Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Simple Ribbon Flower Tutorial ~ All our wire-edge ribbons are on sale at Close-out prices!
etsy.com/Ribbonsmyth

Supplies ~
18" wire-edge ribbon - 5/8" or 7/8"
embroidery needle, thread, scissors
Fabric-Tac Glue
Assorted crystals for flower centers
Velvet Leaves - one branch of 12 leaves

Velvet leaves, wire-edge ribbon, ribbon embroidery needle pack, crystals, 
all available at our etsy site.


These wire-edge ribbon flowers would be great added to cq blocks.

These flowers top a plain, satin covered hard-case, evening purse, with magnetic closure. Shoulder strap inside the purse. 

Flower ~ 1. 18 " of 5/8" or 7/8" wire-edge ombre ribbon. 2. Tie a knot in one end. Pull a bit of the wire at the opposite end, to gather. Secure gathered ribbon end by wrapping several times, with thread. 3. Encircle the gathered ribbon around the knot. 4. Secure the two ribbon ends, in place, with with several stitches, on the back of the flower. 5. Glue the flower to the purse with Fabri-Tac glue. Glue a crystal in the center of each flower. Randomly glue velvet leaves beneath the flowers. Easy Peasy.


Monday, January 15, 2018

Block #5 of Nine-patch crazy quilt wall-hanging

 Block Number 5 of the 9-patch wall-hanging. The stitching was not planned to create "hearts" around the block. However, wanting movement in a static block, I had previously stitched, with silk twist, "swirls" among each block. Now embellishing each one, adding more stitching,  I created several heart "outlines".

Nine-Patch crazy quilt block ~ block #4

I'm working on nine blocks, using the contents from 4 zip lock bags. The little package has traveled with me for the past two years. Now I want to get them all stitched and assembled into a wall-hanging, before Spring. Once the weather improves, no time for stitching. It's been a great exercise! I love using the  bits I've gathered. The center of each patch is from a pair of my jeans. The velvet patch is cut directly from the blue jeans legs and if the placement of the velvet flower looks odd, it's due to working with the arrangement of the motifs on the jeans.

Saturday, January 13, 2018


New Fabric Packs $12,  New Doupioni Silk Grab Bags, Beads, and fabric pack assortment now on the Etsy Site at www.etsy.com/shop/Ribbonsmyth

USE Coupon Code RS1231 on any order of $20 or more, and receive 10% discount automatically.
Place an order of $100 domestic, and receive Free Freight (Frieght credited after order is placed)

Hibernate and Create!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

New 9-Patch Crazy Quilt for 2018



A collection of nine 10-inch blocks that have lived in a plastic bag, traveling in my suitcase for several years. The center patch of each block, is from a pair of my blue jeans. I salvaged the embroidery before tossing the jeans. I have 4 little zip lock bags that lived with the blocks. Each trip, never saw embroidery, so after unpacking them from my latest trip to Texas, these blocks are going to be finished, before I start my taxes and I start my next session of oil painting. I'm working strictly from what I had gathered for the zip lock bags. Mostly silk twist for the stitch work. I want lots of movement in the blocks and am not concerned with fancy stitches or that my stitches be perfect, which I can't do. Instead, I'm always interested in the finished vision, imperfection included!

I did a temporary lay-out of the blocks. The blocks will be butted together. I have a Scalamandre damask in gold and in crimson drapery panel, and one of those will be used for the backing. Scalamandre is known for their reproduction fabrics and wall coverings loomed for the White House. I was able to purchase some of those remnants when they closed the Queens manufacturing operation.  The edging will be a one-inch wide velvet. Can't wait to get to the assembly.

The quilt will hang in the front stairwell, where it will not suffer daylight exposure.

Sunday, December 31, 2017


Happiness and Health to each of you for 2018!
It's 9 degrees here as we get ready to go into the country for a warm meal, wonderful music and a bit of sparkling something.
Wonderful day to review our blessings and gifts from 2017.

This is an oil painting I did in November,  of the family farm bell and our side yard. The photograph was taken last year in February. I used the painting for this year's Christmas card. Oil Painting, what a wonderful challenge!

A big thank you too, to each of you, that visited our Etsy site in 2017. Thousands of yards of silk ribbon found new homes, all over the world! Grateful!

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Use Coupon Code RS1231 on  $20 or more when you place your Etsy order and receive 10% off your order!

We have 50% off closeout on an assortment of trims, perfect for Halloween and crazy quilting too! Silk Twist is on Sale at 50% off
100 yard ribbon grab bags are  ONLY $25
 
Lots of new vintage, fusible images for $1.50
 
Lots of new hand-painted rayon lace trims affordably priced!

Click on to my esty shop in the right hand box for one-click ordering!

www.etsy.com/shop/RibbonSmyth

Friday, September 1, 2017

Find an assortment of 4mm and 7mm silk ribbon, as well as vintage items, and an assortment of embellishments at my Etsy site at www.etsy.com/shop/ribbonsmyth !  The  above small collage is a section of a crazy quilt block using satin silk ribbon dyed with my RibbonSmyth rayon dyes. Beautiful non-toxic dyes for cotton, rayon and silk. Beautiful, vintage results guaranteed!


Saturday, March 25, 2017

SCALAMANDRE SILK THREADS ~stitch with history


I have about 15 colors of Historic SCALAMANDRE SILK THREAD from the historic fabric house in New York. SCALAMANDRE has created carpeting, fabrics, wall-paper coverings for most of the famous historical  mansions in the US. The White House is designed with reproduction pieces from SCALAMANDRE. The silks are selling quickly. Grab a couple of skeins while I have them. Each one yard skein has approximately 130 one-yard silk strands. I do hand-embroidery with 3 silk strands in my embroidery needle, to create beautiful satin stitch work. Currently stitching a denim jacket with large silk flowers, using these threads.  The silk is from Brazil and dyed at the Queens plant.  The luster is amazing. $4 a skein.
www.etsy.com/shop/Ribbonsmyth

Vintage Charm and Tape Measure Statement Necklace

I created this piece using Rollo chain and a vintage measuring tape, with glass beads and turquoise accents. This has a series of small metal "measurement" charms.  Fabulous!
www.etsy.com/shop/Ribbonsmyth