Colour Inspiration

I just thought I'd share with you some of the beautiful colours that arrived in my latest parcels. The Weeks Dye Works felted wools come in the most gorgeous pastel colours and they work so well with the French Scallop braid and the new Hexagonal Mother of Pearl buttons. The Thistle Needle Keep is also new in store. It is nestled on some of Colour Streams 4mm. silk ribbon. Yum!

Hand Dyed Lace Spools

I've just finished dying this lovely lace trim in shades of green, pink and blue. The colour will blend with just about everything and is great for crazy patchwork, trims on pincushions, needlecases and lots more. Combine with Dupion silks, velvets, wool and felt for a wonderful texture and colour play. Why not also add a little sparkle with the Crystal Chantons and Vintage glass buttons.

Each Hand Dyed Lace Spool holds 1.55 mtr. lace. Re-use the wooden spool when the lace is all gone.

Vintage Cabochon Rosebud

When in Paris we visited the Botanical Gardens and I had to take a photo of this little climbing rose as it reminded me of the cabochon roses I used to make. I love ribbons of all kinds and it inspired me to get out my stash again and revisit some of the older works I had stored away.

The cabochon Rose is one of my favourites. I learned this technique from the book "The Artful Ribbon" by Candace Kling.

The rose at the bottom is a piece of mine that was published in The Embroiderers Cookbook in 2001.

I have used Hanah silk ribbon in a 25mm. width because the bias cut enables the petals to fold easier.

Make a loose knot a small length of ribbon and tack it to the fabric. Sometimes I made two knots - one on top of the other.

The petals are cut 50mm. or two ribbon widths each. You may make 3 - 4 or 5 petals. Dampen your fingers and roll the outer edge of the ribbon tightly using up to a third of the ribbon. Pin down the ends to hold the roll in place. Stitch in a half circle beginning in the roll and finishing in the roll. Draw up your stitches softly. Cup the petal around the knot and tack under the edge of the knot on the back. Overlap the petals as you go.



Images of Murano

Design drawings found in a glass blowing factory in Murano, Italy. Murano was wonderfully colourful and exuberant with huge glass flowers, ornaments, jewelery and lights.

Holiday Inspirations

You may be wondering why you haven't heard from me for awhile.

I've just come back from a four week trip which included 9 days in Paris and a Mediterranean Cruise ending in Barcelona.

It was a wonderful time - no cooking or bed making for 4 weeks - heaven.

Every building had motifs and textures in mosaics, tiles and carvings that suggested design ideas. Between my husband and I we took about 700 photos.

I think some of the ones I've posted today will be finding their way into my wool applique. Can't wait to get started.

Hope they inspire you too.



Moody Tones

Just some of the moody colour ideas I gathered together to help me decide on the photos and tones for my new Home Page. The "New Look" and some new products will be ready by 20th September.

Happy Jumping Hare

At last the Happy Jumping Hare has the borders on and I'm ready to baste and quilt.

I thought I would use some overdyed Cottage Garden Perle 8# for quilting around the motifs.

Not being a quilter I'll be working the stitches quite large so you can see the colours in the thread - as long as I get them nice and even I think it will look good. Here goes!

Once the quilting is finished I will be adding some small vine and leaf detail to the outer border. It will be easier to add this last before the binding goes on.

1st - Month - $74.00 Foundation and patchwork fabrics, instructions and pattern for all (12) blocks.
2nd - Month - $95.00 All hand dyed applique wools, felts, velvets, DMC threads, patterns and instructions for centre panel.
3rd - Month - $121.00 Special hand dyed silk perle and chenille threads, beads, needles and braids for the embellishment of centre panel. Plus comprehensive stitch instructions in colour for all blocks.
4th - Month - $60.00 Extra fabrics,threads and pattern instructions for top 3 blocks.
5th - Month - ($85.00 approximately) Extra wool fabrics, threads for bottom 3 blocks and border fabrics and patterns. Final price to be advised when I have finished the quilting and border applique.
                                          A small amount of postage is included.
Please email me at info@larainesoncapri.com.au if you are interested. Kits will be ready from the 8th of August and each monthly Statement will be sent as a Paypal Invoice. Parcels will be posted as soon as payment is received.

Lesson in Gathered Ribbon Flowers

I love to use these little flowers in most of my embroidery as they add a touch of nostalgia to your work, especially when they are encrusted with rosemontees, chatons or beads. My favourite ribbons to use are the Mokuba picot edged ombre or metallic 7mm. ribbons. Any ribbon can be used but the wider the ribbon a longer length is required. The ombre ribbons will give a loverly shading if you alternate the gathering along the dark or light edge. See the blue flowers in the main picture.

Cut the Mokuba picot ribbon into 5mm. pieces. This ribbon can fray easily so you may wish to seal the cut ends with a little Fray Check. Fold the two cut ends together and sew a seam, end off. Run a gathering stitch along one edge and gather up tightly, end off. Sew a rosemontee or seed beads to the centre and position on your work. They are very easy!

Happy Jumping Hare

The Happy Jumping Hare is almost finished. I just need to applique the lower edge of the hills and add some embroidery then decide on a border and quilting style. I'm very pleased with the flower motifs and they were a joy to stitch. It has the same wonderful freedom of stitching that you find in crazy patchwork and you can use all your favorite silk threads and trims. You can see the detail in the stitching in the close-up of the flower.

The stitches are basic with interesting combinations and well within the ability of most embroiderers. I have been working hard to produce very comprehensive instructions in colour for better identification of the threads and stitches used.

Email me if you are interested in working this Block of the Month - info@larainesoncapri.com.au

Flowers to Brighten the Day

I'm starting the pattern drawings today for the Hare applique quilt and it's such a grey day outside I felt I needed some colour to add cheer to the day. The Camilla bushes are loaded with flowers at the moment so I picked a small bunch to sit by my easel while I draw. I know they won't last long but they make you feel fresh and inspired.

Ribbons, Trims and Threads

It was great to catch up with so many of you at the Trading Day. It was an exciting day for me to be able to show you first hand all the latest gatherings, plus all the old favourites that we are renowned for. ( I forgot to take my camera so there's no pictures)
We'll do it again before Christmas with lots of new decorating and inspirational gift ideas. I'll have to get busy!
It's my pleasure to announce that Vivienne Clifford from Coffs Harbour is the winner of our Hare Pincushion competition. Congratulations - the little parcel of wool, threads, ribbon and buttons is on it's way. I hope you enjoy making it. (Competition was run through our Newsletter - sign up for all the news on the Home page http://www.larainesoncapri.com.au/)

Colour Your World

We have the most splendid colour range of ribbons, threads, trims, hand dyed silk velvet, felt, organza and crinkle chiffon to stir your creativity. All these colours make me feel squeeky inside and I just want to play with them.

Next post I hope to have a tutorial for you on my signature Hanah Silk Ribbon Flowers and my applique quilt is almost finished - so keep in touch.

Creative Stitching

Laraine Lord

Trading Day May 21st.

Just a few short weeks until my Trading Day on Saturday May 21st. between 10.00am and 2.00pm. at the Isle of Capri Anglican Church. It's just three hundred metres along Salerno St. from my shop which I closed due to ill health.

There will be a focus on my latest designs and specialist supplies of hand dyed fabrics, silk threads and ribbons and vintage glass buttons plus fabrics from the French General range.
Enjoy appliqué and embroidery demonstrations throughout the day and take part in the lucky door prizes.
Lots of beads, fabrics, books and other items will be reduced on the Sale Table so come and grab a bargain.
Mark it on your calendar as a "must do occasion"
I look forward to seeing you and everyone is welcome - bring a friend.

Unfortunately I don’t have credit card facilities available for the day so it will be Cash Only.