Just doing what I love!
Welcome to Eastern Ave Designs.
I create handmade journals, snippet clusters, fabric ephemera, petal pouches (origami bags), and my signature clothespin angels — all inspired by soft florals, vintage and vintage-style materials, and the quiet joy of making. My work blends paper and cloth into pieces meant for junk journalers, mixed media artists, and anyone who loves the charm of handmade things.
New arrivals each week — always handmade, always warm.
Where it all began....
My interest in sewing and creating began when I was a little girl. I would often observe my mother making us clothes on her old-fashioned treadle sewing machine. Many nights during the summer months, I would fall asleep to the sound of her sewing on her machine. I loved the dresses she made me and proudly wore them to school! The entire process fascinated me: from choosing fabrics and other supplies and notions to the actual sewing of each item.
My earliest recollection of creating something from fabric was when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My mother gave me some scraps of fabric. I helped myself to a spool of thread and a needle, ran off to my room and I hand sewed a dress for one of my dolls. I remember that my mother seemed pleasantly surprised by my handiwork and I felt pretty proud of myself and my little accomplishment.
My grandmother also had many creative talents. She knitted and crocheted on a regular basis, creating some of the most beautiful sweaters, mittens, blankets and tablecloths I have ever seen. Being the recipient of so many beautiful handmade items at Christmas from my mother and grandmother gave me an early appreciation of handmade gifts. The quality of a handmade gift and the love and care that went into every stitch made these items very special to me.
In Junior High I had a Home Economics teacher who further nurtured my desire to create. I can still hear her telling me how to place the bobbin into the sewing machine. I ran into her a few years ago and we talked and laughed about that very subject!
I am very fortunate to have had the influence of these talented women in my early years. They all contributed to my fascination, love (perhaps obsession) of fabric and the creative process. I truly love what I do!
