recent makes...

As promised last week, here is what I've been working on as of late.



That sweet knitted dress for my cousin's baby girl is all done & delivered.

I just love the simplicity of this precious knit.

I used a natural shell button for the back closure to echo this simple design.
I always pick up vintage baby hangers at thrift stores when I come across them. I think they make a fun addition to my handmade gifts.

For the bride & groom:

Mr. & Mrs. Aprons! :)

This is the 3rd set I've made for wedding gifts, and I always try to consider the tastes of the couple in the style & colors used. These are for Taylor & Tanner. She loves bird motifs so this lovely printed cotton was just the ticket. I drafted the pattern I used to make her apron all by myself a few years ago. :D The gathered bodice would have been well nigh impossible to embroider "Mrs." legibly. So, I embroidered it on a piece of ribbon instead. I think it looks rather sweet. :) For Tanner's apron I cheated & bought a plain white apron.

{I tend to leave things to the last minute, so I simply ran out of time.} 

I just embroidered Mr. on it & called it good. It's still a very useful item & they'll look cute as can be wearing them together. {In my humble opinion.}

In other knitting news:

I did finish my Cath Kidston Coloured Victory Jumper, but alas, haven't had a chance to get photos of me in it yet. Plus, it's a wee bit too warm to wear that wooly thing now.
Here is what I'm working on now - my summery pastel cotton version. I started out using this bluish green yarn as the main color, but I wanted it to feel more light & lovely.

So, I started over with pink as the main, and I rather like it. A lot, actually. Plus, I think the white pops more in between the green than it did in the pink.

I find I don't knit nearly as much this time of year as I do in the colder weather.

{Which, I'm sure, is quite common.}

I need to get crackin' so I can wear this cutie before the seasons change again! ;)

Oh, I also made another custom babies don't keep embroidery, and another fox scarf.
Sorry no pics. But! You can see that sweet gal, Jessica, wearing my scarf on her blog, Chronically Vintage. Thanks so much for featuring my little knitted critter, my friend! ^_^

 

~*~

 What have you been working on?

Do you find that you knit less in the warmer weather?

{Photos by this girl!} 



say hello to my little friends...

Here's another sure sign of Spring - little baby chicks!
 



 

Well, once again I didn't get any outfit pics taken this past week.

Kels & I had the best of intentions, but we got distracted...by garage sales...

So in lieu of a 1940s inspired thrifted outfit here are my newest feathered friends. :D

These six little cuties will lay lovely brown eggs in just a few months time!

I bought them Sunday at our local TSC while picking up the feed for my flock.

They had some little baby mallard ducklings as well, which were pretty hard to resist, but I did! ;) I can't remember the name of these lil chickies' breed, but I think the gal there said they are a cross between Rhone Island Reds & White Rocks. She said they'll be brownish - can't wait to see what they look like when they're grown. I need to start thinking of suitable names. Though I may have to wait until their personalities er chickenalities start to develop to give them appropriate names. :) I already have a Philippa, Lillie-white, Freckles, Pepper, Snowy, & Oswald {the rooster}.

That night our electricity went out! Eek! One essential of chick keeping is a heat lamp. When they don't have Momma Hen to keep them warm they need the constant source of warmth that a heat lamp provides. Thankfully we have a generator. Although it runs on gas & only had enough of that stuff to last until about 9:00 PM. I had brought them into the basement {from the outbuilding I had been keeping them in} so they'd be warmer. Praise the Lord the power came back on at about 11 so they only had to go about 2 hours sans heat lamp.

They're all warm & cheerful today!

~*~

Now for some random bits...

The newest blooming beauties around here a lilacs & wild bluebells.

I made this bouquet {a mix of bought & homegrown flowers} to take to church & now I get to enjoy it in my room. I wish I could attach the scent for you all to enjoy!

{Removing all allergens, of course, for those of you who suffer from them.}

{Lovely Lilacs}

 {Beautiful Bluebells}

 

Isn't this dish towel just the cutest? It's from Kohl's. They have some pretty cute home wares.

 

I got this yellow Lu-Ray Pastels platter recently at a garage sale for $1.50! Woo-hoo!

 I like to collect pastel dishes whenever I find them for a super deal. I have some Shenandoah & Moderntone pieces as well. {You can see some in the photo below!} It's so fun how they all mix & match since they were made in similar eras. The few Cath Kidston dishes I have go so well too. 

 

 

The past couple days we've had rather chillier weather than the weeks before.

A nice cuppa {tea} & something sweet to eat is just what the doctor ordered.

{Well, actually there's no need to mention this to the doctor...we'll keep this just between us.} ;)

You can find the recipe for these yummy lemon bars in this post.

 

~*~

 Here is what I've been working on lately!

 

{A recent custom embroidery order. All in mint green!}

I've just the sewing up to do on this knitted gift for my cousin's baby girl.

Isn't that color delicious? It's my very favorite to use for baby girl gifts - such a vintage baby pink. {It's Knit Picks' Flamingo.} This is one of the colors I've picked out for my Summery cotton version of "Your Victory Jumper".  If I ever finish the original one, that is! ;)

~*~

 

 Any suggestions for names for my new baby hens?

What's blooming in your neck of the woods?

What do you collect?

{Photos by this girl!}

Delightful Handwork's Give~Away 2015!

Here it is - the moment you've been waiting for!

(Actually, I'm probably way more excited than anyone else. haha!)

:D

I'll be listing some vintage items in my etsy shop within the month.

As a sort of New Year's resolution I'm getting rid of superfluous junk goodies.

I thought a give~away on ye olde blog would be a great kick-off for that endeavor.

I've made two lots to win in said give~away.

***

Lot 1: The Happy Homemaker

 



 

Included in this group are

a set of darling vintage pot holders in a little hand embroidered "basket".

 

4 vintage handkerchiefs.

1 dresser scarf hand embroidered with a lovely basket of flowers.

This is also a vintage item. It feels like linen & has a few very small holes.



 

2 vintage aprons

1 sensible. (Check out that adorable ric-rac & bias tape design!)

1 not-so-sensible. (Just for looking cute...won't keep you dry or clean at all. But who cares?!)

 



 

Little blue creamer,

aluminum(?) bunny mold (Made in England!),

scotty dog cookie cutter,

& dark brown hair nets.

 



 

Lot 2: The Happy Handworker

(For the seamstress)



This lovely lot includes

1 - 36x39" piece of vintage fabric with a fun bird motif.

This may be a feedsack...but I'm not sure.

Someone had made it into a laundry bag.

I ripped out the side seam back when I bought it,

but did not rip out the casing at the top.

Has a few small holes, but overall very usable fabric.

 

1 vintage cushion cover.

This fabric was a little too tropical for my tastes, but maybe it will suit yours!

 



 

Scraps of vintage baby flannel.

I'm not a quilter so there's really no sense in me keeping this.

Isn't that bunny the cutest thing?!

This fabric is very soft!

 



 

2 vintage magazines:

1 crochet bags pattern book,

1 Delineator magazine from April 1935.

Just look at those wonderful fashion plates!

(I want that polka dot dress!)

1 card of vintage buttons,

& a new repro needle card.

 

4 vintage patterns:

(Clockwise from top left)

 





McCalls 6500 * Size 12 * Bust 30 * 1946

Butterick2124 * Size 16 1/2 * Chest 44 * Couldn't find date

Simplicity 5337 * Size Child 4 * Chest 23 * 1963

Simplicity 4178 * One size * Couldn't find date

 

***

 

How to enter:

You can be entered up to 5 times per lot.

(That's 10 times total!)

However you must do #1 to be entered at all.

1- Leave a comment on this post telling me what sort of post you like to see most on this blog.

2- Follow this blog with Google Friends Connect

(On the sidebar of this blog under the heading "Hello Friends")

3- Follow this blog on Bloglovin'.

4- Like Delightful Handwork on Facebook.

5- Share this post on your Facebook.

 

If you are already a follower of this blog just mention how you follow in your comment on the post.

If you wish only to be entered in either one or the other of the lots please say so in your comment.

Otherwise you will be entered in both.

If you share this post on Facebook please tag Delightful Handwork.

(If you are unable to do so just email me that you did share it. My email is on the sidebar.)

 

***

 

I will be drawing 1 name for each lot (2 total) one week from today:

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 at 5:00 PM Central Time.

You may enter up until 4:50 PM Central Time, when I will close the comments on this post.

***

It is free to enter & I'm even paying the shipping.

However, at this point you may enter only if you live in the USA, Canada, or Great Britain.

Please contact me if you wish to enter, but are from any other country.

I may add you to the list, but I retain the right to refuse.

(Shipping to some countries can be crazy!)

 

***

Feel free to email me any questions you may have!

***
And the winners are...

Shannon & Sarah!
 

 



this, that, & t'other...

 

Hello Sunshine!

Seems to me Spring is trying to make an appearance.

 

 

 

I call this my "Hello Yellow!" bolero.

My sis gave me this cute birdie dress for Christmas &

 I just had to make a suitable sweater to wear with it!

It's so sunshiny! The yarn is Knitpicks' Shine Sport in 'Dandelion' - very aptly named.

 

Another sure sign of Spring:

Sweet little peeps scampering about in a box.

 

They're already growing out of the "cute baby stage" and onto the "awkward teenager stage"...

if they were people they'd have braces & pimples. ;)

 

 

A new custom embroidery item is in the shop.

I call it the "Your favorite Bible verse here" pillow. :D

A perfect gift for the friend who has everything! ;) 

 

 

This one has Psalm 94:19 on it.

I have an idea in my head for one sporting some lyrics to a favorite hymn also.

 

 

Have a lovely day!

Enjoy the delightful Springish weather.

xo Miss Michelle ^_^

what i've been up to...

Here are a few things that've been keeping me busy:

Call me crazy, but I love ironing. Especially when it's a beautiful vintage sheet. 

 

I recently hit the jackpot on vintage linens at my favorite thrift store!

I recovered a little foot stool which I also found at my favorite thrift store.

Before


Got it for $1! Woo-hoo!

This beautiful fabric was a vintage curtain that I bought at a garage sale.

Here it is in situ. Please pardon the mess! :D

Made for a custom order. All in PINK! :D

My fair isle sweater is coming right along!

What have you been up to?

i heart january

Why, you ask?

Well, I like being snowed in.

I don't have an outside job. So I CAN stay in if I need to. And I'm a homebody. So I like to. :)

When you're "stuck" at home you finally have time for all the fiddly bits that need done.

~Cleaning out messy area's (ahem the sewing room)

Sorry no pics of that. It still doesn't look THAT great. But it is at least organised.

~Sewing heart shaped patches on the knees of your nieces favorite pair long johns janes.

She'll be pleased as Punch about these!

I also made myself a tunic length pj shirt of the same fabric as Abbey's knee patches.

Sorry, no pics of that either...

 While cleaning out the sewing room I came across these old quilt squares that I've been meaning to sew into a pillow for quite some time now. So I did! :)

Another great thing about January is you really get to enjoy your non-Christmas-y-but-still-wintery decor.

Tea & cottages. So cozy. Hey, just like being snowed in! :D

Stay warm!

Love, Michelle ^_^



babies don't keep

I made this embroidery for my friend Sammy Jo.

She is a foster mother & we just had a "Celebration of Motherhood" luncheon for her.

(A baby shower of sorts.)

Instead of giving the normal baby shower gifts of clothing & baby essentials

she requested that we bring certain items to be put in backpacks and donated to their foster care agency.

This was such a neat idea!

***

She wanted nothing for herself.

But she should've known that was out of the question. ;)

The party coordinator had the idea for us to 

 give her a 'token of motherhood' to show our love for her.

***

Some of the suggestions given were: a small gift card for a meal or pampering experience, a note of encouragement, or something handmade.

Well, naturally, she had me at 'handmade'. :) 

I'd recently seen this little poem on Pinterest

and it reminded me that Mom had said she had a little plaque with this sweet quotation.

I thought it would be appropriate for either a birth mom, a foster mom, or adoptive mom.

***

I've already had demands  requests from my sisters for one of their own.

I'm planning on stitching some up for the shop.

Feel free to email me if you want to request one with custom colors.