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?

The 52MMMC Week 5

Week 5 of the challenge.

I had such big plans really I did but I'm afraid I must apologise for this slightly less than complete 'make' as my sewing machine has gone in for a service
*sigh, it was due for one though* and so I have no machine with which to complete my item. Boo hoo......

So anyways I thought I would show you my 'make' so far.....

Out have come the pen and inks, something I haven't used in far too long but which I thought would be perfect for the 'theme' I was intending to draw.


I have been saving little bits here and there and aiming to compile a mood or inspiration board of sorts for the current, dare I say it, Autumn/Winter work happening.
I know we are all still hanging on to the thought that perhaps we will get a few more weeks, days?? of some summer sun but the change of the seasons will be upon us sometime soon. Now as much as I like to be warm I do like the rich colours that Autumn/Winter brings.

Anyhow trying not to diverse, here are a few of my snippets to show my theme.
This 'season' sees plenty of feathers and birds about and I wanted to go with gorgeous feathered owls, all seeing all knowing you know!


After a few sketchy lines in pencil to give a rough outline and idea, I set to with purple ink and pen, I don't want to be 'normal' and have a brown owl! not that there is anything wrong with that mind. Also khakis and purples are making an appearance in this seasons colours.

Perhaps my sketch is a little scary because of the 'knowing' but my owl is going to have attitude!



Now I wanted to transfer this sketch onto fabric. So after scanning the image on to the laptop, flipping the image so I can print it onto the fabric as I had originally drawn it, it was printed out onto transfer paper.


The fun bit of ironing it on to the fabric.


And voila! Sketch transferred to fabric, which is now pinned ready to wait the return of the sewing machine to finish it up into a slouchy bag, maybe even for a few decorative stitches to be added to it as well, we shall see.


I'll show you the 'finished' bag once it's complete. So please forgive me for the half post this week, I didn't like doing it but then I would have felt even more guilty if I had not posted about what I was doing! ;0 x