News from My Craft Room

My craft room seems to be shrinking! Actually it is sharing space with wedding paraphernalia. In between beading pillows and other lovely things, I'm taking time to put together a bridesmaid bouquet or corsage. My first real job, at age 13, was working for a woman who created wedding bouquets and seasonal centerpieces. She taught me a lot. She also did the flowers for my wedding in 1981. She's been gone for many years now, but I am putting her lessons to good use in preparing for my own daughter's wedding in July.

I have been assigned: Flower making (we're using all silk), invitation addressing (huge box of invites are on my kitchen floor) and program creating (Please share your best ideas for these with me!)My daughter lives 3 hours away so I've also made numerous trips to the bridal shop 25 miles away. My last trip involved picking up the bride's shoes. They are a stunning purple, her favorite color. They're going to really pop peeking out from beneath her gown!

It's been busy, busy around here. Nothing makes time go by faster than preparing for a wedding! And it's all good. And it's all going to be just fine. And I'll get a massage.

Art by Golders ~ Complete with Beading

The last bead was sewn onto this beautiful wreath recently and it was returned to artist Golders DeWitt. What a beautiful project! I enjoyed working on it very much. Do you have art-on-fabric you'd like to have embellished with beading?

Art by Golders ~ WIP

Shortly before Christmas, artist and Facebook friend, Golders DeWitt (FB page), sent me a message: Would I be interested in beading one of her works of art? Tell me more, I responded as I gleefully rubbed my little hands together in anticipation. She sent me photos, approximate size and very few directions. (I liked that last one a lot.)

        Earlier this month, the art-on-fabric arrived, in duplicate. Golders had included one for me to keep for myself! …. I have already discussed, at length, the possibilities for this second piece with my mother (master quilter lady). It may eventually become the centerpiece of a quilted and beaded wall-hanging…but I digress ….

        Prepping fabric for beading:

1.  Hand-wash with a mild detergent and dry flat

2.  Iron with low heat and trim edges

3.  Sew together with 100% cotton batting and linen backing

4.  Lightly press again and hand-stitch opening closed

5.  Select seed bead colors and 4mm glass pearls