Vintage paper leaf garlands

I have been cutting up vintage book pages(!), I know some people would say that's a crime but I'm recycling those books that even the charity shops end up reducing to move. They are going on to have new lives that even they didn't dream of! I've been using pages in my journal, cutting shapes from the pages for paper garlands and will be using the hard covers for some handmade journals, so thumbs up all round I feel. And what is even better is the price that I paid for these books in the first place, and the amount of items and enjoyment I can and will get from them (in fact already have), all for the princely sum of 20/40p per book, bargain I'd say!

pile of autumnal leaves?!

I know that there are so many shapes/images that can be cut from paper, but I have to say as well as all the intricate papercuts that are out there I do love a simple shape, cut and stitched together to create a garland. And to be honest I have hung these up across one side of my little workroom as I've completed them, and they look better the more that there are. If you've only got room for one string it would look great but a few definitely makes more of an impact.

vintage book pages and doilys, delicate combination and simple

I've strung these up with the other circle ones I made a few weeks ago. And in the morning light the other day I could envisage them working so well at a fairy tea party, ethereal and light and how perfect as a back drop or around the room for a sweet hen tea party or a reception. hmmm...something magical...

intertwining strands

I am so loving keeping it simple with these garlands at the moment too, basic black and white text, white self-patterned paper, sheets of musical songs, lace like doilies. The only touch of colour on them is the thread they are stitched together with. As you may know, as I've mentioned it before, I'm helping with the decorative bits and pieces for a friends daughters wedding next year, and I'm thinking a 'wall' or backdrop of lengths of garlands would look great, catching the breeze, rustling lightly and even working as a background for photos too. I'm really liking the ideas I've seen of enormous lengths of crepe paper fringes as decoration as well. I have such love for paper at this time!

What are you loving right now?

Inspiration: journal (1)

Always continually inspired by Mary Ann Moss and Pam Garrison. Can't wait to get to the 'paint' stage and get creative like this too! x

(first 3 images Mary Ann Moss; next 2 Pam Garrison).

Giveaway at That Crafty Fish

Be quick and drop over to Kirsty's blog for her fab giveaway of a very scummy creative book indeed!

image courtesy of That Crafty Fish

Enjoy and best of luck if you enter x

Folksy shop update.........

It's been a while....................and finally I have made my way to the laptop once again to make a post! I think for a while I lost my creative 'mojo' :(...................... I know we all have quiet spells sometimes when we need to take stock a little and reinvest in the ol' creative juices. I was just having a moment don't you know! ;0

Anyhow I have been madly snapping away, in fact it's fair to say I'm possibly nearly all snapped out for now! as I have been taking photos of my work to put in my shops. Finally! So the mosaics below show some of the textile treasures now in my folksy shop, pop along and take a look....

bloom brooches ready to adorn lapels



purses in a range of pink hues, perfect for the girly girl in you!



and one of my fave colours - turquoise blue, yum!



Well enough of that self gratuitous promotional malarkey, never been my strong point it has to be said, hmmmmm perhaps that's not a good thing.... ;0 !

Anyways on to other things, I had been asked by a friend of mine, the v lovely Sandie if I would make her a guest book for her wedding next year (far too organised!). A loose idea was given of what she would like it to look like, and for it to go with her wedding colours of chocolate brown and burnt orange.
So I set too with my fabric fragments, buttons and thread, with the sewing machine on stand by for a bit of 'writing'................... and so below is what I created for this lovely lady's special day....

hues of cream, orange and brown in varying textures and pattern



all stitched on a woven self patterned cream remnant, with the betrothed names stitched in chocolate brown thread



And finally the finished piece, with flame burnt orange ribbon to tie, (love the streaming ray of sunshine bursting through the window across it!)



I have sent it off to its new home as my gift from me to them towards their special day. I'm now waiting on a full report back as to what Sandie thinks about it - as I did say I wouldn't be offended if it wasn't what she was after and I was more than happy to make another if needed! So fingers crossed! ;0