Making

Blogland is a busy, busy place right now.

I can practically hear the shuffle of hands making, creating, sewing & sending.

Everywhere I look, on Pinterest or blogs I see such amazing, inspiring work!

I just want to make everything!!

Unfortunately there are only so many hours in the day & my kids are so demanding.

Expecting to eat & wear clean clothes.

The nerve!

I have one Christmas present all  wrapped up!

I ordered Karla's cuff kit & tutorial last week.

I've never made a cuff & was a little scared about it, but I think it turned out nice!

Karla's directions are really clear & there are loads of idea pictures.

Here is the back.

Now that I know how to do this I will be making lots for gifts this year.

Now you may need to sit down for this part.

Last month I did an Autumn swap with Tina .

This is what arrived on my doorstep.

Peek inside!

Scads of beautiful white laces & linens.

This is the coolest resin charm!!!

A wonderful nature collage!
Look at these incredible pods!
And seaweed from her shore.

So I'm blown away, right?
I think Wow, this is a great swap.
But then Lily found one more package wrapped in tissue.

One of Tina's altered books!!

Each page more amazing than the last.

Love the feather in the pocket.

Tina is such a talent, I get so many ideas from her blog.

 

And she shares them so generously!

What an excellent pile of lovelies!

Thank you so much sweet friend!

On the subject of altered books...........

 My latest page for our (Karla, Beth, Sandra) 'Round Robin' book project.

I made these pages for Sandra's book.

A little velvet pocket stuffed with stitching tools.

A vintage tatting bobbin & arm-less reading glasses.

This is the back of the page. I have a beautiful book called

The Portfolio of Needlework that was published in 1855. 

I used a page from that book for my background.

In the window an illustration from a very old reader.

Have I said how much I love this collaboration?!

Every month I look forward to seeing the new pages. 

In a few months I will have a priceless treasure.

This year I am thankful for so many things.

 On my list is the friendship I've found with all of you!

Have a safe happy holiday!

~Lisa

PS Check out my etsy, new things listed!

And the winner is............

I'm sorry I'm 3 days late posting my give-away winner.  I've been very much under the weather, my stomach has been giving me fits.

I have a big fear of doctors so I'm self medicating & spending a lot of time google-ing symptoms. 

Thanks to Prilosec OTC I'm better & managed to finish my little nature journal.

The winner is Marie from Lost Bird Studio!

I hope you like it Marie.

Thank you to everyone for entering & for leaving such sweet comments.

Spending time camping last month & being in nature was heaven. 

 I dyed linen & laces the coolest shade of blue/green, similar to the moss covered rocks I saw.

Like Tina, I'm using more color in my work. 

 It must be spirng fever!

6 pages in all.

Lots of fabric & fiber, layered & burned.

A little resin charm made with a pressed wildflower.

I like to tuck things into pockets. 

I got a little carried away, I just kept adding elements.

Bookpages & barkcloth.

The bluebird carries the sky on his back ~ Henry David Thoreau

Side view.

Here's the spine all wrapped up.

Thank you DJ, Lk, & Traci for endless inspiration!

Surprise!

Oh I love it when I see overseas postage!

At first I thought I ordered something in my sleep!?!

Then I saw the tag,

Tiny Bear, oh Tina..what did you do?

The most amazing pocket!!

Those Nordic girls are in a league all their own. Amazing artists, every one!

I am in love pockets,

 & I love that each pocket I admire

reflects the style of the artist who made it. 

Tina's is unlike any I've seen.

Do you see the little doll head poking out??

Dolls are to Julia, Tina & Dorthe what hats are to Karla & Beth.

But I've heard that lace is not so easy to come by. 

We are a lot little spoiled here in America, land of estate sales & hoarders!

So when I receive something covered in yummy lace & ribbon I know they must really love me!

Tina's work is so unique, her style is most defiantly all her own.  Every single time I go visit her blog I find a new technique or design that I can incorporate into my own work.  She very willingly shares it with all of us.

Thank you Tina, what a perfect surprise!!!!!

I thought after Paper Cowgirl life would settle down to a dull roar,

But Noooooo!

July has become another challenge altogether,.

 days filled with kids activities,

projects, swaps, birthday gifts & more deadlines

Here's a little sneak at my next workshop.

I'll show you much more & tell you where to register next week!

This weekend we're ditching the insane Texas heat & heading for the beautiful cool mountains of Colorado!

We'll spend a few days in Denver with family, then go in search of some new places.  Does anyone have any favorite spots in Amarillo or Colorado? Any tips?