The butterflies were a lot of work and I was not happy with the way I overlapped two of them on the circle..... so I made a new background.  This was by far the easiest way to redo the circle.  First I trace the ferns onto the organza, then I outline them with YLI green metallic thread and then colored them in with green fabric paint.

Then I cut the butterflies out of the old background and fixed them on the new.  Now they each have a  place of honor.

On the previous circle I used sequins to do the motion squiggles.  I really did not like the way they came out so I used Superior Glitter thread and really liked the results.  I like it so much I ordered 4 more colors on line and can't wait to get it.

Susan Elliot previewed  The Art of Embroidered Butterflies by Jane E. Hall on her blog just before I was to start this embroidery.   I decided to order the book and wait (hard thing for me to do waittttttt)  before I started this butterfly circle.  I was hoping to get a different perspective and some inspiration.  The book is truly beauitful but it is way way way out of my league so put it aside and resorted to my old stand by SEQUINS.... I ordered about 10 different colors of  2mm sequins from Cartwright's and here is the result.  The two top butterflies mushes into the one beneath.... might have to have a do-over!

























These two lamé circles that will be on this panel along with the butterflies.  This panel will be the lace over purple lamé not the turquoise that is shown.  

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season!!

Progress on my new project!!
 I am calling it "My Ravel".  When I first applied to Ecole Lesage I want to do a piece called Ravel.  It is fashioned after French 18th century textile prints inspired by Persian design.  That's when I discovered the Level thing at Lesage. The Ravel piece is Level 7 and I had to start at 1!!  I will never get to 7 so I am doing my own Ravel inspired wall hanging.  It will be about 36" wide and 45" or so Long.  There will be 3 panels one lace over turquoise Lamé, one over purple Lamé, and one over fuchsia Lamé.  Here is the turquoise panel.

The motif will be repeated in each panel in a different size and in
 the panel color.

Stitched the design with beads, black metallic thread, and 

some turquoise organza fringed and placed around the middle square.

Stitched the design with beads and black metallic thread.

I took fuchsia Lamé and stitched the design on it in black metallic thread.  Next I covered it with sheared tulle then copied the design on top of the tulle with thread and put the black flowers in the centers.  The tulle is too thick to see the shadow of the design under it.  Next I will have a lighter hand.

This is just a piece of weird ribbon trim tacked over Lamé.
























and finally the panel layout.  I am not sure if I like it this way... Too ordered??    Nothing is sewed on yet so I will start the next panel and see what happens!!

Happy Thanks Turkey day!!

My Ravel

I have been working on my new project.  A smaller wall hanging about 36" wide by 45 or so long.  Tentatively there will be 3 staggered rectangles of lace over lame... one turquoise, one fuchsia, and one purple on a cream embossed satin.  Circles of varying sizes will be cut out of the lace and embroidered ones inserted.  

















The motif will be the following design (not quite done).
It will appearing in each rectangle and be in 3 different colors and sizes .

The circles will be flower designs from French 18th century
 textiles.


















The first circle I completed is about 7 inches in diameter.
I used raffia and silk ribbon which I ruffled.  I used small green and yellow marquise shaped sew-ons.   I got the sew-ons last year at Tinsel Trader in NYC and have been dying to use them.  I sewed them on with tiny (size 18) beads. 

I used the Tambour hook to apply all the beads, sequins, and the green metallic thread.  I also use it to attach the pinkish  size 15 beads and 3mm sequins vermichelli fashion on the right hand flower.  The stem is chenille.


I was also busy trying to prepair for the big storm... if that is even possible.  
Last year at this time we were without power for 7 days.  No heat, electricity, no stitching and I was whining loudly. 
The destruction that struck the NY, NJ, CT and on into PA and W. Virginia is just astoundingly horrible.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost so much and will be suffering for months and years to come.  I count my blessings.

Sequintastic September Blog Hop!!!!

For the Sequin Blog hop sponsored by Sarah at www.saturdaysequins.com

 I am working on the Motif for my new quilt project using a few
 sequins.few sequins.

Flower and leaf adornments to wear on a sweater using SEQUINS, chenille, metal organza, and beads.

Border of my Psychedelic circle quilt.  Each leaf used about 100
sequins.

Can't even begin to count the sequins in the background and in each circle!!  Gotta love sequins!!

For more views of the quilt look at the "label" psychedelic circles.

return to www.saturdaysequins.com to check out the rest of the participants 

Paris

I promised views of our Paris Vacation in July so here they are.  The weather was very rainy for a while I thought we missed and landed in Ireland!!  Many days it never rained but it was dark and cloudy.

My favorite shop to buy cookies in at lunch break between classes.


Paris has outdoor fruit and vegetable stands everywhere.

Bakeries with delectable deserts abound!!

My new favorite is the pig or "cocheon" filled with moist chocolate cake.  The eclair was my husbands. 

The Oldest art store in Paris is only open several hours a week.

A great view of the Eiffel tower can be had from the Trocadero.

The flea markets are fun.

This is one of my favorite dealers.  She usually has a pile of ancient French embroidery newspapers with great old design patterns.

Last but not least is my trip to Au Ver A Soie to buy threads and Chenille.  Its on the second floor.

You have to ring the bell and hope someone buzzes you in or comes out the door and let you in.

Once through the door you go down a dark hallway and up a winding staircase to the inner door.






















Once inside you find a store from the long ago.  

















The clerk appears and says "We only sell to Professionals."
I reply "I am a Professional" and give her my card!!

Psychedelic Circles

Psychedelic circles is finally completed!!  All I need to do is put on the label.  The border took 70 flowers and I just happened to choose 7 different colors to make flowers out of so the colors worked out perfectly.  If I had planned it believe me it never would have happened.

Her coming out party  will be on Oct. 1st when I give a lecture at the Shoreline Quilters Guild.  The meeting is at 7 PM at the Canoe Brook Senior Center, Cherry Hill Road Branford CT.

Still UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Putting a quilt TOGETHER always takes longer then you think!!
The piping inside and outside...

The trim over the raw edge of the inside piping. 
Sewing the glittered sequins in some of the squares.

My job today is to sew on the rest of the flowers I made using the  "Arlene Baker" flower mold along with the leaves.  Then I have to make 2 more leaves as I didn't make enough.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The hardest part of this whole process for me is putting the pieces together.  All the circles are sewn on.  The first layer of sash is gold and it is basted on (not shown).  The top in the picture is representative of what the finished sash will look like.  Embroidered green intertwining circles with flowers and leaves over the gold lamé. 


















I have spliced two of my slate frames together to accommodate the length of the sashes.  This is the top and bottom in process.

This is the side pieces.  Here you can get an idea of  the 6 1/2 feet length of the two frames.  I had to put a dowel in the mid section to keep them from sagging. 

In the evenings while watching TV I work on the leaves....  I ironed steam- a-seam lite onto the metal organza, cut out the leaf shape, ironed it onto organza, tacked it down so it doesn't lift and embroidered green sequins around the edges.  I have 30 completed, the 20 or so in the frame started and I have no idea how many more I have to do!!

School starts in a couple weeks and my GDD (grand daughter daughter) is starting High School so lots to do plus the  heat is slowing me down.   Hopefully in the next week I will have the sashes sewn on and the sandwich made. (Back batting and top sewn together and pipping completed.  Then I can concentrate on finishing the leaves and flowers.