Bird Fabric Collage Book as a "Thankyou" Gift

Well in no time at all since returning to my studio
after our humble Christmas celebrations
(and that's only 2 weeks)
I've found myself completely surrounded by all manner
of bits and pieces like bits of lace, fabric, motifs, buttons,
string, glue, cottons, doileys, etc. which I've
managed to spread all around me in
such a mess!
Tell me - it's the same for you when creating!!!???
However, through it all I have some finished projects.

It's not everyday you receive an email from a woman

wanting to gift you with her collection of

mixed media materials just because

she loves your artwork!

Well, the truth of the matter is that Lisa who currently

resides in New Zealand is about to embark on a new

phase in her life which will take her to live in

Tasmania and she wanted her collection to go to someone

who followed her heart's desire and who would really

appreciate its contents and that person was

me!!!

How incredible! When Lisa offered it I had no idea what would arrive

but inside the two boxes were crammed full with vintage doilies,

laces, ribbon, bindings, vintage jewellery etc.

all of which represented most likely several years of

collecting!

I also found the beginnings of a fabric bird journal 

which she said was inspired by me!

There was also a partially completed front cover and a few

loose unillustrated fabric pages as well as some images

of birds and feathers.

I was so in awe of such an incredibly kind act I decided to create a fabric book for her using her bird images and several of

her items

from the collection along with many of my own

and before too many days passed I was able to present her 

with my finished project.

Front cover modified and embellished using Lisa's vintage

jewellery, feathers and fringing.

Detail of some embellishing.

Inside cover using upholstery fabric

(this was some gorgeous fabric included from a beautiful

parcel from Robin

So here you can see Lisa's bird images once collaged

and incorporated into the pages

along with some of my own bird images

and printed silks.

I created the nest here from a vintage chair I took apart some 

time ago!

A particularly pretty doiley here from Lisa

with some soft pastel chiffons.

With the feather images I made these tags which

now live inside the cut lace pocket

on the inside back cover.

It all comes together here!!!

And, of course, the accompanying tag

was with a bird theme also!

And here it sits on a wash stand

as I get it all packed up

ready for sending

to Lisa.

Hope you enjoy viewing this and I have several

more projects ready to share which

I hope to soon as I journey along

with you all!

On a more sombre note

I would just like to leave with these couple of images

of the Tasmanian bush fires in the hope of you

sparing a little thought for those left

homeless, shocked and in 

desperate situations

as a result!

I'm simply lost for words!

We are today facing the most possible catastrophic

fire danger

 situation here in our state yet!!!

Stay safe and show a little kindness

to each other!

xxx Suzy