In My Haven: April 7
This week in my haven I was inspired to make a wall banner for my own house, and the inspiration came from a nearly fifty year old appliqué book that I found in our local used book store. I have noticed over my years of sewing and nurturing my creative side that inspiration can come at the most unexpected times and from the most unexpected sources. An old sewing book doesn't seem like such a strange source of inspiration, but you might understand if you saw the whole book that the style of the projects in it aren't consistent at all with my style. That didn't matter though. Once I saw this project, I knew I needed to try my hand at making something similar as soon as I possibly could. Inspiration had grabbed me and I knew it wasn't going to let go until I made this project. Be sure to keep reading to see the piece I made and to learn more about how I designed it.
Haven Handmade Shop
The Inspiration
This is the page in the book that inspired my new wall banner. I loved the use of different patterned and textured fabrics within a monochromatic palette. Since the subject of this piece didn't speak to me at all, I knew I would have to find a different picture if I wanted to make my own version.
The Photo
I started my search for a suitable design in my own photo library, but I didn't see anything that I felt would look right in a single color. My thoughts turned to objects that are naturally white or cream colored and I thought of a vase of white flowers. I ended up finding this stock photo of peonies in a white vase and thought that the texture of the petals would be a great match for free motion stitching.
The Finished Piece
Once I had an inspiration photo, I set about creating the appliqué pattern pieces I would need. Choosing the different white and cream colored fabrics was a really fun step. Stitching the outline of each appliqué was easy enough, but I got a little nervous when it came time to add the details. I actually drew them out for practice before I started stitching, which helped a lot. Since I normally stitch all my appliqués with black thread, I was really curious to see how it would turn out with the cream thread I used. I have to say that I absolutely love it and can't wait to hang it up in my bedroom. I would love to hear what you think of this piece too!
More From My Haven
Since life isn't all business, here’s a little more about what’s happening in my haven this week.
What I'm Cooking: It's almost Easter and it’s Joanna’s birthday so we are doing a lot of cooking here! We, of course, made boiled eggs to paint for Easter. Making boiled eggs in my Instant Pot is my favorite method and we make paint for the shells by mixing 1 tablespoon of clear alcohol (such as vodka, rum or tequila) with several drops of food coloring. Then we just paint it on the shells with cotton swabs.
What I'm Reading: I finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), and I can see what all the fuss is about now! I am really looking forward to watching the movie finally. I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it.
What Joanna is Reading: Joanna and I are still reading The Last Mapmaker (Christina Soontornvat) and enjoying it. Joanna was also excited this week when she went a bookstore and received an advanced copy of a graphic novel called Ink Girls (Marieke Nijkamp, Sylvia Bi) to read and review.
Happy Easter! What's happening in your haven this week?
Warmly,
Beth
Disclosure: The links in this post are not affiliate links. I do not receive any compensation for the recommendations I make in my journal. It's just a place where I can write about what I like and think you might too.
