Simple canvas tote

Embellished!

Painted using the detail from a manhole cover 

at the Sawdust Winter Fantasy!

I began by choosing a plain canvas bag and then combing colors

 for a custom blend.

Below is a photo of me rolling the paint colors over the metal cover.

Then I inserted cardboard into the bag and used a rolling pin

 to achieve the fun look!

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I had an old shirt that was the perfect plaid colors to line it with, 

and it even had pockets on the front 

that were perfect to have inside for your phone and keys.

So, I chopped it up, added some vintage turquoise rick-rack,

just for fun, and sewed it together!

Some simple stitches with embroidery thread added to the design 

and one of my ceramic fish was sewn into the center for a focal point!

Making magic with mixed media!

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Vintage doilies and clay creations

I've been collecting vintage doilies for some time now and love using them for embellishing clothing, tablecloths and yes, even ceramic creations.

When they are covered in liquid clay and attached to a clay form the cotton burns away in firing and you are left with the beautiful  lace pattern. 

before firing

Here is an example of how I am using the doily as the pattern to cut varying size holes in the clay forming a flower frog.

This is a great way to repurpose damaged doilies.

These pieces had stains and the two small ones were ripped in the center.

When it came out of firing,

 I liked the white matte finish so well that I chose to leave it and only glazed the insides and bottom to make the pieces water tight.

This is a creative way for repurposing someones handcrafted pieces beautifully 

and preserving the past.

Binders and book covers

This recipe book was being discarded and since I loved the size,

I chose to rescue it and give it a new purpose and a new cover.

I have been experimenting with marbling paper

and that is where my head was at when I began chopping up the little binder.

I had several sheets of treasured marbled paper

that I had purchased while visiting the town and shops of Venice

and decided this was the perfect place to use and enjoy it on a regular basis.

I also had a swatch of blue suede fabric that blended beautifully

 and I sewed it down the center of the paper,

before laying out and cutting a template to fit the rescued acquisition.

Then I began gluing it all down, fold by fold,

and adding new lining to the inside covers as well.

These paper clips became clamps that were needed

 to reinforce the area where the fabric was glued down.

New filler paper was purchased,

 and I now have a new TO DO notebook to keep all the lovely thoughts

 swirling around in my mind in one beautiful place!

I ended up on a creative roll 

and continued covering objects with leftover scraps of paper 

including a fun sketching pencil!