This time in cream satin with pink pearls, mother of pearl button and white tulle net
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Romantic Roses
Its amazing how some plants and trees have the abilty to keep going in all sorts of conditions. We have a rose tree a few doors down that has been blooming since early spring and is only now on its last fading blossom.
The houses have been abandoned for many years but this beautiful old tea rose is nearly as high as the house and seems to be getting more and more beautiful every season.
Of course roses are the most romantic flower in the whole garden although the colour of the bloom is a very important choice to get across the right message. The roses I see everyday are a beautiful bright pink and to thank them for their graceful beauty all last year and to put my mind in the spirit for valentines day, the next festival of the year I have started work on a selection of rolled rose fascinators and other fabric pieces to brighten up my studio and to remind me that the worst of winter is soon to pass.
The houses have been abandoned for many years but this beautiful old tea rose is nearly as high as the house and seems to be getting more and more beautiful every season.
Of course roses are the most romantic flower in the whole garden although the colour of the bloom is a very important choice to get across the right message. The roses I see everyday are a beautiful bright pink and to thank them for their graceful beauty all last year and to put my mind in the spirit for valentines day, the next festival of the year I have started work on a selection of rolled rose fascinators and other fabric pieces to brighten up my studio and to remind me that the worst of winter is soon to pass.
A selection of pink shot satin rolled roses with tulle veils
Pnk shot satin rolled rose with lampwork ladybird and gold net veil
Sepia toned roses with beads, buttons and salvaged embelishments
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Monday, 2 January 2012
January and the promise of spring
In my soul I love january but I must confess that like most people I loath the weather.
I am more at home in a soft warm day walking barefoot in green grass with a light breeze around me then I am in the midst of winter with the rain, the mud, the icy air and the cold dark nights. It may be jumping the gun a bit but january always seems to breathe a promise of spring, of snowdrops, green grass and the possibility of actually being able to take off your socks and wiggle your toes.
When I thinkof spring I always think off ballet, The tradition is to have ballet in the winter with Cinderella, The Nutcracker, all the festive favourites but my love is the floaty, springlike effect created by the traditional romantic tutu. When you think of ballet you simply have to think Dega, his beautiful, soulful dancers in shades of blue and cream, yellow and grey, the traditional hues of spring. I'm currently examining the possibility of making myself a full length romantic style tutu to celebrate to birth of the new year and I know for a fact I have a huge amount of both white and black tulle, the white being a lot softer fabric then the black so I may have a go with tea dying it as I'm not a fan of white and black seems to put a damper on the romantic notion.
I have found a couple of tutorials online from various sources, there is a nice on on ehow and another from balletshoesonmyfeet but I want to steer clear of too much poofyness as it really isn't my style.
I cant do a post on ballet without images of dancers and here are some of my favourite Dega paintings.
I am more at home in a soft warm day walking barefoot in green grass with a light breeze around me then I am in the midst of winter with the rain, the mud, the icy air and the cold dark nights. It may be jumping the gun a bit but january always seems to breathe a promise of spring, of snowdrops, green grass and the possibility of actually being able to take off your socks and wiggle your toes.
When I thinkof spring I always think off ballet, The tradition is to have ballet in the winter with Cinderella, The Nutcracker, all the festive favourites but my love is the floaty, springlike effect created by the traditional romantic tutu. When you think of ballet you simply have to think Dega, his beautiful, soulful dancers in shades of blue and cream, yellow and grey, the traditional hues of spring. I'm currently examining the possibility of making myself a full length romantic style tutu to celebrate to birth of the new year and I know for a fact I have a huge amount of both white and black tulle, the white being a lot softer fabric then the black so I may have a go with tea dying it as I'm not a fan of white and black seems to put a damper on the romantic notion.
I have found a couple of tutorials online from various sources, there is a nice on on ehow and another from balletshoesonmyfeet but I want to steer clear of too much poofyness as it really isn't my style.
I cant do a post on ballet without images of dancers and here are some of my favourite Dega paintings.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
The Indian Bride - - Victorian Empire Bridal Neck Ruff
Victorian Empire Bridal Neck Ruff
So far in my bridal ruffs I have concentrated on traditional english bridal themes but with this piece I have gone for an Angle Indian Victorian Empire Tribal theme in bold oranges and browns.
I have had this piece in mind for a while now and the cotton yarn was in my workroom but as soon as I saw this delicate fabric I knew I had found the right binding material to bring this idea to fruition.
The base piece is a bright and beautiful orange eco friendly cotton with a single base layer and crochet ruffles at the top and bottom.
The second layer is a big beautiful flouncy ruffled layer of delicious burnt orange spicy raw edged organza with a hand stitched looped length of sequinned thread in metallic dark brown. The third element is strips of a beautiful ethnic indian cotton print in cream with a bold orange batik print and raw enged muslin ties with larks head knots to various crochet loops at the bottom of the piece.
This collar is finished off with a beautiful handmade copper clasp with glass sees beads and has a secret golden bell on one of the fabric strips that will jingle out whenever you walk.
This piece is perfect for anything from your indian ethnic wedding to bellydancing, festivals and if ypur brave enough, everyday wear.
I have had this piece in mind for a while now and the cotton yarn was in my workroom but as soon as I saw this delicate fabric I knew I had found the right binding material to bring this idea to fruition.
The base piece is a bright and beautiful orange eco friendly cotton with a single base layer and crochet ruffles at the top and bottom.
The second layer is a big beautiful flouncy ruffled layer of delicious burnt orange spicy raw edged organza with a hand stitched looped length of sequinned thread in metallic dark brown. The third element is strips of a beautiful ethnic indian cotton print in cream with a bold orange batik print and raw enged muslin ties with larks head knots to various crochet loops at the bottom of the piece.
This collar is finished off with a beautiful handmade copper clasp with glass sees beads and has a secret golden bell on one of the fabric strips that will jingle out whenever you walk.
This piece is perfect for anything from your indian ethnic wedding to bellydancing, festivals and if ypur brave enough, everyday wear.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Teaser - New hat designs for 2012
I do have a small range of mini crochet hats in the fascinator style but in the new year I'll be introducing a collection of victorian/romantic style hats in full size in a range of colours and themes.
Cherry fascinator
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Winter Wedding Ruffs
Brides are always tempted by summer sun but a winter wedding can be just as romantic. Think pure shot silk jackets, heavy vintage lace, faux fur muffs, victorian style little leather boots, handmade gloves, silk stockings, chunky ice crystal jewellery, snowflake confetti, the list is seemingly endlesss.
To this inspiration I owe my new collection of Winter Wedding Ruffs. These ruffs all have a solid base of crochet with shell style loop ruffles and are lavishly decorated with pure white cotton, raw edged muslin, delicate ruffled fabric, organza, ribbon, tea dyed muslin, vintage lace, beaded faux pearl and chain strings,handmade copper and bead T bar clasps and all manner of beautiful things.
To this inspiration I owe my new collection of Winter Wedding Ruffs. These ruffs all have a solid base of crochet with shell style loop ruffles and are lavishly decorated with pure white cotton, raw edged muslin, delicate ruffled fabric, organza, ribbon, tea dyed muslin, vintage lace, beaded faux pearl and chain strings,handmade copper and bead T bar clasps and all manner of beautiful things.
Introducing
Rapunzel
Grey and white crochet with white cotton, tea dyed muslin, gold organza, vintage lace and faux pearl chain.
The Snow Jester
Grey and white crochet with white cotton ruffle, blue and lilac organza and muslin free form roses and broad white ribbon bow tie
Snowflake Columbine
Grey and white crochet with delicate blue fabric, muslin, faux pearl effect beaded trim in cream and pink
These ruffs are now available on Etsy except Rapunzel which will be available from14/11/2011
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Shalotte at the Queen Park Arts Centre
Shalotte is running a selling exhibition at the Queen Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury, Bucks from the 8th of Nov to the 18th. Our cabinet is in the cafe so anyone who is down that way why not pop in and see what we have to offer. We are exhibiting a selection of glass and semi precious jewellery, crochet neck ruffs, hats, scarves, art dolls and English Prim Owls.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Oxford Russian Bazaar
Oxford's Russian Bazaar in St Michaels church was the event on yesterday morning
We got in early before it filled up.
The book stall was a mix of russian and english books and I was sorely tempted by a beautiful illustrated dictionary saints and several stunning russian language art books
Food stall with delicious take away cakes and pastries. I rather liked the thought of pumpkin and butterscotch muffins
Stall selling a mix of ethnic crafts, cards and other items
The icon stall was beautiful. We were really spoilt for choice
Mmm the hot food stand. Everything smelled utterly delicious and the ladies were lovely and chatty
We indulged in a slice of a russian honey cake called Medovie and nearly died of delight. It was about 15 layers of a light honey sponge with a cream filling, topped with a drizzle of chocolate and strawberries
These were the two lovely ladies behind the sweet and savoury stalls who served us. We also took home some fabulous dark bread that tasted of aniseed and some cheese and herb aubergine roulades
I got this lovely little blue glass crucifix pendant
A handmade wooden spoon for dry serving as a present for my mother
and a little painted leather icon for my father
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Mermaid Art Doll project #6 -face update
The transfer for her face appears to have been a success. The first time it didn't work because I took the instructions too literally ' cover the image in a thick layer' I ended up with a huge blob of gunk on the fabric that peeled off. The second time I used less fluid and whilst the fabric is still slightly stiff I have managed to clear off all the paper. I now need to wait for it to dry and make her head.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments