A Tale of Two Tunnels

My most recent sewing projects have been geared toward our two new kittens, Rosie and Angus.
They are so playful together, love to hide and spring out at each other, and often
chase each other at breakneck speed.
I thought a tunnel would be a fun for them.

My first effort was a tube made from outdoor canvas, with embroidery hoops sewn into each end.

To keep the tube open, I sewed dowels along the long sides.

The kitties loved it, made it roll around the floor and had a few comical encounters inside.

But Rosie, I swear, is part flying squirrel, and she became infatuated with leaping from

the table onto the tube, breaking the dowels and squashing the tunnel.

Before too long it was totally demolished!

I think I have a bit of my father in me, because I then became determined to make a durable tunnel!

Dad was forever "inventing" things around the house, and making existing things even better!

 

This time I started with a fleece covered pad, wrapped with some strong corrugated cardboard.

I decided to use large pieces of plastic canvas, reinforced with felt, to cover the top. All of this was 

held together with hot glue and duct tape. Does it sound like I have too much time on my hands?

Here is Rosie inspecting the finished result.

Why go inside when you can squash the top?

C'mon, Angus, let's play ON TOP of the tunnel!!

Oh, look! I just discovered that there is an INSIDE to this thing!
If I lie on my back I can pull myself along the tunnel by clawing the plastic canvas!

We'll see how long this one lasts!!!

Turkey Crossing

I couldn't resist sharing this: it's early morning - I'm on my porch with my kitties and see some movement out in the grass. I live in the suburbs, but not the country, yet on my lawn I see this parade:

Two adult turkeys and ten young ones, walking casually across the grass.

                                       

They ducked under the hedge, into the neighbor's yard, 

and out into the street. By now I'm outside following them (from a safe distance).

                                      

This went on for a while, until I started to feel like a stalker, so I went back inside.

Rosie and Angus had a perfect view!!

We really never know what each new day will bring, do we?

Hope you're having a good week!

What I'm working On

I feel like I've been letting my blog go lately, but I hope to improve on that. I really want to keep to my subject - fabric art - but lately these two little monkeys seem to be distracting me!

I have been working on a couple of things, so I'll share pictures of them in progress, then later show the finished results.

This piece is called "Little Critic" and is taken from a sketch I did in March in a museum in Toronto. The child I sketched was younger, but this little outfit is similar to the one she wore, and she looked up at the paintings in that same way! When composing this picture, I used commercial fabrics with machine and hand stitching. I still have a bit more stitching to do on it, as well as a border, but it's getting there!!

This other piece is a picture of yours truly with Rosie and Angus. I'm using felt and hand stitching it. It really has a long way to go, so this is just a sneak peek!

It's very hot here in Massachusetts so we're all trying to keep cool! The cats are stretched out on the hardwood floor, Bill and I did a bit of yard work (Bill more than me!) and now we're inside enjoying the air conditioning. I'm working on a project for the kitties which involves sewing - I'll show it to you soon!

Stay cool and take care!!

Still Here!

These two little munchkins have been keeping me busy, but I haven't forgotten my blog! I'm working on a piece of fabric art which should be ready to show soon. It has been very hot here in northern Massachusetts, so we're all trying to keep cool. For some of us, that means s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g out!

Hope everyone has had a great week!

Tuscany Revisited and Fabric Painting

I'm so delighted to be able to share this photo slide show, created by photographer Marty Morawski, which shows highlights of the trip I took in May to Tuscany. I was part of  Il Campo Cooking School of Radicondoli, an absolutely magical experience in an exquisite setting. My group of ten was the first to be part of this adventure, and all agreed that it was a fantastic opportunity. I would highly recommend it!!

(The last photo in the sequence shows my friend Ann and me with our cooking school diplomas.)

Today I was busy cleaning my house, preparing for company this weekend. I knew that I needed a break by mid-afternoon, so I decided to paint some fabric! Into the studio (laundry room) I went and got lost in the process for about a half hour. Honestly, it is one of my favorite things to do!

The best part about painting fabric, to me, is that nothing has to be perfect, because I know that I will eventually be cutting it up and using sections of it in collage. It is very liberating!

Right now I have a laundry basket full of hand painted fabric and I'm anxious to see it used creatively in fabric landscapes and other artwork. Time to get busy!

Oh, and by the way, the new kittens are doing beautifully!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!

Rosie

   Angus