Embellishment inspiration is everywhere!
Posted on 11. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
I’ve had this styrofoam takeout container (from a restaurant) for months and just unearthed it. (I did wash it:-) Thought that the embossed design on the top was an interesting composition and something that might be incorporated into an embellishment on a skirt or jacket. It has a Frank Lloyd Wright vibe—maybe the box designer is a fan of Wright’s windows. I am. If I use it as a surface design element on a future project, will let you know and post a picture.
In the meantime, check out unusual places and objects for cool ideas—you never know where your next great idea will come from!
Downton Abbey goes Green with Recycling
Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Sunday night, January 8th, is the debut of Season 2 of PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abbey.
Found an interesting article about the costumes used in the Downton Abbey. It’s full of info about which costumes were recycled from other movies and who wore them originally. It also talks about the how clothing changed with the onset of WWI—ankles became visible, corsets were loosened or eliminated and styles were simpler.
Loved Season 1 so much that I’ve re-watched it on DVD too many times to count. So pour a glass of wine, loosen your Spanx(!), check your local listings for times and enjoy—I know I will!
Fashion 150 Years:Couturiers Designers Labels
Posted on 04. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Today is my birthday and my husband gave me a fantastic gift—a book, Fashion 150 Years Couturiers, Designers, Labels by Charlotte Seeling. It’s chock-a-block full of gorgeous color and black and white photographs—a feast for the eyes. So in-between working on my upcoming book, (a soon-to-be feast for the eyes:-)!) and a new Template Set, I’ll sneak in a few minutes to relax and look through it. Hope your January 4th is as beautiful and inspiring as mine—happy 4th day of 2012!
Slipper Genies—Genius!
Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Happy New Year Everyone! My sister Judy and her husband visited us over the holidays and for a hostess gift she gave me a pair of these cool Slipper Genies. They’re slippers that have microfiber “mops” attached to the soles with Velcro. So when you walk around your house, you can actually get some cleaning done at the same time. And when they get dirty, pull them away from the slippers and toss them into the wash. How cool is that? Have already tried them and they work great for picking up dog hair and dust on hardwood floors and tile.
Santa—variations on the man
Posted on 18. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
My husband decided to gather as many of our Santa collection as would fit on the mantle together for a decorating change of pace this holiday season. Looking at each one, it struck me how many different interpretations of Santa there are, but almost all have certain characteristics. Boots, hat, a white beard and aged persona are familiar characteristics of the “jolly old man”.
Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope you have a season filled with love, friendship, fellowship and family and a healthy, fulfilling 2012. Peace on Earth to all.
Collage It! Minnesota style update
Posted on 15. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Bonnie Bosma teaches classes in SE Minnesota and for a schedule of her classes please contact her at:
Collage It! Minnesota style
Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Hi everyone,
Am busy decorating the house for a holiday party we’re hosting Friday evening—nothing like waiting ’til the last minute. But that keeps the challenge in the whole event! The tree looks beautiful—love lowering the lights and letting the tree glow. A few more trips to the basement to dig out the rest of the decorations…it’s always a race to the finish line.
Just chatted with Bonnie in Minnesota. She teaches quilting and sewing classes and plans to teach Collage It! in an upcoming class. She made her jacket with felted sweaters and Template Set 1. The color combo and composition are wonderful and I wanted to share pictures with you. Felted wool sweaters feel pretty cozy at this time of year in Minnesota!
Thanks for the photos of your jacket, Bonnie! It’s beautiful. As soon as Bonnie sends info on her classes, I’ll post it.
Recycling sweatshirts
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Hi everyone.
You haven’t heard from me in a while. Sorry. Finally had a chance to visit my favorite source for recycling sweaters and sweatshirts–The Salvation Army Store. It’s just a few miles from my home, but it seems like it’s been ages since my last visit. Am working on a new Template Set (very exciting) design and have been thinking about a totally different color palette. And instead of geometric shapes, this one will be curvier. Love the water tones–seafoam, deeper greens, shades of purple and blues. Picked up a bunch of sweatshirts that were in good shape, washed and dried them. Almost threw out a couple of drawstrings, but retrieved them from the wastebasket just in case I decide to weave them into the finished jacket.
Will keep you posted on my progress and let you know when the new Template Set 3 is ready. But in the meantime, here’s the “Before” shot and you can see the drawstrings.
Off to find apron fabric for 3 nieces’ holiday presents! Will post those soon! Happy Sewing and enjoy the holiday season.
Will also post upcoming 2012 events on my homepage in a few days.
Original Sewing & Quilt Expo-Chantilly, VA Sept 29, 30, Oct. 1, 2011
Posted on 06. Oct, 2011 by gail in Blog
Had a wonderful time at the OSQE in Chantilly, VA last weekend. It was great meeting so many new and enthusiastic sewers in my workshops. And I had the pleasure of meeting one-half of the Ya-Ya Sisters–Rita Farro. (Am hoping to meet her sidekick Mary Mulari next week at the OSQE in KC, MO.)
Don’t you just love Rejeana Tinsley’s jacket using the Counterpoints Jacket pattern with Template Set 2? I do–great work, Rejeana!
My wonderful assistant, Pam Schneider, took the Booth picture while I was teaching a workshop and just before the Vendor Floor opened to all of those anxious shoppers.
Albany American Sewing Guild Chapter Event
Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by gail in Blog
Had a wonderful time Saturday September 17th presenting the “It’s All About Embellishment!” lecture/demo/trunk show to members of the Albany ASG Chapter. And want to extend a big “thank you” to the great women who helped make it a fun, well-planned day. Lunch with Sue Speir, Kathy Wise and Lucy Gee afterward at “Peaches” was yummy. Thanks for fortifying me for the ride home.
The trip to Albany was spectacular. There’s nothing like driving through the Berkshires early on a clear (almost) fall morning. And driving home was just as beautiful.
Thought you’d enjoy a few pics from the day. (And congratulations to Lucy Gee and her husband. They’re celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary!)
