Craftside

Cut Ribbon Work from the book Fashion Trims

Books for back to school continues today with:

Fashion Trims
Customize and Create Clothes and Accessories

By

Louise Turner

A long-established element of the fashion world, where they are used widely as trimmings, belts, and tie fastenings on shoes, clothes, hats, and adorning wrists, necks, and hair, ribbons have now come even closer to the home wardrobe.

With her natural flair for color and texture, nothing is too daunting or avant garde for Louise Turner when it comes to making fantastic fashion statements through customizing clothes and making all variety of beautiful garments for every season and occasion.

At a glance, the materials and trimmings that will be used to make the fabulous range of clothing and accessories in the book will include: ribbon, silk and satin, braids, bullions, raffia, string, glass, wire, buttons and beads, sequins, wood, feathers, shells, horn bone, faux fur, leather, and mock suede.

Louise Turner is a handbag and textile designer. Her handbags comprise glorious one-off creations and bespoke collections and have attracted much attention. Her work has also been exhibited in Brussels, Paris, and London.

Ribbons rock!

Enough said.

Well. OK not really quite enough. This book is packed with easy to intricate projects that really make me want to get stitchin'

This project really caught my eye. It is a simply concept but one I hadn't thought of. It takes the elegance of taffeta and silk ribbon to a urban funky took I really like.

I think the effect really makes a plain sweater a one of a kind statement.

Click on image to enlarge

I can't wait to try this. And since we're on the subject of ribbons, I want to share with you a sweater I have revamped already. It was so easy. I simply ran the ribbon through the sewing machine on the longest stitch length and then gathered the ribbon to fit the circumference of the neckline. I pined the ribbon in place and then top stitched it in place. Oh and then added a fabulous pin!

So as you're getting your fall wardrobe out, don't be so quick to chuck those old sweaters, simple grab a copy of Fashion Trims and give them a whole new look with your special touch!

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Imressionist Jewelry and Accessories

This book will make you excited about learning beadwork and more about art! Is that a great combination or what?

Just in time for "Back to School" Creative Publishing international has released:

BEADWORK INSPIRED BY ART SERIES

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Impressionist
Jewelry and Accessories

By

Judith Durant, Jean Campbell

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Impressionist is a series of beadwork project books, inspired by the colors, textures, and forms of historical art and craft traditions.

The authors present full instructions for 12 one-of-a-kind beadwork projects inspired by their favorite masterpieces by some of the world’s finest artists. In this volume, working with a “canvas” of beads, thread, and a variety of techniques—from stringing to weaving—readers learn to re-create the jewelry and home décor objects of the impressionist period, an art style known for its energetic brushstrokes of colors and sensual effects.

The historical artwork that inspired each project and detailed step-by-step instructions and drawings are included, too.

Judith Durant is the author of Ready, Set, Bead. She has written and edited dozens of books on beadwork and knitting. She has also contributed designs and articles to Beadwork and PieceWork magazines.

Jean Campbell was the founding editor-in-chief of Beadwork magazine. She has written or edited more than 40 books on beading and has appeared on the DIY show Jewelry Making, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS’s Beads, Baubles, and Jewels.

This is such an amazing idea!!!

Here is one of my favorite projects with a wonderful "how-to"

(Click on images to enlarge)

I had to try it, of course.

So first I went to my "library of books"  and went to the section on art. I tend to like surrealism and abstract stuff. I pulled out one of my Salvador Dali books and started to flip though it.

This painting caught my eye:

It is titled:

Gala Looking at the Mediterranean Sea which from a Distance of 20 Meters is Transformed into a Portrait of Abraham Lincoln (Hommage to Rothko), 1976

This is the necklace I made with inspiration from the painting.

It is made with some new beads and some recycled parts scavenged from old pieces of jewelry.

I picked beads from the painting's color pallet. I chose a rectangle bead and a few faceted beads to mimic the square shapes in the painting.

The focal pendant flower I felt reflected the shape and color of Gala in the center of the painting.

You just have to try this! I know you will be pleasantly surprised with how your mind works and the piece you come up with!

And if you would like to have a shot at winning a copy of this book or any other from the Quayside Publishing Group all you need to do is take a moment and answer a few questions in this post's comment section! We want to hear from you!

You will will not be graded on your answers, I promise!

One-Piece Wearable Samples That I don't want to send back!

One Piece Wearables is a new book out that I just love. The book contains wonderful illustrations of the projects, but we thought you might like to see a few of the samples.

DISCLAIMER!!!! I am not a model, I don't play one on TV, I don't even really like to be photographed. But in the interest of sharing the crafting love, I acquiesced and put these great dresses on and played "Poseable Barbie" for my friend Maria Del Pinto and here you have it:

Here is a jacket, dress and tote (perfect for carrying your copy of One Piece Wearables to the store when buying fabric!)

This is the back of the cool jacket. I love when things are adjustable and have bows!

This is the same dress I made in this post out of a recycled pair of plaid pants.
And what am I wearing around my neck you ask?

Why it's one of the projects from Sweater Surgery!

Have I mentioned my love of the pom pom lately?

I had so mush fun accessorizing these outfits with my big chunky jewelry oh and with Superfly, my Airstream.(It's a 1951 Flying Cloud, hence the name Superfly)

This little blue number is so mod!

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Me thinking how I can keep this dress.......

Um, gee I think it is going to...uh...get lost in the mail!!! Ya, ya that's what happened!

OK so if you want to whip yourself up some of these fabulous dresses grab yourself a copy of:

One-Piece Wearables
25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces

By

Sheila Brennan

15 Patterns Included!

Simple but elegant fashions requiring minimal sewing and cutting! Each modern and stylish piece is made using a single pattern piece, which is then snipped, trimmed, twisted, folded, and stitched. Each garment is accessible to even those with little sewing experience but also novel and appealing enough to attract experienced sewers. Projects provide readers with the inspiration and instruction to make customized, versatile wardrobe pieces that can be made in any range of fabrics and worn in combination or alone for a variety of style and fashion effects.

Each project featured in this book is made from a single pattern piece. Requiring minimal investment, simple sewing techniques, cutting, and creative yet simple folding, fashions can be made out of a range of fabrics providing limitless styles for each pattern. Many pieces can be worn multiple ways and in many different combinations with other pieces, ensuring endless style variations and to create an all-purpose wardrobe for all occasions.

Sheila Brennan is a designer who has worked in top companies in the fashion industry in New York, London and Paris for over ten years. She is both a talented designer and a skilled patternmaker who has always questioned traditional ways of looking at clothing construction. She is inspired by designers who are known for their innovative approach to fashion, such as Issey Miyake, Madeleine Vionnet, and Comme des Garcons.

And if your in the sewing zone pop over to:

Venuszine and enter their contest sponsored by Singer. You could win a Singer 8763 Curvy sewing machine!

Click on the Singer link on the right or below to get some inside peeks into the great line of Singer books!

Are you laboring over your craft project?

Happy Labor Day All!

Traditionally Labor Day weekend is the cross roads between the fun of summer and back to school. At this point I think that schedule in most places is a bit blurred, but that's what it represents to me. I feel like this sign should say "Summer" on the left and "Fall" on the right.

Crafts are a "Labor of Love" to me. So if your looking for some new inspiration poke around here or see what my fellow crafty Bloggers have for you this week.

About Family Crafts
Would you craft with elephant poop? Learn more about how you can...

About.com Cross Stitch
Going Down in Flames? How do you deal with stitching burnout?

Aileen's Musings
Check out Aileen's Mail Art from the heart tutorial and send your own surprise in the mail!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Stop the social networking insanity! Tammy gives you some tips on how to use them but not have them abuse your precious time.

Layers Upon Layers
Molly "Porkshanks" Friedrich is an assemblage and jewelry artist of extraordinary talent...with an extraordinary story to tell!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Fall leaves are the inspiration for a "Leaf it to Me" beaded ring.

The Impatient Blogger
Sometimes it's about what we craft with our hands and sometimes it's about what we craft with our hearts. Margot talks about why our life is our most profound creation and why she's focused on crafting hope.

Origami Envelope from 8 1/2 by 11 paper

As promised yesterday, here is a super easy and cute origami envelope for your ornament card from:

Origami Sourcebook: Beautiful Projects and Mythical Characters, Step-by-Step

Origami isn't just a paper craft, it is a way to decorate the home. This book brings to life the popular Japanese art of origami as home d¬cor. Readers will learn how to create an extraordinary range of useful and beautiful projects including an elegant paper flower arrangements to one-of-a-kind greeting cards and envelopes.

Striking photographs and precise illustrations, and easy-to-follow instructions, lure the readers into the pages and entice them with projects they can create with a minimum of time and effort.

Jay Ansill has spent his lifetime practicing origami and creating new design.

And just to help you out a bit more here are a few photos from my folding.

You will be bringing the mountain folds (the diagonal one) toward the bottom left square.

And the top right square will be on top.

Then simply fold over the flaps into the square envelope spaces. And the ornament from Craftside's August 28th's post fits great in this little envelope.