a delight to adorn yourself
and others with
♠ handcrafted and re-invented loveliness ♠
Azuma Bukuro Bags – Japanese Craft – Sari Fabric
Azuma Bukuro Bags - Quite a mouthful! A clever and simple traditional Japanese style bag. Also called a wrap bag or triangle bag. [I believe Azuma means East and Bukuro means bag or wrapping] It's made from a rectangle of fabric that's cleverly folded and...
Button Bracelets ‘stitched’ with Cotton Thread
I made these button bracelets for myself. I did not want the buttons to be the star of the show, rather the pattern formed by the thread as it dipped in and out of the button holes. I hope to try out some more and document the process. Update -...
Paper Earrings – Jewellery from Recycled Papers
Two different pairs of Paper earrings. Both created from paper. Both cut in the same heart shapes, and assembled in the same way. I created the first pair of red heart shaped earrings from a book. I recycle many books in various forms, and am struck by the beauty...
Tapestry Yarn Crochet Cushion – Pattern
Crochet owes it's widespread appeal to the fact that it is easy to do, and lends itself to so many delightful interpretations. The simplicity and adaptability of the basic stitches tempt the novice to try her hand, and the expert to outdo herself The Complete Book of...
Crochet Earrings – Quick Revival
I love the simple teardrop shape of these large earrings. They started out their costume life shiny gold... but soon became dull and coppery So I decided to cover them in a bright tangerine cotton thread. And now they're good to go To cover each earring - ss, ch 1,...
Vintage Linen Recycled- Pillow Covers DIY
Here some vintage tablecloths make pretty pillow covers, with no cutting and minimal sewing. I have used these covers in my guest room as a decorative and useful way to store spare pillows. If you would like to make one...
Recycled Tapestry – FOUND! Tropical Parrot
This pretty polly was a stray from the SPCA. I knew I could give her a happy place to stay, so took her home with me, and set her free from the mouldy frame she was trapped in. She brightens a corner of my living room now. I can leave her cage door open and don't...
Needle Art Jewellery
Embroidered Jewellery originating from Vintage Table Linen! Vintage embroidery work, cut out and hand-stitched onto a felt backing.
Shirt Cuff – FabricBracelets
I have a lovely working association with Embocraft - a Training Trust close to my home in Botha's Hill. Thuli is a delightful part of the team and maker of a number of Freshly Found products. Usually she follows my instructions well, but just recently I took her some...
The Girls! Tender Embroidery Project
A while ago I hinted about a series of cushions going into the Freshly Found online store. Well today I am going to introduce you to the girls. The embroidered beauties were created by Claire Norden and inspired by some exercise diagrams from a vintage Vogue...
Shibori
If you follow me on Pinterest, you will realise that I am quite interested in Shibori - the Japanese way of dyeing cloth. This past weekend I tried some of the techniques out on a few vintage cloths and new dish towels. It was a good learning experience...
At Last!
Today for the first time for ages, I didn't have hectically urgent deadlines or tasks nipping at my heels. What a pleasure it was to spend some time on my home. I made these cushions up from thrifted linen dish towels. I love the colours and the happy patterns....
Recycled Jersey Blanket Patch worked Knits
The Jersey [Jumper or Sweater] blanket is finished at last!The blanket is made from many vintage jerseys which I collected over a few months. I went for neutral colours as I wanted a light coloured blanket.If you would like to make one yourself, here are some...
Shirt Cushion Cover – Dresssed and ready to go…
My Tux Collar Cushion was ready to go to it's new home, but I felt it was missing something...And I found it at the SPCA thrift shop. This gorgeous vintage velvet bow tie set me back a whopping R5! [That's $0.49] Shirt Cushion Cover
Glove Cushion Covers!
Finally I have my series of hand-stitched Cushion Covers in my etsy shop! Each one has a vintage pair of gloves appliqued with a short comment stitched on too!I'd like to introduce them to you: "Home at Last" "Round and Round the Garden to..." "I Could have Danced all...
Furoshiki Cushion Cover – DIY
I have covered a cushion at home with a Vintage Scarf using a Furoshiki wrapping method. It looks good from the front and the back and shows off the scarf beautifully! This is how I did it: Furoshiki Cushion Cover -
Recycled Vintage Embroidery Bag – Antimacassar Tote!
I decided to make a Carrry Bag out of this Vintage Antimacassar. I am trying my best to be "green" by remembering to take my shopping bag with me - instead of buying plastic! The fact that this Carry Bag has already been Re-cycled makes it doubly "green"! Can you see...
Spring Ball
My daughter recently went to a Spring Ball. Together we designed and made her dress out of …. ties! Yip! She actually has a beautiful face, but, doesn't want to show it off on my blog! We had so much fun choosing the ties and kept the ladies at the local charity shop...