Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sadie Skunk FREE Hand Embroidery Pattern

As promised, I would like to present to you, my crafty readers, Miss Sadie Skunk.  Sadie is the big sister of little Foxy Felix .  She is as sweet as a rose, but be careful.  She is known to put up a stink if she doesn't get her own way.
Sadie (and her brother) would be adorable stitched up on a onesie, diaper bag, wallhanging, quilt, pillow, or tshirt. 



 Sadie Skunk PDF Download

This is a PDF pattern.  You will need a PDF reader in order to view the file.  If you do not have one, you can download Adobe Reader for free HERE
If you prefer a JPG file, just leave a note in the comments with your email address, and I will send a copy to you.

This pattern is provided free for your personal use.  I do ask that you not sell items made with this pattern, or sell the pattern itself alone or as a part of a collection.  If you do wish to stitch it up and sell it for a nonprofit fundraiser, please contact me via email (see sidebar).  I am pretty easygoing with stuff like that.

If you create something with Sadie, I would love to see your work.  Drop me an email, leave a comment, or leave me a note on Flickr

French Flea Market Fantasy

Shabby chic is not my style.  I love it, but when it comes to decorating, I am drawn to a crazy eclectic mix of modern colors and somewhat masculine shapes.
Then along comes Etsy, and its wealth of vintage sellers who specialize in beautiful pieces rescued from the flea markets in France and around the world, and I fall in love.
Vintage chic without a ton of cabbage roses, romance without being syrupy sweet - I think these sellers have found a niche for people like me.

Today I want to introduce you to two such sellers.

Jackie, owner of Bliss Farm Antiques on Etsy has a lovely shop with vintage and upcycled finds of all kinds.
My favorite pieces from her shop:


from top:
Delicious antique French ribbon in soft blue and white.  Sold by the yard, I think this would be a lovely trim for a little girl's dress, or as a scrapbooking accent.

Vintage safety deposit boxes with key.  I love the naturally distressed paint and the faded numbers. This is both decorative and functional and would make a great gift box too.

The most amazing chaise ever! Recovered in French linen and German feed sack materials, and stuffed with down, this would make for the ultimate reading nook.

As a bonus for My Hiding Place readers, Jackie has kindly offered FREE shipping (within the USA) AND a packet of vintage French ephemera (could be champagne labels, French book pages, etc.).  Just mention My Hiding Place in Cyberspace in the Notes to Seller for the discount/bonus item.


The second seller I would like to introduce to you today is Cindy from Paris Treasures on Etsy. Her shop is shabby-fabulous! The vintage artwork is so beautiful. I especially love the Marie Antoinette style prints in the old frames. I was going to show off an incredible chandelier she had in the shop, but it sold - so only click that if you want to be jealous of its new owner.
Here are some of my favorite pieces that are still available in Cindy's shop.


From top:
A pair of vintage French Marie Antoinette style boudoir cameos in heavy plaster frames. These would be gorgeous in a dressing room.

An incredible 1900s slag glass and ornate iron lamp. Look at the detail in that perfectly aged base and shade. Swoon!

What shabby chic home would be complete without a princess rotary phone? Kids: this is what phones looked like back when I was young. We had to stand or sit near the phone because we were tethered to the wall by a coiled cord that would tangle, and you were always tempted to dump friends who had a lot of 9s in their phone number. Still, the style of the old phones cannot be beat.

Do you have a favorite source for your flea market treasures and vintage finds? Feel free to share in the comments below.