Swinging on a Star Creations by Shari Valicenti: 2013

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Can you guess what I repurposed to make this pillow??

A Cashmere Sweater!!

I had this favorite cashmere sweater my dear Mother-in-Law gave to me long ago. There were some holes at the very bottom, but I just couldn't part with it.

Inspiration struck after a Nate Berkus appearance on some show giving me this idea.....make it into a pillow!!!

Ok I have a sewing machine which certainly does not qualify me as a seamstress.

Let me be VERY clear.... I do NOT know how to sew!

I long ago I read the directions to thread and do the bobbin and had experimented from time to time, done some simple stuff, that's about it.

I want to tell you I was VERY intimidated by trying this and as a result procrastinated for several months.

Wait the supreme motivator was coming.....company!!!!

How many of you have done this??

We should just entertain when we have home projects to complete, right?

By the way I posted about this chair before. A Kittlinger Chair I bought at an auction for like $25.00. I love the finish and lines. I just found this fabric and am going to have the seat covered with it. Hey, my can do attitude can only go so far, friends!!!

Sometimes we must recognize our limitations and pull out the big guns....and I know this project as a limitation!!!

It may be a bit wonky, but I love that I went for it.

I tucked turtle neck inside the bottom and seamed across it, then trimmed it off on inside. Those of you who are experienced at this may be shaking your head, shame on you don't laugh!

But hey, it was my uneducated plan of attack.

Sewed the bottom edge down for the top, added velcro

so I can open it up.

Tied the sleeves across the middle.

Finally I took my Grandmothers Beautiful Vintage Pin and placed it on the knot.

Perfect that the color matches the accent colors I am using in my new digs.

I have a half a dozen of these pins I love using in different ways...wait this may just be another post!

It's funny how we just keep on learning things no matter how old we are, or sometimes we are again reminded that sometimes you just have to jump in and do it!!!

Loved Sharing this with you all, hope you enjoyed...

Shari

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Created Artwork Leap

Just a quick post because I now seem to have more time for my creating and I just added 2 original art illustrations in multi media and 10 prints all numbered and signed on my Etsy sight:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mytransformations

They are multi-media pen and ink with graphite and a touch of gold for elegance. I can't tell you how much I loved doing these and how they just poured forth.

This is the first time I am selling a piece of my art work on line. The originals are matted on 6"x6" acid free Bristol with a vellum finish. Both signed. The prints signed and numbered. There are only 10 of each.

This is an artistic area I don't often share. My friends Jeanne and Heather have been pressing me to pursue more of this. I am excited and nervous about putting these out there, it is not easy for me. It is so personal to me. My friend Heather gave me a gift of this wonderful large chalk board in my kitchen. I often put quotes on it. Here is the current one it is pretty dead on:

"Leap...and the net shall appear." A Zen Proverb.

So here goes the first of many "Leaps" I hope to be taking.

Thanks for stopping by,

Shari
Links:
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-76/
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/04/wow-us-wednesdays-115.html

http://www.primpjunktion.com/
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/04/transformation-thursday-no-201.html

http://swingingonastarcreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/just-quick-post-because-i-now-seem-to.html

Settled in my New Home

Hello Dear Friends.....After months of preparing my house for sale, selling, packing, buying a new house and moving I am finally settled in my new home. Whew talk about overwhelming stress!!!! It was also so amazing how it all so miraculously fell into place though.

There is still much to do, but actually that is the fun of it. I love arranging and making it my own.

Some of my friends were so helpful in this huge step...packing, unpacking, finding and adding pieces and supporting me, it was amazing.

It's funny but I left my home of many memories kind of kicking and screaming, but now I love my new home and am the happiest I have been since my husband died.

I am not going to post as often as I want time to create, work on my home, and of course there is still my job and I really

just want to relish life a bit.

This is my great room. The ceiling must be 20' high. There is lots of light from the windows and French doors here and in my bedroom to this lovely deck. It is private, at least on one side as I am an end home. The deck overlooks a woods and there is a golf course beyond that.

I have taken my time with hanging pictures. This arrangement of pics took me weeks before I actually hung them. I will show the details in another post. I am planning to paint it.

Great room opens into kitchen something like my other home.

While I was at the closing Jeanne and Heather placed my armoire in a mirrored nook in my great room. It has become my liquor/storage cabinet. More later....

French doors and windows to deck.....

The great room is smaller, but it is essentially one floor living as my bedroom is just off the Great Room and miracle of miracles my laundry is on the same floor. I no longer lug clothes to be basement to do the wash. I have a lovely loft that is my studio with tons of light and a guest bedroom and bath also there. I love to do my yoga and meditation there as there as I feel as if I am sitting in a tree house with all the windows and light. Pictures later.