My name is Kelley and

I hoard buy a lot of fabric. And then I rip the cotton into long strips which I then sew back together.  Like this pretty purse...

When I worked at a fabric store, the quilters would often ask for their cotton to be hand torn not ripped. It seemed like a hassle, but it was so much more accurate than the way we would hack it at the fold. It may be that or my destructive nature, but I now prefer to tear my cotton/linen fabrics. Like the rough selvage edges, I prefer the texture once the fabric has been torn and then sewed back together. I am all about the texture!

on Etsy now...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128813024/pretty-pink-blush-lace-and-eyelet-shabby

This off-white and dusty cornflower blue toile is not exactly denim, but not lightweight cotton either. I tore long strips and sewed them back together with my favorite loopy vine stitch and rows of new-old-stock vintage lingerie labels “Eureka Hipform”, blush pink and ivory lace, two different widths of ivory ruffled eyelet, and as if that wasn’t enough – I hand sewed 6 ivory blossoms out of new-old-stock millinery petals. I adorned 5 of the flowers with vintage mother of pearl buttons and the last, focal point is an old cluster earring in pearls and crystal that I hand sewed on as well. A simple woven ribbon closure around another mother-of-pearl button. The handle is a lovely machine made lace. It is a fabulous… perfect for the first whispers of Spring… very Cottage, Shabby Chic, Prairie Chic, Gypsy Chic, Cowgirl Chic…It is a nice big size – perfect for slinging over your shoulder and heading for the antique show. It is fully lined with a new sturdy, cornflower upholstery damask. 

My next favorite things to collect...sewing notions and trims. Oh MY! 

I would love to have more time to create my pretties...we are heading into softball season and with both girls on different teams in different townships - I will be scrambling.  But, as always I will have a tin of buttons and beads to work on... so I will still have some time to create...

300th post giveaway!

Welcome.  Some of you have been visiting for years, even when my creative life was off the track, in a ditch,  as I returned to work and tried to grasp leaving the lovely world of being a stay at home mom, raising my kids and helping them be creative and great people, and sewing, baking, leaving my marriage and I guess thinking out loud on my blog posts.  (wow, what a run-on sentence, huh?) 

 

I am so happy that I did keep this blog alive if even to be neglected so often, because I managed to capture a lot of little, mundane details of our lives.

My girls are very anxious to join in and sell their wonderfully creative wares - as Junquey GalS and I have some great friends to continue the creative path in new ways.

 So, if you ever stopped by and were happy just to have read an entry, and even better yet, kept stopping by - I am thrilled to offer the purse pictured on this post as a FREE giveaway -yes, my handmade, homemade, original purse.  If this is your very first time to ever hear of Junquey Gal - that is good too! 

To enter to win, all you have to do is comment on this post, and if you haven't already, Like Junquey Gal on Facebook or follow Junquey Gal on Etsy before April 1, 2013.  Random  drawing will be held for one lucky winner.  Tell your friends - the more the merrier!  Sorry but void where prohibited!  The winner will receive the purse via standard mail.  I will even ship it internationally, but be prepared for the long wait!

So, thanks!  Welcome!  Good luck!  ttfn! Kelley

thift store score!

It was a weekend of relatively no crafting, no new sewing projects, no cleaning and not even laundry, if I do tell on myself!  But I did treat myself to a trip to Pat Catans and the thrift store next door, and hit the mother load of thread.  Obviously, someone had purchased a bit more than they needed, wink wink.  I can sooooo relate.  Although, I am always buying fabric, trims, beads and baubles, and loathe having to buy thread at $3+ a spool. So, to find all this - and not old musty, musky, smelly or dryrotted - it was an exceptional day!  And, drum roll please - the whole lot was 5 bags at $3.99 each! Oh happy day! 

 And, I noticed that my next post will be my 300th blog post!  It may seem incredible since I spread it over the last six years - but none the less - I shall celebrate and have a GIVE AWAY of a handmade purse.  All you'll have to do is post here or on my new Facebook page. Tell a friend!  The more the merrier!

 It is the perfect way to kick-off the next phase of my sewing and crafting!

  

 That's all for now... I should do some of my neglected household chores, but instead I shall watch episode 7 of Downton Abbey and ignore the mess! 

aqua, pink, black & white

  

 Last summer we redid a few rooms here in my cozy condo cottage.  I loved what the girls decided on... they share a room here so I wanted them to have unique but coordinating linens and accessories.  I'll share the rest of the details another day... but you can see where the color scheme for this carpet-bag/purse came from!  

this purse has lots and lots of hand beading in many types of beads and baubles.    

On scuptured pink velvet with light aqua silk shantung that is torn for added texture...  and with my favorite vine stitch!

like I did for the huge C for Cathrynn... can't wait to share the finished project soon! 

torn & tattered

 that's how I feel these days.  My creative process is quite simple - I do pull out WAY too much stuff in complimentary shades and textures and make something pretty that I like.  And then, I move on to another color scheme.  It would, of course, make sense to make a bunch of things with all the stuff I have strewn about, but that just isn't me...! So, last week, when I was at the sewing machine with a "what to do?" look, my darling Cathrynn mentioned how much she loved a technique that I did on a purse I'd made for Loom a few months back (blue peacock and abstract pic).  What I loved about that was the texture that was created when I hand tore the nice weight fabric.  So, I got busy.  And then, at the very end found the perfect piece of eye-candy - this vintage brooch.  I L.O.V.E. the whole thing - the simplicity of it, how it is simple but dressy, romantic but not fussy.  Available now on etsy if you are interested.  thanks for the visit!

I have been gifted!

I was told to prepare for a package of healthy food (I was thinking kale, flaxseed...) to help with healthy eating.  Had I known this was waiting in my mailbox instead, I would have skipped waddled  down there and hugged stalked the mail woman.

My dear friend, Darlie, Libby...(or whatever alias she is going by these days) knew I have been having a lot of family issues lately, and really - I am feeling that middle-age thing - questioning my own life decisions and having both parents AND kids need me.

  And she sent this FAB-U-LOUS gift box full of niceties just for me

And, this B-eautiful barkcloth,

that you will surely be seeing more of soon.

  

What is incredible is that my friend (let's call her Superwoman!) took the time out of her life to think of me.  I am humbled and thankful for her.  Darlie is a nurse.  I am amazed that anyone does the jobs that nurses do, with the hours they work, and the limited days off, and let's face it - I doubt many of us would do a nurses job for ANY amount of money.   

And what is also so incredible is that Darlie is taking care of her sister, whom I shall refer to as Grace Kelly - because, truly Kelly is that beautiful inside and out, in her fight for her life.  I wish I could give Darlie a shout out her in the blog world because she usually had a blog (or 2!) going with funny snippets from her life in the gorgeous periwinkle (I swear!) cottage, whimsical artwork, stunning garden, animal rescues...but I know she stops by here on occasion, so...thanks Darlie   

'Tis a winter weekend at home...

and I am reveling in Downton Abbey .  I have to say that I am in awe and can't believe that I never watched this series.  I generally sew and watch TV.  And barely glance at the TV.  But, I can't do both. I am glued. Mesmerized.  And talking to my cat in a faux English accent...