Happy Moments of Spring

Hello.  Welcome.  I want to share an altered notebook I hand-crafted.  I started with an ugly notebook I found in a $1 bin, and decorated it, to give it a new look! and I am super happy with how it turned out!  I am entering my altered/decorated notebook in three different challenges (one in the US, and 2 overseas).

My first stop was the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  They use a tic tac board, and you choose which row you are working with.  Super fun, and it gives you options {smile}.

I went diagonal with Floral, Gold/Silver, & Sequins

My next stop is a new favorite challenge site from Russia.  They also have a translate button, so it really makes it easier to play along: Paper Story.  They have given us an inspiration board, and you pick what inspires you.  You gotta love that!  Their theme:  sweet inspiration

inspired by the colors, and blossoms

and finally, my last stop is at SaratovScrap.  They have given us an inspiration board as well.  Their theme is:  March banner, freshness of the spring day, tenderness of the first flowers, letters about love.

inspired by the softness, the colors, the blossoms, and the notecard

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used a pink and cream pattern paper from Bazzil.  I loved how the random pattern was vague and pretty at the same time.  I had a scrap piece of a digital floral pattern paper, that was just the right size to matt with kraft card stock.  I added cut pieces of different 'tickets', and layered them. 

At the top, I added a scrap piece of cream cotton trim.  I wanted to bring out the pale aqua color in one of the tickets, so I added a scrap piece of an aqua and cream pattern paper and layered a cream text pattern paper on top.  I also added a 'notebook tab' piece of aqua and cream polka dot pattern paper to the top left of the notebook.

I loved the floral pattern from the cream cotton trim, so I added a cream button with the same design to the top of a double bow of pale pink seam binding.  I tied the button to the bow with kraft twine, to help add a little contrast, softly.

The fabric blossom is actually a warm taupe shade, to help help blend it into the background, and not take center stage.  I added a pair of champagne glitter leaves to the blossom, to help add some sparkle.

I added a pair of flat buttons tied with the same kraft twine.  I also added 5 pale pink sequins, to help add a little more pink (my favorite color).  I wanted more sparkle, and found a short piece of rhinestone trim, and so I added it to the  bottom of the top 'ticket'.  

I added a 'hair tie' to the bottom of the notebook, to hold it close.  I just love the pale taupe color and the sparkles is just a bonus.  I did some machine stitching to help hold the pieces together, and to give it a homespun feeling.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenge sites!  

Utility Apron

Howdy!  I worked on my apron yesterday, and I am happy with my progress.  {smile}  At first I was anxious to get started.  The ideas were swimming around in my mind, and really wanted to get started.  Then, my fabrics arrived in my mail box.  Yeah, I ordered some vintage fabrics and trims.  I roughly calculated how much material I would need, and then added a little extra {in case of mistakes during cutting}.  But, then I was time to cut.  And it really made me nervous!  I overcame my nervousness and grabbed my fabric scissors and cut.  {smile}

here is the almost, near completion of my shabby chic utility apron:

So, I will start at the bottom of the apron, and work my way to the top.   I machine stitched this beautiful white cotton trim with bows and scallops onto a Rachel Ashwell vintage pink embroidery fabric.  I sewn an eyelet floral white cotton trim, to the top of the pink fabric.  I made a quick and easy seam at the bottom of another Rachel Ashwell vintage fabric.  This white and pink floral fabric is just stunning in real life.  This panel piece (2 trims and 2 fabric pieces) are sewn together.  I haven't decided if I want to do 3-4 box pleats with this panel piece.  

The main body of the apron is an eggshell colored linen fabric.  I simply folded the fabric up to create the pockets (not sewn yet).   I am adding that beautiful white lace trim to the edge of the pockets (not sewn yet).   I want to attach this main piece to the vintage panel with that beautiful white cotton trim.  I made the ties out of the same fabric as the white floral Rachel Ashwell cotton fabric.  

I am happy with how it is coming together.  {smile}  I haven't finished, and there are quite a few pins holding it together.  Of course, I will be adding a few buttons and possibly a crochet doily to give this little beauty some shabby chicness.  {smile}    I am thinking about creating a blossom out of a coordinating fabric or possibly some ribbon.  But, I haven't decided on everything yet.  I'm still brain storming.  so, please stay tuned!

Cream & Gold Fabric Strip Banner

Howdy!  I'm having a lot of fun, and excited to share with you another fabric strip banner.  This one is a little more elegant.  I used all neutral colors: cream, vanilla, white, beige, taupe, brown, and gold.
I also used a variety of textures: linen, cotton, satin, sequin, and chiffons.

The particulars:  I used five different, but beautifully coordinated fabrics: taupe polka dot, beige diamond pattern, gold foil polka dot, cream, and gold sequin fabric.  I just love how pretty and elegant these look together!  This hand-tied fabric strip banner is 4feet wide.  There is 18 inches of twine at each end to make it easy to secure this banner.  The strips measure approximately 10 inches long.
So, I added some pretty trims {smile}.  I added a brown natural cotton wired ribbon.  I just love the texture that it adds.  I also added three different but beautiful laces: antique gold, cream floral, and white lace.  For the ribbons, I added two different satin ribbons: beige and vanilla striped.  I also added gold sequin trim and white rosette trim.  I love how the stripes and polka dots work so well together.  {smile}

Use this hand-made, homespun banner to dress-up a window, a headboard, a wall, or crib, etc.  You can also use this decorative piece to decorate your next party!  Hang this banner at the edge of a cake/gift table, use as a backdrop for the cake table, or photo booth!  Let the pinks and purples add that special girl-y touch to your next birthday party/tea!
This banner has been added to my Etsy shop, HERE.  This beautifully hand-tied fabric banner is ready to ship, but if it doesn't sell soon, you can see it in person at this year's Trash to Treasure Trunk Show @ Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque, NM on Jan 23, 2016.