Around Honolulu

Pretty little tea room in town.
And a night shot from my Lanai.

Treasury

Check out all the silk road gifts featured here. Colorful and romantic.
Love being included.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=135439

Bottled Up!

I mean that, getting ready for Quilt festival in Long Beach.
Have to make over 100 kits. Whew, but nearly done.
A glimpse of my bottles, altered and embellished.
Aloha

This is an Eiffel?

Captured some ways to create the symbol of Paris.

Altered box

I made this altered french soap box and adorned it with a blossom, rhinestones and some of my embroidered ribbon.
This has various dates stitched on, very French!
I am putting my stitched ribbons in my shop for sale.
More of my trouve' in the attic.
Meanwhile, have a good and safe day.

Altered Manila folder

I belong to a lovely artsy group here and last night we took old folders and added some style!
Mine has some of my faux writing/scribble, some paint, cut up paper and a flower.
On top I drew a little girl inspired by Kelly Roberts. Not as whimsical as hers though.
Sides have gaffer tape to make a pocket.
I used real make-up on her face and felt tip pens for the painting. Outlined with charcoal pencil to make her 'pop'.

Little word from the wise, after I get lots of queries.
Yes you may link my artwork to your page if you make the tutorial or project.
Giving a little credit for the idea is always nice and appreciated.

Sew Somerset

I believe I have an article in the Summer issue.
I will have to wait and see until I receive my comp. issue.
Meantime on the mainland you may have yours already.
Go get one friends and let me know!

Oldies but goodies

No explanation needed if you are a certain age.
Remember all the ways we used rick rack?
Aprons and skirts were so charming.
Walking down nostalgia lane!

tropics

after a rain, my backyard looks fresh and dewy.
raindrops glisten on pink petals.

Some brooches

Ladies in their finery. Furs, glitter and trim! Oh! My!

Trouve' in my attic, I live here.

Some whites I gathered to enter in white Wednesday at Faded Charm. http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2010/06/white-wednesday-52.html
Rather a fun little project for me, first time.

thankyou book/card

Instead of sending a thankyou card that may get thrown out. I like to make these handy small books.
Great for 'to-do' lists, pantry needs or addresses.
This booklet has 16 pages folded in half.
Gather assorted papers and stack.

Fold in half and sew done the middle. Now it is a paper book.
Make a cover with wallpaper of scrapbook paper, folding over the edges like covering a school book.
Glue the flaps. Tie a ribbon around the spine and create a closure to hold it all together.
I take a length of elastic fold in half and insert ends in center of back cover near edge.
The elastic cut ends should be a good half inch inside and are glued down.
Then I cover the ends with a card, in this case a ticket from the Paris Metro.
Reinforce the hole in the back too.

The fun part is deciding how to decorate the front of the booklet. I make quick quiltlets and glue on.
This one is simply 2 pieces of French fabric sewn together, with a patch on the top and another on the bottom.
In between is a scrap of lace, a twist of gauze and an old button.
The little book is done, very fast and a nice little Merci from you!

French trinket box

A little handmade box for Marie's trinkets.
Inside I found a charming brooch! Ooh la la!

A case for travelling

I went to school in NZ many moons ago, we carried a small suitcase at that time.
I found one here all tattered and smattered so gave it a bit of a face-lift.
First a coat of gesso then about 3 coats of tan paint, I had to mix to get colors I liked.
I had the old travel labels so this was a breeze. Glued them on.
There is a great local store here called 'Jams World', it features bright Hawaiian clothing. Their store front has a lot of similar suitcases, open and inside showing Hawaiian cushions, shorts and things.
Love it. You could paint any suitcase and fix it like this.

My French Attic

I live in a little french attic sort of place. Very shabby and maybe not too chic.
Furnished entirely from the street, the thrift store and yes even the dumpster.
So hope that answers some who wonder.
Here a few more glimpses.
The chevron box is decorated with images from a French book of the 1890s, a dear friend left the book to me!

Crushed roses

A box to hold fabric postcards and thingy' s.
Also another flower blossom , I like the way it looks made from old linen flax.

By the way have you seen the boxes at Target with natural soaps etc. Great to decorate.
One shown here with bloom. (Oh! My Gosh)

Fan-tasia

Fan made for Marie, for the dance.
It sits on a little table and has a special place with some other French items.
5 blades that say, "forget me not" and the final blade has 'history' upon it.
I used lots of different techniques from collage to paint to printing and stitchery.

new hat?

Love to re-cycle?
I do and love this head piece.

Dust bowl art

These treasures come with the little stand.
Size of an ATC with wired hanger and ribbon.
I waxed them for a very vintage look and made sets of three that can be changed daily.

Sea Siren's Booty

From the depths of the Pacific ocean, a treasure chest has appeared.
Filled with sun-drenched drama and barnacles galore.
5 sided box to hold sea going dreams, and some relics from that dive!
Find it for sale on my Etsy.