July - Swap Your Stash Challenge

The July "Swap Your Stash Challenge" is nearly at a close and I just finished mine last night. I used flower seed packages that I planted this year, and added them to the stash to make two collages. I used Twinkling H20 paint to add a bit of sparkling color to the fringe. The two collages are very simular as I plan to keep one and send the other one to the lady who supplied July's stash. Now I'm looking forward to receiving the August stash.

Have Stash Will Travel

Since I collect and use vintage fabrics in my collages, I bring quite a lot of my stash with me when we come to Kentucky for the summer. I transport it in large plastic bins, and that works fine to a point. But, after a few 'dives' into the bins everything looks like it has been stirred, and becomes a mess.

The solution - my husband made a cabinet for me to unpack those bins. Shelves wouldn't really work because my cats would be sleeping in the fabric, so I requested a cabinet. We had quite a few bi-fold doors stored in the car/barn that worked out quite well for the cabinet sides and front doors. This way the fabric can breathe.

I use the cabinet for the fabric, some sewing notions, tools, glues and painting supplies.

I have my buttons and lace stored in the drawers of an antique dresser that belonged to my husband's paternal grandmother.

















And, since this is the first room you see when you enter the cottage, it will be nice to be able to keep it a bit neater.

Double Sided Pincushions - Vintage Fabrics, Vintage Lace & Vintage Buttons

I had so much fun making the pincushions from the June "Swap Your Stash" challenge that I decided to make some from my vintage stash of fabrics, buttons and lace. There are seven pictured from one side in the photo to the left. They are turned over for the second photo to see the corresponding side.

I have them listed on my Etsy shop as I can't keep everything I make. These are fun to use, and I use one every day that I made for the challenge.

Lunch at Doe Run Inn

We had lunch about two weeks ago at Doe Run Inn. It was originally a mill that has quite a history. Today, you can stay overnight or just come to eat. I enjoy it not only because of the tasty fried chicken, but also because you can eat on the screened-in porch that overlooks the creek.

The grounds are very pleasant to stroll after having a nice meal.

Biking in Louisville, KY

Six friends got together for a day of biking in Louisville over the weekend. There are only five in each picture because one of the group is taking the picture. That's me in the green. I am the most novice of the group, but go along to be part of the group. They all wait for me at the top of each hill. Louisville has a bike path that lets the bikers ride without having to worry about traffic.

Custom Orders at Etsy - Mixed-Media Fabric Collage

I recently decided to offer cusom orders for vintage fabric & mixed-media collages at my Etsy shop. It is a beautiful way to display a treasured family photograph in a one-of-a-kind work of art.

I will create a fabric and mixed-media collage using an artful variety from my antique and vintage collection. Personal fabrics, lace, buttons, jewelry or other objects can be incorporated into the collage as well. Perhaps there is a favorite saying or poem that you would like to include.

Keep in mind that my “treasures” are antique or vintage and may be worn, frayed or stained. These are not to be thought of as flaws, but rather as artistic evidence of a prior life. I find that old photographs and previously loved fabrics go very well together.

The wall hanging in the photo shown here is for example only.

You can read the details about this listing at my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12975951

New Rocking Chairs For The Back Porch

John brought home two new rockers for the back porch. He finished the back porch last summer while we were here, but we hadn't bought chairs for it before we left in November. The chairs are still sporting their tags in this photo, but they have since been removed.

Rocking has begun!

Eighteen Tons and What Do You Get?

Guess the song is Sixteen Tons. But in our case it is eighteen tons of gravel. Yesterday, our excitement for the day was the delivery of eighteen tons of gravel to repair the driveway and parking area. The man who brought the gravel was a real pro at operating his dump truck and he was able to spread it out fairly even. We have a large Maple tree that hangs over the driveway that limited his access to that area. Still, he did a great job!

There was some work to do by hand, but after a while John had most of it done. Now when we drive on it, the sound reminds us of pulling into a Dairy Queen when we were kids.

"Sewing Lesson" Vintage Fabric - Mixed Media Quiltie

This vintage fabric and mixed media collage quilt measures 10" x 18". It is displayed in the sewing room of our Kentucky cottage. The base fabric is a flour sack that I used just as is. The illustrated picture is printed on white cotton and is an image from Luna Girl. I embellished the piece with an old button card of mother of pearl buttons, fabric scraps that I recently bought from Lesley Riley for inspiration, antique lace, a paper tape measure scrap and an old wooden industrial spool secured at the top with lace.

My own mother gave me numerous lessons not only on the sewing machine, but also in the selection of patterns, fabrics and notions. She taught me the proper way to prepare the fabric, pin and how to cut out the patterns. I used to sew clothing, but now I mainly sew for the home and my art quilts. Still, I think she would be happy to see me sewing even if it is only to sew bits and pieces together. After all, we both agreed that sewing is really just about the fabric!

Pincushions - Swap Your Stash - June

The June package of "Swap Your Stash" fabrics was waiting for me when I arrived in Kentucky. The bright colored prints are very pretty, and also quite different from the fabrics I am used to working with. The package also included a variety of colorful beads. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to make pincushions. I tried to use just the items I had received, but did use a couple of my glass buttons. The large 'jewel box' pincushion measures 5" square by 2" high. It will be handy for quilt pins as well as large needles. The smaller ones are also a basic 5", but do not have the depth - so part of the 5" top becomes the sides. I finished this challenge with just a few days to spare before the end of June. Now, I'll be looking forward to July's mystery to arrive in the mail.