MAMA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG

A FRIEND GAVE ME A PROJECT FOR MY BIRTHDAY

A sweet friend decided to re-gift me an item which I had given her some time ago.  This friend is quite the talented quilter and seamstress. I give her material and other items I think she may be able to use in her sewing endeavors.
So, for my recent birthday she brought me a tote bag made from placemats which I had passed onto her.  She is clever at taking unusual materials and giving them a new ( re-purposed if you will) funky life.  This time she brought me the tote and sacks of accessories with the request, "Here, make this bag your own, give it your signature."

I laid out all the lace, buttons and fringe she had brought me.  I placed the placemat tote next to all the pretties. I tried putting myself into a creative mode, which seems to have alluded me of late.  I blame it on the 100 plus temps.  Drains my brain..as well as my sweat glands.
Anyway, I finally came up with a plan.

Beautiful lace, I wanted to use all of it, but had to put on restraint.  Besides, my fingers were getting "needle burn"!

Finished project..front view.

Back view.  Love the fringe.

Side pocket.  Each side has a pocket as well as several on the inside.  My friend knows I like plenty of storage for all my necessary "stuff".. I do not travel lite.

Antique buttons add a quaint touch.

Another sweet little button.

This fringe adds a bit of Gypsy, just my style.  It has some bling too, which you cannot really see in this photo.
Thank you dear friend for inspiring me to dig deep and let that Gypsy girl out for an afternoon.  Maybe she will stick around a bit longer now that Mama Has a Brand New Bag!!

ME AND MY SHADOW

ME AND MY SHADOW TAKE A TRIP TO TUSCANY

I have collected silhouettes for many years.  I especially love the ones from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A person would sit/pose for extended periods while an itinerant artist clipped their silhouette with precision into a work of art.  They would then frame the silhouette and give it as a gift, hide it in a gold locket for only their love to view or keep it as a commemorative of a special occasion.

Sometimes the silhouette was cut from wax and not paper as was the common method.

I find the ones from the thirties and forties very delicate and offer amazing detail.

 

This unusual example shows a "kiss" which I am assuming was meant for this fellow's object of affection.  It also states it was done in Ft. Worth and has the artist's signature.  I have not seen another one like this for sale.

I DECIDED I NEEDED TO HAVE A SILHOUETTE OF MY VERY OWN!

My son gave me a book on Italian frescoes, which I absolutely read with a passion.  What woman doesn't love anything Tuscanesque? The few times I have been to Italy caused me to fall in love with the beautifully fading art on the buildings and makes me want to return over and over again.   I saw a wonderful ancient fresco and thought I could recreate it on one of my bedroom walls.  Oh, and why not put my shadow on the wall too.
My silhouette features me catching dragonflies in the palm of my hand.  There are hundreds of dragonflies at Hawk's Creek and all are beautiful.  Love them, love the fresco, love Italy and
love that my husband gave me substance when he traced my outline. 

I am not a seasoned artist but sure had fun recreating this wall and am thankful that loving primitives helps me to accept my limited skills:-)

A collection of abandoned bird's nests feel  right at home in my primitive tree .

You can make your own silhouette and your own fresco.  Find a scene you really like and imagine yourself in that scene. Have someone draw your outline on the wall you have chosen.  All you have to do is lightly color in your "shadow". Maybe the person outlining you will give you added substance too.

 

ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: BIRDS OF A FEATHER: AN EMBELLISHED HAWK'S CREEK CONDO PUTTING BLING ON MY FEATHERED FRIENDS NEW HOME My daughter gave me a cute birdhouse she no long...

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

AN EMBELLISHED HAWK'S CREEK CONDO

PUTTING BLING ON MY FEATHERED FRIENDS NEW HOME

My daughter gave me a cute birdhouse she no longer used in her yard.  I never turn down anything for free..really... that is a fact which my over flowing workshop can attest to.  I can always find a use for everything, especially when it is a new home for my feathered buddies. You can see in the background the birdhouse as it was when I toted it to Hawk's Creek.  I had an old pedestal just waiting to be used.  I scraped off the old chipping paint( you should always wear a mask when sanding or scraping as some of the old paint is lead based)

 

I wanted to add a bit of color to the birdhouse, so I taped off the base from the top portion.  I then painted the base of the birdhouse a nice barn red. I also gave the pedestal a funky coat of sage green.  

I wanted to add a bit of bling.  I used E6000 glue to attach red and clear glass nuggets to the steeple of the birdhouse.

Part of the steeple was broken.  I did not want to replace the original, so I looked around my shop and found a dove decoy.  I glued the dove to the broken part of the steeple.

I like that the dove is large and represents peace and hope in a sometimes frightening world.

 

I also added a little token stating what we all may need a bit more of on a daily basis.

The finished project sits in a quiet corner awaiting her new residents.  Offering a refuge of peace, hope and comfort.
You can add interest to any existing birdhouse by using various objects.  Use old tools, pieces of machinery, broken bits of jewelry, doorknobs or even old toys.  Use your imagination.  I have plans for some really strange birdhouses.  I bet you have some quirky ideas yourself.
I decided to add a few pics of my many birdhouses.  Some original art projects, others gifts or purchased just because I liked them and one day I will add my own touch those waiting in the wings --or that should be waiting for wings...

Now go get your glue and bling and let your imagination have a birding party!