Thursday, June 27, 2013

Simply Spools


I find these cardboard spools of thread at sales or thrift shops.  A lot of times people just dump them, but I love the shape of them.

There are many decorative projects utilizing the spools.

In this post, they will simply be spools.



Of course there will be torn cotton ribbons and tags!








 I bought this bin of spools at an estate sale last weekend. (Read Fleaing Springfield here!) Unfortunately Willie, the wonder dog, thought they were great dog toys.  He managed to get yards of thread off a couple of the spools, but I managed to save the rest.

These spools were dusty from being in a garage for years.  I used a soft brush to remove any dirt or dust.

Any loose threads were clipped.















The torn cotton ribbons were tied around each spool. Both solids and patterns were used.
















At the flea market I had scored a basket of 1960's  patterns for children's clothes.

I chose three of them.

Scanned them into the computer.

This is a great way to use your vintage patterns without destroying them.











 I printed them out nine to a page.  Notice the pale ink colors.  My printer is running out of ink.  I hate to waste a single drop since it is expensive.  So at the end of the cartridges, I select images I am going to distress anyway and keep printing until all ink is gone.

 

(On a slightly creepy note, my printer emailed Staples to tell them it needed some cyan ink!  WHAT!?!)





You knew it, didn't you?   I made tags!

The fronts were overprinted with my favorite script stamp and the backs printed with a damask stamp.

Scalloped edges and a tie of mini-jute completed the tags.














Here is a close-up of my favorite one.

















 Here is a selection of them on top of a bookcase with lace underneath and a shadowbox behind.

The spools are simply great for sitting in little nooks and crannies or piled into a basket.

Quite simply the spools are ornies - little decorative ornaments for your home.

Enjoy.




See y'all!






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I will be over at Funky Junk Interiors for Party Junk 193!





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11 comments:

  1. What a great idea Donna! Your spools turned out great a are perfect little accents to add a touch of nostalgia to a bookcase, basket, or any spot that needs a little something! So pretty...:) You are so creative!

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  2. You are by far and without a doubt my favourite tag lady Donna... and I say that with the utmost respect my friend. I've never known anyone to put so much care and creativity into their tags. I'm learning a lot from all of your tag projects. You dressed those colourful spools so prettily... who could possibly resist them?

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  3. Dang it Woman! You are crazy clever! My moms basement has tons of these spools as she used to be a designer/pattenmaker and still sews. She wont let me touch them! If I'm every in your neck of the woods, I want to go junking with you!

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  4. You sure know how to cute something up girl! I love the ribbons and tags. I just saw a couple of book bags with McCalls pattern covers on the front...so cute!

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  5. Those tags are adorable! Great job!

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  6. I am on love with this project! Love the spools and the tags are GREAT! I'll definitely be copying you! I have a whole box of patterns that I got at an auction. I've used some of them in projects but there is one from the 60's for Barbie clothes. I've been wanting to do something with it without destroying it. This is perfect! Thanks. Have a great weekend!

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  7. Me again... I thought I was already one of your followers! I keep up with you somehow...anyway, following along now.

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  8. Wow! I LOVE your tags! My favourite part about vintage patterns is the artwork on the envelopes and you've found the perfect way to preserve them. Definitely pinning and doing this~

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  9. Smar-ti-pants! I hate when the ink starts to run out and ruin my prints (and it happens quickly it seems). What a fabulous way to use up the remaining bit. Love it! And I'm a big fan of the patterns. What cute tags they make!
    Liz

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  10. I love the pattern tags! I never would've thought to do them like that. I saw a couple of old patterns this last Saturday at a yard sale but I put them back, now I wish I'd bought them!!

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  11. What a FABULOUS HAUL you had...loving everything! : ) hugs...

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I enjoy reading all of your comments and will always answer with email. I will try to track you down if you show up as a "no reply" commenter to let you know. Friends are like that!