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.

Hat Boxes: a new class with Joggles

This is a new class that I am teaching for Joggles, it is re-scheduled to begin October 30th, 2009 (original date October 2, 2009).

This petite hatbox starts with a paper mache box. Chose your favorite art paper with a colorful design, pick ribbons, lace and trims in the colors that you want to highlight. Add in a little acrylic and metallic paints for good measure. A variety of hand made ribbon flowers and leaves will be added just like the icing on the cake!

Come join me!

Ribbon Work Techniques

I love flowers and gardens, I love to look at them and wear them all year long! The Petals and Posies Series begins with simple flowers and progressively becomes more challenging as with each pattern. These are all ribbon-work techniques, they do not include embroidery techniques.

Petals and Posies 1- ribbon worked flowers and leaves

This project will introduce you to hand-stitched flowers and leaves which are made from a variety of ribbons including French wire, dyed silk bias, and satin. These flowers can be made into corsages or used to decorate baskets and gifts.
The flowers taught in class are: rosette, double edge rosette, berry, rose hip, single-edged rose, double-edged rose, curled leaf, and a small bud or leaf.

Petals and Posies 2- ribbon worked flowers and leaves

This class will further your knowledge of hand-stitched flowers made from a variety of ribbons: French wire, dyed silk bias, velvet, and grosgrain. These flowers can be made into corsages or used to decorate baskets and gifts. Everyone enjoys a hand made flower! The flowers covered in the class are: begonia, double-edged begonia, pansy, Gwen's butterfly, folded daisy, folded bias rose, man in his kimono leaf, the banana leaf, and a twin prairie point leaf.

Petals and Posies 3- ribbon worked flowers and leaves

This class will further your knowledge of hand-stitched flowers made from a variety of ribbons: French wire, dyed silk bias, and organza. These flowers can be made into corsages or used to decorate baskets and gifts.The flowers are more exotic in technique than the first two classes. The flowers covered in the class are: fuchsia, antherium, Cynthia rose, bleeding heart, chrysanthemum, daffodil, lily, 1920's leaf, twin leaf, and a prairie point leaf.

Petals and Posies 4-ribbon worked flowers and leaves

This class will introduce you to hand-stitched flowers made from French wire ribbon. These flowers can be made into corsages or used to decorate baskets and gifts.The flowers are more exotic in technique than the first two classes. The flowers covered in the class are: concertina rose, soft petal rose, rosette, pin rose, cake flower, Gypsy roe, Lilly Munster leaf, man in his kimono leaf, and twin mitered leaf.

Petals and Posies 5-ribbon worked flowers and leaves

This class will introduce you to hand-stitched flowers made from Hanah Silk bias, velvet, satin and French wire ribbons. These flowers can be made into corsages or used to decorate baskets and gifts. The flowers are more exotic in technique than the first two classes. The flowers covered in the class are: iris, star flower, ruffled posy, pleated carnation, petal rose, pointed leaf, double ruffle leaf, and spear leaf.

Happy stitching, enjoy the time that you have to create!

Ribbon Work Corsages

I love flowers and gardens, I love to look at them and wear them all year long! I have created a few classes and patterns using different ribbon-work techniques.

Afternoon Tea Brooch
Create a feminine brooch from a variety of ribbons, which include: velvet, vintage grosgrains, French jacquards, moire, dyed silk bias. Some beads were used for further embellishment.

Blooming Ribbons
In this pattern you will learn to create some traditional ribbon flowers and leaves and some newly created styles. The possibilities for design and decoration are endless. Make samples of techniques or turn your flowers into an incredible necklace, brooch, purse, or pillow adornment. The finished pieces are completed with ingenious beaded edgings.

Button Nosed Pansy
Learn how to make a pansy with a button center and a beaded edge. Good class or pattern for someone who wants to complete a project in one day!





Cloche Rose
Luscious ruffles of French wire taffeta ribbon are used both for the rose and the leaf. This is a beautiful, large and proud flower that will look stunning on a hat or purse.

One Hour Flower Corsage
This is a great beginning ribbon project to work on. Once you make one you won't want to stop, so be for warned! Learn the very basics of working with wired ribbon by making a gathered rosette with button center and a leaf.

Corsage Medley
Creative and exquisite group of corsages made from velvet and wire ribbons. Chose from three different corsages:
Free Love Corsage: components are 1960" Daisy and Bleeding Heart Leaf
Mc Murtry's Lapel Pin: Lilly, Gwen's Butterfly, and 1920's Leaf
Summer's Signature Corsage: Sunflower, Shadow Leaf and Bow Tie Butterfly.

Happy stitching, enjoy!

Ocean Rivers Bracelet 2- free form peyote

Ocean Rivers Sample 2:This is a sample of the class that I just finished teaching for Joggles.com.
The first sample was created in blues and purples. The stitching technique is one that I developed using free-form peyote on fabric.
The class was a success, and all of the students created marvelous examples of this creative embellishment technique.
I will be teaching two classes for the fall session, one will focus on ribbon work, one will be an art doll, so keep checking back for updates!
Happy stitching, enjoy!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery combined with Ribbonworked Flowers

Silk Ribbon Embroidery is one of my favorite forms of handwork, and adding in a bouquet of ribbon- worked flowers just seems so natural!

I have created a few classes and patterns using this technique. These projects are focused primarily on silk ribbon embroidery with additional flowers made from ribbon worked flowers.
(If you click the link it will take you to the page, where you will find information on the class or pattern for the instructions.)

A Walk Through My Flower Garden
The fabric base machine quilted with metallic threads. Machine stitched ribbons form a trellis; silk bias ribbon forms the "walk" or path for the floral motifs.
The "enchanted gardens" of silk and rayon ribbons and fabric flowers and leaves are stitched first, then attached to the fabric base. The vignettes are embroidered with smaller flowers and leaves stitched with silk ribbon embroidery, Brazilian embroidery and traditional free form embroidery techniques.

Afternoon Tea Brooch
Create a feminine brooch from a variety of ribbons, which include: velvet, vintage grosgrain's, French Jacquards, moire, dyed silk bias. Some beads were used for further embellishment.

Beribboned
The base fabric is first stitched with playful grids of randomly placed satin ribbons. These sections can then be embellished with hand dyed lace appliques resembling vignettes of baskets.
These baskets are filled with silk and satin ribbon worked flowers and leaves; further embellished with silk ribbon and traditional embroidery stitches and beading.

Elegant Additions Wall Hanging
The sample is comprised of 9 squares full of extraordinary examples of silk ribbon embroidery. Click on the image for a full page image of a larger image, then click on each square for a larger image still.
Embroidery knowledge is a must for this class. Seven stitches are a prerequisite for the twenty or more stitches that will be needed to complete the wall hanging: lazy daisy, French knot, stem stitch, straight stitch, pistil stitch, feather stitch, buttonhole stitch.
All the components and the designs can be adapted to a current crazy pieced or quilted project that you are working on.

Floral Brooches
Embellish a special piece of tapestry or silk with a few artfully placed flowers and embroidery stitches. The pattern includes directions for three different brooch shapes: a heart, paisley or tableau.
Beads and charms will add just the right touch to make this a contemporary piece of jewelry. You may be tempted to make one of each!

Silk Ribbon Embroidered Etui
Etui is French for "small ornamental case", and the one you will make with this pattern will hold your favorite needles, pins, and scissors in a size convenient enough to travel with. You'll be able to showcase these needle working skills on its cover: applique, ribbon-work, silk ribbon embroidery, traditional embroidery, beading on fabric.

Scrumptious Scraps
Bits and pieces of precious laces are melded and stitched together to form a single fabric. After the lace fabric is formed, it is then dyed, along with ribbons to embellish the piece with. The second part of the class will focus on silk ribbon embroidery and flower making, using the ribbons that you dyed in the first part of class and the base of lace fabric.

Vintage Redressed
This is a perfect venue for all of those vintage trims and buttons you have been saving to recycle onto wonderful.
The body of the vest is pieced in sections of woven ribbon and fabric. The body of the vest is embellished with silk ribbon embroidery, buttons and beads.

Happy stitching, enjoy what you do and the time that you have to create!

Crazy Piecing with Traditional Embroidery and Beading

I have been embellishing shirts, jeans and jackets with Traditional Embroidery from the age of six. Once I learned to sew, I had my mom's fabric stash to work with which was full of tiny bits of exotic fabrics, cottons and velveteens. Crazy Piecing these bits of this and that really appeals to my sense of use what you have on hand. Incorporating beads just seemed to be a natural addition to this form.

I have created a few classes and patterns using this technique.
(If you click the link it will take you to the page, where you will find information on the class or pattern for the instructions.)

Avonlea Revisited
I have a unique technique for preparing the crazy pieced sections. The basic technique of stitch and flip fabric-piecing method, will be covered along with a few tricks on getting yourself out of those difficult situations. A pieced fabric fan and fabric yo-yos will be demonstrated to further enhance your work. Traditional crazy-pieced embroidery using contemporary threads, with bead and button.

Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment: BEBE
This is a great introduction class to crazy pieced traditional embroidery stitches. The fabric base is prepared at home, so class time is devoted to learning the stitches.
The base can be crazy pieced, or ironed onto a piece of muslin on a pre- printed crazy pieced square which is available through the store.
The stitches that are learned in class are traditional embroidery stitches that can be used in many projects. Beads can be added for extra embellishment.
Crazy Piecing 101
This class will guide you into a part of history where every precious snip of fabric, lace, and trim were important. The end result is a ravishing display of the crazy pieced square that can be turned into a pillow, wall hanging or if you are more a quilt. This class will prepare you for the classes with more advanced techniques that also include embroidery and beading.

Tied in Knots
Tied in knots -- that's the definition of tatting! Tatting is a lace comprised of a series of knots. Loops (referred to as picots) and chains are added for design interest.The project is a shuttle holder that is crazy pieced and embroidered with silk ribbon and threads.The tatted motifs are added into the embroidered design.

Travel Sewing Kit
This is a handy carrying case for needles, scissors, rulers and more. The face of the kit is crazy pieced with machine stitching and hand embroidery. The inside of the case has many compartments for all of the necessities. It is a perfect size to take on a trip or to classes.

Victorian Drawstring Purse
This opulent reticule, pieced from lustrous scraps of iridescent silk and cotton, is embroidered front and back with shimmering metallic threads, seed beads, buttons, and charms.
The techniques covered in project are crazy piecing by machine, hand embroidery with bead embellishment.

Happy stitching to you whether you are a crazy stitcher or a sane one!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Silk Ribbon Embroidery is one of my favorite forms of handwork, I truly feel so much a part of history every time I pick up a needle and create a bouquet of silk flowers!

I have created a few classes and patterns using this technique. These projects are focused primarily on silk ribbon embroidery.
(If you click the link it will take you to the page, where you will find information on the class or pattern for the instructions.)

Climbing Wisteria Vines: Purse
When you wear this elegant embroidered purse out you will be the envy of all your friends, and they will probably ask you to make one for them! The fabric is pieced first, in a simple striped fashion of silk, moire, or tapestry. The front and back pieced sections are then embroidered with feather stitch vines and silk ribbon-embroidered lazy daisy leaves. Beads and buttons provide flash and style, probably just like that favorite aunt would have done.

Covent Gardens Collar
Silk ribbon berries and blooms cascade in a gentle curve around this peter-pan styled collar with adjustable ties and decorative buttons. I display this collar with my collection of embroidered handbags and pillows. It is very feminine and beautiful.

Ellen Matilda's Rose Garden: Purse
This project was named after my grandmother and aunt with the same first name. They both loved roses and gardens. The purse (or pillow if you like) starts with a velvet or silk fabric as the base, which is embroidered with silk ribbon roses and other flowers and leaves. Beads and charms add a magical glimmer to the design.

Fleur de France: Purse
The graceful curves of this purse complement the enchanting arcs of silk ribbon embroidery and ribbon work rosettes that adorn the curved seams. The embroidery stitches used are woven rose, lazy daisy, French knots and more. The fabrics that you chose for your project can be anything from silk, velvet, moire, cotton and tapestry.


Garden Brooches
This pattern includes three different shapes and three different garden designs. Five of the basic embroidery stitches will be covered: woven rose, feather stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy, French knot. The project is easy, and works up quite quickly, so it is a great gift idea!

Quelque Fleur
The body of the vest is curved pieced, with cotton, silk and tapestry fabrics. Each seam of the curved sections are embellished with either silk ribbon embroidery, stitched handmade trim, or bouquets of ribbon worked flowers. The ribbon worked sections are made from satin and novelty ribbons. These can be enhanced with lace trims, buttons and bead embroidery.

Renaissance of Ribbon Embroidery
This pattern encourages you to spend a day or two with the finer things in life: silk ribbon embroidery, tapestry fabrics, and (of course) some beads. The stitches that you will learn are embroidered on a piece of muslin so you can use for reference later. You will also learn to make a few flowers from satin ribbon to further enhance your creation. There will be a few beading tips as well.

Happy stitching, enjoy the time that you have to do these marvelous things!