Archives

National Sewing Month

Sep12

Day 12

Question: Do you sew functional forms or fabulous frivolities?

8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

Gypsy Treasures by Christen Brown

This little purse is made from a beautiful cotton batik fabric by Hoffman (who else?). The fabrics were heavily quilted and textured, using a twin needled for the quilting. Surface techniques include a vine created from yarn, covered in gold metallic threads, fabric yo-yos, and machine couched novelty yarn details. The sections of fabric are embroidered with raised and textured stitches, beaded embroidery stitches, shisha mirrors, and buttons.

This piece can be seen in my book Embroidered and Embellished by C&T Publishing. Textured and Treated Reticule, is also a PDF class lesson.

Happy Stitching, ~Christen

National BUTTON WEEK!!!

Mar15

In honor of National Button week I thought that I would share a few of my projects where I used buttons, lots and lots of buttons.

The following two images show that buttons are the queen! And that she graciously allows ribbons, trims and other ephemera to come along for the ride!

buttons, lace, ribbon, charms, steampunk
buttons, charms, ribbon

The following two images are from classes that I have taught at the International Quilt Festival in Houston Texas.

button bracelet, vintage buttons, beads

This is another class that I used to teach, beads and buttons, what more could you ask for?

beaded bracelets

Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen

Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May30

Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!

ribbonwork daffodils

Daffodils

When our friends Phred and Tom got married, I was asked to be the flower girl. In this case, it meant that I was making the flowers for the wedding party. Here is a group of my friend Phred’s favorite flower, the daffodil. My husband Kevin gave part of the ceremony, and our daughter Gwen was the video photographer.

ribbonwork daffodil

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 27 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May27

Day 27 of FLOWERS GALORE!

dyed ribbon corsages

dyed ribbon corsages

dyed ribbon corsages

Corsages to Dye For

This is a series of classes that I taught on-line for Joggles, Corsages to Dye For I, Corsages to Dye For II, and Corsages to Dye For III. The student learned how to mix colors and dye her own ribbons. The flowers and leaves were made with ribbonwork techniques, and a little bit of embroidery. Many of the techniques can be found in my two ribbonwork books by C&T Publishing.

Ribbonwork Gardens a book by Christen Brown

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 26 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May26

Day 26 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Pretty In Pink

Pretty in Pink

This is an ensemble that I made using a vintage tatted reticule and crochet collar. I used silk ribbon for the flowers and leaves, and added in acrylic flowers and leaves with beaded stitches. This can be found in the gallery section of my book Ribbonwork Flowers by C&T Publishing.

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 20 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May20

Day 20 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Lace in Bloom

This is a sampling of the flowers that I created for a class that I call Lace in Bloom. Several of the flowers are made with individual petals that are made from a “magic web” technique that I created using Solvy. The other flowers are made from a length of lace. All of the laces were dyed with ColorHue dyes. Fun, fun, fun!

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 16 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May16

Day 16 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Fabulous Felt Florals

This group of colorful blooms is from my class Fabulous Felt Florals. These fast and easy flowers are just fun, fun, fun! Create a brooch, hair ornament, or decorate an object with these colorful, creative floral beauties. Several different flowers, leaves and embellishments will be made using a variety of shapes with the addition of machine and hand embroidery. The techniques involved are both machine and hand stitching. Fun for any time of year!

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 13 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May13

Day 13 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Small Works!

This is a grouping of some of my favorite embroidered treasures. I keep these in baskets on my work table and book cases so that I can see them and love them everyday! These can be found as gallery examples in my ribbonwork and embroidery books from C&T Publishing.

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Tidbits and Tats

Feb11

tidbitsandtats1

Tidbits and Tats is my version of the popular “snip rolls”. This is a fun, fast and easy project to make for yourself or someone you love! Bring your tiny bits of precious lace, fabric, ribbon, appliques and trims to create a hand sewn collaged base. The lace base can be embroidered and embellished with buttons, sequins and charms. You can add in your own flare with other items such as fabric yo-yo’s and ribbonwork flowers.

tidbitsandtats2

Details:

Class Fee: $25.00/2 hour class

*Please note that this class does not include any of the materials, supplies or tools; these must be provided by the student.

Class Requirements: You must know how to hand sew. You must know these embroidery stitches:  straight, lazy daisy, French Knot and some bead embroidery stitches before class.

Date and time: 2/hr. class not currently scheduled.

Specifics:

This class fee is paid directly to Christen. This can be paid by a PayPal invoice, or by cash or check the day of class. Please email Christen:thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com to inquire about the availability of space for the date listed above.

Happy Stitching ~Christen

Stitch Along Sampler: Student’s Work

Dec4

I have a treat to share with you today. This project was created by one of my students Misa Turnage. She has taken a block from my class The Stitch Along Sampler, and turned it into an unexpected surprise.

misaturnage1stitchalongsamplerblock

The block became a focal point for a tote bag. Misa used block #7/Embroidered Chorus. She added in her own touches by embroidering the four sweet little flowers in the corners.

misaturnage2stitchalongsampler

To assemble the bag she used a grouping of related floral prints, added in some lace here and there and voila! What a cute bag, it just turned out so wonderful!

Happy Stitching, and thank you Misa for sharing! ~Christen