2016 August
As the Fabric Rolls...
8/23/2016
Looky! Looky! Look what just came in!
Oh.... I do so love fabric even though I'm not a 'store' anymore. This has been a fun week of ordering fabrics, supplies, and miscellaneous stuff to play with in the studio. I have even ordered fabric for customers.
There are a few of my favorite salesmen that I have dealt with over the years who are still working with me.
One of them was here this past week with his beautiful fabrics and I bought all of these pieces to mix in with some of my designs for furniture and ottomans. Watch for the finished projects! If you see something you like, let me know and I'll order it for you!
Do you ever have a week where you wonder how you got as much done as you did? That was this week for me. I ended up with enough uninterrupted time to make a lot happen.
This gorgeous floral fabric reminded me of one that my mother would like. The colors are a little softer than what I usually use but I decided to redo 'Mom's' bedroom with this and since I have company coming in for the weekend, the timing was perfect.
I finished the drapes and they are ready to hang as soon as the painter finishes today. The room is being painted a soft green. The fabric is a nice heavyweight cotton and will be used for draperies with brushed nickel grommets, and a bed skirt. This is a complete change from what was in the room before but it's definitely time for an update.
At the right (below) is the dust ruffle that I'm still designing. I've decided on flat panels to show off the floral design with wide pleats of coral-red and teal canvas. There will be three panels on each side of the bed with the bright contrast colors showing in-between. I will put it on a band and then be able to screw it in with bed pins.
These High Quality Canvas fabrics are online, come in 15 great colors and are available at a discounted price for QCC members. And they are so versatile. They're light enough for drapes and slipcovers, but also strong enough for upholstering with. I'm now designing a chair for the bedroom using these three colors. Lots to think about. Any ideas?
The drapes below with the green geometric band are for one of my spare bedrooms. I made them out of the Heavy Basket Plain Linen fabric we have online.
This fabric has a nice hand to it, has a nice weight for drapes, and can easily be used for upholstery. I stripped out a pattern from a contrast fabric to make a band for the leading edge of the drapes. I love this basketweave fabric so much that I'm getting ready to reorder so it stays online. If you would like some of this at a SALE PRICE we're running a special this week. Click here to place your order and I will call you when it comes in!
Below are drapes that I have made for my sweet daughter-in-law. This fabric is a really niceNatural Cotton French Grainsack Stripe with lots of texture. And like the fabric above, this one is also an upholstery weight making it great for furniture. Now I just need to wait for the rest of the grommets I've ordered to arrive so I can finish the drapes and surprise Lydia.
I want to let you all know that I have not given up on classes. I have been selected for Jury Duty now through December and I have to wait till the end of the month for the next month's schedule. I will be posting classes but they will be on a short turn around time frame. I will make sure and post new classes here in my blog.
This is the one last chair that I am getting ready for the upholsterer before I move on to fun things like shower curtains, aprons and tote bags for the Cooper Young Festival show.
Judy talked me into stretching out of my comfort zone, so this chair will have loads of color but no black and white accents. :(
Oh.... and guess what?! I'm headed off early next week to pick up some of my custom chairs that I have been designing.... I will definitely share them with you next week!! I'm so excited to see the finished projects!
1 Comment
Greta Bramer - You inspire me.
Projects: 1 Down, 100 to Go!
8/17/2016
Another work in progress coming to an end.... at least for now.
I've been working on and creating pieces and parts for my bedroom for quite awhile now. There has always seemed to be something holding me up from finishing this room... like the dogs who love to lay on the bed, the curtain rods to be put up, or the fact that I just couldn't find the time. But company coming has pushed me to finally get it done!
I was able to rehang the curtains, get the dust ruffle on the bed, put down the woven
rag rugs that I made, and even put out the bedspread I made several years ago that I've never used. I'm loving the way it looks and I dare Jeff to mess it up! Of course, I won't take the blame for my portion of the mess!
Photo: Bo is checking out all the changes with lots of color and all the batiks.
In the past we always entertained in the basement and out on the patio at the side of the house but now that the basement is studio space, and not entertainment space, I needed to make the upstairs more presentable. I still haven't done much in the way of decorating since the upstairs was painted. Time to get busy!!
In the kitchen, it's said that the proof is in the pudding. Well, in the studio we find the proof is in the joy of making something fun and creative with friends. This group of ladies created their own class by telling me what they wanted to learn. Roman shades were on the menu for the day. Feel free to gather a group and let's create a class just for you. I have had one request for an upholstery class.Let me know what interests you. funkyfibersky@gmail.com
They all turned out so nice and I was so proud of their work. Some even went home and made a second one! I love the fact that they can come and that we have all the machines and saws here and ready for their use.
As much as I love my husband and enjoy being with him, it's occasionally nice when he has a golf trip that he just can't miss. Now ladies, you have to admit that it's sometimes nice to have that little bit of extra time to not worry about what you're fixing for dinner or just having to stop in the middle of your most important project.
That's what happened this week. I had lots of time in the evening to work on a few new chair pieces and parts to get to the furniture manufacturer.
This is the start of a chair for a little girls room from the 'My Garden' designs. It was a fun one to work on and will have the flowers all around the outside and a sweet personalized pillow in the seat that carries the design.
My jazz singer is getting ready for the Cooper Young Festival in Memphis, TN this September where I'll have a Funky Fibers & Furniture vendor's booth.
It's always a crap shoot on what shows I need to be involved with since my furniture items are a little more pricey than most items at art shows. But I'm looking forward to this show since I have heard great things about it. Now to spend next week on a few more chairs and ottomans.
Enjoy your week and let me know what you are working on... I so love to enjoy the creativity of others!!
3 Comments
Sarah Finnerty - Leslie, I love it! The room looks terrific–so colorful & inviting. Congrats on finishing something. That's always a great feeling. So great to see you at Montreat!
Leslie - Thanks Sarah!! So good to see you too! Thanks for spreading the word on my website. Every little bit helps!
Jayn Lando - What a great room! I'm right with you on needing that push to get things actually finished and not set aside for another project or something else that needs to get done! What an accomplishment when we actually get something finished.
Treasure Hunt!
8/9/2016
After a wonderful week in the mountains I started thinking of my 'to do' list waiting for me when I got home. I also started thinking of the places that I would pass by on my way home that might hold a fun new project for me so, of course, I had to stop at my favorites!
Asheville, NC has a world of treasures for those who love to poke and hunt, and here are a few that I checked out as I headed home. I just wish I had had more time! Make sure you go with a big vehicle and lots of cash because I am sure you will find something you can't live without! :)
Scroungers Paradise is one of my go to places for fun and random pieces. You never know what you'll find there. Some of the things that I've picked up over the years have been chair frames, table legs, old maps, and beautiful pieces of wood. I ended up purchasing a bundle of these random slats shown in the picture above and, of course, I don't know what I'm going to do with them but they looked like they needed to come home with me.
Sweeten Creek Antiques is a fun place to ramble through. There are lots of vendor booths with retro and vintage pieces. I loved this red and white glider and chair that was sitting outside. I have a cute table and chair set outside on my patio that came from here years ago. I also seem to find some great vintage suitcases at this place for some of my storage needs.
The Screen Door is a fun place to stop and shop. This not only has some old vintage pieces but it has a lot of booths where folks have repurposed different things. Great ideas come from here. Judy was so disappointed I didn't buy the garden bench on the left.
The Antique Tobacco Barn always has something for anyone. It is HUGE and seems to go on and on. I found a wingback chair while I was here and spent the drive home trying to decide what I was going to put on this chair. You definitely won't leave this place empty handed.
I think this would be a great girls weekend out. We could shop during the day and create at night. How fun would that be?! I will have to think about this.... anyone interested??
5 Comments
Nancy Jo Hill - I am thinking about it. Got a trip to Paris O
Leslie - How fun!... Paris would be wonderful!! Hugs to you!! Will be in touch the next time I am stuck in Detroit!!
Marilyn Werst - Wow! Fun trip!! Missing you. XO
Leslie - Hey Marilyn!! These are the kind of places I would love to spend the day poking around in with you!! Hope all is good with you!! Hugs!!
Jayn Lando - Sounds like lots of fun! Been to Screen Door but not the others ...
Flowers, Friends, and Food!
8/1/2016
Sounds Like a Recipe for Fun!
Making fabric flowers is one of the easiest things to do, and as you can see, they all come out different and, oh, so pretty.
Last Friday a group of fun spirited ladies spent the morning in the studio learning this flower technique.
We started with a 2" silk bias ribbon as our practice piece and then went on to picking out coordinating batiks to put our own individual spin on them. A covered button for the center and, 'Voila!' You have a great embellishment for a purse, scarf or a decorative pin for clothing!
After time in the studio we went to Laura's wonderful home and ate a lunch fit for a king! For the free recipe downloads, check out the links below.
We had a Tangy Thai Chicken Salad with a peanut dressing on top that was absolutely delicious.
Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies
What is left of the this dessert is pictured below. It was a great fudgy chocolate brownie with blackberries in a cream cheese frosting. YUUUMMMMM! Oh, so good!
Look how pretty the dishes and place mats look.
The placemats were recycled from an old bedspread that, otherwise, was heading out the door. How creative! It sure made a festive table for the our meal.
Thanks ladies. It was a great day!
Well.... I'm out of town again and will return home this weekend. Sophie, a friend who is Adjunct Staff for Montreat Youth Conferences week five and six, called me saying they were in need of someone to fill in as Community Life Coordinator at the last minute due to unforeseeable circumstances. They know I would jump at the chance. So, since my schedule was free I headed back to the mountains to enjoy spending time with friends.
Part of my job was to make sure that the town folks paid attention the the participants who might not be paying attention to the traffic flow.
So... here is my fancy crossing guard vest. I think I like the little orange crossing guard belts from my elementary school days better.... though. I think my fifth grade training didn't do me much good.... my hands seem to go in all directions... not sure who to stop when!!
As Community Life Coordinator, I was also responsible for the last night run around the conference center to make sure that everyone was tucked in for the night.
Now, after taking lots of kids to this conference over the years, I knew where some of the hiding spots were for those who wanted to test the rules. I didn't find any youth on the prayer porch, but my cohorts and I did run into Daffy Duck out after curfew.
Sophie and I spent the afternoon in Black Mountain and went to a few of my favorite spots. We stopped at Take a Hike Mountain Outfitters where I picked up a new pair of shoes. We had to hit the ice-cream and fudge shop, Kilwins in Black Mountain for a little break. We also had a great lunch at a fun little out of the way place called FRESH Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta where they have the best wood fired pizzas and salads. Try some of these places if you ever get a chance to visit Black Mountain!!
I also found time to play with a little fabric while there by fluffing the fabric on the communion table for the week. Great worship and keynote. A trip to the mountains was just what the doctor ordered!
On my way out of town today (Saturday) I'm going to stop at some of my favorite places in Asheville to share with you in next week's blog.
2 Comments
Janet Raderer - Leslie, Thanks for all your hard work at Triennium! I understand from our folks at Highland that it was a wonderful (but hot!) week. Your projects looked amazing!!
Leslie - Thanks Janet!! It is always fun to see what direction the youth take the projects that are "created" for them. I feel Triennium is one of the best and most rewarding events that the Presbyterian Church does for its youth!! Hope all is good with you!!
8/23/2016
Oh.... I do so love fabric even though I'm not a 'store' anymore. This has been a fun week of ordering fabrics, supplies, and miscellaneous stuff to play with in the studio. I have even ordered fabric for customers.
There are a few of my favorite salesmen that I have dealt with over the years who are still working with me.
One of them was here this past week with his beautiful fabrics and I bought all of these pieces to mix in with some of my designs for furniture and ottomans. Watch for the finished projects! If you see something you like, let me know and I'll order it for you!
Do you ever have a week where you wonder how you got as much done as you did? That was this week for me. I ended up with enough uninterrupted time to make a lot happen.
This gorgeous floral fabric reminded me of one that my mother would like. The colors are a little softer than what I usually use but I decided to redo 'Mom's' bedroom with this and since I have company coming in for the weekend, the timing was perfect.
I finished the drapes and they are ready to hang as soon as the painter finishes today. The room is being painted a soft green. The fabric is a nice heavyweight cotton and will be used for draperies with brushed nickel grommets, and a bed skirt. This is a complete change from what was in the room before but it's definitely time for an update.
At the right (below) is the dust ruffle that I'm still designing. I've decided on flat panels to show off the floral design with wide pleats of coral-red and teal canvas. There will be three panels on each side of the bed with the bright contrast colors showing in-between. I will put it on a band and then be able to screw it in with bed pins.
These High Quality Canvas fabrics are online, come in 15 great colors and are available at a discounted price for QCC members. And they are so versatile. They're light enough for drapes and slipcovers, but also strong enough for upholstering with. I'm now designing a chair for the bedroom using these three colors. Lots to think about. Any ideas?
The drapes below with the green geometric band are for one of my spare bedrooms. I made them out of the Heavy Basket Plain Linen fabric we have online.
This fabric has a nice hand to it, has a nice weight for drapes, and can easily be used for upholstery. I stripped out a pattern from a contrast fabric to make a band for the leading edge of the drapes. I love this basketweave fabric so much that I'm getting ready to reorder so it stays online. If you would like some of this at a SALE PRICE we're running a special this week. Click here to place your order and I will call you when it comes in!
Below are drapes that I have made for my sweet daughter-in-law. This fabric is a really niceNatural Cotton French Grainsack Stripe with lots of texture. And like the fabric above, this one is also an upholstery weight making it great for furniture. Now I just need to wait for the rest of the grommets I've ordered to arrive so I can finish the drapes and surprise Lydia.
I want to let you all know that I have not given up on classes. I have been selected for Jury Duty now through December and I have to wait till the end of the month for the next month's schedule. I will be posting classes but they will be on a short turn around time frame. I will make sure and post new classes here in my blog.
This is the one last chair that I am getting ready for the upholsterer before I move on to fun things like shower curtains, aprons and tote bags for the Cooper Young Festival show.
Judy talked me into stretching out of my comfort zone, so this chair will have loads of color but no black and white accents. :(
Oh.... and guess what?! I'm headed off early next week to pick up some of my custom chairs that I have been designing.... I will definitely share them with you next week!! I'm so excited to see the finished projects!
1 Comment
Greta Bramer - You inspire me.
Projects: 1 Down, 100 to Go!
8/17/2016
Another work in progress coming to an end.... at least for now.
I've been working on and creating pieces and parts for my bedroom for quite awhile now. There has always seemed to be something holding me up from finishing this room... like the dogs who love to lay on the bed, the curtain rods to be put up, or the fact that I just couldn't find the time. But company coming has pushed me to finally get it done!
I was able to rehang the curtains, get the dust ruffle on the bed, put down the woven
rag rugs that I made, and even put out the bedspread I made several years ago that I've never used. I'm loving the way it looks and I dare Jeff to mess it up! Of course, I won't take the blame for my portion of the mess!
Photo: Bo is checking out all the changes with lots of color and all the batiks.
In the past we always entertained in the basement and out on the patio at the side of the house but now that the basement is studio space, and not entertainment space, I needed to make the upstairs more presentable. I still haven't done much in the way of decorating since the upstairs was painted. Time to get busy!!
In the kitchen, it's said that the proof is in the pudding. Well, in the studio we find the proof is in the joy of making something fun and creative with friends. This group of ladies created their own class by telling me what they wanted to learn. Roman shades were on the menu for the day. Feel free to gather a group and let's create a class just for you. I have had one request for an upholstery class.Let me know what interests you. funkyfibersky@gmail.com
They all turned out so nice and I was so proud of their work. Some even went home and made a second one! I love the fact that they can come and that we have all the machines and saws here and ready for their use.
As much as I love my husband and enjoy being with him, it's occasionally nice when he has a golf trip that he just can't miss. Now ladies, you have to admit that it's sometimes nice to have that little bit of extra time to not worry about what you're fixing for dinner or just having to stop in the middle of your most important project.
That's what happened this week. I had lots of time in the evening to work on a few new chair pieces and parts to get to the furniture manufacturer.
This is the start of a chair for a little girls room from the 'My Garden' designs. It was a fun one to work on and will have the flowers all around the outside and a sweet personalized pillow in the seat that carries the design.
My jazz singer is getting ready for the Cooper Young Festival in Memphis, TN this September where I'll have a Funky Fibers & Furniture vendor's booth.
It's always a crap shoot on what shows I need to be involved with since my furniture items are a little more pricey than most items at art shows. But I'm looking forward to this show since I have heard great things about it. Now to spend next week on a few more chairs and ottomans.
Enjoy your week and let me know what you are working on... I so love to enjoy the creativity of others!!
3 Comments
Sarah Finnerty - Leslie, I love it! The room looks terrific–so colorful & inviting. Congrats on finishing something. That's always a great feeling. So great to see you at Montreat!
Leslie - Thanks Sarah!! So good to see you too! Thanks for spreading the word on my website. Every little bit helps!
Jayn Lando - What a great room! I'm right with you on needing that push to get things actually finished and not set aside for another project or something else that needs to get done! What an accomplishment when we actually get something finished.
Treasure Hunt!
8/9/2016
After a wonderful week in the mountains I started thinking of my 'to do' list waiting for me when I got home. I also started thinking of the places that I would pass by on my way home that might hold a fun new project for me so, of course, I had to stop at my favorites!
Asheville, NC has a world of treasures for those who love to poke and hunt, and here are a few that I checked out as I headed home. I just wish I had had more time! Make sure you go with a big vehicle and lots of cash because I am sure you will find something you can't live without! :)
Scroungers Paradise is one of my go to places for fun and random pieces. You never know what you'll find there. Some of the things that I've picked up over the years have been chair frames, table legs, old maps, and beautiful pieces of wood. I ended up purchasing a bundle of these random slats shown in the picture above and, of course, I don't know what I'm going to do with them but they looked like they needed to come home with me.
Sweeten Creek Antiques is a fun place to ramble through. There are lots of vendor booths with retro and vintage pieces. I loved this red and white glider and chair that was sitting outside. I have a cute table and chair set outside on my patio that came from here years ago. I also seem to find some great vintage suitcases at this place for some of my storage needs.
The Screen Door is a fun place to stop and shop. This not only has some old vintage pieces but it has a lot of booths where folks have repurposed different things. Great ideas come from here. Judy was so disappointed I didn't buy the garden bench on the left.
The Antique Tobacco Barn always has something for anyone. It is HUGE and seems to go on and on. I found a wingback chair while I was here and spent the drive home trying to decide what I was going to put on this chair. You definitely won't leave this place empty handed.
I think this would be a great girls weekend out. We could shop during the day and create at night. How fun would that be?! I will have to think about this.... anyone interested??
5 Comments
Nancy Jo Hill - I am thinking about it. Got a trip to Paris O
Leslie - How fun!... Paris would be wonderful!! Hugs to you!! Will be in touch the next time I am stuck in Detroit!!
Marilyn Werst - Wow! Fun trip!! Missing you. XO
Leslie - Hey Marilyn!! These are the kind of places I would love to spend the day poking around in with you!! Hope all is good with you!! Hugs!!
Jayn Lando - Sounds like lots of fun! Been to Screen Door but not the others ...
Flowers, Friends, and Food!
8/1/2016
Sounds Like a Recipe for Fun!
Making fabric flowers is one of the easiest things to do, and as you can see, they all come out different and, oh, so pretty.
Last Friday a group of fun spirited ladies spent the morning in the studio learning this flower technique.
We started with a 2" silk bias ribbon as our practice piece and then went on to picking out coordinating batiks to put our own individual spin on them. A covered button for the center and, 'Voila!' You have a great embellishment for a purse, scarf or a decorative pin for clothing!
After time in the studio we went to Laura's wonderful home and ate a lunch fit for a king! For the free recipe downloads, check out the links below.
We had a Tangy Thai Chicken Salad with a peanut dressing on top that was absolutely delicious.
Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies
What is left of the this dessert is pictured below. It was a great fudgy chocolate brownie with blackberries in a cream cheese frosting. YUUUMMMMM! Oh, so good!
Look how pretty the dishes and place mats look.
The placemats were recycled from an old bedspread that, otherwise, was heading out the door. How creative! It sure made a festive table for the our meal.
Thanks ladies. It was a great day!
Well.... I'm out of town again and will return home this weekend. Sophie, a friend who is Adjunct Staff for Montreat Youth Conferences week five and six, called me saying they were in need of someone to fill in as Community Life Coordinator at the last minute due to unforeseeable circumstances. They know I would jump at the chance. So, since my schedule was free I headed back to the mountains to enjoy spending time with friends.
Part of my job was to make sure that the town folks paid attention the the participants who might not be paying attention to the traffic flow.
So... here is my fancy crossing guard vest. I think I like the little orange crossing guard belts from my elementary school days better.... though. I think my fifth grade training didn't do me much good.... my hands seem to go in all directions... not sure who to stop when!!
As Community Life Coordinator, I was also responsible for the last night run around the conference center to make sure that everyone was tucked in for the night.
Now, after taking lots of kids to this conference over the years, I knew where some of the hiding spots were for those who wanted to test the rules. I didn't find any youth on the prayer porch, but my cohorts and I did run into Daffy Duck out after curfew.
Sophie and I spent the afternoon in Black Mountain and went to a few of my favorite spots. We stopped at Take a Hike Mountain Outfitters where I picked up a new pair of shoes. We had to hit the ice-cream and fudge shop, Kilwins in Black Mountain for a little break. We also had a great lunch at a fun little out of the way place called FRESH Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta where they have the best wood fired pizzas and salads. Try some of these places if you ever get a chance to visit Black Mountain!!
I also found time to play with a little fabric while there by fluffing the fabric on the communion table for the week. Great worship and keynote. A trip to the mountains was just what the doctor ordered!
On my way out of town today (Saturday) I'm going to stop at some of my favorite places in Asheville to share with you in next week's blog.
2 Comments
Janet Raderer - Leslie, Thanks for all your hard work at Triennium! I understand from our folks at Highland that it was a wonderful (but hot!) week. Your projects looked amazing!!
Leslie - Thanks Janet!! It is always fun to see what direction the youth take the projects that are "created" for them. I feel Triennium is one of the best and most rewarding events that the Presbyterian Church does for its youth!! Hope all is good with you!!
Comments
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