a pouch with a vintage look...

The pouch I showed you a bit of last week was just finished last night. It was made with vintage linen cloth and a commercial fabric with a vintage look. It's already filled with fabric of the same type. Here are some images so you can see it from all angles. It measures 8" x 12".

click on the images for a better view...

a message on the lining done with a micron pen, 3 puffs and a scalloped edge

vintage linen stitched over the fabric with eyelets and embroidery

eyelets, some hand embroidery and a piped ribbon edge

just a couple of puffs on the back and some matching ties for closure

a close up of the front motif

And the paper blanket is finished. There might be a contrasting second edge added to the border but for right one, this is it. it measures just over 16" square and is quite flexible. Loved working with the Shosenshi Japanese paper.

each square is 4"

joined with a soft bamboo thread in crochet and then whip stitched together

Hope you all have a great weekend. I'm about to try pounding flowers. Don't have too many colorful ones but anxious to try the process once again. Haven't done this in years.

more pockets....

I did finish the pocket I showed you last week that I started as part of Karen Ruane's Embroidered Pockets class. It's not too late to join in. You'd be amazed at some of the work being shown in the Flickr group....sorry, it's Private so I can't show you. But I can show you my finished pocket.

click on the images....for a much better view.

pocket front...embroidery and  appliqued bumpy bits over the broderie anglaise.

pocket back...appliqued and embroidered bumpy bits

I've started a new pocket....that I think might wind up being a pouch. Took my inspiration from some work I did in a ledger class given by Karen Ruane some time back.

inspiration from one of my ledgers transferred onto cloth.

and here it is embroidered with a printed fabric stitched behind the opening.

Hope this one will be finished by next week.

Still working on my paper blanket and just a few more squares to stitch together.

crocheted around the edge and then whip stitched together.

We've been having beautiful weather after all that rain but it's already getting too hot for my liking. We've already had several days in the 90s but Summer is nearly here so that is the way it will be.

and....
JUST A FACT: The Romans used to clean and whiten their teeth with urine. Apparently it works. Please don't do it, though.

the sun is finally shining....

and the rain has stopped for the moment but more is predicted. You've probably all heard on the news about the floods in Texas. Lots of people lost everything and so many trees were just snapped in half so there's lots of cleaning up going on. I am lucky to live in a neighborhood where there was little damage. The good side of all this is that we are no longer in a drought status. The lake has gone from 36% full to 74% full and still rising. This is good news for so many reasons. Wishing the best for all those who have lost friends, family, their homes and belongings.

Have spent lots of time indoors this week avoiding the dangerous flood areas and there is lots right here in my own little space to inspire.

This shell was gifted to me from a friend who just came back from Florida. Can't wait to doodle a similar design with paper and pencil....such a beautiful pattern.

click on the images...

pattern on the bottom of a sea shell

I did test out some colors to surround the paper weavings I've been doing. There are 16 blocks to put together which will make a paper blanket about 16" x 16". The final decision was blue. I'm crocheting around the block and then whip stitching the pieces together.

a very soft bamboo thread to edge the weavings

Lots of wonderful things happening in Karen Ruane's latest class Embroidered Pockets. We are working with ledgers as well as with cloth.

inspiration from children's books

using a Sunbonnet Sue book as a ledger

stitching and doodling on broderie anglaise

added bumpy bits over the lace motif

Working on the back of this pocket today....so nearly finished. Have lots of ideas for the next one so can't wait to get started.

Hope you all are having a great weekend and hope to see you next week.

JUST A FACT:  Honey does not spoil. You could feasibly eat 3000 year old honey.