Finished Brooches

I finally finished these brooches.  I had wanted to play with transfer paper and have been very pleased with the results.

The images are from vintage cards and things that I own that were edited some via Picmonkey, printed off on transfer paper, ironed onto felt pieces, then stitched onto other felt pieces.  The embellishing is the fun part to me.

 The images turned out crisp and full of color.  Hopefully I'll be able to work on some ornaments soon...but you know how time gets away sometimes.  Hope you like these.

Playing with Buttons

I've decided to share some of my button stash...literally share it...but making up some pretties for my Etsy shop.  Why hoard all of these gorgeous buttons when they can be made up into something pretty for others to use and enjoy?  I think buttons like these are like little jewels...and what do we do with little jewels?  Make jewelry, of course!

I hand-tied these onto metal filigree components.  Each little glass button is different and beautiful, and I think they made an exquisite bracelet.  There will be more to come in time.  Hope you like these.

Miniature Altered Quilting / Stitching / Sewing Matchboxes

These have taken me just forever to develop...make...and list in my shop.  However, it is done!  I thought these would be a sweet gift for someone who is a stitcher, quilter, crafter, etc...something that they probably wouldn't take the time to make or want to make for themselves. These are little mixed media/altered matchbox sewing boxes/kits.  They are not true to scale but are little and fun with a definite vintage look...and well they should be.

I used paint and pretty material on these and have embellished the tops with a little pair of scissors, a button card with vintage tiny buttons, and strip of measuring tape.

All of the paper pieces were once vintage items that I have scanned, remade, colored, and definitely shrunk.  I put a couple of coats of Mod Podge on the papers for extra strength.

All of the buttons are tiny, real, and vintage.  In the box itself are two skeins of thread, another button card, a little packet of "pins", and a lace/tatting card with real vintage tatting/lace.

I admit to getting some of my inspiration on Pinterest...though the inspiration there was from large/real life items.  I wanted to make everything tiny, of course!  I have some other ideas for boxes because, well, I just love little things and vintage things as you know.  So, keep your eyes peeled.  I will be working on them soon and have them up hopefully next month.  Meanwhile, I hope you like these.  Oh, these can be made into magnets too.  I like things that are functional rather than just "sitting there", so I've left it open to add a magnet on the bottom if someone wishes.  Check out all four boxes in my Etsy shop if you'd like.

Embroidery on Paper

If I see something super neat, I like to see if it can be done on a small scale.  Things on a small scale are just so much more interesting!  I saw a large piece of paper that was stitched on on Pinterest and thought it looked so pretty.  Sometime a while ago I found a wee vintage dictionary with its back cover missing as well as a few pages...and, well, the two ideas just went together in my mind.  It took some trial and error, but here is the little brooch that is the end result...

 

What do you think? 

Little Mitten Earrings

Just added these to my shop. 

They are little--1 inch or less in size--and are made of felt and pearly white glass beads. 

They are fun to make, and I can do custom colors if I have the materials to do so.  These could certainly be worn from now until the beginning of March around here--the snow can last that long.  Hope you like them!

Wee Black Purse Necklace

Well, this little project is finally done!

It took me a while to finish, and, yes, I needed to pray a couple of times for extra help as there were some frustrating areas...but it is done and has been listed in my Etsy shop.

I embroidered some pink roses and buds on black felt (as well as some black beads for "fringe") and sewed it into a purse shape.

Tucked inside the purse is a little love note.  The purse is actually a pendant, and I thought it looked best on a gunmetal chain.  Enjoy...and happy weekend!

Prize Ribbon Swap

I participated in the Creative Wings Boutique prize ribbon swap.  My swap partner was Marian of Maid Marian Made.  This is the prize ribbon that I made for Marian.  I tried to give it a shabby chic/Parisian look...with plenty of sparkle, of course, in the colors of ivory, light pink, and light blue. It's hard to make anything without sparkle! 

 

I have never made a prize ribbon before, so this was a new venture for me.  I wired the pink rhinestone brooch on with a loop on the back so that Marian may hang it up if she wishes.  Hope you like it! Also, thank you to Tabitha for being the hostess for this swap.

Handmade Artists' Shop Selling Venue

Well, several years ago I was a member of Lollishops.  Remember that?  It was a very sweet and fun selling venue.  I met some wonderful people through it....sold some things.  Their advertising and networking ideas were great, and with co-op ads I was able to have my site link in a number of big magazines.  Unfortunately Lollishops closed after just a short time.  I've been selling through Etsy for quite awhile now, and it has gone well.  However, I thought I'd branch out a little and try another selling venue again just for a few of my things.  It had to be economical.  I love the idea of Make Mine Pink and Shabby Shops and others, but I just can't afford their monthly prices.  

Then I read about the Handmade Artists' Shop though an Etsy forum.  They don't take any fees other than $5 per month, and all the products on there have to be hand made.  I like the attitude of the owners....so I'm giving it a try with my hand stitched felt things.  I may keep a few felt things on Etsy...haven't decided on that though.  Check out my SHOP if you'd like as well as some of the OTHER SHOPS there.  It's a small but growing community and could use other vendors if you want to join.  No sales yet...but I've only been there a week.  What do you think?

Spring Needlebook Swap

This sounds like such a fun swap.  Laurie at Button Floozies is hostessing a swap where we are to make a spring-themed needlebook.  I've never done something like this before, but I've been researching needlebooks and have some great ideas.  Now if I can just get that idea made into a needlebook!  Go ahead over to her blog for all the details and to sign up.