October 13, 2008

Not Tacky Anymore



During my latest search for country scenery fabric to use as covers for my new book pillows I found this fabric! It was on the verge of being tacky when I saw it at the store with its vibrant pink splashes among the pukey dairrhea-coloured trees but my imagination was churning and saw hope for this fabric. So I bought some and did a little coffee-staining at home which toned down and warmed up the entire fabric and I was quite happy with the results!



I wanted the embroidered title to look a little more elegant country this time so I turned to my computer for help. After choosing the perfect font, I printed it out the exact size I needed and copied it to my fabric. I hand-embroidered the letters using a tiny backstitch, french knots & 3 strands of floss.




I used an off-white corduroy for the pages this time. And I had an audience during the photo shoot!



Enjoy your afternoon tea & quilted crafts :o)

26 comments :

  1. You're so peculiar in any expression of inspiration. Cute craft book!
    Veronica

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  2. i didn't know you did coffee staining on this, it is really lovely because i watched you work on it too!

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  3. Lovely book!!!!! I love the audience too!!

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  4. It is just beautiful great detail I like that. The fabric is so yummy
    Erika

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  5. Hi Laurraine ! I know I've already commented the pics on Flickr, but wow, the book pillow is simply gorgeous ! I didn't know you had coffee stained the fabric ! I had heard about tea staining, but not coffee staining ! I learn new things everyday !! LOL Big hugs ! OXOX

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  6. It's amazing !!! I LOVE it !!!!

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  7. It looks so inviting, like you could snuggle up in a big chair and read a fairy tale to a little loved one. Great job as always! :)Kylie

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  8. This is just adorable -- and your "audience" brings back memories of when my kids were about the age of your daughter -- they would do the same thing while watching me work on a project. Just wondering -- is this an actual pillow? If so, I can see a bigger version of it used on a chair, or, couch!

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  9. Lovely. This is a book of dreams.
    Ciao Angela

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  10. Hi Laurraine, this is so brilliant. And the audience is just adorable...
    Best wishes,
    Sabine

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  11. L:
    you rock the sewing world!!!! I am a book lover and fabric lover and you put the two favoritist things of mine together! Is the book made to be able to open? I remember your practice one did, didn't it?
    Love how this turned out!

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  12. Thank you so much for all your kind comments!

    Eydie: This one is just another pillow. I doesn't open but as I was making it I was very tempted to do so and quilt words into the first page and add a yo-yo flower and applique leaf embellishment in the corner.... Then I thought that would be insane and my creativity was getting a bit out of hand but who knows... I might still try that on the next one! :o)

    The open page design is for a future pincushion/ small sewing tote...

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  13. Very clever. Very nice. Also love the teapot.

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  14. Laurraine, this is fabulous and you must add an option for us folks that want to get an email notification every time you update your blog :-)

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  15. Hi Anat! Thanks for visiting my blog :o) There is a subscribe button at the bottom of the page. Do you think it would help if I moved it to the side?

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  16. I have just spent a happy time reading your entire blog. Your work is so wonderful! I am so inspired. I went to your shop hoping to find tea cups, etc. Do you do special orders or have some already made?

    Thinking ahead to Christmas...
    Joni

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  17. This is just beautiful. I would have never thought to stain printed fabric. It makes such a difference.

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  18. Your blog and work are beautiful, you are a veradera inspiration. The book is wonderful.
    Regards from Chile, Titi

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  19. Thank you everyone for such sweet comments!

    Joni: I am a busy bee sewing up some cup pouches, house tape measures & cupcake pincushions for a quilting retreat that I was invited to attend on October 25th. If I have any left I will be listing them in my shop after that so keep your eyes open because they tend to go fast! Thanks :o)

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  20. Very beautiful Latvian and likes, that with a hand had stitched!

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  21. What a sweet little book....I love the description of the scenery fabric! Very graphic!! Cathy

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  22. I enjoy when I see your work, now I´m happier because you have this beautiful blog that I can also read! Thanks Laurraine!

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