Monday, December 17, 2007

For the love of fabric...

I went to a really fun estate sale this weekend where the woman who's stuff was being sold was actually there! She had downsized, so she was selling hundreds of pieces of original art that she owned when she was a gallery owner. She also had a whole room full of fabric. I dove into her box of upholstery samples and came home with a stack. The fabrics were so thick and so many different textures and colors. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them. I wanted to make something big enough that I could appreciate the fabric; the patterns are so bright and cheery! I kind of spontaneously started creating these wonderful fabric pockets. As you can see, they are very addicting. It was great fun to pick from my stash of vintage trims to add to the top of the cone and for a handle. I love the retro look!

I embellished with vintage bits of this and that and of course had to add a little birdie nestled into each one:)







Here is a part of the pile of fabrics that I got. I'm sure I'll be making many more cones. They are each so different and lovely.








In other exciting news, I opened presents for days three and four of the 12 Days of Christmas Swap. This wonderful trinket was made by Shoshanah Jennings. It's a baby spoon that has a vintage ledger paper background with a vintage German glass acorn in the center. All encased to with resin. Wow, I would not even know how to attempt to do that.

Beautiful, thank you! Today I opened this lovely piece from Holly of Holly Doodle Designs. It's absolutely gorgeous, full of vintage millinery flowers, German glass glitter and vintage wallpaper background. It will have a prominent spot in my studio. Thanks, Holly!


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kari, the fabric pockets are so cheery and wonderful! You're so creative! How do you find the time?!

mary k said...

You find the best estate sales and the best goodies. I love the cones with the little birds.
The treats for the 12 days of Christmas are real treasures.

andrea said...

what lovely fabric! i always wonder about the people whose things i take home and you got to meet her, what a treat!

Beth Leintz said...

Gorgeous fabric- and you don't waste any time in putting it to use- that's great!

Flea Market Queen said...

I love all the fabric...what a great find!
The cones are such a delight...
Priscilla

dragonflydreamer said...

The fabric cones are so beautifully romantic like something I'd see in Victoria magazine. You are so creative and always find such gorgeous goodies
to create your treasures with everywhere you go.

Anonymous said...

I love the cornucopias - and I'm so jealous of your upholstery fabric find! I've made cones before, too, although usually just from paper - we've made them at May Day to hold bouquets on friends' doors. I've been wanting some year at Christmas to have the kids wake up to a tree covered with them, but full of cookies. Not sure if this will be the year...

And from the post before this - I am in awe of how clean your kids rooms are! xo

Rhondi said...

That fabric is great and I love what you did with some of it. Those cones are precious. What great gifts from the 12 days exchange Lucky you!

Journal Swag said...

Kari, thes are absolutely gorgeous!! I enjoy your blog! I sat near you at Art Fest in Pam Garrison's class.

Happy Holidays!
Sheila
http://halohill.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I absolutely look forward to browsing
your blog.. I never have been disappointed.. You are an amazing
talent... The fabric cones are so
beautiful and so thoughtfully put
together.. You really know how to
find a good estate sale. Thank you
for your inspiration.

Heather Simpson-Bluhm said...

OK, I am SO JEALOUS over your fabric stash find. Love those heavier pieces. They make great DOLL things too.
I got the matching frame from Ms Holly. Aren't they amazing?!!

Bonnie said...

I love the cones, so pretty! I have never tried one...they are calling out to me to try one now....Bonnie

Lilli in Vancouver said...

Such fun, coming across a big pile of fabric jewels like that! And those cones are just the perfect way to show off those gorgeous patterns... and make some birdies happy :)

Lovely gifts too !!!

Shabby in Pink Boutique said...

What a wonderful find. I love the cones, they are very addicting to make. I made christmas cones and I couldn't quit making them.lol Have fun with your wonderful find...

Sandra Evertson said...

All of the fabrics are Wonderful and those cones! Love them!
Seasons Greetings to you and your!
Sandra Evertson

Unknown said...

what lovely cones! I love the plushness of those fabrics - what a great find!

Charlie McGee said...

Hi, Just visited your web site and I've got to tell you that I loved it. I hope you won't mind if I list your blog to my list.

Have a great Christmas.
Theresa "Charlie" McGee

Tammy Gilley said...

Okay, everything about this post is absolutely yummy! xoxo

Gina M Smith said...

Love those fabrics and cones! Oh my gosh!

Anonymous said...

I am having some serious fabric envy! What a great find!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

The fabric cones are great. And the scraps bring back some memories, my mom was an upholsterer and I used to love to play with the sample books of fabrics.