ribbonsmyth

Silk Ribbon Embroidered Card for Valentine's Day

2012-01-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

This card will shortly be winging it's way to my Mother for a small Valentine remembrance. I will send a Valentine gift basket to my parents filled with chocolates and silly little extras; but my Mother will place this card on her kitchen desk, where it will stay. We all enjoy special cards and this one is easy to create. The tutorial is included in the close-up photo of the bouquet.

Silk Ribbon Card Tutorial

2012-01-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

This is a close-up of a small 4"x6" embroidered silk ribbon card that you can easily create for a material cost of under $3! What a great rememberance for Valentine's, Spring, Wedding or Easter!
Supplies are all available at RibbonSmyth - Anna Griffin Card with lined envelope is $1. These Anna Griffin cards are a real value! 1/2" wide lavender picot ribbon is $1 per yard and the little plastic flowers in the blue colorway are $1. The glass leaves are in the clearance section for $.99 for 10 leaves. And I used 4mm silk ribbons in the Lavender Garden 25 yard ribbon combo pack. The pearl strand comes in our 10 yard lace assortment pack. All these Ribbonsmyth supplies are enough to create multiple cards.

The cards are a tri-fold card. I used a small 6" scrap of lavender moire fabric and traced the outline of the frame opening onto the fabric with a pencil. Hoop the fabric.
1. Using 3" of the picot ribbon, gather one side, pull to gather and tie off. I use Nymo for all beading and embroidery. Attach the gathered flower to the fabric with Nymo. I added a green swarovski bead to the center of the flower.
2. Stitch an assortment of 4mm one-wrap pink French knots around the picot flower.
3. Add 4mm lavender loop stitches and one-wrap French knots.
4. Add 4mm one-wrap French knots and bullion lazy daisies in soft gold ribbon ribbon,color #502.
5.Add several plastic flowers to the bouquet anchoring with olive glass seed beads
6. Add 2 iridescent glass leaves among the design.
7. Press the fabric and trim the fabric to fit inside the card.
8. Use Fabri-Tac glue (the only glue I use for everything!) and place 4 dots of glue inside the card back - top/bottom/side to side.
9. Place the fabric inside the card, centering the floral design in the card opening. The glue will secure the fabric.
10. Using a #13 needle, place drops of glue onto the needle point and touch to the back of the pearl strand. Glue the pearls to the inside of the card.

Sari Silk Paisleys

2012-01-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

I see so many applications for these paisleys. The fabric is harvested from a vintage Indian Sari. The paisleys are embroidered on a silver blue silk ground. Each length of silk is sold for $5 and has approximately 10 paisleys and the paisley motif is approximately 2 1/2" in length and 1 1/2" wide. The paisley is embroidered with silver metallic and crimson threads.

Vintage Sari Silk Embroidered border

2012-01-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

This embroidery definitely inspires. The embroidery is silver metallic thread combined with crimson threads embroidered on a silver blue silk ground. Beautiful flowing motif that comes from a vintage Sari. The border is approximately 4 1/2" wide. The border is sold in 24" lengths for $5 and cut to order. Companion paisleys are also available for sale.

CQJP February block Work-in-Progress

2012-01-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

This block adds in some blue fabrics with the apricots. Layered on top of the silks, brocades and velvets, are lace scraps with ragged edges which adds to the flow of the negative space. Gold metallic Scalamandre gimp is couched over the lace bits. A couple of hand-dyed rayon venise lace motifs are tacked into place. Finished the stitching session with rolled RibbonSmyth Rainbow-dyed silk satin roses.

CQJP January Block Work-in-Progress

2012-01-23T12:53:00.000-08:00

Still a bit more embellishing to go. Certainly "see" some beads that need to be pulled out and replaced.
The finished size of the blocks are 8 1/2" beginning with 9 1/2" blocks.

January CQ Journal Project block work in progress

2012-01-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

I believe I am addicted to apricot and peach colorways.

I found a stack of fabric bits of Japanese brocades that I acquired from an antique dealer 20 years ago.

Time to use the fabrics! The wall-hanging will be hung in a stairwell with mocha walls. The major embellishments for all the blocks will be old brass buttons and lace.

This is a close-up of embellishing I've begun on one of 12 blocks that I'm assembling for the crazy quilt project hosted by Kathy Shaw. To view crazy quilt blocks that offer an abundance of inspiration, visit ~ http://www.cqjp2012.blogspot.com/

You will be enchanted!

The fabric colors for all the blocks are apricot, crimson, roses, gold, honey, melon, blues and purples in silk doupioni and silk velvet.

In this piece, I've made a velvet flower surrounded by brass buttons. I've added silk satin tendrils on two seams. I've dyed the velvet and silk satin using RibbonSmyth Rainbow dyes using Antique Gold, Brown and Crimson.

I've begun to add beads around a silk ribbon-wrapped ring.

"You are a Gift" Fabric Collage

2011-12-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

This fabric collage is approximately 16" x 22". The design is one inch smaller at the top than it is at the bottom. I wanted the piece to be wider at the bottom. The wool border is a brilliant pale lime green and is edged with aubergine metallic beads using the picot bead stitch. Hopefully a better photograph taken, with the piece hanging, will capture the true colors. The techniques were developed for a fall workshop.

"You are a Gift" Embellished Vintage Image

2011-12-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

This image is taken from a photo of a mural in the restaurant of our hotel in Rome. We were surrounded with murals of a fabulous party set in the 1920's. The wonderful use of "light" used in the murals is not translated in this image, but the gowns and the paintings are fabulous. I wanted the flapper beauties to be "gazing" at the words "You are a Gift". I've couched gold bias-cut silk around half of the image. I added hand-dyed Venise lace on the other side of the image. And finished with old metal buttons and Victorian mother of pearl buttons.

"You are a Gift" Hand-dyed Rayon Tape Rococo

2011-12-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

This close-up features a vintage metal and mother of pearl button collage with a seam treatment of RibbonSmyth hand-dyed rayon tape in the Merlot colorway used to create a rococo trim. Above the trim is more of my marbelized fabric. To create the rococo trim using approximately 24" of rayon tape, twist several inches of the tape tightly and couch into place on top of the fabric. Using Nymo or a matching thread, run a gathering stitch down the center of the tape, gathering approximately 6 inches. Pull to gather, tie-off the thread and cut. Twist another 3 inches of the tape and couch into place. Continue the above steps until the desired length has been achieved. I added a metallic vintage orange sequins and beads to the center of each "fluerette". 7mm Ribbonsmyth moss silk ribbon leaves were added to each side of the little flowers.

"You are a Gift" wall-hanging Marbelized fabric with velvet pods

2011-12-23T17:27:00.000-08:00

This is a close-up photo showing marbelized fabric, created from a class I taught in Vermont that blended beautifully with the colorway I chose of rust, gold, and aubergine. The technique for the seam treatment features velvet pods peeking from the inside of bias-cut silk leaves. RibbonSmyth variegated moss 7mm silk ribbon is added among the pods. Vintage 1920's French metal thread is couched among the silk ribbon. Vintage metal threads are too fragile to use for embroidery, but they couch beautifully.

Christmas Blog Winners!

2011-12-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

The winners of the Christmas Blog Give-away are Debbie Hembree, Marjolein and Karen Mallory!

Congratulations and Merry Christmas!

Each of you will be sent packages with fabrics, fibers, beads and embellishments, mailed during the week of December 26th!

Gift bags with home-made marshmallows and shaved chocolate cocoa

2011-12-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

A quick kitchen photo before these gift bags were delivered! I made as many gifts as I could for Christmas ~ 24 gift bags filled with home-made marshmallows and hand-shaved cocoa. The remaining 4 bags will be delivered tomorrow; as I make my last run to the post office with orders. I shipped allot of these little bags and I hope they survived! Using a plain craft gift bag, I attached a lacy paper napkin to the front of the bag with spray adhesive. The recipe is printed onto holiday paper and attached to a tag that hangs beneath the spoon. A polished vintage silverplate teaspoon was added with jute twine. Great fun!

Baking and Desserts

2011-12-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Just a note about baking cookies! My goal was 30 dozen cookies for my husband's two plants. Does not sound like much...but.... The guys work in airplane hangers and in the summer, the heat is unbearable and in the dead of winter, they can't sufficiently heat an airplane hanger, and these are hard-working guys that work with highly combustible gases. I "marathon" bake and usually have several recipes going at one time. I will bake for several days straight. My husband took in the platters of cookies (and we did not want the guys to know where the cookies came from) before the plant opened and he said in one hour, the trays were empty. How fun is that?!
I'm not an advocate of using Teflon or Sugar; so broke the rules for the cookies. I think a Teflon cookie sheet is the only kind to use.
In the photo, is a sampler of desserts that we had two weeks ago in Rome. The presentation of the small bites on a slab of slate, was a novel idea. From left to right - creme brulee sitting in little spoons, raspberry gelatin, custard topped with black olives, biscuit and a lemon cookie.
This past week-end, I made gifts of home-made marshmallows with bags of shaved chocolate for cups of hot chocolate. I'm using a recipe from a Belgian Chocolatier and a 25 year-old Martha Stewart marshmallow recipe. I've shaved pounds of chocolate blocks with a potato peeler. Mix the chocolate shavings with half and half. I'll post a picture once the sugar in the air, settles! My husband thinks the only way to get through the long, dark months living here in the Northeast, is a cup of homemade hot chocolate with those "killer" marshmallows.

Free Freight, Free Blog Give-away and Free fabric and bits packets

2011-12-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

Blog Give-Away for December

Women are amazing and at this time of year, they perform miracles! To show a bit of appreciation for all the women I am fortunate to work with; we are offering Free Freight on any order over $25...plus.... each order will receive a bonus packet with fabric, a box of beads and satin rosebuds...
For the blog give-away - just say "hello" and leave your email! I will make up several packages and will notify the winners on December 23rd. The packages will ship the week of December 27th.

I told my husband that I would bake cookies for all the guys at his two plants. Two week-ends of baking and no telling how many dozens of cookies my husband and I sampled, he was off early this morning with platters of cookies. He called at 9 AM and said the trays were empty! How much fun was that! This was my small effort in giving "hand-made" this year...so now down to some stitching!

So time to share stash, whether it's fabric or the sugar and flour kind.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Jackson and Santa

2011-12-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

Had to share a photo of Jackson having his picture made with Santa. This Santa is a girl! I took him to our local farm store where we purchase goat and horse chow. All money donated for pet photos goes to a no-kill shelter in our area. In line with Jack were two little miniature horses having their photo taken. He was surrounded with kitties, and an assortment of big dogs, all patiently waiting. How lucky we are to have pets in our lives.

The passing of Francois Lesage

2011-12-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

This is a photo I took of Monsieur Lesage while attending classes at Maison Lesage. The Couture world lost one of its own on December 1st. He was charming and gracious and I will always be grateful for the time he spent with me.

Every day he came into class wearing a different embroidered waist coat. Here he is holding a metier with an interpretation of Van Gogh's Sunflowers created in sequins. In his left-hand is one of the French cigarettes that he was famous for. Behind me was a dress form with a beaded gown he was designing for the Queen of Thailand, a photo I've never posted, as he requested that the queen be the first to see his creation. I was fortunate to spend the day with him photographing 120 years of beaded couture samples beginning with the House of Worth up to his present collection. I zipped through thirteen rolls of film while Monsieur Lesage told amazing stories about his life, the couture designers he worked with, and the women he clothed. He said his business thrived due to Texas socialites and Arab princesses. I was mesmerized. His favorite beauty to wear his designs....Grace Kelly.

The House of Lesage is responsible for 85% of all couture beading. His office walls were lined with cork, sporting a variety of sketches and every single sketch was done in pencil, by him. After returning from Paris, I compiled a slide/lecture presentation of beaded samples; a presentation that I continue to present to guilds. He showed me a room in his private atelier, filled with over 2 tons of sequins, in every color you could imagine.

All of us have "fairytale" moments in our lives and being in Paris, attending couture beading classes, was one of mine. During the time there, I took gold metal thread classes, classes on working with metal strips, raffia, silk chenille and padding leather strips, techniques that can be seen today on any Paris runway. Our classes revolved around tambour work, a technique using a tambour needle, gold thread and thousands of sequins. This is an extremely difficult class to teach and equally difficult to master in a classroom. Tambour work is most evident today on evening tops beaded with sequins and produced in India.

Due to Monsieur Lesage, I became smitten with sequins and couching gold metal threads.

When I returned, I created a small silk etui in his honor, using gold metal threads and couching. Will photograph the piece and post.

There are several books on the work of Lesage. The coffee table book "The Art of Lesage" by Palmer White will undoubtedly inspire. I had Monsieur Lesage sign my copy and if an inscription could make a girl swoon, his certainly did.

Chanel purchased the House of Lesage several years ago and hopefully the art of beading will continue.

Adieu Monsieur Lesage...

Quilt Display at Barn

2011-11-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

This is a beautiful display of Pennsylvania quilts, many from the 19th Century, that were on display at a recent barn show. The show was to raise monies and awareness for land conservation in Bucks County, PA. Old Pennsylvania barns are becoming rare in our county as age takes it's toll on these amazing structures. I had a booth at this event and across from my table was a knitter and next to my table were two New York designers creating Fascinators. We all demonstrated different techniques. There was a wine-maker in the center hall, fly-fishing demos, an apple pie bake-off and a wonderful jazz quartet playing in the barn during the event. A fabulous fall day in the country!

Green Crochet afghan

2011-11-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

This is a simple, truly quick afghan to make. I am certainly a beginner when it comes to crochet techniques. Tomorrow this piece ships to my uncle in Virginia. He will be 90 on Wednesday and if there was ever a true gentleman, it would be him.

Vanna White came out with a 9 afghan pattern book several years ago. This is one of her patterns and it uses a size P hook and two colors of yarn in the hook. The colors for this piece were determined by skeins I picked up at a thrift store. Due to the large hook, the piece can be crocheted quickly, but using two yarns at the same time, the piece is also warm.

I now have an ecru one in the works for my Mother, using 9 different shades of ecru and ivory yarns. Hopefully it will get to Texas before Christmas. If you can purchase yarn at thrift stores, grab those skeins. The older lots of yarn are a nice weight and quality.

FREE FREIGHT WEEK through November 6, 2011

2011-11-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

It's a FREE FREIGHT Week at RibbonSmyth!

Perfect time to grab a few embellishments before the holidays and we pay the freight on any order of $25 or more. All US orders ship via first class with delivery confirmation. Global orders are shipped via airmail.

This photo features a button collage created for an ArtBra titled "My Father's Ties". The bra is covered in a base of navy/gold/ivory silk pieces from men's ties. I made this piece in a remote area of New Mexico and forgot my needles! Closest store was a 45 minute drive down a mountain and lucky that my Mother found a small sewing kit. All the glass pearls, beads and buttons were stitched over an intersection where several pieces of fabric intersected. Stacking beads and buttons in small clusters "anchors" a design. I layer the collage embellishments over simple seam treatments.

Jewel Embellished Cuffs

2011-10-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my lastest cuff designs. Grateful for a sunny day for a bit of picture-taking! Sunny days become a rarity in the Northeast, now that fall is here.

The cuffs are made of clay and on top of the clay, gems are nestled in painted silk carrier rods, painted with our Rainbow Dyes.

I recently met a costume designer and seamstress for the Met. She had wonderful opera stories. These gems came from the opera Carmen. The cuffs I kept for myself were too large. The cuffs are lined in Ultrasuede, but the ones I kept, are lined with thick wool blanket pieces, that had been felted. Took up the slack beautifully. A new addiction!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery on Cinnamon Velvet Dress

2011-10-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

Came across this picture while cleaning up files. With just a couple of stitches, it is easy to embellish a simple dress for this year's holiday parties. This is a purchased velvet dress, that I bought many years ago. The cut of the dress is so simple, that I continue to wear it. It's been to weddings, rolled up to fit in a suitcase and has visited the dry cleaners several times and the embroidery is surviving. I used variegated 4mm silk ribbon from our Old Rose silk ribbon assortment pack, and created a variety of spider web roses over the front and back shoulder of the dress. I then added padded straight stitches for buds in the same ribbon. Each bud has celery green Japanese Ribbon Stitch leaves. Using gold Krienik thread, I added a straight stitch into the tip of the buds and feather stitches among silk ribbon work for a bit of sparkle. After stitching, fuse a fusible interfacing to the inside of the dress to protect the embroidery . If any of the roses need refreshing, I swipe them with a damp cotton swab.

A Queenly Collage

2011-10-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

This collage was created for the queen in all of us! Now available for sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/OldElements

Again the base of the piece was a RibbonSmyth vintage fusible image fused on top of ivory damask. Lace pieces were layered around the image. None of the collages feature machine stitching. I think the stitches detract from the beauty of the lace. The bottom lace piece features a glass Czech gold button. French metal medallions and a French pearl, rest over lace bits on the side. In the top left corner I've added a small gold glass Czech button and a 1950's Japanese mother of pearl "deco" sew-on. At the puce (flea market) in Paris, there was one vendor that had a tent full of embellishments, beads, purse frames, everything to set a girl's heart aflutter...vintage heaven! You purchased a "goblet" (tea cup) of embellishments and paid by the goblet, which was 8 euro per goblet. I hope she still has her stand at the market.

Shabby Chic English Cottage with Feathers

2011-10-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

This 5"x7" collage starts out with a RibbonSmyth fusible vintage image. The piece is bordered on one side with beautiful feathers and the iridescent greens and turquoise shades are not captured by the camera. I added layers of lace around the image and finished with a Czech glass button, French metal medallions, and wood and brass buttons. The lace medallion at the bottom of the piece is beautiful. I don't know all the names of the laces; simply have appreciation for the artistry.

Shabby Chic Lace Collage

2011-09-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've started a series of Shabby Chic Lace collages using all vintage lace.

I've used one of Rengin's oyas at the bottom of the image.

The small metal findings are French. There are 50 collages in various stages and many are going to an art event and some will find their way to etsy. It was frightening to see the amount of lace I've collected over the past 20 years! It's great to see the laces finally displayed in small vignettes instead of residing lonely in plastic totes.

Dyed Silk Carrier Rods in Mermaid colors

2011-09-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

I dyed these silk rods last night to use in the Mermaid Collage. I wanted to match the Sea Cove bias-cut silk ribbon, so I used Silk dyes in Evergreen and Teal, blended with Rayon dye in Cinnabar. Just received silk cord in the color-way Abalone and plan on using these bits for a "bolo" lariat with the silk cord.

Dyed Silk Carrier Rods

2011-09-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

This is the result of dyeing the carrier rods in fall colors. Pulling apart the pieces, yields "duck down" soft silk bits.

Dyeing Tutorial Step Eight Silk Carrier Rods

2011-09-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

Dampen the silk carrier rods with water. Using a paint brush, brush each side of the silk rod with dye, allowing the two colors to flow into each other. Again, rayon dyes in Olivine, Antique Gold were mixed with the silk dye Cinnabar. I wanted to dyed specific colors to be used for embellishing the clay cuff. Microwave for one minute, allow to cool. The rod is a by-product of reeling the silk off of the cocoon. The rods are not de-gummed, so after dyeing, they may be a bit sticky. The luster is brilliant. Pull these pieces apart and they have a "feather-like" quality. Once they have dried after being dyed, they will dry into a curled, wrinkled shape.

Silk Tutorial Step Seven

2011-09-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Dyed Fibers

Once the fibers have dried, the ribbons are ironed on the back, then wound onto spools and placed into plastic containers. Left to right ~ bottom left corner is the over-dyed brown velvet ribbon, upper left corner is the mauve over-dyed mauve velvet ribbon, top of the photo is the 2mm silk cord, top right corner is 30mm double-sided silk satin, bottom right corner is the 3/8" glitter single-sided velvet ribbon. All the dyed fibers can be purchased in our OldElements etsy site and the undyed fibers are available in the Dyer's Ribbon section of our site. We have an assortment too of velvet ribbon that can be over-dyed.

Dyeing Tutorial Step Six

2011-09-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Wet nylon velvet and silk satin yardage ready to go into the microwave. The nylon velvet will dry to pastel shades. I used rayon dyes on the fibers in Olivine, Antique Gold, Victorian Rose. Some of the velvet was brown or mauve and over-dyed, which adds more of a vintage flair to the finished product. I normally microwave everything for 2 to 3 minutes and then air-dry. I do not rinse the fibers when they come out of the microwave. Fibers can be gently hand-washed or dry-cleaned but as a rule I do not machine-wash any of my hand-dyed fibers, since I use them for embellishing. All embroidered wearables are dry-cleaned.

Dyeing Tutorial Step Five

2011-09-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

All of the silk cord has been painted with dye. The color looks very vibrant. But since I used rayon dyes on silk cording, and the cording is very wet, once dried, the cording will dry to soft vintage tones. The silk will only absorb so much dye. When the cord is removed, there will be puddles of dye in the foam plate.

Dyeing Tutorial Step Four

2011-09-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Since I am always in a hurry, my favorite method of dyeing, is to use a pipette to apply the dye. I draw up a pipette of dye by squeezing the bulb on the pipette, and then spritz the dye onto the fiber, in several locations. Allow it to bleed into the other colors, which creates a vintage palette.

Dyeing Tutorial Step Three

2011-09-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

With the fiber damp, randomly brush on dye in three-inch sections. The colors used were Victorian Rose and Pansy in the Ribbonsmyth Rayon Dyes. 2mm silk cord is the fiber. Since the cord is damp, the colors will flow into each other and create new shades. Once the top is dyed, flip over the cord and continue adding dye. Normally I would not dye so much yardage at one time. This was cording I had stored in a plastic bag and instead of detangling; dyed all the cord at once. I don't wear gloves when dyeing, which at times, has me wearing dyed finger-tips for a day or so. Our dyes are non-toxic and wearing gloves leaves me clumsier than usual!

Dyeing Tutorial Step Two

2011-09-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Dye fibers in a foam paper plate. This prevents the dye from seeping into a paper plate.

I dye a variety of fibers using one combination of dyes. Supplies - water, foam paper plates, pipettes, brushes, paper towels and an ice cub tray for mixing dyes. In this photo, approximately 30 yards of silk cord is dampened and placed onto a foam plate. Wet the fiber and wring out all the water. The more water left in the fibers, the more pastel the ribbon. I keep a paper towel beneath the plate and use the paper towel as a palette, to test the color before applying to the fiber. If you are new to dyeing, keep a small notebook, notating the drops or teaspoons of dyes combined with other colors. Once the dyeing process is finished, tape a swatch of the ribbon or fiber to the page to note the outcome. All of this information is in my book "The New Ribbon Embroidery". An entire chapter was dedicated to dyeing. The book is no longer in print but copies do come up time-to-time on Amazon.

Dyeing Fibers Tutotial Step One

2011-09-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple tutorial on dyeing fibers. All of these were dyed in less than 30 minutes using Ribbonsmyth non-toxic dyes. Once dyed, they were heat-set in the microwave.

I mixed silk dyes and rayon dyes together.

In this photo: double-sided silk satin, brown and mauve nylon single-faced velvet, a gray rayon motif, 2mm silk cord, glitter velvet, white silk ribbon and silk carrier rods. Whatever you have on-hand, dye it!

Nylon fibers will dye only in pastel shades.

Mermaid Collage Close-up

2011-09-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to capture the luster of the silk carrier rods, but the sheen is subtle. I pulled one of the rods apart while still damp and one rod can be pulled into several pieces. When pulled apart the rod is almost feather-like. I'm probably the last person on earth to discover silk carrier rods, but thrilled I found the bag among my drawers of silk fibers. Once the rods were dyed, I microwaved them for 2 minutes, which dried the rods. After I embellished them, I dabbed Gilder's paste onto the rods as well as onto the fabric. I hoard old brass buttons and now is the time to use those buttons! Above the Mermaid head, I twisted and tacked into place, bias-cut silk ribbon. Since I wanted raw edges for the collage, the raw-edge ribbon added a bit of texture to the piece. I added a piece of Mica over the mermaid face to add a bit of texture.

Mermaid Collage with Carrier Rod and hand-dyed fibers

2011-09-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

This quote is great and it can be interpreted in many ways.

"And I said, with rapture, here is something I can study all my life, and never understand".

Samuel Beckett, Moloy

Since I've not read the book, I would like to think the quote can be used in describing women!

And since mermaids hold much mystique for us; thought the 1920's Mermaid image would work for this collage. The collage is approximately 4"x6" with uneven edges. It has been finished with a wool back.

I used Key West hand-dyed rayon tape to make an uneven fringe. Trimmed the sides of the image with silk carrier rods that I dyed to match the Sea Cove bias-cut silk ribbon.

These are elements taken from my new Mermaid CQ Block kit.

Clay Cuff with silk rod top view

2011-09-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a top view of the cuff with a bit better detail.

Still have not been able to capture the luster of the silk rod!

Clay Cuff embellished with silk rod

2011-09-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Silk rod embellished clay cuff finished!

Gotta love that E6000 glue! I have allot to learn on how to photograph cuffs, but taking the photo outdoors is a good start. I roughed up the clay surface with an emery board before gluing the silk carrier rod to the cuff.

Glued to the rod are two Victorian buttons, one large honeycomb faceted copper bead, a gold metal cage bead and a brown pearl. Once that was completed, I added small bits of gold metal thread I purchased at the factory in Lyon, France, harvested from gold bars used to create metal paillettes and bullion. The silk carrier rod now looks like it is sitting in a nest of gold metal bits.

Clay Cuff, FiberFusion and a silk carrier rod

2011-09-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm still playing with clay and can't wait to see this cuff finished. The cuff is nestled on top of FiberFusion and beneath it is a silk carrier rod. I have a large bag of Japanese carrier rods I picked up in New York. Just dyed this piece and it is still wet, thus the brilliance of the rod. The luster of the silk is amazing. These will be super to work with as they can easily be stitched, pulled apart into layers, etc. Will dye a few more and get just the right color to use on the cuff. Will tone down the rod with gilder's paste and then fill with different copper tone glass beads and probably a bit of wire. Waiting for a spool of silk cord to arrive and then will use a rod on the silk cord as a focal for a necklace.

Crazy Quilt Vintage white block kit

2011-09-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Crazy Quilt Vintage White Block Kit

I have a few of these kits left and am sending some to Japan today, so thought I would take a picture while packing the kits. The components because they have so much potential. I know I would throw all the contents into a pot filled with tea and tone down for a vintage block. The white lace motif is harvested from a wedding gown bodice. The beautiful, green tamboured embroidery came from a formal gown and I'm sure it originated in India. I've added a white vintage 12" dinner napkin, velvet, ivory and green toile fabric, complete with yards of braid, a muslin base fabric, and topped off with silk ribbon. I know it speaks "Bridal" but it reminds me too of a winter "Ice Queen"!

Lacey Cuff Closeup

2011-09-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

When I have booths at trade shows; I spend time doing dyeing demonstrations. Last night I came across a bag of demo samples and found this lace motif. The piece was dyed with RibbonSmyth Rainbow dyes using dyes in Olivine, Antique Gold, Lilac, and Victorian Rose. Dyes that have been heavily diluted with water. Use a damp motif before applying dye, so the dyes will flow into each other and create additional shades. Once the motif is dry, iron the back of the lace piece to heat-set. I cut the motif into 3 pieces and then reassembled. I added vintage 1920's amethyst rhinestone sew-ons for flower centers.

The metal-coated glass rose is a 1920's flat-back piece. I have several hundred and will get them loaded, as well as strands of assorted rose montees, onto my etsy sites, once the studio rehab is completed. The base of the cuff has been finished with gilder's paste in bronze and olive green. This piece is neutral and could be dressed up or would look good with jeans and a cashmere sweater.

Lacey Clay Cuff

2011-09-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is a cuff I made last night using a dyed lace motif attached to an aluminum cuff blank.

The edges of the lace have been tipped with German iridescent glitter and the cuff has quite a bit of sparkle, that I've not been able to capture with the camera. I added RibbonSmyth 1920's vintage amethyst rose montees, (rhinestones) finished with a 1920's metal-coated rose cabochon and two pearls. The base of the cuff was finished with gilder's paste. Can't wait to make more!

Needlepoint Floral Rose Cuff

2011-09-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the completed needlepoint cuff. I've still not mastered the best way to photograph cuffs. The piece is lined with a cinnamon Ultrasuede. I discovered in using a 2" wide cuff blank, that the end result offered a 2 1/2" wide piece. I thought the cuff was too large for my wrist, but once the needlepoint piece was completed; it fit perfectly.

2011-09-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

These are components for making a Needlepoint Cuff that I just finished stitching until the wee hours of the morning. The needlepoint canvas is very old. I found the piece at a thrift store for $2.50. The canvas is printed with the words "British Hong Kong". There are enough floral repeats for a few more cuffs. I bought wool skeins in a variety of colors for $.50 a skein. Each color background will offer a different look.

A student that often frequented my classes, gave me the hank of glass Victorian Jet beads. The beads are hex-cut and offer just the right amount of "flash". I ordered in the cuff blanks, which are a great quality, and will fit a variety of wrists. The cuff blanks can be ordered from my etsy shop OldElements.

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA Bell Tower

2011-09-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today and everyday, may we feel fully the love in our hearts and act on that love by believing rather than doubting, embracing rather than judging, and celebrating diversity rather then seeking safety in sameness. May we reach deeply within and widely without and together create the world we envision.

Silk Ribbon Embroidered Beret

2011-09-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

This is a gorgeous wool beret embroidered by Laurel Mazziotti of Virginia. One year Laurel was here at the studio taking classes, and I had just received a shipment of wool berets from New York. We were all stitching them for gifts. Laurel used RibbonSmyth Variegated Silk Ribbons for her work.

Isn't this piece lovely? Her embroidery is beautiful.

Crazy Quilt Initial Banner

2011-09-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

This is a RibbonSmyth Victorian Initial crazy quilt banner that I just discovered in a trunk of class kits and projects. I taught this class in La Bouboule, France, and was lucky to find a Versailles Cigarette Silk. It brings back great memories. I stamped the initial onto the fabric and used RibbonSmyth buttonhole silk twist for the Satin Stitch. I gathered 3" pieces of RibbonRuffles to make the little hollyhocks growing out of the clay button pot. Love those little clay pot buttons. They add so much dimension and embellishment to any piece.

Mokuba Cuff Kit

2011-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is a doupioni silk cuff kit I made during one our recent rain marathons. We have had 16 inches of rain in two weeks. I wish I could send the rain to Texas!

When finished with the ribbon work on the mauve doupioni; I added Mokuba trim for the edges. It is a "girly" piece. Not an easy piece to photograph. I used hand-dyed lavender rayon tape to make the roses, added a rayon-tape gathered flower and finished with a gathered trailing rayon tape tendril. Filled in around the design with silk ribbon stitches, pearls and flower sequins. I added a rhinestone button closure with a seed bead toggle. These would make great Christmas gifts. I put all the components, with instructions, into a kit. The pattern/kit offers a cuff for a 7 1/2" length wrist, but simply shorten the fabric or extend the fabric length to accommodate any size wrist. The kits are $19 and we have a few left. Great Beginner basic kit.

I purchased a large piece of Needlepoint in reds and black poppies. I've ordered in the cuff blanks and can't wait to make some Needlepoint Cuffs.

Mokuba Cuff Kit

2011-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

This photo is a bit washed out. And hope to replace it, when we see sunny weather again.

This cuff is 1 1/2" wide and I decided to turn it into a Beginner class kit. I've used Japanese Mokuba braid around the edges. The embellished roses are stitched onto rose mauve doupioni silk. Fun to blend in rayon-tape roses with 7mm silk ribbon stitches.

Jackson with his Elizabethan collar

2011-09-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our little papillon, Jackson. He had surgery yesterday and now he has to wear an "Elizabethan Collar" for two weeks. The vet said they did not have a collar large enough to contain his ears!

I feel so bad for him, that I doubt he will be in that collar for two weeks! He's getting lots of snacks and pain meds for a week!

Wool Cuff full-length piece

2011-08-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

This is a wool cuff I made using a piece of a pink wool blanket that I felted and then dyed with our Rainbow Dyes.

There is a pic in the blog of the large piece of wool I dyed last week. I layered the cuff with RibbonSmyth FiberFusion, added strands of RibbonSmyth's Rayon hand-dyed tape and over that added one of Stephanie's cabochons. Added beads around the cab and embellished the piece with gold metal thread, vintage brass buttons, crystals, tiny green round sequins and finished the piece with a beaded picot edge. The cuff is lined with Ultrasuede. I wanted pieces of the ribbon to hang off the back of the cuff for a bit of extra visual appeal. This will be great to wear this fall.

Wool Cuff Close-up

2011-08-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up and not a very good photograph; but was hoping to capture the cabochon used for the center focal of the cuff. The cabochon was made by Stephanie Novatski, the most creative woman on this planet, using her technique with Friendly Plastic, the hot pot and Angelina film. The cab is flexible and I pierced holes around the piece to anchor to the wool. Beneath the cab are wisps of FiberFusion and on top of that, rayon tape that has been tacked to the wool. I've layered gold metal strands across the cab anchored with Nymo and tiny green sequins.

Willa and I were in a factory in Lyon, France, watching gold bars being reduced to metal thread, metal bullion, metal sequins and other metal pieces ordered by Arab Sheiks for their clothing. I was not allowed to take photographs, but was entranced by the process at the factory. Michel, the owner of the company, was the most gracious host! I purchased a large ball of gold metal thread and finally used some of the threads in the design of this cuff. Willa and I were both amazed that I bought gold metal "trash"!

Wool Cuff

2011-08-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up of the wool cuff on my wrist. I hoard small brass buttons and these two lovelies are mixed in with rayon tape and beads.

Halloween Post Card with bats and pumpkins

2011-08-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Already in our local village, there are stores filled with Halloween costumes. I don't want summer to end, although fall in Pennsylvania, is spectacular, it means five months of winter, and a very cold studio!

So here is a post card to celebrate fall!

I used 3 pieces of fabric - rust doupioni, orange Ultrasuede and orange silk. Scraps are perfect. Once those were pieced onto a 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" piece of baby flannel, I fused 3 small pieces of Angelina fibers together using wax paper or a small Teflon sheet. I used Copper, Enchanted Forest and Brass fibers. I placed the small fused piece on top of the fabric and then fused the Halloween Vintage image on top of the Angelina, which is on top of the fabric. How easy is that?

Baste the pieced fabric to the fast-to-fuse postcard shape. Cut the piece to 4"x6".

I used the Firecracker colorway in the Rayon tape and rococo lace selection. Using champagne Nymo, tack rococo lace around the edge of the vintage image.

Make small loops or "half-bow" loops with the rayon tape, simply by gathering the ribbon and taking a few stitches in the ribbon to hold the loops in place; starting on the right side of the vintage image. I let one end of the rayon tape hang 1 inch below the bottom of the post card.

Clip several bats and pumpkins from the satin bat and pumpkin garland and tack the small motifs in place with Nymo.

Using 4mm silk ribbon in yellow and orange, add one-wrap French knots on the left side of the vintage image, on top of the rococo lace. Add several Ribbon Stitch flowers in 4mm yellow silk ribbon, among the pumpkins. Fill the center of the flowers with gold seed beads. Stitch miscellaneous beads and buttons among the rayon tape and the French knots.

Tack gold lurex fringe around the outside edge of the card using Nymo thread. Using some of our cotton picot trim, which I dyed burgundy, tack that trim down next to the gold as a finishing touch.

Fuse a RibbonSmyth French Post Card back to the back of the card. Add your greeting! Ready to mail...in a padded envelope!

RibbonSmyth Rainbow Dyed Wool Pieces

2011-08-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is dyed wool using the left-over dyes from dying rayon tape. Isn't this wool gorgeous? Love recycling.

Because wool applique is so popular, finding wool blankets is becoming more difficult. I purchase my wool blankets at thrift stores.

These are two pieces from a bubblegum pink wool blanket. I cut pieces to use for cuffs or for purses. Because the wool is so heavy after it's been dyed; keep the pieces small. Wash the wool blanket in hot water and dry in the dryer to felt. I usually wash a blanket several times.

I used our RibbonSmyth Rainbow Dyes for rayon and cotton and the dye worked well on the wool. I used a pipette and drizzled dye onto the damp wool pieces, which I laid on top of a plastic trash bag. After dyeing, don't move the wool. Let it dry outdoors. While it is still wet, I roll up the wool pieces in paper towels to aid the drying process, but I also collect the paper towels. Loving the colors. That's what's great about dyeing. I never know the outcome until the fabric is completely dry! And I am always happy with the outcome!

Dyed paper towel rose

2011-08-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

When I finish dyeing rayon tape and trims, I am never able to throw away the dye. All the dyes I use, I mix just for dyeing that day. So a little bit of dye left in about 20 containers has to be used. This photo features paper towels and a paper towel rose laying on top of wool fabric. Stephanie Novatski taught me to save paper towels, used for sopping up dye. Stephanie is beyond generous in sharing her tricks and techniques. After dyeing, let the paper towels dry and then I iron them and put into a 2 gallon zip lock. Dyed paper towels are great to use as fabric in your machine. They layer beautifully on top of fabric, can be used in the Embellisher, and are perfect for collage work. Coat them with Paverpol or Diamond Glaze to create jewelry pieces. I plan on using some of my dyed paper towels on wool cuffs.

I have to "see" everything. If it is not in a clear see-through tote or zip lock...it does not exist.

Irish Woods Rayon tape

2011-08-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

I try to do all my dyeing at the studio outdoors. This is a new selection called Irish Woods.

I took the photo during a thunder storm, so the lighting is poor and too dark, but this fiber begs for a landscape!

Protect This Woman #3 Fabric Postcard

2011-08-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

I think this card will be displayed on a little brass easel, sitting on a stack of books in our parlour at the house. This little card definitely "met" a water drop somewhere, as the letters are a bit blurred, but love the vintage image. I collect Guardian Angel images, as the image alone seems comforting. I use our variegated silk ribbon twist for postcards, because the weight of the silk thread is perfect. Dyed a bit of lace to match the silk ribbon and added a brass goddess charm. The velvet used for piecing is a deep burgundy and does not translate via the scanner.

Protect This Woman #2 Fabric Postcard

2011-08-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

This card again used fabric remnants I purchased in Paris. I piece post cards with raw fabric edges, which are a great design element. After piecing, iron on the RibbonSmyth fusible vintage image and then have fun with placing "the bits." The velvet ribbon and motif were dyed with RibbonSmyth Rainbow dyes in Victorian Rose and Antique Gold. Tacked down bits of pink tulle netting and added a little chain stitch with RibbonSmyth variegated buttonhole silk twist around the words.

Protect this Woman #1 Fabric PostCard

2011-08-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

I'm such a huge fan of fabric postcards, guess that's obvious! I'm turning one of my rooms, in my studio, into a space for jewelry components, and I found these cards that I made in 2009, while cleaning and tossing! Will put them onto Etsy perhaps. I've used bits of fabric remnants, a RibbonSmyth Vintage Fusible image, a little of the Old Rose Silk Ribbon assortment and assorted beads. I do all my crazy quilt piecing onto baby flannel, much easier to work with than muslin and it gives a bit of stability to the card. And curved piecing is a snap with postcards! Cut out curved fabric pieces and baste to the flannel. Couch a trim over the curved fabric edge!

Knitted metal bracelet

2011-07-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is a bracelet I made today. And the best part, is that this project is finished!

The class taught us how to use the Dazee Knitting tool designed for wire. We added a focal piece made with copper and and gave the metal a vintage finish using Gilder's Paste.

Bias-Cut Silk Ribbon

2011-07-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

We just received a new shipment of hand-dyed bias-cut silk ribbon. Every time these ribbons arrive, I want to stop and create something with them. They can be used with all the tradtional ribbon-folding techniques. But I like to take a length of ribbon, add a gathering stitch on one side of the ribbon and pull to gather. Instantly beautiful flowers that need to be surrounded with velvet leaves and vintage beads! Check out the vintage velvet chapeau that I've trimmed using bias-cut silk ribbon.

Wool Applique Postcard by Mary Engells

2011-07-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

Mary Engells, of Austin, Texas, sent me this adorable wool applique card. It came through the mail beautifully! Mary had used a RibbonSmyth Fusible French post card back and the stamps were in place along with the stamped cancelled postal cert. Mary's work is adorable and perfect. I am grateful that Mary is sharing her artistry with me! Mary, Thank you so much!

Christmas in July Sale ends Monday evening! 25% off Everything!

2011-07-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

It's our Christmas in July Sale ~ 25% off every item through Monday, Midnight, August 1st

25% Discount may not be combined with other coupons.

Great time to stock up on silk ribbons and fabrics for holiday creating!

Please visit www.ribbonsmyth.com

Featured above ~ collages available through Etsy!

July Blog Winner - 5 lucky winners!

2011-07-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

This photo features some of our hand-stamped tags wrapped with vintage rayon tape in assorted colors; complete with a 1920's Vintage Fusible Image of a Flapper, Mermaid or Gypsy.. These tags are sold on our Etsy site for $3.

I am grateful to all our RibbonSmyth customers that have supported us for 12 years; that I hope by offering blog give-aways, I can show my appreciation.

Instead of offering one package, I am giving away 5 packages with ribbons, silk ribbon, RibbonRuffles, assorted fabrics, threads and 5 boxes of beads. A great little collection to inspire creativity.

Our 5 blog winners are:

cpgreen@ameritech.net, shaw.kathy@yahoo.com, catderinger@yahoo.com, Barb-craftirn@cox.net, dixielee@intrstar.net

I do not have your names or addresses. Please send info to victoria@ribbonsmyth.com

Your packages will ship monday via priority mail with tracking if the package is shipped in the US

Thank you!

Vickie Brown

Birthday Album Cover Completed ~ Dyed lace and bias-cut silk ribbon flowers

2011-07-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

The finished birthday album! I found some braid for the cover, last week, while out of town. Did not have the fabric with me and was hoping the braid would match the doupioni. The braid was stitched to an insertion binding. I removed the binding and whip-stitched the braid to the album with champagne Nymo. It gave a bit more "heft" to the album and "framed" the lace design. The inside of the album is covered with a pretty floral brocade. A flat braid was used inside to cover the fabric edges. And under that silk fabric, dyed Venise lace, and silk ribbon, is a $4 office supply binder!

I worked on this piece at night, beginning at 9 PM and stitching until 2 AM; the best time of day (night?) to stitch! The construction crew starts working at 7AM; which means we are all up with the first sound of a hammer!

My sister is receiving all the birthday cards and so far, the collection is over a hundred, which is amazing. My Mother will be so happy.

Thanks to all of you who have taken your time to post comments!

A gallery in Santa Fe has requested some collages ~ so on to the next evening projects!

Birthday Album Dyed Venise and silk ribbon embroidery - Close-up

2011-07-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up shot of the birthday album cover featuring a section of the rayon Venise lace dyed with RibbonSmyth's rayon dyes and surrounded with bias-cut silk ribbon flowers. I made a few "twisty roses" with the bias-cut silk ribbon and then added a clear Swarovski crystal into the center of the rose.

Birthday Album Cover Work-In-Progress

2011-07-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

The detail is lacking due to lousy photography, but there is progress! It has to be finished this week-end!

I've dyed the bridal appliques with RibbonSmyth Rainbow Dyes using the dyes - Pansy, Sadie Rose, Victorian Ross, Olivine, Brown and Antique Gold. I mix all of them to each other and use a paper towel as a test palette. I start out with light shades. After they dry, I add more dye and for some of the petals, after they dried, I came in with brown and overdyed certain sections of the petals. Then I flipped the appliques over and pressed with a hot dry iron. The dyed appliques are heat-seat and the sheen is gorgeous.

I'm edgeing around the appliques with a deep metallic blue, black,burgundy, antique gold seed bead. And it looks great! It helps balance the brown clothing. I started a little ribbon embroidery to see if I was going to like the combination and am happy with the "antique feel". I'm using 1/2" wide bias-cut silk in the color Monet and making Loop stitches, Japanese ribbon stitches and French Knots. Filling in around those stitches with #028, #148 variegated 4mm silk ribbons and #32 forest green silk leaves. Will end with a cinnamon silk ribbon to balance the brown clothing. When all of that is done, will begin to add crystals.

Birthday Album Cover Assembly for my Mom

2011-07-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

These are components for a birthday album for my Mom...and I better get a move-on getting it designed!

My Mother will turn 80 soon. For over a year we have been assembling her party. She wanted a tea at her Women's Club. She decided the preparations became too stressful, so she cancelled her party!

My husband, little sister, and I have made plans for a small party, in the mountains, for her. Since January, we have been gathering birthday cards from her family and friends and they will be assembled into a birthday album. It is a surprise and so far, so good.

Mom was one of ten children of poor, dirt farmers, raised in Texas. Her father died when she was four, leaving her Mother with 10 mouths to feed. At times the family lived in a chicken coop on a neighboring farm.

Married to the love of her life at seventeen, by the time she was twenty-six, she was raising two sets of twins.

At twenty-nine, she was diagnosed with cancer and the prognosis looked like Dad might be raising four young children alone; while he struggled building his new business. Mom battled cancer again in her seventies. Her faith is remarkable.

She is a giving person and the photo of her in the kitchen with her apron on, defines her the best, although I know she would have preferred that I use a picture of her all "dressed up". She has three freezers in her home for all her baking. Dad vows that she cooks for all of Lubbock, Texas. Each day will find her delivering a cake or cookies, or a meal to someone that is sick or has recently been widowed.

When I visit them in Texas, before I leave for the airport, she will have a note on the refrigerator for me to not forget my lunch. She will have packed chocolate chip cookies, a pimento cheese sandwich, a new package of tissues and a package of gum, for the trip to the airport. Her thoughtfulness is amazing.

So will try to design her birthday album with a bit of elegance in hopes of "overcoming" the red apron.

I've assembled the "Roman Gold" doupioni for the album cover, as the silk has enough red tones to balance that apron. I'm using a plastic binder for the album. We are putting each card into a clear sleeve, so she can pull the cards out to read them. The binder will be padded with batting. The rayon flowers surrounding her photo, will be dyed with my rayon dyes in shades of magenta and gold. I dyed a small rayon motif to check the color intensity against the doupioni. The rayon flowers are cut from the bodice of a wedding gown. When the thrift store has wedding gowns at half-price, I purchase the ones with rayon bodices, take the gowns apart and store the rayon appliques in plastic bags. The photo will be trimmed into an oval shape and the rayon appliques will be stitched around the photo. Buds and roses made out of the 1/2" bias-cut silk ribbon will be stitched on top of the rayon motifs and the piece will be finished with Swarovski crystals. The inside of the binder will be lined with the floral upholstery fabric featured at the top of this photo and the inside edges will be covered with braid.

July 4th Blog Give-Away!

2011-07-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

July 4th Blog Give-Away

Here's a bit of a stash builder!

Just leave a comment to say "Hi" with your email address. Anyone can enter. Will be happy to ship a package outside of the US. A winner will be selected via random generator on July 23rd and the package will ship via priority mail on July 25th.

The stash will include 25 pieces of fabric to include silk doupioni, brocade, lace and prints.

The trims will include sequin strands, RibbonRuffles, rococo lace and various widths of silk ribbon.

Approximate yardage - 50 yards. Ribbons will be assorted lengths.

5 boxes of assorted beads and some charms and extra bits.

A small thank you for visiting our blog and RibbonSmyth!

Bucks County Conservatory made with vintage barn windows

2011-07-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

A few hours ago, these were windows stacked up inside our barn. With the aid of my husband and a drill, the windows are now a little conservatory in our back yard. I painted the windows until it became too dark and my light source were lightening bugs. I can hear the fireworks going off at neighboring farms.

Lots of work to do in the bed, but the little glass house has a bridge to the left. Once I get it back into place, will add a "stream" of river rocks under the bridge and have the rocks meander to the pond and surround the pond and bridge with day lilies. I will add a brick foundation for the house so the windows won't rot. To the right of the glass house will be a little pond with a stone waterfall. And then the pond will be filled with frogs. I don't know how they know to find the water, but they do.

Now to get the muscle for digging a huge hole for the pond insert. The pond was always a piece by our back door but was removed when we renovated. We had frogs sitting on the stone waterfall and when we came to the back door, you could hear them "squeak" as they jumped into the water. We had hauled a hollowed out tree stump and huge rocks from the back of our pasture and used those to build a little waterfall.

Years ago, I read in a Feng Shui book, that it was good to have trickling water by an entrance. And I believe that to be true. It was great to hear the sound of water falling off the stones.

French Fairy Mixed Media Close-up

2011-06-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Using an assortment of techniques, the Vintage Fusible Image is imbedded in layers of fibers, old lace and hand-dyed rayon tape.

Fairy Mixed Media Collage

2011-06-26T23:12:00.000-07:00

This Mixed Media Collage features a French Fairy Vintage Fusible Image.

Layers were added once the image was fused to the coffee-dyed fabric. Wonderful light needle-felting was added using RibbonSmyth FiberFusion.

Jack and his bunny

2011-06-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

This is our farm puppy at 8 months old, although he is known as a "velcro dog". He weighs four pounds now and he does not go anywhere without his bunny. My husband calls him "Action Jackson", my assistant calls him "Jack-a-loo", and he will answer to Jackson Pollock too. Willa calls him "Batdawg" due to his enormous ears. He terrorizes our other papillon, Sadie Rose. And often when I come in at night from the studio, Pearl, our Maine Coon, can be seen sitting on him. And Jackson is happy about that too.

There is not a piece of ribbon safe around him. He is the best stitching buddy.

Gypsy Collage Close-up

2011-06-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

Close-up of gypsy heart collage.

It's all about the layers!

Shabby Chic Heart Hanging

2011-06-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is a small shabby chic heart that I designed for some class proposals.

I laid pieces of hand-dyed paper dyed with Rainbow Dyes, over the heart and then fused one of RibbonSmyth's Vintage images to the fabric ground. The fusible image anchored everything to the fabric. Then I needle felted FiberFusion around the entire design. The FiberFusion is much lighter and airier than wool, which gives a softer, blended appearance. I added a maple leaf made out of FiberFusion to the left side of the vintage image.

Encircled the vintage image with bias-cut silk ribbon and needle felted lace around the piece and finished with metal thread couching and an assortment of Japanese Mother of Pearl Disks. I made a hanger and bows using RibbonSmyth hand-dyed rayon tape in celery green.

Too much fun!

Wool Afghan in progress

2011-06-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

In February I began to crochet baby afghans for a Cinco de Mayo baby shower that we did in New York. The mom-to-be is a photographer and she painted the baby's room in a soft dove gray. I had not crocheted since college but wanted Kate to have something hand-made for the nursery. I made one lime green afghan in a heavy yarn and one soft duck down yellow mohair afghan. I could have made twenty afghans in the time that I made the two. During this time, my niece was placed in a cardiac care unit in Texas and to get through the extended hospital stay; she began to crochet. I began to send her yarn and crochet websites.

This is the best crochet site with free patterns - http://www.allfreecrochet.com/
Last week at the Mennonite thrift shop I bought a bag of wool 6-sided blocks. There were 6 ivory blocks and 35 blue blocks. The $4 bag of blocks had to come with me! I whip-stitched the blocks together and it is one odd very heavy, little throw. I'm adding a 6-inch crochet border with marled yarn, around the throw and then it will be making it's way to my niece. Each night after dinner, I sit in the porch swing, crochet a bit and watch the little hummingbirds flutter among the fire flies. Really happy it's summer!

Shabby Chic PostCard

2011-06-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

I collect quotes and use them in my collages. Leonie gifted me with a fabulous book, "Creating with Fabrics" and it's filled with step-by-step instructions. It is the inspiration for my collage work.

The Quote ~

There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it!

You surround youerself with people who make you laugh.

Forget the bad, and focus on the good.

Love the people who treat you right,

pray for the ones who don't.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

The focal for the card is one of my Mother of Pearl buttons that I make here at the studio.

Vintage ticking fabric for the base. The quote was fused to a piece of muslin and then tacked to the ticking fabric with a simple cross-stitch using Scalamandre thread. The button was stitched to the fabric and then added a beaded picot with celery seed beads was stitched around the button. The button was then glued to the card with quick grab tacky glue.

12" of Tropicana Rose rayon tape was tacked beneath the quote, using celery seed beads. Then frayed the edges of two pieces of vintage hankies and tacked them into place. Added two RibbonSmyth velvet leaves and tacked in place with seed beads. Added a little 1930's Vintage Czech turquoise crystal button and a Paris clock button to the other hanky piece.

Flipped the card over and fused a RibbonSmyth French PostCard back to the back of the card.

Added a bit of raspberry cluny lace to the bottom of the card. The card can easily be hung as a small, mindful wall-hanging to grace a cubicle wall or propped up among perfume bottles on a dressing table.

Willa's Postcard

2011-06-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a clever postcard? Willa sent me this card in honor of the ArtBras. Willa was an ArtBra designer and is a dear friend. She created and generously donated so many bras over the years with wonderful inspiring stories. Her friendship and support of the ArtBra project, means the world to me. We made wonderful memories when we travelled together to France. We both love all things French, thus the French charms on this card!

If we are together, we are laughing! Willa, muchas smooches!

Black and Orange Cuff Bracelet - Close-up

2011-06-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

This shot shows a bit of the gold braid used between the beads.

Really fun to make. I have some classes lined up in 2012 for making the cuff bracelets and we will do some workshops here at the studio.

Black and Orange Cuff finished

2011-06-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

A pic of the finished cuff. I did not like the bulk of the jet bead button for the toggle, so I used an old brass button, which adds texture. The little black seed beads remind me of caviar!

Progress on Black and Orange Cuff Bracelet

2011-06-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

I've added black hematite beads and it does make a difference in the design!

It's great to just bead around the design in the pattern of the fabric. The brown shells and the little gold cabochons are focals and I added in gold cord among those pieces before I started stitching circles of seed beads. Easy Peasy! I like the African nature of the fabric.

Beaded Cuff Bracelet in Progress

2011-06-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is a work-in-progress that I started last night. Seems most all my designs begin on Saturday night!

This is a birthday present for a friend that has a teeny tiny wrist. I'm off to see if I can find black beads. I've started the beaded picot stitch with a metallic bead but thinking black beads might be the ticket. I have a beautiful French black jet button I will use for the toggle. And I've started to add an elastic loop for the toggle instead of the beaded ones. The elastic gives that 1/4" "give" although asthetically I prefer a beaded loop. I used a pretty rust suede leather for the back. Years ago I was designing pieces for a leather company in another life, and they sent me large pelts of various leathers. I was designing Native American pieces for magazine articles and advertising. The leather is so soft.

My friend wanted her bracelet to be designed in orange. I use men's ties for the base fabrics and after a bit of searching, found a great 1960's men's rayon tie with just the right amount of orange. On the East Coast, we wear lots of black and I think this cuff will look great with a black turtleneck. I know orange is a trending color and the last time I can remember orange being so popular, was back in the 1980's.

CQ block with rayon ribbon flowers

2011-06-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is an eight inch block embellished with hand-dyed rayon ribbons. There is a wire-edge ribbon rose in the center of the block. A small 1/2" round RibbonSmyth button cover is covered in doupioni silk. I gathered 10" of hand-dyed rayon tape in the Merlot colorway and then tacked the gathered ribbon around the button cover. I added beads around the button cover. A dyed rayon motif using Rainbow Dyes in Victorian Rose, Olivine and Antique Gold is then tacked to the fabric.

Wire-edge Rose Pillow for Sendai

2011-06-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

This is the completed pillow that I made for Hideko's auction in Sendai.

The morning glory print is made from a vintage 1880's seed packet label that I found in Harrisburg, PA. I fused the fabric label to emerald green velvet.

I made each of the wire-edge ribbon roses and leaves from ribbon I purchased in Paris. Each of the roses are attached to the fabric, and with the palm of my hand, "squished" the roses flat and then tacked the edges of the roses to the fabric. By flattening the ribbon roses, the overall appearance has more of a vintage flair. I attached fabric strips of deep emerald damask fabric, cut from vintage dinner napkins, to the velvet. Added feather-stitching using Scalamandre tassel silk thread from Brazil and then embellished with seed beads. Beads were added among the wire-edge ribbon roses, that are old pre-war German plastic flowers and vintage Czech leaves and glass flowers. Then French knots made using RibbonRuffles were stitched among the beads and flowers. The tassel braid is some I gathered at the Scalamandre factory in Queens. There are two bags of fiberfil in this pillow. It's a bit "hefty"! I used a deep emerald brocade fabric with an Asian print, that I found in a little fabric store in Paris, for the cushion back. Can't wait for Hideko to see it!

Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

2011-05-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to be inspired, view a wealth of techniques, that you will not see assembled ever again in one location, if you appreciate Couture embroidery, and Victorian inspiration translated into 21st Century gowns, do not miss Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. (Due to copyright law, I'm not able to show any of his gowns.) There is no way to describe the genius of Alexander McQueen. Every inch of the exhibit exceeds all expectations.

The book produced for this exhibit will certainly become a collectible. From the hologram cover to the very last page, I inhaled the book.

The staff at the museum are seeing an additional 4,000 people a day, due to the exhibit. I had the taxi drop me off 20 minutes before the museum opened, and the line was already inching it's way down Fifth Avenue.

You can see the body of Kate Middletown's gown reflected in several designs. Embroidery on burlap, silk fabric or Scottish Tartan, embellished with Victorian French Jet beads or crocodile heads; his gowns have it all! And then some. There are a variety of Philip Treacy hats on display as well as the famous Armadillo shoes that launched Lady Gaga's fashion creativity. Have to sneak in one more visit to the exhibit!

New Rayon Tape Selections

2011-05-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

With summer finally here, I've been dyeing ribbons in brighter colors inspired by the colors of Bucks County. The lime shades are my favorites! I'll begin to add these to the Etsy site. Now to find time to stitch. This rayon tape is wonderful to ruch.

Wool Bodice close-up

2011-05-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up of the bodice. The woman that wore this piece, had to have had a place in society and lived in the City!

Patterned velvet collar, patterned silk fabric surrounded by metal tri-cuts and French metal sequins. This bodice had to be so admired!

Wool Bodice construction featuring stays and fabric

2011-05-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

Isn't this great fabric? The inside of the bodice features a printed silk with a feather stitch design. Notice how the bone stays are stitched into the bodice. Look at all those seams! Perhaps a 19 inch waist wore this piece!

Wool bodice

2011-05-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This wool bodice is in poor condition but a treasure for the construction inspiration. Someone had harvested the buttons of the piece, naturally. I've taken my brother to New York many times to acquire couture beads from my "bead man's railroad in lower Manhattan"; that when he saw the bronze metal tri-cuts trimming the bodice, he purchased it simply so I could harvest the metal beads and metal sequins. It's very rare to find a bodice with a printed floral velvet collar and printed silk fabric. The silk fabric, probably French, is in the process of shattering, but a bit of the pattern can still be appreciated. The bodice is wool.

Kid Wedding Shoes - Edwardian

2011-05-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Aren't these a stunning pair of Edwardian Shoes? These were a Christmas gift.

I've traced these back to a 1910 Boston, Massachusetts dry goods store.

They surely were white when purchased. They are still in excellent condition for their age. They would have fit a very narrow size US 5. I can only imagine the lady that wore these slippers on her wedding day.

I am blessed to have someone that knows how much I love vintage apparel. He's watched me "melt" over the construction of a piece that may be in a poor condition; but am still able to see how grand it must have been a hundred years ago. I have to admit that most of the Victorian bodices and flapper gowns I have in my collections, have all been given to me by my brother. I've hauled him to auctions, New York Vintage shows in the blazing heat, small Texas towns, and through the East Coast countryside to flea markets, thrilled simply with the excursion. I don't need the acquistion to appreciate the beauty and artistry.

Kid Wedding Shoes with view of heel

2011-05-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

This is a profile of the Wedding shoes.

Kidd Wedding Shoes

2011-05-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up of the beading on the toes of a pair of kid wedding shoes.

Some of the #15 beads are missing among the design, which does not take away from the beauty of these slippers!

Ballet Gown with couched tulle

2011-05-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest methods for creating movement in a piece is "Couching". I learned about the value of "Couching" when earning my certification in Couture Embroidery at the House of Lesage. It is a basic stitch used often in couture embroidery. This gown was embellished with a festoon of tulle netting couched in 4 inch intervals.

Ballet Costume featuring folded fabric roses

2011-05-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a stunning? Folded ribbon roses in satin and organza.

Ballet Costume Folded Rose

2011-05-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

This is a detail of a folded rose at the bottom of a ballet gown. The leaves are also made from folded fabric.

Ballet Costume Bodice with pink rosettes

2011-05-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ballet Costume with Pink Rosebuds

2011-05-28T20:38:00.001-07:00

Ballet Costume with Sequin Bodice

2011-05-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a beautifully sequined bodice?