EVERYTHING on sale 12/29/23 through 1/5/24
at http://www.etsy.com/shop/averyclaire
All boutis supplies, fabric, dyed fabric, needles, PDF patterns, kits, yarn, scissor holders, etc.
Happy New Year…..Averyclaire
28 Dec 2023 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Boutis, French, French Boutis, Gifts, Needlework, Patterns, Valentine Heart
EVERYTHING on sale 12/29/23 through 1/5/24
at http://www.etsy.com/shop/averyclaire
All boutis supplies, fabric, dyed fabric, needles, PDF patterns, kits, yarn, scissor holders, etc.
Happy New Year…..Averyclaire
22 Apr 2023 6 Comments
in Angels, Boutis, Design, Embroidery, French, French Boutis, Hand Quilting, Uncategorized Tags: Angel Wings, Boutis, Embroidery, Quilting
“A Celebration of Her Beautiful Life”
About 18 months ago I wrote a memorial for my granddaughter, Haley. It has been a long time of often inconsolable grief, a dance of sorrow and joy, and often pain and pure love for the entire family. Today I am sharing the way in which I spent these months. I designed and created a set of Angel Wings to celebrate her life using my favorite needlework technique…French Boutis. It is very exciting to share this with everyone who has lost someone special or who knows someone in need of a lovely celebration of a life well lived and a way to keep the memories in their hearts. The pattern for this can be found on my Etsy page.
This is a digital pattern and includes two angel wing patterns, one traditional and one art deco, instructions and more photos.
For those who are not interested in Boutis Needlework, this pattern can also be used for embroidery or even quilting with a thin layer of batting between the two layers of fabric and stitched by hand or machine.
For every pattern purchased a donation of $5 will be made to the Danada Veterinary Hospital in Wheaton, Illinois, where Haley worked for many years. She was studying to become a veterinarian at the University of Tennessee.
Please visit my Etsy page and participate in a celebration of life for someone you love.
Another way I have spent my days was to create a quilt in her memory.
This quilt was started when we began taking Haley for radiation and physical therapy following her diagnosis of a stage 4 malignant brain tumor in November of 2018. Appliquing the blocks gave me peace while I prayed for a cure, a healing, a full recovery, and then for more time. Alas she passed away one week before her 21st birthday, almost three years after her initial diagnosis. The pattern I used was taken from Sue Garman’s “Sarah’s Revival.” Quickly it became “Haley’s Revival.” I did do some altering of the pattern to make it a larger 98″x98″ size. The applique was completed before her death, but the piecing of the blocks, sashing and borders were finished three months after. With much love and sadness, the hand quilting began on January 28, 2022, taking 487.5 peaceful and therapeutic hours, and was finished 10 months later on November 26, 2022. In white thread I stitched her name inconspicuously with birth date and death date. The label on the back is a pocket and is filled with a written page of her story and a couple of photographs. The completion was truly a help in my grief recovery. We miss her with every breath we take.
And then I began the design and creation of the angel wings in celebration of her life and beautiful memories made with all of us.
Amities, Averyclaire
08 Sep 2021 24 Comments
Sept 12, 2000 – Sept 4, 2021
Our hearts are broken! My beautiful granddaughter, Haley, 20 years old, passed away Saturday, September 4th, following a three year battle with brain cancer. Haley was a fearless lover of life. Even in the toughest times she found the will to fight with grace, courage, determination and perseverance.
Haley was a lover of animals and was studying at the University of Tennessee to become a veterinarian. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and was Vice President of Alumni Relations.
Her passing leaves a terrible void in the lives of her parents, David and Heather Jablonski, her brother, Max, and our entire family. Our lives will never be the same without her. She was a bright light in all of our lives. We love you, Haley. You will be forever in our hearts.
All our love, Nana and Pa 💕💕
25 Nov 2019 Leave a comment
in Boutis, Etsy Sale, Hand Quilting, Needlearts Tags: Etsy Sale, French Boutis, Hand Quilting, Needlework
There will be a sale of 20% off the Boutis Kits listed on my Etsy site from Nov 26 through Dec 3 for Cyberweek . Free shipping is available with a purchase of $35 or more. I have only a limited amount available of each kit and each color. My patterns are small and perfect for a beginner.
If you are new to my blog or my Etsy page, French Boutis is an exquisite ancient needle art. It consists of two pieces of delicate batiste fabric sewn together on patterned lines with a tiny running stitch (like a quilting stitch) or sometimes a back stitch. Cotton yarn is then pulled through the channels created by the stitching creating a raised relief. If you love hand quilting or other types of detailed hand needle work this technique is perfect for you. All of the kits are complete with instructions and all necessary materials.
Another lovely source of French Boutis patterns is from Monsieur Hubert Valeri. He has a website entitled “Boutis Archi Dessins”. They are very lovely modern Boutis designs. He sells patterns already printed on fabric although limited instructions are in French. However, if you have a simple knowledge of how to do Boutis, his patterns are easy. Here is one of Hubert Valeri’s patterned that I stitched with “untraditional” varigated green thread using a backstitch for the entire piece.
Lots of patterns are available if you are interested in trying French Boutis. My beginner patterns on sale for two weeks are a perfect way to begin.
Amities, Averyclaire
24 Dec 2018 4 Comments
Wishing everyone a truly blessed Merry Christmas and a peace-filled and healthy New Year!
Amities, Averyclaire
22 Apr 2018 18 Comments
in Cross-Stitch, Family, Gratitude, Quilting Tags: Cross-Stitch, Family, Gratitude, Quilting
This has been a difficult year for the family in many ways, but it is with much GRATITUDE that I share the following photos. All three of my children are avid dog lovers and each of them lost a dear member of their family this past year. While all of us were stricken with sadness and grief, we are eternally GRATEFUL for the love they gave to everyone. While their departures left holes in everyones’ hearts, the memories they leave behind are filled with love, laughter, and GRATITUDE for having been a part of our family.
The first photo is of Ollie. He was a King German Shepherd who passed away suddenly of stomach bloat at the young age of 8 years old. He was a well-behaved and loveable guy who loved to play ball. He is missed by all.
This lovely lady is Birdy. She was a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix who actually smiled when we arrived for a visit. She was gentle and kind and oh so huggable! She died of old age at the age of 17! Again missed by all.
And last, but not least, and the most recent loss, is this beautiful lady, Razzle. She was an Alaskan Malamute. Larger than life, she would “WOO” for you when you arrived and immediately roll over for a belly rub. Such a sweetheart! She passed suddenly from an aneurysm at the young age of 7. Very much missed by all.
During this past year I managed to complete one quilt. This was made as a gift for someone. The soft colored batik squares make this quilt just lovely. I have always wanted to do some straight line machine quilting and quilted this one only 1/2 inch apart. It turned out perfect. I can’t wait to give it to the person it is meant for.
For myself personally, I am GRATEFUL for all my family and friends who sent flowers, cards and gifts in the past month or so. It was appreciated more than you will ever know! I had not been feeling well for several months and suddenly found myself in the hospital having emergency surgery at the beginning of March. It has been six weeks now and I am a new person. Still need to build up my stamina for all my activities, but I feel VERY WELL! Thank you again for your kindness!
And lastly, I am GRATEFUL for many boring days during my recuperation when I finally got up the desire to work on some needlework. I managed to complete about HALF of my “Tulips” cross-stitch piece. I still have a long way to go. But to me HALF done is ALMOST done. SMILE
Happy Spring to everyone! It has finally arrived in Chicago. Although I would like it to be a little warmer, I will take what is given.
Amities, Averyclaire
15 Feb 2018 14 Comments
in Boutis, French, French Boutis, Quilting, Sewing, Uncategorized, Zip Bag Tags: Boutis, Design, French Boutis, Patterns, Zip Bag
This past year and already into the new year I have been busy teaching French Boutis classes and designing new patterns. I also have done several quilt trunk shows for quilt groups.
After many months my new French Boutis Zippered Bag pattern is published on Etsy as a complete kit and as a PDF downloadable pattern. The small bag when completed measures about 5 x 7.5 inches. It has a 12 inch zipper and is lined with beautiful fabric.
Once again French Boutis is an ancient art. Simply done, two pieces of special fabric are sewn together with a small running stitch (quilting stitch) on drawn pattern lines. Then a double strand of Boutis yarn is drawn through the channels from the reverse side giving the piece a raised relief. (Similar to trapunto but has no batting.) Traditional Boutis is done on white batiste fabric. However, I have fallen in love with the Provencal bright colors. Hence my colorful kits.
Luscious Provencal colors are available with the kit including beautiful lining fabrics. The fabric is 100% pima cotton and the linings are carefully chosen 100% cotton quilting fabrics.
For those not interested in a kit, the pattern and instructions are available in PDF downloadable form. However, the pattern must be enlarged 129% from 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper to 11 x 17 inch paper. It was reduced for ease in printing. A full size pattern is included in the kit.Alas there has not been much time left for my other interests such as stitching. I hope this year allows more time and better health!
Please visit me on Etsy or Instagram at “Averyclaire222“.
Amities, Averyclaire
14 Feb 2018 14 Comments
Happy Valentine’s Day to all my blogging friends around the world!!! Hugs!
Amities…Averyclaire
27 Nov 2017 2 Comments
in Boutis, Christmas, Hearts, Ornaments, Sale, Scissor Case, Uncategorized, Valentine Heart Tags: Boutis, Christmas, Hearts, Ornaments, Sale, Scissor Case, Valentine Heart
For one month, my patterns and kits are on sale for 10% off.
Please visit my Etsy site and try your hand at a beginner Boutis project!
Each kit contains all the materials necessary to complete your project. Give it a try!
Three Ornaments
Two Hearts
One Scissor Case in your choice of colors!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Averyclaire
13 Oct 2017 10 Comments
These are a few favorites of mine for this time of the year. A “Boo Bag” … “Halloween Pumpkin” … and “Halloween Fairy.” I have a couple more to post later.
Happy Autumn! Amities, Averyclaire