





Here are a few blooms to cheer up the week! Happy May Day!
Happy Stitching, ~Christen
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
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?
Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen
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!
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.
Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!
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!
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!
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!
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 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.
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