Heart Number Six Sings a Song of Love...

This is one of my favorite heart sachets....simple, but still sings a song.  I have a couple of bolts of this fabric because I flipped over it when I saw it.  I bought a couple of yards to begin with, then I went back and bought it all!  And when a new bolt of it came in, I bought it, too!  Sick, isn't it???   Don't tell anyone.....

Heart Number Five....is just Heart Number Five!

This heart sachet is made from a yummy iridescent hot pink and red dupioni silk fabric which I ALWAYS keep in stock.  I've used it for linings of handbags, trims on dresses and headpieces, and as the decorative outside fabric for clutches....I just love it.  The beaded lace was made from hot pink iridescent beads and other yellow gold and hot pink beads.  Hanging from the bottom of the heart is a handmade heart-shaped charm painted pink with a tiny little cherub lying under a rounded blog of glas to magnify the cherub.  This little charm was the inspiration for the whole design!  I have affixed a vintage earring with iridescent rhinestones to the top center as its focal point. 

Sneaky Holiday, that Valentine's.....

I just looked at the calender with my "Where are we in the year?" frame of mind instead of "What do I have scheduled today?" frame of mind.  And, yes.....I cannot believe that Valentine's Day is on it's way!  That lovely little holiday ALWAYS sneaks up on me.....do you feel the same way????


Every Valentine's Day (and I use the term "every" quite loosely here), I make a heart-shaped lavender sachet for my wonderful friend and sweet mother, and it's time to begin thinking about what I'm going to create for her this year.  Any ideas?.....I'm desperate!


In years past, I've made her a heart in pink, or red, or purple, or even gold!....too many to remember them all.  (Well, actually I do....I have a list.....I'm a little obsessive in that way.  But, trust me, that's as far as my "organizational" obsession goes....just ask my hubby!)  I'm just not sure what this year's heart is going to look like.  But I do remember that last year I shared the one that I made for her with all of you, 

and I promised that I would share some of the ones that I had made  "next" Valentine's Day, which, of course, would be now.  So in the next few days, I'll be posting some of my fun little heart-shaped creations that I've made for my mom.   Hope you enjoy them!

Here's the first one that I made for her:

I remember it all began with a vintage pattern book that my mother gave me.  And, uh huh, it did indeed come from my grandmother as you may have guessed...chock full of curvy initial transfers...completely irresistable!  I embroidered the "P" out of gold metallic thread, and I loved how it turned out.  The outside "lace" trim is created from two layers of seed beads sewn into the seams.....very simple to do!  Try it....

Edwardian Lace Wrist Cuffs

Period movies have always drawn me in...especially the ones set in the Renaissance, Victorian and Edwardian times.  There is something about them that transports me to that era, and lets me escape the modern-day troubles, politics, and hustle-bustle around me....even if it is for only a couple of hours.  Nestled in a cozy throw with a cup of hot chamomile tea, I can completely forget the woes of the day and gather inspiration to make something new....usually something that I would not normally make, such as these Edwardian cuffs.

 So when you need a wee bit of inspiration to help you step outside the box, consider a momentary escape by watching "The Golden Bowl" or "The Wings of the Dove"....you'll be amazed at how inspired you will feel!

 Here is wonderful blog link to many other period movies....but I warn you, they do become addictive!  I keep this bookmarked so I can refer to it time and time again.....
http://periodmovies.blogspot.com/

A Daughter's Valentine's Day Tradition

A few years back I made my mother a small heart-shaped sachet for Valentine's Day.  It was red duipioni silk with a double row of "lace" that I created from seed beads and I hand embroidered her initial "P" on the front in metallic gold thread.  While I sat working on it I thought about my childhood days that she had filled with love and the warmth of her touch.  I enjoyed filling the time it took to make every tiny hand stitch with those wonderful memories!  It turned out so lovely that I made one the next year....and the next year....and the next....

I think I have missed one of the last 9 years in making them, but I did get another one made for her this year.  Blue is not really one of her favorite colors, but I am running out of new colors to use!....hope the turquoise duipioni charms her eye!

I do have one rule to follow when I design her hearts:  It must be created from things I already have at my home and my studio...nothing purchased specifically for it.  

Sometime I will take pictures of them all and share them with you....