Soft Pockets for big bucks

I started constructing some little cloth book covers - but mid way, they decided they wanted to be book pockets.  Actually they fit a Kindle reader or my  Samsung tablet.     I sure like them on the table rather than looking at technology pieces strewn about.     I used some of my favorite background fabrics and did not embellish the backs.  Seems more practical to leave them plain.    Anyway I love to look at the fabric!   LOL    

These seem so simple, I thought I could throw them together in an hour or two, but it acturally took several days to work out what to put where.   One of the images was printed on cotton, the other two are printed on paper.  One is coated with gel medium, the other covered with tulle.    

I was thinking about selling them in the gallery but with the number of hours it took, I'd have to charge at least $100 for my time and effort.  And they'd never sell for that.    Sooooo.... I think they may be gifts for friends, or donation for a raffle prize at the gallery.    I'm quite happy with being able to donate raffle prizes, and they always bring in a lot of ticket money.  The gallery needs all the help it can get.   

Actually they were so much fun, I think I'll start a couple more.   it's a grey rainy day.     Well, a few drops count as rain don't they?     In the midst of a drought, any little bits of rain are good.    

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.    

Introducing the canvas bird book

This little book was a joy to make. Pure bliss. All my favorite things. Canvas. Paint. Birds. Words from an old child's 2nd reader. Postage Stamps. Paper napkins. Doesn't that make you want to make one too? The canvas was cut to make prayer flags last year, and I had some left over. One summer day I took them out on the patio and slapped gesso and paints on them. For some reason, they looked boring so I added some arches painted on. I don't think I had anything really in mind for them, but I like the arch form...... Then I put them away and forgot about them.

A few nights ago, I took a book to bed and it had pictures that featured arch forms. Hmmmm... and it had some bird cages stitched onto plastic. They were so cute, I could hardly wait until morning to head for my sewing machine and the drawer where I keep plastic wrap and baggies. Once I had sewn 4 of them (they are so cute) I wondered what I could do with them. I opened a drawer looking for the folder of bird images and noticed a file with the canvas in it. An AHA!!! moment. It all just clicked from there and I just went with the flow. I love when this happens. They are the best moments when a creative spark is lit and bursts into flame. These pics are the results. I hope you enjoy it. One of the stitched plastic bird cages is one one page.

Touchy Feely books using vintage fabrics and notions.

Do you collect vintage fabrics, or scraps? Do you have buttons that have been passed down from generation to generation of mother to daughter sewing baskets? How about an old quilt so worn out it can't be used?

These are the basics I used to construct this quilted book. It has the smell of old cotton and is very soft to the touch. The little prints were left over scraps from a quilt my sister in law made. On one page there is a picture of my brother and myself as children. The edges are not hemmed or finished. I'm leaving it just like this. I like the unfinishedness of it. A few things were added to give it even more interest for little fingers, like the little bear, the crocheted dress, and the tiny soft doll. In some cases I used transfer methods for the images, and in others, they were printed and just stitched down. I liked the use of beads to form words, and think it adds another element to touch. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Remember, there are no rules. When you go to make a soft book like this, just gather the things you love, things you could not part with but have nothing in particular to do with them. Maybe they can go into a soft book. Something that can be a family treasure to pass along, or a gift for a dear friend.