Tuesday 26 April 2011

Distracting myself by creating some Liberty prettiness

Oh my! You’re such a gorgeous collective, you kind-hearted Planetarians. Your generosity of spirit following my last post has helped lift me through today. It’s been a long one with many hours spent in the hospital with my parents, waiting for the ever-elusive doctor to arrive. It was like ‘Waiting for Godot’, for you literary fiends. Hopefully tomorrow we will finally hear Dad’s prognosis, be it weeks or months. We all want to know so we can make plans. Who knows – maybe we won’t get a definitive answer. So whilst we’re waiting, waiting, waiting, I want to share with you the little project which had me working feverishly on Sunday night after that topsy-turvy day. Here it is.
I am just so thrilled with it. I have never done anything like this before. Something in my head clicked when I recently saw the wooden ‘inspire’ sign so I bought it to play with on a rainy day. Then on Sunday night, after all the tumult, the idea came to me.

Several months ago, I was gifted some of the most divine Liberty fabric by a very special bloggy friend on the other side of the world (I intend to devote a post to her very soon) and had been saving it in my ‘Blogging delights’ box of goodies received from bloggy friends, just waiting for the perfect project. And this was it.

Inspired by my dear friend Miss Melissa’s vintage treasure chest, this is how I started out, with some PVA glue and a paintbrush.
I snipped out the fabric and started pasting. But it took ages! The first two letters took me a couple of hours, if you can believe it. The fabric kept slipping at the most inopportune moments. This is one hour in.
Here’s a close-up after two hours.
I then tried spray adhesive for the next two letters but found it incredibly tacky and had to unstick my fingers from the wood numerous times.
With the ‘i’, I used a glue stick. Finally for the last two letters, I used craft glue.
Goodness, I really admire you crafty girls out there – as a novice, I applaud your skills (oh, and can any of you tell me if I should have used Mod Podge and if so, which one – the people in Spotlight were clueless!).

Anyway, enough about the method. I am just so tickled with the end result. Whilst I was making it, I thought of my dear bloggy friend, knowing that her hands had held the fabric.

Some of the fabric was also very familiar to me as my Mum wore blouses made from it in the 1980s.

I also thought about my Dad and how he inspires me to be a better person.

But most of all, I was dreaming of having it upon the wall in 'my room' in our new house! Ah, the possibilities which lie ahead! Can’t you just see this hanging on my wall in my room of my own? 
So there’s my moment of brightness created on a most difficult day. Mr PB and the pixies are delighted by it. And now I want to return to Spotlight and buy some more words to adorn our new house! All in time, of course. For now, I am just living in the moment. And now to bed – confounded bloggy rehab!
Photobucket
PS I'm joining in with Sarah at A Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesdays linky.
As well as Claire's Show Me Your Crafts linky on 3 August 2011.
And Multiple Mum's Weekend Rewind on 23 September 2011.

50 comments:

  1. So pretty!!! you should give the pic a whirl as your blog banner :-)
    Liberty fabric is so lovely!!
    xxxCate

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done Jane, that looks fantastic, and what a great word for you.
    I bought the 'dream' one from Spotlight and painted it (took a lot less time but not as impressive as yours). I have put in on the wall in my little girl's bedroom. You have just inspired me to get a few more appropriate words to work with.
    Take care.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's beautiful Jane! I love it.
    I am inspired :)
    Going to see if I can find some wooden words online too, because, alas, there is nothing that even vaguely resembles a Spotlight here.
    But I do have a very big stash of Liberty just waiting to go!
    Thinking of you and hoping you soon get some news about your Dad.
    Hang in there.
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is really beautiful Jane! It looks so effective. I feel inspired to try something similar!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My oh My! What a wonderful result clever girl.
    I'm sure your battles with the glue will resonate with many & I can't wait to learn [from one of your crafty Planetarians] a simple method for adhering fabric because I'm truly 'inspired' to give this a go myself.

    xx F

    ReplyDelete
  6. Living in the moment is a good thing Jane, as that is all we ever have. Such a pretty project. Thinking of you. A-M xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jane its beautiful! I love the thoughts for your parents while you were busy, thinking of you and your family with so much love, xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks brilliant Jane, and who cares that it was also a study in glue and glue technicalities! And you will always remember when you made it.
    Thinking of you and your Dad. Sometimes not knowing is worse than knowing. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is lovely Jane. Last week I went to spotlight myself to purchase some words. I ended up getting six inspiring words to make a word wall. I was just going to paint them but I love your fabric idea. Something to ponder over. Looks awesome! Naomi x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous Jane! The 'p' fabric is my all-time favourite liberty print. I just love it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is beautiful Jane! I'm on holidays this week and was wanting too do something crafty - you've inspired me to go down to my local Spotlight. I've got a pile of Golden Books that I'm really keen to use the images from for something - this may just be the way to go! xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wishing you luck as you wait for your Dad's diagnosis. I hope and pray that you get enough time to do all that you want as a family. I know that no amount of time would ever truly be enough but I hope that whatever time you get you can fill with memories and good times for your Dad and for you and your kids.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh wow Jane, this is just so gorgeous and inspirational :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great job Jane, love the florals.
    Praying for you and your family at this time, may you know God's peace.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Receiving inspiration and translating it practically is often fraught with obstacles..yours is a practical lesson in overcoming those challenges..an inspiration in itself! I would love to put that word in or over a bookshelf..'cos I think of all the inspiration in the words there..more than enough for a lifetime.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gorgeousness, Jane. It's very 'you' and yes, I can imagine it on your wall. What a lovely distraction - craft is so good for mood, whenever I make the time I realise that it's a bit like meditation, and it does place you well and truly 'in the moment'. If only all our troubles were as little as 'which gluing method would work best for me here?'...

    Thinking of you xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous, Jane! You did a wonderful job. I love these kinds of things but have never tried it myself.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a lovely distraction from your hard day... and what a beautiful result! It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.
    I'd love to see a pic of where you decide to hang this little work of art in your new home :o)

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's gorgeous! I just love the fabrics. You'll be an expert in glue before you know it. Maybe Spotlight could do with your help?
    I hope you are doing ok. Hugs, S x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just beautiful, Jane. I love Liberty fabrics - I hope to stop by there this week if I am lucky! Send you the love from across the way... XOL

    P.S. I even saw the play, Waiting for Godot, after reading it for class. Thank you for the trip down memory lane

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your 'inspire' craftiness, well done to you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jane - it is just gorgeous! Liberty fabric really is so special and you've made it extra special.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love, love, love Liberty fabrics ~ such an indulgence! Perfect analogy . . . Waiting for Godot.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What more can I say....LOVE! That is the DIY and how you must be one of the most inspiring women I've 'met'. =)

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is so beautiful! Sending thoughts and prayers for your Dad!

    ReplyDelete
  26. HI Jane. I've just found your blog and love this idea.

    ReplyDelete
  27. hello gorgeous- i sent you a looong raving loving all your crafting email via my i-phone and feed burner....but then i typed in the wrong "verification word"...{i was in bed with all the kiddos reading your post on the i-phone so bound to get it wrong!!}...and then it wouldn't allow me to post it!!!

    so.....i adore this bit of crafting...memories of times gone by...your dad...your blogging friend...audrey's little box...all of this will be twigged each time you look at it!
    and i laughed out loud at your glue "issues"...crafting can be a sticky buisness...patience in mountains is usually required!!
    i am hanging bunting like a mad women for the party tomorrow...just needed a bloggy friend fix...
    hugs hon...melissa xxx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jane ... that looks just beautiful. I wish it was going up on my wall. Love love love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. A crafty novice with, like, really, really good ideas! Love your inspire. In fact, I'm inspired by your inspire. So inspiring.

    I hope it brightens your day a little bit, Jane. x

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh, my stars! I never expected such an abundance of warm comments on my novice effort. Thanks, Lovelies. If I can make it, then so can all of you ☺.

    Do share if any of you make your own versions - it would be a treat to see them. I plan to head to Spotlight tomorrow to buy some more words!

    Your compassionate comments on my darling Dad are so well appreciated - more than you'll ever know. So thanks, you sweet Planetarians. J x

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's just beautiful Jane, as are you. Kisses. Emma.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your 'inspire' is fab. I hope your dad is doing okay. Waiting is the hardest bit x

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Jane I am just catching up on the last few posts. Oh I am thinking of you and hope the days with your Dad are filled with precious moments.

    Your 'inspire' piece is lovely Jane. I admire your patience, there is something theraputic about cutting and sticking and waiting though, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I must commend you on your blog!
    I've just followed your blog because it is so great and I know you must get these messages all the time from one one of your 321 lovelies but I really mean it. I am developing a blog that is about a girl called Melina Cassari (Italian) she's a fictional character but many of the posts are related to things in my life also. I aspire to be an author one day and the blog about Melina is giving me a chance to see what it feels like to have your work published publicly and not just for yourself!
    I hope you follow my blog:

    http://www.minuetmylife.blogspot.com/

    If you ever have the chance to read it sometimes you'll love thestory of Melina Cassari and her family, school and friends. It's like readinga novel that will continue on...
    So I hope you do follow my blog because you'll be the first!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Jane...this is absolutely fantastic!! You are on a roll girl!!
    I was so thrilled to receive your gorgeous card, ribbon and article in the post yesterday. You are such a sweet, sweet girl Jane. I read your note to Mr. H ..he was as delighted as I :)

    Thank you so much...keep creating Jane, you are onto something really special. You deserve it!!

    Jeanne xxx

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gosh you are a star Jane - this project is awesome, beats me how you manage to fit everything in to just one 24 hr. period at Planet Baby!
    Millie x
    P.S. Thinking of you & your dear Dad.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Gorgeous Jane I love this!!!!

    Take care thinking of you xox

    ReplyDelete
  38. Why, thanks, ladies! You are all so kind to such a novice like me ☺. I enjoyed it so much, I've stocked up on some more words and bought a Liberty stash via eBay - thanks for the hot top for the seller, Rhi!

    I really appreciate your gorgeous comments about my Dad as well. J x

    ReplyDelete
  39. This looks amazing!!! I need to get me some of those. Thatblue fabric is absolutely gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  40. I saw this post of yours ages ago, but was in a rush so didn't leave a comment. BUT I can't stop thinking about it, you've inspired me. It's just so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks, Claire and Katie. Do give it a go - it's such a pretty, tactile experience and result. J x

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm catching up on my blog posts (can you tell?! :/) Loved this and had to comment. Just gorgeous. I'm currently battling with an mdf cut out of keys. Painting it, but, meh. Love the fabric idea!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Amy Thanks - I've caught the bug now! Good luck with your idea - most impressive! J x

    ReplyDelete
  44. You have me inspired. This turned out so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  45. i know i commented on these before but i still love it!! Loads ^_^ I think im going to have to do this to a frame xo

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is just fantastic... can't wait to give it a try!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Have you made any more of these Jane? I remember this one and was impressed! I hope you have taken your craft glue and created a whole host of words of inspiration around your house? Thanks for joining the Weekend Rewind x

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks, ladies. Yes MM, I have made 'joy' and 'love' so far with plenty more waiting to be created! J x

    ReplyDelete
  49. I've just bought some words from spotlight, I am painting them, but I was just wondering how you hung them?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Rachie I use Blutack. J x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, you gorgeous soul. You've just made my day! J x

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...