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Monday, March 10, 2014

Bower Beginnings

Finally, life is settling a bit, the monkeys have left my back and I'm ready to work again with Mrs. Rose.

It's been too long.

I've take some time to re-acquaint and mock up a quick outline sketch of where I need to go next.  I'm planning to make a rose bower on the block...


A climbing rose that clings to the wall and that has three-dimensions so that it hangs out over the mirror and Mrs. Rose.

A bower provides shelter and protection in garden.  Not normally in a nursing home...the bower signifies how the gift of Mrs. Rose transformed her environment from a cold, stark nursing facility into a beautiful, sheltering space.


I've thought about which techniques might work and I've decided to mock up two different scenarios.  One is a modified stumpwork scenario and the other is an attempt at miniature millinery.

I'm going to give the mini millinery a try first. 

Since the scale of the roses are 1/2" or so...I'm not quite sure I can make it work.  Same is true for the stumpwork idea.  The smallest stumpwork flowers I've ever made were about 1".

So let the experimenting begin.    

First thing I want to do is figure out which paint works best on the silk.  So far, I'm liking the Setasilk the most but I'm going to reserve judgement until I actually work the silk into flowers.  


I'm not worried about color just yet.  Just trying to figure out which paint/silk combination will handle the best.

Off to keep working.  I'll let you know what happens next time.   

21 comments:

  1. So happy to see Mrs. Rose again! Can't wait for the results of your flowers! Have fun!

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  2. You certainly have some fascinating experiments ahead of you. I'm sure Mrs Rose will offer much encouragement..

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  3. Mrs Rose is lovely so far. Look forward to seeing the bower

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  4. looking forward to the rest of Mrs Rose ... you could make some silk roses on crinoline ...glue the back and carefully snip them out......I know can't mind my own business!!!

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  5. I love reading your blog Susan. It's always informative and beautiful. I wished I had as much energy and talent as you do !!

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  6. So glad to see you back with Mrs. Rose. I'll bet she was beginning to wonder about your whereabouts! It will be fun to watch that bower take hold.

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  7. I've really enjoyed watching Mrs Rose come to life. The roses add a beautiful effect. I am just now learning to stitch with silk ribbon and I plan to learn silk flowers and stump work next. I love your blog title, plays with needles. I love to do just that. It seems if it takes a needle to make it I'm all for it. Do you reccomend any specific blogs in addition to your own that I should follow that teaches these needle arts. Especially ones that offer tutorials.

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  8. I love to watch you push the envelope, Susan!

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  9. Mrs. Rose is as beautiful and happy as when I last saw her. She is looking forward to her rose bower. Your scenario duos each sound very interesting. The Setasilk does look lovely. Creative Stitching Bliss Dear...

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  10. this piece is going to be lovely! i really like the way you share your design process...you are amazing! :)

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  11. welcome back Mrs Rose, so good to see you again. Mini millinery is something I have not heard of, thought hats but you are using it on the bower. Best of luck and keep us up to date please

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  12. I am glad you are back working on this project again, I love how it is progressing. Thanks for sharing all your techniques :)

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  13. Glad to see Mrs. Rose is still with us!

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  14. A very complex but very cute piece too.You must have a tone of patience

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  15. So glad we got to see Mrs Rose again. The roses are going to look perfect....

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  16. I have to laugh because we are polar opposites. I must have an inner self who wants to be like you because I enjoy the process you work through. But the outter me? Flingin' paint into jet wash to see where it lands...wanna play?

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  17. You have a beautiful blog and a beautiful family. I used to read your blog most of the time, I would like to invite you one day when I start one. Angelica.

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  18. Hello Ms. Rose!! Love the idea of this upcoming addition!

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  19. I was wondering where Mrs. Rose had been! So good to see her again. I'll look forward to seeing your rose bower take shape.

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  20. I've been wondering for some time what happened to Mrs. Rose, I love watching your progress and story behind her. Now I'm anxious to see how her arbor takes shape, and how you chose to work it into Mrs. Rose's piece!!

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  21. Oh how thrilling ~ more of dear Mrs. Rose. I can hardly wait.

    I know you will create another exquisite piece.

    FlowerLady

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Have a wonder-filled life!