One World One Heart Give Away

Welcome to all of my regular visitors and you new visitors as well! I am participating in the One World One Heart world-wide "Give Away" that is sponsored by Lisa A Whimsical Bohemian. This event is open to all people who have an active blog. The event, created in 2007 was with the original idea to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet and to discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or two.

This pincushion is what I am offering as my free gift here, and is made from vintage feed sack material.

To take part in the drawing you must have an active blog to enter to win this prize. If you wish to enter in this drawing, all you need to do is leave me a comment with a link back to your blog or an email address in order for me to get in touch with you if you win! Then I will ship your pincushion to you, where ever you live!

This event runs through Feb 14 (midnight Pacific time), and winners will be announced on February 15. Good luck to you, enjoy your journey on the magic carpet and may you find new and wonderous blogs to inspire and bring you joy! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Christen

PS: I will also be giving away a goodie on my other blog: Christen's Creations pop on over for a visit!

New Winter Session Classes

I will be teaching three classes this coming Winter Session for Joggles.com.

Jardin de Grandmere is the first class and will begin February 23, 2010. The price is $22.00 for two lessons.

Elegant and pretty is the best description for this bracelet. The flower medallion is created with a circular peyote stitch. These circular peyote medallions reminded me of the “Grandmother’s Garden” quilt block. When looking at fabric yo-yos stitched in floral seed sacks or vintage cottons, I imagined a garden of beaded flowers. The dimension is created by using three different sizes of seed beads. The stitch can be used to create a single or double row of flowers, with a beautiful button closure to finish off your bracelet.

Lesson 1: In the first class you will learn the basic circular peyote stitch that each flower medallion is made with. I will give you several examples of color combinations, and then will leave you to play.

Lesson 2: In this class I will show you how to add a second row of flower medallions to your bracelet (if you so desire), and how to attach your button and loop closure in order to finish your bracelet.

Ocean Rivers is the second class and it will begin March 12. The price is $45.00 for four lessons.

This class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. The launching point of your bracelet and your creative explosion will start with a simple grosgrain ribbon, a small collection of buttons, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a few small treasures. Bring your imagination and creative spirit….

Lesson 1: You will cut and prep the ribbon base; we will talk about setting up your beads; learn about focal placement and the stitching the buttons in place; then create your first tidal currents.

Lesson 2: We will explore the basic peyote stitch; changing from between bead sizes within the current; making connections and creating more tidal currents; and adding in new thread.

Lesson 3: We will cover creating waves along the outer reaches of the bracelet; stitching in the tidal pool treasures such as larger beads, sequins and chips with single bead stoppers, cascades and picots.

Lesson 4: Finishing touches: stitching the button and closure loop; stitching the beaded shell edging; and barnacle extras.

Corsages to Dye For: Series 1 is the last class and will begin March 30. The price is $35.00 for three lessons.

Have you ever wished that you could dye your own ribbon, in the colors that you like the best? Using simple techniques, I will teach you how to create truly intriguing and colorful patterns with your dyes and ribbon. These ribbons will then be turned into magnificent works of art that you create by stitching petals and leaves for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Lesson 1: In the first class you will learn how to mix the dyes using a basic color wheel; learn a series of techniques to prepare the ribbon for dyeing; then actually dyeing the ribbons that you will use in the next lessons.

Lesson 2: The second class will focus on making the flowers: the rose and bud; the bachelor button; and the passion-flower. I will show you options on how to use each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers; how many you make of each flower is up to you.

Lesson 3: The third lesson will focus on making the leaves from the ribbons that you dyed, then stitching all of the components together for each corsage. Additional commercially made ribbons can also be used, and can add another dimension to your corsages such as the velvet ribbon I used in the Bachelor Button Corsage.

The classes handouts are emailed to you the day of the class, with a week to review and complete that week’s lesson. The following lesson/s will arrive a week later with another handout and further instructions. There is an on-line forum for the student and teacher connect or contact in case there are any questions.

Enjoy and keep it creative! Christen

Pumpkin Patch

This is a new pattern that I have added to my Etsy Store which is also new. This store will focus on patterns and supplies.

There are four sizes of pumpkins to choose from in this pattern, large:3-1/2" tall; medium: 2-3/4" tall; small: 2" tall; mini: 1-1/2" tall. The middle is the largest size made from raw silk; the pumpkin to the left is the medium size made from a cotton batik; the two on the right are the small size made from a cotton batik and a cotton print; the little one next to the medium size is the mini size made from a cotton print. The large, medium and small pumpkins have a stem and optional leaf; while the small and mini use a button for detail.

Flapper Girls

Here is a group of Flapper Girls that I just made for my Etsy Store. These darling little Flapper Girls are each hand made, one at a time. The faces are painted and detailed, the hats are made from French wire ribbon and these are adorned with a satin rose. The body is made from florist wire wrapped in satin ribbon. The doll can be finished in one of three ways, a brooch as in picture 1; as an ornament as in picture 2; or as a pincushion buddy as in picture 3 (the pin cushion is not included). So when you order this little cutie just tell me how you want her to come to you as: a brooch, an ornament or with a straight pin to use as a pincushion buddy. Size: 2" wide x 2-3/4" long.

Here is a group of pincushions that I just created for my Etsy Store.

This pincushion is ideal for that creative person in your life who is "a little bit country". The fabric that the pincushion is made from is a vintage quilt made from feed sacks and other fabrics from the 1940's. The pincushion is stuffed with Polyfill. The pincushion has been stitched into sections with pearl cotton. A piece of cardboard is glued to the bottom of the pincushion and is covered with a piece of felt. The pincushion is approximately 3" wide by 1-1/2" tall.

Velvet Bon Bons

This is a fun little group of pincushions that I just added to my Etsy Store.
These petite pincushions are just perfect for a few needles. This is a great gift item for your favorite needle worker, bead enthusiast, and quilter! Would you ever suspect deep, rich velvet and a swirl of silk to look good enough to eat? The velvet rayon ribbon of the base is adorned with a flower and leaf made from the Hanah Silk bias ribbon. The pincushions are filled with a special springy stuffing that won't rust your pins and needles. The bottom of the pincushion is covered with a satin rosette. All items are hand stitched. Approximate size: 1-5/8” round by 1-1/2” tall.

CuddleNots: a new class for Joggles

This class is a new class that I am teaching for Joggles.com. It is re-scheduled to begin on November 4, 2009 (original date September 23, 2009).

CuddleNots are not your ordinary type of “cuddly” doll, but they do have some “attitude”!

Your doll will start with common bits and pieces from around the house, add in ice-cream scoop arms and legs… and well it just goes up hill from there!

Most CuddleNots finish roughly around 5″ wide by 14″ tall.

Come join me on this creative adventure thinking outside of the box to create a fun and playful doll.