FRENCH TAGS - MIXED MEDIA - FREE TUTORIAL

 

These are just great as Gifts.

Do you have hidden away in your sewing stash pieces

of lace that are just too small to put to use, but you

 cannot bear to part with them. This is a way to have

 it on show. Bring out such items as:

Small remnants of lace (vintage or modern), 

Doilies – damaged but precious, odd buttons. 

Charms, Ribbons, Hand-dyed Lace Trim / Motifs.

Broken pieces of jewellery, Art images on Fabric 

or fabric pieces.

For this illustrated tag, you will need:-

1 Backing Piece 12 x 22 cm.

 1 Fabric Stiffening, 10 x 20 cm.

1 image (8 x 6 cm) 

Small pieces of fabric to frame the image.

Front panel: add pieces of fabric around the image.

Layering is a plus with this type of craft; 

the more, the better. 

Add stiffening to the back.

For this example lace frames the image.

Overlapping where necessary. Making it wider than

 the fabric. Hand tack in matching thread to keep the

 lace in position. At the base I have added a hand-dyed

 lace motif with a slight touch of blue in the centre, 

which I feel complements the blue in the maid's dress.

Pearls stitched into the lace flower centres. 

With seed beads I have framed the image.

stitching them to the edge of the lace with a 

beading needle and thread.

Rosette:  

Base – Is a gathered rosette in lace.

2nd Layer - Constructed from 13 mm silk ribbon.

Pearl Button covering the stitching as the centre. 

Placed over a layer of fine lace leaves. 

Backing:

Press the seams down to make it the required size, 

then edge this with a fine 1 cm lace trim to give an

attractive edge. If machine sewing it may be best to 

do some hand tacking first to make it easier to handle

under the pressure foot with such a narrow lace.

Place it to the back of the French Tag and slip stitch

the two pieces together.

Add an eyelet to the top of the tag.

The opening for this, believe it or not, I have made

 with an ordinary office whole punch. Should you

 have the proper tool it will be simple to do.

 As an alternative the ribbon could be stitched to the 

tag, maybe with a few pleats for disguise.

Themes for your tags:-

Colourful, Christmas, Birthday, Modern, Vintage,

 Embroidered, Shabby, Boho. 

Much prettier than being hidden away in a Cabinet

don't you agree?

So pull out your sewing baskets and get inspired.

Craft Gossip - The best in "How To" crafts and handmade ideas

 

Craft Gossip

                                             Independent craft blog since 2007

Take your creativity and craft knowledge and soar.

This is the website where you can accomplish that.

The variety of crafts displayed on this website is endless.

Knitting, crocheting, and sewing,

Recycled crafts, edible crafts, and scrapbooking,

Plus so much more. With many wonderful contributors.

Designs for free Hand and Machine embroidery

It's time to return to a previous era where the pleasure and 

reward was in the self-satisfaction of our own creations.

Just a small sample of what can be found in Craft Gossip.

If you are already a visitor, you will be aware of the possibilities. 

Design Creation - Needle Books

Design featuring Vintage Fashion Prints

Needle Books with Vintage Illustrations

A Needle Book based on Vintage Fashion Illustrations

photos taken from sold stocks in the Etsy Store.

Something special to have in your craft room

or as a gift for a fellow crafter. 

Book cover with a layer of bone lace and

 Front and back page images added.

Inside Pages for Needles and Pins

Hand Dyed Laces

No images at present in store but will in the future.

Pintangle - Link in Header

 

Slow Stitching - Crazy Quilting - Textile Art

Looking for a complementary stitch for your slow stitching project? 

or a more fancy way of embellishing your

Crazy Quilting Seams, the Stitch Dictionary has an extensive choice.

Or maybe just wishing to broaden your knowledge.

This is the place to come.

Sharon Boggon is an internationally recognised Australian textile artist.

 teacher and author and generously has set up this site to share her

 knowledge and love of embroidery. 

Based in Canberra, Australia, she trained in visual arts and fine arts 

and successfully combined structural design elements with traditional

 textile practices.

A big thank you to Sharon.

Crafting, Music and Creative Chaos

 Craft Music and Creative Chaos

Getting in the Zone

Are there days when you wish the worries of the world would 

 fade away, and stress takes a backseat? 

Picture this: 

You find yourself in a cosy craft room, surrounded by a delightful mess, tunes that match your mood filling the air. If you're a devoted crafter, you might just nod knowingly. Today, as I assemble packs for the store, I dwell on the journey that led me to this point.

My recipe for diving into the creative zone? A restful slumber to kickstart the day, coffee, a touch of chaos in my workspace (because who doesn't love a bit of mess?), and the perfect playlist blaring in the background. The ever-changing rhythm of my favourite songs sets the tone for what's to come.  

In the Chaos the drawers brim

with possibilities – fabric art in

my unique designs, colour,

textures, embellishments

hopefully to encourage my clients

creativity. Sometimes, my canvas

is digital, taking my thoughts and 

designing an image to inspire a 

project. Other times, it's the joy of

bringing a project to life and totally

immersing myself in the moment. 

Crafting is not just a process; it's a journey. Each snip, each stitch, each stroke of the needle adds a layer to the narrative. It's here, in this space of organised chaos, that I find solace. The outside world fades away, leaving room for inspiration to reign supreme.

As I immerse myself in the colours & textures, times seem to drift by.

All stress and concerns are pushed far into the back of my mind. Your Passion may be Embroidery, Quilting,  Scrapbooking, and Mixed Media.

Slow Stitching, Journaling, Knitting or Crochet – the therapy is the same: taking our minds and souls to a happier place.

So, to all the fellow crafters out there, embrace the chaos, dance to the rhythm of your favourite tunes, and let your creativity soar. Let the worries melt away as you lose yourself in the magic of crafting. For in this unknown narrative of getting in the zone lies the true essence of the crafter's soul – a place where chaos and creativity collide to form something truly beautiful.

If this strikes a chord with you and your Crafting time. I would  love to hear in the comments what your interests are. 

Let's find our Happy Place – Carol Daisy

Pink not Just a Colour, it's a state of Mind. #Pinkalicious

 

Soft tones of Pink can give us peace whilst working on a project.

For those already into Shabby Crafts you will already be

well aware. Lovers of Pink in their everyday world will already

realise the effect the choice of Colour can have on your

Mood, personality, and Creativity.

The Boldness of Boho Style

Embrace the Rich Bold Jewel Colours of Boho Design 

Bohemian design takes us on a journey filled with

 vibrant colours and eclectic patterns, where creativity

flows freely and individuality reigns supreme.

 Imagine stepping into a creativity zone awash

 with rich jewel tones like emerald greens, royal 

blues and deep purples. As a guide to the first

 steps of choosing colours and texture.

Jewel tones: Deep turquoise, emerald, and amethyst

• Earth tones: Browns, greens, terracotta, rusty oranges,
•  and warm ochres
• Metallic hues: Can add a dynamic visual
• Bright colors: Orange, brilliant blue, crushed berries,
•  and yellow hibiscus

• Incorporate natural elements
•  Experiment with textures.

Top image is from an earlier kit from the Etsy Store.

This is the current kit available: "Boho Bliss"

A feature of this Journal is the Velvet Cover. 

Beautiful Boho.