Been Crafting

I got all creative with an old pair of jeans, and decided to Orla-ize them. Oh do you see that fabulous orla tote beside me??? Picked that up online a few weeks ago.
This is a pretty easy project, stitch witchery, scissors and some embroidery thread. Not to mention colorful fabrics. You could do this with any design.
And while I was at it, I decided to do this technique on an old messenger bag I had hanging around.

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• While Mr R was busy taking photos of my legs :) He snapped this one of some of my junk and I just loved it and wanted to share it with you.
  
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• Have a happy weekend.
  

You know I love Orla

I know you all know that I loooove Orla Kiely's design and especially her bags. What you may not know is that she has designed several jute shopping bags for Tesco in the UK. Each bag sells for 4 british pounds and the proceeds go to charity. I was lucky enough to nab 2 recently from a UK seller, the one above and... the one below

Announced early this month is a new design that I am in LOOOOOVE with, and I have my UK relatives watching out for it for me.

There are a few other designs of the bags that are not my favs and so I've opted not to try and get them, but I'm lovin that green one above. And they are so affordable. Now you too can have an Orla original

And never fear, in all my Orla Kiely Crazy love I am still a Junker and I have a new stash to show you all soon.

I've been busy shipping magazines and have been able to keep up with getting new orders out within 2 days.

My wood floors are done, as well as several other projects around the house, which has kept me busy. I'm thankful to have a wonderful Uncle who came down to help (basically do most of the projects) he leaves tomorrow, and I'm so sad.

Thank you David for All you do!!!!!

Orla Kiely Love...Obsession

I'm not sure why Orla Kiely's patterns attract me so much. They are simple, colorful, graphic and for some reason I just can't get enough.
I feel as if I've been infected.
Most Orla Kiely products are a bit out of my budget. So for Christmas I requested some Orla like items, like the Lotta Jansdotter fabrics below, The notebook and clips above (staples) and the Orla's book" Pattern" (Highly recommend). I also requested some actual Orla fabric (from Etsy) which came a few weeks after Christmas.

I was so excited to finally get some of her beloved fabric, and I went right to work, making those few fat quarters stretch as far as I could.
I embellished some towels, (Jansdotter 2 upper, Orla the stem pattern lower)


spruced up a Tote, It's different on each side
With Scans from her book, I dressed up my date book and cel phone. These clear phone cases are wonderful and easy to change.

I've also found ways to work Orla-like items into my decor, hopefully, without going overboard???? This green coverlet and pillow shams are from Kohl's and are still available.
If you want to see more of my Orla Kiely finds, wants etc, I keep an Orla pinboard on my pinterest just for that.

I read in her book that she looks at the blogs, so Orla if you are reading this, I want drinking glasses. The mugs are nice, but I would love a line of Orla Glass Tumblers perfect for a Texas Sweet Iced Tea, How about it??

And Last but not least, This has to be my favorite Orla item of all...

Can you believe there is an Orla Car???? Sigh

Bedroom makeover progress

I've shown you some of these changes before, but I have some new things to show you. First off I finally have a palate thanks to this wonderful pillow I found in Mo's booth at Winnie & Tulula's. I'm focusing on the bright green with a gray and just a splash of the burnt orange here and there.

I found the best coverlet and shams at Kohl's with a variation of Orla Kiely's stem print design. It's amazing how many things are out there that seem to be inspired by her designs. The coverlet is perfect as it has a gray underside, that I fold down to reveal both sides of the blanket and it gives the bed some dimension. The 3 euroshams are perfect to completely cover the very "countryish" headboard. I framed some prints from her book "pattern" that I got for Christmas and hung them on either side of the headboard and laced one on a small side table.

Even though I'm kinda going for a slightly modern look in this room, It'll always have elements of repurposing in it. Like the crates I use to store pillows and blankets. I'm on the lookout for some new lamps and I'll know them when I find them. The side tables and dresser need to be painted, but I'm still deciding on the right color for that. I'm leaning on the color of the matte in the frame above. A pretty slate-ish dark gray. What do you think about the gray for the furniture, and what should I do with the bed skirt? It's cream right now, but I'm just no feeling it. Any advise?

My obsession with Orla Kiely

Some of you may remember my fascination with this bag when I saw it in a magazine in 2010. I sent out the alert and you were very quick to let me know it was an Orla Kiely bag. Upon more investigation though I realized it was way out of my price range.

Robelyn over at Red neck chic was kind enough to use her little swatch of Orla fabric to make me my own red neck bag which I proudly carried last Fall.


This bag is still a favorite of mine



While visiting Hunt and Gather last week I spied these fabulous Oilcloth bags and pouches. I got the whole set and thought I had finally conquered my Orla Kiely obsession.I was feeling quite good and then... while meeting my uncle at a favorite restaurant of his, I Spied it...

The Fake I've been waiting for. I could not grab it fast enough and the price was reasonable (for a handbag that is). So out came the plastic and this beauty is now mine.
I just love it and I still love my oil cloth bags and pouches as well, You can say my world is colored Orla now, and I'm a happy girl.

Please excuse the Hotel upholstery.
You can find the oilcloth bags at Hunt & Gather in Minneapolis or online at
BlueQ.com

My Very own Redneck Chic Bag

Look What arrived today

All wrapped up in duct tape and twine

My very own, oh so fashionable,
Red Neck Chic-Robelyn Original "Margo" Handbag.

It all started awhile back when I fell in love with some Orla Kiley Fabric

"I have a piece of that", Robelyn said, and I'll make you a bag

Then I sent her my very Picky bag requirements

"I've got the perfect pattern" said she and "it's got the pockets you want",

"The strap you want, the opening you want and
That wonderful piece of Orla Kiley Fabric"

I said, "make it for Fall, and can I have it by the time I leave for the Junk Bonanza?"

"Of course" she said, and she delivered just in time :)

Look at those details, I love the addition of the springs on the sides and the door pulls on each side.

This gal knows what she's doing when making purses. They don't just look good, they are fully functional. Look at the size of those pockets, and those lace details, I love it sooo much!!

Thanks Robelyn, I'll have the most stylish bag at the Bonanza

You owe it to yourself to pop over to her blog and view her Etsy store, she's got some great bags already made up, and soon the "Margo" bag will be available.

Everyone needs a little Red-neck Chic in their life.

I'm off to Minnesota

Another Gresham Barn Sale Find

In addition to the wonderful basket I found in the post below, the rant below. I also found this wonderful laundry cart at the barn sale.

I wasn't sure how I'd use it, and for now it's in my guest fun junk room, holding extra pillows and blankets.
I can think of many purposes for these wonderful canvas baskets on wheels.
Jodi always finds the coolest stuff.
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Wow, I was so touched by all of your comments regarding my Ebay rant below. It's so sad that so many of us have had similar experiences. Ebay is a great idea, but something is wrong in wonderland and someone needs to fix it. Oh how I long for the good ole' Ebay days.

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One more thing, I'm in love with this bag from page 76 of the May BHG I just got in the mail. Anyone know where I can find it????

LMK if you have any info, thx, Margo
Bag identified as "Orla Kiely" by anonymous reader. Thank you.
Wow these bags are expensive!!!!!