Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Ta-Da!

Over the past few days my creative mode has taken over!
My house is a mess and my blog has been neglected but I am getting projects complete that have been in the making for some time now.
Here is the lovely shadow box frame that I won in a giveaway from Bertie at
http://aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/
As I began to frame some of the photos from our weekend at Boone Hall I realized this frame was perfect. I used the tin type of hubby and I along with several vintage buttons and lace.
Then I tackled something that has been waiting for action for some time.
A vintage purse frame was calling out to be transformed!
The light fabric for the outside shell and the green fabric for the lining.
Then I dug through my stash of lace and vintage buttons and 'ta-da', here is the finished purse:).
After cleaning out my closet I realized I had some lovely velvets (ok, I got something in the house cleaned:). So I set to work on making some of the purses I see other ladies carrying at the reenactments (these purses are two pouches that drape over the arm). I didn't have a pattern so I made my own:).
From brown velvet skirt to...
brown velvet pouch purse.
Here is the inside view with vintage buttons to hold the pouch closed (the tassel trim is leftover from the shower curtain dress:).
From velvet dress to...
velvet pouch purse with black fringe trim.
Inside view of the pouch purse.
The great part was that no shopping was involved! Everything was made with things I already had:).
There is great pleasure in creating with what you have at hand.
What have you created lately without having to purchase anything?

18 comments:

The Pink Birdhouse said...

Kim, your projects are just wonderful!! You remind me of myself of late, I have gotten all kinds of projects started that have been in my mind for some time now, but my blog has been woefully neglected. I always feel bad about not visiting with my dear friens here.

Just wanted to stop by to wish you and yours a wonderful and very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! hugs, Debby

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest Kim! Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you! Thanks for coming by and yes, I am very happy with the pink dressing table! Bisous, Anita

Fete et Fleur said...

WOW! You have been productive. I have a gorgeous purse frame I have been wanting to redo for ages. Thanks for the inspiration.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

xoxo
Nancy

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Lovely..... Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving...

June said...

Kim these are so charming! I think you were so lucky to have such beautiful velvets on hand. It seems that the prettiest velvets are getting so difficult to find these days. You will no doubt put these little purses to good use.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs,
June

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Marilyn

Deanna said...

Dear Kim,
November Blessings to you this Thanksgiving! May you have a great one.

The purses are lovely! It's impressive that you have made these. They're beautiful. So glad you've shared.

As for me making anything without spending money...ummmmmm, I haven't as of late except draw some things for a Grandchild.

I'll have to work on this one! grins
God Bless,
d

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Kim, I love your pouch purses! They are lovely! Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Sandi

Myrna said...

Wow you've been busy!! Beautiful projects, Kim. Great job! Thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Blessings,
Myrna

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

I love the tintype and its little shadow box.
It is wonderful to see that you as a devoted individual to living history did as our ancestors did... they were frugal and learned how to reuse and repurpose the things they had on hand. Especially in the South during and after the Civil War... remember Scarlett and the green drapes in Gone With The Wind.
May you enjoy the company of family and friends throughout your Thanksgiving weekend.
Susan

Wren Cottage said...

Hello Kim!
What a treat! I've had the best visit reading and looking at your wonderful pictures!! I'm in awe... truly how amazing this all is. Your purses are just beautiful! And the dresses, suits, are just amazing!! I love the tin-type picture of you and your honey! I wish I could get my hubby to do anything remotely like this :)
You are so blessed with each other! Your dresses are so, so beautiful, you look wonderful and really can carry them perfectly, just like in a period film, I'm just blown away!!
I'll be looking thru these pic's again and again!
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for your friendship.
XOX Madai
PS... Boone Hall looks magical, that garden, oh dear!!!
I meant to answer you about the tea house in Summerville, This Whole House, it is very cute and their Sunday brunch was really yummy, they make a fruit tea that was deelicious! They also sell antiques and vintage treasures, I think you would enjoy it :)

Anonymous said...

This blogging is not only addictive it is inspiring. Since I have been blogging, I find myself looking around at things I have used for years and seeing it change into something different. Mainly the vintage journals I am making for my granddaughters. There are seven girls and then 2 boys. I am using leather leaves and pinecones on the boys. For the girls I am using old left over wallpaper, pieces of lace, each one has something of mine attached somewhere. One earring, a pearl broach, a locket some of them will have to look closely to find the little item. I have had so much fun. I love your purses and that picture is too good to be true. Blessings
QMM

Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Kim-

What beautiful things you've been creating! The tintype looks amazing in that frame. I love all the purses. The lace one is so dainty and feminine... nice work with the details! I'm not as familiar with pouch purses, but it looks like you did a great job with the velvets, linings and fringes. Doesn't it feel good to get things like that done yourself?

Sewing always makes me feel more Victorian. When I was a teenager, I sewed all my own clothes. Sometimes I get on a "kick" and really get into some project like sewing or building something, then I go for years without doing it.

Your blog and others have inspired me. Now I need to get going on some projects!

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

-Pam

Bumpkin Hill said...

wow they are all so precious, gorgeous creations :) Happy Thanksgiving, Hugs, Catherine x

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Kim,

I love all your beautiful purses and framed photo. You have been busy with your lovely projects.
I have been making an inspiration board which I will show you when I finish.
I hope that your Thanksgiving was lovely and have a great weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Ah, don't you love those creative spurts. And found objects are always a joy! Great work, love what you've done.

Bertie said...

Love those pouch purses, Kim! And the frame is just perfect with your vintage photo and lovelies in it. Splendid job on everything you touch!!

Yes, I almost always use what I have to make things for me. I've collected "treasures" for so many years, I have a stash of about anything you could think of.

Hope you Thanksgiving was blessed.

Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage

Illuminated Manuscripts Workshop said...

Hi Kim:
My you have been a busy girl! I have decided too, woman does not live by computer alone, but by every other thing that proceeds from her hands :-) So have been trying to work on other projects. ...Making things from stuff you already have is THE BEST, and you have done marvelously well. Especially love the tin type embellished photo and the little hand bags. Just lovely.

Also looked at your links list today and found the Victorian Society -- THANKS! Really sounds interesting. Going to add the link to my treasure box, so I can have a chance to look through the resources.

Hope your thanksgiving was great. Many blessings for the season ahead. May all your days be filled with light and joy, and the things and people that matter most.

Rosalind