French Boutis

28 Jan 2017 31 Comments

by averyclaire in Boutis, Hand Quilting, Needlearts, Needlework, Quilting, Uncategorized, Valentine Heart Tags: , , ,

The past month or so I have been avidly working on designing more French Boutis patterns.  Today I published one just in time for Valentine’s Day on my Etsy site.

double-heart-boutis

This French needlework technique is easy to do if you like handwork. Stitching the piece is rather like hand quilting, a small running stitch, on two pieces of batiste. Then the boutis yarn is drawn through the channels by inserting a tapestry needle from the back between the two layers of fabric. Voila!

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In my kit I provide the pattern, instructions with photos and finishing technique, the white and pink batiste needed to complete two hearts, a white sun catcher and a pink sachet.  Also included are the two needles necessary for stitching and toothpicks needed for stuffing in the tail ends of the yarn cording.  Other materials you provide are white and pink thread, a ribbon or cord for finishing, and filling for your sachet.

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I am working on about six other designs as well.  If you love handwork and would love to try this ancient French Needlework Art, give it a try.  There is also a digital pattern available. It’s a small piece, easy to work up quickly…just in time for Valentine’s Day! I also teach French Boutis to anyone interested.

Thank you to my dear French friends, Nicole, who introduced me to this beautiful art nearly 15 years ago with a gift for my newly born granddaughter, to Maggy and Nicole, who have supplied me with lots of books and magazines for inspiration, to Elisabeth, who sent me a piece of her own hand worked Boutis, and last but not least to Elizabeth from Canada at Seams French who shares this passion with me!

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! (The comment form is at the top of the page under the date)

Stay tuned for more finishing work next time!

Amities, Averyclaire

 

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I Have Been Hacked

19 Oct 2016 5 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

Hi Everyone…one sure does not like to wake up in the morning only to find that my computer has been compromised.  In some of my accounts, emails were sent with some kind of link (I don’t know what it was because I did not open it), but if you received an email from me today with a link attached….please DO NOT OPEN it.  So sorry if this has compromised anyone else’s accounts.

Amities, Averyclaire

Happy Halloween

31 Oct 2012 6 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

Here are just a few Halloween/Autumn pieces that I completed in past month or so. Wishing all of you a Happy Halloween today.

Amities, Averyclaire

Updating

30 Oct 2012 2 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

Thank you to all of you who continually visit my blog even though I have been so lax in posting. Please be patient a little while longer while I do some updating. Thank you.

Amities, Averyclaire

I MISS EVERYONE

15 Feb 2012 9 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

I miss everyone and will begin blogging again soon.   Thank you all for your kind notes.

Amities, Averyclaire

Merry Christmas and a Special Note

26 Nov 2011 12 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

A very special Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season to all of you.  I pray that all your wishes and dreams come true and that you continue with all of your wonderful stitching, needlework, quilting, sewing, crocheting, and other fine art projects.

I wanted to let you know that I will not be posting anymore and my blog will be temporarily closed.  There is not a set time for my return. This past year has not been the best for me healthwise and it has been difficult to keep up with everything.   So, it is with great sadness that I have decided to close my blog.  I will keep it as it is now and hope that one day I will be up to posting again.

However, I do plan to lurk in the shadows of your blogs see what is new in your cyberspace and celebrate with you all your beautiful accomplishments.

But for now……I will miss our little notes.  May you be truly blessed this Holiday Season.

Amities, Averyclaire

It’s My Birthday…Yesterday!

04 Nov 2011 9 Comments

by averyclaire in Birthdays, Friendship, Gifts, Gratitude, Thank You, Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

When one gets to be an “older” woman….one prefers to pretend one’s birthday is just another day. However, secretly I am deeply grateful to my friends and family who went out of their way to make this a very special day.

I received some lovely emails today from some dear friends all the way from France and Belgium, a lovely note from my son and his wife, some from my nieces, many from needlework and quilting friends, other long-time friends, and sisters, Barb & Bonnie, Barb even sent me a some special internet gifts. And there were lots of special phone calls too and a video message from my new 4 month old granddaughter, Maya. I am SO humbled and grateful. Thank you to each of you.

I share with you some photos of other gifts I received in addition to the beautiful Eiffel Tower scissors and books I showed you last post. The other gifts must remain anonymous! Shhhhhh…I’ll never tell….Smile.

My SIL Judy, and friend, Kay, sent me this lovely teacup bouquet to brighten my day. Thanks again, Judy and Kay.

And what a surprise when Southpaw Stitcher made this lovely pincushion for me. It really says a LOT! Thank you so much Pat…yes, friendship DOES grow.

And My friend Jodi equally surprised me when she presented me with this lovely pincushion (filled with sand) handmade by a friend of hers. This one came all the way to me from Washington state. And isn’t this a beautiful card. Thank you Jodi…how kind and thoughtful to think of me while you were away!

I still do some computer work at home for the Augustinian priests and brothers and my boss, Fr. Mike, thoughtfully, sent me this plant with lovely lavender flowers along with a promise of prayers and Mass celebrated in my honor. Thanks so much…I miss all of you.

So you see…..amidst all the “to do” that one really doesn’t want to remember that one is ANOTHER year older…..it is really nice to be remembered. I SO appreciate all of the good wishes and prayers and gifts.

And I plan to keep on celebrating my birthday all month long. After all it comes only once a year….so celebrating for one full month is certainly in order!

Gratefully, Averyclaire

2010 in review

03 Jan 2011 4 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

This post was sent to me by WordPress and I was SO fascinated that I thought I would share it with everyone.

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

I always wondered how things looked from the other side.

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,200 times in 2010. That’s about 13 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 28 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 102 posts. There were 208 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 154mb. That’s about 4 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was January 5th with 251 views. The most popular post that day was Happy Halloween .

That’s the strangest thing EVER?….on January 5th???

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were bigblogofstitchingblogs.blogspot.com, simplepleasuresrg2.blogspot.com, stitchinfingers.ning.com, gatherings100.blogspot.com, and susimac.blogspot.com.

Thank you VERY much!! It is much appreciated!

Some visitors came searching, mostly for averyclaire, avery claire, http://www.averyclaire.org, canvaswork, and old fashioned ornaments.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Happy Halloween October 2009
8 comments

2

Wedding Quilt Completed August 2010
13 comments

3

About August 2008
5 comments

4

100th Post Giveaway November 2010
17 comments

5

Sophia’s Sampler June 2010
10 comments

I can see that I have a LOT of work to do to make my blog better and more interesting this year. So…..guess I’d better get busy writing real quick!!!

Wishing ALL of you a blessed and wonderful New Year. I hope your lives are filled with love and laughter and that you have lots of time for quilting and stitching and knitting and reading and whatever else strikes your fancy.

Amities, Averyclaire

And the Winner IS…………

23 Nov 2010 8 Comments

by averyclaire in Give Away, Uncategorized Tags:

YES….this is now my 101st post. The winner of my secret prize in honor of my “100th post” is………

Congratulations Jackie!!! Please stop in to see her lovely work at ….. Jackie’s Stitches.

And the prize is………….

It is a combination Pincushion/Scissor Holder/Scissor Fob, approximately 3″ x 3″…..and yes, the beautiful scissors are part of the prize. It is done on 32 count French Lace linen, with DMC threads and Mill Hill Beads. The pattern is from the Christmas Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine.

The wool back of the pincushion has a small pocket to hold the scissors. The cording was made by yours truly with DMC metallics and floss and holds the lovely tiny pair of scissors. This particular pair is one of my favorite’s and is only 2.5″. They can be found at Anita’s Little Stitches. Her scissors have become one of my growing addictions. I have quite a collection. So I hope that this adds to your collection, Jackie!

Thank you to all who read my blog and continue to return faithfully even though my posts are far and few between at times.

During the holiday this week, we at our house have MUCH to be thankful for. May ALL of you have a Happy and truly Blessed Thanksgiving.

Amities, Averyclaire

Photos of “in progress projects”

09 Oct 2010 9 Comments

by averyclaire in Uncategorized

Autumn is here and the weather is lovely in Chicago. I did thoroughly enjoy our summer, but it was quite hot. I am happy for the cool weather and happy to be home again. We put over ten thousand miles on our car and I guess I am tired now. I’ve been playing catch-up for all things that were left undone and projects to be attended to.

First I created some 20 baby blankets for my quilt group. They sell them to earn money to pay for speakers during the year. These blankets are quite large….about 40 inches by 40 inches…made with a double layer of flannel…and each has a stuffed animal to match. You should be able to click on the photos to see closeups.

Then I have been working on another quilt project….three embroiderered panels for a winter quilt called “Over the River and Through the Woods” … two panels are completed (hand-stitched with two ply dark brown floss) on a panel about 40 inches wide…

One panel is still unfinished …

Then, of course, I had to spend some time collecting just the right fabrics for the pieced quilt that will hold these three embroidered panels…

I did a tiny bit of needlework, making some tops for future pin cushions. These get filled with sand, embroidered with the recipient’s name and trimmed with some ruched silk ribbon and beads. They are rather small (approximately 2.5 inches by 6 inches). I made four of these so far (two have already been given away). These two are still in progress …

I have also been preparing some things to do a demonstration of big stitch quilting for my quilt group. It is nothing special, but did require preparing some pieces. I am also going to demonstrate on a japanese bento box quilt which I am hand quilting with a “big stitch” sashiko stitch. The quilt is completed, but it is only about 1/2 quilted in the sashing…the border is complete.

So, you see, even when I think I have not been doing anything, and have been silent and away from my computer, I guess I have a LOT of IN PROGRESS pieces to show.

There is surely a lot more to tell, but “pictures are worth a thousand words”…so I took my crummy photos and posted them with as few words as possible.

Until next time…..hopefully not so long!!!!! Amities, Averyclaire

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