"Sisters" Block One Completed

The photo does not do justice to the rich colors of the fabrics and hand-dyed ribbons. I have two more blocks with companion vintage images, to create. The fabrics are a beautiful burgundy/bronze shot velvet, a grey soft rayon floral pattern, moss bengaline moire, a tufted celery bengaline and pieces from a moss/blue men's tie. White laces, used for seam treatments, may seem too stark and instead of moving the eye within the block, the eye is drawn to the white laces or motifs. (I use the ragged edge of netted lace, stitched around the vintage image, as a design element.) Once the vintage image was ironed to the fabric ground, a piece of netting, from a 1920's dress, was tacked into place. All the tatting and rayon lace motifs, were tea-dyed using 3 Lipton tea bags. The orange Pekoe of the tea, was the perfect shade to complement the moss fabrics and the burgundy velvet.

Although the luster of the silk ribbon cannot be seen, I dyed 1 1/4" wide silk ribbon using burgundy and moss Ribbonsmyth silk dyes. I twisted the ribbon and tacked into place over the bottom seam. Then  tacked burgundy RibbonRuffles over the silk ribbon. I think the ribbon may be too heavy, but it will remain. I made a 1 1/4" Mother of Pearl Pansy button and it fit beautifully with the theme of the block.

Buttonhole silk twist in lavender is used for a variety of stitches. The light touch of the silk twist does not overpower any of the other elements. I finished with silk ribbon embroidery in assorted variegated silk ribbons and 7mm ribbons. Can't wait to see the next two blocks!

New Silk Ribbon Combo Packs

 

A new shipment of ribbon is always exciting! This is the new "Peacock" silk ribbon combo pack available in our Etsy Store. 25 yard ribbon packs available in 2mm, 4mm, and 7mm widths. What fun!

Judith Leiber Minaudiere

 

As an admirer of Judith Leiber minaudieres, I was able to purchase "blank minaudiere" stock in New York, when Judith Leiber moved their NY showroom. The purses are metal, made in Italy, just waiting for Swarovski crystals. This small clutch has over 3,500 vintage Aurora Borealis number 12 ss vintage crystals, each crystal glued in place, one at a time, using tweezers. It was a great evening project. Every time I've worn this purse, it has been enjoyed. I still have some Judith Leiber minaudieres, that can be purchased at our Etsy site.



"Sisters" Crazy Quilt Block for 2015

With the beginning of a new year, my goal is always to produce more. During the dark, winter months, we are given time to create. To remove the pressure, I try to focus on creating one piece at a time. I'm teaching for a week in Vermont in July and plan to have several new small wall-hangings for the classes. This piece started with a collection of three RibbonSmyth vintage images. A block will be created for each of the images. Our vintage images are printed on a fusible-back cotton with a beautiful, long-lasting resolution.  I piece the block by hand, then iron the image to the block and lay-out pieces around the image and work "out" from there, with stitching and embellishing. This block will be assembled into a kit featuring celery, gray and burgundy fabrics. 

We still have a few Valentine Post Card Kits

 

I can't believe it is 2015! Writing this on a cold snowy night, wishing each of you a healthy New Year.  And now in the new year, we think about what we would like to create for Valentine gifts for friends. We still have some Valentine postcard  kits, ready to wing their way to you. The little kits include Fusible post card backs, trims and a fusible Vintage heart image.

http://ribbonsmyth.com/fabricpostcardsscrapbookingandatcsupplies.aspx