Sunday, July 14, 2013

An Interlude


Big projects that seem interminable rule my life. However, occasionally an interlude happens. First of all, we went to the local weekend frippe (flea market).

The 25-cent pile offered quantities of shirts, blouses and skirts. 


A treasure pile--my basket runneth over.




















Then we had to get it all back to the car.



My daughter snagged a 25-cent linen top and asked me (pleaded) for a small 
appliqué flower to cover a spot on the front. 

She chose an interesting black fabric (formerly an ensemble) from my stash.



Me being me, little appliqué flowers seemed out of the question. Just can't bend my mind around the concept. Needleturn appiqué to the rescue.
I tried to catch the whole design--tricky.






Finished and ironed.



However, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. 
It was meant to be worn.
The proud owner modeled her new top. 


















I have to admit, I dazzled myself--a knock-out!

























And then she handed me a pair of pants with a spot. Could I do just one small appliqué flower?














Linked to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday."

49 comments:

deanna7trees said...

oh you did a magnificent job. i know she's proud to wear it.

Linda M said...

It's wonderful, she should be very happy.

barbbouk said...

Nice!!!

Juanita said...

Gorgeous! What a wonderful design! Can`t wait to see what you do with the pants.

Silvana Vituriano Celistre said...

Simply beautiful!!

Debbie said...

A very special design eye you have. This is so great!

Anonymous said...

this is nothing short of BRILLIANT!

MariQuilts said...

That is simply fabulous!!

Jodi said...

Wow! You could sell that design - it's fabulous! Okay, so do her a little flower, Mom - ha!

Els said...

Ha daughter's smile tells it all Nadia !
(just as we all here tell you, you did a fantastic job !!!!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a gorgeous SAVE! It is beautiful. No wonder she looks so pleased.

Threadpainter said...

That is a stunning blouse ! You are very talented !

patricia said...

magifico

Brenda said...

Fabulous makeover!

The Idaho Beauty said...

Oh yeah - this is fantastic! So unique and very flattering to the wearer. Bravo!

Linda said...

Gorgeous!

Norma Schlager said...

Truly a work of art that would sell for a gazillon dollars in a boutique.

Merilyn said...

Wow! You certainly converted a plain old nothing into something quite spectacular!!! Wonderful work!!!!!

Kahna said...

My huge smile is not only because of the beautiful work of art that my mom made out of my 20c top... It's also because spending this summer with her has been so wonderful. Beside being the fantastic artist you all know she is, she's beyond a fantastic grandmother, an amazing teacher to my children, an excellent editor of my academic work and an overall happy and cheerful person no matter what life offers her. She has given me the most beautiful Birthday present ever: A 'homemade' desk (also artsy) and my dad put up beautiful shelves for my countless books! She also insisted upon buying me a washer, for which I'm beyond thankful considering my passion for laundry! Her dad was right and I quote him: "She's a genius!" Thank you mom for the wonderful top and I can't wait to see that stain on the 20c pants become a piece of art. By the way, I'm wearing this to my first faculty meeting of the year.

Julie Fukuda said...

I have daughters with similar requests ... including holes in jeans. When I find a nice fabric with things that can be cut out, like butterflies, leaves and flowers, I get it to use for just that purpose. A butterfly covering an ink-stain on a pocket is fine. Now, if there was a design for a man's shirt, that would be a boon!

Minka said...

Wonderful!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Beautiful!! Your daughter will get compliments every time she wears it and it will make her think of you.

Mo Crow said...

lucky girl!

Mary said...

What gorgeous work you do. I am totally blown away by the detail.

Gaia said...

A stunning piece of art !!

Browndirtcottage said...

I LOVE flea markets!! You gals made a good haul!!

You are just w-a-y too creative. I think that was MORE than just covering up a little 'spot'!!

I.LIKE.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done! Much better than a flower!

rtquilter said...

This is GORGEOUS!! Stunning! What a kind, clever, devoted Mum you are!

Carli The Quilter said...

Nadia,
Your little project is beautiful and you've given me ideas for a special top that needs a little love, but I just didn't have the heart to part with it.

Brilliant choice of colors and so lovely & original!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful wearable art. What a lucky daughter.

Regina B Dunn said...

Stains can be a good thing overall can't they when they spur you to add a small applique to cover them up? Great job!

Quilter Beth said...

I'm thinking the answer to the last question is a resounding, "NO!" The linen top is spectacular; your applique is fabulous. I want one!!!

Janet M. Atwill said...

I know some folks in Southern California--with more money than they need--who would pay a fortune for such a stunning piece. Some of them also wish they could "buy" a daughter who really understood them as parents and appreciated their extraordinary gifts.

Anonymous said...

Exceptional recycling! Love it.

quilthexle said...

WOW - I would love to wear a top like that. If you do the same work on the trousers ... we'll have to wait a bit for a picture (but it will be stunning for sure, too !!)

Ellen Parrott said...

Spontaneous creativity! Beautiful1

Unknown said...

Wow!!!!!!

Quilt Rat said...

SPECTACULAR!!!!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

beautiful. that shirt is a work of art for real.

blandina said...

You are a genius.

Stitching Lady said...

Unpayable! It is just haute couture! Wonderful! My admiration. Also your photos are beautiful.

Sherri said...

I love re-purposing clothes from the thrift stores. When I can buy linen items and use a little creativity to jazz them up or hide a spot like you did, I can end up with something marvelous! (also, like you did)

Well done!

Nifty Quilts said...

It is stunning!

Carole Reid said...

Hey Nadia, could you appligue a flower on a spot on my shirt? xo Carole

Nat Palaskas said...

That was an excellent applique on the blouse. It could be use for tattoo design! Hugs Nat

Anonymous said...

What a stunning turnaround! I have a treasured blouse with a small spot on it. Let me know when you hit California and we'll chat. Bravo!

Linda A. Miller said...

I somehow missed seeing this post of the finished shirt. You did an awesome job, Nadia! Your daughter must be pleased.

Bonnie Hull said...

WOW!!! Did you do the pants, I wonder??

Tammy said...

so beautiful .. i am inspired by your ideas . .. so lovely .