BOUTIQUE @ the busy bee

I love trying new ideas for the shop.  Some work and some just don't. Today I made fabric covered buttons. Love them!  These will be available in the shop later today. Fabric Covered Buttons

This is the lastest addition to my office, Bessie.  Bessie is an Ironrite 85.  I have dreamed of owning one since I first discovered there was an easier way to iron fabric, sheets, and much more!  After six months of drooling over this one, I bought it. Bessie, before. She needed a lot of TLC.  First, I took off the cover and the pad.  Underneath the pad was a burlap cover, which I did not remove per book instructions.  I fluffed the pad in the dryer for 15 minutes and washed the cover with bleach.  The cord on the floor is what holds the cover tight on the pad.  Re-attaching the pad was rather easy, but the cover took a few tries to get it smooth. Burlap cover Then I started cleaning the machine. First wiping down with a wet cloth and then with Grease Lighting.  Minus the chips and scratches in the paint, it was amazingly white.   Bessie, after. The final step was to clean the chair.  There is a sticker on the ...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your creative ideas?  That is how I am feeling today.  I have four custom orders that need to be ready to be shipped or delivered on Tuesday, vinyl numbers to cut out for a friend, my Valentine's Day present needs some TLC, and a friend coming over today to start working on a t-shirt quilt.  I try to make a list every Sunday, but inevitably life throws me a curve ball and not everything gets finished. I have so many ideas for items I would love to list in my Etsy shop, but they just keep getting pushed farther and farther down the list.  I blame it mostly on working from home.  If I solely concentrate on work then my house falls apart and vice-versa.  Guess I just need to put on my big girl panties and get to work!

Problem #4:  New Photo Prop I have used several things to stage photos for my Etsy shop from an old school desk to the small dresser.  I am not one to leave things be, I like changing it up.  One day while cruising Pinterest, I saw an awesome idea that would combine my love of vintage and serve a purpose in the office. Suitcase Shelf Close-up of Suitcase Shelf Love it!  I did feel a tad bit guilty for cutting a perfectly good suitcase in half...

Problem #3:  Thread Storage I have this tendency to over buy...I see a great deal and stock up.  Thread is not cheap so when it goes on sale, I buy.   I was keeping all my thread in a drawer in the metal sewing desk.  Every time I would open the drawer, spools of thread would roll around.  The OCD in me decided this was not acceptable. Solution:  Peg Board, Three Wood Thread Holders, Pegs, and Washi Tape Wall of Thread The peg board I purchased on a local yardsale site for $5.00, thread holders from Wal-mart for $9.99 each, various pegs from thrift store and estates sales $?, and the washi tape I purchase from Etsy a loong time ago.  The scissors above the peg board were purchased also on the local yardsale site and with a quick coat of spray paint look great! I am incredibly happy with how this turned out. Everything is now visible, out of the drawer, and off the cutting table!

Warning:  Random Post with lots of Rambling Ever feel like just throwing everything out and starting over, like getting a mulligan?  Keeping only the pieces you absolutely love and also serve some sort of purpose in your house or closet.  I am a hoarder of sorts, never really wanting to get rid of anything. It started with trying to find a spot in the office for a vintage Ironrite I will be acquiring next week.  I have always wanted one and it would make my ironing life so much easier.  The only place I thought it might work was in the corner of my office in front of the desk. One problem, where was the lovely little chest of drawers going to go? I love this piece and after refinishing it, still needs a touch up where I pulled the knob off...oops, I can't let it go.  So where to put it?  It was moved to the dining room, where my Grandmother's cedar chest was residing under the window (relocated to the basement).  As I looked aroun...

Problem #2:  What to keep and what needs to go? Here is what made the cut: 1. Meet Thelma and Lady: I love vintage dress forms.  I am lucky enough to have found these two in my price range, because we all know just how pricey they can be!   Lady was adopted first, I say "adopted" because they are like family.  Weird I know, but I have never claimed to be normal.  Lady came from a local antique mall. She is wearing a lovely dress my daughter would love for me to alter for her, but I haven't as of yet. Thelma was in poor condition when I found her. After stripping her of tattered red fabric and giving her several coats of Mod Podge, she has turned out beautifully.     They now reside in there new location in my office, between the two doors.  One door leads to the laundry/pantry room and the other to the dining room.  The floral print is a Goodwill find along with the curtain you see in the door.   Thelma and Lady 2....