burlap. oh yes, burlap coffee bean bags

Burlap bags are awesome.  Free burlap coffee bags from wonderful local business Indigo Coffee are even better.  Picking them up and getting a tour and a chat about everything from social justice to coffee to crafting:  best yet! 


We've been holding on to these burlap bags ever since Laurie sped over to Indigo Coffee after seeing their posting on Craig's List, and mulling over the myriad ideas for use.  Finally, with some brainstorming from our good friend and syndicated cartoonist (Rhymes with Orange) Hilary Price, we decided to pair them up with our vintage fabrics to create table runners.  The combination is just stunning.  


Check them out below, and come to Twist on November 11th and 12th and purchase your very own.  They make great holiday gifts!  We're also happy to do custom orders to suit your color scheme and table size.


And/or get crafty and create one yourself!  We'll be doing a table runner and napkin ring workshop on Sunday, December 11th in Florence at Hilary Price's sunny and creatively inspiring studio.  For more info and to sign up, shoot us an email!

a perfect match with my

salvaged barn door dining room table

the green from the burlap bag is a perfect match

with the green from the fabric

I think this is my favorite.  Love the blues, 

and the burlap is so tightly woven, it's like linen

cork board workshop

We are so excited to be planning for a private cork board workshop:  cork covered in gorgeous vintage fabric, frames decoupaged with beautiful papers, vintage books and reclaimed gas station maps.  And as if that wasn't enough, pushpins embellished with recycled Scrabble tiles and vintage buttons.  
Email us to plan your own private craft workshop.  You provide the participants, we provide the  expertise, materials and great vibe.  Instead of hitting the mall, hit the Mod Podge and create your holiday presents this year!

vintage Waverly fabric

mmmmmmmmm.....

pattern of floral and checked papers 

mixed with a map from the 1970s (and my feet)

log cabin quilt pattern on the 4 corners

cutest vintage button pushpins ever!

cutest boy ever!

croquet sets: nose to tail

Remember those croquet sets I've been collecting?  Well, we are going nose to tail with those gorgeous vintage mallets and balls!  Did we mention we'll be selling all of these amazing items at Twist in Northampton on November 11th and 12th?  Because we will.  And we can't wait to see you there.  


Here's a sneak preview:

croquet mallet sticks + adorable blue bottles 

scored from Freecycle = bud vase!

last gasp of the windowboxes

photo holders

recipe card holders

mallet sliced in half = candlestick holders

romantic dinner, candlelight from

croquet mallets

vintage wooden croquet balls + saw = photo holder

It's possible I have a basement full of carefully collected vintage wooden croquet sets.  Ok, it's probable.  My husband might confirm it.  And it's time for Twist, the coolest craft fair ever, so I'm starting to repurpose all of those gorgeous mallets and balls.  Croquet balls, not schweddy balls.  Incidentally, has anyone actually been able to purchase this ice cream?  Our friend Dave has scoured the Valley ("Hi, good morning, do you have schweddy balls?"), to no avail. 

I was inspired to get going on some photo holders when I found the perfect wooden bases at one of my glorious tag sales yesterday.  I'm quite certain they served another purpose, but it's as if they were meant to hold up a croquet ball.  I recognize that these photo holders are even better if you happen to have a ridiculously cute picture of your baby to stick in it.

does it look rakish and fun, or just crooked?

love the faded orange paint

coat of poly finishes it off beautifully

Stay tuned for some hat and dishtowel racks with the mallets and the awesome wooden handles I scored yesterday.

And let's not forget these fabulous candlesticks that Liz from sticks and bricks helped me create:



why isn't there a tv show about us?

Is it because we would never wear such short shorts in downtown Northampton, much less on national television?

Seriously, we are so much cooler than the sisters.  We don't have a hunky contractor named Alan to do the hard work - we do it ourselves!  So if you happen to be a Lifetime producer, or are the bff of a Lifetime producer, hook us up!

But on to the main event...

I had my best tagging day EVER today.  I credit my friend Kerry.  She usually has the best tagging karma ever, and she didn't find anything today.  The only conclusion I can pull is that I sucked the karma right out of her. 

Check out the goods!

gorgeous old knobs and small wooden handles that may find their way

onto a croquet mallet to make a hat or dishtowel holder

cookbooks!  maps!  cookbooks!  maps!

from the 50's

I'm going to make a recipe a day, blog about it,

and then they will make a blockbuster movie about me

wooden bobbins, tons of 'em

do you know how long I've been searching for these?

Cool vintage dresses (one was still in the drycleaner bag).

When they make a show about us, this is what we will wear.

the tiny daisies are KILLING me

oh.  my.  god.

You can't imagine how I felt when I saw these.

I carefully hid my glee in order to bargain hard.

Candlesticks!  Candlesticks!  Candlesticks!

cute, dorky briefcase from who knows when -

perfect to display items on at Twist

 I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong.

I don't have enough croquet sets.  I don't.