Diary Covers

As I was wanting to make Birthday Gifts and a Swap I came up with the idea of making my friends Diary Covers with a diary for 2011.

T

This first cover was collaged in Indian cotton, shot silk, dupion silk, crushed velvet, printed organza with some Vintage sari braid which came from my friend Jo in New Zealand and for whom this gift was made.  Jo is a wonderful dyer with natural fibres and plants, and is currently running a week's workshop with India Flint in New Zealand. 

This second cover for Andrea who lives at Coff's Harbour in Northern News South Wales, Australia

was made from some silk and satin strips which I ripped and roughly sewed together

and which I attached to some grape coloured velvet  and then collaged with some

lace and purple roses.

and the final Diary Cover I made for my friend, Judy, at

Judysfabrications.blogspot.com

as part of a swap.

I used some homespun cotton here which I dyed

then collaged several layers of cottons and silks with a very old piece of lace dyed in turquoise on top of which I added these blue motifs.

Oh Yes!

and

finally added some gold bugle and other beads

to set off the beautiful lacework

and

VOILA!

Pierre de Ronsard

From this gorgeous display of Pierre de Ronsard climbing all over this fence at the entrance into our front garden has come this:

beautiful bowl full of dried but fully formed

rose buds all by themselves without

any

human intervention.  First they were rained on

and then the hot sun came out and

totally dried them.  There is still some evidence of their soft pink shade left.  They almost look like they have been made with paper.  How can we possibly compete with the hands of nature!

Hope you all have a restful and peaceful weekend!

We have a Winner!!!

I wish everyone could be a WINNER but in fact we all are - as we are ALIVE!!!.  However,as it is in  the nature of these little competitions there can be only one Winner.  So my friend, Maggie, this morning, drew the name of that happy little blogger whose name is:

Oxana

from

lisa-alisashobbyhimmelen.blogspot.com

a wonderful and most talented mixed media, fabric collage and jewellery artist!

Oxana will win this package of goodies which will be sent all the way to Norway.

Congratulations to you Oxana - Hope you will enjoy this!

But

because everyone has been just so generous with their support and comments over the last few months

I have decided to give a small surprise gift to 2 more bloggers.

The second winner is

Dian

from

beachtextiles.blogspot.com in Victoria, Australia. 

Dian will receive this Christmas Card made by me to keep or give as a gift.

and

Third Place Winner

is

Gaby Bee

from

colourfuladventures.blogspot.com in Germany

This gold metallic Christmas Card also made by me.

So all I need from you three happy bloggers is your email address with details of full names and addresses so that I can pop these in the mail to you as soon as I receive them.

THANK YOU BLOGGING FRIENDS

for being part of my life

and

I am sure there will be another Giveaway in the not so distant future!

Making Christmas Cards

This really beautiful hand painted cotton from Lorraine at Creative Daily was the inspiration

for these Christmas Cards and I have used it in several cards now.  The colours are of a buttery yellow and muted greens.  I will be sad I think when it runs out.  So often the fabric is what gets my creative juices running.  The other materials I have used are some paper bark from our wetland and Wild Cherry both from our property.

A Swap with Lorraine

Now just take a look at this parcel which arrived in the mail a couple of  days ago from Lorraine of Creative Daily Blog.  This packet contains a large number of metal and rusted items which Lorraine
has so generously put together for me.  She knows just how much I love these and how they will really complement my fabric collaging. I was so impressed with how she packaged all of these small items so neatly but somehow, already, I have managed to get it rather disorganized believe it or not.  But I do
have a lovely rusty vintage tin where I know they will live happily together.

A more detailed look at the pieces here
with some extras
which
you will see as I begin to use them.



Also included in the package were a few pieces of green painted cream fabric which, today, I have
begun to use in creating some Christmas Cards which I shall post very soon.

A Big Thank you Lorraine

for being such a kind and generous blogging friend

and

I hope Your swap from me arrives

very soon so that you can get creating!

New Journal Page and Giveaway

This model is the face of one from the artist Edward Byrne Jones - there is such a look of softness and innocence about her.  I chose to use these soft colours of mushroom pinks, light and dark grape, khaki and olive green in fabrics of pintucked cotton, tapestry, crushed velvet, silk, brocade, pink satin,  laces and mohair.  The antique feel comes from the very beautiful vintage silk sari fabric from my dear friend, Jo.
This braid gives the piece a lovely textural feel.

Embellishments include buttons, velvet, a tassel and a guinea fowl spotted feather.  A have a small collection of these feathers from friends, Pat and George, who own these particular guinea fowl.  Aren't they gorgeous?

GIVEAWAY

Whilst I'm here posting I would just like to thank EVERYONE who

has left the kindest comment on my blog in relation to my GIVEWAY.  There is still one week to go!  All entries must be in by

Wednesday, 24th November.  Good luck to you all!



My First Giveaway

I made a promise to myself that if the seemingly impossible ever happened, i.e. reaching the milestone of 100 followers, that I would have to have a GIVEAWAY  in the style of a Lucky Dip.  If you wish to be in the running to win you will need to leave a comment here telling me why you like my blog and whether there is anything you would like to see more of.

The closing date for these comments will be WEDNESDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER.

On the final day your name will be placed in a hat and I shall ask Maggie, my dear friend and next door neighbour, or her black Jack poodle to draw the winning name. SO STAY TUNED!

There is a variety of textured fabrics, including, silk velvet, silks, rayon, sheers and lace
in olives, maroon, purple and pinks.

Gold brocade, cotton, printed satin, green satin and silk with guipure and some hand dyed doilies -
ALL FROM MY STASH OF COLOURFUL FABRICS!
MY GREATEST SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION!!!

Some doilies, including cut lace, vintage ric rac plus a "shabby chic" needlebook
which I made from a cotton lacey vintage blouse, rusted silk, silk tops
printed cotton and black lace.

A close up of the needlebook with a heart for
"HEART FELT
THANKS"
TO ALL MY REGULAR
FOLLOWERS
MY WORLD
IS
SO MUCH RICHER
BECAUSE
OF
YOU!

Damask Tablecloth Detail

My apologies to all my blogging friends who tried to comment on my previous post re.
Oh! Glorious Linen. There was a glitch with blogger that I somehow was responsible for! I went to remove it from my list but it was not even listed for editing - so if you have any comments just leave them here!It is so wonderful to hear from you and just so much APPRECIATED!!!!!
Have a really great weekend and Take Care!!!

Oh! Glorious Pure Linen

Visiting my local Op Shop (Opportunity Shop - in Australia or Thrift Store in USA and Canada) I came across these gorgeous pure linen items which just had to come home with me as, I am sure you all know, I have a passion for old linen and lace including tablecloths - you will always find one somewhere on a table somewhere somewhere in my home!!!
The tablecloth is very large with embossed flowers on damask linen.

Set of 4 here serviettes with beautiful lace - one never used!

And these 5 pure linen serviettes are from Germany (I think but I stand corrected!).

This unused one still has the label on it - "Rein Leinen".

Maisie

A new page ready for my journal and a quite dramatic looking lady surrounded by the softest of silks, laces, brocade, organza and sari braids embellished with a peacock feather from my collection.

Heaven Scent

I just had to share these pics as our abundant rainfall over the past 3 months has produced these most abundant roses in our garden. I don't think our Spring roses have ever looked quite as stunning in fullness and colour. If only I could share their fragrances!  Double click for an expanded view!