Seeing beyond the obvious ~

I buy the strangest things at thrift stores.

I guess because I can see beyond the obvious ~

what something could become or

it's potential for beauty.

This blouse was already beautiful though.

Pure linen with exquisite embroidery and frog closures...

Totally not my size but that didn't matter.

I simply saw what it could become.

I've just started transforming it into a purse!

What do you think??

Can you see it in your mind's eye?

So stay tuned sweet friends....we'll see how it turns out!!

I just happened to have this beautiful Waverly fabric that coordinates perfectly

with the linen....for the lining, bottom and strap!

Little Murray thinks it's going to turn out great!!! xxoo

Happy Wednesday angels!

Thank you always for stopping by to see me ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

A finished project!

I have to share the new purse I just finished!

I really like the jute webbing combined with the toile ~

The buttons are even covered in the pretty toile.

The pattern was pretty easy to follow and I'm so pleased

with the results. It has a lot of body because it is interlined

with wonderful, soft fleece too!

This was the first time that I've added a magnetic closure and it was pretty easy to do!

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

Wishing you a wonderful Friday dear friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

A little project ~

Sometimes when I visit Hobby Lobby they will have

some of their sewing patterns for only .99 cents each!

That's the only time I buy them...I'm a cheapie.

Well, the last time I went I picked up a new purse pattern ~

and please don't ask me how many purse patterns I have

because it's crazy!!! I love them so much and even though

most of the time I make my own pattern,

it's fun to try a new one from the store.

I liked this one because it used the jute webbing that

is used in furniture upholstery!

I'm not quite finished but you can kind of get the idea

of how it's going to look ~ I'm really quite pleased so far!!

The cream and tan ticking is the lining fabric....

I just love toile...I think it's classic and is always, always in style ~

Hopefully this will be finished today and in the shop!

Happy Wednesday precious friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

The river of creativity...

Sometimes the river flows at full force ~

rapidly moving...overflowing the banks even!

But sometimes, it's a simple trickle and guess what,

there's just nothing, nothing at all you can do about it.

This life we live takes over and sometimes it just doesn't happen

how we planned it out in our heads!

Anyway ~ I did finally finish these two sweet "flea bags"!

One is already sold but the other has been listed

in my Etsy shop ~

I've used gorgeous old wedding lace, more vintage laces and doilies...

antique buttons and even a vintage watch face with tiny pearls!

They are such a wonderful size, perfect for slinging across your chest

and hitting the antique market!!!!

So how's your river flowing these days???

Wishing you a beautiful, creative and wonderful Monday precious friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

A beautiful blank canvas...

That's how I see these sweet babies ~

they are both wonderful blank canvases for me to

embellish and adorn!!!

The purses themselves are finished but the flaps?

They are what I'm going to add a little goodness to ~

Stay tuned :)

My heart aches for the victims of the Boston tragedy...

I so pray for healing for them, the families involved and for

peace in their hearts and lives.

I also pray for JUSTICE

that this evil person be found and held accountable

for their terrible actions.

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday my sweet, sweet friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Simple goodness...in progress!

I took a trip to Hob Lob the other day and

was thrilled that they had their Simplicity patterns on sale for .99 cents!!!

I am absolutely enthralled with small purses.

I just love them!!

I look at little girl patterns because sometimes

they will also feature a purse pattern.

Anyway, this wasn't a little girl purse but a small purse pattern that I ended up getting.

So...I'm in the process of working on a few!

The tan and beige ticking will be the lining and the best thing?

It has a wonderful flap that I can embellish with yummy old goodness!!!

Stay tuned...

I'm sorry the pics are so lame but I still wanted to show you what I'm up to!!!

Wishing you a beautiful weekend my sweet, sweet friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

A few new goodies from the studio ~

I finally decided since baby Murray

must be so comfy and cozy

where he is...

I should just get into the studio and make something!

Here's what I managed to get accomplished ~

three lavender sachets and

one of my small flea bags....

you would not believe how long it takes me

to choose just the right lace for each item!

Please take a little peek:

I just love giving these wonderful old snippets of lace a new life ~

even though they are torn, tattered and stained,

they can be admired and appreciated again!

All the new items are listed in my Etsy too!

I hope you have a beautiful Thursday precious friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

So...what exactly is "being creative?"

Creativity takes many forms...
it could be cooking a wonderful meal for your loved ones,
or maybe having a wonderful garden that produces yummy vegetables,
or keeping a beautiful home for your family,
and what about being able to host a fabulous party
that makes everyone feel like THEY are the guest of honor!!!
Creativity is truly so many different things ~

For me, being creative is simply taking

humble supplies and transforming them into

something that I love!!!

I've always, ALWAYS loved making things...

it could be from fabric,

cake decorating,

painting furniture,

sculpting from clay,

sewing,

mixed media,

or whatever...

it just doesn't matter ~

to have two hands to create something new

from simple, raw materials

is the most wonderful joy ever!!!

A paperclay frog commission for a dear friend ~

A sweet little girl's kitchen set I painted....

Paperclay sweeties ~

A birthday cake for Dennis' grandmother...she was always so sweet to me!

More paper clay ~

A groom's cake ~ don't you love the strawberries??!!

My first little paperclay doll ~

A vintage magazine rack I handpainted to sell in my shop...

More cake decorating ~ I really thought I was going to get rich doing this!!!
Ugh, NO!

A purse I made using regular old drop cloth fabric from the hardware store...

wedding lace, vintage watch faces and beautiful old buttons ~

I painted this little baby chair for an antique space I had once,

I just love the images...it was one of those old McDonald's high chairs!!

A wedding cake....

Here's a wonderful story ~ did you know

my sister-in-law Julie and I made a ginormous wedding cake together,

we split the profits and

I was able to buy my very first sewing machine!!!

This was my baby shower gift for the same dear sister-in-law

I just spoke of...she was expecting her first baby after trying for so very long....

I hand painted one of those old kid's rocking horse things

and turned it into a carousel horse!!!

A couple of tables I painted to sell in my shop...

A little paperclay fairy...chubby thing that she is!

More paperclay goodness...a sparkly little bird!

AND I KNOW

you're about sick of this guy,

my paperclay snowman...he's the tutorial I sell!

And HEY! One time I gave him a body!!

I need to make more of these guys, I love him...

My bird from my paperclay snowbird tutorial...I still have him too!

And these fairy shoes all started with a paperclay base too!!!

My latest little bit of creative efforts?

I made our precious grandbaby Clara a fluffy doll blanket to give her

at Emily's baby shower...
I'm also giving her a baby doll cradle ~
just so she can be her own "little mama"
when baby Murray arrives!

Truth be known:

I really am a jack of all trades and a master of none!!!

But this is all I know in my heart....

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it  with thy might;

for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom,

in the grave, whither thou goest.

To be creative is a gift and a true honor...

we should all cherish this!!!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday my sweet friends!
hugs and love,

Dawn