Lace and Fabric Book

I've been collecting vintage lace for many years. I can't resist it, and on the rare occasion that I do resist, I always regret it. And it's not just lace, but also doilies, trims and ribbons. They just beg to be reused and made into something new and pretty and feminine. Something I've always wanted to do is make a lace collage but didn't know how to go about it. I have a Pinterest board that I look at daily for inspiration.

Last summer, Suzy from Suziqu's Threadworks, offered a discount on her lace book making workshop. I have followed her blog and admired her work for such a long time. I didn't hesitate to sign up for the online workshop and learn from the best.

Usually, you see the lace collages with old pictures of women or children from different eras. I chose a flower theme. The images I used came out looking bright and new, so I used distressing ink to age them. That was something I had never done before, but I liked the way they turned out. There were many "firsts" with this project!

The next step was choosing the lace and fabric to arrange around the photo. This was quite the process for me. It was very time consuming, sometimes taking days to get just the right lace together. I was surprised to find that all laces don't necessarily look good together. There was a lot of auditioning of lace, fabric and trim. I found it annoying at first, but by the end I was really enjoying coming up with different looks.

When I had the page looking the way I wanted it, it was time to sew and glue it together. Then it was time to audition the embellishments. That was fun! I used vintage buttons, scrapbooking flowers, and little bows.

The journal pages were fun too. I chose a flower quote for each one that I distressed the same way as the photos. And of course there is some lace on each page.

All the pages are done. The only thing left to do is make the cover and back and then bind it together. I'll finish it eventually. I'm so happy to have gotten this far and look forward to doing more of the lace collages. I think it was more enjoyable and satisfying than anything I've done in a very long time.

Have you attempted anything new recently?


Continuing my thankful list
     ~ creative fulfillment
     ~ springlike weather
     ~ cinnamon orange tea with cream ~ tastes like a creamsicle
     ~ aha moments when something clicks

   

Lacy Inspiration

In case you didn't know, I simply love vintage and antique lace.  It's so delicate, so feminine, so beautiful, and so inspiring!  I found this lace at an antique mall for next to nothing.  I couldn't pass it up not only for the price but because I have nothing like it.  I have lots of project ideas but I'm a little bit afraid of using it.  What if I ruin it and then it's gone!?  I have to get past this fear because my muse is whispering in my ear.  If I ignore her, she might leave again!

This beautiful lace came from one of my favorite Etsy shops, Strange Notions.  Kathy, the shop owner, also included some vintage hankies, buttons, and a book of sweet embroidery transfers.  Talk about happy mail!

I'm really hoping to start on a project this week.  It's time. :)

Friendship In A Box

As I was passing by the front door a few days ago, a package on the porch caught my eye.  I was wondering what Michael ordered as I picked up the box.  I was so surprised to see that it wasn't for Michael but for me and it was from my dear blog friend, Kathy from Klueless.  For a minute, I thought I ordered something from her shop, Strange Notions, and forgot.  But I don't forget when I order something, so I knew this was a surprise from her.  A surprise that would be blog worthy I was sure!  So I got my camera ready and opened the box.  Oh my gosh,   there were eight little pastel colored packages in the box with a sweet handmade card.  It looked like Easter but felt like Christmas!

The first package was eight vintage doilies.  Six of them were matching and even opened up like pockets.  I immediately thought what great pockets they would make on aprons!  The other two were smaller and crocheted.  They are so delicate and lacy!  I love the little flowers on one of them.

The next six packages were the most beautiful and incredible vintage laces.  They were different sizes and colors and each one made me gasp as I opened it.  

By this time I was on the verge of tears.  I just couldn't believe the kindness and generosity of Kathy.  When I opened the last package, that was it.  It brought me to tears and I truly was touched and moved by such an amazing gift.  You see, I had seen this on her blog and as I told her in my comment for that post, it melted my heart.  And here it was in front of me, melting my heart!

Isn't it just precious?  Kathy made this for me!  I love how worn the little shoe is.  I wonder how many siblings it was passed down to.  How many steps did that little shoe take?  I'm just in awe of this wonderful gift.  

I am so blessed to have found such wonderfully kind and talented women through blogging.  Women, who even though we have never met in person and are scattered all over the world, make me feel as though we have been friends forever.  Please visit Kathy's blog, Klueless.  She has a most wonderful sense of humor and writes about her junkin' finds and what she does with them!  While you're there, check out the Stamptington publications she has been featured in!  And then Check out her Etsy shop, Strange Notions, where you will find vintage linens and textiles, sewing notions, ephemera and paper goods, altered altoid tins and so much more.  Thank you again Kathy for your incredible kindness!

Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends!!!