MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS: June 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012

{My Towels with Knitted Lace}

For embellishing a simple cotton terry towel, you can quite easily add a hand knitted lace edging as I've done with mine. Have a look at {My Towels with Knitted Lace} here below. The magazine from which I made them will be shown mid-way. Those heavenly soaps I found at T.J. Maxx stores, one of my favorites to shop for such items. Are you also checking them frequently?

And of course using our fragrant flowers, our Gardenias...

Using cotton bouclé yarns created this result.

Both cotton yarns are in an off white or cream.

You also could use bamboo yarn.

Gardenias make a perfect and romantic addition.

Gardenia Floral Luxury Soap.

Such fragrant soaps I always keep in my linen armoire.

Eco friendly use, as they don't produce empty plastic bottles for the landfill!

A very fragrant duo, Gardenia soap with real Gardenias...

From the Dutch Ariadne magazine...

Laces as edgings.

Detail of the bouclé cotton yarn.

Gardenia scented candle by Crabtree & Evelyn

Gardenia Florals Luxury Soaps that I also found at T.J. Maxx...

The two different yarns in detail.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #2}

Another hand crocheted lace handkerchief from my private collection I love to show you here. They are all looking so different with their delicate lace pattern. Again I made my Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #2 out of very fine French DMC thread and with the thinnest crochet hook. Have you, your Mother or Grandmother done any of this work? Like to know if you also are holding on to such lace heirlooms.

Against a backdrop of my highly prized vintage train case. Painted by the talented Rebecca from A Gathering Place. As usual, you will find links related to this post, below.

Some of our own roses and a gardenia...

A detail of the Swiss cotton batiste embroidered handkerchief with my crocheted lace edge.

Before adding the crocheted lace, the handkerchief looked already very feminine and elegant with its hemstitched edges.

Our Aimee Yoshioka Gardenia goes perfect with it...

The selection of the lace edging is quite tedious as one needs to COUNT the hemstitched openings, that are in the purchased batiste hankie. Counting and checking IF the pattern will work with it. Once the first round is done, in about seven more tedious hours you usually finish such a bridal handkerchief.

It sure feels great for creating such romantic heirloom pieces...

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

{Gardenias and Roses as Hostess Gift}

Sometimes a self made gift is the best for a certain occasion. And such was the case when both of us were invited to dinner at a Church friend's home. We happened to have perfect blooming Gardenias and Roses in our garden. Both white colored and great for making two lovely nosegays in a recycled marmalade jar, tied with some twine. Judge for yourself and tell me if you like them too. Sorry but the heavenly fragrance I cannot reproduce here...

Before carrying them off to their new destination, I had to photograph them on top of our Miele

Cooktop.

These are the roses...

By using some natural twine, instead of any synthetics it sure made for a 'Green' bouquet.

Our Aimee Yoshioka Gardenias...

I followed the concept: KISS = Keeping it Sweet and Simple

Going Green & Learn from Mariette

Wishing you a Happy New Week!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

{My Lace Pochettes - Pocket Squares}

Does any of you have Lace Pochettes or Pocket Squares? Here I like to show you mine as I love to wear them. I did not crochet these lace pochettes but they are treasured vintage pieces that I found. I would love to hear if you have such a pochette, maybe a family heirloom or just because you love them, like I do... Let me know!

Lovely detail of my 14 kt gold safety pin with pearls (custom made for me by a gold smith) for pinning such a lacy pochette onto the breast pocket.

Those were spare pearls from the ones bought in Singapore, for making into a necklace and bracelet.

This is how it looks... pinned onto my French linen suit.

The lace is so pretty...

Moi, with the lace pochette...

Love the linen with lace combination.

French vintage gloves with two lace pochettes, different ones from the one I wear above.

One of our large, corsage gardenia jasminoides 'Miami Supreme', also below.

Detail of the crocheted lace pochette or pocket square.

Below you find a link where I show this pochette more open in a previous post.

Inspiration for wearing my pochette I found in this German Neue Mode magazine.

Loved the idea of pinning it onto the breast pocket with a dainty gold brooch.

'Mode mit Charme: Dieses Eisnteck-tuch mit Spitze verleiht Ihrem Blazer eine sehr feminine Note'.

Fashion with Charm: This Pochette—Pocket Square will add a very feminine touch to your blazer.

Guess this is time-less...

Charme d'Antan

In home décor, as in fashion, one must discover her own personal style and learn to build the cozy nest called "home" around it.

Friday, June 22, 2012

{Our Southern Magnolia and Hibiscus}

Rain was certainly a blessing for our huge Southern Magnolia and Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne d'Arc. They looked so happy here, on this photo from May 29. Below this post you find a link to some previous posts about either one of them.

Love the lush green color after such much needed rain!

Here are the two Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne d'Arc and on the foreground is also the Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans' blooming. Only white blossoms here at the front of the house.

Now you can see the Southern Magnolia, it is huge and literally 'sits' on the ground...

Here you see also the taller Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne d'Arc.

They are so pretty with their double blossoms.

In the link below you will get to see a closeup.

The white vinyl picket fence is the border with our neighbors.

This is just a short post, for letting you peak inside our front garden.

While we were in Florida on our 6-day trip, we again had lots of rain.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

{10 Ultra-Specific Blogs with PR 4}

For almost three years now I've been reading and following several blogs. Today I would like to mention here 10 Ultra-Specific Blogs with a PR of 4. That is: Page Rank of 4 out of 10. We all strive to write good content that will be read by many. Even more important is to pass on some worthwhile information to others; unique and original content. There are however way too many that take the word copyright or plagiarism too liberal. They gather content and photos left and right, than proceed by posting this on their own blogs as being theirs. Often not even mentioning the original source. Both, my husband and I have been contributing quite a lot for books and magazines, so we are very familiar with that. Still there remains some pride into managing your own photos, and your own wording, both genuinely produced by your hands. Showing and sharing your own ideas and projects, often using them as a tutor for others; that is high value! So today I am delighted to share with you 10 of those Ultra-Specific Blogs. Certainly there will be more out there but I only have limited time for reading and visiting some of them. Please, if you know of any other Ultra-Specific Blog(s) with a PR of 4 or higher, let me know!

Google.com with a 9 PageRank

*Valentina from Les Cotrions in Italy showing always fresh original content with great photos and ideas. She is very talented and works with an art foundation and has a passion for home décor.

*Doris from Hold my Hand with her lovely and insightful stories as a social worker and book author.

*Jo Anne Coletti from Vintage Rose Collection a lovely artist that creates life-like roses and her content is 100% Jo Anne.

*Theresa from The Run *A* Round Ranch Report with exceptional insights through her photos and humorous text.

*Lene from THE ESSENCE OF THE GOOD LIFE with her extraordinary photos and insightful text. A treasure on cultural knowledge.

*Carolyn from Aiken House & Gardens with her showcase of garden blooms and romantic tea settings.

*Leeann from Fabulously French with always great photos of her Brocante and Decoration finds.

*Sarah from Haute Design believes in kindness, compassion and respect and presents great added informative text, supplementing professional photos by others, with appropriate credit given.

*Chris Cox from Easy & Elegant Life an excellent male perspective on Fashion and Style.

Sorry, had to remove one of the 10...

Above listing of my limited selection of 10 Ultra-Specific Blogs with PR 4, is by no means sequentially, neither alphabetically nor by ranking.

They all 10 are just my true role models, in trying to achieve such PR one day myself.

The last update on PR was 03 May 2012, so you will have rather accurate info if you check it now.

Of course I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts. We all are often wondering how we are doing with our blog posts. This gives at least some analysis and of course it will never be totally accurate. Wishing you a lovely week and a great start into official summer season in a couple of days. That also means that our days will start shortening pretty soon...

Monday, June 18, 2012

{My 18th Blog Award}

First off I need to mention another Blog Award, my 18th. While on our 4-night cruise to the Bahamas I already did receive this, from the lovely Sesè in Italy from Semplicemente Femminile. Thank you Sesè!

As with my previous awards, I am not going to pass them on. I feel like we're going in circles within the same group over and over again and it is quite time consuming for searching out new recipients. Hope you all agree on that one.

Just like to welcome all new followers! Welcome on my blog and I hope you will find something you like. You always can type in a word at the top of my blog, to the right where it reads: 'Search This Blog for any Word! That will help you find special subjects.

There are such talented bloggers like Manuela from Agulha Mágica (Magic Needle) in Portugal. Check out the beautiful open work embroidery, crocheting, embroidery and a lot of ton-sur-ton works like white on white. She has a translate button to the right and she herself is able to handle English well. A very talented lady! No wonder that we did bring back home the prettiest tablecloth and table runner with open lace embroidery work from her country...

Hope you all are enjoying a great summer and are getting your projects done.

Till next time, with love to you all and thanks for being loyal!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

{Friends' son, Ben Lovett, is Madrid International Film Festival Winner}

We were gone for a mini-vacation of 5 nights to Florida, staying at Hyatt Place, Orlando and in Miami at the Hyatt House. We received a message on the iPhone about our friends' son, Ben Lovett, who was the Madrid (Spain) International Film Festival Winner with Best Sound Track 2012 - Ghost of Old Highways

That was quite an achievement after winning previously most awards for his short film, based on a song by artist Ben Lovett. He is surely multi-talented for not only acting but producing the music as well!!! On June 12 he did get an Exclusive Premiere on IFC.com with his short film "Ghost of Old Highways" you will find links below. Congrats to a fine young man who reaped the benefits of hard work!

Madrid International Film Festival Winner

BEST SOUND TRACK 2012

Ghost of Old Highways

Ben Lovett

Happy winner Ben Lovett on the red carpet...

Thursday, June 14, 2012

{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #1}

This is a replica from my original bridal handkerchief. It got stolen when I once gave classes at the Teaching Museum in Hapeville, Georgia where I also had several pieces of my lace work on display for: "THREADS OF LIFE: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S TEXTILE ART" for Georgia State University.

Not a pleasant experience, especially for such a sentimental piece of work... But I did have the Burda pattern and made one again. Over the years I've done several bridal handkerchiefs for loved ones. A labor of love one might say. Very fine DMC thread and a thin crochet needle is being used for this type of lace work.

Do you like it?

Somebody else must have liked the original too, as it was snatched from the table where I had my display during my day of classes... Below this post you find a link, you just scroll down to: "THREADS OF LIFE: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S TEXTILE ART"

Georgia State University

Showing you a better closeup view.

With of course an added Gardenia blossom and some perfect pink rosebuds in a French Baccarat perfume bottle.

Roses, Gardenia and Lace make up for some very romantic items...

These lovely home grown roses are in a French crystal Baccarat perfume bottle.

This is the Burda pattern, the number 307/54 is the one I made...

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

{My Lace Crocheted Gloves}

Proudly I show you my crocheted lace gloves; yes I made them myself. Not an easy lace pattern, from Magic Crochet, as the center was done around a thicker thread, but I managed. So please have a look here below as how they turned out. The last photos do show me wearing them, so you get a view of that as well. The lovely train case, in which I do store all my precious self made crocheted lace, is artfully done by no one less than our sweet artist Rebecca, from A Gathering Place. Below this post you find a link for checking it out.

Those flowers were all done individually, over a thicker thread of the same quality DMC thread.

They are very feminine accessories...

More in detail you can now see the individual flowers and also the other pieces of lace done in longer strips.

Have you done something like this?

Would love to hear from you.

My vintage train case from Rebecca's, A Gathering Place, does keep all my precious crocheted lace work. It is the perfect way to store it. Below the post you find a link about the train case.