Needle/Sewing book~

Hi friends!
I'm hoping your Summer (or Winter ; ) season is going well?!
I have been keeping busy with family; and that, for me, is the best kind of busy!  I am going to start creating a project soon I hope - - But my heart is still reluctant - as my mojo's been on an extended vacation  (sigh : / )   So,  once again I am bringng a treasure from the past and sharing it with you today : )

I shared this story a few years ago~
I was at my sisters house and we were trying to mend something - but she had no sewing basket or even the basics for hand stitching!  So I got it into mind to create a little needle book & basic sewing kit for her, using this favorite pic of our grandmother.
It started out rather simple, but grandma's photo inspired me to embellish it rather 'fancy-like' ! And I gifted Mariann with this.

The outer layer is white burlap; the inner layer is muslin.  I used a vintage brown handkerchief  to create 'pockets'  for some essentials - and I stitched a piece of wide (cream colored) bias tape across it horizontally, to create some slots for scissors & etc.  I enclosed all the necessities for a basic repair : )

The front cover is a combination of Maja Designs papers (love love love . . .) http://majadesign.nu/products/vintage-summer-basics/   Some machine stitching and pearl-like beads, silver micro-beads, seam binding ribbon, die cut flourishes, bits of glitter and laces. Whew!
The little metal 'envelope'  embellishment was a Hobby Lobby find : ) The key is chipboard.

So there she is, grandma at about 15 years old~  (circa 1925)
And Mariann  now has a sewing kit - should the need arise!!  :  )

Wishing you a blessed day today and a wonderful week-end to come <3
Loving hugs,
Karen

Observations Journal; in with the old!

Hi friends~  How is your Summer going?  I'm so thankful you stopped by today!  I appreciate you  peeking in.    I am finding myself busy and not all-to-very-creative I'm afraid~  So rather than leave things go, I'm posting an Observations Journal I made in the summer of 2014.  Hope that's ok!?

I was noticing some burlap posts elsewhere, and it reminded me of this mini I made.  I usually give away as gifts most of the things I make, but this one is a treasure to me : ) and I've kept it for myself to enjoy~

Created with a burlap base, this little (aprox 6"X4") field journal contains lots of organic/textural elements; including mulberry paper, velum, seam binding, older papers from Graphic 45,  some metal and lace - - I guess a bit of everything!  Here are several pics below:

 The Daisies are a tissue paper, decoupaged on to page one.

 A velum pocket on the left side to hold a tag. 

 The bird is a Graphic 45 die cut, and the stem is 'fussy-cut'. 

 Twigs from the yard, and the birdhouse is a stamp~

 Fussy-cut butterflies from Mr. Tim Holtz paper!

 Pockets and envelope to hold tags and notes of observation  : )

 Here is the back

It all ties together closed with some white twill tape~

Thank you so much for looking in today!  I hope you have a blessed week ahead!  We are warm and sunny, so I'm a happy girl : )
Hugs <3  Karen