Our Creative Space...

I've been meaning to try japanese mesh work for a while , and finally got to it. First I thought to use bias band, but I didn't trust the folds of the bias band to behave on the long run, since I wanted to use it for a bag without fear of it unraveling.

So, it had to be strips of fabric, cut 3 cm wide and sewn at 1cm with help of a guide on the machine.

Then the tunnels had to be turned with a thingy and Estella's help.

Ironed...

And pinned on the iron board on a piece of fusible interfacing. All this came from a japanese craft book, but after this first row, things got pretty unintelligible in the book, with only some schematic drawings. I'm sure the written instructions are great, but without that, you really have to put your mind to it.

Here is the first row all pinned. In the instruction drawings they let you mark lines on the interfacing, but they get all covered up, so not much help here.

This is a pattern for a 6 point star, btw, but countless patterns are possible. the second course has three different rows woven in a 60 degrees incline. It is now 1 up-2 under in three alternated rows.

An other detail of the second course.

I put the tape to make the surface smaller, because I run out of strips. This sucker surely eats a lot of fabric!

And than the third and last row. Estella had to come to my rescue because I got all confused. It is 2 up and 3 under in this row, again alternating. Hopefully the pictures will be of help if you try it.

The star pattern is a bit lopsided, I think that even a more accurate approach is needed, and thinner fabric. This sample, done with thin wool fabrics is really heavy.

This oval -it had to be an oval since I run out of material for the corners- took me the best part of the weekend. If you have lots of fabric, time and patience, the results are interesting for sure!

See more creative spaces at Our Creative Spaces.

Monday Moodboard

1. LikeFreja  2. rodica  3. bialakura  4. boldcolorglass

Summer is here, and if you have grey days where you are, I'm sending you some sunny vibes :)
Have a great week everyone!
You can easily make your moodboard with the mosaic maker.
Please be sure that all featured shops are from the EuropeanStreetTeam.

New in the Shops

Sea Urchin Collection - Flower Sea Urchin Cuff - Pick Your Color - Pink Brown Green White

Balancing Blue - Asymmetric Earrings

Sea Urchin Collection - Pink Pearl Flower Brooch

Tigers Eye Earrings - Stone, Crystal and Brass

Woodland Bird Bag - Vintage Embroidery and Patchwork

Woodland Bird Bag - Vintage Embroidery and Patchwork

Beach Memories - Sea Urchin, Shell and Starfish magnets set of 3

That Guy has the Key- Keychain / Bag Adornment Ring

Aqua Blue Resin post Earrings

Monday Moodboard

1. SuddenlyYou  2. Katlix  3. IoanaPhotography  4. P8Accessories

When the weather becomes warmer everyone loves to be outside :)

Have a great week everyone!
You can easily make your moodboard with the mosaic maker.
Please be sure that all featured shops are from the EuropeanStreetTeam.

Button wednesday...a day late

I know, I know, it is thursday, but this week somewhere we lost a day. I'm pretty sure that our week here had no tuesday, I don't know about yours.

Nevertheless we wanted to share some button prettiness with you. We are no button collectors, what is a good thing since it could easily lead to bankrupcy, but once in a while we just cannot resist, or I can't.

This cool, groovy pouch is a recent ebay score.

And these funny, handpainted wooden horse buttons I bought in a bric-a-brac shop in Amsterdam, some forty years ago. They were already vintage by then, only at that time they were simply called old :)
See more button facts at Kraplap.

Monday Moodboard

1. martket  2. Bartinki  3. missbabacilu  4. aplusdesignnn

A little dramatic touch for this week's moodboard, although I think every monday has its drama :)

Have a great week everyone!
You can easily make your moodboard with the mosaic maker.

Our Creative Space...

With the arrival of summer -yes, it is already upon us-, we feel the pull of the sea.

A new nautical themed bag is in the making, combining a vintage hand embroidered sea horse, blue and red vintage ticking and all kind of odds and ends found at the sea shore.

Some coral, old shell shapped buttons, remnants of a well used net and a tiny fishing float.

They are really a feast to make, these beach finding bags.

Will be finished and in our shop soon.

See more creative spaces at Our Creative Spaces.

Monday Moodboard

1. Joik  2. PamelaAngus  3. ILaBoom  4. baboucherouge

Circus is in town :)

Wishing you a fabulous week!
You can easily make your moodboard with the mosaic maker.

Happy Mother's day

Hope all mothers are spoiled today, Happy Mother's day to all the mums :)

Wild roses from the Sunday Bazaar.

Saturday Super Woman

Today, in our series of wonder women, the spot light is on Roxanne, owner of the vintage shop EarlyAttic.

We are in awe of all that Roxanne accomplishes. She lives in a small town in Illinois, where she and her husband own a horticulture business. Roxanne does all the office work for the business and helps in the field, yes sir, no problem.
Besides that, by shear power of will, she has got her husband through a very serious illness and takes care of her very old and ailing father.

Besides all that she sources the most tantalizing vintage stuff in estate sales, garage and barn sales and what not, which she lists in her Etsy shop at the crack of dawn.

In short, she is the kind of hard working, no nonsense woman, that makes the world a better place.

She alone is responsible for the obscene amount of antique lace, trims, buttons, fabric and such that we have. Her prices are too good to pass and  the stock is always fresh.
She is such a good friend that she buys for us stuff of those stone age sellers that refuse to ship abroad and consolidates the shipping for us. She makes us smile regularly with her very dry humor and self spot.

So, people, I am sharing with you today my very favorite adress for vintage notions, because I'm cool like that. Visit her shop and buy with abandon, she has the best stuff and the best customer service, only stay away from any flocked gingham when you see it, otherwise I will have to haunt you and we don't want that, do we?