Always busy.... (It's a GOOD thing!)

I love, love, love, being busy. As long as it involves doing things I love. I was recently asked by a customer at my shop, Boulder Creek Antiques & Art, if I could customize two fabric collage journals. What a pleasure it was! I created two French vintage postcards with their names (in photoshop), then printed them on fabric, and collaged them onto the original books. I layered a bit of lace and trim on each one, so it looked like their names were there all along.  Vicki, the mom, was so thrilled. She brought the girls in, right after then got off the school bus in town. So here they are! (My heart is full!)

 Sasha loved the vintage 'Tom-boy' image of the little girl.

 Zxoe chose the journal with the girl with red hair.... (understandable!)

 Oh... and my Spirit dolls have all sold out! The display is empty! Can't have that. So I'm busy this week playing with clay, to create new faces, and swimming in silks as I create new Spirit Dolls. (My wonderful companion, Janome sewing machine is in the 'Spa' for a week. She needed some well deserved attention to her tension issues! I miss her!)

Loving the Irish Linen

I just love the look of crisp, highly starched, Irish Linen. So I become obsessed with playing with old Irish Linen table cloths! I'll show you some of what I've created.... but first, these two were at the end of my bed to greet me this morning...

 I practically drool over how sharp and crisp, yet delicate this Lavender sachet turned out. I like to over-stuff the little pillows so they are nice and plump.

 These next ones are from a beautiful batiste tablecloth. I've made them triply ply because the batiste is so thin and delicate. I love how these look!

 These are all for sale in my Etsy shop. (Not too expensive either.)

 And the final two are from a sweet doiley.

 this is what the back looks like.

Spring has sprung!

Hello Dear Friends.... We've been blessed with some beautiful weather here in the Santa Cruz Redwood Mountains, although we still need more rain. But the weather is beautiful, and Spring is truly in the air. So, I've been a busy bee for the last two days. Actually, I spent 9 1/2 hours in my studio playing with lavender. Here's what I made, all tagged and ready to go into my shop in Boulder Creek tomorrow.

Cute little PIN CUSHIONS! made with vintage linens and sweet vintage images... They are generously filled with a blend of the French Lavender and rice. Makes for a lovely pincushion. Each time you stick your pin into the cushion you are rewarded with a light lavender fragrance!

 A few more sachets. The lavender is a lovely organic French lavender.... all buds, and smells delicious!

 This is a set of sachets I made from a vintage Irish linen tablecloth. Starched them like heck, so they are nice and crisp, just delicious too!

 Sachets made from embroidered linens. It's fun to save at least a part of what was once a beautiful doily.

 These are the first six I made yesterday. All fun, spring fabrics, with some of those Mulberry paper flowers and wide white rickrack.

It has been so much fun making these little treasures! It's hard to stop!
So, thanks for stopping by. Sweet Blessings for a Lovely Spring,
xoxo Chris

Been a busy Grandma!

Welcome friends! It's been a while, but I've been a busy bee in my studio. Just thought you might like a few pictures of just a few of the things I've been creating.

These are just a few of the quilts. The pink tulip one is a vintage quilt, not made by me, just part of the display in my Store, Boulder Creek Antiques & Art.

 These two quilts are lap or couch size, made with the Designer Fabric samples I rescued from Fabmo.

 And, I fell in love with the idea of making these little decorated towels! So bright and cheerful.

 Here are closeups of the three baby quilts I just uploaded into my Etsy Shop.

Thanks for looking. Sweetest Spring Blessings to you!

My first Altered Swing Coat

I've been itching to try altering clothes. My girlfriend gave me this sweet, longish blouse. So today I added a panel at the bottom, some trim on the collar and cuffs, then braided the trim fabric with some yarns and beads and offset that with one of my primitive faces. I like the results. Even wore it to the Business Association dinner tonight!
Now, I'm looking at what I can cut into next!

Introducing Amazing Guest Artist: Arzie Hodge!

Hello friends... I am so thrilled to introduce you to a fabulous Spirit Doll Artist, Arzie Hodge! And, I am so honored that she used one of my Spirit Doll faces and several adornments to create her "Mother Earth Goddess" cloth doll. You can find Arzie on Etsy HERE.
AND "MOTHER EARTH GODDESS" can be found HERE. Do check her out. She creates beautiful, fabric formed dolls... some are 'do-it-yourself' kits!
Thank you Arzie!

A new Balinese Spirit Doll Mold

I just finished my latest new Primitive Spirit Doll series. I made the mold from a wood statue I brought home from Bali ten years ago.  They are all on sale in my Etsy shop.

 Used 'ImpressMe' Hieroglyphic stamps to create what you see.

My 

My latest three Spirit Dolls.....

A Guest Artist and lots of new Spirit Faces...

Good morning dear friends. (If you're here for the GYB Blog Hop... scroll down to my previous post.)
We are doing a happy dance here in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. It's been raining! Finally! and more than just a drizzle, yet not too-too much to cause flooding or landsliding. We are all grateful for the Prayers and Rain Dances!

Sherry Sharp, of Dream a Little Designs, created a Blessed thing of beauty with one of my Spirit Doll faces! Here is her Spirit Doll, Aurora, meaning "Goddess of the Dawn."

Sherry writes: "This enchanting doll will be a symbol to you of new beginnings, and new love and adventure in your life.  Evokes Angels, guides, and good energy into your life to watch over you.

"Aurora has a Mother Earth Goddess theme, as she represents Gaia, seen through many cultures as the One Mother Goddess, Goddess of all the ocean, skies, mountains and living things. I used as much dried flowers and branches as possible, and an angelic face made of earth clay...." You can see Aurora HERE in Sherry's Etsy shop.

I'm just feeling so blessed that she created such a Sacred thing of Beauty and Blessings, from one of my Spirit Doll faces. Do check out her write up about Aurora... Sherry's composed a beautiful poem accompanying her Spirit Doll. Read it HERE.

So, what have I been up to this week? Lots of clay work! More than four pounds of terracotta clay! But with the rainy weather and high moisture in the air... they are not drying very quickly!

 I made a new mold from a wood Goddess carving I purchase in Bali 20 years ago. I'm pleased with the ancient look of the faces. Some pin holes and hieroglyphic impressions seem to enhance their look. What do you think?

 And! Be still my heart. I received a gift certificate from my son and daughter in law... and so this week, a dream came true... I now proudly own a beautiful pair of Gingher pinking-shears! They cut so beautifully! I love them.

Have a Blessed Week, stay dry, or warm, or cool (if you're 'down-under')

 or what ever keeps you safe and comfortable, where ever you are!

Sweet Blessings, Chris