Fall Classes

This fall I will be teaching six classes for Joggles they are as follows:

There are three corsage classes where I invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) silk ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!
Corsages to Dye For I: Here we have the the Rose and Bud; Butterflies Delight; and the Harlequin flower. I will show you options on how to use each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
Corsages to Dye For II: Here we have the Chou Rose, the Country Rose, and the Lady Ashley Rose. I will show you design options for each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
*New* Corsages to Dye For III: Here we have the Violet, the Sweethearts Flower and the Sunflower and Rosette. I will show you design options for each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
*New* Autumn’s Harvest: I absolutely love all of the rich autumn colors: chestnut, golden umber, warm maple, cinnamon and pumpkin. I have put together a few things that will help make your autumn decorations for your home more memorable. These are all soft sculpture items that are made from fabric or felt.
Ocean Rivers: This class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. This is entirely beaded with seed beads and buttons.
*New* Scrumptious Hearts: Bits and pieces of cherished lace are melded with silk fabric to form a beautiful heart shaped base for your floral designed brooch. Chose from a few different heart shapes and ribbon worked floral vignettes, or create your own.

Joggles offers a wonderful way to learn, with teachers and students from all over the world. I have met and become with friends across the country and have met women from France, Belgium, Australia and Canada. The on-line classes are held once a week and repeat once a week for as long as the class runs. Students receive a link to down load their handout on the first day of the lesson then have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other students in an on-line forum.

I hope that you find something here that you will find interesting! Happy Stitching!

Christen

New Spring Session Classes for Joggles

I have been busy working on my classes for the Spring Session at Joggles, here is the line-up:

Corsages to Dye for II: May 25, 2010/three lessons

Do you find yourself wishing “if only I had a ribbon that was this color or that”, or “why didn’t it come in my favorite colors”? If your answer is YES, then let me invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Scrumptious Scraps: June 11, 2010/5 lessons

Scrumptious bit and pieces of vintage laces are melded and stitched together to form a unique and beautiful base for your creative stitched designs. Once the lace scraps are turned into a base, I will show you how to dye the base and a variety of ribbons that can be later used in the embroidery and ribbon worked vignettes.

Flora Dora and Daisy Chain RAW Bracelets: Two for One! June 22, 2010/3 lessons

Do you have a wonderful stash of buttons and beads that are just waiting for the right project to come along? Well consider these beaded and buttoned up bracelets, which are made using two different Right Angle Weave techniques. The first bracelet simple and elegant the other feminine and charming; both take only a short amount of time to make.

Beadazzled Somemore Purse: July 6, 2010/4 lessons

This class delves deeply into the wonderful world of bead embellishment, exploring a wide variety of stitches and embroidery techniques. The sample that you will be stitching on can become a purse (using the pattern provided), a pillow or wall hanging, or whatever you choose. The techniques that will be covered are free-form peyote on fabric, free form bead embroidery, multi bead embroidery, attaching trinkets, buttons and charms with beads, and so much more. Your project will start with a beautiful batik fabric, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a collection of buttons, glass charms and larger beads. This class is a must for anyone who loves beads!

BEBE: Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment: July 23, 2010/4 lessons

This is a great introductory class to traditional embroidery stitches with the added flare and dazzle that only seed beads can add. These stitches can be incorporated in any fiber design that you choose, whether it be an already stitched crazy quilted block, a strip pieced pillow top, or an appliquéd art quilt block. A variety of stitches are used in each separate embroidered design, a Base Stitch, a Design Stitch, and an Embellished Stitch. Additional embellishments will also be covered such as adding in buttons, sequins, large beads and charms.

The classes at Joggles are brought to you in a file/document format. The classes can run between three-five lessons, with a week between lessons. Joggles provides an online Forum format where teachers and students can communicate, ask questions, or show off their examples from class. I am a very dedicated teacher, and I want each student to be able to complete the project/s covered in the classes. I prepare each lesson’s document with photographed step-by-step pictures and detailed written instructions.

For a more detailed description of each lesson please visit my page at Joggles.

I hope to see you there! Enjoy- Christen

Reminder: New Winter Session Classes

Winter Session Classes

We are just wrapping up the Jardin de Grandmere class this week and I still have two more classes left in the Winter Session for Joggles.com.

Class: Ocean Rivers Start Date: Friday March 12 12, 2010 Cost: $45/4 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…

Class: Corsages to Dye For Start Date: Tuesday March 30 2010 Cost: $35/3 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”!
Hope that you can make it! Christen

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

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!

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!