are. But for us, we have always lived in sort of a Economic Depression.
Life wasn't easy for my Mom raising three kids alone. Yep! Alone! But Mom was a Depression Era, World War II girl. Thanks to Mom we learned all the lessons of saving and doing for ourselves.
When others were out buying fat houses and other things they couldn't afford or needed we girls were home saving and doing still for ourselves.
Today, the streets of Rancho Cucamonga are emptier, stores have closed and many folks have moved out of the Inland Empire or are doubling up with other family members to survive. We are having fun, sewing, knitting and being in the company of good friends.
You know what? On Second thought! I'm going to hit the next Estate Sale I can find and spend some of that money I have earned and saved, go to lunch with my Mom, sisters and friends.
Want to know some easy ways to save? Just ask I'll be glad to share my secrets and my contacts. In Friendship! Gabby

Posting New On Etsy.com

Oh what to offer next. Well, I have many, many patterns that I have collected and found at estate sales (another passion), any way it is time to catalog and offer them for sale on Etsy.com. What still amazes me is when I sell something. I didn't think I would even sell one pattern and low and behold I sold one. So! check out my Etsy shop from time to time to see what vintage and related items. I have for sale.
Hope you all are enjoying a good New Year so far. Love to all Gabby

Chilton Design

Shout Out! Michael Chilton at Chilton Design for creating in a "HUGE HURRY" the Belly Bands for my product. The Bands you created for me,contributed to a very professional and marketable look for my product. Not to mention, I got to do a little bragging about my son. I look forward to working with you in 09.

Thank God For My Mom

What a day it has been! Again! Friday night I picked my mom up so she could spend the night with me. I needed help filling an order for the knitted Nana Slippers I have listed on my Etsy.com shop.
When I had orginally posted these slippers on Etsy I really didn't think that even one pair would sell. Ha! I have sold 11 pairs so far. One order had six pairs alone, 3 pairs for men, and 3 for women. The lady that ordered said she had recognized the slippers as the same ones that her grandmother had made for all her siblings. She wanted the slippers for her upcoming Christmas get together and said they will be a hit with her family. Obviously, this lady and her family had very good memories of their grandmother. That is the key reason I decided to sell the slippers. Why not share some good memories with others.
My mom had made many a pair of these for her kids and grandkids. They were our favorite sippers to wear. I remember we would get the first pair from mom, then we would ask her for a pair in every color.
I wanted to share my experience of these slippers with others, so I kept my price low, just 5 bucks a pair and 3 bucks for postage. You all know how tough it is to get a gift and a nice gift for someone at 5 bucks these days.
Earlier today as we were coming to a close of the order for six pair, I got another email from a girl that wanted to order a pair of Red Slippers for her boyfriend for Christmas. Her question...can I get them to her by Christmas. She is in luck, Ma has enough Red yarn for her order.
Tomorrow we're taking a trip to Michaels or Joann's for more yarn. Hope you still like me tomorrow Ma!