Archives

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!

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

Here are the links for the rest of the week:

Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen

Day 31 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Day 31 of FLOWERS GALORE!

vintage buttons, vintage hanky

vintage buttons, felt heart

This is an ensemble I made with some of my favorite buttons. The white buttons in the necklace were from my friend Phred, with the remainder of the buttons primarily celluloid and Bakelite. These are stitched down onto a vintage jacquard ribbon base. The bracelet on the left is made from vintage Czech glass buttons using a bead woven stitch. The bracelet on the right is made from celluloid flower charms, new plastic sunflower buttons, and acrylic leaves connected to a celluloid chain. The vintage clip-on earrings are made from plastic with a little bit of bling.  I made the pin in high school, so it too is vintage!

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 10 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Day 10 of FLOWERS GALORE!

ribbon worked flowers and leaves

Violet Gardens

This was one of two entries for the Piecework Magazine’s Excellence in Needlework 2009. The challenge was to make a brooch no larger than 3″, in any needle art category. This was a gallery piece that can be found in my book Ribbonwork Gardens by C&T Publishing.

Ribbonwork Gardens a book by Christen Brown

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Scrumptious Hearts: class/tutorial

Scrumptious Hearts: 3 lessons/$38.00

scrumptious heartsBits and pieces of cherished lace are melded with silk fabric to form a beautiful heart shaped base for your floral design. Chose from a few different heart shapes and ribbon worked floral vignettes, or create your own. The melded silk and lace base and the RTD silk ribbons for the ribbon work flowers and the silk ribbon embroidery are dyed with the Colorhue dyes. This is an excellent way to use up small amounts of this and that to form an heirloom brooch to be treasured.

Skill Level Intermediate: machine and hand sewing, embroidery and ribbonwork knowledge needed.

Lesson 1: This lesson will cover the machine stitched and collaged bits of lace and silk fabric for the base of the heart, (only cotton, rayon or silk lace will work for the base, you will need to know what you have before you start the project). The finished base and the silk ribbons will be dyed in the second part of this lesson with Colorhue dyes (no other dye will be used or discussed).

Lesson 2: This class will focus on the ribbon worked (ribbon cut to a specific length and stitched with a needle and thread) flowers and leaves, that will become the floral vignettes for the heart. The flowers include: the Chou Rose, Double Edge Rosette, and the Silk Bias Berry; the leaves include: the Simple Leaf and the Prairie Point Leaf. The flowers and leaves are stitched onto the heart shaped base in small vignettes.

Lesson 3: This class will focus on the silk ribbon embroidery stitches (ribbon threaded through a needle and stitched through the fabric to form a flower or pattern) that include the Lazy Daisy and French knot; these are stitched around the floral vignettes. Once the base is adorned with the ribbon worked flowers and leaves and embroidery, then the brooch is assembled with the backing and outer trim.

Class Information

These classes 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 will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

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