Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Shimmer Tape Tutorial

Colour Streams hand dyed Shimmer Tape is a hollow metallic rayon tube/tape. Fabulous metallic specialty yarn for inserting cord to stiffen the tape then ruche tape along the cord for great effects. 5mt. length.
I have made my demonstration piece into a Needlecase.  If You would like to do the same you will need -
1 Shimmer Tape in your colour choice. (I used Russet)
1 C/S Wool Felt to co-ordinate.
2mtr of fine cord or waste threads any colour.
A large eye needle or bodkin.
Beads and sequins to decorate.
Stranded cotton to match Tape and felt.
Colour Streams hand dyed organza for puffs.
Doctor flannel for pages (13cm. width)

Cut the felt in half and save one piece for the lining.
Cut cord or bundles of threads into 1 metre lengths.
Use the corded tape for the front and the flat tape for the back.
Save a scrap of Tape to tie the Doctor Flannel pages to the lining.
I haven't used any pattern to do this piece so you can meander the tape on the front to please your self.  Have fun and express your creativity - see what happens!


Thread a large needle or bodkin with a fine cord or several strands of waste thread.  You will need 1 or 2 mts. depending on how many cords you want to make and how long they need to be.  Insert the eye of the needle into the end of the Tape and slide the Tape down the needle and over the threads.






Continue moving the Tape over the threads until you have enough ruched Tape for your project.  Cut the Tape at the eye of the needle.  Pull out the needle and threads attached.  Make some sections thick and thin by easing out the ruching.  Tie a knot in the thin section to add more texture.





If you are making a needlecase or a journal cover you will need at least 2 ruched cords.  Be creative and meander the cords over the cover, nestling them into each other.  When you are happy with your shapes, couch down with tiny stitches (on the surface) in a matching coloured thread.  
 

Load the large needle with the threads or cord and take them through to the back of fabric.  Couch the tails of the thread down at the back of embroidery and trim off ends. 
 



  
Next I have used the Tape flat without a cord inside for a contrast in texture.  I have meandered this tape from the bottom of the padded tape to the back of my cover.  I have shadow stitch chain stitch in a thicker thread in some parts of the embroidery and added some curling tentacles.  Take the ends of the flat tape to the back of embroidery and couch down.



  Decorate the ends of the tape and tentacles with Suffolk Puffs and beaded leaves.  Add sequins and beads to the centre of puffs and the tops of leaves.  You may want to add more beads and sequins depending on your design. 





  I have used half a piece of Colour Streams Felt in Russet for the front of my needlecase and the other half for the lining.  I Buttonholed the two pieces together with 3 strands of stranded cotton to match felt and then Whip stitched each Buttonhole stitch and added a bead to every 3rd stitch. 
 



I have worked a running stitch around the edges of the Doctor Flannel pages with a bead on every 3rd stitch.  Sew the pages to the lining with the scrap of Tape and tie a bow.  Make knots in tails of bow and bead the knots.





You may add as many beads and sequins to the embroidery as you like and you can also add beaded and embroidered pockets inside the needlecase. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

New Pincushion "Meadow Blue"



.

 " Meadow Blue Pincushion"
It's made from all my favourite textiles - felted wool, hand dyed felt, velvet, silk threads, beads and filled with the new walnut shell and lavender mix.
 The pincushion is about 47cm. round or a diameter of 18cm..  Kit now available.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Open Day March 9th

Open Day and Sale
Laraine's On Capri
Open Day  -  Saturday - March 9th.
10.00am. to 2.00pm.
Anglican Church
Salerno St., Isle Of Capri
Surfers Paradise
Enjoy cake, coffee and a catch up chat.
Cash Only

Once again we are having an Open Day at the Anglican Church hall so please come and explore the bounty of beautiful wares from my store.  
There will be new kits, scissors, buttons, mason jars, walnut mix for pincushions, felted wool, shimmer tape, Needle Minders plus our usual range of beautiful ribbons, threads, hand dyed fabrics and embroidery linens.
Stock up many sale items not offered before.  I will endeavour to list many of them on the website so that you can all participate.
Tell your friends - everyone is welcome!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Soothing Greens



Green is such a soothing colour against which all other colours are enhanced.
I now have
felted wool in a small pk of 6 different greens for leaves in your applique. They mix beautifully with Colour Streams hand dyed silk velvet and organza.  Leaf Greens

Thursday, January 31, 2013

On Sale
Search the On Sale page for lots of fabric bargains. All French General, Japanese and English furnishing fabrics must go to make way for new products. There's also braids, ribbons and buttons - lots to check out!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Shimmer Tape

 Shimmer Tape - just arrived in - can't wait to give it a try!
A fabulous  shimmering hollow metallic & rayon tube/tape in some of my favourite Colour Streams colours.  Inserting a cord to stiffen the tape then ruche the tape along the cord for great effects. It makes wonderful cords for fibre and beaded necklaces and couched surface effects.  Imagine it meandered across a journal cover encrusted with stitching, sequins and beads! 
Shimmer Tape - $7.50 
I've just updated  the website and it's so much easier to use.  I think you will find lots of things you didn't know we had!  Come and explore.     www.larainesoncapri.com.au

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Pins and Posies - pincushion

Happy New Year to you all and may you be healthy and full of creativity.

I have just finished this silvery lavender silk pincushion fashioned on the top of a pressed glass Mason Jar.  I filled the pincushion with crushed walnut shell to keep your pins sharp. The walnut shell seemed to make the shaping of the cushion easier. The posy of silk ribbons is worked on a slip and draped around the cushion. It makes an elegant storage jar as well.  What colour  can I make next - I'm completely addicted!!!
It will be available as a kit soon.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The stockings are hung



1st December - the tree is decorated and the stockings are hung - the count down has begun!
I love the old dress form which I renovated with pictures from vintage lace magazines. I've draped it in velvet ribbon and a luxe stocking.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Braiders Bobbins and Mason Jars



Wind you lace and ribbons around these wonderful Vintage Braiders bobbins that have arrived in from Austria. Beautiful diamond pressed glass Mason jars are ideal for home made candles and pincushion storage jars. Decorate with your favourite bronze charms.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Crafty Christmas Giving


That Magical time of the year is fast approaching but there is still time to make something beautiful for that special person from my range of kits.  Don't forget to check out the Mother of Pearl and silver chatelaine accessories, needle keeps, thread winders and scissors.  Great Christmas giving ideas from Accessories and Scissors!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Strawberries On Ice


A cone in embroidered silk topped with my Hanah silk ribbon flowers and silk velvet strawberries all dressed for the festive season.  Strawberries On Ice  
I didn't realize in how many of my designs I had used the silk velvet until I was looking at them to share.  I guess it's a love affair!  How about you - what textures do you love?

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Divine Pears



Working with hand dyed silk velvet has to be one of my favourite things especially when it is lushly embroidered with Hanah silk ribbon flowers, chenille and ribbon leaves and enhanced with sequins beads and diamonties. The silk has such a beautiful bloom that you often don't see until it is made up.
I've sculpted two different coloured pears because I just love the colour plays.
                                          www.larainesoncapri.com.au