create your own gypsy fabric!

We love that gypsy artist Ann Mabee created her own gypsy fabrics by printing her favorite Avignon collection papers onto printable fabric she purchased at her local craft store.

She used her custom fabrics to add a little gypsy to a basic apron.  

So simple and So gypsy!

P.S. check out the cute spoon pinned to one of the pockets (it's from our vintage hardware kit!)

YOU can so do this...

THE {KL_necklace} 

We all know how much gypsy artists Kerry Lynn adores texture. All of her fabulously vintage projects are adorned with lots of it.  So to create a piece of wearable art she used a gorgeous combination of french linen from her stash and our favorite seam binding ribbon to create this stunning necklace. 

And it's a lot simpler than you'd think!  Read on for simple instructions and in no time you'll have one of your own.

Supplies needed:

7gypsies seam binding ribbon

7gypsies travel binding ring dangle charms 

7gypsies crystal binding ring dangles

jump rings

vintage linen or other loose weave fabric

sewing machine or needle and thread

Stacked Linen Flower

Cut three varying sized circles of linen from your fabric. 

Stitch together in center and then rough up the edges so they are frayed by simply running them against your palm a few times.

Stitch along one edge of a 6”-8” piece of seam binding. I used a basting stitch {a loose wide stitch} on my sewing machine but you could also simply do the same with a running stitch by hand.

Once the stitch is in place pull one thread {if you used your sewing machine} or the single thread if you hand stitched, and gather your ribbon together.

Once gathered knot the ends together, then stitch to the top of your linen flower and stitch on a single crystal bead from the binding ring dangles. Set aside.

The Necklace 

Cut two 24” pieces of seam binding and double them and loop around a jump ring . 

Then stitch the other ends about 5” from the end so they would always stay together then tie that end around a jump ring.

Attach two crystal dangles together at the bottom of each 

Use the dangle clasp on each end of the dangle to clip to the jump ring at both ends of ribbon.

Clip the travel dangle charm to crystal near the bow.

Attach linen flower to crystal near the jump ring end.

Gypsy Bling!

Part of being a gypsy is knowing how to accessorize~ and yes we tend to overdo it.  Whether it's on the covers of our albums, the binding rings that hold them together or pretty much any project we do we love to add our own little flair.   And most often the sparkly and shinier, the better!


So here's where it gets fun.  

Have you ever thought of WEARING  your favorite 7gypsies products?  

It's the perfect way to use all those mismatched spare pieces, scraps of paper, bits of ribbon and trinkets that you probably have an entire drawer  full of somewhere in your in your workshop.


We love how Ranjini incorporated some of her favorite bits into beautiful necklaces... you'll even see some 'vintage' 7gypsies products transformed into wearable art.

This is a segment of an ongoing series called, "Gypsy Girl Life" that spotlights members of our creative team and friends of the Gypsies sharing how they live and what inspires them.  The first in the series was Renee Camacho back in Nov 09... if you missed it you can read it here.  Today we have creative team member Rachel Carlson joining us (of the Heart Pillow fame) from Colorado.  Rachel is as sweet as they come so sit back, grab a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke and find out what inspires Rachel.  Just maybe you will find some inspiration too.

Gypsy Girl Life:  Rachel Carlson

gypsy (lowercase)
3. A person held to resemble a gypsy, esp. in physical characteristics or in a traditionally ascribed freedom or inclination to move from place to place.

I tend to like the aforementioned meaning of gypsy best because it describes my love of traveling by car and the fact that YES we have moved from place to place.  We love to take road trips.  I find a lot of inspiration on the road.  This past summer’s road trip afforded for the perfect photo op:

I’m reminded of my favorite 97% sticker:
"Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway"

Who wouldn’t want to travel around the country visiting summer outdoor markets, antique shops, thrift stores and the like.  I really wish I had stopped the gentleman in the vehicle to hear his stories of travels and adventures in his van.

Speaking of markets, that is one of my favorite things to do with my friends in the summer.  Good junk is simply fun to find.  Not sure if it’s the hunt or best bargain at the end of the day. 
I think it’s mainly about having a network of friends that I enjoy doing this with.  I’ve also dragged them along on thrift adventures or early breakfast dates.  Some of them kicking and screaming too.  Okay, maybe not kicking.

Above:  Some vintage luggage from Paris Street Market here in Colorado.  I have a suitcase similar to the one on top.  Luckily my friends also help pull me away from tempting pieces too.  Not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing.  The hubby would plead the latter.  Ha.

Some of my favorite ‘at home’ spaces:

My collection of spools.  Some of them gifts.  Some of them must-have purchases – really what am I suppose to do with this many spools.  I like my vignette of spools just fine.  My paper inspiration board hangs from above: I use pages from magazines for inspiration too.

I also work with fabric.  So of course you need a space for that too.  Unless I’m on the go with sewing club dates.  Luckily I managed to tuck it into a space measuring: 6 x 8 feet. One wall has an inspiration board:

The other wall has a fabric ladder:

Can you tell what I like most about fabrics?  Do you see a repeated pattern?  No surprise there huh.

A view from outdoors and the lady that waters the pond.  This is a great space in the summertime.

Let’s not forget what inspires me online:
My favorite blogs to name a few:
Seven Gypsies - naturally
One Lucky Day
Jenni Bowlin
Fresh Vintage
Design Sponge
Love.Obsess.Inspire
Maya Made
I heart Linen
Sew Liberated
Portabellopixie

These are the ones that I peruse over a cup of joe in the morning before I hit the ground running or falling depending on how you look at it – for those of you that know my background.

Thank you for letting me share a little of my gypsy life with you.
Creative cheers,
Rachel

Congratulations 

to the 2 winners of the Stacked Accordions!

Debby said...
Looks like a cool book. Would love to art one up given the chance.
March 2, 2010 8:26 AM

Ginger Dougherty said...
guest designers art work with this sewn book and a chance to win 7gypsies product...sounds like a win win situation!!! love you guys....thanks
March 2, 2010 7:30 PM

Please send you name and address to contact@sevengypsies.com so we can get your prize out to you!

We will be posting more ideas and techniques for the Stacked Accordion later in the month when our Design team shows off what they can do.  Again, thanks to Mou for setting the bar high for all of us with her fabulous example!

The wait is over

March Guest Designer

and 

New Design Team Member

Mou Saha

 Mou created a fabulous stacked accordion using bright colored paint, Avignon paper and lots of other gypsy goodness.  Her vision of what can be done with a simple accordion album is fresh and packed with techniques that can be applied to any number of projects.  So sit back and enjoy...Mou Saha has joined the gypsy caravan and we couldn't be happier.

Welcome!

Step-by-step Instructions:
1. Paint the front of the stacked accordion. Dangle a key and binding ring drop on a Gypsy tag tied together with seam binding ribbons. Embellish with stickers, tapes and paper.
2. Create 'bases' for the page inserts with patterned papers trimmed to fit,  photos, stickers, tags, traced tags and paint.
3. Add chipboard letters, more stickers, stamping and ephemera to embellish. Journal and tie everything together with a little more paint.

4. Make tabs with gaffer and paper tapes, stickers, seam binding ribbons, etc.

Notice what Mou did with the ATC & Photo Display shapes of a little bird and a pear? ...she used them as a template to cut out the shape in patterned paper and then adhered the patterned paper over the creme cardstock.  Clever.  

 

Here's how it looks

Here she filled in the negative space with paint and lettering.  What a great technique!

 

 

 

Makes you want to pick up your paint brush doesn't it?

Supplies:
    •    Stacked Accordion
    •    Patterned papers: 19347 Decoration, 19349 Ecriture, 19350 Fleur de Lys and 19351 Orchestra (Avignon Collection)
    •    Seam Binding Ribbon: Avignon and Victoria
    •    Gaffer tape,  Chipboard Alpha & Numbers, Clear stamps (Venice Collection)
    •    Gypsy market Patterned Paper Tape
    •    97% Complete stickers: Inspiration and Wish 

    •    Black Keys
    •    Gypsy Ephemera Cards
    •    Gypsy Tags
    •    ATC & Photo Display Tags (bird, pear)
    •    Princesca Glittered Tags
    •    Binding Ring dangles-Drops: Sapphire
All supplies by 7 Gypsies
    •    Other: Acrylic paint (Delta), ink (Tsukineko); adhesive (Scotch 3M); pen (Sharpie); decorative scissors (Provo Craft)

Remember, you have until tonight at midnight to leave a comment on our March 1st post for a chance to win a stacked accordion and some goodies to go inside.

March Product Challenge

The product challenge for March is our 

Stacked Accordion

It’s a little accordion album with a one of a kind twist, 3 inserts sewn right into the crease of the accordion fold (2 on one side and 1 on the other)

Covers are 4 3/4 x 6 3/4”

We have a fabulous Guest Designer joining us this month and wait till you see what she did with this simple little book.  You are going to love the color, patterns and fresh feel.  We promise it will make you want to get out your paint brush! 

If you're interested in joining the challenge you can buy one here or make a comment to win one plus some goodies to put inside.  You have until Wednesday at midnight to enter.

 Lets's see what you can do!