Getting back into the studio to create!

Yes, I've made a few antique button necklaces recently

but since we moved into our new home

I've not really made a piece of artwork.

It's funny how you can totally slip out of that groove.

But life happens, you can even forget how much you love it.

When I finally DO make something?

It all comes back to me!!!!

Just making something from forgotten fragments is so rewarding.

This is an antique plinth board or enormous molding.

It is so old, aged and was a wonderful backdrop for this piece!

I created the heart pattern, sewed it from drop cloth fabric and then painted it.

I also used some antiquing solution to age it around the edges.

It didn't need to look pristine with that wonderful board behind it.

I wrapped the heart with brown hemp cord and tied and antique key to the front.

Next I drilled holes in the board and added the rusty twisted wire to hang.

A few embellishments were added to the hanger,

untwisted twine and some thinner wire accents.

Of course I had to add the little metal frame and the "love much" wording!

The heart has been wired onto the board to secure it.

It's really a quite simple piece but it truly speaks volumes to me.

I'm calling it "The Key to My Heart"

I've recently added it to my Etsy store if you like to take a peek!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT

It's been over a year since I made anything.

Moving into our new home totally sucked the life out of me.

It was wonderful and stressful all at the same time!!!

We will soon be here a year and I'm finally settled in enough

to feel comfortable up in our new studio.

So don't give up on yourself.

It just takes time to adjust to change or get through what's going on in your life.

Fall will soon be here. Cooler weather always inspires me!!!

I hope to be sharing more artwork and goodies soon.

Thank you always for stopping by to see what I'm up to!!!

Even if it's not much of anything, HAHAHA!!

Hugs and love,

Dawn

It's time my friends...time to LET GO OF THE WONDERFUL!!!

So...here's the deal.

I'm going through my amazing hoard...and listing TONS of stuff!!!

It's really time.

I've not been very creative lately but have SO many wonderful things!

Why not pass my found treasures on to another artist???

This is just a FRACTION of my hoard so stay tuned my precious friends!!!

Keep tuning into my little Etsy store HERE.

What else have I been up to?

Hmmmm, let's see.

My precious mother-in-law had a birthday SO

I wanted to make a wonderful gift basket for her!!!

Bedroom shoes to keep her feet cozy,

a fuzzy throw to keep her warm this winter,

hand wash and hand lotion,

yummy smelling soap,

the most wonderful smelling candle,

a coffee mug and since she loves wearing silver,

a container of silver jewelry cleaner!

SHE LOVED IT ALL!!! SCORE!

ALSO...I've been working on some wonderful lavender sachets!

They are for a precious friend of mine that will be a vendor

in the Country Living Fair here in Atlanta!!!

EEEEK!

My little handmades will be sold there!!!

Finishing them up this week for her.

And so it goes, this simple life of mine.

Thank you always for taking a peek inside!!!

Wishing you so much goodness and love,

xxoo,

Dawn

A tiny treasure ~

I've always loved small things,

I can't help it!

I found several tiny drawers a while back and

had to buy them.

I think they must be from an old jewelry chest

or something because

they aren't too tiny but are very small.

ANYWAY...

I created a teeny nest assemblage inside one of the drawers.

It stands a mere 4 3/4" tall ~

First it was painted then antiqued and lined...

and then I added
a store-bought nest inside.

I embellished it with the smallest speckled eggs and

fluffy feathers as well.

A dear friend of mine purchased this and I so hope

that she loves it!!!!

I lined the interior of the drawer with beautiful birch bark wrapping paper

that I found at TJ Maxx....

the tiny pieces of the puzzle come together to create

a precious keepsake for my dear friend!!!

Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Sometimes all you need to do, is simply begin ~

Lately, I've been missing creating artwork...

By artwork

I mean assemblages, collages

and things like that.

Seems I got so caught up with sewing so many goodies

since the first of the year

which has been wonderful, don't get me wrong.

But I'm a weirdo in the fact that I love creating

something different all the time.

Well, the longer you go without doing a certain thing,

you begin to doubt yourself!

Or at least I do anyway.

I've been glancing through some of my photos of  past artwork

and have been slowing building my confidence to get back

into assemblage artwork.

I do love it so much!

So, my friends ~ the lesson for today is to:

simply begin.

The minute I started working on this beautiful clock case,

transforming the interior and getting ready

for the new treasures that I'll tuck inside...

I could feel that feeling again!!!
The interior has now been lined
with gorgeous old sheet music.

What treasures will it hold?

I'm not quite sure yet...we'll see!

Wishing you a wonderful, creative Wednesday dear friends!

hugs and love,

Dawn

Using my good stuff!

It's hard you know....

using stuff the you love ~ the pretty things you've worked hard to find....

but that's why I buy it, right?

I made something new and used one of the sweet mother of pearl buckles I just found ~

Seems this collage/assemblage looks so pretty next to my last one too.

I must be in this little girl, doll love thing :)

You can find my new artwork in my Etsy shop....

here's a peek:

It's been so terribly rainy here....drizzly and cold ~

I really need some sunshine!!!!

Maybe Tuesday :) I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I hope you're doing so good ~ staying warm and cozy.

I wish you a wonderful Monday dear friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Simple beauty ~

I couldn't stand it anymore....

it was time to make something!

Last week a gave you a peek at the beginnings of this new piece ~

so instead of more fluffing on the house, I chose to finish it!

While making art, I always have so many ideas but

it seems I end up with quite simple pieces.

Maybe I under-edit but I just want the elements that are there

to stand alone ~ to show their beauty.

I could add tons and tons more things to this piece

but the simplicity speaks volumes to me.

She's now listed in my Etsy shop too!!!
And she is now sold, thank you so much Melissa!

Thank you for visiting me sweet friends....

Have a wonderful Friday,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Sweet friendship...

I finished my assemblage!
I just labor over each and every element....the balance, the colors.....
I love the wonderful quote on this one ~
friendship is so sweet and precious.
For purchase in my shoppe here ~

Remember the stamp holder?
Well, I remembered I had some glass bottles
that all matched and I dug them out and LOOK!!!
Do you not just LOVE THIS?
I simply can't sell it....I just love it!

I know so many of you have had terribly cold weather and snow storms.
Please stay cozy and warm this winter weekend ~

Artist Class begins Monday.....I can't wait!!!
I love all of the projects and will have to get busy creating some of them!
But the neat thing about it is, if I don't have time
I can still save all of the tutorials and images and
create them when I do have time!
There's still plenty of time to sign up and for 10.00 off the price
just type in
thefeatherednest


Wishing you a relaxing, cozy weekend!!!
hugs and love,
Dawn

My giveaway gift for you ~

I have to admit....as an artist,
sometimes the creativity just flows out of you...
but sometimes, you have to squeeze it out!

And that's OK, we have many other parts of our daily lives
that can keep us from creating, even our mind can do that.
Our moods especially....but the feeling you get,
when you begin gathering items together,
trying different elements with each other
and when things begin looking the way you love,
THAT is the feeling I love!!

I hope you like this sweet tray assemblage.
I've featured my favorite baby photograph (or one of them)
and simply added wonderful old elements ~

Be sure to CLICK HERE
to enter my giveaway
for a chance to win this assemblage!!

I hope you have a very happy Thursday sweet friends!

hugs and love,
Dawn



PS: I love for you to stop by and welcome Julie of Vintage with Laces ~
she just started blogging YESTERDAY!! xxoo

For the love of clocks ~

Of of the many things I love and collect are clocks.
My husband loves them too, which is a good thing!

I was in The Plum Tree the other day and
saw this wonderful clock and just loved it ~
the graphics are so beautiful, the patina....and it's brand new!!
It is new but I don't care, the look is so what I love
and have in our home, it should fit right in ~

A gift bag with a little treasure inside that I put together
for a sweet someone who has the gift of generosity ~

My first attempt at embossing today! I can see places I missed but STILL... isn't it lovely???

Something else I seem to be enamored with lately are vintage pincushions.
Look at this gorgeous one I found on ebay....

And last but not least on this completely random post
is that I've finally started my bee assemblage.....starting is good.

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend dear friends,
hugs and love,
Dawn