Roses

Own Images

Own Images

Own images

Own images

Roses in my garden - visual research :)

Orchid

Own image :)

Own image :)

Own image :)

Own image :)

Own image :)

Own image :)

3D Botanical Cushions

Flicking through this months issue of Mollie Makes (Issue 40), these 3D botanical cushions caught my eye in the corner of a page. These cushions are made by Sabine Herrmann, i followed the website link to see more of her creations.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/plantillo

This is the cushion that was featured in the magazine.

   

"The succulent image is custom printed on cotton-canvas. On the back of the pillow, I've used beautiful, thick linen and a decorative stitch along the seam line to give it a personal touch."

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/122193202/spring-succulent-pillow-made-to-order?ref=shop_home_active_2

Here are a few more cushions which i find really inspiring. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/164960894/leaf-pillow-made-to-order?ref=shop_home_active_5

"The leaf image is custom printed on cotton-canvas. On the back of the pillow, I've used beautiful, thick linen and a decorative stitch along the seam line to give it a personal touch. Piping follows the stem of the leaf image on the front of the pillow which gives it a very sculptural feel."

 

This pine cone cushion is so realistic from the front angle, amazing!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/169145197/pine-cone-pillow-made-to-order?ref=related-5

"The pine cone image is custom printed on cotton-canvas. On the back of the pillow, I've used beautiful, thick linen and a decorative stitch along the seam line to give it a personal touch."

 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109783987/succulent-pillow-made-to-order?ref=shop_home_active_3

"The succulent image is custom printed on cotton-canvas. On the back of the pillow, I've used beautiful, thick linen and a decorative stitch along the seam line to give it a personal touch."

 

I also really like her branding!

 

Check out more at http://www.plantillo.com/

My neck piece that I have recently made is similar to these cushions as the petals on my lilies are made from photocopies of the actual petals which makes them seem lifelike.

Meadow Sweet

"Nothing signifies the start of the spring season like a floral. In recent years we have seen bold tropical chintz, and over sized blooms but for 2014 flowers have emerged with a natural feel think of poppies and buttercups growing in the wild. Delicate meadow style prints are the prettiest way to add pattern which have a British vibe about them. Nina Riccis elegant, feminine florals where mixed with romantic silks on the catwalk. Marnis models were adorned with tiny 3D blossoms. As for interiors Ines Coles Liberty print upholstered chair is a masterclass in sunny subtlety and the botanicals on Morosos dainty mirror wont detract from its reflection. enjoying the country life whilst staying at home has never been easier."

I really like the way that this trends page in this magazine has been layed out. I love the way all of the different floral prints clash together but you can still pick them apart. the mirror is one of my favourite pieces that was featured for this trend I find the amount of detail on it really interesting and eye catching. I also really like the silk scarf which has a pastel ditzy floral print on it. A great spring accessory. 

House of Fraser

Own Photo

Own Photo

Own Photo

Own Photo

Here a few photos of House of Fraser's window display from their Darlington store. 

I love the selection of products and the arrangement of their display they have made for Mothers Day. 

The banners with large floral prints hanging behind the display is what attracted me to the window. 

Peacock feather

The finished peacock feather! :/

I don't think the contrast between the lily and feather goes too well. The flower looks quite realistic and I don't think that the feather doesn't. I am going to try out a few more techniques to see if i can create a more realistic feather or I might make the neck piece without them.

Fabric lily construction

Once i had made all of the lily petals i started to construct them. To do this i used invisible thread to connect each petal together. I think this has worked well. I added a brooch clasp to the back of one of the petals, this is my chosen fastening. (I think the backs of the petals could have been finished better to make them look more realistic). I bent the petals to shape them then stitched the petals together again a little further up to keep them secure. 

Fabric Lily petals

The lily petals have been transferred to fabric (Plain cotton) using image maker. Hand and machine stitched detail added to the front and back of the petals, seed stitch and satin stitch. I then stitched the back and front of the petals together using white embroidery thread and added wire so i was able to bend the petals into shape. The petals took a lot longer to make than i thought they were going to! For the stamen i wrapped some green and orange embroidery threads around the remaining wire which i think has worked out quite well. 

 

Design development

A few pictures from testing out mixing dye colours and heat transferring yesterday. 

The heat transfer prints didn't turn out too good, the colours were too pale so i will have to try out some other techniques to try and get the effects that I want.