Heart Number Seven...is Time on the Wing! Does Yours Fly By as Fast as Mine?

Because my mother loves birds so much, this heart sachet came together easily, too.  I've wire-wrapped a vintage brooch that had a bird on it, then laid it over the feather "ribbon" that was diagonally sewn across the heart.  The ribbon is a vintage piece from my grandmother's old sewing trims and is attached to the brown dupioni silk heart at the top center.  Last, but not least, is a bird egg dangling at the bottom.

as;dlkfja;slfjas;dlfjk

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. 

Heart Number Four....and, yes! There are more.....

I love hot pink and when I held it against this honey gold taffeta, it popped....and in a good way!  The little vintage velvet flowers were on an old earring that one of my VERY best friends gave to me (yes, Lisa from KC!).....it had been her mother's earring in its previous life.

I love how the beaded "lace" outlined the edge of this Valentine, too.  The bugle beads are matte-finished which I also adore.

And I still don't have any ideas for this year's heart....any suggestions?  I'm thinking metallic charcoal gray taffeta....I'll look for a piece of cool jewelry to be the focal point tomorrow when I drop by my studio.  But I'm all  ears for suggestions, Girlfriends!!!

Take care and have a wonderful weekend, Bloggirls.....

Luv,

Sue

PS....Check out the holes in the Morning Glory leaves.....isn't nature cool?

Heart Number Three, Sweet As Can Be....

Couldn't resist using one of my Great Aunt Opal's vintage buttons because of the tall, skinny heart on it.  It was the inspiration that guided this heart's design.....

 The button is probably from the 40's and is made of a composite wood-like substance.  And if I had more time I could go into a whole spiel about buttons, but I'll spare you and do it another time...just don't let me forget!

Feeling a Little Blue? No Worries....I Have a Quick Fix

One of my favoritest all-time books is Revealed by Carlyn Quartermaine.  

 I've reached for this book dozens of times....and for every excuse I can think of, too!

In the mood to paint?  It contains colors galore!

  

  Feeling a little blue, but don't know exactly which shade of blue you are feeling?

Yup!  It's in there....promise! 

 Her splashes of color cover almost every page of the book from beginning to end. 

 Don't you adore her fabric designs?  I mean....who could resist them?

I'm thinking this pair of pink chairs 

will fit in my daughter's bedroom beautifully....don't you?

You just gotta have this book.....WAY better than any "mommy's little helper"!

Heart number two, more purple than blue....

I think I may have forgotten to mention the "rules" that I must follow to make these sweet little sachets.  They are simply this:  I may buy nothing.  Everything must be found in my studio or jewelry box....everything!  (Okay....I guess there is one exception--I always use newly purchased dried lavender inside.)
If you're a designer, and especially if you collect vintage items to use in your creations, this is really not such a challenge. 

 

You only need to begin with one item such as a piece of ribbon or a piece of jewelry that you plan to use....everything else just falls into place!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank the good Lord for the gift of yet another day.  Rain, sleet or snow....there's still so much to appreciate.

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....

The Lure of Red

Vintage Dior

A simple red dress....made of nothing but the finest of fabrics...silk, of course!   Only because it swishes...it crunches....and it has amazing shadows between its folds.  Doesn't get any better than that....except if it's vintage....then it screams!

www.memphisvintage.com

That simple red dress exudes confidence.  It demands attention.  It lures every eye...and begs it to linger.  You know what I'm talking about....the gaze from a guy while his girlfriend is poking his side and pulling his arm....yea, that's the one.  Oh, and the one from the girl sitting at the table next to you who's longing to be in your shoes....uh huh....

www.thefashionlist.com

I can't put my finger on it, but the thought of that simple red dress has gotten me out of many a tearful situation.  I must confess that I tear up way too easily....especially at church (the choir's special music always makes my eyes well) and while watching movies (I totally embarrass my daughters when they are with me!).  But if I must hold back tears for any reason, my mind does this automatic fast forward to my red "dream" dress.  It always gets my mind off of the situation at hand...even if it's only for a few seconds.  Those fleeting moments give me just enough time to regain my composure....works every time....try it!

An Homage to Valentino

I used to think that I could never wear red....that it just wasn't my color.  But now I believe that EVERY woman can wear red.  You just have to find the perfect shade that compliments you.  Through trial and error I have learned that "cherry" red is my perfect shade.  What's yours?  Please do share....and tell me what makes it work for you! 


PS....For those of you who prefer to carry your "pop!" of color in lieu of wearing it.....try one of these:

Valentine

www.suejack.etsy.com

(I know.....audacious of me to add one of my bags among Valentino's beauties!!)

Valentino

Valentino

From Whence We Come......

That I would enjoy designing beautiful things seems natural since I come from a long line of creative women on my mother's side of the family.

My great-grandmother May (pictured above) made dozens of beautiful quilts--mostly for warmth--but nevertheless beautiful, each and every one.    She also designed her own clothes as well as her daughters'.....my Grandmother Maude and my Great Aunt Opal....

and as they became young women, they were dressed to the nines...always.....(don't the dresses on the left below look like they stepped right off Ralph Lauren's Spring 2010 runway??)

My Grandmother Maude (pictured above left in the photo on the left, and right in the "smocks" photo above), designed my mother's and Aunt Nancy's clothes, too, both casual and special occasion frocks.  They were also the "Belle of the Ball" where ever they went....complete with coiffed hair, rhinestone earrings and necklaces, and matching pumps.
My mother worked full-time as I was growing up, but she still found time to teach me to sew.  I know she knew it was inevitable when she watched me making clothes for my  Barbie dolls at age 6.  Alas, it's one of those things that's just in your blood....there is no denying it!
When I was 11, she bought my first sewing machine for me....an old, used black Singer with gold trim, which I still have, along with our original sales receipt.....$19.95!  I still love that old machine for its memories of my first original creations, and for its own design and style.  These old sewing machines sell for a mint today.....but I wouldn't part with mine for the world!  

 (I also have my Great Grandmother May's treadle sewing machine, but have not had the confidence nor time to learn to use it.  I know,....it's on the list!)

Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

  

Snowy pictures of my sister's home in Pennsylvania.....I miss her terribly and wish I were there now.....

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

~Photos taken by my mother....thank you, Mom.~

Christmas Inspiration

There's nothing more festive that a vintage chandelier that is bedecked with sparkly holiday cheer!!  Treat your guests to one at your next holiday dinner party.....

Something Blue

See more pictures in my Etsy shop:  SueJackDesigns

I just love that old saying....."Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue....." and so many brides still adhere to it today!  Whether by tradition, superstition, or just plain being forced by your great aunt, most brides (that do not have blue as their wedding color) will add a tiny bit of blue somewhere.  

When I got married, my girlfriend Lisa designed my garter....which I still have to this day.  :)  She added a tiny piece of blue ribbon to it so that when I walked down the aisle, it was present during the exchange of our vows.   I think I included that bit of blue because of superstition....it wasn't a blue item that previous family brides had carried before me, but for some reason I felt compelled to include it!  What if it meant I would have bad luck in my marriage if I didn't????  I was so not going to take that risk.......

I recently finished this statement or bib necklace that would be perfect for a bride's "something blue".  It has one large baby blue rhinestone in it among several other smokey blue, gray and clear rhinestones and pearls....all set in vintage silver brooches, necklaces and chains.

Please share your "something blue" with us.....a link to a picture would be extra fun, too!

Champagne Bubbly Evening Clutch

Recently I'm in the mood for heavy satin......you know, the kind from the 60's that those lovely modern evening gowns were designed from.  It lends itself to crisp construction, a luxurious sheen without being shiny, and, in the right design, gives your look a new level of vintage modernism.  

The various sized ivory pearls hint to the special occasion ahead.....

 Champagne Bubble Green Clutch on Etsy

Nod to Elsa Schiaparelli - Second in a Series

In March of this year, I wrote about Elsa Schiaparelli and her wild creations that slapped Paris square in the face, and I explained how Elsa had inspired me to create some unusual evening bags.  Here is my second clutch in this series:

It's casual, but dressy....serious, but whimsical....but most of all, it's an ice breaker!

See more pictures of this "Elsa Inspired" clutch in my Etsy shop!

La Boheme, A Night at the Opera

What's a night at the opera without an opulent evening bag?  Dull indeed.....

Spice up your fav navy blue dress with this little number!

Sapphire Blue Silk Evening Bag by Sue Jack on Etsy 

The Going Away Gift for Lisa

One of my best friends, LISA, recently moved to Kansas City, and I was so very sad to see her leave.  We have known each other for over 20 years and are such similar creatures in style and design.  Her husband got a fantastic offer that he could not resist, so all of us who love Lisa so dearly could not be disappointed.  Well, selfishly we could be VERY disappointed, but not for her.....

Several of us got together and gave her this necklace as a going away gift......and we hear she is taking Kansas City by storm with it!  (Lisa adores monograms so I could not resist adding a wonderful vintage "G"--for her last name--designed with aurora borealis rhinestones.  It is in the lower left side of the necklace as you are looking at it.)

 

In My Own Little Corner....

For the most part, I'm a firm supporter of whoever said, "The house is DONE when you die!"  Do you know what I mean?  It's like this ongoing process....where, even for the things that were once "done" in your mind, you're already looking at with those squinty little eyes....thinking "Ooooo, that would look even better if  I did blah, blah, blah to it.....," then you snap out of it when your husband blurts, "Don't even THINK about it!"
However, after working for years on our backyard, I finally do feel like we've gotten our additional outdoor "room" close to completion.  (Don't pay any attention to the cord running from the fountain...we'll get to it someday, I'm sure....;)

Set up for luncheon...normally there's only 2 tables/chairs....the black set is from my kitchen.

The striped Porcupine Grass is my favorite annual ornamental grass.

Neptune with up-lighting.

Lots of container gardening!!!

Sweet Autumn Clematis arch over side path....

One of my large pots making a big splash.

I love mornings in the garden with a cup of herbal tea in hand....just looking around makes my head spin with new color combinations for handbags and necklaces.  It's no wonder I incorporate so many flowers and floral designs in what I create.
It's also nice to spend our evenings in such a serene place with water trickling in the background.  Finally....we get to enjoy.....

Deluge of Vintage Pink Pearls

It probably goes without saying that pink and green are my favorite colors.....any shade of either....I adore them!
And when I dumped all my vintage pink pearls into the lid of a box to begin filling an order for the sweetest bride, I couldn't resist snapping a shot of them to share with you.  To give you an idea of size, the largest ones are 3/4"....

Aren't they lovely?

They are making their way into the simplest, but most elegant bridesmaids' necklaces and bracelets ever I've made.....