Hearts and tapestries

Hearts and tapestries. Finished.   It must be getting closer to Valentine's Day.  That's when I really think in terms of reds and rich fabrics.     I started this last year and then set it aside.   When I chanced across it the other day, it just begged to be finished.   I'm so glad I did, because I love it.       This reminds me of friendships.    The tiny pieces of tapestry and upholstery fabrics on the covers are from the little hang tage envelopes at JoAnne Fabrics.  They cut little pieces so you can take them hone to see if they match your project.    My pal Bobbi and I started collecting then years ago,a nd I had enough to cover this book and several others.  I just randomly stitched them together.    Lots of wonderful textures and colors.  This book is really nice to the touch as well as the eyes.      Inside I used larger pieces of tapestry upholstery pieces from sample books.  Some were given to me years ago by another student in an art class.  She knew I used fabrics and she seemingly had an endless supply - she knew the right person.  LOL 

 Most of the red ones are from a sample book that

my friend Sally found in a thrift store in Sacramento one day.   She spotted it before I did and showed it to me.   I was green with envy, but then she pointed out there were more on a low shelf.     Soon as I had it in my hands I was ready to go make something.     LOL    I've used most of them now.     In this and in previous projects.    Mostly around this time of year,      I added in some vintage postcards and  paper dolls cut from scanned post card images.      it's full of pockets, some of them netting stitched over the fabric, so the fabric still shows through.   It's too beautiful to hide.

The little toile house was another thrift store find in Calaveras County last October.     I wasn't sure why I needed that little curtain valance, but it had just the image I wanted and the perfect fit for my book.    

Here are the results.   I can see I could enrich it even more with the addition of some carefully placed beads, buttons and vintage jewelry.     Maybe next year.