2016 June
A French Seahorse?
6/24/2016
Another week of creating! Oh, how the time flies when you're having fun!!
My good friend, Beth, who is in charge of recreation at Triennium, is visiting for a few days so we can create a few more things for the youth to play with. Planning recreation for a group of 5000 takes a lot of work!!
Meet Ms. Laura L'Gretta. She's a shopaholoic who loves life! To her, there's nothing better than a new hat and a matching purse (shoes are not a necessity!!). She's from the French Quarter of Louisiana, speaks fluent English with a Southern accent, and LOVES cajun food. Though, she cannot abide eating those bottom dwelling shrimp!
Ms. Laura is going to be the newest member of the Funky Fibers Furniture line. The sides of the chair will sport a mixture of crazy quilting in these same colors that was inspired by two fun friends of mine, Laura and Greta. So, of course, this new design is named after them.
Keep an eye out for the finished piece! Looks like a chair for an ocean beach house to me!
Check out the beautiful pieces of work that Laura and Greta did on our Friday Free-For-All Play Day. We came together not knowing what mood was going to strike us and just look at the results! Beautiful work ladies!!
Their desire to do crazy quilting came about because Greta had a chair that she wants to redo. This will be the bottom of it and she is going to paint the chair in crazy designs and colors. Laura made hers for a lucky grandson. She will put his name on it for wall hanging.
Also, since the September 23 Fire Torched Enameling Basics class SOLD OUT.
I've decided to schedule another class the day before, on Thursday September 22.
Sign up soon because space is limited to only 6 students.
September 22 - Fire Torched Enameling Basics
I took a little time to make a few more tops this week. I am having trouble justifying buying shirts when they are two pieces of fabric and cost 40 - 50 dollars per shirt. I used the same pattern as last weeks shirt. I really like this pattern because it has a little cap type sleeve. It is a Butterick pattern #6024. I bought it awhile ago so I am not sure if it is still in print.
For this top, I omitted the tiny pleating across the bust for a smooth finish. I created a template off the original pattern without the pleats so that I could use it quickly as I came across fabric that I liked.
I did one small inverted pleat in the center and accented with buttons at the top and bottom of the pleat. It has a small trim with the look of a beaded edge that goes around the neck and along the hem that I think makes it look pretty, and it's long enough to wear with skinny jeans or leggings. You know, with this 'getting old' stuff you have to watch what you wear!!
This tunic is from the same pattern but I decided to cut out a hole in the back and to trim it all with a knit bias tape. I used a zig zag stitch around the edges for added interest. This took all of 45 minutes to make. For those of you who know me, black and white on anything makes it my favorite!!
TOOTH-FAIRY PILLOW
I finished this tooth fairy pillow, which is a good thing since Case is now 2 years old.
The cab of the tractor (big green section) is the pocket for the tooth fairy to leave the important stuff when the tooth is removed.
I just dropped off three more pillows to be embroidered. I'm a little behind on baby gifts!
Oh! I almost forgot!! I was accepted into the Cooper Young Festival in Memphis which takes place on September 17th. Check this out their website for more details. I think you all need to take a Fall weekend trip and come visit Memphis!!
2 Comments
Jayn Lando - Excited you're coming to Memphis!
Leslie - I am looking forward to coming Jayn!! Sounds like s great weekend!!
All in a Week's Work...
6/17/2016
Rag Balls! This is what became of the big tubs of reject pantyhose that I was dyeing last week. A great big THANKS to the group of 13 senior high youth and 7 adults that Julie Gvillo, Director of Youth and Family ministries brought from The United Presbyterian Church in Wood River, Illinois http://www.woodriverpresby.org Julie, You have a great group to be proud of!! They were awesome!!
The gang was in Louisville for a week doing several mission projects and Triennium was lucky enough to have their help! They spent the day in the studio and made 219 rag balls, cut out 52 stars from foam core, stripped out the old t-shirts that I have been dyeing and painted 8-8' sheets of foam core board. A lot to be done on a 90 degree day!!
Wow! I didn't realize I had been so busy since last week's blog until I looked through all the pictures I had taken during the week. A little decorating, a little painting, furniture creating, and even time to sew something for myself!
I've been waiting and waiting and it's finally here!
I ordered this rug over a year ago and have been waiting for it to come in before I finished redecorating my great room.
It's just a 'little' busy so you can see why I needed to wait.
It sets the room off great and now I just need to get my treasured artwork from some of my artist friends up and placed. Then I think I will have a yard sale with what's left.
Decorating is really all about finding that one perfect piece that speaks to you and then designing your room around it. I think that's why I like a bit of fun and whimsy in my funky furniture.
I decided to switch gears this week. I have been chomping at the bit to get into the paints and decided to paint on fabric. I had done this once before on several ottomans that sold and decided to create a chair.
This floral is just one of the pieces I've painted for the chair and I have all the pieces cut out and ready to go to the furniture manufacturer.
This will be a great piece of artwork with kids in mind, since it can be wiped off.
The stash of unused patterns that I have purchased and put in a stack to someday use is really big. I pulled this out the other day and decided to create a blouse just for me.
When one of my suppliers came to visit right before the closing of the store, I purchased several bolts of clothing fabric... just because. I pulled this out, pre-washed it and went to town with the sewing machine.
I love to make a pattern and then make it again with my own variations. This fits perfect and I think I'll see what else I can come up with next week.
I picked up the finished Hoot Owl Checkerboard Ottoman this week. I'm very happy with the way it turned out... of course I love black and white. And this one, like the others, comes with it's own fabric bag and custom checkers.
I'm in the process of applying to a few shows for my creations and waiting to hear if I get in. I have several more ideas for ottomans I'd like to take to the shows.
Here is the overdue ottoman to compliment the Derby Day Wingback that sold before we even had a chance to advertise it. You just might be interested in this one if you're a horse enthusiast, or know a horse enthusiast!
It's very light weight, easy to move around, and priced to sell! You can find it online as Derby Day Ottoman, or see it in person at Reclaimed On Main.
I am so excited!! I just received my second big custom order. I will be creating two wingback chairs and a sofa to go in a fun sun/family room. This customer has a fun sense of humor and we are working with flamingos and bright colors. Right up my alley! I'm currently working on a story line and names for the "he" and "she" flamingos that will be on the chairs. I'll introduce you to them as soon as they make their appearance. Name suggestions are appreciated!
Off for a conference call. I hope you all are staying cool and enjoying your summer. Don't forget to put a little play in your day!!
0 Comments
Color. Can't Get Enough!
6/10/2016
My life has definitely been full of color these past few weeks in many different forms! For starters, I believe that the Rit Dye Company and I need to be on a first name basis. Last week's focus was on t-shirts. This week I have changed it up a little by dyeing pantyhose and I want to share with you where I got this idea.
No... I am not trying to make a new fashion statement by dying all these hose. This is another project for Triennium and I'm just continuing what some good friends of mine have started.
If you work with VBS, Sunday School, kids, youth, or special needs folks, then listen up! This all started as a joke and it has been sent all over the world.
What started out as a challenge between my friends Dick Porter and Glen Bannerman was turned into a book by Glenn and his daughters.
At the time, Dick was an executive with the Hanes Corporation and Glen was Professor of Outdoor Ministry at PSCE. Dick handed a box of Waste Hose to Glenn and said, "You say you can make something out of nothing so here you go..."
Glenn and his ARW class started creating all sorts of inexpensive toys out of the rejects. It saved the pantyhose from going to the landfills, made inexpensive recreation equipment such as: rag balls, jump ropes, wrist babies, geode balls and flying discs, and became the springboard for their successful book, "Brite-Tite Book O' Fun".
This is a great book with lots of inexpensive ideas for recreation and play. For Information, go to theCraft Room on our website to find where to purchase the Waste Hose and the book. Share these links with any teachers that could use some inexpensive recreation stuff!
Last week ended with my first studio class. It was such a great day. I was trying to decide if I wanted to continue with the classes or just do my thing and these ladies made my decision easy for me. We had such fun. I have just posted a new class for September on the website. We are going to do a FIRE TORCHED ENAMEL BASICS class. Come join us!!
Jeff headed out on his golf trip and he just had to pack the shorts that I painted for him as a joke a few years ago. And.... he actually wore them!! Loved to see him come home refreshed after playing so well over the weekend. I know it was the lucky shorts that made the difference!
I spent a fun and enjoyable day helping "the kids" to do some landscaping on their new house. It is so nice to have the time to help them finish some of their projects and not feel so stressed on the weekend to get my stuff done before work starts on Monday.
Such beautiful shades of green in this new bed at the base of the driveway. They are taking it one step at a time. Each step makes everything look better but sometimes it is easy to want it all done now.
Check out the pieces and parts to my most recent project, the Hoot Hoot Checkerboard Ottoman.
I used Richloom Fabrics Hoot in Mercury Gray, paired with Black & White houndstooth and racer flag check. Now the waiting game starts as I patiently (haha) wait to get it back from the upholsterer!
I'm looking forward to showing you the finished piece.
1 Comment
Sharon Foree - I had a great time with Leslie and the ladies. Leslie is so full of energy and creativity. Just a blessed, relaxing time. Thx again!
What Was I Thinking?!
6/3/2016
I have heard those words on the radio but What Was 'I' Thinking when I put black carpet in my basement 14 years ago?
I was definitely not thinking about having a studio in the basement area whose primary function now is space for creating with fabrics and paints...
...and having to vacuum that mess up!
I have vacuumed and vacuumed trying to get ready for my first studio class. It looks great until I move something around, or pull out a bolt of fabric or something for a project.
I think there may be some other flooring in my future, and soon!
Thanks to my brother-in-love, Mike for the help on Sunday!!
Being sidelined for any length of time is not my strong suit. Last week I had some minor surgery and it put me down for awhile. The procedure was done on Thursday and by Saturday I was so frustrated because I still didn't feel up to moving around in the studio. Getting old is not all it is cracked up to be!!
The best I could do was to continue dyeing the tee shirts for Triennium 2016. As you can see, I did manage to get a lot of them done.
I'm going to have to take time to get them upstairs and stored so I can use my stairs again!
Look at my new treasure! I found this great chair at a fun new shop in Shelbyville on the corner of Washington and 8th Streets called Masterpieces.
Theresa has the store all fixed up with some great buys and some original work. Her hours are 11-5 Wednesday through Saturday. Stop by and tell her "HI".
Here's a sample 'goodie bag' that was sent to one of our Quilters & Crafters Club members to make a fun journal for the DESIGN A JOURNAL Contest we're having right now.
To get your FREE goodie bag: become a Quilters & Crafters Club member and purchase five yards of QCC fabric by June 10.
Design a journal with your kit and send us a photo by June 25 to be eligible for the contest. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate for Funky Fibers online purchases.
As I am putting these kits together I keep thinking of what I'd do if I was given this pile of stuff. I'm up for the challenge, are you? The only requirement is that you use part of everything sent to you in one form or another on your journal. You may add items that you want to include, and may change the look of what is sent to you, but it must be used! How fun is that challenge?!
I have four days scheduled next week with nothing to do but design furniture and ottomans... or whatever else might strike my fancy.....
Jeff is headed out on a golf trip and I plan on spending the time he's gone in my studio. That sounds like heaven to me. Just leave chocolate outside the door and life will be good!! Watch for lots of new projects yet to be created!!
1 Comment
Joe Price - Leslie, I so enjoyed the day creating beads & necklace pieces with you & the sweet ladies in the class. The studio was so inspiring & I love the way you've gotten everything set up. Looking forward to more adventures of learning.
Please let Judy know how very much I appreciated her prayer for me. Off to Dr. this AM. So Proud of you for all that you have accomplished! Keep your motor running, get on with creating more! God Bless You Lady!
6/24/2016
Another week of creating! Oh, how the time flies when you're having fun!!
My good friend, Beth, who is in charge of recreation at Triennium, is visiting for a few days so we can create a few more things for the youth to play with. Planning recreation for a group of 5000 takes a lot of work!!
Ms. Laura is going to be the newest member of the Funky Fibers Furniture line. The sides of the chair will sport a mixture of crazy quilting in these same colors that was inspired by two fun friends of mine, Laura and Greta. So, of course, this new design is named after them.
Keep an eye out for the finished piece! Looks like a chair for an ocean beach house to me!
Check out the beautiful pieces of work that Laura and Greta did on our Friday Free-For-All Play Day. We came together not knowing what mood was going to strike us and just look at the results! Beautiful work ladies!!
Their desire to do crazy quilting came about because Greta had a chair that she wants to redo. This will be the bottom of it and she is going to paint the chair in crazy designs and colors. Laura made hers for a lucky grandson. She will put his name on it for wall hanging.
Join us for our next Friday FREE-FOR-ALL Play Day in July!
Also, since the September 23 Fire Torched Enameling Basics class SOLD OUT.
I've decided to schedule another class the day before, on Thursday September 22.
Sign up soon because space is limited to only 6 students.
September 22 - Fire Torched Enameling Basics
I took a little time to make a few more tops this week. I am having trouble justifying buying shirts when they are two pieces of fabric and cost 40 - 50 dollars per shirt. I used the same pattern as last weeks shirt. I really like this pattern because it has a little cap type sleeve. It is a Butterick pattern #6024. I bought it awhile ago so I am not sure if it is still in print.
For this top, I omitted the tiny pleating across the bust for a smooth finish. I created a template off the original pattern without the pleats so that I could use it quickly as I came across fabric that I liked.
I did one small inverted pleat in the center and accented with buttons at the top and bottom of the pleat. It has a small trim with the look of a beaded edge that goes around the neck and along the hem that I think makes it look pretty, and it's long enough to wear with skinny jeans or leggings. You know, with this 'getting old' stuff you have to watch what you wear!!
This tunic is from the same pattern but I decided to cut out a hole in the back and to trim it all with a knit bias tape. I used a zig zag stitch around the edges for added interest. This took all of 45 minutes to make. For those of you who know me, black and white on anything makes it my favorite!!
I finished this tooth fairy pillow, which is a good thing since Case is now 2 years old.
The cab of the tractor (big green section) is the pocket for the tooth fairy to leave the important stuff when the tooth is removed.
I just dropped off three more pillows to be embroidered. I'm a little behind on baby gifts!
Oh! I almost forgot!! I was accepted into the Cooper Young Festival in Memphis which takes place on September 17th. Check this out their website for more details. I think you all need to take a Fall weekend trip and come visit Memphis!!
2 Comments
Jayn Lando - Excited you're coming to Memphis!
Leslie - I am looking forward to coming Jayn!! Sounds like s great weekend!!
All in a Week's Work...
6/17/2016
Rag Balls! This is what became of the big tubs of reject pantyhose that I was dyeing last week. A great big THANKS to the group of 13 senior high youth and 7 adults that Julie Gvillo, Director of Youth and Family ministries brought from The United Presbyterian Church in Wood River, Illinois http://www.woodriverpresby.org Julie, You have a great group to be proud of!! They were awesome!!
The gang was in Louisville for a week doing several mission projects and Triennium was lucky enough to have their help! They spent the day in the studio and made 219 rag balls, cut out 52 stars from foam core, stripped out the old t-shirts that I have been dyeing and painted 8-8' sheets of foam core board. A lot to be done on a 90 degree day!!
Wow! I didn't realize I had been so busy since last week's blog until I looked through all the pictures I had taken during the week. A little decorating, a little painting, furniture creating, and even time to sew something for myself!
It's here!! It's here!!
I've been waiting and waiting and it's finally here!
I ordered this rug over a year ago and have been waiting for it to come in before I finished redecorating my great room.
It's just a 'little' busy so you can see why I needed to wait.
It sets the room off great and now I just need to get my treasured artwork from some of my artist friends up and placed. Then I think I will have a yard sale with what's left.
Decorating is really all about finding that one perfect piece that speaks to you and then designing your room around it. I think that's why I like a bit of fun and whimsy in my funky furniture.
I decided to switch gears this week. I have been chomping at the bit to get into the paints and decided to paint on fabric. I had done this once before on several ottomans that sold and decided to create a chair.
This floral is just one of the pieces I've painted for the chair and I have all the pieces cut out and ready to go to the furniture manufacturer.
This will be a great piece of artwork with kids in mind, since it can be wiped off.
The stash of unused patterns that I have purchased and put in a stack to someday use is really big. I pulled this out the other day and decided to create a blouse just for me.
When one of my suppliers came to visit right before the closing of the store, I purchased several bolts of clothing fabric... just because. I pulled this out, pre-washed it and went to town with the sewing machine.
I love to make a pattern and then make it again with my own variations. This fits perfect and I think I'll see what else I can come up with next week.
I picked up the finished Hoot Owl Checkerboard Ottoman this week. I'm very happy with the way it turned out... of course I love black and white. And this one, like the others, comes with it's own fabric bag and custom checkers.
I'm in the process of applying to a few shows for my creations and waiting to hear if I get in. I have several more ideas for ottomans I'd like to take to the shows.
Here is the overdue ottoman to compliment the Derby Day Wingback that sold before we even had a chance to advertise it. You just might be interested in this one if you're a horse enthusiast, or know a horse enthusiast!
It's very light weight, easy to move around, and priced to sell! You can find it online as Derby Day Ottoman, or see it in person at Reclaimed On Main.
I am so excited!! I just received my second big custom order. I will be creating two wingback chairs and a sofa to go in a fun sun/family room. This customer has a fun sense of humor and we are working with flamingos and bright colors. Right up my alley! I'm currently working on a story line and names for the "he" and "she" flamingos that will be on the chairs. I'll introduce you to them as soon as they make their appearance. Name suggestions are appreciated!
Off for a conference call. I hope you all are staying cool and enjoying your summer. Don't forget to put a little play in your day!!
0 Comments
Color. Can't Get Enough!
6/10/2016
My life has definitely been full of color these past few weeks in many different forms! For starters, I believe that the Rit Dye Company and I need to be on a first name basis. Last week's focus was on t-shirts. This week I have changed it up a little by dyeing pantyhose and I want to share with you where I got this idea.
If you work with VBS, Sunday School, kids, youth, or special needs folks, then listen up! This all started as a joke and it has been sent all over the world.
At the time, Dick was an executive with the Hanes Corporation and Glen was Professor of Outdoor Ministry at PSCE. Dick handed a box of Waste Hose to Glenn and said, "You say you can make something out of nothing so here you go..."
Glenn and his ARW class started creating all sorts of inexpensive toys out of the rejects. It saved the pantyhose from going to the landfills, made inexpensive recreation equipment such as: rag balls, jump ropes, wrist babies, geode balls and flying discs, and became the springboard for their successful book, "Brite-Tite Book O' Fun".
This is a great book with lots of inexpensive ideas for recreation and play. For Information, go to theCraft Room on our website to find where to purchase the Waste Hose and the book. Share these links with any teachers that could use some inexpensive recreation stuff!
Last week ended with my first studio class. It was such a great day. I was trying to decide if I wanted to continue with the classes or just do my thing and these ladies made my decision easy for me. We had such fun. I have just posted a new class for September on the website. We are going to do a FIRE TORCHED ENAMEL BASICS class. Come join us!!
Jeff headed out on his golf trip and he just had to pack the shorts that I painted for him as a joke a few years ago. And.... he actually wore them!! Loved to see him come home refreshed after playing so well over the weekend. I know it was the lucky shorts that made the difference!
I spent a fun and enjoyable day helping "the kids" to do some landscaping on their new house. It is so nice to have the time to help them finish some of their projects and not feel so stressed on the weekend to get my stuff done before work starts on Monday.
Such beautiful shades of green in this new bed at the base of the driveway. They are taking it one step at a time. Each step makes everything look better but sometimes it is easy to want it all done now.
Check out the pieces and parts to my most recent project, the Hoot Hoot Checkerboard Ottoman.
I used Richloom Fabrics Hoot in Mercury Gray, paired with Black & White houndstooth and racer flag check. Now the waiting game starts as I patiently (haha) wait to get it back from the upholsterer!
I'm looking forward to showing you the finished piece.
1 Comment
Sharon Foree - I had a great time with Leslie and the ladies. Leslie is so full of energy and creativity. Just a blessed, relaxing time. Thx again!
What Was I Thinking?!
6/3/2016
I have heard those words on the radio but What Was 'I' Thinking when I put black carpet in my basement 14 years ago?
I was definitely not thinking about having a studio in the basement area whose primary function now is space for creating with fabrics and paints...
...and having to vacuum that mess up!
I have vacuumed and vacuumed trying to get ready for my first studio class. It looks great until I move something around, or pull out a bolt of fabric or something for a project.
I think there may be some other flooring in my future, and soon!
Thanks to my brother-in-love, Mike for the help on Sunday!!
Being sidelined for any length of time is not my strong suit. Last week I had some minor surgery and it put me down for awhile. The procedure was done on Thursday and by Saturday I was so frustrated because I still didn't feel up to moving around in the studio. Getting old is not all it is cracked up to be!!
The best I could do was to continue dyeing the tee shirts for Triennium 2016. As you can see, I did manage to get a lot of them done.
I'm going to have to take time to get them upstairs and stored so I can use my stairs again!
Look at my new treasure! I found this great chair at a fun new shop in Shelbyville on the corner of Washington and 8th Streets called Masterpieces.
Theresa has the store all fixed up with some great buys and some original work. Her hours are 11-5 Wednesday through Saturday. Stop by and tell her "HI".
Here's a sample 'goodie bag' that was sent to one of our Quilters & Crafters Club members to make a fun journal for the DESIGN A JOURNAL Contest we're having right now.
To get your FREE goodie bag: become a Quilters & Crafters Club member and purchase five yards of QCC fabric by June 10.
Design a journal with your kit and send us a photo by June 25 to be eligible for the contest. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate for Funky Fibers online purchases.
As I am putting these kits together I keep thinking of what I'd do if I was given this pile of stuff. I'm up for the challenge, are you? The only requirement is that you use part of everything sent to you in one form or another on your journal. You may add items that you want to include, and may change the look of what is sent to you, but it must be used! How fun is that challenge?!
I have four days scheduled next week with nothing to do but design furniture and ottomans... or whatever else might strike my fancy.....
Jeff is headed out on a golf trip and I plan on spending the time he's gone in my studio. That sounds like heaven to me. Just leave chocolate outside the door and life will be good!! Watch for lots of new projects yet to be created!!
1 Comment
Joe Price - Leslie, I so enjoyed the day creating beads & necklace pieces with you & the sweet ladies in the class. The studio was so inspiring & I love the way you've gotten everything set up. Looking forward to more adventures of learning.
Please let Judy know how very much I appreciated her prayer for me. Off to Dr. this AM. So Proud of you for all that you have accomplished! Keep your motor running, get on with creating more! God Bless You Lady!
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