Magpie`s nest assemblage..

This was one of those items that you

stash - and think - i know i can do something

with this sometime ...

A wooden thimble cabinet 13" x 10" .

I liked all the niches - but decided to take it apart

as i also bought 2 smaller versions -

and i wanted to create something for myself .

My own magpie`s nest assemblage -

What else ! ??

As the magpie is reputed for collecting

items - just like myself - i had a

vintage image i wanted to use for a while .

Filled with things i love -

favourite papers - buttons - trims .

The buttons are sewn on stiffened

fabrics - mounted in photo corners -

so i can change them - it was difficult

choosing my favourite buttons to display -

i have so many - and why have them stored

away , when you can display them right ??

And they`re the ones i do not want to use !

I made a nest for a corner - an egg -
and loose treasures - to exchange when i wish





And the top arch of the assemblage " house "
space to display various trinkets -
like my vintage buckle and embroidered brooch .







A large art nouveau button and
cute girl scarf ring . These last 2 photos are

clickable to see the details














It is now in my craft studio -
and i can gaze and admire it .

Framed applique

I have the stitching bug - as

you may have noticed ;o)

So here is my newest creation ..

A small collage applique

Shown in a 7 " x 5 " pine frame -

using vintage/ new fabrics

and reproduction minature postcard

held with embroidery thread .

sewn on a sample piece of

upholstery fabric

Vintage crochet lace and buttons .

This will be going in my shop -

without the frame .

And what a difference 2 days makes ....

Our poor crocus` s battered with a short

sleet storm yesterday !!

In my back garden once again -

getting to know my new

camera more ...

Purple crocus opened and enjoying the

sunshine yesterday ...

A closer shot - showing the

deep purple satin petals ..

I just added a couple of

items to my SHOP

a leather brooch and vintage rose postcard

applique piece .

I had the good news also - my sister

has had a clear result for her mammogram !

Enjoy your weekend !!

The friday challenge once again

on Etsy cottage style .This weeks

was to create something using a book page

as the main background piece .

Once you found a page - use a word that

spoke to you - or add your own to it .

I looked through my vintage music papers

and found this one . I guess i still have

spring on my mind .

Created on a vintage book cover ..

Some you can click on to see the details ..

Crochet piece with bead - that resembles

an egg ...

Vintage button and cross stitch

Real twig branch - held in place

on a snippet of velvet ribbon

Vintage bird image on fabric scrap -

I made the lace corners myself -

and stitched the nest .

With dotted swiss fabric as a

sheer background . I wanted the sheet

music still to show through .

The sun came out for this photo ;o)

I spent yesterday completing this

applique collage . Made on a vintage

napkin material approx 12 " square .

A lovely spring green embossed flower

trellis material .

I decided to use a real vintage 1920`s postcard .

" Attatched " with velvet ribbon .

But you have an option of placing

another postcard inside - to change

the look of the collage .

I used various material scraps -

vintage / new and part of a cream

linen napkin - which had holes in-

so i could do the running stitch like on the

bottom right handside .

I randomly placed vintage buttons .

With mostly hand sewn cross stitch

The back has a piece of interfacing

ironed on .

I may try and mount it onto

acid free mountboard - so it can be

placed in a frame for sale .

Or any other suggestions is most welcomed !

I have no completed work to show - yet .

But here is a little peak at what i`m trying to

do in between the headaches i seem to

get " every month " - That`s what conclusion

i have come to myself - as i cannot pin it down to

nothing else.

And a huge thankyou to all who

have given me their support for

my sister .

It means so much more than words can say ...

I had been searching for some

leather scraps for months - and i

found a shop selling these - much to my

delight .

I bought these straight away - as the

stock was minimal - and i knew if i did not

get them there and then - i would regret it .

They`re top quality pieces - thick and

i love the smell ..

Some i would like to use in mixed media

collages - the other ....

I decided on some jewellery pieces .

This brooch .

Or as someone said to me

" It looks like a rosette you give a horse !!! "

Men ... Don`t you just love `em !! ?

I layered it with 2 thick felt

pieces and a resin jewellery cabouchon

from an old scarf ring .

back view ...

next 2 teardrop necklaces ...

I wanted the suede side showing

then the gorgeous honey brown layered

on top . Finished with a found jewellery

enamelled piece ...

The center looks like an opal ..

Reverse side - for both pieces ..








And the one i made for myself ..

( the others will be for sale soon )

Just something simple -

using a vintage cabouchon .

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend !

I`m off to pin the " rosette " - on the donkey !!

Spring is definitely starting to appear .

Which gives you hope for new beginnings ..

We decided on growing some of our

vegetables this year - our first "attempt "

but oh so satisfying - just seeing the shoots

appear from a planted seed - something so simple

can bring many joys .. when you feel all the work was

not really done by you - other than caring for it -

watering it - and willing it to grow ..

Amoungst them are ... Sprouting seeds ...

Plum tomato shoots ... planted just a week ago ..

Outside - crocus blowing in the wind ...

snowdrops ....









And just for fun ......

My troll posing next to a mushroom ! !

* giggle *









How is spring blooming near you ??

Another challenge set on Etsy Cottage style -

and this weeks theme / words are -

birds / nests / spring . I did not choose

these ;o) Lynn and myself take turns ;o)

I decided on another of my bluebird

drawings on a larger area - 12" x 8 " ..

Here she is sat - contented and waiting

for the eggs to hatch ... And the odd small

leaf bud waiting to bloom .

Then i made another item .

Not that the drawing to me was easy -

and felt like a cop out .. I had this tiny

mint tin from a previous challenge i missed

while away . So striking while the iron was hot -

i created this minature tin .

It`s a small mint tin 1.75" x 2.25 " .

This must be one of the smallest spaces

i have created in - and i set myself up with

this - But that`s what it`s all about . And i am

happy with the result .

Spray painted in gold .

Music paper - bird image from a small

piece of chocolate on aged card and foam

mounted .

Right side : Vintage wallpaper piece -

letter rub ons on aged card . Handmade nest

millenery flower and fabric leaves .

I am also in the process of adding

items in my SHOP

including my house / home items below and a small

box lid assemblage that i feel i can part with -

a small bluebird canvas ...

Also including - this fabirc house to create with .

I hope you`ll take a peak !

I made this before we had our break -

this house keyring .

5" long - not including the ring/ ribbon .

Made from vintage / new fabric and sealed with

fabric modge podge - so it is still

pliable but protected from dirt but still

washable too .

Back view ....

When i have more me time - next week -

this will be one of the things i am

listing in my shop .

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend !!

I`m also asking for your prayers / thoughts

for my sister . Some of you know that she had

cervical cancer - a radical hysterectomy - then

a lump was found on her liver a few months afterwards .

I was told yesterday

it has grown slightly - and that she has to go for

a breast screening in a few days time " just to check " .

She lives too far away for me to

visit - but at least my parents are there with her -

So i could do with some support from you

good people out there .. Thankyou ...