Heart Strings Progress and Mini Shabby Collages

This is the next stage for my Heart Strings Journey -

I am at the point of  putting together

the actual strings made of silk sari ribbons

with the decorated chains

using all number of gorgeous "doo-dads"

Don't you just love that name?

To me it implies all number of some of your

favourite vintage jewellery finds, different dangles,

costume jewellery,

precious pearls

along with a few religious icons,

some gorgeous purchases from Brass Bouquet

including a brass heart and a lovely large

brass connector

seen above

and 

a few items made by myself even

including this little wired nestie with a pearl insert

I really am a nature girl at heart and just had to include

one of our hen's feathers

to enhance the "earthiness" of this new piece.

I am so far very happy with the way it is looking.

As soon as my thimbles arrive I shall be

drawing the strings and chains through this to connect

the neckpiece.

Diane Cook of Rosa and Josie's Blog is the

wonderful tutor for this on-line workshop so

go and visit Diane here.

Also the beautiful sari silk ribbons I purchased from

LaShell at www.designtalentedone.etsy.com.

I cannot believe just how slow I am at this but I know eventually

if I persist the hand tools will become more and more part

of my creative hands.

While I have been waiting for more goodies to arrive for my 

Heart Strings I have been very much back in my

comfort zone creating some of these

Shabby Chic Mini Vintage Hangings

The majority of materials and fabrics used in

these pieces

have been recycled - lots of lovely soft white vintage 

cottons, laces and scrim

along with some new lace fabrics, natural dyed

raw silk

and even a bit of jewellery.

This is another one using a tombstone angel -
now this image is one from Patty of
Magpie's Nest Blog

Patty has one of the most beautiful collection of
tombstone angels I have seen - go and visit 
her blog - her journalling is wonderful!

more dyed lace with a little doo dad over more lace

And this one which is different again!

More recycled fabrics used here and this one

includes some very beautiful embroidered silk

and guipure lace.

All images are on handmade paper.

Now I am going to sell these little hangings and 

they will be available in my Etsy shop

very soon!

Just want to remind everyone that next Saturday -

14th July is the day for

"Where Bloggers Create Party" with Karen Valentine as hostess

so if you want to come and have a little peek inside my studio

and see what goes into creating projects like these

then come and join me here!

Hope you have all had some wonderful time inside creating

as I have had here!

Love and hugs, Suzy xxx

Heart Strings in Progress and Some Gift Tags

Well I have begun my Heart Strings

on-line DVD workshop

under the excellent guidance of the

wonderful on-line tutoring of Diane Cook

(see my previous post below for all the details)

and, although I am travelling at a snail's pace - I have to

admit that I really am enjoying this completely 

new medium whilst still getting used to

using these tiny jewellery tools

so, although, not yet finished

I have some of the decorated chains ready

to show and the sari silk ribbons sitting on the right

hand side of the tray

are almost ready to be joined with the chains

after waiting the arrival of a few more items

including the brass thimble under which

all of the strings come together.

(I must admit I am rather happy with the little nestie

with the pearl)!

In the meantime I have been putting together a few gifts 

and tags so here are some of the collaged tags

(the gifts I will show a bit later!)

I have a beautiful new book cover stamp purchased locally

and it comes in two sizes - this is the smaller size of the

two which covers an oversized tag.

Then there is this one using the same stamp but a very

different image of a gypsy

with some very rich burgandy tassels

So two different versions using the same stamp

and then this one which is completely different again

using a favourite image from Dawn

at The Feathered Nest Blog

Thank you so much Dawn for always making these

beautiful images available to us for use in our creations.

I love how natural she looks!

I do hope very soon I will have some completed Heart Strings

to show you!

Thank you to all my new followers for joining my blog

and to everyone who comes both often or even occasionally

to leave me inspiring comments - thank you so very much.

While you are probably sweltering in the northern hemisphere

we down south are experiencing Winter at its very best

with clear crisp white frosty green paddocks

and the most beautiful blue and clear

skies.

So lucky to be alive!!!!

Love and hugs, Suzy xxx

In Deep Water

Now you may ask

What am I going to be doing with these Sari  ribbons?

Well I decided to jump into the deep end and learn

a completely new skill

and take a course in Diane Cooks on-line Workshop

"Heart Strings"

You can read all about it here

and also at

Artful Gathering Workshops where Diane will be

running this course.

Now you all know that I am a textile, fabric and fibre artist

primarily and so to take this on has put me in the

raw beginner category but, hey

what have I got to lose?

and

I casually mentioned this to a couple of friends

and the next thing I started receiving

bits and pieces that I could

incorporate into my

new venture

such as

this

little parcel all the way from Bornholm

from my dear friend, Dorthe,

including this most gorgeous card made by her

and

a dear little package containing medals, beads, crucifixes,

keys etc. etc.

and just have a look what else was included?

One of her handcrafted angels

with the most beautiful face!

Isn't she just so sweet?

Also

and all the way from the U.K.

came this box, wrapped so beautifully in a hand knitted doiley

(not shown - oops - sorry!)

from another dear friend, Liz of Lululizinlalaland

and these amazing little boot buttons

as well as

more sari ribbon in a beautiful soft mossy shade of green

and last, but not least, some very fine narrow vintage laces

 


which can be added to the sari Heart Strings
.

Such a delicious combination of colours called

"Pebble"

with a touch of pink added.

Thank you both dear friends for your kindness and encouragement!

It is rather nice to know that you have those

friends that believe in

what you do!!!

Now I have to say so far I am keeping my head above water
and hopefully very soon I will be able to show you
my very first attempt at jewellery making
including some 
of the materials which I am just so at home with.


It feels very strange holding jewellery tools instead of
sewing threads, fabrics and sitting at my
trusty sewing machine!


Hope some of you too are stretching your wings 
and venturing into new fields of creativity -
I know this will be fun!!!


Thank you everyone for coming to visit me - 
I so love hearing your comments -
Each one is so appreciated!
and I will endeavour to reciprocate as best I can.


xxxxSuzy

Blog Makeover

Now just in case you haven't noticed

I have a complete new look to my blog

and

this has only been made possible

with some wonderful collaborative work

with Karen Valentine

from

www.mydesertcottage.blogspot.com

At the moment Karen is offering to

upgrade your blog at any level you desire 

even a complete makeover

if you wish.

Now

I really recommend that if you are feeling intimidated,

inadequate or just plain lacking the time

to undertake this

then

visit Karen as at the moment she has a wonderful special

being offered in Blog Design to assist you!

Just click on the image above.
♥♥♥

I found this journey quite amazing as it really made 

me stop and think "how do I want bloggers to see me

and my creativity"!
- not such an easy question I tell you!
I really wanted something that would reflect
a professional approach
to my own style
(and let's face it each of us has their own unique style!).

We really put quite a bit into this project

(mainly Karen)

and I am very happy with the result!

Tell me what you think?

Also I'd like to mention that Karen is holding a party

"Where Bloggers Create"

on 14th July, 2012

which has become an annual event

and

this year I will be entering my creative space for viewing

(More of that later)

so if you would like to open your studio or creative space

please go and visit her blog above and put your

name down there.

Thank you so much Karen for giving me the face lift my blog

needed!

♥♥♥