Zenful Textures...

So I went in a completely different direction for the art quiltlet I showed you Tuesday and went with an Asian theme...

I wanted it to be all about soothing textures...

rustic surfaces...

and rich luster...

all inspired by nature...

I call it Zenful Textures I... The first in a series...

It is constructed in earth tones of several layers of luxurious tapestry, natural cotton batting, botanical paper, nubby burlap and printed muslin; and hand sewn together with hemp and thread. I added silky yarn, leaves, feathers, coins and pearls. Then suspended it all from a cherished piece of driftwood with suede lashing.

Tuesday Tea...

This morning, I'm drinking my favorite China Black Tea in my "IMAGINE" mug... Isn't that a great message for a creative (or maybe not so creative) morning? I love the colorful letters... so cheerful! I have a few sewing projcts to work on this week that I thought I'd share today...

Here is an art quiltlet I've been designing. It's pinned together for now and I'm not sure what message I'm going to attempt to embroider on it... but so far I like the design.

Here are some more cute little girls' owl purses! I'm going to use the grosgrain ribbon in the photo for straps. My granddaughter, Ansley, loved hers!

And this is, I think, my favorite purse project so far. A recycled denim belt loop bag. The teal velvet will be the lining and I'm not sure what, if any, fabric flower to use. I may end up embellishing it with a vintage earring or brooch, instead... or nothing at all...

I hope you are having a wonderful and creative Tuesday... Don't forget to stop by Kimmie's to see what the other tea (or not) drinkers are up to and share a cuppa with them!

Mixed Media Letter Center and New Supplies!

I made this when I got my sewing machine a couple years ago... from a discarded valance, a piece of upholstery fabric, old sheet music, a vintage French dictionary page, vintage lace, scrapbook paper and lots and lots of buttons!

It has 2 pockets... one in front of the dictionary page and one behind the square piece of lace. I can see it hanging on the back of a door with letters and bill payments ready to be mailed... What? You pay your bills online and send emails instead of letters???? Well then... It will still hold those permission slips and report cards from school!










My hubby was cutting up old, worn out clothes for rags last night and presented me with some new art supplies!

A big ol' pile of demin scraps... already authentically distressed... I see mixed media art quiltlets in the future! Maybe some demin softies... more owl purses... etc...

And he came home today with the rear end ripped out of another pair... back pocket pulled right off!

IIIIII like it!

Happy Independance Day!

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July... 

From my family to yours!

Tuesday Tea...

A thirsty glass of ice....

For my first Tuesday Tea post in a long time... I'm drinking my Summer Red blend in one of my green vintage glasses.  It's been hot here... but thankfully not as hot as further north. And... we have air conditioning (no power outages since Tropical Storm Debby)... not to mention a fan blowing on me, since we keep the thermastat at 82 to save energy. Wow, that glass went fast... Think I'll have another!

Stuff I've been working on...

This is a little purse I made for my granddaughter's 3rd birthday... She loves purses and owls!

I've also been upcycling vintage and thrifted evenin bags...

This one is a vintage black glitter bag that I added a guinea feather fan and a large red mum to. I put a vintage rhinestone earring in the center of the mum...  Bold, yet elegant don't you think?

Heres a thrifted bag in gold. I've added satiny flowers, a bit of vintage lace and a vintage pearl earring... Subtley elegant for a bride's mother, perhaps?

A silver vintage bag here that I added a pearl and bugle bead floral spray to... Wouldn't this be beautiful for a bride?

I bought these for my daughter's bridesmaids and of course had to keep one. It is egglpant colored bugle beads and I've added a lovely golden peony and put one of my grandmother's vintage earrings in the center. Another bold statement... Maybe for a formal outdoor dinner party...

And this thrifted cutie just wasn't blingy enough! So I added glitter, a vintage earring and two satin roses to a green paper flower... What a lovely little flower girl purse!














I just love purses! I've gotten a few patterns to make some, as well! I'll post when I get some done! Thanks for visiting! It's so good to be back!

Email Button...

Well I've tried it with a picture and email address and I've tried it with html and the picture on flickr.com.  Tried each several times...   Oh well... eventually I'll get it!  Thanks for your help!

Email Button?

Does my email button work?  Thanks!

Email Me Button?

 I would like to use this for my email button. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get it to work. Any suggestions?  Thanks!

ps: It's good to be back!

I'm Baaaack!

Hopefully, I was able to unuspend my blog and you are now able to read this... I'll post some new stuff I've been working on soon... I've been trying with the tea business, but it hasn't gone as I had hoped... So I guess I'll continue my full time artist status, as I am still unemployed. I've missed you all and can't wait to get back into some real artblogging!