Fill your week with Tea Parties !!!
Starting Monday September 10, have a fun filled week with the
Make Mine Pink Bloggers as they host a virtual Tea Party.
Visit the Mine Pink Blog for all the information and a list of participating
Make Mine Pink Blogs.
Why Tea Party? Well what can be more fun, tea for two, tea for one, a princess tea, a mother/daughter tea, best friends tea, long lost friends tea, or to just take a moment to slow down and enjoy the tea.
Join in on the fun and host a virtual tea party too. We will be visiting all the Make Mine Pink blogs and yours too if you decide to host your own party.
You will see beautiful and unique tables set for tea; many will have a special theme. Will you join us and post a photo of your Tea Party on your very own blog?
Post a comment on Make Mine Pink’s Blog at www.makeminepink.blogspot.com and we will include you on the list. So expect many visitors ~ please have cookies ready...
I have been working very hard and my new website is now done.....YEAH!!! Here's a little peak at the new design. Come and look around. As a part of my Grand Opening, I am offering a 10% percent discount on new orders!!! I have lots of new pillows, purses, diaper bags, pincushions, and hanging pocket pillows that I designed just for my new shop!
New web address is www.cottagegatedesigns.com
In my "spare" time this summer I have been catching up on "to do" stuff around my house. I finally got my entire wrap around porch painted, banisters, and floor and I'm so happy. It looks so fresh and clean!! We have had an interesting summer here in Texas because of all the rain. My grass is green and my flowers are still blooming and it has not hit 100 yet.
My cottage garden is still pretty (not usual for end of July) and a little "wild", just how I like it....
Well, I have let time get away from me. Summer is always busy with the kids at home. I wanted to share some of my new creations which involve the lovely old Victorian design of Crazy quilting with a cottage spin. Most crazy quilting was darker rich fabrics. I am using all those pink roses we love, vintage laces, vintage fabrics, old embroidery, and anything else I am inspired by. Here are some pillows I have recently created, one of which is available in my boutique, and a sweet little pincushion. I do so enjoy designing these one of a kind pieces.
I wanted to share one of my newest creations - a dreamy cottage makeover. I recently found these wonderful old metal twisted leg chairs with the original wood seats and had to have them - I could just see how they would look made over. Chair stared out bright yellow and with a fresh coat of white and a new pink rose ruffled skirt cushion, TADA!! it was transformed. I do enjoy making over old shabby vintage pieces I find in my foraging at yard sales, flea markets and estate sales!! Now what should I do with the heart shaped chair.....
I have been making pincushions for a while now, in all different designs, but this design is my biggest seller. Sometimes its nice to have something useful and PRETTY!My design process came from researching antique pincushions, especially from the Victorian era. The pincushion above is available is my MMP boutique.
All of my round patchwork pincushions consist of 8 triangular patches of lovely rose and ticking fabrics which are topstitched and interfaced with fusible fleece to keeps those pins steady. Bottom is interfaced with fusible fleece as well and entire pincushion is stuffed with a soft polyfil. Each little pincushion I create is a one of a kind design. I also make rose shaped pincushions which turn out to be small fabric sculptures - I am working on one now and will post when complete - they are quite time consuming but so pretty when finished! And I also have ideas of a crazy quilt pincushion - I have done some crazy quilt pillows and pocket pillows and think a little pincushion would just be so charming!
Here is a new pillow I just designed with a gorgeous piece of vintage pink embroidery with pink roses and a lovely L script monogram which was originally on an old hankerchief. I paired it with pink roses (of course) and the absolute best pale pink vintage chenille - I am always trying to find this color and I finally found it. A sweet little ruffle edges the rest of pillow. This pillow is available through my Ebay auctions so check it out....
A little about my textile art.....
My vintage fabric collages combine my love of vintage textiles and my love of words. Words are powerful and a beautiful phrase can evoke such emotion. My collage designs are built around the wise words of an old poet or author, which I handstitch in a simple lettering. I use vintage fabrics, laces, buttons, etc...all handstitched in a unique way to mirror the words - there is always a little mystery with the finished product, but if you look closely you will see the simple beauty of the words reflected in the design. I collect old vintage frames throughout the year to frame each collage in. Below is a sampling of some of my pieces....
