house wren studio

rentrée

I'm home! It was the trip of a lifetime, indeed, and I have so, so much to show and tell you! 

Happy 4th, everyone! xoxo

the year of the roses

Early summer is as colorful in bloom as spring was. The roses are fantastic! 

And the comments on the giveaway post were equally as beautiful. Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. Each one meant so much.

The winner chosen by the random number generator is MoniQ!

Must say, I love it that she found me at the library. Thank you all again. Wishing you a week of beauty and joy.

close

It's been raining for days and the budding peonies are all so heavy with water that they are leaning to the ground. Last evening I picked one nearly ready to open, brought it inside and put it in the studio where the light was darkening. Did you know that flowers sleep at night? Just like us, they rest in the cool darkness and recover the energy spent photosynthesizing all day.

This morning it was waiting for me, fully open, reflecting the soft light in every exquisite petal. 

There are lots of pretty little surprises around here. 

Places that catch the light (and the dust).

Bits that I've collected. Or made. Scenes that make me stop and think about how long I've been at this.

In fact, my next post here will be my 1000th! 

And that's something to celebrate with all of you, my friends!

Have a lovely holiday weekend and I hope to see you back here next week. xoC

sunbonnet girl needle keeper

Read this post on my new site at www.housewrenstudio.com!

Yesterday I stopped by the church to help with sorting in the linens room. The spring sale is tomorrow and Saturday. A little late to show up and help really, but you know, I've been trying to stay away. Can't do it though, all that bustle at the top of my town's main street calls to me.

My friends who work in the linens/sewing room knew I'd show up sooner or later and had a few treasures set aside for me. And this is the one that made me gasp. When I lifted her skirt and saw the little petticoat felts for needle keeping, .... ! 

Looking closely, I wondered why her bonnet was sewn all around the edges but not the front and it dawned on me that it was for a thimble! Brilliant (though a little creepy when you look into the dark hollow of the thimble tucked inside). I brought her home, found a thimble and knew I had to share her with you. Still time to make one for a Mother's Day gift. Or a super-sweet gift tag made out of paper ... her hidden petticoat could be little love notes for Mom!

I sketched up a quick how-to pattern for you. (Click to enlarge and right click to save.) She's 4 1/2" high made from 2 pieces of felt, the top piece cut without the shoes. Each of the little rosettes is felt also, anchored with a French knot. You'll also want a few inches of dainty lace for her petticoat and bouquet and some felt scraps for the petticoats to hold needles inside. 

Whoever made this donated their vintage orange felt a few years ago. Guess who bought it? 

Happy day, my friends! I'm heading back there again to .... um, help. xo

teeny tray giveaway

I made a teeny tray for you. 

Leave a comment on this post and on Monday I'll send this sweet fabric tray off to some lucky duck (or chick).

And if you would like to make one using the tutorial, I found the fabric online here at Nauvoo Quilts and also here at overrainbow.com. It's called Rummy from my Walnut Hill Farm collection for Blend. 

Love how the lily is next to the chick. Perfect for Easter!

cherry time

I imagine you are wondering when I'll get back to making things. Truth is, in the studio it's about Christmas right now and that seems so out of step with the glorious scene outside. So here are some spring snapshots from yesterday. There is a lane of apartments in our town with a stretch of cherry trees that I always look for when I drive by. I stopped yesterday to visit them.

Next post will be crafty. For real.

Looks like a beautiful embroidery, doesn't it? 

Happy weekend, friends.

my fabric found online

Some of you have written to ask where you can get my fabric online. I found an Etsy seller who has it here and here. If you have a shop that carries it, let me know and I'll blog about that too. (***Laurie just found it here!)

I really want it to be in people's hands and under the sewing machine presser foot. And if you are making something with it, please let me know.

Spring is making me dream about quick-sew skirts and market totes. And lots of other projects too. 

It's crazy beautiful out there. At the grocery store today I spent more time taking pictures of this flowering tree than I did shopping for dinner. What does that tell you? No wonder we're eating buttons for lunch over here!

3-14

I've had these two rolling around in a junk drawer forever. Not very big, they must be from an old table game. When I came across the pair a few days ago, I realized that they were turning up at just the right time. (It's also the area code for Saint Louis, my hometown.)

Anyway, the real news is that the birdie banner is back in the shop. Some of you have been waiting.

Happy 3-14!

noticing

Andy gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day. One stem was broken and I brought it down to the studio table to put in the tiniest budvase I have.

A few days later I could see that the blossoms were at their last best moment. Each stem inspired a new view.

Elements of my random photoshoot: ironing board, basket, papers, natural light, iPhone and Instagram.

And the most exquisite flowers asking only to be admired. Fully taken in, before leaving.

class recap from french general

Please visit this post and related content here. My new site is housewrenstudio.com

The House Wren Studio Stitch Book, on sale in my Etsy shop!

Stitch Book pdf with step-by-step instructions, $9.95 on Etsy

Happily, I heard from Kaari that she found my stitch bag at the store and is sending it back to me. With everything going on that day, it's a wonder that's all I lost and I'm so lucky she found it! The scene at French General the day of the class was highly charged with excitement and energy. There were so many students and there is always so much to see in that shop.

Like a shadowbox, every shelf and wall is decorated with the things we love. Beads, buttons, fabric, trimmings, bibelots, antique French documents, vintage millinery and all the licensed goods Kaari has created. Debuting at CHA, Kaari's new line of products with EK Success is gorgeous! I wish I'd had more time to look, shop and play. 

The packaging is clever and charming. The ribbon girls and the needlebook-style collections!

Okay. Yes, Pam and I taught our Sailor's Valentine class. We made heart-shaped pillows (like the sample in the opening shot) from linen, FG trims and my fabrics. I was thrilled to see that Gina came with my heart sampler all stitched up and ready to cut and use on her pillow! 

As always, I learned so much from the students. Julie brought her finished Stitchbook from my Etsy shop. I loved the way she filled it with pages for everything a stitcher needs. So gratifying to see these designs worked and loved by another.

In the end, there was a little time for shopping as well as visiting with students, friends, Kaari and her amazing family. This summer I will be traveling to France with the French General team to teach during the textile week at the Chateau Getaway! I've never been to France, but if it's anything like the beautiful world inside French General, I know I'll love it.

Thank you, Kaari, French General, Pam and all the talented students. Such a lovely day!