Calamity Kim

A Spider's Web

 

The Spider's Web

The spider, dropping down from twig,

Unfolds a plan of her devising,

A thin premeditated rig To use in rising.

And all that journey down through space,

In cool descent and loyal hearted,

She spins a ladder to the place From where she started.

Thus I,

gone forth as spiders do In spider's web a truth discerning,

Attach one silken thread to you For my returning.

-- E B White

My maiden name is Snider and I can remember in grade school the kids singing out : snider, spider, drinks apple cider! Back then I didn't think it was too funny. Now I can laugh because it's silly and harmless and apparently didn't ruin me on spiders (or cider for that matter!) and I have been enjoying making some beaded arachnids this past week to embellish the men's silk tie roses I made a while ago. Not that the tie roses aren't great all by themselves, but the spider gives it a bit of surprise, shine and mystery. Danger even; and you know how I like to look dangerous ;)

Some are regular spiders and some are grandaddy long legs, which my Grandmother always said were good luck to find and she would gently pick them up and release them outside when she found them in the house.

Of course they are all named Charlotte and I may even try to make a web with words like she did- Awesome spelled out in gold thread for my son would be cool on his Christmas tree.

My husband asked me to try to make some scorpions and I love cicada bugs so I may try some different ones. This pattern came from one of my friends at the Surface Design Guild- Betty who had brought some for show and tell and I raved until she shared the pattern. That was two years ago but better late than never and I appreciate her generosity. If you know how to bead they are really easy and the most difficult part is actually choosing the beads!

It takes about 30-45 minutes to make one and is a great way to use up any beads leftover from other projects. I will probably hand stitch each one to a rose and make the roses into pins. I am going to make some into hair barrettes too- just cause I like the idea of a nice spider in my hair...charming, I know, if not strange.

Passing by a consignment shop window yesterday on our way to lunch I made fun of a hat with a giant gold fabric rose on top- like a rose turban and my husband said "Thank You for not wearing stuff like that!" Hahaha! Wait till he sees me in a spider hat!

Hope you have a lovely day!

xo,

calamity kim

Indygo Junction Tie Flowers

Recently Amy Barickman of Indygo Junction created a pattern for repurposing men's ties into flowers. Needless to say I immediately bought the pattern and after a few weeks finally found the time to sit and try it out yesterday.

It seemed simple and easy but after the first one flopped I reread the instructions and tried it again and had great success with the flowers after that. I had the center piece too high and had to redo it to make it shorter.

Usually vintage ties are just too funky to really have them match anything else but these flowers are very pretty as a hair decoration or possibly an embellishment on a bag.

I can't share the specifics of the how-to here but I can recommend this pattern and suggest you buy it for the reasonable cost of $7.99.

I sat and made these last night while mindlessly watching tv and really had fun using some old ties that I had no clue what to use for besides knitting needle pockets when lining bags.

I have some deadlines to meet and then will have some playtime in which to host the Fabric Flower Blogathon here so check back on the 20th to see more flower fun!

Happy Sewing!

Calamity Kim

How to Make Roses Shabby Chic

My Blog has always been an outlet for my creative endeavors and I never was able to classify it  in any one category. This probably would have been more beneficial when folks were looking for certain topics but I didn't think about that when I began blogging. I just started making things and posting pictures.

Now, this isn't going to be a flash back post, so don't be alarmed! I just wanted to say that I should have made a section for Shabby Chic, because for me, it will never go out of style! I love old lace, shattered pink silk and little porcelain doodads.

When I am working on something I often tea dye the trims and fabrics so that they appear older and frayed. I made this bear several years ago in a Marie Antoinette phase I was in and loved the decadent use of silk flowers, pearls and velvet. The ship's sails were made from satin and linen and I strung the masts with crystals and beads.

Last night as I was wandering around the webs I found a new (to me) site called The French Cupboard and I knew I had to share the rosettes with you. Here is the link to the page with all the different tutorials and how to's.Check it out- there are some really nice flowers shown there.

I would love to do something similar here and have a giant Rose/Flower making party with everyone linked up to their blogs and showing off their own flowers. Ever since I posted my own flower making tutorials my stats have jumped off the charts with crafty types coming by to get the info on twisted flowers and fabric roses that I make, so I know how popular they are.

I woke up my right brain this morning making a few new flowers to jazz up a new bag I bought recently that is made with natural canvas and trimmed in tulle and wrinkled ruffles of muslin. I love wearing skirts and dresses and pinning on a big flower just makes me smile. Maybe it's too old fashioned but I see lots of 3D flowers being added to t-shirts and around necklines, so I think it must be trendy now- modern old fashioned- I think we can be liberated and still enjoy wearing aprons, ruffles and lace without it diminishing our power as strong women.

Maybe I can do a Shabby Roses of September  Slumber Party here with a virtual celebration of all things shabby, chic, french, sweet, tattered and feminine. What do you think? Would you participate? Do you make flowers to wear or pin in your hair? Next month, several of my friends and I are going to have a slumber party- it will be my first and I anticipate fine food, paper doll making~ stamping fun and chick flicks and giggling! Lots of giggling- I might even take my mini trampoline just to keep things hopping! heehee. I think it would be great fun to make some flowers to wear  to add to the festivities!

Leave a comment if you think you might want to participate in the Shabby Roses of September (virtual) Slumber Party and I will notify you with details as I get it all together. 

thanks for stopping by,

calamity kim

Cut Out & Keep Chiffon Flowers of Calamity

how to fabric flowers, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Hey!
Wake up!
It's Monday, I know and that sucks, but still- good things do happen on Mondays!
In keeping with my full time job as Craftswoman Extraordinaire I shared the chiffon flower tutorial over at Cut Out & Keep. Man, they make tutorials look good! Go check it out and make it a fav.
xo,
calamity kim

Garden of Calamity Fabric Flowers

This week I have spent some time making flowers. It seems like such a zen process once I get my mind in the right place.

It's difficult to sit still for long periods and not be at the sewing machine or spinning wheel. I have so much to do and it seems like these flowers take so much time. I cut each circle from tulle, chiffon or organza and as the candle's flame melts each edge I do become tranquil and mellow.

The rhythm of the movement and repetitive motion is comfortable and sometime I stick myself with the needle or burn my finger and that wakes me right up! But as I construct each flower, layer by layer, petal by petal I have time to think about other things I want to make and my mind drifts and daydreams.

Next week I will be showing a fairy gown I am working on for my Surface Design Guild's Fashion Show and I think I will make a crown with flowers as well as a pair of wings. I made a few smaller roses to turn into a neck piece to wear with the gown and I have findings to make matching earrings.

I think I need some darker green chiffon for leaves and maybe a butterfly on there would be nice.

So that's what I've been up to- along with taking walks and bouncing on my new mini trampoline. Yes, really! It's fun and a great way to get your heart rate going! The weather outside is so nice and the sunshine is warm and lovely. I feel like going to the beach but I have to "grow some flowers". I don't run a sweat shop- I run a hot house!!! Yes- I'm hysterical I know!

I will be down in North Port this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at the Spring Fest Art Show with my Surface Design Guild's booth if you'd like to come on down and see me and my flowers.

Have a Happy Weekend and Happy Springtime!

xo, Calamity Kim

How To Make Fold & Twist Fabric Flowers

Recently I had some emails with questions concerning a tutorial I had done on making fabric flowers that look like roses.
I repeated the steps again this morning and took pictures (that sun is trying to shine!) and here we go:

Directions for Making Fold and Twist Fabric Roses

Step 1: Cut fabric in to 5" squares and then fold 3 pleats towards yourself.
             Iron in place and pin on each side.
This feels kind of awkward at first but keep practicing the fold so that it is even. Each pleat is about 1/2" inch.

Step 2: Stitch with matching thread on each side using a 1/4" seam. I sew them one right after the other, and then cut them apart.
I bought the ergonomic rotary cutter at the last quilt show I went to and really like it.

Step 3: Fold 3 pleats in the other direction and iron and pin.

You must iron each step down to help hold it and make sharp pleats.
Step 4: Sew each side down being careful not to let fold get caught in seam.
Step 5: This is the fun part- while holding the fabric in one hand, use your finger to push up and make a bubble or balloon.
Fold under the squared off points on the bottom.
Place the puff on the palm of one hand and gently pinch the top center and twist in a smooth motion (either direction) until you can't twist any further and push down. Then quickly iron down with a hot iron to hold rose in shape.
I can't take a picture of twisting it and hold the camera at the same time but remember practice makes perfect and you may need to try it a few times before you get it!
When I use these roses I also make leaves and stitch them down in the folds to secure to whatever I am embellishing. Good luck with these fabric flowers and have fun! xo, I'm off to buy a new thimble, calamity kim

edited to add:

I started a Group over at Flickr for any flowers you make- just join the group and add pictures! here is the link

How To Make Chiffon Flowers by Calamity Kim

OK, so I made you a little worksheet on the chiffon flowers.
 You may click on it and it will take you to Flickr where you may chose all sizes and then get the largest size to right click and save.
 I am also giving you a PDF here:  Download Howtomakeflowers(Portable Document Format) so that you can just print it out from there.

I use between 8 and 15 layers of chiffon, silk, tulle, organza or any other fabric to create full and fluffy blossoms.
 I like to scrunch and wad them up in my sweaty little hands to create wrinkles and texture before I burn the edges with a candle or long lighter.
 Please be advised that this is stinky and should be done in a well ventilated area.
 It also can be dangerous and should be supervised by adults or firemen due to sudden bursts of flaming tulle melting the skin from your hands or singing the drapes!
 I am not liable or responsible for any damages to you or your home or trailer park!
 Please create these flowers at your own risk!
There, now, You have been warned!


I myself am a pyromaniac and I admit it freely.
I love to watch the edges curl and puff and melt and the more distressed the better!
The key is to not have perfect circles to begin with- cut them in degrees of sizes and make the edges irregular.
I also use a dog brush to fray the edges of silk and cotton because they don't melt- they only burn. You want some edges to fray and some to be curled up.
These blossoms are older and are in their last heyday before the petals have fallen to the ground.
It's very simple to put together once you have your circles finished- just stack them in a layer of large to small and sew together with some stitches all the way through
using green perle cotton or embroidery thread.
Then make a small fuzzy yarn center and stitch it on. I wrap a 12" length of yarn around the two fingers of my left hand and then go back through the center (like making a pompom) and tie it in the middle.
Sew that to the center and then add some beads.
The back stitches are covered by the pin back and a circle of green felt to cover it. I just trim it to fit the width of the pin bar and stitch it on with a nice blanket stitch.
Tadah!
You have done it!
Easy Peasey! a lovely fabric flower to wear or adorn your favorite bag or bear!
TomorrowMake that, when the sun comes out again, so I can take some pictures... I will do the other fabric roses for you and then you are on your own to create a garden of flowers that will last forever with no water or weeding necessary!
Happy creating!
Love & Stitches!
Calamity Kim

how does your garden grow? with flowers made from fabric, of course!

It seems highly ironic to me that the more time I spend inside the sewing room, creating fake flowers, the less time I spend outdoors growing real flowers!
I have lots of books about gardens, flowers and their meaning, creating sanctuaries and wildflowers of the world. Mostly I just look at the pictures and sigh*, not wanting to get my hands dirty, because that might get on my latest quilt or sewing project.

How awful, for a country girl like me, who grew up with a hoe in one hand and a fistful of Queen Anne's Lace in the other, to abandon her love of the soil to only sew gardens and create flowers from fabric!
It can't be helped, this obsessive love of fiber and textiles.
It's deep in my bones now and I will never shed the temptation to reach out and touch a new brocade or vintage embroidered linen. To see textures juxtaposed together in a patchwork of color makes me feel as happy as any view of a flower garden ever has.
Of course, nothing could compare to my Grandmother's Iris.
 Row after row, between gladiolas and pinks, the Iris held me captive as I gently touched the petals to peek inside. Holding my breath while hoping to spot a tiny faerie or ladybug inside having tea.
I am glad I have those memories as I cut and stitch and bead
and create flowers that will never fade or die.
My Grandmother would be proud.

***

I have had several readers ask me about the other fabric flowers that I make and I promise I will sit still long enough to do another tutorial on it tomorrow.
 Today is Knit & Itch at Picasso's Moon Yarn Shop and I need to get going if I'm going to get there anytime soon.
Please be patient just one more day and I will happily take you through making folded fabric flowers one step at a time.
Until tomorrow,

with clean hands and weeds in my flower beds,

I bid thee farewell,

little crafters everywhere...

Keep an eye on the candles,
A lid on your drink,
Wipe up those spills,
Before you slip and crack your skull on the sink!

Measure twice before you cut,
And read that pattern through,
Watch out for that needle- it's quite sharp!
Enjoy your make & do!

I wish you luck on your projects and no calamities today-
Here's a 4 leaf clover and a rabbit's foot,
Now, be on your way!
Be careful now, you've been warned- there's magic in the air!

May is the month when Fae folk abound-
They just awoke from their homes underground.
The elves and gnomes will be running about,
Painting flowers and rocks and building anew.

Watch where you step and watch what you do.
I'll be here waiting when you come back,
With plenty of glitter and the hot glue!

Love & stitches,
calamity kim