Tuesday, March 16, 2010

leaves and branch brooches

I've received multiple e-mails about the branch brooch I was wearing with my new ruffle neck shirt. I decided the easiest way to answer them all was right here. Last week my children and I were walking in the woods and examining branches for little buds that are the first sign of spring leaves. Even though we knew it was far too early in these Northern parts, we were hopeful. Not yet, I kept saying to both them and myself. So, of course, I decided to create leaves... why wait! We're always gathering sticks and branches so we had plenty on hand. A forgotten scrap of light green leather had been patiently waiting for attention in my studio. I simply cut some leaf shapes and pinched the bottoms together with a couple stitches of thread. Instant leaf!

Next, the leaf got placed on a little stick and was wrapped multiple times with green thread. I had planned on just placing it on the mantle, but couldn't stop holding it. A lace ribbon wrapped around the bottom made the perfect spot to attach a safety pin. So that's how I "grew" a branch brooch. I think this is my new Vernal Equinox accessory!

There are two other branch ideas that I'm loving right here and over here.
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Now, I'm obsessed with leaves! I can't stop thinking about them. Felt works equally well, by the way... here' a sneak peek at something I'm working on.

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22 comments:

  1. What a sweet idea -- they would make great buttonholes for a not-quite-spring wedding... or a pretty table centre piece with a collection of bigger twigs... Thank you for sharing! x

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  2. Wonderful idea, as usual :)
    xo

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  3. Oh soon as I saw the I knew I would love this post. Really, these take my breath away, beautiful :)

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  4. LOVE.

    No leaves in Michigan, either.

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  5. we have also been looking for green. did you see kellen's "week of green" http://enchantedmama.typepad.com/enchanted_mama/2010/03/think-green.html
    we finally have some green popping out of the ground. still have not found any buds on trees though.
    my little one is going to love these...seeing she loves any thing she can find outside to gather and also being born a "branch" she is always on the hunt. thank you friend.
    enjoy the sunshine today. hope it holds for thursday!

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  6. You should send one to author/artist Susan Branch! Ha-get it? Branch...

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  7. just a wonder filled idea from beginning to finished pin...

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  8. I have seen some similar twig brooches made from felt, but this one you've designed is much more interesting and I'd wear it. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. this is so beautiful! i love the fact that you used green thread and not trying to hide the stitches. it makes it even more beautiful. lace is perfect.
    in our country when two are getting married, they have this ritual about 'giving the bride away', which is whole procedure actually. the point is that they make this huge arch, covered with pine branches and with flowers (made of paper in winter) where the bride and groom live, and they have to go trough it into their new home. sometimes they make brooches for the relatives too, similar to your brooch.

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  10. A beautiful idea. It reminds me of some real leaf brooches my girls made on a woodland walk recently - they thought they were forest fairies! http://nurturestore.co.uk/woodland-walk-woodland-jewellery

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  11. I love this so, so much! Every day I see more and more leaves but I can't wait for trees full of them. I'll have to make one of these. And link of course!

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  12. This is such a sweet, sweet idea. Our family makes toys and rustic decor of branches so we are particularly fond of this idea.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  13. Can I call you Twiggy? Love this of course, and thanks for the linky love. :)

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  14. That is such a cute and clever idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration - my daughter loves to pick up sticks and twigs everywhere we go...now I know what to do with them! xoxo Cindi

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  15. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I loved it in the photo on your Turtleneck to Ruffle Neck post (which I featured in my Friday favorite links post: http://thezenofmaking.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-internet-crushes-march-19.html), so I'm so glad you posted this tutorial!

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  16. I just discovered your blog today. I am so amazed by your creativity and generosity of your tutorials. You make everthing seem so easy to try. I can't wait to share your ideas with my girls and see what we come up with. Thank you for sharing your talants with us and encouraging us to try it ourselves.

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  17. I just saw these wonderful brooches by "Fee ist mein Name" and I love them.
    I want to have one... oder twelve.
    Thank you very much for this cute idea and the tutorial!

    Greets, Katja

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