More Bags & Totes

It's that time of year again- holiday shopping will be upon us soon! Last night I went through my giant stashes of fabric in preparation for a month of sewing. Every year it amazes me how much fabric I accumulate.

Between summer flea markets and donations from friends, I have a nice variety of vintage and new- prints and wovens. So- production begins. I might not list much in my Etsy shop- it's a very time consuming process to photo, edit, etc. I will add a few things weekly though.

I'll post my holiday show schedule next post. Off to the studio!

Cheers!

"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...

what I've been working on....

Later today I'm setting up for another outdoor craft show- the first Art on the Circle at Notre Dame College. I snapped a quick pic of a new pillow I made. I've made a few of these over the years- another way to use all those tiny scraps of vintage fabric I can't bear to throw away!

I know- the design is not the most original- but who doesn't love trees? Mostly vintage quilt fabrics from the 1940's, it's appliqued on linen. This one's about 20" x 20".

Wish me luck this weekend- and stop by the show if you're on the east side of Cleveland!

Some New Work....

Here's a few new cushions I've been working on.....using vintage fabric scraps from old quilts, appliqued on linen. This is a series of scenes I've been sewing from sketches of mine and my son's- like little memory quilts. The sand castle scene is dear to me.....

...the "head stand" is a snippet of a memory from my childhood (when life was carefree!)......

...so is the "puddle". These are all characters from my past & present, but I don't want to be too descriptive, as I hope people can attach their own personal memories.

I'll be listing a few in my Etsy shop, but saving most for summer shows.

More soon!

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!

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!

Irish Eyes are Smiling

by DiVaRoCks- features all things Irish green, including my Vintage Applique Leaf Pillow.

Looking for Robins

by whiteoakroom- beautifully serene in shades of my absolute favorite color! I LOVE the enameled necklace by tekaandzoe. Thanks for including my pillow!

We do color well....

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.

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!

A Very Fine House....

So- here's my dilemma. I made this cushion as a special order for a repeat customer. It's bigger than most- 20". She's waited about 3 weeks (I had some problems getting inspired) Now that it's done I don't want to sell it. I really feel attached to this pillow!

I usually don't feel that way about my work. I admire the finished project, photograph it, and move on. I suppose I could make another for myself- I do have some of the same vintage fabrics left over....I just love the vintage fabric used for the back of the pillow too...

Ahhh! What to do? In the end I probably will let it go. I won't make another one because I hate to make the same thing twice.

I'll let you know tomorrow what I decide :)

Have a great night!

Linen Birdhouses....

I made these 2 linen birdhouses last summer to hang in a show booth. I was envisioning a bunch hanging from the tent roof- I thought they would be a real attention getter. Well, time didn't allow for it and since then my puppy ate the red one and the other one was given as a gift....

I have 6 or more all cut & ready to sew. This is the year I finish all my unfinished projects! The world really needs fabric birdhouses- right?

Hopefully in the next month my new Linen Birdhouses will selling in my Etsy shop!

Do you have any unfinished projects to share??

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!

Sepia Love

Another beautifully curated Etsy Treasury featuring my Linen Valentine Pillow titled "Sepia Love". Thanks magalerie!

You can see all the talent here!

Be sure to check back tomorrow. Last night I had a sudden burst of creative energy & spent the wee hours of the night on some new necklaces :)

Vintage Fabric Valentine Pillows

You all know I love working with vintage fabric scraps, and my studio is heaping with little bits of tattered quilts that I can't bear to discard...so I spent the last day or so cutting X & O's for my new little linen pillows....

I only made a handful for a local shop- Gestures here in Cleveland, and for my Etsy shop. I'll most likely be making more little pillows with other sayings and such. What a wonderful way to use all those scraps!

I'll have these in my shop through early February. I'm working on a new little collection of products that I hope to share with you soon. It too was inspired by all my vintage fabric scraps...

...and soon some exciting news about a magazine feature of my work (I'm not allowed to tell!)

I'm off to clean my studio floor of all the little fabric scraps too small to use. Call me crazy but I put them in a little pile in the garden so the birds find them for nests in the spring. How exciting when you see a little nest with brightly colored fabric bits woven in! Ahhh- spring!

Have a great weekend friends!

...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 Petite Vintage Fabric Birdhouses....

I've had some time to clean my studio over the past week & found a few of my Petite Vintage Fabric Birdhouses. For the past 2 springs I made these in a limited edition & sold them in my Etsy shop.

They are a bit self-indulgent- VERY time consuming to make. They only stand a bout 4" tall, and like so many things I make, people ask "what do you do with it?"

This past spring I told myself I wasn't making any more- but after looking at these this morning I decided I'll make them again this spring.

So come March expect to see a dozen or so on my little birdhouses- all made from scraps from old quilts, mixed with bits of vintage lace, buttons, millinery leaves, etc....

Well I'm off to make a mini art quilt. I just stumbled upon a great tutorial on Jenny Doh's blog Crescendoh- a garden of button flowers. More on that hopefully tomorrow!

...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.