Nellie"s Needles

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Peter Rabbit from a Christmas Past

I like to make "stuff" as well as create art. Especially presents for my family and friends. One of my favorite gifts is this fabric book I constructed for my granddaughter five years ago.The basis was a preprinted fabric panel. It was more fun embellishing it with findings and embroidery for Tessa.
The cover has silk ribbon embroidery and silk flowers attached to printed flowers with colonial knot centers.
Of course, there had to be a photo of the two of us. She was a bunny for that Halloween wearing a custom her mother had made. The flannel Peter Rabbit fabric was left over from baby items I had sewn for her brother and twin cousins.
The opening page is machine embroidered and quilted with silk ribbon embroidery.
I especially like the cameo, Elvis, the footprint, and piece of fabric. The letters and figures are hand quilted with machine stippling in the open spaces. The green bottle and glass along with the ice skates, the "jewels" and a real piece of jade are my favorites here.I'm fond of the antique piece of lace from Tessa's great-great grandmother's linens, the (shisha) mirror, monster, and the ornaments on these pages.Pearls and the paper weight, plus the pink pompoms tickle me. I don't recall where I found half of a thimble. And then there's the silk tassel and smiley face.The USA Olympic pin was a lucky find. The copper wire name pin had belonged to my mother. The foxes tail is made of mink from a collar belonging to my husband's mother. I devised a yo yo from two buttons and a piece of string. The bees wings are tulle netting that flap.The last page is a handkerchief I had purchased back in the 1980's when Tessa's father was a teenager in hopes that I would someday have a girl grandchild. I added many little treasures. Most of them hiding among the silk leaves and flowers. The inside back cover is machine quilted and embroidered. It buttons closed with the only Beatrix Potter button I had. Tessa still enjoys her book and has taken exceptionally good care of it. These photos were taken last summer and the fabric is as clean as when I presented it to her. There has been a bit of mending over the years. She talks about reading it with her children. I do believe this is an heirloom for at least another generation beyond her.

16 comments:

Clare said...

I love Beatrix Potter. My mother was at an art gallery in London last week and saw a BP drawing of Hunca Munca for sale. She thought the price was £5,500. it was actually £55,000!

The book is exquisite. Hope your DGD will treasure it and keep it safe for her children and grandchildren.

FARBTUPFER said...

What a lovely book, Tessa can be lucky.

Virginia Wieringa said...

Oh my, what a wonderful gift! The book is precious and I can see the bond between you and Tessa is precious too! Blessings on you boht!

Amy Munson said...

The book is incredible and such a treasure.

p said...

I just left a comment and when I clicked publish it went to page not found...so if this repeats just remove it...

This piece attests to your talent as I normally do not like stuff like this. This is heartbreakingly beautiful!!! It is filled with fluffy love and life. Lucky little girl!

Doreen G said...

Oh Nellie what an amazing book and one that will bring a lot of pleasure for a long time to come.

Lise said...

What a beautiful book for a beautiful girl!
Lise

Kay said...

You truly made the book unique. How wonderful that it has the appreciation it deserves too.

Joyce said...

What a beautiful amazing book. It will be an heirloom for sure.

Nadia said...

Nellie, sono incantata!!
Complimenti!

Kim Hambric said...

What a lucky girl to have a Grandmother like you. At this time of year I miss my Grandmothers intensely. I have very few tangible things to pass on from them to my daughter, but I do have plenty of stories. What a beautiful book you have made!

Teodo said...

Ciao Nellie,
I received many mails from my italian friends that said thanks to me for sharing your Book and so now I thank you for sharing your BELLISSIMO work with us.

ciao ciao

LuĂ­sa Silva said...

Nelie, you have a lovely grandaughter, congratulations. I'm sure she still loves the wonderful book you made for her

ACey said...

What a delightful spin on the pre-printed fabric! Love the happy human pictures as well.

p.s. my first 'crinkle' effort was an unqualified disaster. But I learned from that and will be trying again as soon as time permits.

Unknown said...

WOW! that is one awsome book. Lucky granddaughter! I love all those buttons. What finds! This book will last through many many children. What a very special heirloom you have made!

Judy said...

Hi Nellie,
Tessa is lovely and the book that you made for her is wonderful! What a great idea.

xo