Welcome dear Bloggers - new and old
to the party of the year
by
dear Karen Valentine
As many of you know I have very recently downsized
from a beautiful country property to a suburban
house block on a very beautiful lake
on the far south coast of Australia
where our old world rambling rose garden has now been
replaced with the most amazing water bird life!
Imagine this beautiful pair of black swans
coming to visit at the bottom of your garden?
replaced with the most amazing water bird life!
Imagine this beautiful pair of black swans
coming to visit at the bottom of your garden?
So these images can show you how to set up a studio
even in a small room utilizing every bit of available space.
Many of you already know that I am a mixed media
fabric and textile artist with a passion for
creating books, collages, cards, bags, aassemblages
in fact any project which involves creating with fabric,
textiles, paper, card, images, found objects etc.
These are just some examples of more recent journals
and journal pages as well as some other collages and artworks which I have created.
This last fabric and lace book is one which I teach on-line
through Creative Workshops and the link to it is:
where you can join at a 50% discount for the whole of
the month of July.
(This project was filmed by Jesse Rowan of Lace Age Girl and Jesse is
also participating in this party so you can see her creative space on her blog).
I really can't believe I've managed to pull this altogether
in just a matter of a few weeks!!!!
Every day I'm still looking for things I can't find!
My desk is to the left in the corner where I do all of my
computer work.
Some inspirational pieces on my desk include these:
My sewing table is at the window and a few items
around my table there.
My beautiful Santos cage doll sits in the corner of my large table
surrounded by these items close at hand.
(Felting machine on this table!)
My table holds boxes and containers for stamps pads, inks, pastels,
findings and the shelves above carry the stamps, paints, cards, images, laces, embellishments, postcards and ephemera.
The shelves to the right contain baskets of
antique and vintage laces, organzas,
bamboo cottons, doilies, linens,
napkins and vintage
fabrics.
This is an example of how I use (so sparingly)
some of these precious laces and often
only if they are tattered or torn etc.
More shelves display cabinet card albums,
inspirational little books, locks and milinary pieces,
with a few of my journals in the corner.
More inspirational pieces and some gifted artworks by
blogging friends
like these beautiful vintage bobbins and keys
The top of this dresser holds an old printer's tray,
some old frames and vintage hats.
To the side of this is a beautiful old chinese cabinet
holding bibs and bobs
and adorned with a vignette of dolls, containers, vintage
stamps and buttons.
Behind the door is a black lace collaged assembly
with a selection of vintage black laces over the top.
This is where I store more doilies, vintage fabrics, felt,
upholstery fabrics, vintage laces, jars of buttons,
sari ribbons, scrim, seam binding, my pearl
button box and a hanging selection of
my favourite vintage lace collars,
cotton night gowns
and dresses.
And in case you may be wondering where my fabric stash is kept -
well that is just around the corner in a huge linen cupboard!
Thank you so very much for dropping by and I really hope you enjoy all of the fascinating and inspirational spaces
offered by Karen for which we are truly