I love bows and bow ties -- it should come as no surprise since they're all over my blog. I enjoy making them and the result always makes me happy. I pin them on clothing, hats (in my case, my trusty felt beret), on bags, and curtains (in strategic places). When I made this one, I wasn't sure if I wanted to add a pin back to it. I decided to wait and see. Then I found some chains in a forgotten box, and turned it into a necklace. 

AVAILABLE IN MY ETSY SHOP

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

On cold, grey days with dishwater skies and sub-zero celcius, it's good to throw some colour around.
This sheet of painted brown paper was the perfect background for my bows.

Warning: You may need to wear dark glasses to view this!!

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Do you like bows? I do. They add a finishing touch to packages, fun to a textile collage; they make lovely brooches, and of course they can be worn as ties. I make them often, but I got serious about this one. Some fine Italian linen, red thread, vintage velvet ribbon, and a dose of patience.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Ibuprofen day... it's hot and humid and my head was warning me. I was waiting to see if the headache threat was real (when you've been dealing with barometric headaches as long as I have, you get a feel for these things). The threat was real. so I had to dose myself. enough to continue the day without debilitating discomfort.

Making my favourite things is one way to distract me. It's doesn't heal the headache, but it makes me forget it.

Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.-- Irish proverb

Magnificent [little] obsessions.

I call them my sidelines, little distractions that make me happy.
Like these bows.

Last night's painting didn't get finished; the paint had to dry. Naples yellow and titanium white, two of my favorites. I tend to use white the way others use gesso. I only use white gesso for "tooth".

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí. (Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

The day went from dark clouds and heavy showers to blue skies and sunshine, and that's the kind of sudden barometric shift that gives me a headache. Despite the headache I went out and enjoyed the day.

Meanwhile, back on the sofa, my imaginary friends were making more bows, including one BIG one.

And one small one.

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí. (Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

From standing in front of my easel to sitting down to sew. I tend to stand on both feet rather than lean on one foot, which apparently is a good thing because recently I read that you use more energy (calories) standing on both feet (weight-bearing!). So remember that when you're standing in line somewhere.

I've fallen in love with the bow. It's a lovely embellishment, made with vintage materials, of course. And I can sit while I'm making them.

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí. (Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)