Elegant Fabrc Collection... now what?

After years of making those flashy (or not) skating costumes, I found myself with a huge collection of left over scraps that I could not part with.  Since I can't just sit and do nothing... even when watching a movie I needed to do something.  So here is another fabric flower brooch that I created:

 

This beauty is handcrafted and one of a kind, available along with many other styles at the www.PetalsandSparkle.ca, as always all proceeds go to cover the training expenses of our talented Senior Ice Dance Team. 

What will I do with all that fabric?

Since I no longer needed to make skating costumes for my son, as his attire was now created by a very talented lady in Europe, I had to say good bye my sewing room.  At least for the time being or until I re-discovered my passion and creativity once again. 

I was faced with a task of re-organizing my sewing room and it was time to face the Rubbermaid Boxes...

You know the kind, huge, stackable and... filled with left-over fabrics to the brim.  We sewers all have them. My collection of boxes was quite impressive, I have a tendency to keep certain thing, simply because I had no heart to throw them out.  They are too pretty.

Here is what I came up with:

 

 

What do you think?  Creating those beautiful one-of-a-kind flowers has become my favourite evening activity.  I never expected to be so excited when each one is finished, as they truly are unique and beautiful.  I must admit... I'm not the only one that loves them.  They are sold at my Etsy Store here, all proceeds go towards the training expenses of out Senior Skating Team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creatively speaking...

Did I ever mentioned that one of my son's is a figure skater?  Together with his dance partner they represent Poland and are among the best in the country.  He's been skating since he was 7 years old; today he is 21.  

Over the last 14 years, I've been the one who designed and made most of his costumes (with an exception of just a couple here and there) and some that his partner wore.  I spent countless nights beading their costumes, loosing my eyesight in the process... but what are contacts for?  ;)   They always looked amazing on the ice.

What do you think my sewing room hides?  

That's right, boxes and boxes of odds and ends, small and big scraps of most beautiful fabrics that I never had a heart to throw away.  

Now my son trains in US, and has a new skating partner, they are first year Seniors and I no longer have to worry about costume design... I do miss it a bit I must admit, and I do go back to go through my stash of fabrics from time to time just for fun.

source

For the longest time, I've searched for ideas on how to use the fabric and beads that I accumulated.  

Here is what I came up with: 

 All those flowers are handcrafted and one-of-a-kind.  They are sold online and through my friends.  All proceeds go towards the training needs of my son and his skating partner.  

How do you like my recycling idea?  

Beauty Underfoot...

Next stage... 

FLOORING!  My Client had her heart set on real hardwood flooring; but didn't consider one important obstacle.  We were working in the lower level, mostly below grade.  Even thought her home was designed with a high basement, 2/3 of that space was still... below grade.  We were unable to install hardwood directly on the cement slab.  She wanted wood, so I went shopping.  

I came across the "hand scraped beauty" that looked like wood, but wasn't.  

Spectacular warm brown color with hand-scraped design that adds loads of character once the flooring was installed.  

You really can't see the character yet, since the dusty footsteps are there, but believe me... it has character!  

A bit more detail:

 Under the staircase:

 Still needs a bit work right there....

And one last view with the already stained steps, but we may have to tweak those a bit.  What do you think? 

Walls? Done!

I'm so excited!  

One of my latest projects is putting a huge smile on my face.  

My Client waited so long to finish the lower level of their beautiful raised bungalow.   They live in a country on a beautiful property that allows them to host mid-summer parties and get-together's.  

But after the long day in the sun, it would be nice to have enough space to accommodate everyone in the evening; watch a movie, dance perhaps, have couple of drinks... 

The Clients had a pretty good idea how they wanted the space to feel.  They knew where they wanted storage, where the sofas would sit and what kind of TV they want.   

So we got to work and the progress was incredible.  

The ledge that you see, is the foundation (2/3 of the wall); the two pipes next to the light are there to transfer the cables from the electronic components like Blue Ray, Play Station or DVD player from the entertainment unit that will be placed in front of the ledge (pipes at the bottom of the picture). 

  

Here are the only windows in this area.  When the house was designed, the windows were positioned on that wall and not on the back wall as the plan was to have a deck built spanning almost entire width of the home.


The bulkhead you see here was a bit of a problem... Ceiling was quite high, but the venting system had to go... right there and we had to somehow avoid the existing window on the left when finishing the ceiling.  

The speed with which we are moving along, is very promising.  I should have the pictures from the next stage (flooring) very soon.