FINNISH (ED)...

Or Dutch...

DONE!

Rockin' those new ribbons and lace...a great mixture of old and new, throughout - simple but lovely.

Broken and forlorn, no more - she seems to have a bit more of a smile on her little face today.  I forgot how much fun these small scale projects can be - quick and satisfying...wait for it...DOUBLE DUTCH fast!  Have a wonderful weekend - hope you find something to keep your hands and heart happy - XOXO

UNTIE THE RIBBONS...

"Each day comes bearing it's own gifts.  Untie the ribbons"

~ Ruth Ann Schabacker ~

 

You know those special friends you make throughout the ribbons of your life?  The ones that tie into so many aspects of what and who you are - that stay tied to you, no matter what?  I have amassed a few along the way, I'm proud to say.  True friends - dear friends - ones that are just "there" for you - that you know will always be "there" for you...whether mourning the passing of beloved pets, or rejoicing over happy times and a friendship that has endured.  Ones that will lift the phone just to say, "Hey", before you do!  Ones you can just be YOU with, and they love you for it anyway.  My friend, Carole, is one of those friends.

All of my friends have talent - not a one of them doesn't...whether it's creative talent, or just the talent of throwing me a smile and a hug, and making a day better.  Yesterday I was invited to spend the morning with one of my longest running friends, who has both talents.  CAROLE SIDLOW (those of you who drop by here occasionally may have heard me mention her before, in the guise of "The Ribbon Lady").  Some of you know her personally, already - the rest of you SHOULD!  And for those of you in the Reno/Tahoe and Sacramento areas, Carole has an upcoming show at the GRASS VALLEY OLD WEST ANTIQUES SHOW, May 10th and 11th (did I mention her husband is an antiques dealer?!).  Here's your chance...

Probably one of the most colorfully creative and dearest souls I know, Carole owns The Ribbon Store, online and locally, here in Vegas.  A MEGA mecca for ribbons and laces, vintage and new...if she doesn't have it, she can get it for you, but chances are it's already there - she has quite the eye!  I went yesterday, looking for some ribbons for a gift I'm working on, and found MORE than the perfect item...I always do.  Her imagination and talent are boundless, and her heart is huge - what a happy place to hang out for a few hours.

Not only does she deal in ribbons and vintage textiles, she USES them, too...in the most wonderful ways.  All items here came from Carole's hands (the riot of colors and "stuff" on her workbench yesterday was devilishly fun) - from the mouthwatering little velvet petit fours on the cupcake stand, to the larger, more outrageously delicious pincushions tucked into the shop, between the gorgeous ribbons.

Carole sells in her eBay store (no bidding, except on the antiques and handmades - supplies are all "Buy It Now"), as well as direct, if you drop her an email (info can be found on her "kick-ass" business card in the first photo). She also has a "Ribbon of the Month Club" that she can give you details on - you won't believe the packaging!  No attention to detail is ever missed with Carole - EVER!  And, she ships just about anywhere in the world.

An all original antique beauty among Carole's own, equally mouthwatering creations.  Find yourself in need of pleated ribbon (similar to the vintage silk this pincushion doll is wearing)?  She can custom do that for you, too - yep, she's like the Supergirl of ribbons!

I always come away with a brighter outlook on life, and a HUGE creative itch, when I walk out of her shop - I think ribbons must fix everything.  Drop her a line, if you're in the need - you won't be sorry.  If you're in the GRASS VALLEY, CA area over Mother's Day, a trip to see her will DEFINITELY be worth your while.  I understand she will also be among the vendors at Art Unravelled on August 3rd, in Phoenix.  Tell her a friend sent you...

 

RIBBONSTORE @ eBay 

A FLOWERY AFFAIR...

Any day spent among friends is pretty wonderful.  Throw in creating something you really love, and it turns into a delightfully PERFECT day - that was my Saturday, and a great way to start off the new year.

At Suzan's (OLD GREY MARE PRIMITIVES) Christmas PalooZa Gathering last month, talk turned to spring flowers, and coercing another dear friend into teaching a Ribbonwork class before the garage/studio is returned to it's original/boring state.

Dating back to the Victorian era, Ribbonwork was extremely popular in the 1920's...beautiful flowers created through the manipulation of ribbons, adorned hats, clothing, powder puffs, lingerie items, eye masks, garters,  etc.  Carole Sidlow, of THE RIBBON STORE here in Vegas, is so VERY well-versed in the craft, and always eager to introduce newcomers to the art form.  Carole deals in specialized ribbons (not your standard run-of-the-mill craft store variety)...beautiful silks; French wired; vintage and contemporary, alike; vintage laces.  If she doesn't carry it, she can usually get it, but I even shudder to think there might be something out there that she doesn't carry.  Carole lives in Ribbon PalooZa, which is the equal to the Christmas version that lives at Z's!

Our Carole, demonstrating large, beautiful silk pasties flowers...

Busy at work - there were actually a few moments, in between the laughter and chatter of friends, where you could hear a pin drop...those were the lip biting moments of concentration.  Each participant turned out five complete flowers, and two different leaves - a great jumping off point...and I know everyone was excited to go home and give it a try, on their own.

The technical art of measuring a yard of ribbon...

Sarah's masterful hands, tackling a delicate, yellow Love Knot...she was wearing the prettiest sweater...

More concentration - Margaret, engrossed in her ribbon.  Look at her speedy hands - almost too fast for my camera (actually this was the first day I pulled out the new camera - I'm gonna' love it, once I figure it all out...it made Margaret look like Speedracer)...

A little help from the master...

And a big smile at the end of a big class - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...right, Carole?!

Our purple/orange girl (Steph's) flowers, packaged up at the end the afternoon...

A silk, couturier rose, complete with my own little "Love Knot" and multi colored puffy leaf.  The lighting in the garage casts a soft, yellow/white glow on everything - make sure you go back and check out the true colors of these ribbons on the first photo of this post, taken in natural light...rich and yummy!  Actually, I didn't want anyone to think there was something wrong with the color configuration on my new camera.  Tis' simply the anomoly that is the lighting at Z's...

And my own, complete stash - we're hoping for the start of the real flower season soon.  In the meantime, create a little color in your own winter world.  Thanks to Carole, for another fabulous class (there were already rumblings among us, for the second, more advanced version), and to Z, the "Hostess With the Mostest"...gracious and giving beyond your wildest imagination, that's our Suzan.  Know how comfortable people are with your open arms and beautiful home, Z - it's always the coziest, most creative, most wonderful day anyone could spend among friends!  

CAROLE'S RIBBON STORE...

My Star Jasmine is in bloom, and in-credible this year.  Providing a beautiful, fragrant, though "busy" backdrop for a new project, made in conjunction with a friend...I couldn't resist.  Carole Sidlow, owner of The Ribbon Store (link will take you to the eBay store, but she has an actual storefront in Las Vegas), handed over a vintage, heavily beaded top, with the instructions to "make an evening bag".  She had been working on a few of her own and, as it is ALL handwork due to the beads, pearls and sequins, she happily passed a few off when I offered my services recently.  Quite the creative visionary, is Carole...in addition to running a FABULOUS store stocked with some of the most incredible ribbons, millinery, lace and occasional fabric pieces, you have ever seen - vintage and new, alike.  It's my favorite place to spend a couple of hours, oohing and aahing, even after all the time I've known her.

And, she has my favorite business card of all times...it's big (postcard size) and it's vintage beautiful - surrounded here by ribbonwork creations from Carole's own hands (actually, the pansy is mine).

Her actual store screams color and eye candy at every turn.  Click on the collage to enlarge...some of the shots are a little washed out, due to lighting, but it's a feast for the eyes, upon entering this ribbon wonderland!  What girl could resist beautiful, soft ribbons?

For those local to Vegas, call Carole before you go (phone number listed on the business card above).  Her shop is housed in a wonderful 6-car (converted) garage, located on her charming property...wisteria on the porch...in Vegas!  The Ribbon Store can be found on eBay (link above); by email; or by phone.  Believe me, if she doesn't have it, you really don't need it (but rest assured, she can always get her hands on just about anything).  The beautiful ribboned and feathered pincushions are Carole's newest creations.  An incredible talent; one of the nicest ladies I know; and a true friend.