Boo To You!

 

  

Nasty Witch
I saw a nasty witch last night,
Sailing through the pale moonlight.
She whooped and zooped among the leaves,
She caused a fuss mong the trees!
She landed right before my feet
And shouted at me, TRICK OR TREAT!

Happy Halloween!

Yep, I'm still here . . .

I would apologize for my absence but in all honesty I'm just glad to be back.

My family began going through a difficult time a few months ago.  At the time I thought it best to just hold my breath and ride out the storm.  In doing so, it ended up completely engulfing me.  When it began I put so much of my life on hold, waiting for the end of it all when I could breathe again.  Unfortunately, the trials my family is enduring are not merely a rough patch, but for the time being, have become a way of life.  No longer being able to hold out until the end I had to adapt. I realized that in trivializing what at the time I viewed simply as a "hobby" and letting go of so much I held dear I made a difficult time all the more difficult.  I learned an important lesson, perhaps one others already know, but I feel the need to share.

Even if there are things in your life that seem to need all of your attention you always need to keep a little left over for yourself.

Now onto the good stuff!

I went nearly two months without putting in a single stitch, the longest time ever, aside from after each of my children were born.  The moment I picked up my needle again I felt like the Grinch . . . you know . . . "his small heart grew three sizes that day".  I know it sounds silly, but it felt as though this tiny little cell I'd been living in for months finally opened up.  I can tell you I am never again forgetting the significance those tiny little x's have for me :)

I've been busying finishing samplers that were left alone for months, charting ideas that had been stored away in some back corner of my mind, pulling out fabrics and threads, feeling inspired in a way I didn't think was possible anymore. 

I even have a free pattern sitting on my stitching table waiting for some embroidery.  Speaking of free patterns I have repaired all the links on my Free Patterns page.  I have been dreading doing that for weeks but it didn't take nearly as long as I feared it would. 

Things are looking up (or I'm choosing just to see the things that are, which is fine too) and I cannot say how glad I am to be back!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Ideal Malloy Sampler

Yep, I'm still here.  I know it's been awhile.  I could say I've been busy.  Enjoying the last few days of Summer vacation, getting the kids prepared to go back to school, completing some long-awaited household projects, and happily stitching.  I could say that and it would be true.  But, honestly, I haven't posted simply because I haven't felt like it.  I promised myself when I began this blog, and began selling some of my designs, that it would not become a chore for me.  Stitching is the one thing I do for myself, not the children or my husband, and I am very protective of it.  I don't want to spoil my simple enjoyment of it so I refuse to adhere to deadlines.  That being said, I am sorry for having made you wait so long.  Finally, here is Ideal Malloy.

It's a slightly smaller sampler than I typically design, being only about 8 in x 10 in when finished.  It is stitched using only two colors, GA Brandy and GA Walnut on 30 ct R & R Reproductions linen.  Rather than add a verse I opted instead for the potted tulips in the lower right corner.

The pattern is available as an e-pattern only and the cost is $8.50.  I have been woefully lax in adding any of my more recent patterns to My Designs page.  I am toying with the idea of starting a selling blog or perhaps selling exclusively on Etsy.  Until I decide, however, please e-mail me if you would like to order the e-pattern for Ideal Malloy or any of my other designs. 

I do promise to be a little more present in the coming weeks.  I have two more patterns for Autumn, another free pattern as well as a small quilt and prim doll I'm working on.  I know I won't have nearly as much time as I think I will to work on these, even with the children starting school next week, but it's always good to aim for the stars just to see how far you can reach.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Summer Swan -- Free Pattern

I have to admit this has been finished and ready to post for a few days.  Sorry :( 

I've had to wait for enough time to post, add a link to my Free Patterns page, and upload the file to Google Docs.  All of that actually only takes a few moments but even that has been difficult to come by lately.  I've heard people speak of "lazy Summer afternoons".  I, myself, have yet to experience one.  No matter what the temperature my children never slow down, I just lack the energy to keep up with them.

Enough excuses, I've made you wait long enough.  This is simply my interpretation of the swan motif commonly found in antique Dutch samplers.  This was just a small piece of linen in my scrap basket, I'd received it as part of a swap package, but I can't remember from whom.  I wanted a design that could be stitched entirely in off-white thread.  I love the contrast of light colored thread against a dark linen background. 

If you would like to download the pattern simply visit my Free Patterns page, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the link under the photo of the pattern finish.  As always, if you have any trouble, just e-mail me and I will be happy to send you the PDF pattern as an e-mail attachment.   

Enjoy!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

As promised . . .

I did promise a sneak peak of my latest sampler.  It seems a bit late for one given that it's almost completed.  It's so close to being done that I wonder why I didn't put the last few stitches in the last time I worked on it.  When I am that close to finishing a sampler there are only four things that would stop me before completing it and there names are Emma, Jeremy, Benjamin, and Mina :)

Nonetheless, it will be finished this evening and I will post the pattern for sale as soon as it is ready.  I also have a free pattern almost completed (it's been awhile), another sampler I've already begun stitching, and pieces cut for another small quilt.  Now that we are turning the page on July I feel I can look ahead to Autumn quickly approaching and with that rush of anticipation is coming new inspirations.  There will be a heat index above 100 degrees again today but I can feel those Autumn breezes in my mind and that is more than enough to motivate me :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Samplers and Solitude

I've been feeling a bit anti-social this past week.  I'm not depressed or grouchy in any way.  At least I don't think I am.  There are just days when I prefer to be alone and pretend the world outside my own little bubble simply doesn't exist.  I find comfort in silence and solitude, which I have to admit is hard to come by with four children.  So in the time while my two oldest children are visiting family in NY and before my in-laws visit here I am taking advantage of the peaceful opportunities.

I have been busy designing and stitching, picking fabrics, linens, and threads.  Even if I can find quiet moments to escape from the distractions of the world around me my own mind can more than compensate.  There are so many ideas swirling about my head I can find it difficult to focus on just one . . . in that I know I'm now alone :)

While playing working with my fabric stash I happened across a bundle I must have made awhile ago, and for what purpose I can't know possibly remember.

I must have liked it once, then discarded it for whatever reason, but have now fallen in love with it again and it has become the inspiration for the color choices for a particular sampler that before now I had been stumped on.

I adore the color combination of yellow and brown and looking about my living room I can see it has manifested itself in areas other than my crafting.   Let's just say this sampler will fit quite nicely in the room.  I will confess I have already begun stitching and will share a photo in a day or so.  Until then, wishing everyone a few moments of peace and quiet in their day.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Independence Day

 

I just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a Happy 4th of July.  

The photo above is all that exists of what was meant to be a small Americana quilt.  There are a few flying geese hanging about my sewing table but these blocks are the only two I managed to complete.

I have been woefully unproductive these past few weeks.  I am enjoying every moment with my children but I am yearning to create something.  I am going to have to set aside some time for myself in the coming days.  I always feel so terrible telling the children "Mommy needs some alone time".  I feel as though I am turning them away (which I suppose I am) and missing out on precious time with them (also probably true).  I have found, though, that I am a much better mother when there is a little time each day for myself.  Without that time my patience wears thing, my temper grows short and I'm just generally grouchy.  If I can find just a little time in the evenings with my needle and thread I find that the next day I am a much more pleasant person to be around :)

So the plan tonight after the carnival and fireworks display is to curl up on the sofa, turn the ac up a bit so I can enjoy a cup of tea, watch anything other than cartoons, put needle to thread and without any guilt whatsoever tell everyone "this is my time".  I'll be declaring my own independence (of a sort).  

I hope everyone else has as enjoyable and evening and hopefully if I can keep my resolve more nights than not I'll have more to share in the coming weeks (fingers crossed).

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

I'll take credit for that

Since school ended last week things have been very quiet, at least as far as stitching is concerned.  It's been, really, the only thing around here that has been quiet :)

Since I have nothing new to share from my own hands I thought I would show you the work of someone else.

I don't garden.  I don't even have houseplants.  The folks at our local garden nursery center know me well and each Spring they try dutifully to guide me through caring for one delicate little seedling.  Each year I purchase one and I make a deal with myself that if it survives a month I will purchase another and so on.  I have yet to care for a plant that has survived beyond six weeks. I have dreams of a beautiful garden crafted from my own hands but for the time being I will have to admire the work of someone else.

I have no idea who planted these wonderful flowers.  When we bought the house six years ago it had had only two previous owners.  The owners before us were a brother and sister who both attended college in the area.  Their parents had purchased the house for them to live in and rented out the remaining bedrooms to other students.  No offense intended, but given the state of the house when we purchased it I can't imagine they spent much time tending the yard ;)

The family who owned the house before them were the descendants of the original builders of the home and I can only imagine it was a member of that family who possessed the "green thumb" I have come to envy so.

Every year these flowers bloom without being tended to at all.  As a matter of fact I'm afraid that if I so much as stand too close to them it will be their demise.  It amazes me that each year they bloom without being tended to at all.  They've even survived my children's antics in our yard, including digging up half of it while searching for buried treasure one Summer.

Perhaps Mother Nature seeing my heartfelt efforts (and heartbreaking failures) has taken pity on me and tends these flowers on my behalf.  I imagine that whoever planted them looks in on her garden from time to time and is quite pleased they continue to bloom.  No matter, I will continue to enjoy them and feel blessed that it is my yard they choose to grace.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Perninah Frye Sampler

This sampler was a long time in the making, but well worth the wait!

I designed it last Summer and as with some of my designs it began being charted all as one color.  Usually, once the design is complete and it's simmered in my mind for a few days I have a color palette (or two or three) I want to try but with this sampler . . . nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  For almost a whole year.  Then just a month or so ago I was inspired and my fingers couldn't move fast enough to stitch up this little sampler that had been so patient for so long.

 

The sampler contains two alphabets, one uppercase and one lowercase.  The alphabet is a little funky as I don't think any two letters are the same size, but I believe that adds to the charm.  There are a total of four Gentle Art thread colors used in the sampler and they all blend together so nicely.  As a matter of fact, when stitching at night I found it difficult to tell the thread colors apart, as my threads are usually a jumbled mess on my stitching table.  It was stitched on a 30 ct R & R Reproductions linen from my stash that I must admit was a tad too small for this sampler (there is barely two inches of linen around the pattern) but the color was too perfect not to use for this piece.  The motto of the prim artist: make do.

  

The sampler also a name, Perninah Frye (I just adore that name), her age (9 years), and a date (1773).  There are also two (I deemed them apple) trees and a small farmhouse on the bottom of the sampler.  The actual piece is 177 by 157 squares and is approximately 12 inches square when stitched on 30ct linen. 

The pattern is available as an e-pattern and the cost is $8.50.  I have been having the darndest time figuring out the new Blogger format (am I the only one?) so it may be awhile before I am able to update My Designs page.  Orders can still be placed from it I just haven't been able to figure out how to add anything new to it and to be honest I stop trying to figure it out the moment I get the urge to bang my head on the keyboard. 

So, for the time being, if you would like to order Perninah Frye as an e-pattern simply e-mail me at appleseedprim@yahoo.com and I'll be happy to send you an invoice. 

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Memorial Day

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

                                                   -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sneak Peek

I am sorry for my recent absence from Blogger.  My mother was having issues with her health that required she be hospitalized for a few days.  Though I do enjoy blogging, it quite suddenly became the least important thing in my life.  She's home now and doing much better.  With some luck she should be fully recovered in just a few weeks :)

I did promise a sneak peek at my latest sampler.  It's almost completed and should be released next week.  I took these photos earlier today.  That soft glow isn't a photo effect.  It is so humid outside that my camera lens kept fogging up.  It does make the photos awfully pretty, though.

Hopefully things will quiet down here for a week or two before Summer Recess begins and not only will I be able to finish this sampler but begin the next.   I already have the threads and linen chosen and I'll be sharing that with you soon.

I hope all of you enjoy this holiday weekend.  I, for one, am hoping for a good, strong thunderstorm to dispel at at least a little of this humidity.  I'll be sure to enjoy our picnic much more if I'm not sweating all over my food :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Happy Mother's Day

     

My Great Grandmother Charlotte and my Grandmother Alice

 My Mother Loretta

Women know
The way to rear up children (to be just)
They know a simple, merry, tender knack
Of tying sashes, fitting baby shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense, And kissing full sense into empty words.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Peace(ful)work

I tried piecework first years ago, right after my husband and I were married.  I'd never done it before and realized quickly that I did not enjoy it.  Rather than being the peaceful retreat I had hoped for I found it downright infuriating.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist and lacking the skill I was always disappointed in my efforts.  So I packed away the little collection of quilting tools I had acquired and re-acquainted myself with cross stitch.  An early love, I found this to be my perfect companion and never gave piecing another thought.

Since then I have never wavered from my stitching but my tastes have changed.  Discovering the world of primitive work and antique reproductions has provided me with a small corner of my life where I am free from my perfectionism and without that I am quite sure I would have gone mad years ago.  I have applied this principal to my stitching, sewing, decorating . . . it has extended its' reach throughout my life (thankfully).  It occurred to me a few months ago (I'm not sure what took me so long) that I might extend that philosophy into piecework as well.

It took longer than I had planned (as do most things) but I couldn't be happier with the results.  I chose colors and placement based on what I had in my stash and what pleased my eye and forgot all those rules I'd read about years ago.  The borders are pieced because I had strips left over from making the squares and saw no reason to let them sit unused.

My seams don't line up.

My points aren't perfect.

You know what?  I don't care.  Say it with me.  I DON'T CARE.  That felt good :) 

I am pleased with it.  So much so I believe I will quilt and bind it (first time I've ever been happy enough with a piece to invest that much additional work into it) as soon as I'm caught up on some of my stitching that is.  I did promise you progress on that sampler . . .

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

P.S. I forgot to add the photos when I posted earlier . . . that's what I get for bloggin and cooking at the same time :)

Stress, Sun & Stitching

Stress certainly has a way of seeping in all areas of one's life, doesn't it?  At least for me if I'm really stressed about something I tend to enjoy everything else less.  The car (thankfully) is due back by the end of today and it might actually come to less than expected (hooray).  There was even sun yesterday, if only for a day.  In an attempt to lighten my mood I headed outside with Mina to select some floss colors.

There really is nothing like natural sunlight to make everything seem brighter :)

I've had this particular sampler design sketched out since last summer but just can't seem to commit to a color palette.  I've narrowed it down some but still have a ways to go.

I think I might just have to go ahead and begin stitching through my doubts.  I think it's one of those situations where I'm talking myself out of believing I've made the right choices.  After this past week a little lack in confidence is to be expected and it may have slowed me down a tad but I refuse to let it stop me all together.  So keep an eye out for the first few stitches of this (as yet unnamed) sampler.  With any luck you'll be seeing them soon.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

My little silver lining

I've gotten very little done in the way of stitching over the last few days.  Thursday evening, on the way to Emma's dance class, our car wouldn't start.  Our neighbor was kind enough to give us a jump but it just wouldn't hold.  Friday morning we had our car towed to the local repair shop (some $$ but not much).  By Friday evening it was repaired (some more $$ but no more than we expected).  On our way to the shops Saturday morning, again the car wouldn't turn over.  Come Monday morning (the repair shop is closed on the weekends) we had the car towed (more $$).  By Monday evening they informed us they couldn't tell what was wrong with our car and that we had to have it towed to another repair shop (more $$) and of course we were still charged for the time they took not repairing our van (even more $$).  We thought we could make do without a rental vehicle but there were torrential downpours both yesterday and today and forecast for tomorrow.  So off to Enterprise (more $$).  Now our van sits at the second repair shop awaiting its repairs (the most $$ yet).  I have to admit, yesterday while standing at the first repair shop waiting for the tow truck to arrive I was beginning to get more than a little grumpy.  I was having a moment of self pity, sighing to myself "Why do these things always happen to me?"

Then I look down at Mina who had previously appropriated her father's sunglasses and was modeling them for me.  Looking cute as always I get my phone to snag a photo of her and this is what she does.

"No paparazzi, please."

Of course she didn't say that, but that must have been what she was thinking, right?  Mina must have known her Mommy needed to smile.  No matter what there are always reasons to smile and mine are named Emma, Jeremy, Ben and Mina and (sometimes) David :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

All To Pieces

Fat quarters, not too carefully selected.  A favorite pink, a blue that can't decide between grey and green, some browns in all shades and a little muslin to rest they eye.

Cut into so many pieces, scattered on the table, waiting for my daughter's nap tomorrow to be sewn  together anew, even prettier than they were before. 

When said aloud the idea of cutting whole pieces of fabric into smaller pieces just to sew them back together again into another whole piece seems a bit ridiculous but oh the joy that can be found in doing just that!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Color Bind?

Forgive me for using such a common pun but I just couldn't come up with another title for this post :)

Anywhoo . . .

I seem to collect thread. It's not intentional, at least no more intentional than simply and uncontrollably being drawn to something that you love. Forgive me for using such a common pun but I just couldn't come up with another title for this post :)Of course I collect more than I should. I will "temporarily" misplace a thread, being absolutely convinced that it is the only color that will work for my project, I hastily order it. Usually, by the time the replacement thread arrives in the post, I've already located the original thread and dismissed it as not being quite right for that project. So now I have two. When I shop at my LNS I go there with the sole purpose of selecting linens, because I have more than enough thread. Of course, I use the thread there to guide the color selection of the linens and then when I find a combination I absolutely love I convince myself that I don't already own whatever skeins I've chosen so I have no choice but to buy them along with the linen. So again I end up with two skeins of the same color and in some particularly embarrassing cases, three skeins.

Having multiple skeins of the same color has led me to a bit of a problem this morning (yes, too much thread can be a problem).

I adore hand-dyed threads, especially Gentle Arts. To each his own, but for me the color and shading cannot be matched by commercially dyed threads and I rarely stitch with anything else. Anyone who has stitched with hand-dyed threads knows that there are differences between dye lots. Usually these differences are very subtle.

Two skeins of Gentle Arts Old Hickory. One I ordered online and one I purchased at my LNS, scant months apart. The skein on the left is just slightly darker and more brown than the skein on the right. A set such as this is wonderful for shading or for making a part of a sampler appear stained with age. At least that's what I would do. The difference is barely noticeable, as my husband couldn't see any difference at all. Do you see a difference?

Two skeins of Gentle Arts Harvest Basket. Similar method of acquisition of as with the Old Hickory thread. The skein on the right is certainly more yellow whereas the one of the left just appears brown (at least to me). More than a subtle difference but certainly nothing to get all worked up over, right?

Finally, two skeins of Gentle Arts Walnut. To be honest, these were most likely purchased years apart but when I purchased the most recent one from my LNS there were skeins there of both shades. Even my husband noticed the difference between these two skeins. The skein on the right was bought specifically because it was such a different color than what I remembered it being.

This post does have a point to it, I promise. I'm beginning work on a few samplers and I have chosen one of each of these skeins to use, two on the same project. Obviously thread suggestions are just that . . . suggestions . . . but do you ever purchase a pattern intent on achieving the same look as in the model? Does it bother you when you go to purchase the threads or gather them from your stash and realize that one or a few or none of them look as they do in the photo? I would hate for anyone to be disappointed after purchasing one of my patterns and was hoping all of you could give me your input into this little color conundrum I seem to have created for myself.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Happy Easter . . .

xoxo

Springtime, Sightseeing & a Sampler

With Easter in just a week and Spring Break beginning tomorrow it is official . . . Spring has arrived!

Our two oldest are visiting my brother and sister-in-law for the week. I began missing them the moment they left but I know they will love their first visit to NYC. They arrived late last night (or early this morning depending on how you look at it) and are already seeing the sights. Here is a photo of them in front of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. They are the little black, white and blue dots between the doors :)

The two youngest are home with us. Mina is still too young to be gone from Mommy and Daddy for too long and Benjamin . . . well he doesn't care for travel. The last family vacation we took was last summer to Ocean City, NJ and the entire drive home Benjamin was making us promise to never make him leave his home again. Day trips are all right, but the moment night comes he craves his own bed, his own books, his own music . . . he just enjoys the comforts of his home and is loathe to be without them. I can't say I blame him . . . he takes after me in this regard.

The photo is of a (not so little) piece I'm working on now. This is all the progress I have to share so far. I'm not entirely sure the direction this piece will take and wasn't when I began stitching it. The color inspiration comes from this material.

I'm not sure where I picked it up or for how long I've had it but I happened across it while organizing and I fell in love with the colors . . . grey-blue, green, white and brown. I added a light blue but other than that the colors are just as they are in the fabric. I had a rather large piece of linen and was reluctant to cut into since I didn't have a firm design in mind. The stitching is taking a little longer than usual given that I am wrestling with almost a half yard of linen in my lap. Perhaps as I get a little further along I will trim it down but I'm just not ready yet. As you can see there is quite a bit of open space in the design and I am liking it. I know I will finish the smaller alphabet and I am considering a verse but I just haven't made up my mind yet. I will see where my mood takes me and will hopefully have a good deal more to show you after Spring Break.

Until then I wish all of you a Happy Easter!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Word of the Day . . .

POTENTIAL . . . . and all the beauty that can be found in it.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Prim Bunny (A Free Sewing Pattern)

Can you spot the burlap rose on my little prim bunny? I ended up painting, staining and then baking my burlap strip before making the rosette. I wanted it to more closely match the bunny itself. The osnaburg and burlap both have such wonderful textures but I wanted them the same color. I think it makes just the perfect bushy bunny's tail, don't you?

There are many prim bunny patterns like this one, especially this time of year. This is just my interpretation. I contemplated little french knot eyes or a stitched nose (both of which would look very sweet) but at the end I always choose less.

I love the way she came out, especially her lines. I was a little concerned sketching the pattern. Sewing curves is not my favorite thing to do and I don't think there's a straight line anywhere in there. Her curves are soft though and I had no problem whatsoever stitching her up. I think they give her such a graceful look and are most likely the reason I've decided that she is a she. Of course yours can be a boy. You can leave off the tail entirely, if you wish. Or perhaps some wool roving? I think she would look sweet with a little rusty bell tied around her neck or a burlap saddle over her back. My bunny is painted white then tea stained but how about a brown or black bunny?

If you would like to download the free sewing pattern you can do so from my Free Patterns page. As always, if you have any trouble downloading the pattern just send me an e-mail at appleseedprim@yahoo.com and I will e-mail you a copy of the pattern. I'd love to see what you guys come up with so be sure to send me photos of your finishes. For now, it's time for me to put away the sewing machine and get back to stitching. I'll share my progress with all of you soon enough but now my stitching and I are in much need of some quality time :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Burlap Rose Tutorial

I wanted to share with you how I make a burlap rose. There are so many tutorials out there already but the most common way I've seen it done leaves a very large base on the rose which wasn't going to work for my purposes. This particular technique is common as well, though it's typically done using ribbon. I figured, why not give it a try. This is only my second tutorial and my first where I had to take photos of myself as I was doing it. Bear with me on the quality of the photos and just ignore my little sausage fingers :)

Start with a strip of burlap. The larger the strip, the larger the rose. Mine was bout 3/4 inch wide and about fifteen inches long and I ended up with a rose about an inch in diameter. I laid my strip out on my work table and labeled each of the ends so that you can follow along more easily.

First step is to take the top end (End 1) and fold it over the strip to form a right angle.

Next, fold the bottom end (End 2) over the right angle fold.

Then fold End 1 back across End 2 and continue folding in the same manner until you run out of burlap. You'll end up with a little "package" like the one in the photos below.

On one end of the bundle you'll have your original right angle fold.

On the other end of the bundle you'll have your last fold and two little burlap tails.

Release the bundle and you'll have a little accordian snake that will keep it's shape.

With one hand grasp the last fold, where the two tails meet, between your thumb and forefinger.

With your other hand hold the tail that forms the last top fold, the tail that is laying over the other tail.

Finally, while holding the one tail, push down with the other hand. The folds will began to gather to form the outside of the rose as the center of the rose is being pulled through. At the end you should have a little rosebud that has one really long tail and one shorter one.

I hope my instructions weren't too confusing, but if it doesn't work the first time, keep trying. If you've never used this technique before to make roses I suggest you start with a piece of ribbon. It's a little easier to work with and will give you an idea how it's supposed to work. Once you have the technique down you can move onto using the burlap. It also works nicely with a strip of fabric. Now the burlap does fray but that just adds to the prim. There can be threads left popping out of your rose from the burlap and when that happens I simply trim them away. Depending on what you're going to use the rose for you can either glue the folds in place (my least favorite choice) or put in a few stitches to hold it all in place. For my purposes I laid the two tails (now at the bottom of your rose) up against one another and ran it through my sewing machine a few times as close to the base of the rose as possible then snipped the tails as short as I wanted them.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing with you what I ended up using my burlap rose for. You might want to make a few of your own in the meantime since I think you'll like what I came up with :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn