Have a banner day

Have a special Memorial day. I remember why we are free .

Few different versions of blooms below.

Velvet is best, but you can use fabric. I find all netting is not the same. Some is better to singe

than others.

If you use fabric , bond 2 layers back to back.

Size by the way is 3-4 " and can be scaled smaller like I did on a cushion way back.

French Bloom

I made an easy tutorial for this French blossom, see below and let me know how they turn out.

Velvet blossom, tutorial

I will be demonstrating velvet and fabric blossoms, Saturday night at the International Quilt festival in Long Beach.

Guests will get a handout from 14 different teachers including me!

Cost only 15.00

So here is a velvet bloom to try yourself.

I always iron interfacing to the back of the velvet first.

Cut one flower shape, 4 net circles a bit bigger, and find a center, stamen or bead or trinket.

Cut small hole in middle, layer one net on top of velvet and the other three nets go underneath.

Run a big gathering stitch around the hole, stitching should go across base of each petal.

Insert stamen and pull up thread and tie off.

Take the bloom to a candle and holding above flame, singe the tulle. Be careful!

It will curl and wrinkle and look really cool!

Trims and things

Things I am playing with.

Cushion cover for a daughter, also the sachet.

Trims wound onto Paris tags, and some French text I use for stuff. Ooh la la!

Breakfast on the Lanai. Winner is Coleen, congratulations

Mango and scones?

My breakfast repast to start the day.

Give away is closed, I will draw a winner today. Winner is Coleen, aloha.

In the French Mode

a little give away.
a tag with a collection of my French trims, velvet leaf and flower.
So the trick is to tell me what you intend to do with such trims and in a few days I will draw a name out of my battered cap again.
Aloha

Vignettes

Corner of my French attic.

Inspired by the rusty door below

I made a bunch of ornate, iron looking rusty looking , trims. Yards and yards.
Here are some of them.
All used my trusty old machine with built in stitches, then sewed and sewed.

Mucha box

Gift and jewelry box with lots of detail, inside and out.
satisfying to create but takes time.

Trims inspired by this picture

All rusty and elaborate, this gate inspired me to create some trims.
Will show you my ideas very soon.
Keep watching.
Photo taken in Italy.

Rose garden

Decided to make a pretty rose bag with some odds and ends I had salvaged from projects.
I do like to make ribbon roses, they look quite realistic.

Quilts Hawaii

Some of the lovely quilts at the Hawaii Quilt show.

Ooh la la Journal

Felt in a frivolous mood so here is a blank book just completed.
It was fun and done while I was half asleep, sort of the way I work sometimes.
You know, automatic pilot I call it.

Ever seen a quilted tree?

Well now you have, here is the result of my wanderings today.
I was off to the local Quilt show. More pictures later.
Are these fun or what?

Tutorial, just some cords

Like to make cords, all kinds.
Here then my favorite little thingy to help.
Cut any number of threads 6 times length needed and fix one end to the hook and other I jam in a drawer. Tape to a table if that works. Turn handle until it kinks back on itself. Unhook .
Hold taught and slip hook over center of twists, grab free ends and let go. Sometimes a helper is needed.
I have had to stand on a stool to let it go if it is long. Be sure to not both ends.
Looks nice with one metallic thread added to the mix, as in sample.
To store, wind onto an empty spool that is decorated with a gem on top.
Give some as a gift to a friend.
Other cords, made with one strand of yarn, chunky cord made with seam binding.

Cafe Box

Silk box I made with all trims from Italy.
Has a lot of hand work and some velvet pansies adorning the image.
Love to create boxes so more are coming along. Going to try one on the serger, we'll see if I don't mess it up.

In studio files

a big thank you to everyone for the comments you leave.
Out here in the vast ocean, I feel a bit cut off from the inspiration and classes you have elsewhere.
So I just carry on with my funky ideas, having a great time of it and enjoying life in general.
I often wonder how others work in their spaces, so if you do, here is my humble work table.
Couple of ideas I am playing with for my shop, and trying some new techniques along the way.
Top pic. includes butterflies and lace, and serger flowers I made on my machine.
Bottom is ruffled serger bloom and lace leaf.
Have a good weekend.