Monday, March 7

Using it!

I'm accepting Karla's challenge today & breaking into my good stuff!
I have a lot of 'good stuff' to choose from.
Years worth of hunting/gathering have left me with an art room filled to the gills with inspiration!
Like this bird nest.

Yes it's really a nest built around an old book.
 I adore combining nature - sticks & such with old & shiny!
 I get chills every time I open this drawer.
 All of it vintage, most very old.
Pay-off for years worth of dedicated pickin'.

An old torn up bag, some pins & a nest create a little wall art.

Once I got into using my 'sacred stash' I couldn't stop!
Pressed flowers are so beautiful to me.
When we go on vacation I always bring a little nature back with me.
When we went to California a couple of summers ago I brought back some ferns & blooms.
I cherish them & the memories they hold.
 I finally took those precious botanicals out of their box & created a way to display them.

I know y'all are sick to death of reading the name Bolton on my blog.
But...............
I can't help it!
 These pictures have been on the top of my inspiration file for years & years.
Combining forest green & yellow Rit dyes produced the earthiest colors for my muslin. 
 Some Queen Anne's Lace, muslin, glass & medical tape....
 That's it!
Using medical tape to frame them was also gleaned from the Bolton's circa 1990's.

I'm heading to Karla's now to see who else is breaking into their secret stash!
When I'm done there I'm heading over to this weeks lesson.

This weeks guest artist is the amazing Lenna Young Andrews.

You can see a peak at her project on her blog
Then I gotta get to work because my class is next week!

I went to Canton last week & can't wait to show you what I found!
~Lisa


49 comments:

Jem said...

What a gorgeous way to frame pressed flowers! So much more exciting than the standard plain background with a mount type setup :-) I also got chills looking into your drawer of sparklies, what a gorgeous stash you have amassed over the years, I'm inspired!

The nest inside the torn up frame purse is so beautiful!

Jem xXx

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Lisa, I think you have studied Carol's work well, you are so talented in what you do. Wow, I'm speechless...

Unknown said...

wow...and i always thought your "good stuff" was the stuff you always used but THIS is amaaaazing! i adore the sweet nest. i also love...love...love what you did with those pressed flowers and ferns. they look like specimens from centuries ago the way you framed them. sigh...such inspiration! :)

Little Leslie said...

I need everything in that drawer. Just put the stuff in an envelope and send it to me.

I just got a huge nest from my father-in-law. He took it down from his tree . I don't know what I want to do with it yet, but you truly inspired me.

Sandy Navarro said...

Girl, You defnitely have got some good stuff! But then, is there any other kind?? I'll be at the blog party in RT; sure hope I see ya there!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hey Lisa, I'm just in love with everything you've done here, and I NEVER get tired of anything Bolton inspired. Your botanicals are amazing, especially using the fabric all scrunchy as a background! Your revamped work space from last post is incredible. You'd never be able to drag me away.
xoxo,
Debra

Lena said...

I've always loved that Carol Bolton layout in Victoria too. She does have a way with combining natural elements with the unusual and I love the way she appreciates texture.

Your submission to the 'good stuff' challenge is inspiring. I really appreciate your use of natural materials too. Thank you for participating.

Lena

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

OMG, what eye candy, such beautiful treasures! Love the bling!!! If you ever get tired of it . . . ROTFL!!!

xxoo
Marsha

Beth Leintz said...

No such thing as too much Bolton- or your Bolton inspired art.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

All your stuff is wonderful! How pretty to display the dried flowers so simply. Aaaahhhhh, nice!

Blessed Serendipity said...

Those pressed flowers are a great way to remember a special place or a trip you took. Just beautiful.

Danielle

Karen said...

Ahhhh Lisa. Once again - your post is absolutely delightful! I HOARD my good stuff - maybe because I don't have that much - but I'm working on it.
CANTON! Oh I want to go. But Round Top will have to do this year. Maybe Canton next year or later in the year. Sigh. crossing my fingers.
Can't wait to see what you got!
Have a great week!
Karen

Laurie said...

Beautiful botanicals! What a lost art - flower pressing!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Lisa, I'm still amazed that you found that box of pressed botanicals. Absolutely gorgeous! And the way you have displayed them is simple yet beautiful. Good luck with your class (not that you will need it oh talented one)! :) Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Something Special said...

That would be a great title for another challenge in which we used our good stuff The "Sacred Stash" challenge. Love your birdnest wall decor. I sure had fun with challenge too. Love your blog, and have not visited for a while, and wondering why. I have been a follower for a long time. I will be back!

FILIGREE MOON said...

Busy girl! Thanks for stopping by last week. So fun to see what you've been up to. Beautiful and clever creations. ~ Angela

Tina said...

LOVE your creation with the nest and purse Lisa. It´s absolutely stunning. Those frames with the dried flowers are so pretty too.
Always so inspiring visiting over here.
Wishing you a wonderful day
xoxo Tina

Karen Valentine said...

As always, your creations are stunning. I am soooo looking forward to your class next week!!! Hope to see you in a few weeks when I'm there for R.T!!
xo,
Karen

Anji Johnston said...

I want the drawer! And all he contents! When can I come picking with you?! Your displays are truly beautiful and how corageous you are to actually use your 'good' stash! I am not brave enough yet but you have inspired me to get my stuff out - thank you!

Vintage Market Place said...

Sometimes breaking into the good stuff is just what we need to get inspired. What good does it do us sitting tucked away in a drawer. We buy it cuz we love it so why not use it in a great vignette or altered piece to put out and enjoy everyday.
Amy

Anonymous said...

Nope! Not sick of "Boltonisms" at all! And it looks like you had a blast getting into your stash of the GOOD STUFF! I didn't take up the challenge. I have no idea why not! I should have!
Hope spring has sprung for you, Lisa!
Hugs, Diane

bikim said...

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
:)
Happy week,
Rosa

kluless said...

I can imagine it took a real leap of courage to work with things oh so delicate and the result is just beautiful - Bravo!!

Suz said...

Your REAL botanicals are just amazing, Lisa. The combination of colors for the background...so cool.
I love what you did with the nest as well. You need to break out the good stuff more often!!!

Holly Moore said...

Oh so beautiful. That drawer is surely faint worthy my dear. Such lovely treasures you have collected and what a wonderful piece you have created. I love seeing the good stuff used!

Jeanie said...

You DID break into the good stuff! So many lovely things -- but oh, my! That bird nest -- wonderful.

Karen B. said...

Dear Lisa,
your creations are breath- taking!! I love your birds nest, it's one in a million! I'm glad you are ok with me posting about your dress form remake - it is a beauty!!
Hugs
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Lisa ~
That is just gorgeous!!

I can't wait to see your Canton
pictures too since I have to
steal some of them for my blog :)

xoxo
Lori

Anonymous said...

Love it all!! Especially the died peices! Celeste, The Victorian Tailor

Createology said...

You really did rise to the occasion. I love each of your treasures. How wonderful that you can now enjoy all of your botanicals and such a special way you framed them. Stunning...

creativelenna said...

Lisa, I was enjoying reading your blog, trying to take in all the beautiful things I was looking at when I was happily surprised to see you mention my lessons this week at Artful Pages - Thank you! Personally, I can't wait for your lessons next week! You have such a beautiful individual style.

Bohemian said...

Oh yes Lisa, those inspirational photos of a spread on Carol Hicks-Bolton have been in my Inspiration Books for years too! I'm loving your combination of Nature and Bling.

Dawn... The Bohemian

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

A nest in a bag is such a cool idea, Miss Lisa! It's another gorgeous creation and I also love your beautiful botanicals. Especially the queen Anne's lace talks to me and not only because it contains the word "lace", LOL. It has such a very romantic look. I have to pick up a couple this year and dry them. Thank you for the inspiration!
Have lots of fun with the class!
Hugs to you,
Julia

Dorthe said...

Lisa, sweet-
it is fabulous, with that old nest inside,the eggs-and the beautifull -bling -bird- and I LOVE the tattered paper behind-
can`t wait till next week-and your class, sweet, -I`m behind,because,of flu,and now Mathilde is here, but next week- I can PLAY--
Your botanical pieces are so lovely- and the Bolton inspiration wonderfull-wish the books could still be found.
Have a great week- dear Lisa, and see you soon!
Hugs, Dorthe

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Oh Lisa...your work is just stunning! The stash you have to choose from is just jaw dropping! Can't wait to see your new treasures too!

Have a wonderful day!!

trash talk said...

Too much Bolton? Not in this chubby lady's book!
I adore, repeat adore, your take on the botanicals. These are fabulous. My only question...what took you so long?
I love your "nature book". Kinda hard to out do God when it comes to nature.
Debbie

Judy said...

While looking at your pics and reading the story, I found myself thinking, I have some of those very things in my stash. I have also seen that picture of Bolton's work. LOVE the pockets made from old luggage pockets! Want to do that myself! Nothing like a good, authentic birds nest either. Also have an old coin purse on my worktable that is begging to be put in a collage. I am going to stay home more and get back to creating. Visiting all the blogs here on Karla's challenge have started my creative juices flowing again!

Thanks for sharing!!

Linecas have said...

Such a beautiful post.Beautiy in every post. Very much inspiration that I will treasure and kepp in mind when I create. Thank you so much for sharing. :)
Line-Cathrin

Jillayne said...

Your botanicals are lovely! They look old and beautiful and not at all like they were just done. What a wonderful thing to create with your special treasures!

Sheila Rumney said...

Love your beautiful nest art piece and your botanicals are awe inspiring!

Gayle said...

I agree with everyone else.......no such thing as too much Bolton!!!!! And that nest/book.....WOW!!!!!!!

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

WOW and WOW
A piece of art!!!
Everything you do is so amazing!!

Erica said...

Beautiful pieces! I can't wait to see what you found at Canton. I was up in NJ with my family and found some great treasures, too.

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home said...

Wow Lisa, what a beautiful blog you have! Dang, I was almost follower #1000, but I'm diggin 999 too! Congrats!

What a lovely post, such beautiful photos and inspiration, so happy that I found your blog, and even happier to have met you at the Shoppe! Thanks so much for dropping by during your trip, hope to see you again soon!

Cindy said...

Fabulous!!!! LOVE the nest and old book...makes a wonderful piece of wall art! You are such a clever girl! Can't wait to see what you found at Canton and if you had a good time!

hugs,
c

Charlene said...

LOVE the little nest in the coin purse! Just got off the phone talking to Karen Valentine. She is so excited to be coming down for Round Top. Hope you can go to lunch with us on April 1. Do you think you can? HUGS!
Charlene

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

Oh how beautiful! I just came across your blog and was blown away. Can't believe that I haven't seen it before now. I'd like to invite you to join in an my small give away that I currently have going on. It looks like something you might like!
I am gonna follow you!!
Beth

Gracefully Vintage said...

What a Treasure Trove of goodies you have.. Love what you create.Every Single time..
Just lovely..Thanks for Such Inspiration
Karryann

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Hi Lisa! I love your pressed plants! So pretty!