Patchwork

I am not sure when my love of patchwork started..before or after I was at the sewing age of seven...I do know that I loved Holly Hobbie but not until I was a bit older...

Holly Hobby info link

I found the idea of taking scraps of well loved fabrics and re piecing them back together was creative and fun.. also making patchwork skirts from jeans...and then embroidering them as much as possible!

Patchwork dates back 100's of years...

The early settlers to America were poor and could not replace essential possessions. Everything was repaired again and again and this was certainly true of the family quilts, which were patched up with scraps of fabric from old clothing. After many repairs, the quilt top began to resemble a patchwork design more than solid fabric. Much older pieces outside the US have been discovered one of them being a quilted funeral tent canopy was found in the tomb of Queen Esi-mem-kev of Egypt, who lived about 980 BC!

During the Victorian period, women found themselves with time and money..and crazy patchwork was all the rage- to the point of being frenetic!

 In the 60's and 70's was when the art of crafts had another re-birth and patchwork was again popular spreading into fun and functional items...

and here we are again today with the resurgence of the patchwork...

I would love to share with you some images of then and now!

 THEN:

 NOW:

eviegreenpixie link

THEN:

NOW:

squint limited-uk link

THEN:

 NOW:

stella mcartney ad

THEN:

NOW:

welbeck tiles-uk

THEN:

NOW:

also check out coach bags

I love the way patchwork has evolved into a playful and whimsical art!

can't stand it and want more??

check out my pinterest patchwork board

Happy Patching!

hope this covers it...

Special Note: Next week April 6th 2012

announcement of the give-away- stay tuned...

Clothes Pins

clothes pins you ask!?...ok...they are one of those quirky but handy objects...I have always found clothes pins to be so much more than the things that hang on the clothes line...

so for starters...they really are the only thing you can hang your laundry in the sunny sunshine and have that smell of a summer breeze....

but step up the function and they can be pretty...

with fabric added

wrapped with embroidery floss

we can never forget the most darling clothes pin dolls!

link to clothes pin dolls

then when does it become fine art???
when someone takes in from function to form...

link to gerry stecca

and when does it become fashion??
when someone dares to create movement...

images from anthropologie windows

and when does it become a functioning art?

link to marie elizabeth

so next time you are out in the sunshine and you walk by a clothes line...

stop...just for a moment...

 and ask what will you become?

Belgium

 

I will be FUN, GIANT 

and catch you by surprise!!!

Spring Flowers

ok...crochet spring flowers!

Yarn Bombing of fence of Denver construction site

 I have always just loved hand-work and crochet. Many years ago, my Mother-in-Law taught me to crochet. The trick was that she is right handed and I am left handed...needless to say we got through and I love it! It is one of those things that you can pick up or put down at any time...even years possibly!!

I have some vintage crochet tablecloths- and yes- maybe am a little rough on them- but I use them and love them. Dinner party spills?- just throw them in the wash and they turn our fabulous!

Start with small flowers...

How to Links below

 

So...now what take the small individual flowers??

10 beautiful ways to crochet flowers link

More How to Links below

Scarves:

man-made link

etsy link

 

Don't have the time or effort to make one? Here is my favorite from Scarf Monkey

Necklaces:

flickr link

flickr link

Headbands and Hairclips:

how to link below

flickr link

 Cuffs and Bracelets:

how to link below

etsy link

HOW TO LINKS:

 How to make a crochet flower

How to make tiny crochet flowers

How to make layered crochet flowers

How to make a crochet headband

How to make a lotus cuff

Happy Crocheting Spring Flowers!

how to link

Hankie Couture

BTW- this has been on my computer as the desktop background for the last week...thought it was so delicate...and leads nicely into this weeks subject.

OoooOOh...ok..I AM a sucker for pretty vintage hankies and yes, do have enough to last me the rest of my life...and I do most always have one in my purse.

So, when my friend, Irene, handed me this book on Hankie Couture...initially I thought it may be a little to...to..kitschy. 

But as I opened it and started to look at it, I found it to be charming, sweet and tastefully done! In fact inspiring enough to do something with it. 

It reminded me of the fashions of the fifties- just pretty...and I like pretty!

You will find a selection of wonderful colorful photographs and patterns with easy to follow instructions (I have only just glanced at the instructions and have years of sewing behind me) but the pattern pieces themselves look right on target!

So if you take these creations and use your minds eye in more of the fashion design quality, you will be pleasantly surprised! Can't you see it?!?

Christian Dior- Spring 2012

And what girl (doll) would not love to have these garments in her closet!??

 With further investigation- holy smokes!...I found a whole lotta things going on with this Hankie Couture thing...check it out- ebay...facebook...website and even it's own doll... it is a life style...

 Yes, charming and sweet! And you have to admit, in today's crazy hectic world- isn't it nice even for a moment to have a little pretty?!?!