The Medieval Lace Book RR

 

The next Medieval Lace book I was working in was Karen. Her theme is John Waterhouse’s heroines. Here are the front and back covers of the spread.

By pure coincidence I used a large piece of lace on the left side of the page, that perfectly matches the lace Karen used for the last page of her book. It will look like it was meant to be. Which of course, it was…

This is the inside left page, showing Courtly Love.

The right page is built around an image of a young lady kneeling in front of her knight in shining armor. The two pages are built on top of a beautiful piece of dyed lace, which has completely disappeared under all the embellishments. l-))

On the right page are several layers of doilies, with some chiffon to frame the image, and some guipure lace. The top trim is metal hearts and under the purple velvet is upholstery trim.

I never realized how very dark Waterhouse images are. It was a challenge to keep the page light.

 

I added a vintage brooch that I had in my collection, with beautiful stones that echo the colors on the page.

It seems I haven’t posted the previous pages I had done for Teri in NYC. So here they are. Her theme is Horses and Armors.

On the left page, I used a picture of a horse that actually comes from a carousel. I loved the colors. I tracked down, with a lot of help from my friend Deb who is also in this RR, a horse blanket pin. Then I aged it.

On the right, I printed some horse equipment terms in French, like Haslebarde, Bride (which is the bridle), Henaut, the helmet, Joult, (Joust), Harnais, (harness), Destrier (a form of horse) Cheval (horse) and Palefroi (a farm horse)

For the right page, I used a reporduction of the Black Prince riding armor. It was such a beautiful image. I used a belt which I had cut up and painted, to look like a bridle.

 

I have to admit, it is quite a superb round robin that we’re having, and the books are really turning magnificent. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of talented artists.

Last Vintage Lace Book Page

This Round Robin journal is now going home to Elena, and it was my privilege to be the last one to work in it.

Her theme was vintage Paris.

I made the design on the back pages on my new embroidery machine. Gotta love it. I also added a crown and the letter “E” for Elena, because she’s our queen friend, who organizes lots of wonderful Round Robins.

Her book cover was mainly black and white, so I followed the theme.

On the left page, I printed images of Paris on fabric, and decorated them with a beautiful white flower from Beads and Buttons in Portland, and a sweet little white bird inside of a black rose. For the background, I used this wonderful black and white Paris map fabric that I had. It all got covered with tons of lace, of course.

For the right page, I had this wonderful furry and feathery black nest with precious stones in it. It guided the design for the rest of the page. I used a large piece of lace that covers both pages. It has these large white flowers on it, which seemed to continue the theme.

 

Here is a view of both pages together. I trimmed the top of the page with black and white gingham, very French. The bottoms silver and black trim comes from the collar of a jacket a girlfriend just gave me. It comes from Italy, and has tons of silver beads. Not easy to wear outside of Italy, even if you live in Palm Springs! It was perfect to finish the pages.

Round Robin books and a Lace journal

Busy time of month when the Round Robin journals come in.

I have completed several, which are now on their way.

In the Kindred Spirits Round Robin, I finished Gloria’s book. Her theme is Vintage Shabby Chic. Here’s what I did:

The girl is actually 3D, and each butterfly is highlighted with clear embossing powder.

I grunged and aged the page too.

 

Next is Eileen’s lace book in the Vintage Round Robin. Her theme is Vintage Accessories. Her book already had gloves, glasses, so much good stuff, but… it was really missing a boa. And everyone knows life goes better with a boa. Here’s the front cover:

The left page has a red rose, and lots of lace.

 

The right page is the lady with her boa and her jewelry, checking herself in the mirror. Soooo romantic!

 

 

And finally, the last Round Robin that left yesterday is the Medieval Lace Book. I had Liz’s journal: Medieval Gardens.ON the left page, I embroidered a medieval design from BeadsEast, on a background of faded pink velvet.

On the right page is a picture of one of the last Medieval gardens in France, Chateau de Villandry. It happens to be 10 miles from my home town, so I know it quite well. Liz loves rust, orange and green colors. All fall colors. So I added some chestnuts, and some flowers in that color range.

The outside cover is striped velvet that I decorated with machine stitches in all sorts of colors, as well as ribbons and flowers.

And of course, the latest bracelet, because I wouldn’t want you to think I’ve stopped beading… This one is headed to my hairdresser’s salon. Because in Palm Springs, there is  a market for such a masculine cuff. Now to find a rock star…

Valentine’s Birthday and so much more

With a birthday on Valentine’s day, I have been showered with heart warming gifts.

My dear friend Liz in Oregon, who is a marvelous quilter and a member of one of my Lace Round Robin made this beautiful fabric collage for me. Notice how the hands form a heart? HER hands, which she traced and reduced on the computer before cutting in fabric. And do you see all the details, the tiny little red buttons, and the rhinestones? Love!

I have also exchanged a fabric collage with my new friend in the UK, Alison. She sent me this wonderful vintage page. And the tag!!! Notice the tag!?!?!?!? All that hand embroidery is just exquisite. I did suggest she considers using some of that beautiful stitching in her collages, it’s so beautiful, and something that most of us don’t do or won’t do anymore.

 

Here is the one I sent Alison. I had just finished a batch of dyeing, and I had this deed wine color. An acquired taste, but Alison has received it and she likes it:

 

Beautiful Suzy in Australia sent this beautiful fabric ‘card’. Don’t you just love these soft pastels? Lovely.

Lucky me, she’d already sent me a collage last month, this time in these gorgeous browns and rusts that I so love.

 

My dear friends from Canada surprised me with a dozen red roses!!!! Imagine. I thought I was passed the age of getting red roses on Valentine’s Day. And aren’t they just magnificent?

 

In the middle of all this happiness, I managed to finish a new bracelet cuff, and to list it on Etsy.

 

And I even posted a painting on Etsy too. This one is 16x20, on stretched canvas.  It was done earlier and didn’t seem to have made it to the Etsy site, so here it is. I exhibited it in a show in Vancouver. It was quite popular and got rave reviews, but I ended up selling a much larger one. I used alcohol inks on a canvas base.

Beautiful people and a tutorial

I am humbled by the number of gracious people who stopped by my blog and took the time to comment on my work. You ladies rock! I am so happy that you find pleasure in what you saw.
And thank you to all the glorious women who became followers. I can’t wait to get to know you. I’ve made many wonderful friends online already. What a great way to connect!
It’s my pleasure to announce that I’m launching a lace kit so you can make one of the fabric lace pages like this one:

The kit will contain everything that is needed: a choice of two images printed on fabric, the doillies, a piece of antique lace from my private collection, vintage buttons, a piece of jewelry, everything. Just go to my store to get a complete kit.
It will work along with the tutorial that I post on this blog.
And since so many of you are interested in the tutorial, let’s start TODAY!!!!!
The first thing you need for your fabric collage is a great image on fabric. Yes, you need lace and more lace, but if your image is not right, your collage will not be stunning.

There are many ways to get a good image on fabric. The fastest and most expensive way is to buy your fabric ready to go from brands like Jacquard, Claudine Hellmuth, Fredrix. You just Google them and you will have an infinite choice of material, such as canvas, cotton, silk, organdy. And a choice of prices too. These are ready to run through your printer, either laser or inkjet. You can find most brands at Michaels or Joann’s, and most definitely online, Amazon being a quick source.
The next method which I like to use, gives great results, and is inexpensive, is to create my own fabric sheets ready for the printer. That way, I have the choice of the materials and fabrics I’ll use.
You need some freezer paper and an iron. Any old brand of freezer paper will do. Freezer paper is found in most grocery stores in the same aisle as foil, plastic wrap, etc. Make sure it says FREEZER paper. Do not use wax paper, it’s not the same thing and wax paper won’t work.
It’s best if your fabric is ready to go. By that, I mean have it coffee or tea stained already, and ironed flat.
Take a long sheet of the freezer paper, and with the glossy side up, iron your fabric on the glossy paper. The glossy is a very mild type of wax that will bond your fabric to the freezer paper.

You can even buy your freezer sheets already cut to 8.5 x 11. These are $8.95 for 30 sheets.

If you have not bought precut freezer sheets, then take a blank sheet of printer paper, and place it on your freezer/fabric. Cut around the freezer paper, although slightly smaller than the freezer paper is better. Make sure there are no stray bits of threads that could get caught in  your printer.
Voila. All you have to do now is run your freezer/fabric through your printer as you would with paper. Select an image that has good contrast. You can manipulate your image in any free image processor online, to make sure it has good contrast.
Some printers will have a setting for printing on fabric. My HP does.
Then print. Once the freezer/fabric comes out, gives it a minute for the ink to dry, then peel the fabric from the freezer paper. Your image is now ready to sew onto the fabric collage.
Sometimes, you’ll find that the ink is still a bit faint. Golden make a great product, that of course, being Golden, is not cheap! (

They are a product designed specifically for printing on unusual surfaces. You apply a coat all in one direction. Let it dry. Then apply a second coat going against the previous direction. Let dry. Then you end up with the same fabric you could have paid a fortune for at the art store. It definitely makes a difference, even if you only apply one coat.
Here is a pretty lady that is free for you to use in  your fabric collage. Do come back for the next step of making your collage: preparing your fabrics. In the meantime, go through your stash and start pulling pretty fabrics. Or go to my store to get a complete kit.

Email me if you have any questions. I’m happy to help.
And  you can still enter my blog giveaway. See the post immediately below. The draw is Feb 1. 
See you soon!