Creative Chaos

For the last few weeks, my studio has been filled with creative chaos.

That seems to be how I work best.

I've been busy with several swap projects for the Marie Antoinette group.

Using lots of new and vintage laces, appliques, and ribbon,
I created this Secret Valentine Heart for my partner Robin.

It is completely hand stitched, which was so much fun to do.

I love hand stitching because it's very relaxing.

And of course, it needed a lacy little tag.

In another swap, I learned how to create a button brooch.

I disassembled a vintage pin and used the back piece as my base.

Then I added vintage buttons, lace, and other jewelry pieces.

I just love trying new things!

Right now, I'm hosting an Altered Book swap in the Marie group,
so I created this book. I removed the cover, and created my own using fabric and lace.

I glued the pages of the book together, and cut a recessed area in the right side
to create a little 'scene' with lace, flowers, and a sweet little window.

When I was a girl, I made a book like this to hide things.

I pulled an all-nighter last night, getting my room cleaned and organized,
so today, I've been a little brain dead.

I needed something easy to do, so I've just been making flowers today.


Hope you've been doing something fun this week!

Dress Form Escapades

The big day is finally here!

It's time for Carol's Dress Form Party over at The Polka Dot Closet.

When I reminded Violet Ann that it was time to get ready,

she ran to my tea cabinet, and started pulling out tea cups.

'We'll have a sweet tea party for our guests', she said.

She was disappointed when I told her that we are not having a party,

we're going to a party.

After trying on several different outfits, she settled

on the new lace dress I made for her.

(you know things have gotten out of hand when you realize

that your dress form has more clothes than you do)

She was finally dressed and ready to go......

when she suddenly decided that since it was a party, she should wear a hat.

Oh......

I was trying, very gently, to explain to her that she doesn't have a head......

when from behind me, I heard, 'Excuse me, I have a head'.

'I look perfectly fabulous in a hat', said the Queen.

And before I knew it, hats were flying!

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse......

the little dress form girls decided they wanted to go to the party too!

I'm going to have to go now, and try to regain control over the situation here.

Oh......

Visit Carol's blog to see more beautiful (and hopefully well-behaved) dress forms.

Have fun at the party everyone!

Valentine Postcards & Avocados

I've been creating fabric Valentine postcards for a Marie Antoinette swap.

These were really fun to create. I love playing with pretty laces and appliques.

back side of postcards

I found the beautiful Marie image, and the postcard image here.

I've also been playing with avocados. In our house, we eat alot of them.
We love them in our salads, with a dish of cottage cheese, or all by themselves.

But, I recently made a discovery thanks to other bloggers.

Did you know they make a wonderful dye?

We've been saving our avocado peels. I just put them in a ziploc baggie
in the freezer until I had enough. In a pot, I added the peels from 5 avocados
and approximately 6 cups of water. I boiled them for several minutes, removed
them from the heat, and let them stand overnight.

The next day, I removed the peels, and poured the dye through
a piece of fabric to removed any bits of avocado.

And then, I started gathering pieces of lace, seam binding, and scraps of muslin.
And into the pot they went.

I got different shades of vintage pink, and cream, depending on
the type of lace/ribbon, and the original color. It's amazing!!

You should give it a try!

I can't wait to show you the other fun projects that I'm working on right now.


Hope you are having a beautifully creative week!

Tea Cup Swap with Kris

I am so behind, it's scary. I discovered this post that I still haven't shared.

I was partnered with Kris for a Tea Cup swap in December.

This is the tea cup I chose for her.

We were to also include our favorite cookie recipe, tea, and an ornament.

This is what I created for her.

I was having so much fun, I got a little carried away with the ornaments.

My goodies from Kris arrived in this beautiful snowflake box.

I love pretty boxes.

This beautiful tea cup she sent me is a Limoges, from France. ooh la la!

I absolutely love it! The colors are so pretty, and the pattern is perfect.

Look how the handle is painted to look like a banner.

This is the gorgeous ornament she created for me.

I'm just so thrilled with all of these beautiful goodies.

Thank you so much Kris!

Valentine Marie

I've been creating Valentine Marie ATC's for a swap

in the Marie Antoinette Mail Art group.

I was definitely in the mood for some pink on this project.

This is one of my favorite Marie images from Cassandra.

It's snowing here today, so I'm staying in, and having a crafty day.

♥  Are you doing something fun and crafty too?  ♥