Happens Every Summer

What happens every summer?  The blog posts get fewer and fewer because there are other things to do outdoors in good weather.  During the cold months I spend more time crafting and posting.  I haven't been totally idle in that department.  Here's a Dotee Doll I made for a recent swap, with the theme being 'summer'.

The doll is made from pieces of  old floral sheets and the "tail" is part of an old dangle-y earring.  I love the earring but it's not the kind that suits me, however, I think it suits the doll just fine.

The second item is a simple flower, again cut from an old sheet.  I have been collecting pretty sheets and pillow cases from thrift stores for a while now so I have quite a large stash and endless ideas on how to use them.

In my previous post, I showed a preview of the Garden Goddess doll I made.  The full picture is stored on my other computer which at the moment is not cooperating.  As soon as it is working again (fingers crossed), I will post the picture of the full size doll.

Garden Goddess Doll

This is a partial view of a Garden Goddess Ornamental Doll I made for a swap partner.  I won't show the rest of the doll until my partner receives her. 

One Hundred Faces - #85

One Hundred Faces - #84 (Black and Yellow ATC)

I got out all my art supplies again and ready to start creating another big fat mess.  This is an ATC for a swap.

More on the Curtains

I have now finished sewing the curtains for two sides of my three seasons room.  Eight more panels to go on the long side.  Trouble is, I only have fabric for six panels.  All from thrifted sheets.  Still need to find one more sheet with a stunning floral pattern. 

Another item that will be going into the three seasons room is this buffet.  But not in the condition as shown below.  No sir.  A friend who is passionate about furniture restoration and painting and who spends many, many, weekends at auctions, will be painting this beautiful buffet for me in white chalk paint.  She finds all sorts of wonderful old neglected furniture and gives them a new life.  I can't wait.  :)

Curtains

I haven't posted anything in a few days because I completely cleared up my work space.  It seems I am more apt to be inspired when there is a big mess and all my tools and materials surround me.  I will get back to it shortly, however, in the meantime, I started on some curtains for my three season room.

Here is a view of the room.  The "walls" on three sides are floor to ceiling glass overlooking a beautiful, private green space. 

Last year I thought it would be a good idea to sew a valance all the way around the windows.  Buying fabric would have cost me plenty so I decided to use old pillows cases with a floral design that I had been collecting from thrift stores.  I made a template for the main fabric and muslin lining and managed to completed three panels.  In the end I decided it would involve too much boring, repetitive sewing and I gave up.  Here is what the panels look like.  It was a good idea but I simply lacked patience to complete the whole thing.

Instead, I switched to collecting full sheets (floral patterns, of course) from thrift stores and now have quite a few.

I completed the first full panel today.  I will still need to makes ties as I don't want to completely block the outside view, except at night.

And finally, this week from the thrift store, I got a set of eight crystal glasses for $5.00.  Very pretty.

One Hundred Faces - #83 (Patterns)

It's so much fun to make tiny pieces of art (2.5"x3.5") from a few bits of paper.  And yet to achieve this, I still end up with an unbelievable mess on my work table.  :(