Marie Albano
Rugs made from Bunka thread by CMS member Dr. Marie Albano from a project taught by Vice-President Debra Freeman.
About the French Needlework Shop
by Debra Freeman - CMS Vice-President
The French Needlework Shop was created as a remembrance of my time studying in Dijon, France. Tucked away on a side street I found a small needlework shop where I bought canvas and thread to keep my hands busy during quiet times. Everything in my half-scale shop was hand-crafted by me. I love the challenge of finding a way to replicate a life-size object in a small scale. I found inspiration in a local needlework shop that is charmingly styled with canvases, threads, and even a faux fireplace. I used vintage handkerchiefs to make rolls of canvas, printed canvases, and the tablecloth. The bolts of canvas on the shelf are made of organza gift bags. Each spool for embroidery floss was hand cut from card stock. Miniature floss was made from actual floss untwisted to a single thread and wound around a spool or hung on the display rack. Bags of blank spools were encased in cellophane. A vintage display case found on an online auction site was the model for my half-scale piece. The silver scissors were made from wire harvested from twist ties. I used copper wire from electrical cord for the brass scissors. The magazine and book covers are of French publications. The embroidery hoops are either of wood or card stock. I have named this work L’Aiguille Française - The French Needle
The French Needlework Shop or L'Aiguille Francaise
Quilt by Dr. Marie Albano
A machine embroidered and appliqued quilt/wall hanging called The Dollhouse. The design is from a company called Sweet Pea Embroidery. The blocks are 8 x 8 squares, similar to one to twelve scale. Fabrics include quilters cottons, linens, silks and even cork! The backing is a novelty fabric of vintage paper dolls.
About Marie's Dollhouse Quilt
by Dr. Marie Albano - CMS Secretary
It took 6 weeks to make. The types of embroidery thread used were rayon, metallic, polyester, silk and slicker holographic thread. The fabrics included flannels, suedes, leather, cork, and woven vintage fabric from the 1960’s. Double layered organza was used for the shower curtains, and window shades.
What to do when you run out of room for your Miniatures ?
by Pam Marshall - June, 2022
You start working with the smaller scales in furniture.
There are lots of items in 3/4" scale , that are just the right size for many of the old homemade dollhouses, including Cast Iron Kilgore.
You can make a nice little house or room in a cigar box in 1/4" scale. Make a glass lid and all the furnishings stay clean.
Check out your jewelry box for charms, buttons and cuff links to use for furnishing a tiny house.
Happy Hunting!
Pam Marshall
Project by Nati Semmens - July, 2022
Nati taught the July project of a vintage footstool/hassock. The lesson was well planned and executed. She shared a lovely corner room box to display her matching chair and footstool/hassock.
Presentation by Kathie Anderle - September, 2022
Kathie gave an interesting presentation about the hobby of collecting Baps Dolls. Members were fascinated with these German made antique dolls that could be used in 1 inch scale settings. These dolls are very unique and highly collectible. They were made to represent a great variety of storybook, fairy tale and other
October, 2022
Presentation by Cindy Budin October, 2022
Cindy discussed and shared her antique and modern Halloween collection.
October, 2022
Bonus Presentation by Kathie Anderle - October, 2022
Kathie shared her unique collection of Halloween dolls and other items.
November 9, 2022
Debra Freeman accepted the challenge from Cindy Budin
At the October meeting, Cindy Budin gave members a skull and jewelry findings and asked members to create a Halloween scene or item. Debra created this small electrified scene. She painted her skull black & drilled holes to attach a candelabra and light the skull from inside. Congratulations Debra!