ETSY Shop...Shameless Selfie Ad

You know...in todays market place of 'It's Hand Done, Honey'

...if YOU don't promote your stuff...

it's not going to get out there for all the 'www dot coms' or 'live shoppers' to see. 

So here is my 'Shameless Selfie Ad'.

(click on pic Ad to enlarge)

or better yet

Visit CollectInTexas ETSY Shop

click on Texas!

Howling Coyote Jonette Jewelry Pin

As you know, from earlier posts and photos, not only am I a gal from Texas, but I have a great love and appreciation for almost all things Southwest.  I'll clarify...I don't love rattlesnakes or much of anything that represents them...no snakeskin boots, no rattler collection, no snakes in a globe, no snake anything.   Let's talk about something else...like...this amazing Jonette Jewelry Coyote Pin.

Long a Southwest symbol, the coyote has been depicted in Southwest Art for centuries.  In 1986 the company that holds the JJ Trademark began marketing a line of pewter pins depicting animals of  the American West.

The JJ trademark represents Jonette Jewelry. a company founded in 1935 as Providence Jewelry Co. by Abraham Lisker. After WWII when metal shortages were brought on by the war, the company reemerged as Jonette Jewelry in honor of owners Abraham and Nathan Lisker's parents...John and Etta.

The JJ Trademark became an instant collectible on September 1, 2006 when the company announced it's closing due to foreign competition and market conditions. 

This pin has been in my collection probably since it first came out on the market.  I don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but it's value has more than tripled as an out of production collectible.

You can view the Howling Coyote pin on my recently re-opened Etsy shop.

Here is the link:

CollectInTexas Gal on...Etsy

Modella's Shoulder To Shoulder Marketing Strategy.

You remember Modella, right? She has appeared here on CollectInTexas Gal a number of times modeling jewelry, scarves, and other items I make.   In the last few months her shoulder has been invaluable to me.  I never realized how many 'Life Issues' one's shoulder shoulders.   For instance...and this is just with Modella's shoulder...she is shouldering the burden of marketing the Sling Purse/Bags'.

I have slung more than 30 bags on her sturdy shoulder and not once has she complained  while I shoot photos of her arm pit or poke pins in her shoulder, neck and boob.  I suspect she would appreciate an out of fashion 'shoulder pad' when it comes to being a substitute for a pin cushion.

In plain English...which with the word shoulder, is often not too plain...shoulder can be a noun or a verb, can be plural, has the presence of being a present or past participle, and has the ability to speak volumes without saying a word.

Just so we are on the same page, I should talk about the anatomy of the shoulder as I am well acquainted with the working of my 'Left Shoulder'...so is my chiropractor.  Your shoulders are between your neck and tops of your arms....unless one is dislocated...then it drops significantly from the top of your arm.  Not a problem for Modella.  She has no arms.

When you talk about someone's problems or responsibilities, you can say that they carry them on their shoulders.  In plain English that is a noun-plural, and I guess it would be the same as carrying TWO InThing Sling bags...one on each shoulder.  Now if you want a Verb Version  it would go something like this...when you shoulder something heavy, you put it across one of your shoulders so that you can carry it more easily.  Not a concern for Modella.  She models empty bags.

Here is where I am attempting to relieve some of the anguish and responsibility from Modella's shoulders for marketing the Sling Bag Collection.  Yes, I know I am shouldering my way into your blog reading time with this strategy in hopes of taking some of the Seasonal Shopping Stress off your shoulders.  Besides, 'Good Blogging Buddies', you stand head and shoulders above the rest of my target market, and have always been there when I needed a shoulder to cry on.

Are you sick of this 'Shoulder Sham' of a post? I will end it soon, I promise, so please bear with me for a bit longer.

  I am not good at the rejection of the wordless shoulder vocabulary...'Cold Shoulder' and 'Shoulder Shrug'.  I guess it's the 'Chip on my Shoulder' that makes me feel that way.

Okay...that was the last one.

Here are the links to view the 'Sling Bag Collection'.

On FACEBOOK....Collect In Texas Blog Shop

On ETSY...OverDoSue Eclections 

By the way...just in case I didn't make myself clear...You carry the Sling Bag on your Shoulder!

Introducing CITexasGal's SLING BAG COLLECTION

From the  DESIGN WALL to YA'LL...HoHoHo!!!

This really should be called the Stash Buster Bucket List Bag since the fabrics are from my UseIt or LoseIt Fabric Stash.  It also fits the 4R's Bucket List...especially the Re-Sale part.  I must admit, however, I have picked up a few fabrics to compliment and coordinate with the 'Themes' of the Sling Bags.  For instance...

The Western Sling Bag

Here are the properties... functions as a purse with a padded phone pocket embedded in the front panel.  Features a loop for hooking your keys which hangs from the interior strap on the same side as the phone pocket.  The inside has two 'Triangle Pockets' for separating your wallet and small make-up bag.  The entire bag has a layer of batting sandwiched between the exterior and the inside lining.  The strap is a comfortable width on your shoulder or can be carried on your arm with ease.





There are Themes for Pets and Vets.  My dog Dolly's Vet loved her 'Doggie Bag'.

Then there are the popular paisley and chevron patterns.  Let's call them 'The InThing Sling'. 

 

I'm working on more. 

The 'Made To Order Sling Bag' Fabric Options are in progress.

 

The Western Swing 'RideEm Cowgirl' is READY for Orders.

RideEm Cowgirl....$38...plus shipping.

To Order...email

collectintexas@gmail.com

payment and shipping options available.

Knitted Mesh Yarn...Not For Me!

It was hard not to title this post 'Knitted Mesh Mess'.  After thinking about it, I decided it would be contradictory  to my claim to being a collector, consumer and couture crafter of any and all things fiber.  Usually, I can get into a new Fiber medium with enthusiasm and patience to learn it's application.

Not so with the ever so popular 'Mesh/Lacy/Ruffle' Yarn.  Oh, I was enthused when I saw the scarves made up in the LYS...local yarn shop.  So much so, I promptly bought  several skeins thinking, "WooHoo, a quickie project just in time for Christmas Gifts. 

That was three Christmas' ago!  Not one was done for Christmas.  In fact only ONE was done at all, and Santa finally sent it ten months late in September with a card that said..."HoHoHoppy Birthday". 

What was my problem?  I'm glad you asked!

 

The Mesh was Mashed!

Thirty-three yards of yarn that had to be spread and stretched in order to knit between the mesh spaces.  Spreading and stretching caused the skein to twist into a coil that had to be spun out every few inches or so.  So much for Quick Knit project.  I finally got a rhythm of knit 1 hole, skip 2 holes, spin and spread coil and stick it back in the basket 2 weeks, months, years. 

 

So here I am two years later trying to live up to my self proclaimed 'Couture FiberWoman' image by finishing the Mesh Mess Scarves I started in spite of myself.  Yes, I started TWO more....it's the Waste Not Want Not thingy.  I finished the Green one today!  A Black and Gold one lacks a yard or so of spreading, stretching and stitching....that basket is next in line. 

That leaves the Blue Skein and a Lime Green Skein. 

Guess where they are going?

Wanna Make a Trendy Ruffled Scarf?  Here YaGo!

Yarn Bee Chrysalis....Lime Green Mesh Yarn....ETSY Link

Katia Triana Blue Mesh Yarn....ETSY Link

Want an OhSoTrendy Ruffled Scarf?  Here YaGo!

ETSY Link

What To Do...Knit~ Sew~Quilt~Blog

Undergoing 'Self Analysis' is not helping to solve my dilemma of WhatToDo???   I keep thinking there is something wrong with me that I can't settle in on ONE project and get it finished. 

I've always been a multi-tasker, and thought having two, four, six or eight projects going at once was manageable.  Dividing my time between them kept me from getting bored, gave me a variety of topics to blog about, and within a reasonable amount of time, bragging rights on two, four, six or eight FINISHED projects.

Now that I think about it...more 'Self Analysis'...all that 'Mega Multi-Tasking' was 'BackInTheDay' when stockpiling/collecting sewing machines, fabric, thread, notions, books, patterns, and every known sewing thingy known to womankind kept me in a frenzy.  I might not be in this Self-Inflicted Needlework mess if I had stopped with the Sewing/Quilting Obsession.

But Nooooooo!!! I had to do the same thing with Knitting, Crochet, Needlepoint, Embroidery, Beading/Jewelry, Weaving, Baskets and Ceramics.  Ceramics....I can't even begin to go there with all that lead to in equipment, tools, supplies, studio space, and on and on.  I also won't start on collecting/dealing in antiques and dishes.
 

I have just figured it out....there IS something WRONG with me...OverDoArexia!

 

Actually, I've known for quite sometime.  As in most afflictions, the cure is a long drawn out process, is painful, hard to swallow, exasperating, expensive and is not covered by Medicare.  I was hoping Obama would care, but everytime I type in ODArexia the website crashes.

So here I am trying a Multitude of Fixes to eliminate SOME of my ODArexia  rashes, anxiety attacks, and fears of what will happen to my STUFF if I'm not around to dictate it's fate which in all likelihood would be Craig's List, Garage/Estate Sales and Create an Ad on Facebook.  My DIL is an expert marketer in those venues.

As for me, I am an Online Marketing Hack, but I'm trying to recoup some of my 'Simple Pleasures Treasures' with the opening of CollectInTexas Blog/ETSY Shop, harassing my Facebook Family and Friends, and drawing attention to my plight by writing this post.  Is it working?  So far on ETSY, I have listed over 100 yards of fabric and several dozen quilts and quilted items....you've heard the saying 'selling like gangbusters'....not happening!  I'm afraid I'm in the wrong 'Gang' for today's Hip-Fabric buyers who make their aprons with designer fabrics not feed sacks, and the 'GrannyGang' I run with are all trying to downsize, too.

What am I going to do???

I'm going to Knit, Sew/Quilt and Blog!

What can I say...It's What I Do!
 

PS...As long as you are here and not suffering from UROwn OverDoArexia,
you might like to browse around my ETSY Shop. 

Just click on the Pink Texas Button.  It will sure help cure what ails me.

Linking To: 

 Beverly's How Sweet The Sound Blog Shop
Kelly's Needle and Thread Thursday

YO MAMA...How's Your CRIB?

I'm rappin' talking about a Baby Crib of course. 

It's the first thing to get ready for the arrival of a new member of the family.

Unless....that Sweet Baby arrives before the Crib!

Then a Dresser Drawer is where you keep that Sweet Baby warm!

Such was the case when my Baby Sister was born in September 1957.   I was ten years old and even though I was a TomBoy, I did love baby dolls and was quite excited that a real baby was on the way.  It didn't matter if it was a boy or a girl....back then it was always a surprise...unless of course you believed in the 'Swinging Ring Test'.  Here's how it was done...

...take off your wedding ring, tie it to a piece of string, and hang it over your belly. 

If it swings in a circle, you are promised a boy;  back and forth indicates a girl. 

 

I remember my Grandmother Minnie making the trip from Iowa to be with my Mother for the birth of my third sibling.  I already had a younger brother and sister...yes, I was #1....so it really didn't matter to me if the new baby wore pink or blue. 

 

 Mother was prepared for either one with saved baby clothes from us first three, and new baby things were yellow.  After three babies and twice that many moves,  the first crib didn't make it for baby number four.  A new Crib was on order from the Sears catalog.  It was late and 'Baby Sister' was early.  

 

Thankfully, Grandmother Minnie's solution of a Dresser Drawer worked out perfectly.  Especially when you wanted to muffle the crying baby...close the drawer...just kidding!  She didn't cry all that much, and when she did I was right there. 

 

Here we are 56 years later...and I'm still right there...playing dress-up and keeping her CRIB warm with Quilts.  Thank-you Minnie for this memory, and Mother...I'm so glad your 'Swinging Ring' swung back and forth.

New Listings in Nana's Blankies and A Quilt Store and More ETSY Shop
~YO MAMA and GRANDMA these CRIBS are for Ya'll~

Finally, Some Time To SEW

What's with this 'No Time To Sew' lately?

Well, I'll tell ya how it has been with me for a couple of months....yes, it has been months since I clamped on the quarter inch foot and pieced a quilt. It's been one Re-something or another after another.  First there was a shoulder thingy that needed Re-adjusting and Re-covery time, then there was Re-turn trips to visit Mama.  Next I decided to Re-vamp CollectInTexas Gal to include one more 'Collection', and without a doubt the most 'No Time To Sew' came with the Re-Opening of A Quilt Store and More ETSY Shop.

 

Re-Opening with Nana's Blankee's was a good move, or so I thought.  Turns out, I need more Blankee's, and with Re-establishing and Re-stocking the Bags, Fabrics and Quilt Sections there's been 'No Time To Sew'. 

 

You might Re-member the post Hey Diddle Diddle from back in February when I was making Baby Blankee's from Quiltmaker's  Big Baby Block Series that started with the January-February 2013 issue. 

 

Such easy patterns and so quick to piece together.  So, when I had a special order for a 'Girly Nana's Blankee', this pattern popped into my head. 

 

I didn't fiddle around this time either, and quickly put together these fabrics, sharpened up the Rotary Cuff Cutter...oops...shoulder thingy...and snapped on the quarter inch foot. 

 

Funny thing about these Fabrics...they were next in line for the next Fabric Section on the ETSY Shop called 'Youth Novelty Fabrics'.  No worries if you like it and want to make a Blankee with these fabrics and this pattern...there's plenty more which will be listed soon.  I say soon, but not until I've finished this one and pieced one more for NANA'S BLANKEES.

Here's Hey Diddle Diddle....click HERE to view details on A Quilt Store and More ETSY Shop.

Okay, I now have Some Time To Sew...finally!

I'll have 'Show and Tell' when 'Buggy Cuteness' is finished...watch for it!!!

Calling All Quilters...Here's YOUR Kinda FABRICS!!!

Introducing CollectInTexas BlogShop's Quilting/Sewing Motif Fabrics

I have been 'Under The Influence of Fabric' for much of my life.

Never so much as when I owned a Quilt Shop. 

 It was a fantastic way to be totally immersed in the 'Sewing and Quilting World' and to share with other Quilt and Fabric Lovers an aspect of creativity and friendship found in that realm of amazing people. Another of my Favorite Fabrics besides Vintage 1930's and 1930's Reproductions, are Sewing and Quilting Motif-Themed Fabrics.   As with the Vintage Fabrics, the time has come to De-Stash the Sewing Themed Stash.

So, here they are...

the now out of production, hard to find, 100% cotton, QSQ (quilt shop quality), hoarded, and petted fabrics that will surely put YOU Under The Influence of Fabric, too!

In the quilt fabric world Hoffman is known as a top quality designer, manufacturer and producer of Quilting and Sewing Fabrics. 

Here's a small wall quilt I made with Needles and Pins fabric. 

It's for sale in A Quilt Store and More HERE.

Click on ETSY Link for the Fabric

Quilters know that coordinating fabrics is key to a successful quilt. Here are a few Quilt/Sew Motif Focus Fabrics and their Coordinates now listed in A Quilt Store and More.  Click on ETSY Link to view each collection.

Thank-you for visiting CollectInTexas BlogShop and taking a look at A Quilt Store and More ETSY Shop. 

You can Browse all the Pages by clicking on the Home Tabs or at ETSY Shop Home Section where all the categories are listed with details on all the inventory.

Linking To

 

From Flour/Feed Sacks To Quilt Treasure

How I Save and Use Vintage Flour/Feed Sacks....

Believe it or not, this 1930's quilt was headed for a RagBag to be used in a machine shop.  It's true, the star blocks were part of a hand pieced top with ripped and stained sashing.  The cotton batting was falling out and the backing and binding were shredded from being tucked under coiled springs.

How did it get from a Rag to a Quilted Treasure? 

I saved and repaired eight star blocks....enough for two small quilts.  Carefully removed the useable backing which were squares of different flour/feed sacks that had been tied not hand quilted.  Cut the backing pieces into strips for sashing around the blocks. Added a border from my stash of flour/feed sacks and used the same original 1930's print for the backing.  I hand quilted one and longarm machine quilted the other.  They are now part of my Vintage Quilt Collection.

You, too can create a Flour/Feed Sack Quilted Treasure!

I'm happy to share some of my Vintage Fabrics with you....here are the Flour/Feed Sacks in my ETSY Shop.

Click HERE for ETSY Shop

Thank-you for visiting and browsing CollectInTexas Blog&Shop!

What's Your Definition of VINTAGE?

Are you a 'Stickler' for correct use of Vintage, Antique, Retro and Collectible?

I wanted to get it right for the 'VINTAGE TAB' and 'ETSY Category'!

vin·tage noun \ˈvin-tij\...1: a season's yield of grapes or wine from a vineyard; 2: a collection of contemporaneous and similar persons or things.

vin·tage adj \ˈvin-tij\...1: of old, recognized and enduring interest, importance, or quality:  classic;  2: Old-Fashioned, Outmoded. 

~Definitions from my Vintage Websters Collegiate Dictionary~Edition 1965~

Whatever your definition of 'Vintage', please note that mine is used as an adjective

 and based on my date of birth, I also qualify as a noun.

In the decade before my birth...1930's...Feed and Flour Sacks were 'Useable Collectibles' and a commodity during the time of the Great Depression.  It was also a time that held some notion of romance at the idea that women could make something beautiful from something so mundane as a 'SACK'.
 

Feed Sacks were used for sewing well before the depressions and for several years after. The evolution of the feed sack is a story of ingenuity and clever marketing. 

 

 Initially farm and food products were shipped in barrels. Between 1840 and 1890 cotton sacks gradually replaced barrels and the invention of the 'stitching machine' in 1846 made it possible to sew double locking seams strong enough to hold the contents of a bag.

 

The first ones were made of heavy canvas and then of  inexpensive cotton sized to correspond to barrel sizes...one barrel bag held 196 pounds of flour.  The brand name of the flour was printed on the bag.  Women quickly discovered these bags could be used as fabric for quilts and other needs.

 

With the influx of rayon and other synthetic fabrics, the bottom dropped out of the cotton market causing Feed Sack manufactures to take a different approach in their marketing strategies.

It took awhile for feed and flour sack manufacturers to realize how popular these sacks had become with women.   The first feed sacks began to be sold in colors around 1925 in colorful prints for making dresses, aprons, shirts and children's clothing.  By the late 1930's there was a heated competition to produce the most attractive and desirable prints.  This turned out to be a great marketing ploy as women picked out flour, sugar, beans, rice, cornmeal and even the feed and fertilizer for the family farm based on which fabrics they desired. 

 

With the flour industry consuming the largest share of the feed sack market, it was not hard for the farmer and his wife to purchase their goods in feed sacks. The Sacks came in different sizes and the quality of the cloth varied with the item it carried. For example, sugar sacks were much finer in weave. By 1914, sacks came in pound sizes, and by 1937 President Roosevelt standardized sizes by measurement...50 pounds feed sack measured 24x38; 100 pounds measured 39x46.

I have been a Feed/Flour Sack Collector and Quilter for many years. The 1930's Original Fabrics as well as the Reproductions of those fabrics are my absolute favorites. When it came time to close out my Quilt Shop several years ago, I KEPT ALL of these favorites. Now as I reduce my STASH again, these Feed/Flour Sacks are going to A Quilt Store and More ETSY Shop. A few are listed THERE now, and more are to follow including the ones shown in this post.

Linking To:

Beverly's How Sweet The Sound

PINK SATURDAY

Photos by CollectInTexas Gal....1925 Newspaper and Farm Life magazine from my Iowa Mother and Grandmother's collection.  Isn't that amazing?

History of Feed and Flour Sack from:  Buchanan County, Iowa Historical Society  

Tablescaping With Quilts

When all your BEDS are outfitted with Quilts...where is the next place to show off and display quilts?

Why your TABLES of course!

Quilts are the 'Modern Day' scarves, doilies and table cloths. 

My grandmother Minnie always covered her tables with something pretty, and I do too.

How about you? 

Here are CollectInTexas Gal's Blog Shop Table Toppers and Runners.
Please Click on ETSY Shop LINK for Full Size Views

Rooster and Hen Roost Table/Wall Quilt                      SOLD

46x46 size. Perfect for a small breakfast table. Country greens, dark reds and mottled cream/browns gives this table/wall quilt a great country kitchen feel. Background fabric features pots of poseys and the backing is pieced with fabrics that match the front. Four corners and four border center blocks feature roosters and hens. Skillful machine piecing and machine quilting give this piece a very square and finished look. Binding is sewn on the front and hand stitched to the backing. 

This quilt is made with 100% quilt shop quality fabric and 80/20 cotton batting. It has been washed and has that cotton quilt look with a lovely drape over the table.

Listed at A Quilt Shop and More ETSY Shop HERE.

Your PayPal and Credit Card preferences accepted through ETSY Shop...also...Shipping information and preferences.  Email  collectintexas@gmail.com  for more information and/or alternate payment method.  

Red Work Rooster Fall Runner         $28.00          Details HERE

Tropical Spinners              $85.00                             Details HERE

TutiFruiti Spinners                  $80.00                   Details HERE

It's About Country Boy's Blue Jeans & Blankets

A couple of 'Country Boys' on their way to the shed. 

A moment captured for all time. 

A moment to be shared, remembered and enjoyed in the years to come.

You know, little guys in blue jeans grow up to be big guys who have their favorite, grungy, worn out "don't you dare throw away" blue jeans.  This is a perfect example of HiHoney's frayed, holey, rolled up and 'Forever Wranglers'.  I have a feeling that his grandson will not only follow him to the shed, but also through years of 'Forever Wranglers'.

The same can be said for their Favorite Blankets/Quilts.

New Listing in A Quilt Store And More...HERE

Details in Nana's Blankees...HERE

Linking To