Monday 31 March 2014

A Vintage Journey...

...I did do a few squeals when Brenda from A Vintage Journey challenge asked me if I would like to be a Guest Designer.  Mmm, now let me think about it!  A blog dedicated to the Duke of Distress and all his wonderful products... like a nano second to think and a very fast "yes please!"   So, today is the day that my project is being aired over on the A Vintage Journey blog... CLICK HERE for all the deets on how I made it - I won't say it all here as I have already said it over there and you would get bored having to read all my wafflings twice :O))   Anyways, here's my creation:





The theme I was asked to use was "words"  which is perfect seeing as I love to talk very lots... and I likes to use words on everything I make too.  So, I started out with the idea of making a nice 6" square card using a Found Relative card - one of the new Tim's Idea-ology thingy's.  However, as I was flicking through the cards I fell in lurves with the backgrounds of them too!  What to do!! I want to use a photo side and a backside (snort)  Ahahahahaaaa!  I will pick my least favourite photo from the cards and use that... which is what I did!  Now, readers of this old blog will know that me and sewing machines have never had the best of relationships.



Nay and thrice, I was chucked out of Needlework classes when I was at school for not only being inept but also breaking a couple of the machines.  Ahem... quite! I ended up being the only girl in the Woodwork/Metal Work class.  Ham-fisted of nature is my problem when it comes to sewing machines.  Grim bought me a diddy little mini machine a few years ago and I went bonkers with it for a few months, wonky sewing all over everything... and then I put it just out of reach on a shelf and there it stood, gather dust and whatnot.




Well, I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to traverse the pile of stash that has formed in front of the said out of reach machine... nearly breaking my leg in the process... and plugged it in.  And, being as I am clever like, I thought "I shall have a trial run, sewing the backside card first, for if I go wrong, I can hide it..."   Yes, I did that... yes, it was a little wonky but hey, I can just sew two lines right?  Well, I then decided that I would mount the front card onto cream card for a little border.  Yep, looks great!  And then I started sewing it.  And erm... the thread snapped... and I re-threaded it and it snapped again.  I re-threaded it, adjusted the tension a bit and started again.  And the thread snapped... again.  As did my patience.  So, after giving the machine a very good talkin to, I finally got the blighter sewing.  Hurrah and thrice, I persevered and it paid off.  Only, um.. my sewing is even more frightful and wonky.  Ah, I will nip around the edges again and it will look like I meant to do it.  Yes, well, that would have worked had there been enough thread on the bobbin thingy... but there wasn't... and I couldn't find the cotton... so gave it up as a bad job and hoped that by flinging tonnes of embellies at it, you wouldn't notice it lol   *you did notice it didn't you?*



So, now I am stuck because I have a not neat and rather dog earred looking Found Relative card and a 6" card just ain't going to cut it.  Right, time to go bigger then!  I grabbed an 8" square shadow box and went a little bit mad with the embellies, Idea-ology, Tim products and such like... well, the whole thing is "inspired and influenced by Tim" so I was at least, on the right track! 



Please do pop over to see A Vintage Journey - there be a prize for one lucky entrant into the challenge... and also, take a cuppa and a packet of Hobnobs with you because you may be there some time... the GORGEOUS art by the Design Team is so inspiring... I tell you what, tis a very long time since I took time out to play with all my Tim stash and make something like this, which is very me and makes me very happy... so thank you to Brenda for inviting me... and for making me remember where my real crafty heart lives :O)



I shall away now... I said I wasn't going to waffle didn't I?  And I did... oops!  Have a great day and thanks for looking!  TTFN

Hels x



34 comments:

Rita said...

Good Morning Hels.What a fantastic creation. So many interesting things to see and the Duke of Distress would be very proud of you. Let's hope he pops in and sees what you've done. Hugs Rita xxx

Mrs B said...

Hi Hels. Congratulations Guest Designer : ) Love the project, and no, I didn't notice! Take care.

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, Wow !! I think this creation is stunning !! Tim will be so pleased with your 'Work of Art', and hearty Congratulation on being asked to be a Guest Designer.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Mrs O crafty blog said...

Fabulous project.. I too am rubbish at sewing.. My hubby sews with a machine.. I watch :-)
Love all the embellies, and your layout is fab as always, Px

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels great explanation of all the antics you get up to. Love your stitching and everything is great, colours, flowers and embellies in true Tim style. Take care x

Tina said...

Gorgeous picture, so much to look at, love the colour pallete too.x

Jenny Marples said...

You at your very best Hels. The altered background, aged frame and super embellies combine to create a real feast for the eyes. So thrilled you agreed to be a Guest Designer for A Vintage Journey. Jenny x

Tincan Crafter said...

what an incredible project! I also got kicked out of sewing class at school and did woodwork and technical drawing instead. I loved how you did the shadow box - i really thought you knocked together a wood frame. The details on this piece are so incredible, I loved every bit of it.

Carole Z said...

Morning Hels, lol commented on their blog before I got here this morning....gorgeous! Hugs Carole Z X

Redanne said...

This creations really is a stunner Hels, I love the way you did the frame, the flowers, as ever, are superb and your embellishments are all beautiful. Thanks so much for being a Guest Designer at AVJ too! Hugs, Anne xx

Maggie said...

Fabulous vintage frame well done for getting out the sewing machine......mind those fingers Hels lol!

MaggieH

Brenda Brown said...

Absolutely superb Hels, this is a fabulous feast for the eyes and full of gorgeous Timness and technique. Thanks so much for agreeing to be part of the team for this fortnight, so glad you could travel on A Vintage Journey.
hugs Brenda xx
PS Mr Blogger seems to be be awake this morning haha x

Pam's crafty corner said...

Your waffling does make me laugh and your creations inspire me :-) x

Chaffinch said...

Congratulations Hels. Lovley project and great words - put a smile on my face!

ElizabethR said...

Gorgeous, and what wonky stitching lol. Flowers are beautiful as well. Elizabeth xxx

nannapat said...

Fabulous project Hels - your finished work is always so stunning. Pat x

Candy C said...

HELS!!! OMG...I ADORE this piece you have done for A Vintage Journey. The colors are fabulous...my favorite combinations. Your signature roses are just absolutely breath taking. It's evolution into a framed piece is brilliant! I so love everything about this. The layers of vintage elements are just incredible! Girl, I have a birthday coming up the end of this month if you're looking for something to do with this piece!! haha I think it is one of my favorite pieces you've ever done. <3 Candy

rachel said...

this is wonderful - love it xx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh Hels, I was looking through the pics of this amazing piece and then got caught up in your story about sewing! You crack me up!!! I too am a card-carrying member of the Inept Sew-ers Club. I applaud your bravery. I think your stitches look absolutely fabulous on this project!!! Love that frame too. Seriously ... one of my favorites! Love your tribute to all things Tim! -- Mary Elizabeth

Unknown said...

At least you know how to thread your machine, that bit of it still eludes me. If I ever manage it, my machine will probably up and die of shock! This piece of work is wonderful. I like that each time you look, you notice more detail that you didn't see before.

Ruth said...

Just a gorgeous work of art, so many things to explore on the project, keep finding things, lovely colours and great homage(?right)to Sir Tim.

Linda Simpson said...

Fabulous Hels, I love all the gorgeous embellishments and image. Congratulations on your GDT.
Hugs
Linda xxx

sheila 77 said...

Hello, just discovered your very amusing blog. This is fabulous, so complex with all the layering and the green roses and the metal bits.

Almo said...

Saw this on AVJ Hels, Love it to bits. Mo x

Jo F said...

Congratulations Hels, this is a wonderful piece of work. Thanks for sharing all your ideas with us and inspiring us to get 'inky'. xx

Craftychris said...

Stunning! I am not surprised you were asked to be guest designer, you are such a talent! xx

Unknown said...

Stunning piece. I love how you share the oopses as well as the successes. Gives me hope!
Am off to see the Vintage Journey site. Congratulations on being Guest Designer-that's another to add to the daily blog journeys-no wonder I get nothing done!!
Thank you, Jan

Lisapmac said...

Absolutely stunning xx

nancyd said...

Morning Hels, it seems ages since I
managed to check out your blog as my
laptop is still in laptop intensive care
hope it will be home soon as I couldn't
manage to get your blog up on my tablet
it kept taking me to May 2013 I think
it was so on my granddaughters today
as I am down here in the mornings to
take them to school.
Very glad for you being asked to do
your designer and your piece is gorgeous
love everything about it even your
sewing I think it looks great and the flowers
as usual scrumptious.
Nancyd xx

Terry said...

First off I want to welcome you as a GDT for AVJ! Secondly, this framed beauty is beyond a vintage work of art! I loved every little detail right down to the stitching and certainly the perfect amount of embellishments! There is just so much to love here, Hels! My eyes are doing a "Happy Dance" this first day of April! Hugs!

Chris Stern / CS Designs said...

Just love all your work, and what an inspiration. Now following through Google and Bloglovin' and will be back to visit.
:) Chris / CS Designs

Zuzu's Blog said...

Hels, this is just GORGEOUS and your "interesting stitching" just adds character in my opinion. it is to die for (well maybe thats a bit of an exaggerations as i would rather be alive for it). but i do love it so... :)
Z x

Unknown said...

Loved your inspiration, hope you like my twist on the theme.

http://jacquiscards4u.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/new-challenge-on-dragons-dream-tio-s.html

Unknown said...

Loved your inspiration, hope you like my twist on the theme.

http://jacquiscards4u.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/new-challenge-on-dragons-dream-tio-s.html

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