Pansies

The Pansy is a large group of hybrid plants cultivated as garden flowers. Pansies are derived from Viola species Viola tricolor hybridized with other viola species, these hybrids are referred to as Viola × wittrockiana^[1] or less commonly Viola tricolor hortensis. The name "pansy" also appears as part of the common name for other Viola species that are wildflowers in Europe. Some unrelated species, such as the Pansy Monkeyflower, also have "pansy" in their name. (from Wikipedia)

These sweet violas came home with me today.

I totally love pansies and violas. Totally.

One of my most favorite tops was made several years ago,

featured in Sew Beautiful Magazine.

I used Madeira rayon thread to embroider the Jenny Haskins pansies on linen table topper used as the collar on this blouse. The hemstitching and the sage band were already on the topper. What a time saver!

 The I turned a portion of the design into an applique (but removed linen fabric and added silk organza to the area) and stitched the grid portion with Sulky 2116.

The back of the collar.

Each sleeve sports a different motif. 

This one embellished with a Bernina lace monogram.

And this one, simply more pansies.

The beautiful embroidery designs are by my dear friend Jenny Haskins.

This is an older embroidery design set and can be purchased HERE.

Go to Jenny's website HERE and see some of the most beautiful embroidery designs, ever.

Source

A long time ago, I had also created this window shade for Designs in Embroidery Magazine (did I say a long time ago?)...  Note the use of a different pansy motif. These are Bernina Debbie Mumm embroidery designs and the project can be found on the web HERE.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. I love hearing from you and seeing by your comments that you've been here. Have a blessed week!

My favorite embroidered skirt - Monday Photo of the Week

Some time ago, I was asked what was my favorite item I've ever made. I had to think long and  hard about this. And then I decided I couldn't just lump all things together, I had to categorize. Today I'll show you my favorite "personal" item. Something I made just for myself with no thought as to what it would sell, how it best used a Bernina product, etc.. 

Here it is, my favorite skirt. Actually there is a silk underskirt with a purchased lace trim along the bottom (the long lace you see) and then an embroidered overskirt made of English cotton netting, embroidered with Madeira rayon thread (ooh such a favorite thread!!!) all stabilized with a "melt-away" stabilizer. It took forever to  complete the embroideries! I even had to find a second source for the stabilizer as I ran out during the process!

I spent 5 weeks in Chicago helping train Bernina dealers to use the Bernina embroidery software. So in the evenings, I put the embroidery machine to good use. Sue Box embroidery designs are some of my favorites!

The silk ribbon I used for the waistband and the English cotton netting both came from Martha Pullen Co.This garment along with an embroidered top was featured in a long ago edition of Sew Beautiful magazine. Darned I might have to unpack those!]

I was inspired by Jenny Haskins. She is a most talented Australian to whom I not only aspire to copy every thing she makes,, but she's also my friend. I am truly blessed. She had a lace skirt with a Victorian "skirt lifter". But at the time I couldn't find one so I created this sweet brooch to pull up part of the skirt.

 A photo taken long ago (Phoenix, AZ) when it was hot hot hot, just like now. I'll tell you about the top some other time. I still want that chair that sat outside the Bernina Connection Bernina store! I also remember bringing home a mesquite block with inlaid turquoise from the local cooking store.. Oh there were some great benefits to traveling!!

I hope you enjoyed this blast from the past! I am very appreciative of your visit and look forward to reading your kind comments. Stay tuned Wednesday for a Garden Party Tablescape!