Memorial day

I give thanks to our armed forces, past and present for keeping us safe.
Here in the Islands we are very vulnerable, and knowing they are protecting us here and in foreign fields is very humbling.
aloha nui loa

Got to have zippers

Getting ready for a trip and sewing lots of zippered pouches.

Key tags

I made a bunch for an art group I am part of.
They go into a package of ephemera and stuff.
The pillows below are tiny, smaller than a postcard.

Digital grounds from Art supplies.

Postcard pillows

Printed onto rustic old linen fabric and nicely stuffed.
Sit them all together in a bowl. I will tie them up with string and teabags I think.
I used Digital grounds to create the fabric. It prints so very clearly.

Passport holder and tags

Made to look a bit grungy.
Using old patterns and string.
Passport stamp collection on the tags.

Ticking collection

These are going to my Etsy shop.
I love the way the different types of ticking appear in projects.
It goes so well with old lace.

Royal chapeau

After seeing the Royal wedding and the Fascinators worn by some guests.
I made my own version, it is constructed with vintage brown grosgrain ribbon, old black hat netting and vintage purple blooms.
Fun to make and I am sure would fit right in London.

See what I do with this soon

I luvvv! to re-cycle. Being a country girl where we always saved everything.
Thanks for responses to the old tea-bags.
I know others use them in their art, too pretty to toss.
Soup can, re-do coming soon.
aloha

How I make the coasters below

I cut the squares out, easiest to make a cardboard template
Stripes can go every which way, and will end up looking good.
Use charm squares too if you like. Arrange them on the backing and sew from the back side.
Trim well, cut corners and turn to correct placement.
I poke the corners out with a chopstick.( I live in the Islands so have plenty.)
They will be a little rounded.
Press well.
I dyed my ticking in coffee.
These are a great use for all kinds of fabric bits. They can all be different.

I know you have this pattern, it is old.

But, I am refreshing my coaster pattern, have used it for years.
I have such a lot of ticking so am challenging myself to find ways to use it.
For the tea bags, I empty them into a container, then dye in some of my old tea or coffee.
Dry them, iron them and stamp.
I used wonderful passport stamps I got in NZ.
For the accompanying coasters:
You need 5x5" squares of fabric. about half a yard for the four coasters.
4 of ticking, one from canvas.
If you use lightweight fabric you may need more of the canvas .
Cut out with a template.
Align the ticking which is folded in half. Folded edges to the middle.
Last piece will be tucked under the first.
Sew all around, trim well, turn out and press.
Stack 4 together and tie with aged string.
Add one of my great little altered tea-bags.
To present, I add either tea, of a bag of coffee.

Woad dyed dress and apron.

18" long, these pieces are wall art.
I made them from old lace and textiles, and took them to LA to a workshop I did at French General.
When I came home they were a bit too dark so then I had to fade them.
After all that, they looked really aged.!
Working on another set now because these have sold.

Snapshots from NZ

My window on the river.
I love the misty greens.
- watch the traffic on the Bridge.
Cars on top and trains beneath.
A calm place to rest the eyes.

Ticking away

Finished this journal made entirely by hand.
26 Pages edged with old lace.
A fabric collage adorns the first page.
Seemed to want the yo yos that I added.
I have always had a fondness for the funny little round puffs.
It's for sale.

Winner of give away

Congratulations to Jackie of Pretty ragged threads.
You have won my French heart.
Happy Mums' day to all.
The photo is one I took in New Zealand.
Country market and bunch of Mums.

Part two gypsy patch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_1pe8hgEV4

The second embellishment video is up now.
You can see how I make ribbon roses and other embellishments.

Please copy and paste the above.

Heart to give

This is a heart in the French tradition that I have just embroidered.
It is my give away for May.
Leave me a comment and I will draw a name from my battered old cap on Sunday.
How nice for a Mothers day remembrance.
Even if it is late.

Book from France

A fabric book, Petit Trianon

I made it with some silken fabrics and velvet, sort of crazy quilt style.

It does have lots of stitchery by hand and was quite a labor of love.
So here are some pages.

Some 'bits' from Down Under, NZ

French fabric was gathered in a nice shop in Cambridge, it sits in a basket of metal with a rustic cotton lining from Red current in Hamilton.

I found some lace and crochet in my home town.
Selling some on Etsy, soon.
Oh! yes the basket with lace, is made from french fabric purchased from a shop called Poppies in Hamilton. NZ.

No square plates here in Hawaii. We have no dollar shops.
Now I must look for some elsewhere.
Give away coming soon.

Daily dessert in NZ

Oh! yum.
Creme Brulee' platter with kiwi ice-cream and fresh fruit compote.
I am hooked on square plates.

Food in NZ is wonderful and fresh, loaded with farm products, like cream.