Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I bought the heavy denim shirt that I converted into this jacket for my Mom, several years ago. But I couldn't figure out how I wanted to carry out my plan. Then in October, I got it out and took the photos of the girls to use for the silhouettes and promptly chickened out on finishing it.

Finally I bit the bullet and it finished itself relatively quickly. The doilies are thrifted and the old ecru lace on the bottom is a length of hand-crocheted that I found at the thrift store.









These two Valentine's were for the girls. My parents got them to the girls because they were watching them at our house while Hubby and I were in Mexico for four days.


This one I made for Hubby - bonus points to anyone who knows what wonderful book and music I am referencing.


For grandparents.





I've been on a box-making-bender.






Rusty pie plate, the faces from two clocks, Scrabble tiles, clock workings, and a cherub all drenched in bee's wax.


Light's angel from Christmas.




After Willow died, I told the girls we could make ornaments for her. We all three included one of her tags on our ornament. The girls also included a toenail, which I thought was gross -- but oh well.





This bread box project didn't turn out at all how I expected (I like the artwork I got out of an old book but since I don't like how the bread box turned out, I regret my insistence on using originals rather than photocopies - oh well). I did learn a valuable lesson - buffed wax is hard to remove unless you heat it. It is much more durable under all conditions than ModPodge is.





I love the illustration below since it reflects one of my favorite moments in the entire book.



Sharing at Fireflies and Jellybeans: Mother's Day Gifts Linky Party

13 comments:

  1. Wow, you have been BUSY. All fun stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Melissa, I love the jacket you made for your mother. That handworked lace was a find at such a long length.

    Melissa, I Love the box you sent to me! And so does Zuzu, she's taken it from me. I am in LOVE with the bottle you made! So, so, much and have it on my dresser where I can always see it. And thank you too so much for the seeds! I can't wait to get my garden on!
    The same day I received your package I was thumbing through a catalogue we'd gotten (one I'd never seen before) and what do you know, there was a cute bottle trying to be just like yours!
    I was so pleased to have something right out of a fancy catalogue! Except handmade by your precious hands.
    You have made me so happy. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, wow.

    Busy for sure!

    I thought I wanted to sleep away the rest of February, but now I want to make stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  4. There you are! I missed you. :) Love the photos too---and the jacket must be a treasure for your mom. Btw, I'm especially drawn to the b/w photo of your mom's beautiful hand along with the lace trimming on the jacket. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What wonderful items! I am in awe that you found that lace at a thrift store!

    I especially love that tree box. how creative to make that tree from buttons. I just do not know how you thought of that.

    I hope you had a nice trip to Mexico!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:27 AM

    I echo Heather...wow!

    I'm soooo glad you're back, I missed you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I didn't realize you were so crafty, ...such creativity! I love the button flowers on your Mom's jacket and how you used embroidery to make them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's good your back. You didn't mention Mexico as part of your solitude! ;)

    The jacket is lovely funky and I also adore those little boxes. Can't have too many of those to hold stuff.

    I bet your house has such a cozy, inspiring atmosphere. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. The reference is to Madeleine L'Engle's book Two-Part Invention, the Story of a Marriage (which I haven't read, but heard of).

    Also I noticed the reference on your bread box illustrations--Amy's "Valley of Humiliation" (Pilgrim's Progress.)

    Welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
  10. you are so clever...
    I love the jacket...and the valentines...and all the other little clever things that you have been busy making...

    ReplyDelete
  11. The jacket looks great. The white of the lace against the dark blue denim is very striking. We made paper hearts for our wedding, with sugar almonds inside. I could make them in my sleep after that!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the silhouette idea. You've been a very busy bee!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh. My. Goodness! I love all these idea! Such insipiration! I really really like the tree box you made. But that Jacket is AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete