Saturday, March 19, 2011

what I've been working on.....

Here's a few little linen pillows I made last week- vintage fabric birds appliqued on linen with nests made from stitched linen fibers. I quite like how these turned out...
I found out last week I was accepted in the Art By the Falls show in Chagrin Falls 6/11-12 (yay!!!)- so I've been making some smaller pillows for the show.
I also have spring fever- the weather here in Ohio has been really nice.
My next project I'm just finishing is some totes & new bags made from vintage quilts and barkcloth. More on that next week when I have time to photo them.
Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Feature in Midwest Living Magazine

That's my pillow on the pages of the March/April issue of Midwest Living magazine!!! Oh Yea! A few months ago a writer from the magazine contacted me about my work- she was writing a feature on green crafts "in the spirit of Earth Day". (You can click on the image to enlarge)
I started using vintage fabrics years ago because I had collected so many tattered and worn quilts- too abused to repair. I LOVE the old prints and the colors. I went a whole year without buying any new fabric- with the exception of the linen "canvas". I always love putting random prints together- 40's quilt prints with mod 70's prints and a few Kaffe Fassett prints.
I was so excited to finally get the magazine over the weekend. Thanks Midwest Living! Visit my little shop for more vintage fabric pillows and bags.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Treasury Time

Weekends are busy for Etsy Treasuries! I wanted to share a few of my favorites that include my work. Always honored to be included in these curated collections!

by DiVaRoCks- features all things Irish green, including my Vintage Applique Leaf Pillow.
by whiteoakroom- beautifully serene in shades of my absolute favorite color! I LOVE the enameled necklace by tekaandzoe. Thanks for including my pillow!
by VintageRerun is an explosion of color featuring Cleveanders- including my Tiny Silver Lovebird Earrings.

Take some time to look at these Treasuries & all the wonderful handmade finds.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Spring Almost Here?

I thought I heard birds the other morning- it must be Spring. Why is there still a chill in the air & snow on the ground? I love March- my birthday month. Many people very close to me share my month- all of them Pisces at heart!
I was overwhelmed the other evening with deadlines and other life stuff, so I put my sewing machine away and made myself a birthday bracelet. My absolute favorite part of this piece is the handmade lampwork glass bead. Made by starctcher, each egg is one-of-a-kind and very special. You really have to hold one of these eggs in your hands to feel how special they are- pictures really don't do them justice.
In addition to the glass egg, I used Korean jade, amazonite, leather cord, sterling, and a tiny vintage silver Miraculous medal.

Well- I better get back to work! Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Best Friends

This is a new little "sampler" I just finished this morning. I have a whole sketchbook full of little scribbles like this so I decided to bring a few to life. My usual use of vintage 1940's quilt scraps stitched on to linen.
The patch is only about 8" square- so rather than make a mini-quilt I made a pillow. Originally the sketch had "best friends" stamped onto twill tape, but I didn't think I needed it.

I have this crazy picture from the 70's of my 4 sisters & I all lined up in age order on a diving board- probably ages 4 to 9- in typical 70's style. I think I'll applique that for my Mom for her birthday next week. Hmmmm...I better get to work!