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

Adventures With Calamity Kim- Fl Craftsmen Gallery then Retro Rosie and Cobweb's Unique Finds

Sometimes I just sit around watching the grass grow and get entertained by Earl the Squirrel out in the backyard.

Now, as cute and riveting as that may be, sometimes ya just gotta get in the car and GO.

Explore new terrain.

Seek out the unseen and exotic.

So it began yesterday when a couple of my friends and I piled in the big red Durrango and headed north to St Petersburg to see the newest show at the Florida Craftsmen Gallery.

Threading the Needle is a show featuring the contemporary fiber works of Amy Vigilante, Duane Brant and Pip Brant. It runs from June 12- August 20, 2010. There are several reasons to take the time to see this show, in my humble opinion and the dome on wheels made from re-bar and covered with crocheted doilies is number one on the list. It was somewhat magical, to stand underneath the doilies and look around and see all the designs created by tiny cotton threads. I personally collect doilies, as you probably know, and love to repurpose them in my work. After learning to crochet I recognize the long hours of manual love labor that goes into creating each one. Was the artist making the statement that our current fast paced, ever growing society (represented by the shiny red painted re-bar) should take more time to view the world through our Grandmother's eyes? Were they putting a doily on modern times? Something to think about as you wander around through the outstanding examples of art by Florida Craftsmen and women.

Then we moved down Central St to the Gallery of Sebastian Thomas where he shares space with The Crafty Hag- Coralette Damme a very talented artist that I met last year when doing an Art Show in St Pete (it was so hot we almost melted right into the sidewalk!).

I picked up a couple of cards and a block print of a rose beetle. I own a small painting of a vampire that she painted on a found piece of wood and love the slightly dangerous look in his eyes.

After we found some lunch we hopped back in the car and turned south toward Bradenton to try to find a little vintage clothing shop we had heard about. I love a good adventure- especially when I don't know where I'm going or if I'll find something wonderful or unexpected and this was turning out to be a great day, even with the 96 degree heat and sudden rain showers. Fun is fun and we were having a large dish of it! My "art place" was filled up and soon my "Shabby Chic place" was going to get filled up too! (My friend asked me "where was my shabby chic place?" and I told her "it was way down deep in my heart".

Located at 817 Manatee Ave, East in Bradenton (call 941-708-0913 for directions) This is a must see to believe shop filled with incredible vintage clothing for men and women and decor from the past, sewing ephemera, barkcloth, bridal, and everything else you remember from your childhood.

Step inside and be prepared to be blown away by the shear volume of merchandise on display.

In the front parlor on the left is an area where you can try on vintage flowered hats and giggle and play while admiring gloves and handbags of all shapes and sizes, dripping with glamor and style from an era gone by. I was really impressed by the condition of everything I saw in the shop- it was all well taken care of- clean and almost as fresh as the day it was made. Usually time takes it toll on things this old and they are grubby and worn, but all the hats and bags I checked out were in fabulous condition. Like they had just been taken down from a shelf and unwrapped for me to see and fall in love with.

Waiting before you in the next room is a huge assortment of vintage clothing. The tulle skirts in the far corner catch my eye but I have to look everywhere at once and I soon feel a bit of happiness and joy start filling up that Shabby Chic place in my heart.

True Florida vintage wearables and decor.

Lingerie to the right

Be I dream of Jeannie for only $15 bucks!

Oh my heart!

You could stay here for 2 days and not see everything! The owner's Nancy Cobb and "Retro" Rosie Rosanne Dole were very nice and sweet and let us stay as long as we liked. I think I am going back on Tuesday. I think I need me some tulle.

Or maybe something red or aqua!

Don't forget to look up. There might be treasure up there.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? Salivating for more?

There are old photos and paper ephemera like letters and stamps. I almost don't want to tell you everything because you might go buy it and then my little heart will be broken when I go back for the metal numbers and Christmas decorations I didn't get this time.

I know one of these tulle skirts would go great with my tiara and wings!

Remember saddle shoes?

Or maybe a killer Sinatra type hat?

Just one backward glance until the next visit...I can't wait to go back and find more treasure. Now, back to the real world where it's Father's Day and I have to go do something nice for my husband- like maybe iron some clothes or cook a great meal...mow the yard? I bought him a great Hawaiian shirt from Retro Rosie's and a chocolate shaped anatomical heart from a chocolate shop in St Pete. Just what he always wanted- my heart melting in his mouth!

xo,

until the next adventure- have a great day!

Calamity kim