Monday 14 October 2013

A Visit to Grandma's House - Shabby Chic - Crafty Cardmakers DT

It's time for another challenge at Crafty Cardmakers and this one is one of my ABSOLUTE FAVES!! So I hope you will find time to join us this fortnight - prizes up for grabs!!
A big thank you to fellow Teamie BettyC who set this challenge - SHABBY CHIC. Love it!
 I have had soooo much fun creating this project and I used up lots of little bitty things - fiddly, time consuming, messy desk and sticky fingers - just what us crafters love!
 Be warned now before you go any further this is a VERY picture heavy post - I have put 'close up' views at the bottom - please enlarge if you want a better look!

I bought this house shaped box some time ago and had already painted and distressed it but when we moved house it got packed away and I finally got round to making it up.
It gave me a chance to just - well have a 'play'!

My gran was an accomplished dressmaker. She made everyone's wedding dresses, bridesmaids outfits, winter coats etc and all my summer dresses. I was the proud owner of a beautiful red velvet dress with a white crochet collar one Christmas when I was about 8 followed by a luscious brown corduroy coat with a leather collar for my birthday.

So this project is in it's own way a tribute to her amazing needle skills - and of course her prowess with a Singer sewing machine!

Quick run down through the 'storeys' -
Attic - small cardboard box liberally stamped, a little Paris Passport rescued from another project, a hat, parasol, old clock and old sign, a bit of lace thrown in!

First floor - Paris backed Perfume Advert, small parcel of fabric, vintage lace and a teeny pink thimble, some 'rolls' of fabric (done by using cocktail sticks and scraps!), a couple of tiny buttons, sewing machine (stamped on metal) and a 'remember' sticker. Dressmakers dummy covered in paper and some floaty fabric, a mirror made by using modelling paste, acrylic paints and metallic rubs for the frame with the insert from a piece of tin foil, a reel of vintage ribbon secured with a sparkly pin and a small cotton reel.

Ground floor -from the left -  image printed onto fabric (reminded me of the way my hair was done in 'ringlets' when I was small!) edged with vintage lace, a fabric rose and a pearl earring,
Centre - a sewing 'basket' containing some vintage style pins, a safety pin, tape measure and scissors, a button and specs and a candelabra to see by!  
Right - a ladies vintage boot, more buttons and a tiny hanger with a feather bit all sat on some vintage lace.
Challenges -
Natalie & Amy - Shabby Chic
Altered Eclectics - Alter Something
Dream Valley - Buttons
The Crafting Cafe - Anything Goes
All Crafts Challenge - Anything but a Card
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Created with Love - Sewing
ALBC - A little bit Shabby

I hope you have enjoyed my little trip down memory lane - the box is now sat on my work room wall where it evokes memories of my childhood!
Thanks for visiting today - have a great time whatever you're doing. x

32 comments:

brenda said...

What a delightful house of curios Viv, imagine it took you ages but so worthwhile.

B x

Stamps and Paper said...

Viv what a fabulous tribute to your Gran...love all the little embellishments you've used to create your sewing house....Love the little sewing machine and all the other little touches

ANne

Sue said...

WOW! This is absolutely stunning Viv, one of the most beautiful creations I have ever seen. I love all the detailing made extra special by all the happy memories it evokes for you.
Sue xx

Vickie Y said...

Wow! Beautiful tribute to your gran. Love every element you used. Thank you for playing along with us at Altered Eclectics October Challenge.

craftin-dawn said...

Wow, this is awesome! Love all the elements you used! Very pretty! Thanks for joining us this week at Created With Love Challenges for our Sewing Faux or Real Challenge!
DawnD

Chris Hanselman said...

What a great project!! Love the tribute to your grandma. Thanks for joining us this week at Created With Love Challenges for our Stitching Challenge!
~~Chris

Meggymay said...

Awesome project, a treasure trove of delightful, interesting details. can you tell I love it.
Yvonne x

My name is Cindy said...

Just gorgeous Viv! Have always wanted to do something like this - in fact I do have one of those TH Configurations boxes I bought at least two years ago but don't think I have enough interesting little bits - one day!! Had to smile at the curls - did you have to wear rags in your hair to bed at night? I can't remember exactly what mum did but it took ages and was a pain to sleep!! Thank you for your lovely comment, it's really appreciated! Cindy xx

Unknown said...

Viv it is an amazing little contribution to us crafters to view...love this one.xxx

Desire Fourie said...

This is such a gorgeous little project. Love all the furnishing.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

kay said...

Wow,this is stunning,love all the attention to detail x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

This is so beautiful Viv! I can see why you must have had so much enjoyment doing it. A lovely tribute to your grandmother, Susan x

Lin said...

Wow Viv another stunner.

I love what you have done here, and calling it Grandma's House is the perfect name for it. It reminds me of my Gran's place.

Beautiful

Lin

Dawn said...

Such a gorgeous project! I love all the tiny details! Thanks so much for playing at The Crafting Cafe this time!
Good Luck
Hugs
Dawn xx

Blossom Cards said...

what a lovely project thanks for sharing with CWLC this week Rachel DT

Suze Bain said...

Wow Viv, absolutely stunning, you have excelled yourself here! You obviously enjoyed making this. I love how you've done the bolts of fabric and I can just imagine you going to bed with your hair in rags! Xx

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

Just love it, every room is perfect!

Thank you for sharing with us at Natalie & Amy's this month, good luck!
Hugs Shell xx

coops said...

oh wow i am speechless viv.this is amazing.so many pretty details ;D

xx coops xx

Lady Bug Stampers said...

This project is fantastic. Love all the little items you used in there. And love the tribute to your gramma.
Thanks for joining us this week at Created with Love Challenge.
Linda K. DT

JoanieMc said...

Awesome creation!! I love all the detailed pieces that you made and what a fantastic idea, I am sure it will be treasured for many years.

Thanks for joining Challenges 4 Everybody and hope to see more of your creations here.

Hugs
Joanie

Mrs A. said...

Your little house is full of delightful treasure's. I wouldn't know where to start on making one. Hugs Mrs A.

Viv said...

Wow Viv such fabulous work here, love everything about it :) Viv xx

Debbie Adams said...

Love your little house and all the little intricate items you placed inside. Your house is so cute, what a great way to celebrate your gram. Thanks for joining us at All Crafts Challenge. We look forward to you joining us again. :D

Kendra said...

This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Dream Valley!

Lin said...

Sorry Viv, didn't spot when I was here commenting on my own behalf that you had entered this at Dream Valley. So once again, a stunner, lol

Thanks for sharing this amazing piece of art with us

Lin
Dream Valley

SusanLotus said...

Awww, this is so romantic and so beautiful! Very inspiring house!

:)

perfectly4med said...

A stunning piece of artwork - a real treasure trove of memories.

Thanks for joining us at the Crafting Cafe and good luck.

Neil

Sue said...

Hello again Viv, I am so pleased to be able to pop back for another look at your stunning creation so that I can say Thank you for taking part in A Little Bit Crafty Challenge this month
Sue xx

Elaine aka Ellapu said...

Your project is stunning I love it and thanks for sharing over at Altered Eclectics.
Elaine aka Ellapu
Owner - Eclectic Ellapu and Altered Eclectics

Elaine aka Ellapu said...

Your project is stunning I love it and thanks for sharing over at Altered Eclectics.
Elaine aka Ellapu
Owner - Eclectic Ellapu and Altered Eclectics

Mau xx said...

A gorgeous work of art Viv, I love all the wonderful miniatures in it My sister would love seeing this. She has two most amazing Dolls houses one even has a wrap round veranda complete with Garden & patio.. The other is three different floors done as Shops...one floor is Haberdashery complete with shelves of fabrics on it. I know how much work you will have put into this.
Hugs Mau xx

sparklingblackrose said...

Stunning, just stunning! Thank you so much for joining us at my Craft My Life-All Crafts Challenge, hope to see you enter again soon! Elaine-xxx- p.s I have candy if you would like to pop by and enter :-) http://www.sparklingblackrose-craftmylife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/all-crafts-challenge-octnov-midway.html