SIMPLE ROSETTES TUTORIAL...

One of the prettiest embellishments I can add to a handmade bag, is also one of the simplest to do.  I thought I'd throw together a quick tutorial on how it's done, as I've been asked so many times...these can be done with just about any ribbon (or fabric) of your choosing:  good ol' standard ribbon with a finished edge; bias cut silks (the brown one is a soft, silk ribbon, while the beautiful silk plaid that was bought as ribbon, is heavier in weight and I am convinced the same could be achieved with silk fabric, cut on the bias at home) that can be frayed along the edge; or fabric strips - torn or cut to desired width.

Materials needed for this project include:  RIBBON, or fabric strips (approx. 32 to 36"), of choice;  HEAVY THREAD (I like the Dual Duty XP Heavy, by Coats and Clark...a little lighter than upholstery thread, but heavier than hand quilting threads) in a neutral color; SEWING NEEDLE (I love the size 13 quilt basting needles, as they are long enough to gather lots of ribbon in one shot on, and have a larger eye, making them easier to thread in my declining eyesight years); CRINOLINE (or base material of your choosing...crinoline can be found in most fabric stores that sell bridal notions); BUTTONS OR BEADS for center embellishment; and SCISSORS.  For finishing off the backs, you will need PIN BACKS (available at most craft stores, in a variety of sizes); FELT (I like to use wool felt, usually felted/washed for that thick, crinkly effect, but regular felt will work just fine); and HOT GLUE.

Ahhhhhhh, bias cut silks...not always easy to find, but I have a wonderful source, and now you can, too!  Carole at The Ribbon Store, is a long time friend and carries some of the most beautiful ribbons you've ever seen - new and vintage!  Don't see what you want - just drop her a line.  The beauty of the bias cut silks is that they can be frayed along the edges, for a feathery look.  The same can be achieved with cotton fabrics that can be torn into strips.  However, the rosettes look just as fabulous with straight edge ribbons.  To fray the edge of a silk, bias cut, simply drag a pair of scissors gently down the edge, as if you were curling ribbon for a package.

A 2" wide ribbon, will give you a 4" diameter finished rosette.  This brown silk is actually a 2-1/2" ribbon that was turned up onto itself to give me a 2" wide ribbon, and providing a ruffled center effect at the same time.  NOTE: YOU WILL WANT TO MAKE YOUR STITCHES 1/4" APART (and they don't have to be perfect). This is an old habit that is hard to break for those of us used to small, neat stitches used in quilting and embroidery work. The reason for this is that looser stitches will gather more material far more compactly than tiny stitches do - take my word for it...don't believe me? Try it.

Knot a single length of thread (about 36" should do all of your gathering, forming and embellishing) and take a stitch at the upper edge of one end (the gathered edge will be your center...something to take into consideration if working with a two-toned ribbon).  Take a few "anchoring" stitches over the edge to make sure your knot doesn't pull through the ribbon as you are working.  You will be working in a "running", or "gathering" stitch...simply put, in and out.  Working from your top edge down, towards the bottom of the ribbon, you will gently curve your stitches into a rounded edge, and continue along the length of the ribbon.  On a finished edge ribbon, you can stitch within about 1/8" - on anything with a frayed edge, you will want to stay about 1/4" from the edge (the photo above has both edge types going on).

Gather along the long edge, pulling gathers as you go.

As you approach the opposite end of your ribbon, you will want to do another rounded corner, and continue up to the top edge of your ribbon.  Make sure your ribbon is gathered evenly, and anchor off your stitching, without cutting your thread.

At this point, you will have gathered your ribbon to where it can be arranged something like this.  Overlap so that your short ends lay one on top of the other, about 1" (or whatever is pleasing to you...you can also use a longer ribbon to do this, and curl it onto itself a few times, for a much fuller rosette).  Cut yourself a piece of crinoline for backing (a square about 3" X 3" should do you - excess will be trimmed), and lay your rosette atop it.  You will start taking anchoring stitches up and down, from ribbon through crinoline and back, to hold it in place.  Stitches should fall in between the folds, as you work around center.

Overlapped ends...

Use as many (or as few) stitches as you feel you need to secure the rosette into place - it's not going to be pretty, but it's not going to show, either.  Do not cut your thread yet...

Now's the point where you will want to add a center, and/or any other embellishment you may want.  Buttons, beads, buckles, lace, more ribbon...let your imagination take over, or keep it as simple as you wish.  When you've finished, you can finally knot that thread.

Trim your crinoline, making sure not to cut stitches or ribbon.

Gather your pin base and felt.  Cut a circle from your felt (these were cut at 2-1/2" in diameter).  I like to hand stitch my pin backs to the felt, but you are welcome to simply hot glue them in place.

Heat up your glue gun and, being careful not to burn yourself (famous last words, each and EVERY time I use that thing), apply glue around the back of the felt, and center this on the back of your rosette.

Yes, my old work horse glue gun is seriously 29 years old - I believe it was one of the first that Black and Decker manufactured for crafting.  It is the original model where you have to press the glue sticks in with your thumb, which forces the melted glue out of the end.  It has seen better days but is still the best one I own...and most dangerous, too.

Easy peasy - that's it, in a nutshell.  Pretty on bags and sweaters, alike...or anything else you can think up (I say as I am looking at my large male dog laying here, under my feet).  The three pictured in the first photo are available in the Etsy shop now.  Happy St. Patrick's Day - hope the rest of your week is magically delicious!

THE HEART OF ROCK N' ROLL IS STILL BEATIN'...

A HUGE thank you, and a tip of the sunglasses, to our "hostess with the mostest" this weekend...Jackie, for having a 46th birthday...and her husband Charles In Charge, for treating "The Girls" to a fabulous dinner at Claim Jumper.  And then, for treating us to an even fabulouser (yeah, made up!) evening at Green Valley Ranch Casino, with Huey Lewis and The News...the boys can STILL rock the house!  What a GREAT evening we had!

Jackie got some beautiful gifts - yes, she is apparently loved by ALL who know her.  Wanted to share the new bag I made her - the fabric was SO yummy - heavy, but soft, home dec chenille - quilt batted and free-motion quilted.  The last bag I made her survived an entire year of wear, and I'm hoping this one does, too.

Detailing included the quilting, and this huge, crochet covered antique coat button.  Happy Birthday, dear friend...here's to another 46, and here's to me being around to see it!  Thanks for everything, Charlie - had the most FABULOUSO time!  You ROCK!

HEAD OVER HEELS...

I was gifted with a little something the other day that prompted this post (that, and "Vintage Thingie Thursday" at The Colorado Lady), and renewed my interest in finishing up a long-shelved project. A grand art retreat, "Art and Soul", was held in Las Vegas last week...while I did not attend, I had a few lucky friends who did...lucky, and extremely thoughtful.  Colleen (La Dee Dah Day) brought me a handmade replica of the antique China head dolls popular in the mid to late 1800s. I don't know that Colleen knew I loved these dolls and have been gathering them for some time, but her addition to my collection stands head and shoulders above the other diminutive ones and, henceforth, shall be referred to as "The Boss", in Colleen's honor - that's her in the center. The rest are antique, and include a male doll that oddly resembles Abe Lincoln.

Blue eyes; amber eyes; raven black hair; rouged cheeks; and red, bow shaped lips...each one slightly different from the next, dependant upon the individual artist's hand.  Check out the cheeks on the tiny charmer in the lower right picture.  These range in size from 2-5/8" to 1-1/2" tall.  All waiting for renewed life...it's about time they were taken from their shoebox home - this is the year, thanks to The Boss, and "The Boss", for renewing the spark of interest I've long had for these tiny treasures.

Which brings me to The Sisters.  These three surely need some tender loving care - they came to me very time worn (and mouse chewed) - but I probably love them the most.  I acquired them a few years back, from an eBay seller who had purchased a property that had an old barn on it.  As they were clearing the barn they had come across these three dolls, laying together on the wooden floorboards...placed carefully, way in the back of an overhead loft.  The seller did not want them and did not take the time with photographs, to my advantage (oh, I love when that happens).  They were kept as the set they were found in, thankfully, and I got them for a song.

Identical in size (their bodies are approx. 12 inches from head to toe - the heads are 2-5/8" tall)...were these, perhaps, the beloved playthings of three little sisters?  I do wish I knew the whole story, but my imagination has had a hey-day on its own, in any event.

This sad girl is a little worse for the wear than the other two...her poor neck has been broken but she puts on a brave face. Her feet and hands also have not fared so well over time, but replacement parts have been purchased, and I hope to have her feeling more like her old self, soon.

Stuffed with the original excelsior, I have left them as they came to me (including the years of dirt on their lovely faces), until I could research enough to do a proper (or reasonable) restoration, fairly accurately. One body has been removed already, to use as a pattern - yes, this is the year!

The original clothing must have been beautiful.  The one remaining dress, almost intact, shows some remarkable detailing of a pleated bustle, and tiny silk bands around the waist and wrists.

And this dress must have made quite the fashion statement...fleur de lis are still plentiful among the tattered remnants.  Yes, my mind wanders, wondering about the little girls that loved these, long ago.  And yes, they will be sitting on a shelf anew (gifts of the littler ones to loved ones, perhaps, but The Sisters will stay together, with me), by the end of this year - this IS the year!

And I leave you with this...the "Odd Man Out".  This one is unlike any of the others I have seen, or have in my possession...a male doll of the same age, given to me in a box of antique treasures, by another friend.  His name is Abe...he might just have to be finished along with the girls, but it's gonna' take a little more research on his account, I'm afraid.  This might just be his lucky year, too!  Be sure to drop by and check out the wonderful posts at Vintage Thingie Thursday.  Thanks for providing me a New Year's Resolution, Boss!

B IS FOR...

Busy...too Busy to have posted recently, But seemingly doing not much of anything at the same time.  I gathered everything I had going this past week, and was amazed at how many B's there were to start the month of March off.  This is the Busiest Birthday month for me...family and friends, alike...9, in all.  1) Happy Birthday (the BIG 5-0) to my Brother, Arvid, who is holding his first grandbaby, Brooke.  Here's to another 50!;  2) Me, my folks, and Arvid, when he was a Baby and looked like a sister  And, if anyone is doing the math about now, yes, I am older, But only By 7 months;  3) Birthday names on the calendar...a few can't be seen, but they are there, and;  4) I Baked you Birthday cookies tonight - I know it's not a cake, But I'm not sending them anyway!

1) I finished a commissioned, Brown and Black leopardskin fabric Bag this week, for a friend, with;  2) A silk, Bias-cut, handmade, flower Brooch with a Beautiful Black, vintage glass Button in the center - yummy colors and oh, so soft;  3) Mulled over more Black, antique Buttons and Buckles - put them Back in the Bucket;  4) Beaded with a friend.

Received two gifts this week...one from myself, and one from my friend, Jackie.  1) Bought myself a Butterscotch Bakelite Bangle Bracelet, to go with my growing collection, paired with a Beautiful copper and Beveled glass Bauble (this was the "Jackie gift"), with the phrase "Believe in Yourself" on one side, along with four, tiny Bronze rhinestones;  2) The reverse side of the Bauble has a Beautiful crowned heart - lovely, and fit for a queen - thank you from the Bottom of my heart, Jackie;  3) BANGLES - lots and lots of Beautiful, Bright, lucite and rhinestone Bangles - earrings, too!  Went to the ASD trade show with Wendy and couldn't resist the temptation of color for summer, and;  4) a Boxwood Bead in the shape of a rhino...someone knows who it is for - act surprised when you get it, Barb.  I needed an extra picture!

1) A vintage, marcasite cross pendant/Brooch in the shape of a Bow, for a rosary in the planning stages for my daughter, and last But not least;  2) A vintage, rhinestone Bird Brooch (on an antique Bluebird Button card) - another thoughtful and Beloved gift from Jackie on a recent antiquing junket through town.  I slipped a small set of cut glass salt and pepper shakers, for her new kitchen, into her Bag...she did the same to me with the Beautiful Bird.  Boy, oh Boy!

Heading off to Bed - Best weekend wishes to all - kisses on your Birthday faces at tomorrow's party - Be happy - Be safe - Be and let Be - Be fabulous!

A CRACKER JACK DAY, AND THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL...

I'm a day late (and usually a dollar short...yesterday was one of those wild and crazy Saturdays) on posting the Rhinestone Cowgirl Crackerjack Giveaway winner, though I did have my daughter pull a name and I contacted Amanda, at Girl In Pink, to give her the news yesterday afternoon.  Amanda has a beautiful blog...a 'pink', girly girl in a household of 'boys'.  A heartfelt thank you to all who dropped a note in the comments section on the giveaway post, or signed on as a follower - I had 67 entries...and you're all winners in my book!  We'll do this again...I promise.

Yesterday afternoon found us driving to Primm, NV (Stateline, as it's affectionately known in Vegas circles - the border of NV and CA, and the last chance for those looking to leave some cash behind before exiting the state.  Or, your first chance to drop it off, depending on the direction you're driving.  Stateline sits approx. 35 minutes south of Vegas) to enjoy the fabulous BONNIE RAITT in concert (not my video, because you would have, undoubtedly, heard me "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhing" the talkers in the background.  One of my favorite Raitt songs, "Angel From Montgomery", written by John Prine).

Have loved her voice and guitar work for-evvvvvvvvvvvvv-er.  I wore out three of her albums driving back and forth on countless trips from St. Louis to Denver, and back, in the late 80's/early 90's - of course, those were cassette tapes and would need to be replaced with CD's eventually, anyway...yes, I had 8-tracks at one point, too - when I was four. Shhhhhhhhhhh! I am NOT that old), and was SO excited to get the chance to see her perform in person. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening - dinner, drinks, friends, and kick-ass blues - wish you could have been there!

Back atcha' in a few days - it's raining outside, and a great day for a nap (maybe the rest of those cracker jacks, too)!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY...

...to family and friends, near and far...KNOW YOU ARE LOVED, plain and simple.  Frankly, my dears, I DO give a damn!  Happy Valentines Day, 2011 ~ XOXO

THE SHIRT OFF HER BACK...

...is now the apron around her waist.  My friend, Jackie, and I ran across a darling apron idea in a magazine last week, repurposed from a man's shirt.  Telling me she had an old shirt that no longer fit her, I was gifted with it the following evening, after an impromptu Friday night of drinks and laughter.  Not thinking she wanted me to actually wear it, as it was about 80 sizes too small (she definitely needs to grow a body), I took it home and tore into it.  A soft, white, pinwale corduroy it is...the ruffle (made from the corduroy on the back of the shirt) was added to give it some width, and I added a loop at the waist, to accommodate a hand towel for keeping hand prints off her pretty white apron.

Finished just in time to join in on White Wednesday fun, at Faded Charm.

And, every once in awhile I finish up a piece that I feel like keeping for myself (or it's so obnoxious that I know no one else wants it).  I actually finished a piece a few weeks ago, as the precursor to the Rhinestone Cowgirl necklaces (one of which I am giving away next week - see how to enter above), and knew it was destined for my own jewelry box.

My very own "Rhinestone Cowgirl Godfather Necklace"...the disembodied horse heads were given to me some years back, having come from a vintage conch belt.  The necklace sports a large, 2" crystal with cowgirl and cowgirl definition (ripped from my dictionary, much to my daughter's horror), underneath; a beautiful vintage rhinestone earring; hand-formed silver loops, turquoise; red fire-polish beads; a stunning, antique, aqua rhinestone button; more crystals; and sterling silver wire and components.  The three strand crystal necklace belonged to my Mom, in high school.

The Key to Her Heart necklace was headed to the shop until my daughter got ahold of it, and I offered it up as restitution for desecrating the dictionary - fashioned from discarded, vintage jewelry pieces - a 1-3/8" gold plated heart hangs beneath a gold tone mesh bow; gold metal rose with a sparking rhinestone is another old jewelry piece; 2-3/4" antique skeleton key; and various crystals, fire polish beads and vintage rhinestone buttons join up with hand formed loops and brass chain - Happy Valentine's Day, Jaci.

Entry for the Rhinestone Cowgirl Crackerjack Necklace Giveaway ends February 18th, with the winner announced on the 19th.  Have a wonderful week...stay creative - and warm, to my family back in Denver.