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

   

Focus On Life~Week 4~Create Art

This week's prompt from Sally is to create art.  I was excited at first but then got a little panicky when I realized I wouldn't be able to do any sewing.  You see, my art is created at the sewing machine and my sewing room is undergoing a redo.  I didn't know what to do until I remembered a book called Zentangle, I got for Christmas.

I first heard about Zentangle from my friend Kathy at her blog Kluless.  I was intrigued because it's about doodling and I can doodle.  When I quit smoking twenty years ago, I used to grab a pen and piece of paper any time I was on the phone.  Doodling took the place of smoking a cigarette.  I can't draw to save my life, but doodling is different.

With Zentangle, you start with a 3.5" square and a marker.  You draw strings to divide the square into sections and then start doodling.  It was stressful at first because I was trying to plan out each section.  When I finally stopped over thinking and analyzing, and focused on one line at a time, it became easier.  And relaxing, and calming.  I guess that's where the "Zen" comes from!

I've been looking for something I can do when I don't want to sew but need to create or just to destress.  This just might be it!

You can see the art others created this week at The Studio Sublime.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

I Actually Made Something!

Dear Friends,

Last December was the last time I did any sewing since injuring my knee and then having surgery.  The sewing room is upstairs and I avoided going up once I had come down each morning.  That was okay for many months, as I didn't have a desire to do much of anything.  But slowly the desire was coming back.  I started buying fabric online and visiting the fabric stores.

Although I had big projects in mind, I knew I needed to start small.  I'm really glad I did, because even though my knee is doing better, it was still difficult to do the standing and getting up and down from the chair.  If I had started with a big project, it may not have gotten finished and I would have avoided the sewing room a few more months.

Last October, I was one of three lucky recipients who received some fabric from Janet at The Empty Nest.  There was a particular princess fabric that was perfect for Shylee but I had no idea what to make.  Well, Shylee will be starting dance class and needed a bag to carry her slippers and other things in.  So I made a tote bag.

The princess fabric is heavy but I still wanted to line it, and I wanted to use what I already had.  I went digging through my stash, which I forgot is taking over quite substantial!  I found this sweet kitten toile that I forgot I had and it worked perfect.

I'm so happy with how this turned out.  Maybe what I should say is that I'm happy I finally created something after so long.  It was quick and easy and I think I could tackle something bigger and more involved now.  Something like a jacket for Shylee or a quilt for the sewing room.  Stay tuned!

I'm joining JAQS Studio for Made by Me! Wednesdays.

Keep smiling and keep creating!

xo Annette xo

Taking a Break

As I was toying with the idea of taking a blogging break during the month of August, I came across this idea of posting picture posts for the month.  It's like taking a break but still being present in blog land.  You can read more about it and join in here.

Back in April, I closed my Etsy shop.  I was frustrated with Etsy for the way they were changing things without any kind of notification or explanation of the changes.  After my cooling off period, I've come to the conclusion that Etsy really is trying to help us, the seller, so we can be successful with our business.  At the same time, Etsy is doing what is best for Etsy as a company.

During this time I sort of lost my motivation to create.  Until I made an apron for a friend last month, I had no interest in sewing anymore.  Since then, I have made a couple of other things and have so many ideas for projects.  So during the month of August I plan to focus on creating and open my shop back up in September.  I'm pretty excited about this because I realized how much I enjoy being part of the Etsy community.

You might not read much from me this month, but I will still be here and still reading and commenting on your blogs!  I will leave you with this photo for today.

Love Lives Here

Some of you may remember the sneak peek of a project I was working on here.  This pillow is the finished project!  I love how it turned out.  I started with a vintage lace edged embroidered table scarf.  The only embroidery on it was the flowers.  I added a garland made of vintage mother of pearl buttons and stitched the words.  A happy yellow heart seemed like the perfect addition!

Next, I added some french knots and beads

Some machine stitching and embroidery stitches

And a cheery yellow bow

I sewed the scarf onto a piece of pretty floral fabric and used the same fabric for the pillow back.

I can't decide if I want to keep it or put it in my Etsy shop.  As much as I enjoyed the creating part, I didn't enjoy the stuffing of the pillow part!  It is a little lumpy feeling!  If I make any more pillows, I will make it to have an insert.

Love lives here and I hope it lives where you are too!

Happy Friday!!!

I'm joining these great blogs today

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Challenge 2

This was the inspiration photo and color palette for this week's challenge from

My Life Under The Bus.

Isn't that just the cutest picture?  And the colors are just gorgeous!  This is what I wrote down as

I looked at the picture:

Halloween

Little girl

Cutesy scary

Keyhole

Pumpkin

Blues

There wasn't anything in my stash that inspired me so I headed for the fabric store.  I was really

drawn to the blues in the palette but I just didn't see any fabric that excited me.  I began focusing on the pumpkin color of the keyhole and before I knew it, I had a fat quarter bundle in my hand that was the closest I could come to the palette.  Not what I really had in mind but it would have to do.

Next step was deciding what to make.  I drew a blank here until

the last minute!  I found instructions for a bag that looked interesting and went with it.  After reading through the instructions and getting the general idea, I got started and made it my own.

First I cut a piece of muslin as the base and then tore one inch strips from each of the fat quarters.

I sewed the strips to the muslin and then added additional fabric strips, old and new lace pieces and vintage buttons.  I had fun going through the buttons and finding the different browns and oranges.  I actually found come really cool buttons I didn't know I had!

I sewed up the sides and added the lining.  The instructions called for cording for the strap, which I went and bought later, after I bought the fabric.  Guess what?...it didn't work with the fabric at all!  I didn't want to spend any more money so I decided to cut more strips, sew them end to end and cover the cording.  The nice thing about it was, I could make the seam on the outside and it was okay because of the frayed seams on the bag!

I wanted to do something with the keyhole but I was just drawing a blank.  So I used orange thread for all the stitching since it was going to show.  In the end, I am pleased with how this bag turned out.  This one won't go in the shop but with some tweaking, I might make one that is shop worthy!  The best thing about these challenges is that I'm learning about my personal creative process.  And I've enjoyed it...that's something!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

How 'Bout Some Orange!

Today I'm joining in the blog party 'I Made It' at Everything Etsy!  Click on the button and join the fun.  There are so many creative and inspiring people out there!

Do you remember these placemats?

They were in my Etsy shop and sold a couple of weeks ago.  They came in a set of two and when the customer received them she decided she wanted two more.  Of course I was more than happy to oblige but the problem was I couldn't find the same fabric anywhere.  After some messages back and forth, she decided on a bright orange color with lime green topstitching!

I bought the fabric, pre-washed it, ironed it, measured it,

cut it,

pinned it,

                           

sewed it up,

                           

turned it right side out and pressed it,

                             

topstitched it

and it was done!

                           

And just look how beautiful it looks with the fabric of the fruity placemats!

I certainly wouldn't win any awards for the quality of the pictures, but trust me when I say the orange was a perfect match and looks great!  I'm not a big orange fan but I love how these turned out!

What is one creative thing you have done recently?

Annette

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

She Exudes Self Confidence by simply audacious

"You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you

never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what

you can do except the limitations of your own mind."

-- Darwin P. Kingsley

For the past couple of weeks I've been coming across quotes and articles about self confidence.  I think everyone struggles with this at some point.  We might feel confident in some areas and not so much in others. 

Until recently, I believed I couldn't create something without a pattern.  The reason I didn't believe it was because I tried many times and failed.  Usually I measured wrong or I just didn't know what all the steps were.  However, if I had a pattern and instructions, I had the confidence to make the item.  Since opening my Etsy shop, I've created sachets, placemats, bibs, burp cloths and an apron without a pattern.  My confidence is growing!

I've always admired my daughter, Erin, for her confidence in herself when it comes to creating.  Ever since she was a little girl, not knowing how to do something never stopped her from doing it!  Time and time again I watched her start with an idea and end with an object she was proud of.  I want to be like that!

How is your self confidence level these days?