"In Need of Inspiration" Challenge!

What's inspiring me recently are these gorgeous 100 year old hand embroidered Indian silk sari ribbons. These textiles are AMAZING!! My good friend Kim gave these to me as a thank you and I really want to do them justice.

My background is in textiles, (I worked in textile conservation at the Cleveland Museum of Art) so I have such an appreciation for the effort and talent that goes into these hand embroidered ribbons. My dilemma is- how do I incorporate these into my work and honor them at the same time?

Just look at the snowmen and reindeer on this one!! My first thought was to stitch these onto soft leather for cuff bracelets- maybe with some simple beaded detail. I've been researching textile jewelry lately and haven't really been inspired.

Does anyone out there have any ideas? Modern or historical? I would love to do a series of posts with all the ideas and images of my readers- so please email me yours.

This peacock silk is very tattered, but I can always back it on something to stabilize it. The last image is a cuff I made a few years ago with seed bead detail. It was the first time I ever did anything like that, but looking at it now I don't think the beadwork enhances the textile- rather it covers it up.

So please send your images (links in the comments) or email them directly.

...just checking in....

I've been neglecting my blog for awhile- and won't be posting for several weeks. Summer, gardening, vacations, art shows, etc. have kept me away from my computer. As I scramble to get new work ready for shows & galleries, I'm also working on a new body of work.

I've been sketching all my new ideas- a little collection of new leather pieces, that combine my love for this color palette, birds, the sea, leather, and textiles. I'm anxious to share the few pieces I have done, but I really want to develop this new body of work as a "collection" before I show anything.

I don't usually work this way with my own work- then I realized this is what I'm trained to do. In my old career as a design director, I directed collections of work. It was organized & cohesive- something my work has been lacking. Rather than jumping from one idea to the next, I looked for a common thread- subject matter, style, etc. I wrote down those things I'm passionate about and started sketching. I'm excited again and feel recharged.

These 3 images are what's inspiring me today- always the element of nature. What is it about robin's eggs that I'm so drawn to? I love mixing textures and materials. Hopefully next post I'll be sharing more. That's all for now!

Not My Usual Vintage Vibe

I don't usually buy new fabric, but I wanted a variety of bags for upcoming shows and events. I adore these new prints. This first one is by a European designer- it's a home dec weight, and the color combo is awesome! The bright yellow interior is the perfect compliment for this messenger-style bag- new in my shop.

This giant bird print is a heavy upholstery weight fabric- this giant tote was designed to accommodate the scale of the print. I designed it with an adjustable strap to fit any figure. Quite possible the perfect tote! New in my shop- with 2 other colorways available in a few days.

I sold out of the other 2 colorways fast and had to re-order. This colorway goes perfect with jeans- cobalt and butter on a tan background.

Lastly, I couldn't resist this little print. I bought one of those sample packs at my local fabric shop- J Ellen's House of Fabric- and had to buy a yard of this coordinating fabric. I really like the contrast of the modern print with the vintage lace & linen- also new in my shop.

That's all for now. These bags are new in my Etsy shop if interested.

More pillows!

In my studio, I have a basket next to my work table where I collect all the fabric scraps too big to throw away. When that basket fills up, I have the urge to use them. I cut birds and leaves and other assorted things, and spend a week on pillows. Very therapeutic.

I have some new designs in the works, but these leaves and bird designs have been a staple in my Etsy shop this year. It's almost time to move on....

....but I just love making these! I think I'll start making the little bird pillows with a pocket for a tooth fairy pillow. People seem to buy them for baby's rooms, and what a fun keepsake to be able to use it for a few more years.

Maybe I should put a handful of lavender in these? Hmmm...

Shop Update- New Leather Wrap Bracelets

Just a quick note to share a few new leather wrap bracelets- new in my Etsy shop. I just acquired more antique lace "flowers" and will be making more of the lace studded style.

All are one-of-a-kind- I use a variety of semi precious stones, vintage glass, vintage religious medals, various trinkets, and antique lace.

New applique pillows will be coming later in the week.

xoxoxo

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!

A Very Fine House- Part 2.....

In my previous post I wrote about my dilemma on whether or not to sell one of my favorite pillows. Well, in the end I did sell it this morning. This is the other one she ordered- I added a "full moon" and little stitched stars.

I really like working on these larger 20"x 20" pillows. The only downside is that the larger size pillow form costs more and shipping really drives up the price.

I'm off to make more houses! Have a great week!

Etsy Treasuries.....

Just showing off a few weekend Etsy Trearury lists I was included in. I'm always honored to be included in these artist curated collections. This first one is "Greens and Blues and Browns...Oh, So Pretty!" by trinasclaycreations. You can see the entire collection here- including my Vintage Fabric Lovebird Pillow.

This next collection "Foggy Morning by Monarchdancer" features my new Linen Flower Sampler Pillow. Thanks Monarchdancer- you can see the entire list here.

Lastly, "I love you this much" features my new Applique Valentine Pillow. Thanks magalerie for including me in this lovely collection!

Have a wonderful Monday!

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

Here's a few of the pillow samplers I'm working on. I was inspired by a Crescendoh post last week about a garden of button flowers (see previous post) using favorite scraps of lace, buttons and beads. This first one is my favorite- I love the dove gray linen with green and cream.

I was sick all last week- still recovering from a terrible cold- and working on these was quite therapeutic. My hands are always working on something and my sewing machine needed a break anyway.....

This is a really great project to have by the TV- just grab a few scraps of linen and some lace bits. My initial intent was to make little wall quilts- but I never have any wall space so they made better pillows. What do you think? do you think small textile pieces look unfinished as wallhangings?

I hate to frame textile pieces because I think they need to be touched, but I also think the edges need to be finished off somehow. any thoughts out there??

Anyway, you can find these in my Etsy shop, along with other cushions you can't live without! More tomorrow on my Valentine pillows.

Have a great Monday!

...More Vintage Fabric Birdhouses....

See the previous post on my recent discovery of my vintage fabric birdhouses I made last year. This one is my favorite- the roof is covered with vintage buttons and bits, and the red crushed velvet is covered with antique lace. A miniature red chair sits outside on the porch.....

This shabby chic style house features country blue and red florals and toiles, with a vintage drawer pull perch and a lace doily.

Certainly not very practical, but I really love making these....

The yellow house is a bit more formal with a vintage pocket watch dial and antique skeleton key perch. The fabrics on this house aren't vintage- but I like the mix of old and new.

There they are- my lost birdhouses. They are back in their box awaiting spring, when they'll either make nice birthday gifts or the shelves of my Etsy shop.

As I promised my family- no more computer time this week. (just a few sneak peaks!) Lastly, I want to share a Christmas card by the Sisters of Notre Dame. It reads:

WHEN

the song of the angels is stilled,

the star in the sky is gone,

the kings and princes are home,

the shepherds are back with their flock,

THEN

The work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among people,

to make music in the heart.

Merry Christmas my friends.

Vintage Fabric Birdhouses...

Funny thing happened today... while I was hiding Christmas presents in the attic I stumbled on this box of vintage fabric birdhouses I made last summer. I was kind-of having a bad day & when I opened this box my heart skipped a beat!

I LOVE making these- all my cherished little vintage fabric scraps & bits, tassels and birds, vintage buttons and shells....

I packed them away after a show I did last summer. It was a successful show- my bags sold well- but nobody "got" these. People asked what you do with them? what are they? Can you use them outdoors? I guess I took it all a bit too personally and packed them away.

I'll post a few more tomorrow (I promised my son I wouldn't spend too much time on my computer this week)

I'm not sure what I'll do with these- they might make it to my Etsy shop, but I might wait until spring.

Well- more tomorrow. After a CRAZY craft show month I'm enjoying doing nothing but catching up on sleep and spending time with the family.

Have a peaceful night....

What I've been working on.....

I guess you win some & lose some. Here's a few things I worked on last week- I was so excited with my octopus pillow when I sketched it, but somehow it lost it's cuteness in the process. It took me forever to make too. But not a total loss- my son loves it & he slept with it last night :)

I made this Good Luck pillow for a friend that's moving- but I didn't like how it turned out so I made the See Ya pillow instead.....

I like this one better- but hmmmm- I don't love it. Hopefully she will because I'm not making another one. Oh well- not a very productive week in the studio...

...you win some & lose some.

New Pillows at Buttermilk Hill

Stephanie from Buttermilk Hill posted this picture of my new pillows on her country porch in central Ohio. I know I mentioned this in a previous blog post- you can now buy my pillows at this new site. Featuring "local, handmade, and vintage goods from the back roads of beautiful Ohio", I'm excited to be part of this new venture.

The site is new and she's still stocking the shelves- but I wanted to start spreading the word. Buttermilk Hill offers free domestic shipping, and their country market features Amish quilts and baskets, rag rugs, painted gourds, my pillows, and much more!

I hope you take the time to have a look!

I'm off to enjoy my Indian Summer day !

New Applique House Pillows....

I just finished these new house pillows for a new website called Buttermilk Hill. I love the look and feel of this site- but I especially love that everything they sell is made in Ohio. Amish quilts, rag rugs, painted gourds.....

Any day now they'll be selling my pillows in a few new designs. This is just a sneak peak (I haven't even stuffed them yet) As always, they're appliqued on linen using mostly vintage fabric and lace, and mostly one-of-a-kind.

More later......

new linen pillows....

Summer Market was a great success this past weekend! After a few days off I'm finally getting around to listing new linen pillows in my Etsy shop. I just listed more of my little Linen Applique Bird pillows in new colors. A lot of people bought these for baby nurseries.....

Starry Night- linen applique house pillow has a pretty sprinkling of "stars" in the background.

Lastly, a few applique leaf pillows. All my linen pillows use recycled vintage fabric- mostly 1940's quilt and feed sack prints.

I'm done with 2 fabric birdhouses that have been in the works for awhile- more on that tomorrow!

More Leather Beaded Bracelets

I just finished a new series of leather & vintage bead bracelets...designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times. Mostly one-of-a-kind, I use vintage religious medals, antique lace, and my new "Evil Eyes" (lower left).

I'm starting to make some of these a bit simpler, without the brass studs. Not all will make it to my Etsy shop~ but you can find these here.

I'll be back in a few days. With the school year winding down I have a lot to catch up on at home. AND my garden! I can't wait to dig in the dirt again!

Petite Vintage Fabric Birdhouses...

More Petite Vintage Fabric Birdhouses in my Etsy shop. I made a dozen or so of these last spring and they were very popular. I enjoy making these but it turns my studio up-side-down.

I organize all the scraps of vintage quilts fabric I can't throw away, all the little bits of "stuff". These are like 3D collages- very fun but labor intensive.

I was inspired to make more this spring because a woman contacted me wanting to purchase a few to decorate her baby's nursery. How could I resist?

I just listed 9 in my shop- all one-of-a-kind using bits of old quilt fabric. Each birdhouse has a little mother-of-pearl bird bead perched on the top.

Whew! I made my (self-imposed) deadline. What next? More pillows of course- butterfly and octopus- (after a few more custom orders).

Have a look at my new Petite Vintage Fabric Birdhouses here in my Etsy shop.

I'm off to watch Project Runway~ Have a good night!

Little Vintage Patchwork Bags

I think I might be obsessed with vintage quilts. I have so many of these vintage quilt squares I have to start using them. I blogged about these last month- I started making them to stock up for summer shows.....

Each one has a different front and back pattern, with cotton crochet lace trim, a hidden magnet closure, and a vintage button.

I use mine as a camera bag- or when I only need to carry a few things.

My niece uses hers to carry little toys around- for only $12 you can get a few.

I listed a few here, here, here, and here in my Etsy shop.

I'll be back Fri. with my birdhouses.