Indulge Your Shelf

There's not too much creating going on around here lately, but I have managed to get started on a couple of new projects, here and there. I gathered some white and neutral fabric scraps and sewed together a few layers of them, in like sizes, to begin another fabric book. Then, I began embellishing in my free time with more bits and pieces -- just playing with textures and, in the case of the pinks on the left, colors! Now, mind you, I had this other (above) fabric book I was working on a few months ago...but...somehow, in my zeal of reorganizing the craft room, it has been buried!  I'll get back to it one of these days, ahem, when I've found it. But back to the current project: here's how I've used some old, old upholstery fabric for a cover. In the middle -- this fun 3 inchie embellishment that I created 2 years ago for a Silver Bella swap.  I kept one and I think it goes so well on the cover -- don't you? The inside of the front cover, on the...

Wishing you roses... my gift from my pal Linda time with loved ones... Shh...don't tell Ben I posted this photo! (Yes, that is a heart-shaped cake!) detail from new ephemera packs in my shop and everything else that makes your heart sing! Happy Valentine's Day!

I was the lucky winner of the Grow Your Blog giveaway on Maggie's blog, The Mag Rag .  Maggie's blog is charming, and I've been a fan of it for a long time!  She has a warm and generous nature and her blog reflects that -- plus it's always just a feast for the eyes! Look!  Oh my gosh, I got to choose which of Maggie's gorgeous necklaces I wanted from a group she made new for the swap.  Which was such a pleasure, as they have long been on my favorites list from her Etsy shop -- they are soldered charms that are deeper than most you see.  In fact, she calls them shadowbox charms. I chose this one, with a lovely piece of lace under glass, soldered and accented with a tiny pearly bead stack.  Oh my gosh, I love it so much I put it on immediately and took a photo on my phone.  (The sweatshirt I'm wearing doesn't do it justice!) Maggie is an artist, and she sent me a big package of treasures that I just wasn't expecting!  I was beyond excit...

You may have known her as Bunty, Vintage Bunty, Bunty Barmcakes, or simply Barbara.  Perhaps you saw her work on the pages of Somerset magazines, swapped with her, or took an online class with her.  However you knew her, or whatever you called her, she was an Artist, Blogger, Button Floozie...and Friend. photo by Barbara, courtesy of her blog  Vintage Bunty I first "met" Barbara online when she visited  my blog  during a large blogging event called  One World, One Heart  in 2010.  The name of the event was prophetic, as it put me in touch a member of my "tribe" that lived all the way across the pond in Oxford, England.  She responded to the first comment I left on her blog with these words: I wanted to say thank you for leaving such a nice comment and  I hope we will get to know each other through the blog world. And so we did.  Barbara and I loved so many of the same things: buttons, lace, mixed media art, vintage fabric...

Several days ago, I showed you a box I made for the swap hostess of the Valentine Candy Box Swap. Here's what I put inside: Some old lace... some beautiful vintage fabrics in Valentine-y colors... and then this: So much fun!

I find it so peaceful to sit down at a table with a pile of lovely textures... and pretty pictures... and turn them into something new; do you? I was overdue to make an ephemera journal and so on Monday, I did. The most fun thing about these journals is that you just never know how they will all come together! This time, I added some "newer" (mid century) pieces... and a lot of old scrap. I love how it came out; it's now in my handmade shop . (The only other one I have in stock is one I made specifically for a man .) I'm happy to say I've added a few more ephemera packs to the shop, too! And I still can't get enough of the whole Valentine's Day vibe -- how about you? I could do Valentine's Day ALL YEAR!