Mar 8, 2010

Sprouting flowers, mushrooms and customers

It seems only natural that after owls, mushrooms couldn’t be too far behind. Just like in the peace-seeking 60s and 70s, longing for a return to nature is well in keeping with today’s “green” movement. When I first saw some owls used as decorative motifs, I thought — “Owls, you’re kidding?” But now I have to admit, as I see more and more, I really think they are pretty cute and — they are everywhere! So now, as I’m seeing mushrooms sprouting up, I’m going to go ahead and embrace them in all their quaint cuteness. Mind-bending potential aside, red and white polka dot mushrooms are fat, friendly and colorful, and whether they remind you of the 60s or not, they do make you smile.

“Button Mushrooms,” the FREE-to-use pattern in this issue of American Quilt Retailer has lots of marketing potential. As you’ll see reading the pattern and our “how-to-use” section, “Button Mushrooms” can be made with cotton, wool, polka dot fabric, appliqued, fused or felted. You could even sew small white buttons on for the dots and if you don’t wanted dotted mushrooms, various prints look great too.

If you type in “mushrooms” on Etsy, you’ll find all kinds of vintage mushrooms and ready-made projects. Some of these might make good props for a mushroom display. Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics and even Target have lots of garden-theme items that will make more good props. And, all of these locations have mushrooms, gnomes and fairy garden statuary — again great for props. The “happy” red and white polka dot mushroom that has lulled “Magic” our office cat to sleep (it doesn’t take much to do this!) was purchased earlier this year from JoAnn’s for $6.99. Not bad for an eye-catching prop! You could use garden tools (they come in bright colors now) and even a fake plastic grass doormat as a base in the display.

If you don’t want to make a full sample of “Button Mushrooms,” applique one mushroom on a cotton dish towel or placemat and go with a cooking theme. Again on Etsy, there are dozens of vintage mushroom salt and pepper shakers (these must have been on everyone’s table in the 60s!). A set of these with your “mushroom” towel or mat, a mixing bowl and spoon might be all that is needed. Don’t forget a recipe card and maybe even a small fairy figurine. Fill the bowl with charm square packs, buttons or wool roving.

Speaking of buttons, don’t you just love the “Button Flowers” on our cover? I had so much fun going through my collection, matching pairs and making them up. Even  my husband has commented several times on how neat my button bouquet is (keep in mind there are lots of things around the house that I’ve made, but these have elicited more comments than most). There are about 90 flowers in this bouquet. My daughter, Anne, who you know has been crafting since she came to Quilt Market last fall (see AQR, Vol. 15, Issue 90) made some of her own buttons flowers. When she was little, every time we went to the fabic store, I let her pick out a card of buttons to keep her entertained while I shopped. So she has a good collection to work with. She made about 40 flowers and as you can see even a small number of flowers looks really interesting in a tall vase. In choosing a vase the key is to select one with a narrow opening. This holds them upright and then you can gently curve the stems in a “sprightly” manner. The vase on the cover is a $10 sale bottle from Hobby Lobby. Anne’s vase was purchased from the Crate and Barrel several years ago.

Place even a small bouquet of flowers (remember, you can shorten the stems) in a glass bottle on your counter or cutting table and they are bound to attract attention. Make them all out of the same color, in a color scheme (i.e. red, white and blue) and as the pattern suggests add felt petals if you like. Fill other wider mouth-jars or bowls with buttons, sorted by color or not, and place them near your bouquet. Add spools of thread, rick rack or other ribbons and trims nearby.

You could even make small button corsages for your employees. Take three or five button flowers and shorten the stems to about 6 or 8 inches. Fold the stems up in a loop to the flower base. The wire stems facing downwards might snag clothing. Tie the bunch together with a pretty ribbon or rick rack and add a pin back. These are sure to call attention to the project. Give the pattern away with every button or fabric sale.

I had seen these flowers in various stores, and then found a project on a PBS children’s Web site. They make great projects to get little ones interested in our arts. Like Anne did years ago, children love to sort and count buttons. Of course, be careful of the age group here. Buttons can look sort of “tasty” to really small children.

Feel free to e-mail pictures using our “Button Mushrooms” and “Button Flowers” patterns (becky@americanquiltretailer.com). We love to see what creative things you all do with them!

Just a note: So far the plan for the May 2010 AQR FREE-to-use pattern is for a large, pieced quilt project. I try to rotate large and small, pieced and applique and it’s time for a larger one.

I am trying to blog more frequently and unless it’s right before deadline, this plan is working. Yet, if I’m blogging, I really want to make sure someone out there is reading the postings. Be sure to sign up at the top, right of the page to receive a notice whenever I have a new blog. I’ll also going to try to make them worthwhile, so you won’t want to miss any.

Enjoy the patterns! Susan