I was fortunate to meet up with Jane Henry in December at the Christmas Market held in Addington (Christchurch). Jane produces the most luxurious ultafine Merino scarfs and baby shawls. They are absolutely beautiful and a superb gift for a special person in your life. Her manufacturing standards for her products are so incredibly high that she had a number of scarfs, with very minor imperfections, which she was selling as seconds. She gave one of these two-toned, chocolate coloured check scarfs to me so I could play around with the fabric. The idea being to come up with some crafty, inspirational ideas for ways the fabric could be used to make new products. I have been mucking around with this fabric for a while now, and through the process of trial and error I have produced a sample Merino Rose Brooch. I think it would look lovely pinned onto a woollen coat or denim jacket in Winter, or used to secure a scarf at your neck. Soon I plan on making up an Elephant softie, an animal which Jane expressed a love for, and then I may even be able to stretch what fabric I still have to making a small clutch purse. The fabric is so lovely to hold, it's softness makes you want rub your cheek on it - maybe a simple softie for a baby, or a rattle would work well too. Hmmm...anyone else have a brillant idea? Actually, a good idea would be just fine too.
A creative mind at play...
This is the one I liked the best. I spy Fiona...
Ruby, my sixteen year old daughter was so taken with Jane's scarfs that I ended up buying her one for helping with my stall. She got one of the lacy knitted ones. Here she is with and Hope, and yes, she actually does wear it with her Summer warobe.
I searched the internet for tutorials on fabric flower making and then just played around to get the look I was after. If anyone would really like me to provide a simple tutorial for them on the blog to replicate this brooch let me know and I will take a few pictures of the process. I discovered some gorgeous shot Silk Organza on sale at Fabric Vision yesterday for $15.00/metre, and I know it is going to make the perfect Silk Rose Brooch. Ohhh - I can't wait to find the time to play with it too.
Fiona Marie Clark

