$5.00 Fabric Storage

     It's been a couple of months since I've blogged due to cataract surgery and I'm really anxious to get going again.  My left eye still doesn't see as well as my right eye and I will still need glasses for distance.  Distance being anything beyond three feet away.  My surgeon wants to give my left eye some more time before getting new glasses.  That being said, now that my left eye has been done, I can see the computer, sew, do needlework and read clearly.  However, I just couldn't wait to share my new fabric storage piece, or, I should say, pieces.  I just had to wing it on the photography since I couldn't bring the camera into focus.

     The bottom piece was solid maple and came complete with the little brass label holders.  Hubby added the bun feet.  This piece was free!

     The top piece was painted a dark brown and cost $5.00 at Goodwill (it was broken).  Hubby sanded it back and added fluted molding to the bottom and then painted both pieces Navajo White (my very favorite white).  

     I have very limited space so this allowed me to bring in some of my favorite fabrics from the storage cabinets in the garage.

I think it's just perfect!

A Gorgeous Giveaway

 There is a beautiful giveaway over at Lilly's Lace.  This is a girl after my own heart! 

Art Night at Studio Vino

First and foremost, let me just say I am not a painter.  I use paints in mixed media, collage and textile art, but I can't draw so this was going to be a challenge for me.

My friend Dee invited me to attend an evening at Studio Vino in Loveland.

 

Studio Vino is a "you paint it" type of entertainment.  And it IS entertaining.   It's led by an "Artertainer" that changes depending on the artwork.  It's geared to all levels of artists, even beginners.  You're taken step by step through the process to produce a finished piece of art.

Music, appetizers, a free glass of wine, all your supplies and a getting-to-know-you time before getting to work.

Then we were given our palette of paint, the colors of which were completely outside my comfort zone.  PRIMARY COLORS!?!  What in the world am I going to do with those?

This is the original piece:

And this is my feeble attempt at replication:

Despite my earlier apprehension, I ended up having a great time! 

Hugs to you all,

Kathleen

Inspiration Kits

Something else I've been busy with lately is

putting together what I call, "Inspiration Kits."

They will soon be in my Etsy shop.

One of the questions I'm asked most often, is

"What do I do with this?"

The short answer is, "whatever you want."

The long answer is, they can be used in textile collage,

altered books, mixed media art, journal pages,

ATCs....etc.

They are a mix of fabric, tags, buttons, beads, ribbons,

trim, flowers, fibers, threads, a little bit of bling,

and ephemera.

Not all of these elements are in every kit and

each kit is different.

I've used one of my favorite kits (pictured above)

in this short tutorial.

This kit contains four different fabrics, one

of which is a piece of chiffon. 

I chose an image to transfer onto the

chiffon using TAP (Transfer Artist Paper)

I LOVE this product.

It's the brain child of Lesley Riley.

http://www.lesleyriley.com/ 

You can check out her website for more information on how to

use this product.

I then took some of the lace included in the kit

and stitched it along the sides of the image.

I then found a couple of pieces of

companion fabrics from my stash

(which is quite extensive, I admit).

I stitched those two layers together

and then stitched the velvet piece

from the kit on top of that

and then the image

on top of that.

Then the fun began.

Using elements from the kit and

extra elements that I had on hand, I

embellished the piece.

Not all elements from the kit were used in

this piece.  You can use all

of the kit or just part of it.  The creativity comes

from you. 

I just provide the inspiration.

Have a creative day,

Kathleen

p.s.  I'm having a giveaway on my facebook page.  If you "like" my page, I will be giving away one of my kits when I reach 50 'likes.'  You can find the link to my facebook page here.

Alecia's Bracelet

Yesterday was my beautiful

daughter-in-law's birthday and

as promised,

Here are pictures of the piece

I created just for her.

This is a unique and beautiful piece

that matches my

daughter-in-law perfectly.

It's one of a kind and will never be

duplicated.

It's 2 1/2 inches wide,

designed on a vintage muted satin

with vintage lace and

embellished using all black glass

buttons and beads.

Hugs to all,

Kathleen

Tea on Tuesday

Today is my very first post for

Tea on Tuesday

Kimmie at Art in Red Wagons

is the organizer of Tea on Tuesday so

make sure you stop by and

visit her.

It's a gloomy, overcast Tuesday in

Colorado

so I thought it called for a hearty

English Breakfast Tea

It's just what I need to finish

projects in my studio.

I have a gorgeous

bracelet to finish for my lovely

daughter-in-law.

A gift for her birthday.

I'd show you, but it's a surprise.

I'll post after tomorrow.

So for now, enjoy your cup of tea and

I will see you next Tuesday for Tea.

Kathleen



Mother's Day

I had a beautiful Mother's Day.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous,

so we decided to go to one of my favorite cities in Colorado,

Boulder.

Pearl Street is unlike any other street so

I thought I would invite you to come along.

Walking out of the parking garage, we were

greeted by this gentleman on the back of

someone's shop.

Walking down Pearl Street there were flowers everywhere!

I did discover though, that one of my favorite stores

is closing its doors, Paper Doll. This little lady has been

outside their door for many years.

I sure hope someone buys her

and a few of her friends.

More flowers.

I found a couple of new favorite places.

This shop was an absolute visual delight:

And still more flowers:

A beautiful shop filled with chandeliers from Europe:

Finally, no post about Boulder would be complete without

 a few photos of the entertainment:

Everywhere I looked, I couldn't help but smile.

Thanks for coming along with me.



Etsy shop

I have finally started my

Etsy shop.

Traditions 1949

The 1949 of course is the

year I was born.

As I've said before, I love

the 20s, 30s and 40s. 

And I LOVE

Tradition.

My goal is to keep the tradition

of hand sewing and vintage

things alive.

I absolutely adore

buttons,

beads,

ribbons,

textiles

and

trims.

This is my first piece that I have

listed and there will be lots

more to come.

I just had to share my

success at getting

an item listed.

It seems the older I

get the broader the learning

curve becomes.



Operation Rescrap

We did a show this past weekend called

"Operation Rescrap"

It was the first of what I hope will be many more shows.

This beautiful display that greeted you as you entered the show

was created by the very talented ladies at

"Cozy Cottage" at Centerra and Flatirons

Our booth

We were very well received and I was very encouraged.

The show was a unique combination of consignment, craft, furniture and

handmade items .  I LOVE the concept.

A few more artisans:

We had a great time and have plans to this show again

and hopefully many others.  It's the perfect time in our lives to do this and

my husband Jerry is, hands down, the best person to

do a show with.  I couldn't and wouldn't want to, do it by myself.

So thank you honey, for  being the best part of me.