In the Garden

I made another hanging using fabric, old trims, and a beautiful old image.

I started with a muslin panel that I embellished with an image I printed onto fabric, old buttons, very old lace and tatting, millinery flowers, and tattered old tulle.

I sewed fabric tabs to the top and hung her from a stick to continue the garden theme. I added her to a new display in my living room. I'll have pics another day...
 

Altered Bottle

I made a little gift for a friend, and now that she's received it I can share it. First, I made a card. I loved the bird image, and saw the bold polka dot paper sitting on my scrap table. They were meant to be together.

I added a scrap of fabric and trim and typed a sentiment on my old typewriter.

I sent her a box full of goodies, including this altered bottle. I added a soldered top and band around the middle. Then I embellished with old sheet music, text, old lace, jewelry pieces, rusty key, and a jingle bell.

On the reverse side, I added an old crochet piece, tiny millinery flower, and cameo image.



I really liked how it turned out. The muted colors and simplicity of design seam to fit this old glass bottle perfectly.

 

Birdsong Tags

I'm participating in Karla's Cottage Birdsong Tag Swap. Here are the tags that I made. Our only requirement was that the tags must have some kind of bird image. I started by covering manilla tags with vintage sheet music and a piece of watercolor paper that I painted in soft, flowing, cheerful colors.

Then I started layering on the lace, ephemera, stamps, and a bird image from a vintage book. I added vintage red labels and scraps from an old ledger. Then I added some stitching. I hope my swap partners like them, and I can't wait to see what I get back from Karla!

I put together another bird tag just for fun. I added some paint and bright stitching along with a bird stamp image, flower rub-on, and other bits and bobs.

Valentine Nesting Boxes

Back on this post I shared a vintage inspired Valentine that I made. I used that Valentine to top a large paper mache heart-shaped box.

I painted the inside and outside, and then started layering on the embellishments - vintage lace, eyelet trim, tissue tape, and ribbon.

 

I painted and adhered paper to the inside as well. I think I'll stash some candy in this box.

I made a second box in a different style. I painted this box and then applied vintage dress pattern tissue to the sides. I made a quiilted heart for the top using vintage fabric scraps and ruffled ribbon.

I embellished this heart with flowers, antique buttons, and an old photo of my grandparents. Don't they look sweet sitting in the parlor? This had to be before the kids were born - I don't see any gray hairs! :)

I decorated the inside with paint, paper, and poetry. And a few sparkly embellishments.

This one is on display with my vintage Valentine candy boxes.

 

Be My Valentine

I went to a crop on Friday night and wanted something easy to take with me to work on. I loaded up my Valentine supplies and got to work on cards for the nieces and nephews. Here's a look at what I made.

I started with pink cardstock and layered patterned paper and Valentine journaling spots with vintage lace, flowers, and hearts I cut from chenille and felt.

Heart doilies and vintage buttons add more texture.

Starting an Art Journal

I have not been able to get into crafting yet this year. I finally got all of the Christmas decorations put away, so maybe that will help, even if I'm STILL not finished with my December Daily album. I am up to Dec 28th, so I'm making progress.

I've been wanting to create an art journal, but never got around to it. Then a wonderful friend asked if I'd do one with her. I jumped at the chance and got started right away. We decided to use old books for the journals and swap once a month or so.

Here is my book "before":

I had this thirft store book laying around the house. I used some of my new paints that Husband bought me for Christmas. I started with Unbleached Titanium to cover up that ugly green cover.

I wish I had taken photos of each step. I'm getting better - I took a Before photo. Next time... Anway, I layered on paint - turquoise polka dots toned down with pale pink paint to fade and distress. Then I adhered a piece of lace fabric and started on the centerpiece.

I wanted to use some of my favorite vintage supplies for the cover, and also keep it flat so the book is easy to work in. I used vintage sheet music, dress pattern tissue, buttons, and lace trim. I opened an old hymnal to this page - A Beautiful Life. It was perfect for this project.

I completed one page inside. The book's title is "Sand and Stars," and this cover page brought the image of a mermaid to my mind. I used acrylic paints to cover the text and then added watercolors to fill in the white space. I found the perfect mermaid image on the Graphics Fairy blog.

I further embellished the page with some lace scraps, a tiny seashell, and bits of bling. I want to complete the facing page before I send on to Julie to work her magic in my book.
 

We Play

I made this collage about a month ago, hung her on the wall, and then forgot about her. Poor Sally Ann.

For the base, I used a page from an old cabinet card album. I printed out the photo of this little cutie to fit the opening, and then scoured my old children's books for inspiration. I came upon the story "We Play," and little Miss Sally Ann Harris was born.

I added the book text around the photo and then embellished with antique lace and trim, flowers, and some bling.

This old trim with the wide pink border was so perfect for adding a little name plate to my collage. I have some left over that I'll use to make a cuff bracelet.