Blog giveaway

How nice of you to visit!
Come in, it’s nice and sunny in Palm Springs today, 72F, almost summer. I have lived here since July, seeking the endless sun.

My name is Socrates, and this is my faithful studio assistant, Paul, working hard by the pool…

Come in! Have a look!
I make lace books, beaded jewelry, and I paint abstract paintings.

The paintings are on canvas, 36x48


I also love to make lace books. Here:

At the moment, I’m putting together a tutorial on how I make these fabric collages. It will be available in the next week, so come back to find out.
And in honor of your visit, I created a vintage Paris journal, just for you. You don’t have to become of follower, although I’d love you to, so we can meet again. All you need do is leave a comment on this post.
On Feb 1, all of the  members of the blog hop will have their draw. I will pick a  name at random from the comments list and one of you will receive this vintage Paris journal. Here it is, full of old laces which I buy on Ebay or find at garage sales. There are doilies, mattress ticking, pieces of old jewelry, and plenty of painted and white pages inside for you to keep notes and records, or add photos:

This is the inside front cover, with a little pocket, and the first page, lightly painted.

This is the inside back cover, with more lace and beaded lace. And the back cover, with a printed map of Paris on fabric, more lace and some vintage buttons.
And the spine, with some charms, because you ARE a Star!!!!!
Let me know if you would like me to make a piece for you, either lace book or jewelry. I would be happy to.
Be sure to leave a comment today, and come back on the 1st of February when I will announce the winner!
Good luck, and thank you for your visit. And be sure to visit the other blogs:

vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com

Lace book pages and a giveaway

My other Lace Book theme is vintage, and I just made two pages for Marita. Her colors are black, white and sepia for vintage  ladies.

I found an old black glove, which is holding a vintage lace handkerchief.  The focal image is printed on fabric, as well as the text pieces.

The black bead in the middle is a vintage beaded ear-ring.

 

 

 

 

The fabric in the background was gifted to me by the Druxinia mattress people. They gave me one their sample catalog, which I am putting to good use

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I found the amazing black lace on ebay. It is all covered in beads and sequins, very impressive.

And the fantastic flower is from Button Emporium in Portland. I wish I could go there again and get more.

This is the spine of the double page spread. I hope you appreciate the effort at ‘art photography’. All in the spirit of the coming Giveaway.

 

I am part of a blog hop. Next Saturday 19th January is the "Grow Your Blog" Event which is being sponsored by Vicki at

vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com

For the occasion, I have made… drum roll… a lovely lace journal. I will be showing it on my blog on the 19th, so be sure to visit Saturday.

To be entered into my Giveaway all you have to do on the 19th is leave a comment.  You do not have to become a follower, just leave a comment on that day. The giveaway will be drawn on Feb 1st.

Here’s a little teaser: it will be vintage, and it will be Paris inspired. )

See you here Saturday!

Medieval Lace Book

I am making pages for the Medieval Lace Book Round Robin I’m in. It’s a beautiful theme and the work everyone is doing is so gorgeous.

This month’s theme for my pages was Head dresses, for Terri in Oregon.

Here is what I made. The right page with a portrait of queen Elizabeth I.

The left page:

The back pages will stand alone and not be covered, so I finished them with slashed applique.

You can see my own book, which is going to 5 wonderful artists to work in, right here .

Finished a beaded necklace

I’m quite happy with how this project turned out. I didn’t even think I’d be able to finish it, since I was just winging it. I even got completely stuck on the picot edging. A complete brain blank. Had to find a video on Youtube to be reminded on how to do it!!!! Even though I’d just done it a week before.

Oh well

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I think I’ll add a bead to the ‘right eye’ and call it finished. )

Necklace in progress

I have been dreaming of making a large ‘statement’ necklace in the style of the beaded bracelets I make.

I planned the design on paper, but after some reflection, it turned out it was rather a mistake:

Whatever it reminds you of, it’s just not something that I was willing to wear. Darn that I had just read that you can glue the stones with epoxy. Strong stuff!

Here’s the design in progress:

 

This beautiful centre piece just came with my friends who are visiting, an old ear ring from a thrift store.

It is such a joy to design. Although that designing as you go can be quite a headache, to avoid being repetitive.

Here is a picture of my setup when I’m beading. I have a stainless steel tray with a low lip, and I can stop my work quickly, and transport it or move it out of the way. I have most of the colors I’ll use in little stackable plastic containers, or zip lock bags. The beads for the fringe are separate, since that will happen only at the end. Thimble, beading scissors, thread, scoop for picking up beads. Voila:

And a true picture of a dog’s life in Palm Springs:

HAPPY NEW YEAR