Wonderful Etsy trade!

Hello!

I had a wonderful day yesterday all because of a fellow Etsian who goes by LJCtree. I was admiring her bath bombs in the Etsy chat- when she contacts me about a trade! You have to remember that I have yet to make a sale- or figure out what people like about my pieces. Getting this whisper was a big ego boost!

I start poking around her store for a 'trade'- and let me tell you, it was really hard. It was so hard because she has so many amazing pieces. She has bath bombs that look like sweet, edible cupcakes- and jewelry that looks like treasury to be!

I'm starting a new 'Wishlist Wednesday'- and here's a preview from LJCtree!


Look at the lovely packaging there. She also has a neat little story with each listing. Go click a few of her items- I caught myself reading the descriptions on quite a few things!

Can you guess which of her items I bought- and which I'm buying next payday?

Here is her blog:
http://ljctree.blogspot.com/

She writes about touring DC (I did that last summer too! We should totally bond over that...) and about other Etsians to check out. Keep an eye on this sweet lady- and her scrumptious treats!

The new Fabric Patch line: Countryside Ribbon Embroidery Quilt set

The new Fabric Patch line!

 

 

Collage of the first three completed:

 

Playing with Picassa

 

Worthy Cause

Hello,

This isn't related to silk ribbon embroidery, but I just watched a powerful awareness ad about sea turtles being on the endangered list. I'll spare you the heart wrenching details, but please consider looking into Oceana - help get sea turtles off the hook!
~Anne

New items listed in the shop today. I am working on completing the patch line- I have decided to add an additional crazy quilt supplement! Now you can add crazy quilt flair without the work of embroidering it yourself!

New Fabric Patch: Red Passion flower

Here is a new patch that I have just completed!

Technique Thursday: French Knot & Ribbon Stitch = Aster!

Hello!

Today, I will be walking you through how to create an Aster. This is a very simple flower to make. To form the flower, you will do two types of stitches: A french knot and ribbon stitches, the simplest of stitches. Let's begin!

A lot of patterns start you off with stitching the flower petals first, yet I like to start at the center and work my way out. Cut yourself a nice length of yellow ribbon and secure it to your chenille needle. Choose a place on your fabric where you will stitch the flower- I recommend sketching a small circle with a pencil or water erasing fabric pen. You will stitch this knot at the center of the circle and place the petals to the edge of the circle.
Pull the ribbon through and twist it around your needle. Patterns often call for different sorts of french knots- a two french knot is wrapping the fabric around the needle twice, for example.

Place the needle very close to where it came through. Gently pierce the fabric here- and this is where I use my other hand to pull the extra ribbon and tighten the loops around the needle. You will want to hold this ribbon as you pull the knot through. You can play with this technique and learn to pull the knot to give a loose or tight knot, depending on what flower you want to create. This knot alone can be used to create flowers. For example, three closely placed french knots as I have done here can be a spray of rose buds. They also work nicely for baby's breath or flower buds of any flower.
To stitch the Aster petals, place four ribbon stitches in a dark pink color. Place these stitches as I have- at four points. To form the ribbon stitch, bring the ribbon up to the front of your fabric. Use your finger to lay out a 'petal' with the ribbon, then place the needle where you want the tip of the petal to be. Pull until the ribbon makes these nice 'curls' by folding inward. Look to the following picture for an example.

Complete the Aster by stitching ribbon stitches around the flower. I like to make some stitches smaller than others, especially in between these four first stitches. It's important that these stitches radiate out from the center at straight points- think of this as the rays of a sun in a child's picture.
Completed Aster! Well done :)

Next week, we'll work on Blue Convulvolus!