Mustang Sally is one of the most perfect traveling tunes. Today it carries me around each corner of the old highway on the way to Que Linda. Several Chevy pickups pulling horse trailers head the opposite direction back into town. We wave even though we don’t recognize each other. Just one of the many things that make me happy to live in rural Eastern Oregon. The creek that runs along side the road is swelling from the recent rains and spring runoff. Everything is starting to turn green. It only takes about a half hour for me to reach this beautiful corner of the world.
Welcome to Que Linda which means
“How Beautiful”.
How true that is when it comes to my friend’s amazing stucco get-away nestled into a hillside between the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Elkhorn Mountains in Eastern Oregon. Complete with panoramic views, wood cook stoves, tile, tooled leather, custom made pine cupboards and table, outdoor chimeneas, and
loads of Linda’s upcycled old denim.
My good friends Tom and Linda have created this magical space. Both artists, Tom with wood and Linda with fabric. I brought you along with me today so you could see some of the unique ways Linda has upcycled old denim and give you a little glimpse into one of my favorite places with some of my favorite people.
Everything here has a story or a past life.
The dining chair covers were made from old Wrangler jeans from our dear friend Jeff.
The couch and chair covers were made from quilt squares that Linda’s mother had made years ago.
Linda is now working on this rug made from strips of old denim.
Everywhere you turn here, there is something beautiful. No wonder they call it
Que Linda.
Isn’t this just the coolest thing ever! I would’ve never thought to frame a sheet of old stamps.
A handy place to hang your towels while in the hot tub.
And a perfect spot to take some photos of my latest denim refashion:
I have to admit, being a teacher in the 90’s, I had a few of these beauties in my closet. They were comfy and modest but as we know now, not so flattering. Fast forward about twenty years and there are literally thousands of these dresses are filling the thrift store racks just waiting for someone to love them again. And, as we can see from Linda’s handiwork, there are literally thousands of things you can do with them.
For this refashion, I made a simple denim pencil skirt that I can wear with anything. I used Craft-o-vision’s Custom Skirt tutorial again. So many thrift store clothes will work for this refashion. Just find any large skirt or dress with a fabric and pattern you like and off you go to make your own custom pencil skirt that will fit you perfectly! I’ve been making so many of these, I can almost do it with my eyes shut.
Thank you Tom and Linda for letting us visit you today.
Happy sewing!
Beth
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Thank you for your information on denim ….. ¡ Qué linda! Means …..How beautiful.
Enviado desde mi IPAD
Doris Rivera Benitez
Thanks, Doris!!!
Wow!! I just love all your recreations. I am looking at things with “new” eyes. Please keep encouraging us with them it is inspiring.😊
Thank you!
What a GORGEOUS part of the country! Thank you for sharing your photos – “how beautiful” indeed! And now I know what to do with those ugly boxy dresses… 🙂
Thanks so much, Melissa!
Now I know what I can do with all those jeans in my closet that don’t fit! 🙂
Oh yes, so many possibilities!
You live in beautiful surroundings indeed. Unfortunately for us, it takes a several hours flight to get to your part of the States, from Switzerland. Two years ago we traveled through Oregon for several weeks, and liked it so much, especially the eastern part, that we hardly wanted to leave. Besides the beautiful pictures of the landscape, I like your refashion, as always
Thanks Annie! Did you go to Wallowa Lake and Joseph? That part of Oregon looks like Switzerland to me. It’s just on the other side of the Eagle Caps from me.
We were there in late Spring and I can remember, that there was still quite some snow. I just took out the map and yes,we were on both sides of the Eagle Cap Mountains.
Then you must’ve been in my neighborhood, too! How fun!
Fun post, thanks!
Paula
Thank you, Paula!
I super inspired now to do some upcycling! I just made a denim ironing board cover!
Great idea, Layne! My ironing board cover is getting pretty old and it’s time for a new one. It just might have to be denim!
What a special day, love the skirt! From okay dress to fancy, stylish skirt!
Thanks!
You look so very happy! Cheers, Jo Ann
I’m always happy at Que Linda!!!! 🙂
What beautiful country! Thanks for sharing. Loved the framed stamps and the denim rug. Yes, I used to teach in those dresses. 🙂 Guess I’ll locate one in the thrift store and fashion a skirt! You always inspire.
Anny
Thanks, Anny! I never thought about framing a sheet of old stamps, but they are perfect for Que Linda!
Fun rug idea! I have a pile of jeans that might just have a rug destiny.:)
I thought the rug was really cool, too. Linda is amazing!
I love that up cycled rug and the Airstream!
Aren’t they cool!!! I love them, too!
Dare you to try with your eyes shut! Or turn your machine around and sew backwards!!
Look, Mom, no hands! 🙂
I think the 90 s were all about denim and bedazzled denim.
And long shapeless dresses. Lucky for me, because the thrift stores are full of that stuff now, just waiting to be refashioned.
I posted the last comment. Sorry info did not come up on my phone. 😊
Hi Renee!
Awesome post. You look so cute!
Thank you, Jill!
That certainly is a beautiful place! I love all the denim. I had a denim quilt made for my daughter some of my dad’s old jeans and overalls when she was about 8. She will 32 in June and that quilt has had two new backings to fix worn out ones and there have been patches added over the years to record her interests and hobbies but that quilt is still going strong and when she’s feeling bad – nothing will do but her grandad’s jeans quilt. Denim is a great refashion/upcycle source! I love that rug so much I hope you will do a tutorial on that sometime – so I can show it to someone and they can make it for me! 🙂 As always, love your refashion. Looks WAY better in the skirt than a dress.
What a great story about your daughter’s quilt. Thanks! I’ll have to have Linda give me rug lessons so I can post a tutorial. The rug has been a big hit with everyone.
What an interesting place! I love the rug, too. The different shades of denim are beautiful together.
Your skirt is so nice – fits so well. When work slows down I should go back and look at the tutorial again. It looked hard the first time, but I’ve been so impressed by your skirts I’d really like to give it a try. I’m thinking I’ll try Layne’s idea as well (ironing board cover). It would certainly be a sturdy cover. Thanks for another great post.
You are so welcome, Jo! Thank YOU for all of your nice comments. It really means a lot!
Beautiful countryside! I loved the reuse of denim – thanks for sharing them.
You are so welcome!!
That rug just gave me an idea to finally use up all the extra jeans I have, but didn’t have the gut to throw away 🙂
I’ll be definitely posting about my trip to Chicago 🙂 So that everyone stays in the loop!
Also – you look amazing!
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Thank you, Zhenya! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventure!
I just found your blog, through pintrest, and was happily scrolling through your posts until the Eagle Caps made me catch my breath. I grew up in Elgin but have been gone from that wonderful part of the state since I graduated from high school, besides visiting from time to time, but my heart still lives in that corner of the world. My husband and I actually got married at Wallowa Lake. Thank you so much for “taking me home!”
Hey Paula! Wallowa Lake is beautiful! I bet you had an incredible wedding there! I’m so fortunate to have a panoramic view of the Eagle Caps from my living room window. Each season so different and each sunrise amazing. As a matter of fact yesterday late evening after a day of overcast and drizzly rain, the low sun broke through the clouds, cast it’s long rays across the field and the brightest most amazing rainbow framed the dark and stormy mountains. I am truly blessed to live in this side of the state. Hope you’ll come back and visit sometime. Beth
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