Thursday, July 2, 2009

A tiara and an announcment

I have started another crown. But this is the last time I will call them crowns. As I originally purcahsed a kit for the first one, there were many things I didn't like about it. So, I did some research and found TONS of royalty free "tiara" drawings. I have also drawn some of my own. And you can buy foam crown templates at Jo Ann's, and patterns from simplicity and vogue.

As for the original kit, I didn't like any of it other than the shape, which I have found that exact shape in 5 other royalty free places. So I figure I can use that shape. The directions and the foundation I pitched...I didn't like them. So I used my own stuff and developed my own directions. This is the first one. The others will have different shapes...my own drawn shapes. So, before I show you the steps to make this one.....

I'll make an announcement. I have started a new site where I will post basic instructions to make some of the things I create and some of my quilt designs. Keep in mind, I draft all of my patterns in EQ6 and they are very simple. I like to use basic, simple designs and embellish them with applique, the quilting, and other mixed media type stuff . So if you're looking for complex patterns, this will NOT be the place for you. It will also assume you have basic cutting, piecing and applique skills. So don't be emailing me with questions about basic skills. I will provide more in depth instruction with some of the art techniques. But keep in mind this will all be free...and you get what you pay for (;>)... that means, no hand holding. If you can figure it out from what I post...it's yours to use how you like. If not, it's not my problem.

That said, I'm hoping to have the site up and available by the end of the month. I'll post the opening here.

So, now to my latest tiara. I will have several patterns and instructions for some varieties of these on the new site.

OK, first cut out your shape from peltex (I use the NON-fusible, because it's easier to work with (IMHO)
Then I fuse wonder-under to 2 fat quarters (one for the front and one for the back) and fuse them to each side of the peltex



The leftover fused fabrics and an accent (also with fusible)



Next, you cut the shapes for the front of your tiara. I am using a shape on one of my "GO" cutter dies here. I have also cut some on the Sizzix Big Kick.

fabrics with fusible folded over the shape to be cut.

cutting mat in place


rolling it thru the cutter
Voila!

Next fabric folded over the shapes I want to cut

cutting mat in place and rolling it thru the "GO" cutter

and here are my circles..2 sizes (and a few bonus shapes from the fold that I'll save for use in another project)

fused to the tiara


next I stitch the edges to secure them
this is opal dust....glitter in an acrylic polymer base. Much better than glue..doesn't attract bugs. Drys clear too. i fix it after it's dry with a textile medium mixed with versatex fixer and let it dry.

nice sparkle! Really spectacular on dark fabrics.

And of course, my helper Harry!

All dry and fixed.

There's also gold dust....I think the girls will use this on their tiara's.


Bias binding for the lower edge.
And, then the fun stuff to be added


All finished the machine work. Now to add the bling!
oops, forgot to show you the velcro on the back...makes it adjustable.


And, I've started adding the bling. I bead the top edge first and then will go back and add crystals and other beads and special sequins to the appliques. I'll post a photo when I'm done.
So, keep watching for the launch of my new site!
Have a great night, be back soon.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Details of the crown

I purchased the crown pattern here. The pattern designer has a very specific written statement regarding use of her pattern that prohibits me from sharing how to make the crown here.

However, the pattern contained a couple of supplies and some instructions that I found did NOT work well, so I substituted my own supplies which I detailed in this post.

As to the embellishments, I used hot fix crystals, pearls, specialty sequins that I gave the link for in this post; and beads from my stash to bead the edges of the crown.

Sorry, that's the best I can do given the constraints by the designer, but I'm sure you'll figure it out!

Monday, June 29, 2009

More fabric and a crown!

I got another of Vicki's palettes today. This one she calls Caribbean Blue. My favorite colors! Just look at the incredible texture of this piece..fabulous! And the rest have just as much.Here's the whole set, the darkest piece is an extra piece.

Just beautiful. Thanks Vicki!

And the first crown is done...beading and all! Pretty swanky! I love the beaded edge; time consuming but so worth it.

I've got the blanks for the others done and ready for the girls to get here and pick out their fabrics. They'll be here in just a week! Yippee.

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

More of Vicki's fabric....

decided it needed to come live with me.... this one is called "pebbles" Hey Adam, think I should QUILT pebbles on it? ROFLMAO! Seriously though, it's perfect and will find it's way into some of my landscape and pictorial quilts....eventually, after I've had ample time to drool over it and pet it.Well crap, I forgot what this set is called...oh well, it is beautiful sun-type colors. And the yellow/orange/ red piece is absolutely luminous!


And then as a gift, she sent this piece. Just Fabulous! and it is sooo metallic..it glows!
I still have one more palette coming...the Caribbean blue one. Should be here in the next day or two. I really need to quit looking at her store for a couple days to give my credit card a break!

And just because it's been a while, and he posed so pretty, here's a shot of my beautiful Harry.

Chloe is currently asleep in a very un-lady like pose. We'll post a picture of her when she's in a pretty pose!

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

new hand dyed fabric

I got another set of hand dyed fabrics from Vicki's etsy shop today. And they are GORGEOUS! This palette is called " mineral pool" and was taken from this photograph.Here are the pieces individually...notice the incredible texture in each piece.

This piece shows a little darker than it really is...the truer color is at the bottom of the first photo.















A few people have e-mailed me and commented that they think these fabrics are too expensive. Well, let me tell you...if you don't dye, you have no idea of the cost of both raw materials in fabric, chemicals and labor that goes into making these fabrics. Add to that; Vicki has spent the countless hours and attention to detail that is required to create formulas that allow her to reproduce these exact colors time and time again...accurately. In addition to that, she researches the color palettes and puts these colors together so that you have a beautifully coordinated set that will be successful in whatever quilt pattern you choose to use them in.

I am not affiliated...yada yada...but I think these "palettes" while not appealing to everyone, yield a fabulous, time saving find to anyone who values a work of art. These fabrics, in and of themselves are a work of art. Imagine what incorporating them into your art pieces will do for your work!

Thank you Vicki! I love them and can't wait to see the new palettes you come up with. I'm sure they'll find a way into my art!

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

A day with Mary

Mary and I had a wonderful day together. I know you're all dying for pictures, but it's not nice to post bathing suit pictures...unless you're 20 years old and 98 pounds...which neither of us are LOL! So here is a highly cropped photoshop version from one of the pictures I took of Mary yesterday.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A visit with Mary

Mary arrived here in Southwest Florida this afternoon. Tomorrow we get to spend the day together!