My Shabby Streamside Studio: To help someone is a marvelous gift to give

Friday, January 27, 2012

To help someone is a marvelous gift to give

Interior detail of 'A Memories Purse' by U.K. artist/author

Krissie Karlson of Shabbily By The Sea

(Reprinted with permission)

To help someone is a marvelous gift to give and can mean the world to the person you are helping whether the favor is big or small.....in gratitude I made a purse of winter white.......

Lawn cotton, broderie anglaise, and lace stitched together from petticoats and dresses of Summers gone by....the lace loop to go over her wrist as she tip toes over her stream is a little tattered and torn just the way she likes her treasures.......a lace bow to tie and hold the things that are dear to her.......

Photo: Krissie Karlson

Inside, a tied bundle of old lace and a vintage bobbin of cotton to remind her of all the things she has created in white with her own hands that have brought joy to so many......

On the opposite page sits a carved wooden button of a Viola, a beautiful wild flower to keep close her love of her wild flowers while they are sleeping through the Winter....a tiny white shell from a 'Sandy' beach......a crystal bead to remind her of the chandelier hanging over her bed in her studio and two buttons from France: one is mother of pearl and the other is glass to show her love of shabby French decor....and a safety pin to attach her thoughts to her haven from the outside world while she is away....

Text by Krissie Karlson, Shabbily By The Sea, 2011

What I did for Krissie really was no big deal; her dream would find her considering her talent. She felt the need to send a token of her appreciation. I keep this on the doorknob of my room so every time I see it I am open to dreaming of the future once more, finding solace in the handmade, the sentimental, and the spell of old lace.

Catch up with her in Creating Vintage Charm Issue No. 6 (Fall 2011). Krissie also writes a fascinating blog, weaving in and out of the real and the magical. She's restoring a beach home with family ties to her childhood, and makes pretty things: all in all a great blog to follow.

I am still receiving messages of hope from you all in regard to my recent tragedies. You help me. And that is a marvelous gift to give.

Until next time, stay shabby!