Thursday 3 April 2008

Domestic Bliss...




This week I have been having a flurry of creativity.. ideas weaving in and out of my mind and dreams and some of them actually hitting the drawing board..
I had a visit for the first time from The Apron Queen the other day who kindly invited me to take part in her Vintage Thingies Thursdays extravaganza. This prompted me to have a good sort out of masses of paper ephemera I have horded over the last two years and amongst my piles of vintage song sheets, French fashion mags, old cookery books, retro shop catalogues...(etcetera etcetera) I found some appropriate items to fill up a frame for this event.
I had much fun making this..nothing like getting glue on your fingers (and everywhere else) and snipping and sticking.. took me back to my Blue Peter days of sticky- back plastic and washing- up liquid bottles.. It was amazing what you could turn out from these humble items.. though my finished product never looked like Valerie Singletons' works of art..more a mangled soggy mess of plastic and glue in my case.

So here is the finished article for Vintage Thingies Thursdays....

'I love to Iron'


Sold *
That is a bold faced lie..as you will know from Louise's poll results this week. I have used just a pinch of artistic licence in this latest vintage whimsy.
There is a certain paradox as with everything in life.. ironing can be relaxing when listening to your favourite radio programme or swaying sideways whilst listening to ipod favourites..
I chose the music for this post as it was the closest I could get in reference.. to 'Dashing away with the smoothing iron'.... I suspect that I am the only person ancient enough to remember that song!

There is a wonderful site in my list of links called The Laundry.. A place where you can find attractive vintage household items, exquisite fabrics and aesthetically pleasing laundry items.
I shall leave you with my latest greeting card creation aptly called...



I will return after a short break now... hols begin this weekend and much to do..!!
Have a wonderful weekend to one and all XX

25 comments:

Niki Fretwell said...

What a wonderful frame Michele! 'I Love to Iron' indeed!!! heehee.
(I think I should have one, 'I love to dust'!! BIG heehee!)

Enjoy the holiday,
Niki x

April said...

That is so lovely! and I know the song too

April xx

LiLi M. said...

And after finishing that one for Niki, please make me an even bigger one "I love to vac".
I remember as a student moving from one place to another, with a little rented van and help from some relatives. My brother in law saw my vacuum cleaner and remarked very surprised: "I thought you didn't have one!". Well I can keep a secret!
I love your work! Especially the Margrittesque aspect!
Have a nice weekend too!

Ragged Roses said...

"I love to iron" is really lovely Michele, if only ironing in real life was so much fun! You look like you have really enjoyed yourself making this one! Take care
Kimx

The Apron Queen said...

I love to iron. I love to iron! I LOVE to iron!! I repeat this mantra to myself. If I say it enough, maybe it will come true! Thank you so much for participating!

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

That frame would be perfect for my Mom, she really loves to iron.
But..., my son once said to me.. "You know, that hot, heavy thing , that Granny Pat uses."
And I am like..."You mean an iron ?",
"We have one son, but I'm not sure where it is."
I did ask for an ironing board for Christmas this year.I thought it make ironing more fun. There is something lovely about ironing table clothes.

Amy said...

the greeting card is so cute! and i love the shadow box! it is perfect for me. i actually do love to iron! i even posted about it once. i probably enjoy it too much, especially when i am sewing!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Love the frame, Michele!! Where on earth did you find that small ironing board? What a cute piece!!! Such a talented gal you are!

Have a great holiday! Any big plans?

xo
Becky

this is my patch said...

Oh no, what are we all going to do without posts from you Michele, you can't possibly have a holiday! Thanks for the link to my site and the link to The Laundry, I shall definitely be checking that one out. I like your latest boxframe, and sold already, the I hate ironing slogan wouldn't have gone down so well? The new card is nice and I very much like the badge, all lovely pastel colours. Have a great break and look forward to hearing from you soon. x

Garden Girl said...

Totally brilliant-love it! You really are very clever at those frames, the detail is amazing.Enjoy your break (whats left of it!)
x

Country Cottage Chic said...

It's lovely...but I'd have to have a "I hate ironing" one!

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Michelle, your box frame is delightful, you seem to have a never-ending supply of tiny items to fill them with, that little ironing board is so sweet.
Have a lovely holiday break.
Lucy x

Greentwinsmummy said...

Oh heck I loathe ironing! I dont think I have left a comment before but I read all the time :o)
I have left you something over at my blog
GTM :o)
& am soooooo sorry I didnt know your name ((((blush))))

Alexa Lett said...

Love the art work!!!! The miniature ironing board is terrific!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

That is a darling frame! I just spotted Niki's comment about needing one that says "I love to dust!" because I was just about to say the same thing! Now that we don't use our woodstove as often, I'm starting to see cobwebs and dust enough to make a herd of dust-bunnies with! lol

Patty said...

I love the card and that little ironing board is too cute! This is my first visit to your blog and now I can't wait to see what else is here.

Vintage to Victorian said...

Lovely card, Michele, and whilst I hate ironing generally (so why have I ended up selling linen and textiles?), I do find it therapeutic when I need to have time to myself to think. All my best thinking is done with iron in hand.

As for Dashing Away with a Smoothing Iron - that's taken me back an awfully long way. I used to love singing that!
Sue x

Louise said...

You have an award, do come over! x

Nonnie said...

Absolutely love that new piece. Not surprised it's sold already. Hope you have a lovely weekend and hols too. Hols start in our household today too but only for one member. Unfortunately I'm only off the second week so am going to have to endure a whole week of getting myself to the station in the morning leaving my lovely man to laze the days away on his own. Hmmm, going to have to think of some tasks to occupy him!

Joanna said...

Have a wonderful short break, love the material on the badge. Ironing free zone in this house, well not always sometimes its useful, like when I'm making curtains

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Fabulous 3-D collage Michele!
I actually like to iron too!

I love the name of your blog ... and your very cute Mr. Pickles!

Hugs, Pat

Chelle said...

I LOVE that box! Your talent is incredible. I think that is one of my favorite pieces of yours so far. I love the little ironing board. Its so petite and cute!

You're such an amazing, talented woman and friend.

Hugs!

Pretty Practicals said...

What a lovely frame you've created... perhaps next time there could be a theme of 'I love to eat chocolate'
Hope all is well with you.
Liz

laundryetc said...

I have perfected the art of clothes drying so I rarely need to iron but love the idea of it. Your box frame could be classed as an installation. Next project - ironing in a bottle. I love the badge. Want one now.

Pearl Maple said...

Loved your holiday photo posts, other bloggers holidays are always so entertaining.

The ironing shadow box is the cutest thing, got to have a sense of humour about our domestic duties!