Spring is in the Air - More Flowers

Over the weekend I spent some time preparing more flower petals with a new template. The new template adds more detail -and makes the finished flowers look even more like rose or even a peony.


In addition to that I've started to add different materials to the original 'pure organza' designs: taffeta (red, brown and dark teal) and lurex tulle, vintage and new ribbons, marabou and guinea fowl feathers. The guinea fowl feathers come all the way from France where they're collected from a neighbour. Check out the little beadhive on Etsy. My feathers arrived within 4 days and they're the prettiest I could find, especially as these feathers have different spot patterns, some are small, some are larger, some almost look like polka dots.


I made 3 hair barrettes and one brooch (the red/pink flower - 2nd from the top). Details for each flower are below.



Cherries and Chocolate Fascinator

Almost a Black Forest gateau! :-)

This is more of a fascinator than a simple hair clip. Perfect for a night out or even instead of a hat at a wedding. The barrette the flower sits on is quite small (6cm) so the fascinator will work even in fairly short hair.

I've used organza in a soft dark chocolate brown and a cherry/burgundy red. The tulle is black and I've also used gorgeous dark brown taffeta that has a silky sheen.


The feathers are the lovely, gorgeous, fluffy and soft guinea fowl feathers from the little beadhive and a burgundy red marabou feather.


I've used some teeny guinea fowl feathers in the centre of the flower together with a shiny black button and black/bronze Miyuki beads.


Dragonfly Blues Hair Barrette

This is so pretty and lovely - the picture doesn't do it justice. The colours are vibrant and shimmery and really look like a dragonfly's wings.

I've used organza in turquoise, taffeta in a gorgeous shimmery teal, tulle in pale mint, mid blue and lurex blue.

In the centre of the flowe is a shiny square mirror button with Miyuki beads in watery green and teal blue.



Lemon Sorbet Ribbon Hair Barrette

This would make the perfect accessory for a bride or a bridesmaid. The colours are light and reminiscent of Spring with their pale yellows, creams and green.


This flower has been made with organza in antique gold, and pale cream. The tulle is cream and a pale mint green.


There's a shimmery flower button in the centre adorned with some creamy pearlescent and watery green Miyuki drop beads.


The ribbons cover the hair barrette underneath the flower. I've used a vintage lace ribbon that I've 'aged' even more with some coffee and a pale green organza ribbon. The ends of the ribbons are weighted down with freshwater pearls and more of the Miyuki beads I've used in the centre.



Raspberry Peony Brooch

I've always had a thing about the combination of red and pink. If mixed right the two work really well together, but the shades have to be exactly right or the whole thing looks garish. It's perpetually difficult to take pictures of anything that's bright red. It seems to reflect light very differently from other colours... My best efforts are below.



I've used red taffeta, organza in wine and pink, tulle in pink, red, and burgundy red. In the centre of the flower is a bright red button embellished with red Magatama beads.


The flower brooch is to go with my new Pseuda Shibori shawl from Laura Irwin's book 'Boutique Knits'. I'd highly recommend it for lovely and interesting patterns.

The hair barrettes/fascinator will all be available from my Etsy shop.

Forever Twilight Bracelet

My latest creation:

Forever Twilight

Ben came up with the name ages ago and wanted me to make something to suit it. It took me some time to think of something deserving of the name but finally here it is.


The bracelet has been made with a crocheted wire frame, which was then 'embroidered' tatting style with a mix of dark blue Habu silk covered steel and (also from Habu) a kind of lurex which in fact is more like thread-thin video tape. The effect is much nicer than lurex as you get a far more subtle shimmer and glimmer.



In the next step I added teeny 4-layer organza flowers in black and lilac and Magatama drops in matte grey, pale blue and glossy lustred grey.


The final step was a gorgeous lilac organza ribbon threaded through the ends of the bracelet.


Above is one of the little silk organza flowers.



The bracelet is fully adjustable and would suit a medium to large wrist. It's too wide for a small wrist.

I think I will be making variations along this theme as I really like the look and feel of the bracelet. It is unusual and organic, soft but firm to wear and has interesting details. Something that will work as well with a little black dress as with a pair of jeans.

Sakura Blossom Shrug

This shrug has been finished for a while, but I wanted to get some daylight pictures of it as well.

Here's the shrug on my petite mannequin with the very, very tiny waist:

I have used pink variegated (hand spun, hand painted) merino/seacell for the main body of the shrug. The sleeves are made from Rowan Kidsilk Night in pale pink. All the flowers (painstakingly knitted) have a glass pearl centre each and are all made from various shades/types of Rowan Kidsilk (Night, Spray and Aura). The flower at the bottom in the centre is actually a brooch that can either be worn on the shrug or anywhere else - for example, on a bag. There is a pale pink organza ribbon to hold the shrug tight round your waist as well.

My friend Caroline (the one who is running the marathon - see the link on the left) kindly modeled the shrug for me. She's petite but the shrug will fit up to a medium/large due to the cut of the garment.

Here you can see the back of the shrug.


And here you can see the width of the sleeves.


The sleeves - although warm and perfect for a wedding in Winter/Spring in a cold church or registery office - are soft as clouds.



Finally, above the beautiful flowers in various shades of red/pink.

The shrug will go in my Etsy shop by the end of the week. If you want to snap it up before, it's £70 + P&P.