Here are a few colorful blooms to cheer up the week! Happy May Day!
Happy Stitching, ~Christen
May Day, Spring Flowers
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National BUTTON WEEK, Day 4!!!
In honor of National Button week March 13-19, 2023 I thought that I would share a few of my favorite buttons, and buttons, and lots and lots of buttons. Today, I want to share a few pieces from my collection of MOP (mother-or-pearl) shell buttons.
This is a delightful little advertising booklet that chronicles the life of Billie Button. The book travels through his life, from his beginnings as a clam shell, to finally becoming a part of a little girls dress. Check the La Crosse County Historical Society website, to read the entire story.
Here are a few pieces that are featured in my book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New, that are adorned with mother-of-pearl buttons, charms, pins, buckles and cuff links.
Recommended Reading
- The Button Craft Book by Dawn Cusick
- The Book of Buttons by Joyce Whittemore
- The Button Lover’s Book by Marilyn V. Green
Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen
Friday’s Favorites: Scarves
I love scarves! And with the cold weather still out, I am constantly in search of that little bit of extra warmth and color. Being allergic to wool can sometimes be a challenge to find just the right thing for an outfit, so I am always on the lookout, and often I make my own accessories or re-style or revamp an already made item.
This chiffon scarf was a gift from my husband and daughter, along with a box of Godiva chocolates. How could you go wrong with yummy chocolate and my favorite color purple! I added satin rosettes and posies using the directions from my book Ribbonwork Gardens, by C&T Publishing.
This is a scarf that is entirely made from Hanah Silk bias ribbon. Several different widths were used, and stitched together on the sewing machine. The ruffled roses are hand-stitched, and are also made from silk bias ribbon.
This is a scarf that I knit, using yarn that was made from silk sari borders. It has a lively color combination, lots of colors and fun nubby sections. I made folded edge rosettes from hand-dyed silk velvet ribbon. The centers of the flowers are abalone shell buttons.
This scarf was purchased many years ago at Cost Plus, now it is called World Market. It is incredibly detailed with rickrack ribbon stitched into flowers, sequins, and beads! To top it off I made another flower from my book Ribbonwork Gardens, using ribbon that came off another box of Godiva chocolates.
Happy Stitching to you all, and Enjoy~ Chisten
3 Hours of Flowers: class/tutorial
3 Hours of Flowers: 1 lesson/ $25.00
This a great sampling of corsages, ones that will look great on any jacket form jean to velvet! These also make a great gift, for that special someone, and the bonus is that they are fast to make. The flowers include: Rose ‘N Bud Brooch, Rosette with Leaf, and the Lacey Flower.
Skill Level Beginning: hand-sewing and some ribbonwork skills a must
Class Information
This class can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.
Once the class is paid for, the supply list and handout/s will be sent out.
A high-speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it, and print out a copy.
You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.
Class fees will not be refunded.
Happy Stitching! ~Christen
Tidbits and Tats: class/tutorial
Tidbits and Tats: 1 lesson/$30.00
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! Perfect for you to use 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.
Skill Level Beginning: hand-sewing and embroidery knowledge needed
Class Information
This class can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.
Once the class is paid for, the supply list and handout/s will be sent out.
A high-speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it, and print out a copy.
You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.
Class fees will not be refunded.
Happy Stitching! ~Christen
Friday’s Favorites: Magical Masks and Wands
I have been creating wearable garments for many years. I always have fabric, beads, and treasures left over from those projects, so many of them have additional accessories, such as masks and wands. What better time of year to share some of these with you!
Moonlit Sea was made for a vest called Chandos Summer Storm.
The base of the mask is pieced from left over fabrics that were used on the vest. The base was then embroidered and embellished with shisha mirrors, glass beads, ceramic and metal charms, old earrings, carved bone and shell pieces, and ribbon.
Kalahari Spirit Dancer was made for an ensemble with the same name. The ensemble includes a jacket, a vest, a skirt and a purse.
For the mask, I pieced fabric onto cardboard, then glued shisha mirrors and strands of glue to cover the raw edges. I applied gold leaf to the glue just as it was drying. I have added all sorts of charms and talismans, that have given the piece it’s own spirit.
Madame Butterfly mask was made for a jacket with the same name.
The handle is made from a piece of drift wood that I spray painted. The base of the mask is pieced and machine stitched with metallic threads. It is embellished with fabric yo-yos, shisha mirrors, beads, charms, old earrings, carved bone and shell pieces, and ribbon.
Polgara’s Mask was made with an old tree root that I found. The rounded parts of the root, resembled a mask. I added another piece of wood for the handle.
I embellished the mask with a vintage pheasant feather piece that was attached to an old hat. In addition, I added ribbonwork flowers, vintage millinery glass pods, velvet ribbon, and a tassel to complete the piece.
White Shell Woman was made for one of my first wearable garments, by the same name.
The base is a piece of driftwood that I sanded and sprayed with shellac. Bits of gathered pieces from nature include coral spines, dried pods, shells, and driftwood. Beads, bells and ribbon complete the design.
All Friday’s Favorites posts.
Enjoy your haunts this month, and always! Happy Stitching to you! ~Christen
National Sewing Month
Day 23
Question: Do you sew functional forms or do you like to create fabulous frivolities? Here are two examples of the classes that I offer that will help you to explore that fabulous and dare I say frivolous side of life!
Beadazzled Somemore by Christen Brown
This is a version of my PDF class lesson Beadazzled Somemore Purse. This purse is made from a beautiful cotton batik fabric by Hoffman (who else?), but you can choose any type of fabric. The bead embroidery stitches are worked with a variety of techniques. Additional embellishments include buttons, charms, roundels, and sequins.
Gypsy Treasures by Christen Brown
This is a version of my PDF class lesson Textured and Treated Reticule. This purse is also made from a cotton batik fabric by Hoffman, but any type of fabric would work. The base is heavily quilted and textured, using a twin needle 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.
For more information on beads and working with beaded embroidery stitches, check out my book Beaded Embroidery Stitching, by C&T Publishing.
Happy Stitching, ~Christen
National Sewing Month
Day 12
Question: Do you sew functional forms or fabulous frivolities?
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!!!
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!
The following two images are from classes that I have taught at the International Quilt Festival in Houston Texas.
This is another class that I used to teach, beads and buttons, what more could you ask for?
Here are the links for the rest of the week:
Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen
Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!
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.
Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!
Christen's Creations 