Hand crafted decorative Chef's aprons

 With everything closed down due to Covid, 

I am unable to get my ceramic designs fired at school. 

So I've been inspired to pull out my sewing machine and create some new apron designs. 

I actually wear aprons all the time. 

When I'm playing with ceramics, 

when I'm working in the garden, and sometimes, even when I remember to put them on before I begin painting.

This is my latest.

 A red striped linen apron embellished with appliquéd embroidery.   

This is the Lee Jofa embroidered drapery fabric, 

that I chose to carefully cut up, and use for appliqué on my latest apron design. 

This fabric sells for $295 a yard. 

Fortunately, this was just a memo sample.

I like it being both beautiful, and useful!

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Custom design chefs apron

 

My sewing machine bobbin has been misbehaving. 

Not that that would stop me from creating. 

Here's my latest lovely. 

 

A linen fabric chefs apron with the most beautiful

 

blue embroidered appliqué design all hand sewn!

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Appliquéd upcycled apron

Airbnb gifted me with a simple canvas apron 

as a thank you, for being one of their super hosts.

Yay!

I loved the apron, but no offense, I wasn't thrilled with the graphics.

So I rummaged through my stash of fabulous embroidered fabrics,

and hand-cut several designs out to fit over the original graphics.

Then appliquéd them in place, and added an extra piece

 at the pocket, just for fun and balance!

Upcycling, at its best!

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Inspired by antique sailor's Valentines

and having a great fondness for boxes,

I created a treasure chest encrusted with ceramic seashells 

and glazed in a matt clear glaze.

Before firing, view of front and back.

A little history,

A sailor's Valentine is known as a form of shell craft, a  souvenir, or sentimental gift made using large numbers of seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one.

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Garden inspiration

I love spring !

New growth, new beginnings...

lovely surprises to find popping their heads up in the garden!

I am in awe of natures beauty,

and enjoy capturing it with my art.

"Just living is not enough...
One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."
Hans Christian Andersen

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Margarita salt dish design

Here is one of my fun ceramic creations, 

just in time to celebrate the end of summer

and the holiday weekend with friends!

I created this little number because I couldn't find anything on the market to hold the margarita salt that was both beautiful and useful.

I created the lime mold and used it to attach a half lime shape to the center of a simple plate design to keep the salt in place.

I had help creating the rhyme.

original margarita recipe

Here is my version...

Pour the Diamond Crystal kosher salt into the cool dish with the lime in the center.

Rub the lime wedge on the outside of the cocktail glass.

Holding the glass at a 45 degree angle, dip the outside rim in the salt, rotating as you do.

Fill the glass with crushed ice and place it in the freezer to chill.

Add the tequila, triple sec, a splash of Grand Marnier with the lime juice to a cocktail shaker and fill the shaker 1/2 way with ice. 

Shake well until the outside turns frosty.

Strain the margarita into the chilled glass and garnish with a lime slice.

SALUD! 

Coastal cool tags and embellishments

Playing with clay and seashell molds

Embellishments and cool bottle shapes

Fiskar scissors and gift tag ideas

Creating stoppers and key chains, 

drawer pulls and doodads,

bathing lotions and potions

summer fun continues at the cottage by the sea... 

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!

Seashore Winter Wonderland

I finally have a day off!

I sleep in, and later while savoring my favorite breakfast, dark chocolate, I take time to listen to the ideas that have been percolating in my imagination for some time now.

I choose to ignore the stacks of paperwork and invoicing that is overtaking the breakfast room table and take myself off to my studio to gather all the bits and pieces that are calling my attention to be part of the seashore themed holiday table decoration.

The little tree below was found @ TJ Maxx $3.50

and perfect to begin with.

Then miscellaneous silver toned foliage is gathered

and fun finds from a local shop in town.

The sea fan and shells are sprayed with silver metallic paint

and lovely glass treasures collected in Venice, Italy are pulled to include

with more seashells

and a some of my own ceramic creations

and a few more bits and bobs that may want to be included

are all gathered and artfully piled on a simple white dish 

and the picture that has been in my imagination

slowly comes to fruition before my eyes,

and then is captured under a glass cloche.

I LoVe when that happens!

The photo above is of the back side.

And a couple close ups for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends,

I am grateful to share the fun and creativity!

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Happy Halloween

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From rags to roses

I love experimenting, repurposing and sharing the creative fun with the blog world! 

And seeing all the new viewers visiting from across the world,

brings a smile to my heart, hello Russia !

 ...curious about the technique I use to create these sweet little

 embellishments on my ceramic vase designs.

You may view the process by clicking here.

I am using soft cotton fabric, 

mostly old T-shirts, that I dip in liquid clay and artfully twist 

and attach to the form that is also still wet clay,

before putting in for firing.

It is a very messy process 

but so much fun, and well worth the effort!

Спасибо, что посетили мой мир!

Не стесняйтесь, пишите мне с вопросами, я всегда рад поделиться.