Everything I make starts in a box and then lives there until it’s done. The boxes are for organization – keeping the many little bits for many little projects together and they are also a thinking tool and most importantly a way to start, it is very easy to put things in a box.
I love Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit. Here’s a little of what she has to say about boxes:
“The box makes me feel organized, that I have my act together even when I don’t know where I’m going yet. It also represents a committment. The simple act of writing a project name on a box means that I’ve started work”
I have different sorts of boxes for different sorts of projects. The clear plexi boxes above are children’s shoe boxes from the Container Store.
This cupcake of a girl’s party dress is from 1910 - it’s falling apart but the lining of almost transparent and tissue thin silk chiffon is in excellent condition, most of the lace is usable too. I tried it on. That was something.
And disturbing looking progress on something new made from this antique bodice:
The incredibly generous Stephen Szczepanek of Sri sent over another package of marvelous bits of kimono and other amazing and inspiring Japanese textiles.
Check out the ” trans generational “ boro futon cover on his blog.
This truly glorious antique underskirt is destroyed in the skirt sense, it’s so fragile I’m surprised I was able to hang it for the photo, but it will make a wonderful foamy, boiling sea for a paper mache ship.
Bird news: the daily bird is back for one week. I’ll post one little bird for sale in the shop Monday through Friday, the time will vary. I’ll post a link here in the side bar each day when it’s ready and also on twitter.
*little clarification – I’ll post a link here in the sidebar but will not be emailing subscribers for each daily bird *
This is Monday’s bird matilde in a pine tree in Prospect Park.
Or raven or bat -maybe something new.
Underneath are some old wallpaper scraps I got at the flea market last week.
The bodice has lots of wonderful hand stitching inside and it has great black glass buttons. Speaking of buttons -an almost finished owl with very fancy antique button eyes.
I came across this strange plant a couple weeks ago in a forest in RI – I’d love to know what it is.
*check the comments for name info – they are called ghost pipes and some other great names.
Tiny top hats, corsages and boutonnières.
And a little blind lamb.
This photograph was a gift from my favorite guy at the flea market -(park slope) and I love it. He stopped showing up in early summer last year. I’ve wondered and asked about him since and I found out a few weeks ago that he died. He took the photo at the Half Moon Hotel in Coney Island, I’m not sure when- 70’s or 80’s probably. He was a painter and photographer. I only new his first name – John.
Stephen Szczepanek of Sri Threads came for a visit a little while ago and brought me a fabulous present.
Beautiful bits of Japanese indigo and bright floral dust rags. I love them. You can find more about Stephen and these amazing things at his website. I think I’m going to make a bat out one of the dust cloths.
These little birds are on their way to London today for a garden wedding.
I like this photo – I think they look very earnest or maybe sincere. Note on wedding birds/ cake toppers: I’m still making them but not taking orders right now so I can focus on current orders, tackling my massive backlog of email and doing a little restructuring to make everything more manageable for all concerned. If I were to continue without making some adjustments and changes I would certainly lose the rest of my marbles. If you would like updates please join the mailing list or check back here.
This lace and fabric is for some brides and grooms I’m beginning today.
My favorite parts of the bird making process are picking out the fabric and taking the photo when they’re finished. I like the middle parts too – just not as much.
A tattered antique dress for making things. You can click the image for a better look at the dress – it is ideal for making little wedding gowns for birds.
And a pirate – mick and his friend jenny. They will be in my etsy shop at 3 (new york time).
I bought a couple big boxes of old lace and trim and stuff and I’m having fun sorting through it and washing it and ironing it and thinking of things to make.
The photo above is just some highlights ( you can click the pic for details), there are tons and tons of good things.
I know someone who makes wonderful wool bears ( and other things) who’s name begins with E.
I think the little E. monograms (love the dot) would make a perfect signature for them.
This is progress on a pillow I’m making for snow flake dave from a beautiful piece of boro textile he got at at Sri Threads.
I love these and I’ve talked about them before. I’m adding some patches and some “eccentric mending” to what was done many years ago. I like being an eccentric mender; it might be the thing in life I’m most qualified for.
It’s easy not to post. Especially when I get a little busier than is comfortable, but my whole life goes better if I post here regularly and make my bed. So, a post everyday this week to get back in the swing of it. I’ll also be making my bed but not reporting on it unless something note worthy occurs.
For today a photo of part my bulletin board .
p.s. The Ballerina on the little pink stand is for you freda – I’ll email photos of the rest later today.
I stopped at Tinsel Trading yesterday for some cake topper things. I got so overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place and the extraordinary selection of extraordinary things they have I ended up leaving with a fraction of what I needed. I did get some little vintage millinery flowers and peachy glass glitter and inspiration for new things to make.
