This is what started the whole Ravel "Thing"!!  I first went to Ecole Lesage in 2007 to take a 2 day intro. class.  When I was in the studio I saw this piece and fell in love with it.  When I went back in 2009 I tried to register for this class and was told it was level VII and I had to start at I.  This is the best picture I have of the piece and I most likely will never get to take the class!!

My Ravel was of course was inspired by the piece as well as a book I found on 18th century French textile designs.  

Here are some close ups of the embroideries.

The finished piece hanging in my upstairs hallway.

Now onto the next project!! 

One of the things I always look for at the Brimfield antique/flea market is a vintage tambour hooks.  In July I did spot  this beautiful agate one.   I did not buy it in July because the screw was jammed and being the practical me I couldn't buy it if I couldn't use it.   At the September show I came across the same hook but the dealer had lubricated it and loosened the screw so it was usable!!  Now I own my first antique tambour hook!!  Best of all my sweet husband bought it for me!

I finished the back of my quilt.  The velvet is more of a maroon shade.  The design is from the flower shapes in the lace panels on the front.  Some are done in Kreinik cord and the rest are done in beads.  The shapes are supposed to swoop up from bottom to top.  The purpose of the embroidered flower shapes is to hold the backing, batting and front together.

I thought ahead this time and put my name etc in one of the enlarged flower shapes.  

The last flower embroidery for "My Ravel quilt" is completed.

I worked on the center red flower forever.  First I ironed on a layer of metal organza and outlined it with red metallic thread and black 15mm beads.  Next I embroidered 2 separate layers of tulle with the jagged outline of the flower and cut them out.  Then I outlined the center shape of the flower on velvet with 18mm metal faceted beads and cut it out. Finally I built a flower sandwich.

I have 3 more small solid circles to embroider  plus the motifs to complete before I can start assembling.
See the label "My Ravel" to see the rest of the designs.

After spinning my wheels for a couple of weeks and cleaning out my sewing room and and and I finally finished a couple of circles I sort of liked.

I also have been working on the motifs for the other two panels.  These travel easily when stitching with friends.

I also wanted to share my needle index book with you as I linked to Susan Elliots Plays with Needles.
I first got this in early 2002 when I took a class from Jane Nicholas.  The class supply list required 10 different needles.  I bought a large package of assorted John James needles and a needle index created by the Valley Quail Chapter of the EGA in Walnut Creek, CA.  I filled it for the class and have never stopped using it.  I love it.

I add a page in the back to honor my broken and very bent needles.

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.