A Sweet Project...U and I Sugar Sack Pillows!

 

U and I Sugar...Home Grown Sweetness!

Utah and Idaho...the sugar I grew up with!

C & H Sugar...just a sweet little imposter!

 

This lovely saltine tin was our sugar canister...often found on our breakfast table.

Too lazy to use a spoon...the sugar was poured directly from the tin.

Every bowl of cereal had a half inch of sugar on the bottom...lol!

 

Lehi Sugar Mill....

Postcard from my collection...Lehi Sugar Mill.

 

As a child we often drove by the old sugar factory in Lehi.  It was located near the dreaded "Mill Pond"...a body of water rumored to have no bottom, that would suck down any child who swam there.  My mother's cautionary tales were often exaggerated all out of proportion, but I wasn't going to test her theory.  She once told me that it swallowed a train...the "Orem" I believe. 

See all the spooky smoke over the creepy Mill Pond...all for the love of sugar!

The factory was built in 1891 during the height of  Utah sugar production.  American Fork was also competing for the factory.  In the American Fork library there is a copy of a pamphlet put out by American Fork to show all the wonderful amenities our city had to offer prospective industries.  What they should have offered was a building site and land for a beet farm.  Lehi did just that...40 acres for the factory and 1,500 acres of land.  They also built a road to the location, bought stock in the company and gave perpetual water rights.  Also a plus...two railroads passed nearby...The Rio Grande and the Western Pacific. 

American Fork offered photos of lovely homes and a picture of the Postmaster...who was famous for his mustache and cape.  Who would pass over sedately boring American Fork in favor of  boisterous "shoot 'em up" cowboy town Lehi?   Lehi celebrated their victory with bonfires of looted property and free barrels of beer.  Well done, Lehi...well done! 

 

Sweet Pinterest-Inspired Pillows...

 

Cute pillow I found on Pinterest.

 Sold by Maggie Jane's Vintage Etsy Shop

 

 

I found two bags on ebay...5 lbs and 10 lbs.

Sadly neither one was made in Lehi...and one is from South Dakota!

But they had the brightest printing.

Fun use for milk caps...almost like a prize ribbon!

I love the instructions printed on the backs of the bags.

 

 

Vintage Sheet Jammie Pants...

I am pretty late to the home-sewn pajama pants party...but not too late!  I have been collecting vintage sheets and pillow cases when I find them in the thrifts.  I can't believe how cheap they are sometimes.  I thought it would be fun to make PJ pants from one of the sheets.  I love the cool feel of sheets in summer.

 

Pretty violets...full sheet was $4 at Savers and was enough fabric for two pairs.

I trimmed the pants with vintage rick-rack and found a comfy tee-shirt to match.

They are soooo cool and comfortable, I think I will make a few more.

 

Have a sweet week!

 

 

A Sweet Nest Swap!

For Love of Nests...
Before the leaves unfurled on their branches, one could count the nests left empty when summer called it a day.  I never realized just how many little birds had made their homes in my yard.  There is something so hopeful about a nest...new beginnings and promises in little speckled eggs.  Easter came and went too quickly this spring...almost before we could count our colored eggs...leaving April out of the festivities.  Easter should always be in April...in my humble opinion.  There is more blue in an April sky...more hope for flowering things. 

So April became a month of nests.  We fuss about like mother birds...fluffling, arranging, and organizing our nests.  And we place nests in cozy corners....filled with eggs...or baby dolls...or fairies.  Then we exchange nests with others!  Vivian of viv out on a whim organized a large number of women suffering from Spring Fever...and we had it bad...into partners for a Nest Swap.  Each would make her partner the most "stinkin' cute" nest and send it winging on its way...but only when it was "too cute to give away."  That was the rule.  I am learning to make two of everything because I have a hard time parting with some of my creations.  I am sure I'm not the only one.  I have seen some beautiful examples of "thinking outside the box."  This community not only sparks creativity...it sets it ablaze.  Isn't it wonderful!

My Nest from Holly...

The Garland says "Happy" which is how this darling nest makes me feel!

The tiny pennants are only 1/2 inch in size.

Little Figaro patiently waits for the eggs to hatch...lol!

Cute Holly from Damita's Pretty Wrap was my partner in this sweet swap.

Peat Pot sweetly wrapped in burlap.

And she had another surprise in store for me...

 Beautiful silver nest with pearl eggs.
I have seen these on Pinterest and wished for one.
Holly made it herself...I could hardly believe it!
Thank you, Holly.  I love it so much!

My Supply Swap Pillow...

I told you I would be making something from this vintage card.

Dorothy of HensRule was my partner...who simply spoiled me.

Postcard printed on fabric.

Sewn to white burlap...I left the polkadot fabric's edges raw.

Colors are brighter than the picture shows.

Jo-Ann has some fabric that is supposed to take the ink better,

but I am pleased with how it turned out.

 

And I like how it looks on my comfy office chair.

Thanks, Dorothy!

 

Have a lovely evening!