And this week, I'll mostly be talking about ....

It's been quite a busy week for me - thank you so much for everyone's good wishes and kind words regarding my Create & Craft show! It really was such an enjoyable experience. Debbie Shore, the presenter, put me at ease right away, and the crew were super friendly as well. But more importantly, it seemed as though everyone really enjoyed what they were doing - even as early as 7am (while setting up) on a Sunday morning.

For those of you who are regular viewers - it really is as nice an atmosphere as you think!

Here's a picture of me in the Green Room before the show - my little 'rest' in between setting up and going live.

I was simply happy that my hands weren't shaking like they did in the screen test, and I pretty much remembered what I wanted to remember...! We're discussing when I'll be going back, so you'll all be the first to know. ;-)

But, there's no rest for the wicked! I've had a rush job for a length of fine ribbon - in itself not a problem, I had paced myself so that I wasn't doing it all in one go. However, for some reason that I can't explain, I used the wrong heddles. Not noticeable initially, it was only as I was about halfway through that I realised the heddles were shredding the silk, creating a fluffy ribbon. Not pretty, so away it came, and I started over. And, by 2am, had completed the new ribbon. I've been asked to post a picture of the fuzzy one on my website, so I will try over the weekend. (It will get posted on my Facebook page). I have decided it will be good to try out rosettes or something.

For today instead, how about a picture of some pretty Singleton-style buttons -

I really like how these turned out - they are simple enough, I know, but by mixing two colours of fine silk thread, the match with the 'changeable' silk fabric worked really well.

And so, onwards and upwards. Two more ribbons to weave and some fly fringe - with roses - to figure out. I am quite lucky you know!

Getting closer....

As you can imagine, I'm busy getting things ready for Create & Craft this week - finishing off samples (and thinking of new things to make), that sort of thing. It feels very weird to see my name on the tv listings page though! And yes, I am beginning to feel just a little nervous, when I stop to think about it. (I know, so the answer to this is don't think about it!)

It hasn't been all about buttons though, I have been working on some tassels!

Below is a before and after of a Victorian fan tassel. The tassel really had seen better days - not surprising as it has been hanging from a lovely fan for so long. 

Because this will be used (in the first instance as part of a bridal ensemble) I decided to start from scratch, and carefully remove everything. I was very interested to see that the skirt had been glued to the inside of the mould - as had the cord. This is quite interesting, as we are always led to believe that historically glue wasn't used with textiles, and if we use it today we are somehow "cheating". And really, the skirt would not have stayed in place on this mould without the glue, despite the covered ball under the skirt. (which I kept with the originally covering, just to keep with the 'something old'!)

The 'jasmines' hanging at the skirt were originally fine coils of wire. So fine in fact, that I was unable to find anything suitable as a replacement (as I really did not want to use some rather ugly grey jewellery wire - the only thing that was nearly fine enough). 

*note to self, begin sourcing super fine wire in a gold colour!

 

So, I decided instead to make a very fine cord in the purple silk, which matched the top binding and the colour scheme for the wedding. The gold lattice uses a gilt thread and the little beads on the original are simply gorgeous.

The next tassel is for the bride's purse, using similar elements design-wise, but all new materials. The more 'squat' appearance of the head should fit well at the bottom of a reticule-style bag.

The next two tassel will adorn a Victorian gown, decorating the bustle area if I recall correctly! The gimp used on these knots is hand-wrapped. It really is the only way sometimes, as gimp thread is becomming harder and harder to find these days - and when you do, it is viscose. Now, I haven't got anything against it per se, it is just that sometimes it can seem harsh colour-wise when using it with real silk. So, if matching is needed, it is often easier to work elements from the same type of thread. And sometimes, the extra effort is just nice.

So, I'll finish with another reminder - Create & Craft this Sunday, 8am...

hopefully you aren't bored of me mentioning it yet!