one rewarding aspect of teaching online classes, and blogging in general, is receiving notes, letters, and wonderful packages from nice people. this week i received a gorgeous old stack of postcards from germany, a couple of fantastic books on bavaria which have the most beautiful folk art paintings. and completely out of the blue, someone else also sent me a package of goodies. it’s been like christmas in april over here at moss cottage with plenty of purrs and kneading of paws.
a couple of weeks ago i received a sweet email from ellen deboer, an ardent bookmaker who has crafted over a dozen beautiful cloth covered journals since she took a couple of my classes many moons ago.
the words in italics below are from her email, which she gave me permission to reprint here on DFLA. as soon as i read her email i knew i wanted to share it with all of you. this may all come off as me blowing my own trombone, but my intention is to celebrate ellen and her heartfelt books. i was so touched by the story of her father and especially how her drive to create kept her sane and brought her peace during difficult times.
This one is made from a blue leather skirt from a thrift store. Also a vintage red & white stitched piece (that had holes in it or I would never have cut it up!). Also fabric I bought at Purl Soho on a special trip to NYC. The wrap around is the button placket from an old shirt. I love to incorporate memories into my journals.
Got a lot of use out of this stitch! Isn’t it the one from TTV?? Can’t remember for sure. These standing up are all made from old clothes, some of ours and some from thrift stores…brown suede skirt, green jeans. Also vintage rick rack. The red stitched ribbon is the handle of a shopping bag.
This button is a fishing lure my son made. The spine is an old linen shirt.
if anyone decides to pin these fabulous journals to your pinterest boards please oh please make sure to write that they were made by ellen.
happy sunday friends near and far. sending out greetings into the warm may winds from my cottage to yours. xo
Wow! How did I miss this post! Eileen’s work is incredibly lovely and very inspiring thanks to both for sharing.
Wonderful journals, Ellen! So beautiful, and made with so much love, and thought, and history. Thank you for sharing them with Mary Ann, and thanks to her for sharing them with us! Just lovely.
Lovely and inspirational! I’d love to see some of the pages, inside!
Mary Ann,
How exciting it is to see my work right here on DFLA!! Wow…what a HUGE honor. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
And to all of you who have been so nice to leave me these sweet messages, I am so humbled by your kind words about my journals, as well as your well wishes for our family. Thank you all! You and Mary Ann have given me a great gift! I will be printing these to keep forever in my journal :).
What a pleasure it is to be part of this community of makers!
big thanks everyone for leaving Ellen these little notes. it’s so important to have others see the things you make and share in your enthusiasm for the process. how nice to be in a community of artists who recognize each other in this way. xo
I am so very glad that you have shared Ellen’s incredible work and her STORY with us!! Art making is such a huge stress reliever and the inspiration that you give to all of us Mary Ann, in so Many ways is Priceless!! Beautiful and so inspiring on all counts!! Ellen , I love how you have used the button plackets in your journals!! pure brilliance!!
These are incredible! I can see why you wanted to share them Mary Ann. Ellen, they are fascinating and full of stories. You’ve given me so much inspiration.
Ellen’s journals are just beautiful. Thank you both for sharing!
What a treasured gift one can receive! Love this so much.
Very inspiring, both of you.
So happy your mailbox is bringing you treasures , mam.
Thanks so much to both you and Ellen for sharing this. I may not be as prolific as Ellen, but I share her feelings about how much joy your classes have brought me.
Ellen, I especially love how you’ve incorporated bits of family history into your journals. Blessings to you and your family on your journey with your father.
All round, beautiful, as ever.
These are just fantastic. Thanks to Ellen for writing to you and thanks to YOU for so much!
Oh Ellen your creative books/journals are a delight to behold. Hang in there w your father’s diagnosis. My best advice is to have a medical directive from your father & to make certain his team of healthcare providers abide by it. Your books invite all of us makers to wish to touch & hug.
When you come across something good, the first thing you oughta do is share it! Thank you for sharing Ellen’s story and her therapy journals. They are just beautiful and make me want to take that class again! Thanks MAM for your wonderful classes and your lovely writing. You are good.
Thank you so much for sharing Ellen’s talents, they are truly wonderful.
Kudos to you for featuring her work, and to you for your inspiration to so many, known and unknown.
Does Ellen sell her creations?
Thank you, Jacki! I’ve given many as gifts, but have never sold any. 🙂
ellen’s right, of course. your workshops are magically inspiring and therapeutic. as is the blog. joy joy joy
Oh my GOSH! Those journals are just fantastic! Especially all stacked together. I really really like the one with the blue leather. And MAM, just see what your inspirational classes have wrought. You are both marvelous human beings!
Ellen, these are amazing! And I wish peace to you and yours. Mary Ann, thanks so much for sharing them.