New Blooms and Landscape in Process

Yesterday we were thrilled to see our amaryllis, a Christmas gift from my sister Carol, burst into bloom. The color is luscious - my photo doesn't do it justice!

I've done a bit of work on my landscape, using some sheer printed fabric on the 'forest' floor.

I fused the sheer fabric with Mistyfuse - my first time using this product. I followed directions from the Mistyfuse Tip Sheet posted by Sue and Terri on their website, Two Creative Studios, under 'Free Projects', using a teflon sheet and parchment paper as directed. I've always used Wonder Under before this, but I love the way the Mistyfuse did not leave a shiny finish with the sheer fabric! I had purchased this sheer green toile fabric years ago, thinking I could use it in all sorts of landscapes, but never did until my introduction to Mistyfuse. I'm a convert!

My next step will be to machine quilt the whole background, then add the trees and foliage.

W.I.P. - Forest Scene

I've been working on a picture, using this background, which I had made for a different picture a while ago.

It was originally intended to be a beach scene, with a dune fence. Well, I was never happy with the piece and recently ripped off the fence, which was lightly fused on to the background. I've now decided to make a forest scene.

The background is a simple collage of rectangles fused to craft batting. I'm thinking of using sheer green fabrics to indicate the moss and low plants on the forest floor. I've been cutting out some trees.... As you can see, I have a ways to go, but thought I would share what I've been working on.

Proud to be an American

Time to Reorganize

I've been snoozing on my blog this week for a good reason. The clutter in my sewing room/studio was really getting to me and I was fearing for my safety every time I walked in there! A nice room at the end of a hallway, it had become the catch-all for all kinds of stuff, so I set out to conquer the mess and find some peace of mind.

It helped that my husband was away on business. I started out making piles of related items, sorting, purging and generally creating a disruptive hurricane throughout the house. Little by little I added things back into the room, in orderly containers, labeled and neatly displayed.

These before and after photos show just a corner of the room. Elsewhere, more work needs to be done.

 I possess an inordinate amount of fabric for someone who works on a very small scale and does not even make quilts. Somehow it is hard to part with even a quarter yard of fabric which I remember buying in a quilt shop on Nantucket thirty years ago...  Having a sentimental attachment to fabric might seem strange to some, but I suspect there are folks reading this post who understand the feeling. So, I'm holding my breath, packing up some cloth of questionable fiber content and getting rid of that with no compunction. But my little flowery cotton prints will go to find new homes where I hope they'll be used to make beautiful things.

 The big clean-up is still in process, but I'm feeling some satisfaction with what has already 

been accomplished. Now, if I just move the stuff off the chair, I might even be able to sit at my

sewing machine!

*Make Something Monday*

Today I made a wool picture.

I love birds, trees and leaves as design elements, and, using wool pieces I'd washed in hot water, I cut some shapes directly from them. 

I decided to arrange these pieces on a square of wool and hand stitched the pieces down with embroidery thread.

A few beads added some glitz...

And now, it's ready to make into a little pillow.

A one day project, a little gift to tuck away for someone special!

Fabric House Portraits

As I 
think about where I'd like to go with my artwork this year, I've been looking back at some photos of work I created in years gone by.

For about 15 years I did fabric house portraits, making custom pictures of homes, schools and even a church! My first attempts were pretty simple, but over the years I developed more complicated techniques, using a combination of quilting and decorator fabrics and finishing every edge with a neat zig-zag stitch. I belonged to an artisans' co-op and had my sample house portrait displayed there, with business cards nearby, so that folks could order directly from me.

The interaction with customers was interesting. Some were very particular about details, some were appreciative of anything I did. Some pictures were done as gifts and some were special mementos of treasured family homes. Frequently the unveiling of a finished piece was rewarded with a hug or even tears.  There is something so personal and precious about a home.

I'm thinking of taking this up again, using paper as a medium instead of fabric. I think a house and yard could be rendered very crisply in cut paper with even more dimensionality than with fabric.

 I plan to give it a try!

Giveaway Winners!

The Judge (Kristy)

                                                                                                               The  Process                                                                                                                                                                                                              

I rolled up the slips of paper with names on them, then put them on the floor, waiting to see which ones Kristy would choose to bat around!

The WINNERS!

Kristy's first choice: Carolyn of Mountain Meadows

         second  choice: Janice of Reyn's Nest

            third  choice: Karen, a fabric artist from Connecticut

I will send out the fabric art piece, 'Evening Breeze', to Carolyn and the ATCs to Janice and Karen as soon as I get your addresses!

We are having icy rain today here in New England. Hope everyone has a wonderful and creative day!!

Giveaway

Here is the completed fabric artwork for my giveaway. The sky is hand painted fabric and it is machine stitched. The title is "Evening Breeze" and the piece measures about 8"x8". I've decided to extend the time for leaving comments. I'll draw the winning name Wednesday morning, January 7.

I'll also have two ATCs to gift. You can leave a comment on either this or my January 2nd post!

Funny Hats

Just had to share this happy image of my daughter Kate with her cousins Zach and David! They came to visit with their mom and dad on Saturday, and their silly hats made for a perfect photo opportunity! 

2 Years and Still Going Strong!

I'm having a giveaway for my 2 year blogiversary. Here's a little sneak peek at the fabric art piece I am going to give away. Yes, it is still in process! More will be done to it, but if you read my blog, you'll trust that it will be OK when done. Along with this, I'll be gifting 2 ATCs, which I'll show in my next post.

If you are interested in an original piece of fabric artwork, please leave a comment. I'll draw three names Monday, January 5.

Stay tuned to see the 3 finished pieces in the next day or so!

Happy New Year!

This is the image I used for my very first blog post two years ago! At that time I was quite excited at the prospect of having a blog, and I still feel that way each time I create a new entry. Putting my work "out there" has led to new friendships, new art forms and new opportunities.

For my 'blogiversary' I'm going to have a little giveaway. It will begin tomorrow and will involve something hand made by me.

I hope that all my blogging friends have a very healthy and happy 2009!

Cheers!!