The Empress Dowager's New Jewels: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

A Galaxy Of Amethyst Soda-Pops (SOLD)

#81.

Still can't believe that I've hit the "80" mark with The Empress Dowager's New Jewels!

Eighty-one pieces, all one-offs, designs/styles that will never be repeated again. All handstitched from start to finish, without any machine involved!

My pile of fabrics collected over the years is not as tall as when I first started making the New Jewels - I do miss some of them, especially those that are not in print anymore but I know that they've all gone to good homes. Remember, love your New Jewels and they will love you right back!

Alright, enough of the sappy stuff. About this piece...

It is made from yet another piece of my beloved Marimekko off-cuts - Vermuti by Erja Hirvi, a textile designer that has made some of my favourite prints from Marimekko.

I love his bold and colourful geometric designs like this one used here. And also his "nature" stuff.

I only had a small piece of Vermuti to make this piece and I'm glad it's worked out well - loving how the colours have come together. Like artficially- coloured and flavoured soda-pops. Purple grape-ade, orange juice and blueberry fizz! Haha.

I hope you'll find it tasty too!

SOLD!

A Galaxy Of Windswept Emerald Fields (SOLD)

#80!

Woo! The 80th piece of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels! My, we've come a long way, haven't we? And I still love making them. I hope you'll enjoy wearing them as much as I have had putting them together.

Alright, about this piece...

It's made from the remnants of some of the green Marimekko fabrics that I have collected over time, the names of which I can't remember (it's hard with long Finnish names!).

I like how the colours graduate from light to dark on these off-cuts, like how tall grass in a field looks when a gust of wind blows over. Thus, the name - A Galaxy Of Windswept Emerald Fields.

Some gorgeous green grass around the neck, anyone?

SOLD!

A Clump Of Bold Turquoise Brushstrokes (SOLD)

#79.

The third and final piece made from whatever I have left of Kevatjuhla by Miina Akkijrykka for Marimekko.

No fuschia bits of the cute moo-cows on this piece because I used the edges of the print.

But I think the free-spiritedness of the calves running in spring fields is not lost.

Another piece for those who love to wear their Empress Dowager's New Jewels with the ruched side showing.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smaller "gems" measure 2.5cm in diameter and the larger ones are 4cm
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 29cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40.5cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ SOLD!!!

A Galaxy Of Moo-Moo Turquoise & Rubies

#78.

The second piece of three made from my remnants of Kevatjuhla by Miina Akkirykka for Marimekko.

See these cute happy calves dashing through the fields? They are Miina's homage to "spring and freedon, and to those who dare to jump into anything new and exciting". Like these moo-moo babies!

I hope this piece of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels will bring you loads of exciting adventures too!

For Sale: A Clump Of Moo-Moo Turquoise & Rubies

#77.

The first of three pieces made from Kevatjuhla by Miina Akkijyrkka for Marimekko.

Miina's print of these "calves rushing through spring fields" is the textile designer's "homage to spring and freedom, and to those who dare to jump into anything new and exciting".

A sign to take the plunge and take this piece of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels home with you? Tee hee hee.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smaller "gems" measure 2.5cm in diameter and the larger ones are 4cm
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 29cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 39.5cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ AU$65.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

For Sale: A Galaxy Of Sapphire Pools

#76.

The third and last piece from Teresa Moorhouse's very soothing-to-look-at Matkalla Maalle for Marimekko.

They don't print this in blue anymore and I have none of it left after making this piece so grab it while you can!

The print is meant to depict the point-of-view of a passenger in a moving car. Maybe along a coastal drive?

But I see swimming pools instead of the open sea when I cut the fabric up into round "gems". Haha.

I know quite a few people who love wearing The Empress Dowager's New Jewels with the ruched side showing...this whole Teresa Moorhouse series of three pieces is for you then!

The print works really well on both sides.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 40.5cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40.5cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ AU$65.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

For Sale: A Galaxy Of Turquoise Pools

#75.

The second piece made from "gems" fashioned out of this piece of Matkalla Malle by Teresa Moorhouse for Marimekko (this blue version is no longer in print).

It is inspired by "the blurred images viewed from a moving car" but all I see after I've cut the round "gems" are swimming pools. Haha.

If you love wearing The Empress Dowager's New Jewels with the ruched side showing, this is a piece for you!

The colours are so serene that it's not going to give people around you dizzy headaches. Unlike some of the other crazy-coloured pieces. Tee hee hee.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 39cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ AU$65.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

A Galaxy Of Sapphire & Turquoise Pools

#74.

The first of three pieces cut from this piece of Matkalla Maalle designer by Teresa Moorhouse for Marimekko (this blue version is now discontinued).

It depicts "the feeling of freedom which one gets on a car trip as views change rapidly" but after I cut the "gems" into rounds, they looked more like swimming pools to me.

This is a piece made for those who love wearing The Empress Dowager's New Jewels with the ruched side showing!

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41.5cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ Given away to Auntie Fal for Christmas!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

A Galaxy Of Red Jade Blossoms (SOLD)

#73.

The last of the eight pieces using organic cotton by Bird Textiles. For now.

They are such a joy to work - they are oh-so-soft yet hold the shape of the "gems' very well. I will definitely be using them again.

And they've got some really beautiful prints. Like this Gingko Blossom that I've used for this piece.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ SOLD!

More Gingko Blossom goodness over at The Empress Dowager's New Ears...

...a pair of bunny ears in the same fabric.

For Sale: A Clump Of Jagged Red Jade

#72.

Cut from this piece of organic cotton by Bird Textiles.

The same Gingko Blossom print as the blue one used here, here, here and here.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smaller "gems" measure 2.5cm in diameter and the larger ones are 4cm
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 29.5cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ AU$55.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

There is a pair of bunny ears in the same fabric for sale over at The Empress Dowager's New Ears, if you are into matchy-matchy accessorising.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Galaxy Of Starburst Jade (SOLD)

#71.

Yup, another piece cut from the soft soft organic cotton by Bird Textiles.

Same cute Flower Clocks print as #70.

For a pair of matching bunny ears to complete the look, go to The Empress Dowager's New Ears.

For Sale: A Clump Of Starburst Jade

#70.

Cut from yet another piece of organic cotton by Bird Textiles.

It's called Flower Clocks. They have such cute names for their prints, don't they?

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smaller "gems" measure 2.5cm in diameter and the larger ones are 4cm
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 29.5cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 40cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths

Price:
~ AU$55.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

There's a pair of bunny ears in the same colour over at The Empress Dowager's New Ears, if you're into matchy-matchy accessories. Tee hee hee.

For Sale: A Galaxy Of Sapphire Cornflowers

#69.

The last piece of Empress Dowager's New Jewels that I managed to squeeze out of whatever I had of the soft organic cotton Gingko Blossom fabric by Bird Textiles.

All Bird fabrics are made using certified organic yarn and hand printed using water-based dyes.

It's my first time working their fabrics and I can't get over just how soft to the touch they are. Cuddly!

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 39.5cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths)

Price:
~ AU$55.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

If you would like a pair of bunny ears in the same fabric, there's one up for grabs over at The Empress Dowager's New Ears.

A Galaxy Of Sapphires Out At Sea (SOLD)

#68.

"Gems" cut from the same piece of Gingko Blossom by Bird Textiles again.

I love it when I can get a few different-looking pieces out of one piece of cloth.

SOLD!

A Galaxy Of Dense Sapphire Blossoms (SOLD)

#67.

My second piece using the soft soft Gingko Blossom organic cotton fabric from Bird Textiles.

I hope you'll love having that softness around your neck as much as I've enjoyed working with it.

SOLD!

For Sale: A Galaxy Of Young Sapphire Blossoms

#66.

This is the first time that I've used Bird Textiles' organic cotton for The Empress Dowager's New Jewels.

It's amazingly soft yet so easy to work with. I think you might be seeing more of them here.

Product Information:
~ All pieces are 100% handstitched with love.
~ Each piece is a one-off -> no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
~ The smallest "gem" measures 1.5cm in diameter, the next one up is 2.5cm, followed by 4.5cm and 6cm for the largest
~ From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41cm
~ Length of ribbon-tie: 39cm on each side (to allow for the wearing of your "jewels" at various lengths)

Price:
~ AU$55.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information.

And...there is a pair of matching bunny ears over at The Empress Dowager's New Ears!