Polkadot Monkey

Tiny Doll Pins Filled With Lavender

2011-10-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

More Oilcloth Bags With New Patterns

2011-09-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

These new Monkey Totes are just right for carrying all your stuff onto the plane, for a laptop or iPad, for teaching supplies. Most are about 3 inches deep, 13 inches high and about 17 inches wide. Smaller zipper bags come with each. Pockets inside.

Oilcloth just wipes clean, totally waterproof.

New Zipper Oilcloth Satchels

2011-09-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

New Zip Oilcloth Stash Cases

2011-09-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Fully Lined.
Big ones are
big enough
for a stash of
letter sized
papers.

Middle ones
are just right
for all sorts
of makeup
or pencils.

Little zips
hold money
or cards or
lovenotes.

Time For New Oilcloth Stuff

2011-09-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

GREEN and Twirly Girly

2011-03-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

Polkadot Monkey Makes a Scrap Doll

2010-12-16T06:39:00.000-08:00

Scrap doll for
Rachel using
fabric from her
grandmother's
favorite shirt.

Monkey had
more FUN !!!
Use anything
from the scrap
bag. Stuff w/
fluffy batting.

Monkey Skirts for Tonette's Girlies - Shipped Sat 12/11 Priority.

2010-12-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

Two skirts for
two cousins. I
used vintage
dotty fabrics
of lavender.
The rt skirt
has an over-
skirt cut from
a vintage sun
dress.

Twirly ruffly skirt
for a five yr old.

A little slimmer
skirt for an 8 yr
old.

Blue and cream
for another set
of cousins, this
one for the 5yr
old. The older
cousin's skirt
uses the same
blue.

Size 10-12 a-line
more slender and
a little longer for
the older cousin.
The ruffle is a
vintage pc of
Ikat fabric given
to me long ago.

Each skirt has a tiny
removable silk purse
made from a man's
silk tie. Snap closure.
Fun button.

The purses for the
older girls are sized
for cell phones. The
smaller ones are for
tiny treasures.

Could I Please Live Under this Tree?

2010-11-10T04:06:00.001-08:00

Polkadot Monkey Always Had a Lot to Say

2010-03-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

Kiwi Green Vintage Fabric Zipper Bag

2010-03-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

This drapery fabric is vintage 1930s-50s, paired with the

sturdy oilcloth bottom. About 20 inches across, 14 or so

down, with a depth of about 2-3 at the bottom. Pkts inside.

Lined with brown/white lacey oilcloth.

NOTE: The tutorial about making these satchels was here,

but in the fooling around to add something, it went into the

draft mode. It will stay there till 1. Polkadot Monkey figures

out how to get it back, or 2. Mr. Monkey gets home.

NOTE: Monkey is cool, but not cool enough.

Vintage Sputnik Era Barkcloth Satchel

2010-03-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey, Monkey is fooling around. There is this plastic-y stuff

called "Thermo-Web" that you can iron-on to fabric of all

kinds. I wanted this old barkcloth drapery fabric to be a bit

more wipe-off-able. The little zip bag and the overlay on the

bottom are Mexican oilcloth, with straps and the inside liner

of the coated cotton polkadots. Big and little pockets inside.

This fabric is from the 50s, about the same time as those

goofy boomerang plastic kitchen counter-tops. The pink is

that soft blush pink, and it is just right with the gray and

yellow and black and cream ground. Gray was hot back in

the day.

Polkadot Monkey Has a New Tote with CHERRIES

2010-03-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

The snow is melting at last. Monkey took the new tote out
for a breath of fresh air and a shot of sunshine. This one is
going out in the mail tomorrow to Billie on Whidbey Island.
She needs a dose of Monkey Fun. Cherries and Monkeys.
And a little fluffy stuff. The bottom is the strong coated
cotton for durability, and the inside is lined with a lacey
Mexican oilcloth. A little pocket for sunglasses or phone
and a big one for the zipper monkey bag with the strappy
handle. Reversible.

Polkadot Monkey's new label. Polkadot border thanks
to David for the idea. Dottie ribbons to tie for closure.

Big pocket inside holds the little zip bag.

Reversible Oilcloth Monkey Tote for Siddy

2010-02-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

This big market tote is going out tomorrow to Siddy down in
Texas, my cowgirl friend. She needs a little monkey bag for
all her stuff.

Big pocket on the outside and a big one inside as well as
a little phone pocket. The Moda oilcloth on the bottom makes
this one extra sturdy, with double stitched straps for strength.
Reverses to the red floating fruits inside now. The little dotty
ribbons are for if she needs to tie the bag closed to keep all the
hay from falling out.

The zipper bag slides inside the big inner pocket
to hold all the lipstick that we know we need. Or
money. Or tractor keys. Or Reese's peanut
butter cups.

Polkadot Monkey is Working on Labels

2010-02-19T14:14:00.000-08:00

Trying it out on the big satchel just sewn
on the outside between handles.

Monkey is trying to come up with some little linen labels

hand-embroidered quickly to sew onto the pockets or the

fronts of bags. Maybe some into the side seams. These

are the first free hand attempts.

Hmmm. Not quite there yet...

HANDMADE MARKETPLACE...a great new book

2010-02-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

This little book was in my mailbox yesterday from

good ole Amazon. Published this month, and chock

full of helpful ideas. Polkadot Monkey is gonna sit

down now with her coffee and start reading.

OILCLOTH FABRICS in Monkey's Workroom

2010-02-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

Polkadot Monkey works with two kinds of "oilcloth."
The two shots left show the HEAVIER COATED
broadcloth made by Moda Fabrics out of Dallas. This
is heavier than the glossy Mexican oilcloth in the shots
below and has a non-glossy finish to it. It combines
well with heavy cotton fabrics or the Mexican stuff.

(Check out the posts for October of 2009 that show
the Moda oilcloth used with vintage barkcloth for the
big zipper satchels and totes.)

The patterns shown below are MEXICAN OILCLOTH:
A little more flamboyant than the American fabric used
above. Glossy finish. Made of a plastic-y coating which
is backed by a loosely woven cheesecloth for stability.
I love this stuff. Let me know if you want me to snap
a shot of side-by-side bolts to show how they would
look combined in one bag.

The lacey one above right is BROWN on white and

it is wonderful! It looks so right combined with some

of those Moda patterns like the pine cones and the

brown and pinky dots or the big peachy flowers.

New Top for Girly-Girl

2010-02-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

New top for Brookie with stripes and

flowers. Wear the dark brown tee under

it for the cold weather and then we will

find a little tank for the summer days.

The back ties make the fit sort of

adjustable. In the mail Tuesday.

Brooke's New Doggie Top

2010-01-15T14:36:00.001-08:00

Cutie cute fashion model with new top.

Another little topper for the Brookster.

Little doggies and cats. In the mail on

Saturday!

Close-up of the fabric. Hope she likes it and that

it fits...

New Top for Brooke

2009-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

New little top for a Polkadot Girl who likes to be

a little edgey. And comfortable. Old Navy has a

lot of really low price tees.

Vintage Reversible Market Tote

2009-10-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

This drapery fabric is probably from the 40s or

the 50s. Sort of a wild twill cotton. Big rick rack

around the top and ties for closure. Big pocket and

small one on the Moda oilcloth cotton lining. This

one is completely reversible. About 13+inches high

and 19-20 inches wide, with 6 inches across the

base. Reinforced seams and strap attachments.

The Monkey loves these old and new dotty fabrics.

One More Barkcloth/Oilcloth Satchel.

2009-10-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

This big satchel is made with my very favorite

of the vintage barkcloth fabrics. Big red and bold

chartreuse flowers. About 22 inches across and

18 inches high or so. Two pkts inside, one large

enough to hold the little matching zipper pursie.

Moda heavy red dotted oilcloth inside and on the

bottom and shoulder straps. Monkey is in the

Flow.

Another Vintage Drapery Satchel with Oilcloth Inside

2009-10-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

Monkey is proud of this one. Good sturdy bottom

and inside with pockets: all made with coated cotton

oilcloth. Great new brown with soft pink dots. The

outside is from a wonderful sort of canvas-y drapery

fabric I found at the Allegan Antiques Market, maybe

from the 1940s-50s. Just makes the Monkey want

to go shopping and fill it up. Dimensions are the same

as the one below. I made a little zippee to go with it.

Vintage Barkcloth Drapery Bag with Oilcloth Bottom

2009-10-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Polkadot Monkey has finally gotten back to work!

This new bag makes the Monkey feel like going

to the Farmers Market. It has that wacky 1930s

feather frond "barkcloth" drapery on the outside

and the sturdy Moda Fabrics Co. polkadotty pink

oilcloth on the bottom and on the inside. Big pkt

and a little one too for a cell phone. 22" across and

18" high, with 22" reinforced handles for carrying

by hand or on the shoulder. At last another way

to use the old fabrics stored up in the workroom.

2009-06-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Polkadot Monkey cut down an old hand-painted
adult sweatshirt by Seattle artist Terry Terrell.
Took off sleeves, kept the crew neck, cut off the
bottom band and reapplied it to make the skirt
bottom. This will be so warm and cuddly for Lilja
in the winter with the long tee underneath.

Rachel's Tie Strap Jumper

2009-04-30T09:08:00.001-07:00

Little babushka to match the jumper...when
you do not want to brush hair, wear scarf!

Rachel, this is the same soft blue
dotty fabric of the other little apron
dress you have. Polkadot Monkey
will stick this in the mail tomorrow
for you. The top is adjustable if you
need to tighten or loosen it, but you
will need to get Mom or Dad to help
re-tack the straps to the dress. I
will send the thread and needles &
pins. NOW, do you need one made
like Booker's jumpers? With the
buttons on the straps?

Little Girl's Jumper...Shortie.

2009-04-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Monkey just finished this one
for Girlie Girl with the fabrics she
picked out, making it just a little
bit shorter than the first jumper.
Can you tell a storm is blowing
in with snow tonight?? It is so cold
and WINDY. It is frickin APRIL!

Brookie's Jumper

2009-03-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Brookie...it is all done. We packed
it up and mailed it on Saturday...
you should have it maybe Tuesday.
Polkadot Monkey is hopin it fits.

Vintage Baby Tees, What a FIND!

2009-03-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Today Polkadot Monkey went to the Antique

Mall in Mason, Michigan. She bought the box

of 12 perfect little long sleeve tie in the front,

87% cotton, 13 % wool Baby Teeshirts. Cool.

Probably from the 1930s. Lilja wore some we

found just like this. Now the Monk needs to

find more babies who wear age 18 mos size,

up to weight 24-26 pounds. The size 4 on the

box is probably a vintage size code from the

past.

Lilja's Flannel Jumper Set

2009-03-11T12:24:00.000-07:00

Little polkadot babushka.

The owls are a pale lime green soft
flannel with flannel dotty pockets
and wide bottom band. The little
tie vest is reversible to the dotty
flannel.

She can wear the jumper in the deep
winter with the long pants and vest,
or the jumper with lined bodice can
be worn alone in the summertime.The
lining is the pale green dotty fabric of
the babushka.

This is a wonderful little versatile
girlie pattern that can be made very
modern or old-fashioned, depending
on fabrics and detailing. Putting it in
the mail tomorrow.

How to Be Lucky

2009-01-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

How to be lucky? "Be Generous...
I cannot overstate how a generous
spirit contributes to good luck."

-Twyla Tharp, THE CREATIVE
HABIT. 2003. Simon & Schuster

Polkadot Monkey is Using It Up

2009-01-21T13:12:00.001-08:00

This is a nightgown for Brookie that is just now
finished, using some old fabrics I have had for
years. She picked out the hearts material
from the stacks when she was little for me to
make her something. I forgot all about that
when stuff got packed up to move. Polkadot
Monkey likes cherries.

"Use it up, or wear it out.
Make it do, or do without." -Anon.

This is my new mantra these days.
No duh!

Two Dogs Running in the Snow

2009-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

I looked out to check the snow and saw these
two dogs running and jumping and turning
flips in the park while their owners chatted.
It has snowed for days and days. Now I am
going out to learn how to do the snowblower.

More Vintage Apron Girlie Dresses

2008-12-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

Two of the little vintage apron dotty

dresses for the little girls in Seattle.

Each has a babushka to match, and

one of the little tiny lavender dolls to

match the little girl who wears the

dress. These old linens were once

dresser scarves. Made by ladies

who embroidered their souls into

their work.

Making Oilcloth Bags While It Snows

2008-12-16T16:25:00.003-08:00

One more of the big carry-all totes

of oilcloth inside and out, 2 pockets

inside and little lined zippee with

carry strap. These and most of the

totes are reversible. They can be

made any size, any number of pkts,

because they are made to order.

This one is for Sue's Erin in New York

City...it will be just right for going to

her market down the street from

her apartment.

More snow is coming tonight.

Polkadot Monkey Oilcloth Tote and Tiny Zip Pursie

2008-12-16T16:18:00.001-08:00

This is the sturdy oilcloth tote for Sue
that finally got done today. Lined in
tiny check oilcloth with two pockets
inside. Rick rack around top and ties
for closure. Little lined zippee with
carry handle. Just LOOK at the monk
faces up close! They knock me out.

We Know How to DO Sloth

2008-11-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

Yep, it is a real hotbed of activity
here on this snowy cold Sunday.

First Snow of the Winter

2008-11-11T14:54:00.001-08:00

I love the winter.

I love my boots.

I love my cap.

I love my quilt.

I love my cat who

snuggles down

tummy to tummy

and purrs me to

sleep.

I love Mr. Monkey.

Red Ticking Vintage Apron Dress

2008-11-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is another size 12 girlie dress

made from red and white all cotton

ticking and cotton polkadots. The

apron is from a 1940s kitchen cotton

tablecloth, and I added some hand

crocheted edging. On this one too

I added a little button tab at the

neck opening. Tonette...if you like

the blue roses better, there is just

enough fabric for another and I

have the perfect tea towel to go

with it...let me know! The length

is probably a few inches below the

knee, depending. I lengthened it

a bit from the short short pattern,

cuz I do not want that cute little

bottom to show, and it is sortof a

longer style I thought. I have

some of the red dots in oilcloth

so we can make a little tote for

her as well...

Rachel's Vintage Apron Dress

2008-11-11T14:25:00.001-08:00

Size 12 Girlie Girl dress for Rachel.

The apron is from a vintage finger

tip towel of linen; vintage-looking

faded blue roses on taupe for the

dress; and cream and blue puffy

cuffs and sash. I added a mother

of pearl tab closure at the neck, as

it was a little open otherwise. She

likes the longer length, or rather

Mom and Dad do.

Cushions Made With Vintage Textiles

2008-11-05T09:09:00.001-08:00

Hodge Podge of sofa/bed pillows made from

old drapes and vintage Bates bedspreads. And

pompoms and fringe.

The top one is a photo of those really really

tacky hooked pillows that ladies did at home

on black velvet backing. I took them apart

to remake them and to add new inserts and

you guessed it...pompoms. 1930s handwork.

The rest are made with my favorite old

textiles: that nubby barkcloth, a nautical

bedspread, chenille backings, all with feather

inserts.

Two New Barkcloth Vests

2008-11-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Bits of barkcloth drapery from the
30s-50s, just waiting to be used.

Okay, more "barkcloth" drapery.

The top one is from the sputnik

era in the 50s, very "modern."

The second one is tacky landscape

drapery fabric. Maybe the 40s.

Both vests have some of that faux

button printed drapery in different

colors.

Lifetime Supply of Safety Pins

2008-11-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

Can you believe how crazy great
these dorky safety pin beaded 50s
baskets are? WHO would actually
make them? And WHY?

Vintage Lavender Dream Pillows

2008-11-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Polkadot Monk chills out with lavender. She

takes a "dream pillow" to bed, slaps it about

and gets that scent and sweet dreams all night.

Really old anything: laces, linens, 1940s bits

of tablecloths, vintage fabrics, you name it.

That big white flower on the right is a piece

of 1940s barkcloth drapery...you know, that

real bumpy deco fabric. The insert on the

left is the lavender that slips out so the case

can be washed.

The second one cracks me up. It is one of

those "naughty" guest towels for the bath

that I find occasionally. Little rounded

stuffed balls make the boobs and bottoms.

Sold this one long ago. I wish I could find

a bunch more of those wacky towels.

Lavender Storybook Pillows

2008-11-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

These pillows are filled full of lavender buds
and mint and lemon peel and hops and and...
The pictures are really pages from very old
fabric nursery books. I find them at flea mkts
and antique malls, all wrinkled, pages askew,
marked up with pencil marks by children long
ago. Monkey hand-stitches them onto the
fabric backing and piles in the French lavender.
The pillows become like little frames for the
picture pages, and they smell good too. This
is a way to preserve them and share these
little pieces of history.

Vintage Lavender Sachets

2008-11-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

These are some of the sachets Monkey makes
using bits of vintage feedsacks or damask and
lady hankies and old lace and buttons. She
hangs them on drawer knobs, on the bedpost
or nestles them inside folded clothes in her
suitcase. Mmmmmm. French Lavender!

Little Purses Made From Old Ties

2008-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Oilcloth Zip Bags are Fully Lined

2008-10-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

"Green" Oilcloth Grocery Totes

2008-10-20T16:54:00.001-07:00

I use these market totes
when I go to the grocery
store instead of the paper
bags. They are just the
same size, but they save
the trees. Sacker dudes
get a kick out of them.

This is sturdy coated
cotton from the Moda
fabric company down in
Dallas. Single layer, with
double reinforced straps
to just go over shoulder
or carry by hand. A little
pocket for grocery list.

Overflowing Oilcloth Waiting for Monk

2008-10-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Yep, it makes
my heart sing.
Bolts of gaudy,
raucus oilcloth
clanging over
there in the
corner, wanting
attention. Totes
and purses and
zipper pouches.

Look at all the
colors banged
up together!

Prairifire Crabapple Tree

2008-10-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Monkey planted a new

crabapple tree Friday.

It has dark red berries

hanging down allover

the branches. Maybe

the birds will be happy

to see it in the front of

the house.

Fall is my favorite time

of the year.

Vintage Barkcloth Baby Kimono

2008-10-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Short kimono tie top

of barkcloth drapery

cotton. Pre-1950s.

This is for little Lilja.

It is so warm, lined

with the same flannel

of the pants. Roll the

sleeves up, roll the

pants up...till little

arms and legs grow.

Monkey wants one

for herself!

Rachel's Polkadot Apron Dress

2008-10-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Rachel wanted a dress

with an apron too. For

this larger size, we did

a square neckline with

a more fitted bodice &

added a sash to tie in

the back. She has a

blue babushka and a

little blue dotty tote

of oilcloth in the same

pattern.

I am getting itchy to

make some more of

these dresses!

Little Dotty Apron Dresses

2008-10-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is a little cotton
dress/jumper with a
sewn-in apron made
from a vintage hand
embroidered linen
tea towel. I've got bolts
of polkadots in peachy
pink, red, pale blue
and pale celery. There
is a dotty babushka
for each dress. Back
button placket. A
lavender filled heart
is removable. This
poodle dress size 4
went to Riley.

It is Fall. It is rainy. It is good.

2008-10-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

This white anemone

is the tail end of the

flowering things, but

the pink honeysuckle

hangs on too on the

front railing. Leaves

are falling. Soon we

will have to rake.

(Mel says he raked

37 bags last year.)

5 bags of pine bark

mulch are waiting to

be spread on the new

plantings.

Monkey Starting New Blog

2008-10-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Monkey is starting over
with her new blogging
thing. Just for fun. It's
a pretty crazy world.
Here is a picture of some
of our friends...they have
been around.