For those of us who love being artsy and craftsy, we love stories that echo those passions too. Hope Toler Dougherty has long been a must-read for me, but her new book hit all the right spots. I was blessed to be a part of her launch team and get a sneak peek at her perfect beach read before it released. Of course, it has the summer vibes with beaches, ice cream, and even VBS. But the part that spoke to me most was the art. She’s talking about one facet of that in her book spotlight today. See if it doesn’t intrigue you too.

In Beach House Rescue, Tessa Trask is an artist who is talented in many ways—crafting, interior design, and sewing, to name a few. The trouble is that she wants to make a living as a real artist who paints beautiful paintings. She discounts her other talents and is discontented because people want her other designs while her paintings wait to be sold.

One of her talents includes making clothes out of thrifted items like old quilts and tablecloths. I first became interested in this concept of reusing and upcycling fabric pieces that may otherwise end up in landfills because one of my daughters is passionate about responsible fashion. In fact, she has her own line of women’s outerwear. Check out her designs if you’re interested at annagraycollection.com.

Another designer pops up on my Instagram and Facebook feeds periodically. The owner of Poppy Lu Clothing loves transforming old tablecloths and sometimes quilts into cute sundresses and jackets. Her reels showing her sewing process are fascinating, but as with most topics, controversy does exist. Some people hate to see her cut up these beautiful tablecloths, but she argues she’s saving them from landfills and giving them a new life.

Tessa agrees with Poppy Lu about saving vintage items, but she discounts her talent as true art. The way she breathes new life into a doomed piece of fabric is easy for Tessa, so she doesn’t see it as special.

It’s reminiscent of the adage, familiarity breeds contempt. Tessa’s skill is almost an involuntary response; therefore, she doesn’t think it’s special. A pastor cautioned the idea another way—don’t let the familiar diminish the extraordinary.

Sometimes we miss the special things, the everyday miracles because we don’t open our eyes. We take for granted what’s wonderful in our lives because we’re looking for other shiny things.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of a garment I’ve created from a thrift store. I want to. In fact, I plan to and have been considering patterns to try. A few of my round tablecloths don’t fit my table anymore, and I’m contemplating making skirts out of them.

What about you? Do you think cutting up an old tablecloth is a travesty? Do you think it’s a noble act for the environment? If you sew, would you try to create a new item from a dusty tablecloth languishing in a thrift store?

Let me know your thoughts!

Beach House Rescue

Two strangers. One beach house. Zero plans to share it.

Tessa Trask expects a quiet summer restoring a friend’s beach house—not waking up to an intruder and defending herself as best she can. Wyatt Henry isn’t a burglar, though. He’s just as surprised to find her there—and just as determined to stay.

Under protest, the two agree to an uneasy truce. Tessa is creative and spontaneous. Wyatt is disciplined and guarded. Keeping their distance should be easy…until a surprise visitor arrives and turns their temporary arrangement into something far more complicated.

As sun-soaked days lead to deeper conversations, irritation softens into a fragile peace and grows into something worth protecting. While Tessa begins to trust God’s leading for her future, Wyatt wrestles with a past that makes trust feel dangerous.

Are their growing feelings worth the risk—or is walking away the only safe choice?

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. She’s written seven novels and one novella. Forever Free, won the Faith, Love, & Hope Reader’s Choice Award for 2025. Beach House Rescue is her newest release. She and her husband live in North Carolina and delight in visiting their two daughters and twin sons.