Faerie Acres

Yikes!

2012-02-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Has it really been two weeks since I posted? Yikes! Not like I haven't been busy creating, but it's kind of cold out to take good pictures. It's sooo much easier in the summer when we have more sunlight. Ah, well.... I've been getting projects finished up ready for my trip back to AZ for Dylan's first birthday. Since he doesn't really need anything I made him this stacking ring toy. I purchased the fabric and pattern on a trip to Binghamton. This is one of my UFOs that was fun to make. The rings were tricky, but the directions were really great so it went together easily. The top ring is leftover Dr. Seuss fabric from the book I made last year, but it fits right in with the others:

A close up of the rings:

Even though the stitching has been done for a few weeks now on the crewel owl that I made for April I still needed to finish it somehow. It still needs a stick in the tabs for hanging. She says it will go in Dylan's room with the other owl wall hangings:

Here is a pink owl needle case that I made and hadn't taken pictures yet. I'll be putting this in Etsy today for sale:

And yet another UFO (I have quite a few covers that need to be tweeked and have been slowly getting them to look decent). This dragonfly cover was supposed to be a tri-fold journal, but wasn't working out so I cut and re-sewed it until it fixed itself! The pages are a mix of painted, hand made papers purchased several years ago at Art Unraveled, and scrapbook paper.

Shop Swap fun!

2012-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Over at oh,hello friend Danni has started a Shop Swap and it looks like loads of fun! I checked out a few of the participants' shops and there is some good stuff out there. It will be like Christmas in February! Join us!!!!!

Flowers and a crewel owl

2012-01-29T11:12:00.000-08:00

One of the first arts I learned was stamped cross stitch when I was really young. Since then I have learned many needle arts, but my favorite is crewel. I have not worked a crewel piece since the kids were little. I used to take them to the "duck pond" (a park in Glendale, AZ) and while they were skating and feeding the ducks I would work on an embroidery piece. After sorting through my many, many UFOs last month I pulled out this owl piece to make for April's birthday. All hopes of completing it by the 20th of this month were dashed when I really looked at the instructions and found that all of the snow sections were *gasp* turkey work. This stitch is very time consuming and labor intensive and look at all the snow!!!!!!!! I started it on the first and finished it last week. Not bad! The embroidery work is complete, but I still need to back it and get it ready to take with me in 3 weeks.

A close up of the owl and the SNOW:

Cleaning off my table I found a Quilting Arts magazine (April/May 2011 issue) in which I had marked a project that caught my eye. That led to sorting my small fabric scraps (which is so handy now, I'm glad I took the time) in order to have color schemes for this project. I played with several color combinations since I had my machine set up for free motion embroidery. I have one background piece left to work on then I can decide what I want to do with these pieces. They are approximately 6 inch square since I already had some batting cut in that size. Needless to say even though I've made four of these so far I STILL haven't made much of a dent in my supplies............ I keep trying!

Green flowers and purple dots:

Blue flowers and red dots:

I think this is my favorite so far: Yellow flowers and pink dots:

Close up of the flower:

Pink flowers and green dots:

I had leftover circles from the pieces so I played with them on the felted cover I had made a while back. I like the flowers and think I'll use them as much as possible:

Duct tape, paint, stitch............

2012-01-28T08:12:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week........... still cleaning, sorting, moving, burning, etc. all of the stuff I don't want anymore............ got rid of lots, but still have lots.............

I made some simple books from game cards and Anne Geddes greeting cards using duct tape for the spines. I like using duct tape and I have rolls in many colors to choose from. The sad thing is each book takes so little that I'm not making much of a dent in my supplies.

The recent issue of Quilting Arts had a cool tutorial for surface design on fabric (which didn't really work so I made up my own instructions!). I painted muslin and some distressed cheesecloth and sewed them together. The pieces are in my "cover" pile to be turned into books in the near future. I used blue and green for this batch and have purple/pink drying in the studio right now. There is leftover cheesecloth that will be used in other projects somehow. An overall view:

The distressed cheesecloth and stitiching:

I did use some of the cheesecloth with some of my dyed muslin:

With some of the other dyed muslin in my stash I practiced free motion stitching ( this is a swirl flower pattern) for some more covers:

Close up:

Corset File Folder Journal

2012-01-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

I made six large (4X6) and 4 small (3 X 3) journals yesterday as well as designing two more (think sweater ruffles!) so I'm on a roll! I'm listing one journal per day on Etsy (I've heard this is a good way to keep your shop "out there") so today is the Corset journal. I've had these stickers for eons and what have I been saving them for? Geesh.......... my whole studio consists of "what have I been saving this for" stuff........USE IT! I think I'll make that my mantra this year.........USE IT, USE IT, USE IT! If nothing else April will have less ~~shit~~ ~~crap~~ , er.... stuff (yeah, that's it: stuff) to sort through in 50 years when I die! Anyway, here is the cover:

A close-up of the corner sticker and purse charm on the spine.

No pics of the cardstock pages, but they coordinate with the cover colors. Each of the journals (small and large) have 12 pages (24 sides). This 4X6 sells for $6.00 + $1.50 shipping. I'm off to finish some more projects! Stay tuned..............

Trying to De-Stash

2012-01-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

It would come as no shock if I were to tell you that I have waaaaayyyyy too much stuff here. The problem is that I can't focus or find anything when I want to create. It will probably take me eons to really de-stash, but I have to start somewhere. After cleaning through my collage materials and stickers, making a list (partial) of things I have waaaayyy too much of, and then creating a list (again, partial) of ideas for these items I dove in and made some journals. It really is an assembly line process, but I am making headway (ok, barely, but.......... I've got to start somewhere!). I have a ~~shitload~~ ton of decorative file folders so I took some coordinating cardstock from my ginormous stash and started cutting...... and cutting......... and cutting, then folding..... folding....... folding to make these small (appr. 4 x 6) journals. I raided what was left of my stickers and then dumped out my charms. I've made 15 so far and many more in the studio that need to be bound, but like I said, I've at least gotten started. Have I made a dent in my stash? Meh.......... not enough. *heavy sigh*

Anyway.......... I think they came out cute and I did use some of my supplies!

I'll be listing one a day on Etsy. Here's the first one:

Each book has colored cardstock pages which coordinate with the cover and a charm on the spine:

I didn't take a photo of the pages for each book (it was cold outside!) but trust me, they coordinate. Here's the sample photo I took to give you an idea:

The 4 X 6 journals are $6.00 each so go get one on Etsy!

2012-01-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

I'm still having fun over at the STITCHED workshops. I created my version of Tracie Lampe's Bohemian Bag from her awesome workshop. It only took two sweaters as they were large ones. I'll be using this big boy as a tote when I visit my daughter in AZ next month. Should work nicely to hold all my travel ~~crap~~ goodies! The next one will be a tad bit smaller so I can use it as a purse. I LOVE the curly edges and must do something else with that technique.

I felt the gray and brownish colors were a tad "boring" so I added a pop of red from a fulled wool sweater. I think the sweater ~~balls~~ beads are cute! These are at the base of the strap.

I added a twist by sewing several small leftover strips to the front under the bead closure to look like a bow. The bad closes with an elastic loop and the red bead.

It's time for YOU to have some fun, make some cool projects, learn new techniques, and maybe win some prizes.... click here for more information on how you can become a member of the SITICHED family!

Another what?

2012-01-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

If you guess another journal, why you'd be correct! I've found that making a reasonable to-do list each night before going to bed keeps me relatively focused the next day. By "reasonable" I mean I don't write down things like: make a journal, finish 3 projects. I make the goals things that really need to be done or finished. For example I'll put "find and cut pages for journal" and most likely will do more than that, but if I don't at least I've made progress. I have a Creativity Journal that I record what I've done artistically during each day. Since this is my "job" now I need to see that I'm making progress and not just piddling around all day. With my list in front of me I'm less likely to literally spin in a circle and ask myself "What now?" and walk back out of my studio. Some of my goals involve actively promoting my art and I feel I've made good progress in that area as well. 2012 is off to a good start!

The new journal is similar to my last two so it may look familiar. The rosette is burgundy moiré taffeta this time and burlap backing.

The rosette framed by gathered cotton lace and organza

The pearls and french knot accents

The beaded spine

I found some velvet covered buttons I had purchased several years ago that were the perfect color for the closure

Each of the three signatures of sketch paper have two Basic Grey patterned cardstock folios for a little added pizzazz

The cut-work muslin layer on the cover is open in the back making a secret pocket

Sweater balls and a new journal

2012-01-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, sweater balls. Ok, they are really beads, but I'm calling them sweater balls and three of them aren't made from sweaters, but a fulled wool recycled jacket. But, they're cute no matter what they're called or what they're made from! Again, the idea came from STITCHED and Tracie Lampe's Bohemian Bag workshop. Go to her blog and check out her newest bag, it's in black and gray and it's striking! There is still plenty of time to sign up for all 20 workshops, just click here for the information.

I'm certain they will show up on a journal sometime!

Speaking of journals, I have been playing with paint and paper lately working on some different journals than I sell in Etsy, but did get my mojo working and created another cream journal with a 30's rosette from........ wait for it............ a STITCHED workshop! Another one of Annie's tutorials in her Fabric Flowers 101 workshop. I used burlap over canvas with free motion stitching as the base....

...overlaid with a piece of cutwork on cotton (tea-dyed, used to be one of those circular table cloths that go over the round glass accent tables that were all the rage in the 90's)

Under the pink/salmon satin rosette I gathered some vintage lace and organza. Tied some burlap threads and beaded a pearl pin

More pearls intertwined by french knots

The following flower is the same pattern as on the purple journal I made as a present. This is made from a Moda charm pack in pink and cream and a covered button center.

More STITCHED flowers

2012-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm having a blast over at STITCHED! I have watched almost all of the videos and seem to be in a "rut" making flowers from Annie's Fabric Flowers 101........ lol [Side note: I'm a little stupid where the new blogger is concerned, I haven't figured out how to upload my photos in the order I want. It seems to be willy-nilly and I haven't mastered moving them around, but I will eventually, so for now I apologize that they are not in the "correct" order.] I have made quite a few of the ruched flower because............... last year in Phoenix I bought two "jelly rolls" at Tuesday Morning really, really cheap (as far as jelly rolls go) and hadn't used them yet. Yes, shocker........NOT! Well, they are the perfect size for making the ruched flowers so I pressed one of each style and then sit at night watching TV and stitching. My fingers are sore between that and the present I'm making for April's birthday. But............ I persevere! These two ruched flowers are my favorites so far. They do take some time to sew up, but I love the results so much I feel the time invested is well worth it!

I've experimented with several sizes and fabric types for the 30's rosettes. Here I have salmon satin, white crinkle satin, two types of printed velvet, and a cheapo piece of printed poly/cotton ( I say cheapo because the design is "painted" on the right side of the fabric and not woven in so it is more difficult to pull a needle through, but it still worked out well):

They will all eventually have accents, but I'm saving them for journal covers so will wait to see what coordinates when the time comes. This printed velvet on the left has been waiting around for YEARS to be used! And I DO mean years......... eons ago I worked at House of Fabrics and bought a small piece of this printed velvet (at the time it was expensive) as I was in my lined vest making phase and had planned to make a vest front, but I never got around to it and my vest days waned. I loved the fabric so much it is probably the only piece that made it all the way to VA from AZ!

And a shot of the five ruched flowers I have made so far. They will also have accents in the center, but not yet. I'm just making a ton of things to use on journals right now. Soon I will be using them and will have a choice!

If you haven't joined STITCHED yet registration is still open so go here to get the information. Don't forget that one lucky student will win a free sewing machine! Alma also has other prizes lined up!

Etsy update

2012-01-04T18:07:00.000-08:00

These blue lovelies have hit my Etsy shop and are begging to be taken home and written in! If one of your resolutions was to journal what could be a prettier way to keep that resolution?

If one of your resolutions was to learn a new technique or create a great new project or if you just want to do something nice for yourself or your best friend why not sign up for STITCHED? Workshops went live a few days ago and I can't wait to show you what I've whipped up after watching some of the videos. There are 20 exciting artists with more than 20 exciting projects........

AND DID I TELL YOU THAT YOU COULD WIN A SEWING MACHINE JUST FOR REGISTERING? Yes! Alma (our den mother over at STITCHED) has a Janome Mini to give to one lucky student. It could be you! Check it out here.

More from STITCHED

2011-12-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

Still have registered over at STITCHED? What are you waiting for? There are 20 fabulous artists who created amazing videos full of tips, tricks, and projects that you will love. Sign up here, you won't regret it! All workshops open this Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

Here is a journal that I made with a taffeta rosette made using Annie Hutchings' technique in her Fabric Flower 101 workshop on STITCHED. Her workshop is chock full of lovely flowers, I had a difficult time deciding which one to make. I ended up with the 30's rosette which Annie declares is an ancient family secret and I'm so glad she shared. Her directions are really easy to follow!

The fabric I used for this cover is something from my stash and I'm not sure what it is. It's natural colored and an open weave, very soft hand unlike burlap. I want to say it's osnaburg, but I could be talking out my hat! I free motion stitched the fabric to natural canvas then added a piece of the embroidered muslin trim . The small cotton trim on the right of this piece had to be dunked in coffee to tone down the stark white before I could add it on here. I used a running stitch in floss (egads! floss and not my beloved perle cotton! chalk it up to inspiration over at STITCHED!) to attach the embroidered piece before adding the faux bow under the rosette. The rosette has some pearls in the center and then I added flat backed pearls and french knots on the side.

I also added a decorative pin on which I put some more beads and pearls, they are on the spine, but I didn't photograph it this time.

The pearls and french knots. The closure is a twisted strand of floss wrapped around a button.

Journal from STITCHED

2011-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

If you haven't gone over and checked out STITCHED, you need to do so! It's a group of 20 artists each showcasing their stitching talents with so many great workshops my head is spinning with ideas. I'm so lucky as one of the artists.......... I've been sampling the goods already! The workshops officially go online in a few days, Jan. 1, 2012 so don't miss out! Click here to see all the juicy details.

This is my first project from the workshops. I adapted Cindy Caraway's

Fabric Flower Corsage Cuff and made a journal cover. No pages yet, but I wanted to show you what I did created so far. The cover is moiré taffeta that I got at the thrift store last week (a steal... over 5 yards for $1) with cotton batting in between. Over the taffeta is a rectangular handkerchief with Battenburg lace that I tea dyed. I embellished with 3 wool flowers nestled on ruffled organza and accented with off white pearls. In between 2 of the flowers is a decorative pin with some beads on it.

The wool flowers are made following Cindy's directions in her workshop. She used upholstery fabric, but I really like the way the fulled wool (from a thrift store skirt) turned out! I glued a pearl in the center of each flower.

In the lower right hand corner I places some half pearls from Stampin' Up Pretties that I purchased years ago and finally remembered to get them out. I embroidered a field of cream french knots around the pearls.

The dark blue wool flowers are made from another thrift store skirt that I also fulled in the washer and dryer some time ago. It's been waiting for the perfect project! Stay tuned for more goodies from the STITCHED workshops..................

Ornaments for Dylan

2011-12-27T08:23:00.000-08:00

It'a a good thing that April took a photo of the ornaments that I made for Dylan this Christmas because I totally forgot to do so! Dylan doesn't really need anything as far as presents so I decided to make him ornaments every year. April still has the ones that I made when they were little so I knew she would take care of them and appreciate the effort I put into making the ornaments. In fact she should be receiving two ornaments from my mother from when I was little. Since we don't have a tree here (well, we have pine trees but they're all outside!) I felt she would appreciate having several generations of ornaments on her tree. The three square ornaments are left over from last year's project. The stocking was my own design and embroidered on felt. The owl I found on Plushka's blog and made a pattern from the photo. And the peppermint candy is a tutorial from pinksuedeshoe.com.

I already pinned some ideas for next year on Pinterest and plan to order from Herrschner's. Better get a bigger tree, April!

Wall Hanging

2011-12-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am working on a series of nature themed wall hangings from several Mackenna Ryan patterns. This completed piece was made from fabric I purchased this past fall in Cazenovia, NY while visiting my mother. Rather than machine stitch the fused pieces, I hand sewed them. Some of the pieces were TINY (the chick's beak and feet) so I felt that machine stitching wouldn't work. I like the way it turned out and now am working on a squirrel and birdhouse block.

Rainbow Book on Etsy

2011-12-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

My colorful rainbow book is listed on Etsy! This book measures approximately 6 1/2 inches square with white muslin pages. Each of the 6 pages (12 sides total) is adorned with buttons and ribbons in the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The covers are lined with a multi-colored fabric to compliment the rainbow palate. This book is perfect for showcasing photos, memorabilia, or journaling.

The cover:

The first page showing buttons and ribbons in red:

The rainbow and a glimpse of the cover lining fabric:

Cute little button on the back cover:

A Gift

2011-12-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

This was a journal that I started several months ago. I got as far as the quilted background and denim snap closure and hit a wall. Wasn't sure what I wanted to put on the cover so I set it aside until recently. Looking through my bucket o' patterns I found the directions for how to make the fabric flower that I put on the cover. I hadn't make one prior because I didn't have a glue gun, it was one of the items I didn't keep in our move cross country. I have since purchased a glue gun so decided to give this flower a try. Didn't come out perfectly, but there is enough leeway in the pattern that I can get away with the imperfections! This journal is a Christmas gift (I don't want to say whose it is as she may read this blog and doesn't know she's even getting a gift from me...... shhhhhh.....) and she just so happens to like purple............ there was a reason I hadn't finished earlier!
The cover:

The closure is a snap from a recycled denim jacket and I created some wool felt leaves adding some stitching and seed beads:

A close-up of the flower with a fabric covered button and some more seed beads sprinkled in the center:

One of my "signature" embellishments -- the hand gathered ribbon -- with some more fabric covered buttons and a fish eye pearl button for decoration:

I'll let you know if she likes it after she receives it!

Bloopers

2011-12-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

Soooooooooooo.... like I said in the last post, it was a looooong process and steep learning curve making my videos. I really thought Mollie's idea of showing outtakes from her video experience was a really good idea, so I stole it! This even makes me giggle at some of the faces I make while thinking about what I really wanted to say...............

Untitled from Penney Klaproth on Vimeo.

Class Sample for STITCHED

2011-12-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

Wahoo! What a process this has been...... getting my video workshop up and running over at STITCHED. All the workshops begin January 1, 2012 (can you believe that's just a short couple of weeks away already?). Alma and the gang have been busy bees getting their classes ready just for you!

Here are glimpses of my sample class book for my Accordion Photo Book:

This is not your grandmother's scrapbooking! Your photos are sewn right on the pages and embellished with all sorts of goodies. Your completed book can be displayed either tied with a pretty ribbon as a book or as an accordion photo display like this:

Here is one of my favorite pages (see the zipper on the right..... yeah, baby!) that also shows the stick in the binding:

Some of the fun hand embroidery and my "hand gathered ribbon" embellishment that holds some beaded safety pins:

Another fully embellished page:

I'll show you how to paint with your sewing machine to add texture and visual interest on your pages:

So come join the fun! If you click on the link over there...............................> and register in the next couple of days I'll send you a piece of my hand-dyed canvas and a pretty little hand wrapped charm. What are you waiting for? Go check it out!

STITCHED Give Away

2011-12-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

In my last post I mentioned that I would give away a piece of hand-dyed canvas and hand wrapped charm for early registrants for STITCHED. I have nine (9) pieces of canvas (they are actually bigger than I reported, they are 18" squares!) and charms to send to the first 9 people who register through my blog for the STITCHED workshops! To receive one of these packages you must be one of the first nine register following this link:Click here to register by December 15.

A peek at some fabric and charms I'm giving away:

All of the classes offered over at STITCHED are awesome! Check out the teachers' blogs over there ------------------------------>

STITCHED Registration is here!

2011-11-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

I am so very proud to be a part of STITCHED, a collection of 20 online video workshops by 20 amazing and talented fabric artists. Each workshop provides you with high-value and high-content information to get you sewing, designing and creating.

These workshops are supported by some amazing companies which will be providing some great giveaway items and products for several lucky STITCHED registrants.

You will also get full video workshops including my Accordion Photo Book class. Each of the 20 amazing workshops include wonderful videos, printable pdf files which include patterns and related instructions for each workshop, as well as the support of our awesome instructors in a completely private site.

In my Accordion Photo Book class you will learn to uniquely preserve your memories by combining photos, fabric, hand stitching, and lots of love. In this class you will learn to create a fabric-based tri-fold accordion photo album which can be displayed in several ways. If you've not sewn on photos before you're in for a treat! A working knowledge of your sewing machine, a few basic embroidery stitches, and a willingness to think outside “the scrapbook” are the basic tools needed in creating this one-of-a-kind “uniquely you” photo book. You will learn to select materials that blend together as well as how to create layouts using photos as the focal point. You will become fearless adding texture on your fabric pages to compliment your choices and photos by using your sewing machine, trim, and hand stitching. Don't be afraid of loose threads, crooked stitches, or raw edges....... imperfections are encouraged! Have memorabilia related to your photos? Let's add that. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but they look great in juxtaposition to your fabric and stitches. After embellishing with embroidery, metal, ribbon, and possibly the kitchen sink you will join your three pages together with a quick, easy ribbon closure. When finished, your accordion photo album can stand on its own or be secured as a book you can display with pride. And you can say.......” I did that!”

An example of what you can create in my Accordion Photo Book class:

Registration for STITCHED begins today (December 1, 2011) with workshops beginning January 1, 2012. For $89 you get full access to all 20 wonderfully creative workshops.

Another cover example for my Accordion Photo Book class:

You will learn to add texture and embellish one-of-a-kind photo pages:

Beads and ruffles and pins, oh my!

I am offering a treat for those who choose to sign up between today and December 15^th! By following this link: Click here to register before the 15^th you will receive a 12” square of hand-dyed canvas to use in my Accordion Photo Book class as well as a unique hand wrapped wire charm made by me. (Clicking on the registration link will take you to Alma Stoller's registration page where you will receive all the information you need to join us)

Come join in the creativity and get your stitching juices flowing with us at STITCHED!

More Wire Work

2011-11-27T13:56:00.000-08:00

I just love to watch YouTube tutorials and I found realisticart's channel. The artist's name is Ross Barbera and his videos are really good! I've watched a couple of them, but today I was inspired to actually make the earrings from his new video. Rather than making them into earrings, I shortened them and turned them into charms. I also learned a great way to make spirals with a smaller center turn. Try this link and see what he's up to.

Etsy Back Up.....

2011-11-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

I finished the Fall Leaves and Burgundy & Teal journals and placed them in my Etsy shop for sale. I hadn't renewed my listings as I was waiting until my fall bazaar sales were finished. I am really pleased with the way they both turned out!

Fall Leaves 1 Journal:

Burgundy & Teal Journal:

Tutorial from Alma

2011-11-18T04:47:00.000-08:00

Over on Alma Stoller's blog she has a fantastic short video tutorial called 101 Coiled Paper Pieces. I can't wait to make some! Check it out and give her some love..........

101 Coiled Paper Pieces from Alma Stoller on Vimeo.

WIP

2011-11-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I participated in a sale and wouldn't you know I sold the purple and brown journal before I could take photos of the finished piece. D'oh! The girl loved it, that's all I've got to say. The entire cover was done in my version of quilting. My favorite part of making quilts is the hand quilting so I've done that with perle cotton for texture. This quilted cover is done in shades of burgundy and aqua/teal. Right now it's a work in progress as I haven't put any of my wire work on it, but I like it so far. As Donna Downey would say: "happy place!" Here's the front:

And a close up:

I really, really, really like this next one. I saw a version of the stitched tree and leaves on Pinterest a while ago and have two of these hanging around. I wasn't sure where I was going with the stitching, but I like the effect of stitching completely around the sewn design. This cover probably won't get much more than some earth tone leaf beads at the spine, I don't want to cover up the stitching too much:

a close-up:

Pink!

2011-11-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing with my silver and copper wire (loving Thunderbird Supply... fast, fast shipping and great prices! They have a brick and mortar store in Flagstaff........ already planning a trip up when I got to AZ for Dylan's birthday in Feb.) This journal has sterling silver wire embellishments rather than the copper I used on the yellow rose journal. The focal point for the cover is an older photo of a pink starflower. I used some Moda fabric with pink, green, and yellow for the background on white canvas.

I made this freeform accent with the last of my wire (I've since received more wire from Thunderbird)

I created many wrapped beads for practice and used several on the spine along with a mixed media tassel.

I haven't finished this brown and purple journal yet, so I'm only showing a peek. I hand stitched small pieces of fabric onto batting and did my version of the rolled corded edging to attach the lining. I'm envisioning some copper beaded accents on it!

More Sneak Peeks for STITCHED

2011-11-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Among other things I have been making several samples for my STITCHED workshop. I won't show you the actual projects yet, but here ares some close-up peeks:

Two in one day?

2011-11-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

The journal is finished! The pages are blank as the focus is on the cover and its image. I used: yellow rose photo from my mother's house, costume jewelry pin, canvas, linen handkerchief, silk fabric, ribbon, beads, safety pins, perle cotton, and some of my new wire work.

The cover:

The copper S link for closure with the ribbon:

Some copper bead work:

On this head pin I put beads and a safety pin:

Wire Work

2011-11-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to win a spot in Deryn Mentock's The Build Zone class through Create Mixed Media and LOVE it! I have dabbled in jewelry in the past basically stringing beads which I enjoyed, but working with silver and copper wire is fantastic. Deryn is a fabulous teacher and I have learned so much from this class. Hammering and torching, baby! I learned to patina wire with liver of sulfur which gives the wire work character. Fun stuff. I don't plan to use these techniques for jewelry as this point, I want to make charms and findings to incorporate into my journals and books. I love to surf Pinterest and get even more ideas. I'm drawn to the spirals and love making them on headpins. (Who knew you could actually MAKE eyepins and headpins?!!!!) I love to make something that you would normally buy!

Here are some of the items I made to begin with:

A spiral headpin from silver wire that I patinaed (sp?)

I saw a gorgeous mixed media tassel on Pinterest. Here's my version:

A close-up of some of the wire work:

And lastly, I worked on S links today. Since my round nose pliers are different than Deryn's I had to figure out the proper length of wire. I plan to use these as a closure on the journal I am making right now. Look for them later!

STITCHED

2011-10-26T09:54:00.001-07:00

We've been given the go-ahead from the fabulous Alma Stoller to announce the launching of STITCHED online video workshops which will go live Jan. 1, 2012. I'm very excited to be part of this group of talented stitch experts and humbled to teach alongside them! Since Alma asked me to participate I have been walking in the clouds and stitching up a storm to be ready. Registration for the workshops will begin Dec. 1, 2011 and once you are a student you will have full access to all 20 workshops plus some extra added goodies from Alma. Such a deal! Stay tuned for more details..........................

This and That

2011-10-25T13:17:00.001-07:00

I will have exciting news soon and have been working diligently to prepare for my next adventure in art! For now here is a sneak peek at my work:

I also decided to use up some of my bucket of wool roving last week so I played with making a wet felted piece that will eventually become a book cover. It didn't come out too badly only working with what I had on hand. I now have a couple of items (including a pool noodle!) that will make the process easier next time.

A couple of summers ago I made two little journals from recycled fulled sweaters with lots of embroidery on them. One I kept and one I gave to Miranda. I really like the looks of them and wanted to find a better way to sew in the signatures, the holes on my spine are not looking so good at this point. The pattern called for 5 signatures and I only used 3 so I had to play with the directions a bit. I think it will work better now.......

... the cover:

..... opened...

Rainbow Book with Photos

2011-10-14T05:22:00.001-07:00

In my Sept. 22 post I showed the white rainbow book that I had created. I made a couple of smaller ones to take to the sale in Independence last weekend and decided to show what one could do with it by adding some of my photos and carved stamps. I tried to find photos that would work with the button and ribbon color on the pages.

The cover:

The "yellow" page with Indian Pipe photo and stitching:

"Blue" page with hummingbird feeder and a scrap of velvet:

"Purple" page with a purple mushroom and hand-dyed muslin:

I think I had made this journal on the plane or shortly after returning from AZ this summer. I added the cardboard heart that I found while "cleaning" my studio. The "journal" stamp is new:

Still Busy with Books!

2011-09-23T10:02:00.001-07:00

Seriously, it's kind of like an addiction.......... every thing I buy, see, etc. translates in my mind to "this would look great in, on, or as a book". Ask Cheri. She tries to get me to see other things, asks me what could I do with it, but it always, always comes back to making books. So, I just gave in and made more books! That's what people looked at, touched, read, felt, etc. at the last sale, so I'm just going with it. Forget the purses, pincushions, etc. Just books! For now anyway until the obsession goes away (if it ever does). The first two journals/books (whatever you want to call them) had been flung aside (literally!)......... wasn't happy with them, didn't like the way they came out, didn't think they embodied the visions I had for them. I decided I would try to "save" them and make them "better", at least in my mind. I think I'm finally happy with the results and sewed the signatures in them this morning. I still have one to fill this afternoon, but for now these are finished and ready to sell.

The cover of the first one:

I didn't really do anything to this one, just finally decided it was worthy of signatures. I even had the silver lined beads ready to put on the spine when I "put" it aside. It's growing on me:

A close-up of some of the stitching, hand beading, and hand carved "art" stamp:

I sold one of my rag journals at the sale so felt I needed to replace it. These were one of the journals that were constantly being picked up and perused. This one is a little thicker with pages than the other two I have so I may add a signature to them and make them chunkier.

The cover:

Inside:

Now back to my studio and more signatures!

Busy with Books

2011-09-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Flipping through Pam Sussman's book Fabric Art Journals I was inspired to create a couple of books unlike the ones I usually make. For my first attempt I used my hand-dyed muslin. I quilted the chocolate colored cover and used red, blue, and purple for the pages. All have fleece for padding. Pam's book was made with white muslin, colored buttons and ribbons. I didn't like the colors on the brown so I used white/off-white buttons and ribbons. They really popped on the colored muslin. The cover:

Top view of the pages on which are hand sewed many buttons and ribbons at the edges:

Here is my version of the white with colored buttons/ribbons. Again I quilted my own cover with variegated rayon thread. I used cotton batting in the cover and pages. The cover:

Instead of mixing the colors of buttons and ribbons on each page I went with the ROYGBIV rainbow using one color per page. I love the effect!

Each of the books also has a pocket on the inner back cover as well as a small button and ribbons on the back of the cover (not shown). This is a great way to use some of the bazillion buttons and ribbons I have stashed!

Paper Stacks!

2011-09-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Over on Seth's blog The Altered Page he put out a call for participants to show their paper stacks. Several bloggers have showcased their journals. And I have journals! I don't always use them, but I love to make them and once my studio was rearranged, I can actually display them! These are not all, but they were toppling so I only grabbed the ones I use frequently. Not all are paper, in fact most have fabric covers. The only one I didn't make is the one on the top of this picture; it is a moleskine book that I purchased for traveling. If you look closely and upside down you will see one of my favorite binder clips from KnockKnock that reads "crap". I have others, but this is the mildest one!

This one on top is my idea journal which contains envelopes, patterns, drawings, directions, etc. and is my "go-to" journal for some of my art:

Technically not a stack, but the spines themselves are worthy of a photo:

And a top view:

Just Piddlin' Around

2011-09-18T10:23:00.001-07:00

... with the sewing machine making some new journal covers....... I've been getting lots of inspiration from Pinterest (I'll be adding a button soon). One is ruffles, one is a stitched fall tree, one is fabric pieces hand sewn, one is an experiment with some heavy thread on a piece of painted canvas, and a leaf made from yarn.

Even the photo is not up-to-par (no sun today so I photographed inside.... boo!), I love the way the tree and leaves came out:

Hand sewing ready for more stitching and/or embellishments:

Not liking the canvas so much so I'm salvaging it by adding to it:

Needle Books

2011-09-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

I've been making items to get ready for a sale next month in Independence, VA. I just received the application to vend today in the mail. People commented mostly on my needle books, rag journals, and my published Jabberwocky book. So I've been busy the past few days creating a couple of new needle books. As I worked I tweaked the design elements to reflect my more current style. I've forgotten how fun it is to work on a small piece of art! The first is a blue owl book. The front:

The back (which I tweaked to add the button and little swatch of fabric:

The second is a nesting doll in black, brown, and cream:

again the back:

Special Order

2011-09-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday Cheri and I had a couple of tables set up at the Matthews Farm Quilt Show in Galax. We didn't know what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by the response we received from the people shopping. We both sold some items and made some connections. I am relieved that there are people here who "get" my art and enjoy it. I sold a couple of journals to two young girls and a needle book. I also had an order for a book for a 90th birthday celebration. Once I pulled out the blue fabric it all took shape rather quickly. Marie enjoys baskets and I found an embroidered doily with a basket of flowers (in blue... how fortuitous!) and remembered the tiny basket my mother gave me on my last visit. I sat and blanket stitched the cover together last night while watching Hell's Kitchen. I will be calling the woman who ordered it for her mother today and delivering as promised! I'm not sure whether it was easier or more difficult working in specific parameters, but I think it came out nice............

Textures

2011-09-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

While visiting my mother in my hometown (Madison, NY) I took a long walk to the next town and shot some photos of interesting textures. Not sure what I want to do with them......... any suggestions?

rock wall:

wormy wood:

rusty hinge and peeling paint:

rock wall:

telephone pole:

Barf Bag Book!

2011-08-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

As my husband says, "Who needs fancy art supplies?" Apparently I don't especially on a flight from Phoenix to Chicago yesterday. I might have created this book while watching a movie (since this flight actually had headphones to use, but the movie was "Rio" and I detest cartoons. On the flight out "Thor" was playing, but I had no headphones. Go figure) I made this Barf Bag Book on the plane with limited space and limited supplies. The pretty blue barf bag is the cover and I braided the perle cotton I shoved into my bag (anticipating book making) for the tie. In between the snoring to my left and the woman who kept toppling on to me while she slept I managed to create this little cutie:

The flight attendants either didn't care that I was using the barf bag or didn't pay attention (most likely the latter since the flight was full and we hit storm turbulence over Chicago).

The pages are scrapbook cardstock weight paper, paper bags from my food purchases, scrap paper I had written notes/lists on, and some lightweight sketching paper shoved in the bottom of my carry on.

Painted Graffiti Journal

2011-08-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

I've been busy the past week or so playing with, I mean babysitting, Dylan back in AZ but did manage to get some art completed during his naptimes. Mostly I worked on a journal from Dina Wakley's The Graffiti of My Life online class. With drying times it took several days to complete. It's not actually "finished" as I haven't put any graffiti in it. I'll do that when I get home later this week. I also have to work on the "pesky birds" from Dina's class here at Creative Quest that both April and I took. Here's the cover of the journal, the one thing I added to the cover pieces was one of the paper towels I used to blot up the spray ink:

One of the page spreads (using watery paint, inks, gesso, and stitching):

The next three photos are close-ups of some of my favorite add-ins (using paint, ink, gesso, collaged papers, and more stitching):

There is a small piece of the paper towel peeking from behind the stencil:

Loved how my collaged sheet came out, here is one of the hand cut hearts:

Sneak Peek.........

2011-08-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well, technically speaking the first two photos aren't really a "sneak" peak since I'm showing the entire piece, but the last three are! I've been super busy creating the past week or so, the creative juices have been flowing and the muse has been working overtime. I'm ahead of my self-imposed deadlines which makes me ecstatic! The first piece is another accordian photo album which came out even better than the green/blue one I made a while ago. I added sticks to the ends which helps support the cloth album and love the way it stands on its own now without flopping. I loathe to put support between the page layers as I like the feel of the cloth better so I had to devise another way for supporting the album. The color scheme is based on the hand painted canvas I recently worked on. Here is the "cover", there really isn't a specific cover as the book can be reversed and/or set up 2 ways in accordian style:

And here it is unfolded:

I have plans for the accordian photo album so stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed!

Now for the real "sneak" peeks! I worked on three other pieces for which I have specific plans so for now all I'm showing are close-ups of each piece.

#1: blue and white dragonfly

#2 rag journal

#3 burgundy photo album

Please keep fingers AND toes crossed for this goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paint, Paint, and more Paint #2

2011-07-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't figured out how to get more than 5 photos per post, so had to split this into two posts. Sorry! The following pieces are all inspired by books I have in my library. The first is (on the left) piece of the same canvas fabric in the previous post that I played with following along with Traci Bautista in "Collage Unleased." I had used her methods before with a friend but we weren't really following what Traci does as closely as I would have liked, so I jumped back in scrunching a dipping this piece of fabric (and LOOK! more circles!).

On the right are some canvas boards inspired by the purple and green canvases I showed earlier. I used molding paste to create texture as a base and again limited my palette, some of the acrylic paint is full body and some are watered down. These will become covers, the orange/yellow will be combined with the painted canvas on the earlier post. Stay tuned for that!

Working out of Mary Todd Beam's "The Creative Edge" I again used paste for texture only this time using a watercolor wash and some acrylic inks.

Here is a close up showing the juicy texture. This will be a great background for a project.

This afternoon I pulled out "Painted Paper" by Alisa Golden and worked with only acrylic inks. This method is her "dropper and dry brush outlines" technique. I LOVE THIS! I'm definitely going to be using more inks from now on. I love that they are permanent and their colors are very intense.

A close-up:

Paint, Paint, and more Paint #1

2011-07-27T12:52:00.001-07:00

In between rain drops the last couple of weeks (and when I'm not transplanting things in my gardens) I've been out on the patio painting like nobody's business! I've needed to expand my "artsiness" so grabbed some paints, a few good art books and went to work. These large papers are spray painted using lace cardstock as stencils. For this project I was inspired by Debra Cooper's All About Patterns class over at 21 Secrets Playground (you can still register here). Such a fun class. I loved the spray painting part, but was impatient with the all over stamping part so I just played with the cans. Both Cheri and April have dabbled here as well and both seemed to love it.

Cheri has been growing (among many other things) poppies in her flower garden. They've all bloomed by now and just the poppy pods are left, so I grabbed one and inspired by the current issue of Somerset Studio spray painted the pods metallic gold. (Of course that was after spreading the seeds in MY garden!)

Using left over paint from a project not seen here I rustled up two small canvases and painted them green and purple. They needed white circles and black splotches and voila! So simple, but I really like them.

I hadn't painted fabric in a while so I took a rather large piece of cheapo canvas/muslin type fabric from the local store washed it hoping to remove the finish (didn't get it all out so the paint didn't absorb like I was hoping.... probably have to spring for some synthropol after all... *sigh*), dried it and purposely did not press any wrinkles out. I limited my palette to only 3 colors and black (yellow, red, and orange) on the piece. I wrapped a rubber band around a foam brayer for the black faux snakeskin pattern.

And stamped circles with the plastic center out of a transparent tape spool. Love the circles, they seem to be showing up everywhere in my current art pieces. After the paint was dry I finally ironed the wrinkles. I like leaving them in when I paint, I think it gives character to the piece.

More Quilts and a Sock Monkey

2011-07-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

This growth chart is from a tutorial over at Emily's blog. I used the leftover pieces from Dylan's previous Eye Spy quilt for the squares. Dylan will be taking this back home with him so Mommy can write his heights in and I will embroider them on when I go back to visit.

Here is a fuller view of the chart, it is 72 inches long. I just finished Vincent the sock monkey last night. I had purchased the work socks last summer (?) at a flea market in Binghamton for a great price, ran across them while cleaning and sorting so I decided Dylan needed another monkey. The instructions for the monkey are here.

And here is the Sesame Street panel I quilted. The back is all-over Cookie Monster faces in blue. I decided it needed to be flannel and it sure is soft! All of Dylan's presents are here waiting for him. He arrives later this afternoon. It's his first plane ride, hope he does well for the 4 hour flight!

Journal and a New Idea Forming

2011-07-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Although I've been busy making "stuff" for Dylan (currently a quilted growth chart and Cat in the Hat book) I've still been working on my creative ideas. This Accordian Photo Album may have many lives in the near future. It was fun and not quite as, how shall I say this, all consuming as one of my fabric photo books. With just 6 photos and a handful of memorabilia from Dylan's birth and baby shower I created this blue and green fabric Accordian Photo Album which I hope will be making its appearance in other places as well. This page incorporates some confetti from the shower tables and the spine is closed with gift wrapping ribbon from a present. Each page has a button and embroidery to tie them all together visually.

This is how the book looks when fully open:

Cheri "accidentally" left a basket of fabric at my house last week so I pulled out a couple of pre-cut pieces (which, in my defense, looked like they were intended for a book/journal cover anyway, I swear!) and whipped up a little book for her. I quilted the two pieces in a square spiral, added an abstract flower of hand-dyed cotton, sewed some stars and beads here and there and finally added a stamped fabric label:

The "stuff" stamp was carved from an eraser.

The pages are samples of my current obsession with spray painting (which is looking more and more like the subject of my zine for Alma's I ♥ Zines 2011). Cheri plans to use this little book for photos of her cutie patootie granddaughter!

Making Stuff for Dylan

2011-06-24T14:53:00.001-07:00

In between gardening and cleaning my studio I have made several items for Dylan. He'll be visiting shortly and it is colder here than AZ. We Skype every night and who could resist this smile?

I purchased from a member of one of my Yahoo groups some small pieces of fabric. This was probably over a year ago and since they were basically "I Spy" squares and I had no small children I shoved them into a corner where they languished until I cleaned and found them. And NOW I have someone to use them for! I just pieced them together and used some of the longer pieces for sashing andd binding. The back is cotton muslin and the batting is 100% cotton as well. It's all hand quilted and ready for the visit.

Here is a close-up of some of the random squares, I just used what I had:

And then I crocheted a monkey thinking that the orange might be too weird, but it's bright enough for Dylan to see when we Skype. His name is Earl according to Darrin.

Exciting news!

2011-06-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

A couple months back while at April's I participated in the Cloth Paper Scissors fabric swatch exchange. I had brought some hand-dyed muslin in bright green and dark indigo to make my swatches. I sandwiched cotton batting between the fabrics and free motion quilted some swirls all over the piece. I cut it into the required size pieces, paid the fee, and shipped them off. A couple of weeks ago I received pieces in exchange from as far away as Australia! Some really cool stuff, can't wait to use them.

Here is the large piece before it was cut to size:

Yesterday I received the July/August issue of CPS in the mail. On the top corner of the cover was a blurb about the exchange. Needless to say I squealed when I opened to the article and found that they had chosen my piece as one of the 38 to showcase in the issue! Yowza! I never expected that! There were close to 200 participants and they chose less than 40 for the article. I am very flattered and sooo was not expecting that! My fabric is on pg 81. I really love the other pieces they chose....... good stuff!

April looked in Borders for a copy, but it doesn't seem to be on stands yet. Here's the cover:

De-Stashing Big Time & Etsy Update

2011-06-07T12:34:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF in my studio. It's time to get rid of some of my "extras." Do I REALLY need 100 yards of cord in one color? Several gross of brads in all colors? No, didn't think so....... I've been cleaning out and packaging some of my primo supplies and am in the process of listing them on Etsy. So far I have several packages of brads (the larger ones contain WAY more than a gross!) sorted by color. Here's a sneak peak:

Stay tuned as I haul stuff out and check out the bargains on my Etsy over there

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... and if you need something to tote your goodies around in check out my purses!

More purses!

2011-05-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

I've been having a blast making small purses for my Etsy shop! Have I mentioned how much I love fabric? But only in a "kind of addicted to buying matching Moda fabrics" way........ lol..... I'm not patient enough yet to tackle something as big as a quilt so I am focusing on small items like purses. I picked up a couple of new patterns while visiting my sister and made them up. I really like the way they came out. The first (Mini Tote Bag) is made from Moda fabric that we picked up really cheap at a yard sale last summer. It is totally quilted and it was fun to make:

I think I like this next pattern a lot and will be tackling a few more very shortly. I found this dragonfly line at AZ quilts in Peoria, AZ and it worked up nicely. I like the gathered part of the bag, I think it makes it look cozy (if that's possible in a bag?). I have been using magnetic snaps for closures, but went ahead with the zipper and I like it!

Here is another version of the Button Bag (see previous post). This time in black and white. I seem to have picked up accidentally (?!) a small bag of black and white scraps at Cazenovia Fabrics so snagged a half yard of black/white at Batiks, Etc. in Wytheville here in VA and made this little purse:

All three are for sale in my Etsy over here

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New Etsy item

2011-05-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

I got many compliments on my quilted bag while visiting Arizona the past couple of months so once I returned I decided to start making a few from my Moda fabric stash to sell on Etsy. I used the Giddy charm squares to make a journal, but had plenty left to create this Button Bag. It measures approximately 8" X 8" X 4" with a shoulder strap and magnetic clasp. I modified the pattern a touch:

Side view:

Close up of quilted square and button embellishment.

Check it out over there on the right in my Etsy shop

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Giveaway!

2011-04-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

Thank you to the fabulous Alma Stoller over at The Glossy Project for featuring me on the Glossy Project blog! I am so thrilled and honored. In celebration I have created a one-of-a-kind journal to give away over at her blog. This journal is approximately 4" by 6" machine quilted appliqué, hand embroidered, padded, and fully lined. The 100% cotton cover is embellished with unique fabric buttons, a ribbon closure, beaded wax linen stitching for the spine with original stamp work. Pages include tabs, envelopes, card stock and unique artisan folios. Each signature of pages consists of approximately 10 folios for a total of 20 pages and 40 sides on which to write.

Close-up of the detailed stitching on the front cover:

Hand covered button and hand carved stamp:

The back with my "trademark" UPC code:

A peek at the pages waiting to be used by one lucky reader:

To win this journal head on over to The Glossy Project blog, say hello to Alma and leave a comment.

Thanks to all and good luck!

Busy!

2011-04-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's my last day here in AZ, heading back to VA with Bryan tomorrow at the crack of dawn. I'll be looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, cooler weather, and the birds at the feeder. The bird feeders hadn't attracted any feeders yet when I left the beginning of February, but Dave tells me that we have blue jays and others now! I need to get back to walking with Cheri and Maggie as I think I've probably put on weight here. Also spend way too much money on stuff! So, walking and creating are first on the list. Right after catching up on my sleep, driving to central NY, PA and Binney & Smith, cooking meals, well............okay............sometime then!

Even though it's been busy here at April's taking care of Dylan I've managed to create. I put together a nursery rhyme panel into a soft book for Dylan. The Cat in the Hat book will have to wait until I get home.

Last Friday I took another Dina Wakley class over at Creative Quest in Glendale. The class was "Dear Me". I titled my version "The Evolution of Me." I actually had to take photos of some old photos of me and get them printed in black and white. I sewed rather than glued my photos into the canvas and painted book. I almost finished it in class (a first for me, I usually don't finish and then the projects languish in a bag somewhere in my studio!) and added some finishing touches when I got back "home". The cover:

The book:

A spread with one of my Dylan photos:

The pages are inked and painted watercolor paper and canvas. I carved a couple of stamps (another Dina class!) and used them in the book. You can see the circle stamp on the page above. The heart is on the cover.

And how can I blog without showing off Dylan? He discovered his tongue the other night and I managed to capture the moment:

Newly published

2011-03-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

I've been sitting on the news that I have been published again! I just received my advance copy of the Spring 2011 Somerset Memories magazine with my art in it. Several years ago April and I took a trip to central NY to visit family. I created a fabric memory book for her with photos and memorabilia. We are both excited to see her book in the magazine and even more excited that there is a photo of both of us included (the cover of the book!). Somerset Memories will be on newsstands the first of April.

AWOL

2011-03-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Along with taking care of Dylan with mommy for the past two weeks we have been shooting some fabulous newborn photos. I have managed to get some art done, but not as much as I normally would. That's A-Okay! Here is my favorite photo from a shoot we did last week, I love the wrinkled skin and fuzzy back:

The owl quilt is finished as well. I machine quilted in the ditch and around the applique pieces. It now hangs in Dylan's nursery and will soon be joined with an owl quilt from Great Grandma who is a MUCH better quilter than me!

I also made a couple of quilted journals for April and Miranda. Miranda had asked me about a year ago to make her a journal similar to my dragonfly idea journal and I finally got inspired to make it. She has been such a great friend that I wanted to let her know how much I appreciate all she does (like picking me up at the airport when I flew in last month!). After making Miranda's I got in the groove and made a similar journal for April in pink and yellow. My photos are out of order so here is the close-up of the April's cover with the hand embroidery, covered button (my latest addiction!), and beaded spine:

The entire cover of April's journal:

Miranda'a journal: It may be difficult to see but I machine stitched around every flower to give it an appliqued look (and look! covered buttons!):

Dylan!

2011-03-01T19:16:00.001-08:00

Dylan was born last Friday and he's so cute I could bite him!

More baby stuff

2011-02-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

April and I bought some pieces of flannel on sale at Joann's the past week or so and I turned them into receiving blankets and "burp cloths." I used the left-over pieces to make some thingies that could be burp cloths or whatever she wants to do with them. I think I ended up making 9 blankets and 15 burp cloths.

Close-up of the burp cloth:

It's less than 12 hours until April goes to the hospital for labor induction!

Dylan's new owl quilt in progress

2011-02-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

This is the second attempt at an owl quilt for Dylan's nursery. The first one I started didn't work out so well. I saw this in a magazine I brought with me. The quilt that was in the magazine wasn't very well done, the background fabric had an argyle pattern which the quilter didn't match up and it looked "off". So with the assistance of the ladies at Arizona Quilt here in Peoria I found some better fabrics. The top is ready to quilt and I purchased the background bird fabric for the backing today. I took the top in to show the ladies and they loved it so much the owner took a photo with my information (and Dylan's too!). Not sure what they plan to do with the photo, but I will be checking their web site and will link up if they post it!

I made a slight adjustment to the owl's vest. The original pattern showed the vest machine stitched onto his belly, but I made it a separate unit that actually opens. I think it came out cute. I plan to work on the quilting, backing, and binding in the next day or two. Hopefully I can get most of it finished before they induce April this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed......... I should be a grammy by Saturday!

Back in AZ

2011-02-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a few weeks since my last post and there are 2 main reasons.

#1: I had to fly cross country back to AZ the beginning of the month to be here with April. Her doctor stuck her in the hospital, took a battery of tests and concluded she has preeclampsia. She was released after a week's stay and put on bed rest. She shows no signs of this supposed condition but they continue to take their tests.

#2: I had no GIMP program to shrink my photos to post so I finally got it downloaded and got outside to take some photos of the projects I've been working on here. Honestly, I spent more time and suitcase space on my "stuff" than on clothes. Knowing I would be here in AZ until mid-April (I have no plans to line the airline's pockets by changing my ticket again!) I packed as many projects as possible and bought supplies here for others.

So.......... I continued to work on the ABC book. Finished hand work on the pages, made bias binding, bound the pages, and now I have to decide how best to bind all the pages together. They all have cotton batting in them so the book is quite fat. Still thinking on it!

Completed Dylan's Baby Burrito Blanket while April was in the hospital. The blanket was finished except the edging. I had run out of the variegated blue/white/yellow yarn so toodled over to The Needler's Nest in El Mirage. The ladies in this store are great and took time to get me a great yarn to finish the edging.

Today I was supposed to attend Dina Wakley's class over at Creative Quest in Glendale, but she has walking pneumonia so the class has been postponed. I hope she feels better! I saw a cool journal cover in the current issue of Green Crafts by Stampington. It was made from the denim pocket from a jacket. I found a pink corduroy jacket at Saver's thrift store, but the pocket was too large and wasn't going to work so I used the cuff as a closure instead. I pieced and quilted some fabric from Moda's Giddy line and crocheted the edging in perle cotton. I made some covered buttons and a rolled fabric rose to embellish the front. The pages are watercolor paper and are ready for the rescheduled class.

And lastly, I grabbed some fabric while April was sorting here stash and cut it into strips for her rag journal (like the ones in my etsy shop). She hasn't used it yet, but probably will take it to the hospital with her next week when they induce her. They will induce her early next Friday morning and if all goes well I will be a Grandma next weekend!

As Easy as ABC

2011-01-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

April wanted to see the progress on the panel ABC book that I am working up for Dylan. This is not the replica of an interactive alphabet book that I sewed for April when she was little. For that one I have to recreate the pattern from photos of her book since I no longer have the commercial pattern and cannot find it on the web. So... I need to get cracking on that... the current version for Dylan will be MUCH easier to sew. Nowadays there's this product called fusible web which was not around 25+ years ago when sewing April's book. It was such a pain in the patoot to make that I never made one for Bryan (appliquéing now is easy peasy, not so much back then) and subsequently more than likely tossed the horrid pattern!

This book is made from a panel (and I almost had to beg to buy the only panel left in the store!) the reason for purchasing was the owl. I have machine embroidered the letters and edges and plan to add hand embroidery before finishing. The pages will be bound back to back with binding made from coordinating fabric and I'm not sure exactly how the pages will be bound together, but I'm sure I'll come up with something!

Here are the first four pages and once I found a cool presser foot that works great with the machine appliqué process (who knew what great stuff came with my machine!?), I plan to do some more outlining with my machine on these pages....

This is the "O" page which enticed me to beg for the panel in the first place:

Currently I am working on the "U" page so it should be finished soon.......

Button Fairies

2011-01-28T08:20:00.001-08:00

Another swap finished! Over at Fiber Artist Traders (FAT) on Yahoo Charmion is hosting a Button Fairy swap. It took me a week or two to create what was in my head, but I think these 3 came close to what I had envisioned when I signed up. In a week I will have my recipients' names and the fairies will be leaving Faerie Acres to their new homes. Hope they like it there! I made an extra one and haven't decided what to do with her yet. Hmm........

The three for trading:

And a close up; I stamped, colored, cut out and jeweled up the face; fused left over Christmas organza, stitched, and jeweled the wings; wired buttons for the body and added fibers.

Free Motion Frenzy

2011-01-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

..... and a beanstalk! Over my creative funk and getting down to business. Funky Holiday business, that is. Over at Funky Mixed Media the swap theme for Feb. is Tell a Fairy Tale Day. I created a felt, fabric, and wire 3-D beanstalk to represent Jack and the Beanstalk. My page:

I started practicing free motion quilt stitching this week. Why? Because I have the free motion capacity on my sewing machine and I just wanted to! In the current issue of Quilting Arts magazine there is an article which discusses quilting using free motion so I thought now is a great time to learn how to do it. I used the scraps from the PDCC challenge for the first practice piece. Lesson learned on this piece: don't use fabric pieces that aren't totally secured to backing, they get in the way! (stitched with black quilting thread)

Lesson 2 on the blue hand dyed fabric: keep both hands on the fabric or you get weird jogs in the stitching......ha! It's still better than the first, but I've got a long way to go. (stitched with variegated blue quilting thread)

This is actually the same piece (with flash, I just couldn't use the whole photo as the flash created shadows although the color of the fabric is more true) close up:

I got tired of swirls so I copied a stitch from my machine on this yellow piece with rayon thread. Egyptian looking square swirls. Lesson learned: hesitate when making corners or they don't look like sharp corners:

PDCC #65

2011-01-25T15:25:00.001-08:00

* Thank you ladies at The Play Date Café for choosing my journal as Cream on Our Coffee this week!*

This past week I've been sort of in a "creative funk." I still make myself go upstairs and work on something, anything each day and just keep powering through! I needed grey fabric to work on this week Play Date Café's challenge so Cheri and I trooped to the fabric store yesterday and played with our fabric purchases in the afternoon. I had been working on beanstalks for our next swap over at Funky Mixed Media, but priorities! That's not due yet and this challenge needed to be posted TODAY! I created a journal with an appliquéd flap with some Moda charm squares and grey batik fabric. I played off the circles and lines while incorporating the blanket stitch I just learned to use on my sewing machine. I quilted and appliquéd with rayon thread. The front of my 5 X 7 (appr.) journal:

A bird's-eye view to show the two signatures; I used Basic Grey's "Oh Baby Boy! line for the folios and my favorite pamphlet stitch with ribbon to sew them in. I usually place tabs on the right edge of the pages, but since the flap closes over the right side, I place them on the top of the pages instead.

One of the pages with buttons:

The back when closed which shows more buttons, appliqué, and ribbons:

PDCC #64

2011-01-17T07:41:00.001-08:00

In between sewing sequins, beads, and felt for Dylan's stocking I worked on my submission to The Play Date Café's challenge #64 with Julie Ranae's colors teal, grey, and tan.

This small wall hanging (appr. 12" square) is titled "Oh, Snap!". The background is grey and tan fabric cut in curves and then woven together. The pieces were stitched together with teal thread and a decorative machine stitch.

The flowers are recycled wool fabric, the teal is from a thrift store jacket and the grey is from a jacket I had made years ago when I worked in the fabric store. The flower centers are snaps and the stems are a zipper. I added silver/grey sheer ribbon for leaves and the finished edges of the piece. Grass is again the teal felt and I literally dropped the buttons onto the piece and sewed them down where they landed.

I was inspired by Cheri's hangers and made a decorative hanger to finish the piece. It was good to create in the midst of mindlessly sewing sequins!

Finished

2011-01-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

I finished Dylan's stocking last night! I am no longer lost in the sequins as they are all applied to the stocking (all fifty bazillion of them!).

Here is a close-up of the cuff with the personalized embroidery and quite a few sequins:

Lost in Sequins

2011-01-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

My Herrschner's order arrived early last week and I have been buried in sequins and felt since then working on Dylan's personalized stocking. I'm on piece #54 out of around 70 pieces so I'm almost finished. It's all hand work and I can sit for hours on end sewing the sequins and beads, stuffing the pieces, and then appliqueing them to the stocking. There's a certain zen to the process, not much thinking involved. After creating the last few original pieces I needed a break. I'm also working on an owl quilt (also for Dylan) and the new color theme for The Play Date Cafe's weekly challenge. Here's what the stocking looks like right now:

I just need to finish a couple more presents and a little stocking and it's finished. Piece of cake!

Evie's Pinafore

2011-01-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Cheri's daughter gave birth on January 1st. I created a pink pinafore for little Evie Marie and soon this lovely will be winging its way via post to North Carolina. It began as my second pinafore in Ruth Rae's Poetry Pinafore class at the now defunct Art Fiber Fest (I hope Teesha reinstates this fab retreat!) a couple of summers ago. Like many of my projects it languished in the corner of my studio with other UFOs. I pulled it out and finished it for Evie. I used hand-dyed muslin for the base and had already stitched the alphabet at the hem of one side and "Pretty in Pink" on the other. I added some bling, ribbons, and free motion stitched Evie's full name and date of birth to finish.

Close up of the wool felt heart with fibers, burnt organza, silk leaves and some bling:

The other side (really, there is no front nor back):

Evie's name:

and a cute little wool felt heart from the scraps:

The Play Date Café Challenge #63

2011-01-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

Having just finished a Ruth Rae inspired poetry pinafore for Cheri's new granddaughter, Evie, I decided to create one for the newest The Play Date Café Challenge. The color are grass green, gold, and silver.

My "Hope" pinafore is made from hand-dyed muslin, stamped , and embellished with some Michael's bling. The leaves are wool felt layered with book text and organza. I sewed beads around the neckline and scattered around the pinafore. The front is machine free motion stitched with Hope

The front bottom border is the alphabet. Gold and silver chains hang from the flower bling.

On the back I wrote the Emily Dickinson poem which reads: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops at all." All "i"s are dotted with gold or silver seed beads.

Mini Art Quilts

2011-01-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

This post is per Cheri's request since she is out of state with her new granddaughter. I recently finished a couple of mini art quilts inspired by The Uncommon Quilter by Jeanne Williamson. Some are almost exactly what she had done in the book and some are my own take using her ideas as a springboard.

"Sinus Rhythm" is an onion bag heart and machine stitching:

"Lace Redux" started out the same as Jeanne's, but I was not feeling the painting part so after rubbing the lace design onto muslin with a crayon I embroidered french knots and some X's and then added matching buttons:

"Je Suis" is another of my versions from the book. It is dedicated to Karen who sent me "schmutz" from her trip to France and I used the pamphlets on this piece:

I used rayon thread to stitch "Skittles" (a rainbow of flavors!) after patching the black/white dotted fabrics:

"Forsythia" is an almost exact copy from the book with stitched branches and painted buds:

Two in one day?

2011-01-06T16:05:00.001-08:00

Well, I had to make sure to post that I received Honorable Mention over at the Play Date Café for their challenge #62! Yahoo! Once I saw that their were over 100, yes, that's correct OVER 100 entries, I figured there was no chance to win, but............ I did and I'm very excited and proud to display the Cream in Our Coffee badge. There it is on the right ----------->
My winning contribution is down below, so check it out. Thank you, ladies at the Café.

Swap Pages

2011-01-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

Many thanks for the kind and encouraging comments you left on my previous post! Over at Penney-Jane Mixed Media I am hosting a year-long Funky Holiday Swap for 4X4 pages. April hosted last year and honestly, it's been my favorite swap ever. As soon as I compile all the pages for the 2010 version I will post a pic to show you just how funky this swap is! There are no Valentine's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving pages........... we celebrate things like Talk Like Pirate Day and Crossword Puzzle Week over at PJMM! This year's swap starts out with the January page of National Bird Day and since I really liked the owl quiltie I worked up for PDCC challenge #62 I decided to make the design smaller and go with it for this Funky Holiday. And could I just make the four to swap? NO..........I want one of everyone's pages so I made 8.
All eight roosting together:

Here is a close-up of my favorite color combination (of course the fabric is Moda, need you ask?)..... I might have to keep this one for myself (unless April cries foul and begs me to send it to her):

If you are inclined and want to play along with this or any other swap I'd love to have you join my yahoo group! Just email me at penney.klaproth@gmail.com and I will send you an invitation to the group..............the more the merrier! Come on over and play.

Play Date Cafe Challenge

2011-01-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

I finally worked up an entry for the Play Date Cafe's Challenge (#62), hopefully I can figure out how to get it linked correctly to be entered to win (keep your fingers crossed!). Each week the design team over a PDC issues a challenge revolving around a specific color palette. Most of the entries involve paper and cardstock, but mine is all fabric! Here is the color palette for Challenge #62:

I interpreted it with a simple nine patch block as a background and appliqued an owl with button eyes to the center. I machine stitched a branch and hand quilted the leaves in the pink corner squares. I think it turned out cute. Now that I've accomplished one of their challenges, I think I will make some more blocks to turn into a book........ stay tuned!

New Etsy items

2010-12-29T13:05:00.001-08:00

No, the birds aren't on my Etsy, but I just had to share my favorite bird photo out of the hundreds I shot at my sister's house over Christmas. The bird eating is a tufted titmouse and one of the male cardinals is coming in for lunch:

I finally got my small rag journals listed in my Etsy shop thanks to a book I won a couple of weeks ago over on Ricë's blog: "Crafty Superstar" by Grace Dobush. In the book she shows how to make a light box for taking photos inside and since we have a dearth of sunshine nowadays, I have been slacking off on taking pics of my creations. But now I have that little issue licked! Thanks Ricë and Grace.

Here are the Small Rag Journals I am selling:

Present Presentation

2010-12-19T13:53:00.001-08:00

I spent most of the past week baking cookies and working on little art quilts. Our friends are coming over this evening for early Christmas celebration. I bought a couple of large clear glass plates, lined them with a fabric napkin I made, piled them with cookies, then wrapped them in red organza. Tied to the ribbon is one of the ornaments I made (see previous post). The Chex Mix and white chocolate popcorn in the glass jars have homemade labels I created from canvas, leftover napkin fabric, and an embossed image. The labels are tied to the jars with ribbon. The cards are also hand made from leftover ornament fabric. Hope they like them!

Thursday we will be heading up to central NY to spend Christmas with my mother, my sister and her family. I will try to post the basket I made for one of the cookie presentations if I remember before I leave. The basket was a pain in the patoot to make, but actually came out pretty good! Off to heat up the lasagna.......

Recent Projects

2010-12-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

As usual I have been busy creating, creating, creating. Some of my items will remain a secret until they are given to the recipients at Christmas, but here are some I can show you. I posted on Facebook that I was going cross-eyed from blanket stitching ornaments. Well, the first set of 4 are almost finished, just needing to be stuffed and quilted a bit for more dimension. I started a second set after seeing how well the first ones are turning out. I knew they would be time intensive so I didn't want to get in too deep with more than one set at a time. I would hate to have wasted time and more materials if they just weren't working out! These ornaments will be part of other presents I will be giving away so I am choosing to show the incomplete set so it's still partially a surprise. So far these are fused and basted and need to be blanket stitched and embroidered:

I made another small rag journal. The more of these I make the more I like them. I put some really cool beads and charms on the spine to add some glitz:

I have joined my mother's quilt guild in central NY and needless to say I won't be attending many monthly meetings, but I do want to learn to quilt better so I can contribute when needed. I'm not much into the traditional patchwork quilts, but figured I should at least know how to piece them for background knowledge. My main quilting goal is to create original art quilts, but for now I need to learn the basics. I've pieced 4 basic blocks with not rhyme or reason to the color schemes, just used whatever was handy and had enough of for each block. They are all basted to the batting and backing and I finished hand quilting the Whirling Geese block. The plan is to finish blocks, bind them individually as blocks and then make a block sampler book out of them. The blocks are different sizes which will definitely be cool when I make them into the book. Too much uniformity puts me to sleep! This is the Whirling Geese made from black, red, and white; hand quilted with white thread:

The pattern I downloaded from McCall's calls this block Hole in the Barn Door, but I have seen it called other names. For this block I used some of my Moda stash (yes, Cin, from the yard sale!):

I love this one ~ Card trick. All but the blue/purple fabric are again from the yard sale Moda stash:

Stay tuned for some really good news in my little art world here at Faerie Acres!

OMG! This is freaking hilarious!

2010-12-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

Since I'm blog deficient and don't feel like figuring out how to actually put the video in my post, go here to watch the Patty Cake playing cats (thanks Ricë!). Both Dave and I had tears running down our faces and he made me play it again.

Real Snow!

2010-12-04T10:52:00.000-08:00

Now for some "real" snow! I've been watching the progressive snowfall today and loving it. Of course, I don't have to go out in it if I don't want to.......... It's a nice day to stay inside and finish some projects. I've been working up some quilt square samples, have to create the last of the swaps for my yahoo group, and write some for a new article I'll talk about later. For now, the snow:

Carla Sonheim Journal and Snow in the Mountains

2010-12-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Since my mother doesn't read my blog I feel safe in showing progress on her Christmas present. I have signed up for Carla Sonheim's journal and purse class which I have envied since I saw it presented at Joggles. She has offered the class on her blog so I jumped at the chance to take this online class from her. Carla offered her drawings to use as a focal point for the cover of the journal, but instead I enlarged the Matroiska pattern I had used for my mother's needle case (see earlier post) and appliqued it for the cover. So far we have created the outside and inside cover with fabric and lace and I am anxiously awaiting the next steps:
The front:

the inside cover with a small pocket on the back:

This morning it snowed! Wahoo! Before you Easterners excoriate me for rejoicing in the first snowfall remember that we moved precisely for the colder and changing weather! In Phoenix there was (and still is) not discernable change in weather, it just goes from very hot in the summer to not so hot in the winter. Sure, you may be enjoying the "cooler" weather now, but call me in August! We just couldn't deal with the same-old, same-old day in a day out. Yesterday it rained 6" and today it snowed. LOVE IT! The snow is beginning to melt already as the sun is coming out, but it is still windy and fabulous outside! We are toasty in here with the new wood stove burning away in the basement.

Turkey

2010-11-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

We have a flock of over 20 wild turkeys roaming the woods and our property. They seem to be enjoying the huge amount of acorns that fell from our oak trees earlier this fall. Sometimes we will see them twice a day and some days not at all. Dave and I usually stop what we are doing and just watch them scratching under the leaves, backing up to eat whatever they've found. They make quite a few different noises (haven't hear the "gobble" yet! lol) and just are fun to watch. At first glance they seem to be, how shall I say this, on the not-so-pretty end of the bird spectrum, but hopefully you can see in this shot that their feathers are really rather pretty! Shades of rich brown and speckled. I keep waiting for them to shed these beauties so I can add them to my art.

Pound this!

2010-11-21T11:22:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking that there is a secret to flower pounding from the online research I've done. But, noooooo........ all you need is pre-washed muslin, a flower, and a hammer. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, didn't back it with tape, didn't treat the fabric, etc. Why didn't I do this earlier? Now I have to wait until Spring to gather some flowers and stuff from my property. Anyway, Cheri gave me some petunias and a few petal fell off so I ran upstairs, gave flower pounding a try and got this:

I had a moment afterwards! Cool stuff!
Update on my stash-busting books: I have almost 40 done and STILL haven't made a dent in my stash.......... methinks I have too much paper!

What I've been making -- Part 2

2010-11-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

These little 6X6 books are a result of my stash-busting efforts. I have made 31 so far and still haven't made a dent in my paper stash! It doesn't help that I sent a medium priority box home from April's full of paper, but I couldn't resist the Basic Grey. I have used Scenic Route, SEI, and Heidi Grace paper lines to create these little books. Cheri came over the other day and made 2 for Christmas presents. She's giving them as phone message books. Clever idea, girlfriend! Even though there are several from each paper line, they are all unique. I used whatever embellishments I had that matched and made it work. These will be either gifts and/or etsy offerings.
This first photo shows almost all of the finished books:

... and the covers of 3 different ones:

I received a Joann's ad in the mail a week or so ago and they had this cute Nutcracker made from sewing supplies on the cover. April and I love Nutcrackers so I saved the illustration and copied it into my Moleskine journal. I used watercolor pencils (no water, though) and gel pens for the gold and silver. I think he's cute and what a clever idea they came up with!

More journal pages (see, I told you I was working it!): the left hand page looked like crap until I put the washi tape over it. The base is collaged book pages with random scrapbook paper words as well as some Japanese paper glued on top. It looked very disjointed at that point so I laid some tape strips on top, and it turned out looking pretty good. The right hand page is a piece of painted paper towel. Love the intense colors.

Like the pages above, these are just backgrounds so far. The are both watercolor crayon/pencil backgrounds (still experimenting). The left hand page is orange, yellow, and black scribbles with washi tape and a left-over sticker (from the books at the beginning of the post). Right hand page is scribbled circles in blues, greens, and purple with some outlined in black pen. Just playing with the colors at this point.

What I've been making -- Part 1

2010-11-19T11:33:00.001-08:00

I have not been faithfully following the word prompts for Dawn's NaNoJouMo, but I HAVE been working in my Moleskine journal. Truthfully, the words have not inspired me to do much with them, so I stopped trying to force it. I have written them down as a reference and may work with them eventually, but for now I'm doing my own thing. Both pages below have watercolor crayon/pencil backgrounds (love experimenting with these), the left hand page has a stamped saying (I did actually put the word "reverie" on the page) along with a tab and a chipboard piece leftover from another project. The right page is just a rant from yesterday about my inability to complete most of the projects I start. I'm working on that!

I think I may have already posted the "esoteric" page, but didn't feel like cropping photos today, so apologies if it is a repeat. That left hand page has book pages collaged as a background, the flower is watercolor pencil, and the word "esoteric" is gel pens. Right hand page is day 10: liberty.

I've been attempting, in vain so far, to learn to knit. I can make the stitches, but my tension is too tight, the pattern I want to work has yarn-overs and stitches knitted together and I can only get so far before I start heaving the needles across the room! I keep going back to the needles and hopefully someday I will get the tension correct. I CAN crochet, however! Dave and I traveled to Elkin, NC to get some more yummy wine from Carolina Heritage Vineyards and also stopped in the local yarn store. I am crocheting a purse (supposed to be fall colors since it will have leaves and an acorn closure) in some pretty jewel toned yarn. I have completed the front and back panels and am now working on the sides. I love the way the colors are turning out:

Hey, look! I actually finished something! I worked up a smaller version of my Rag Journal (see previous posts) with sketch/drawing paper for the pages. It measures appr. 5" X 7" and I think it turned out cute. I'll have to get some more finished for my etsy shop.

I also completed all of the steps so far in Linda's stitch-along quilt on Thistledown & Co. blog. I was getting severely frustrated the other day following the directions so I left Linda a message which she promptly answered on her blog. Seems a vital step never posted. Whew! I was getting worried, but now have the quilt top up to speed with her directions. I haven't done too badly with matching seams so far. The fabric is Moda and I think my "dark" could have been darker for more contrast, but I love the fabric anyway.

More Journal Pages

2010-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

I completed a few more pages for Dawn's NaNoJouMo prompts. I haven't considered myself a journaler per se, but I really want to continue to journaling. This has been a great experience so far and I WON'T give up! I am a few days behind, but today will be a great day to catch up as my husband is varnishing the wood stairs leading up to my art room and I am not allowed on them until tomorrow. Dang, why did I have to be so anal and put almost ALL of my art supplies upstairs yesterday? This will be a test of how much I can do with what I have available downstairs! Fortunately all of my Zentangle and journal supplies are here with me. Whew! Anywhoo........... Day 5 (drat, I noticed that I put Day 4 on the journal entry, I fixed it, but am keeping the incorrect photo!) word was equanimity. The "name tag" near the center of the page is actually a drink cling I took from April's stash we cleaned out while I was in AZ. I LOVE "Hello, my name is..." name tags, but I can't say why! Basically I just put the definition of equanimity on the page and journaled a little about the difficult of maintaining that state.

Day 6: esoteric Just wanted to put a watercolor flower on the text collaged page without much writing.

Day 7 is my favorite so far! The word was moment and the text reads: "yesterday is only a memory, tomorrow but a dream. today, this MOMENT, is all that exists. This MOMENT happens only ONCE. live it!"

Happy journaling!

Journal Pages

2010-11-05T10:33:00.001-07:00

Even though I have not posted for a couple of days, I HAVE been creating (as I told my sister: "If I don't create something or at least handle my supplies every day, I get a little bitchy!"). The link for Art Every Day Month is over there ---->
I worked on some pages for books I want to make, not real happy with them right now so they are tucked away out of sight for a while. Still tangling in various journals, playing with watercolor backgrounds, and working on Dawn's NaNoJouMo word prompts (again, the link is over there ---->)
My newest project is creating a piece for Alma Stoller's The Glossy Project (wait for it: link over there ---->), I've just started and won't take pics until I have some work done on the piece. Check out what Alma has done, she's fantastically creative!
A couple of random, new journal pages where I played with watercolor, journaling in curves, and a new Zentangle page-

For Dawn's NaNoJouMo (National Nonstop Journaling Month) Day 1's word was "inception" and Day 2's word was "choice." My pages aren't very "colorful", but I was playing with the curvy words--

Day 3: "fortune", I found a use for my MANY Chinese fortune cookie fortunes (why, oh, why do I feel the need to save EVERYTHING? geesh! get a grip!) --

Day 4: "quarter" The background is a version of the ink/shaving cream method that I played with before the trip, it just happened to be the next page so I used it. Can you tell I'm a language arts teacher (noun and verb anyone?) --

Visit to Az and Art

2010-11-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

I flew back to AZ for 5 days last week to help April sort, clean, and store the supplies in her craft room so that they can get the room set up for their baby due next March. It was a lot of work, but I think we did a good job. Most of the give-away supplies went to my friends, Karen and Miranda. I'm sure they will make good use of them. Lots of stuff is winging its way here for either me or my friends Cheri and Mary Ann. Since most of it was mine to begin with, it has come full circle!
Before leaving I began several projects, one of which I am calling my Rag Journal. The original cover for these pages was a gutted hardcover book with a painted canvas spine, buuuuut......I should know better than to make a cover prior to the pages! The pages didn't fit (there were too many, not the wrong size) so the result is Plan B. I used latch hook canvas and used LOTS of scraps:

I made nearly a bazillion pages trying out different techniques. One day I painted, the next I sewed, another I got out tape and stamps, etc. Very random, but I'm liking the color schemes. I just match up what I want to go on the page, for instance I found a red ticket which went perfectly with the page below. The dress stamp is an image I practiced tangling on as seen in a book April got for me, "Zentangles 3" by Suzanne McNeill. Very cool book and I am loving practicing the new tangles!

I plan to make more, smaller sized Rag Journals for my Etsy shop, but want to focus the pages so I am trying 2 or 3 techniques in a limited color palette. I paint scraped on the reverse of some scrapbook paper with terra cotta, sage green, and blue (the muted colors on the patterned side).

I joined "Art a Day Month" (there should be a button over on the side if I can get it there!) so the pages above are what I created yesterday as well as the third lesson of a mystery quilt over at Thistledown & Co. blog. I'm thinking it won't be much of a stretch to create something every day since that's all I do! Now it will force me to record my projects and keep my blog up to date!
So over at April's zoo, I mean house, she has a new puppy (90 lbs. of boxer), Jackson who is a sweetie-pie and strong enough to pull me and the futon across the floor in a rousing game of tug-0f-war! He thinks he's a lap dog and who am I to argue?

Last (but certainly not least!) April got her gender ultrasound, originally scheduled for mid-November, rescheduled for last Friday while I was visiting! Got to see many, many parts of the baby in utero. Sucking HIS left thumb, waving arms, etc. Pretty cool. It was VERY apparent that it is a boy so I made a journal page in my new Moleskine:

Buh-bam!

2010-10-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

The finished purse:

Includes hand-sewn zipper and zipper pull (not in the directions). The seams even lined up on this one.......ha ha! On to the next project, a little wallet to match my purse. Google here I come.

Poof!

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's magic (or will be)! One of the aspects of creating that is satisfying to me is taking a small pile of something and turning it into a three-dimensional creation. Take like, oh for instance, this small pile of Moda fabric:

Add some thread, batting, buttons, and zipper and soon.... POOF! it will become a small purse for April. Watch and see, I dare you!

Packaging Overkill

2010-10-20T13:03:00.001-07:00

I understand careful packaging. I get it.......I don't want my Zig Writer pens to explode or rip the packaging while in transit. Seriously, I appreciate the care with which items are packaged and sent through the ruthless USPS. Thank you, Amazon and Ben Franklin for your extremely careful packaging of my 2 Zig pens:

However.... seriously? I needed a box THIS big (5 1/2 x 7 12 X 12) to transport my two lonely pens from Grand Rapids, MI to Woodlawn? Get some smaller boxes! I appreciate the quick shipping, really I do, but........ what a waste of cardboard to send me the pens.

Nuts! and a finished project

2010-10-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

I actually started and completed a project in two days..........unbelievable. I usually start a project, get partway through and abandon it to my ever-growing pile of UFOs. *Sigh* However, I bought a couple of cute patterns at the Cazenovia fabric store while visiting central NY. One was a cute quilted bag made from the 5" squares you can buy at quilt fabric stores. I purchased a pack of Moda's Urban Couture (Basic Grey paper line) earlier this summer and decided to go for it. There's a very good reason why I don't quilt! I'll leave that up to my mother, I'll try art quilts. None of the seams matched up and some of the pieces are upside-down, but by God! I finished this little sucker, hand-sewn zipper and all! I think it's cute despite it's flaws. I may even try another one being a little more careful with my seams. I'm much better at random sewing than trying to make even seam widths. Maybe if I just practiced more? I'll have to ponder that.....

The squirrels are out in force the past couple of weeks finally eating some of the bazillion acorns littering our property. I tried out my long lens to shoot one of the guys eating:

Finally: Elf Ears! I'm planning to use this as my Facebook pic, it's SO me!

Favorite Photos from Central NY

2010-10-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Central New York last week to visit my mother in Madison and my sister in Binghamton and while there I assisted at my mother's quilt guild's bi-annual quilt show. I chose a few of the photos (from the 200+ that I took) to show you. It took me several shots and flocks of Canada geese to figure out how to shoot them (manual focus!) so here is by far the largest flock I saw. This was taken at Madison Lake in my hometown of Madison:

Again at Madison Lake. I was going for the windmills in the distance (they were not around when I grew up in Madison so they fascinate me) and ended up with a fab shot of the trees' reflection on the lake:

A view of the street in Madison, again showcasing the beautiful fall colors:

A close-up of the Maple leaves:

And finally (for this post) the fog over the hills on my way to the quilt show:

I have more so check out the post below!

More Favorite Photos from Central NY

2010-10-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

After the heavy rains, Chittenango Falls in Chittenango were running pretty fast. There was so much mist on the falls that it created a rainbow like Niagara Falls:

The lake in Cazenovia was also heavy with rain water, the low end was overflowing. A seagull in flight over the lake:

Also near Cazenovia, a pastoral color laden scene:

After picking apples at an orchard in Nelson, I shot these last two photos. Wild apples growing along the road:

and the church steeple of the Methodist church nestled in the fall colors:

Jackie's Blog Giveaway

2010-09-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Over at Stitchworks Jackie had a giveaway a short time ago and I would love to show the handstitched piece she sent that I had won. It came all the way from England and I am thrilled! It is a gorgeous piece with hand stitching, lace, and goodies featuring some fabric with pounded flowers. I love the muted colors and the hand work. Beautiful! Thank you, Jackie.

A close up of some of the yummy hand work:

An even better photo of the flower pounded fabric:

As American as...

2010-09-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

.....Apple Pie? The last pie I made Dave suggested that I should have taken a pic of it before we dug in, so today I did just that. This is from the last of the apples (at MY house anyway) Cheri and I picked. There were enough to make 2 batches of filling so I am attempting to freeze the filling to be made into pies later on. This one's still warm so I will have to wait a bit to try it, but mmmmmmmmm......sure smells good!

Nuts and Leaves

2010-09-24T09:36:00.001-07:00

Cheri and I have been busy lately gleaning any apples we can find along with pears, black walnuts, and chestnuts. We've made two huge batches of apple butter in the past week. I have many pears from two different trees that I will attempt to turn into pear butter when more have ripened. Hopefully there will be enough in the next few days so I can take some pear butter with me when I visit my mother and sister in upstate NY next weekend. We shall see! Even though I grew up in a rural area, I don't remember any chestnut trees so was amused to see their bristly pods (I think they look like mini hedgehogs!):

I have been chronicling the changing of the leaves on our property here. This will be the first full year living here so it's rather interesting. On a breezy day you can hear the MANY acorns (we have 3 types of oak trees) dropping through the branches and bouncing off the ground. It's surprising that we have hardly any squirrels eating these nuts since there are so many. I guess it's easier to eat from the neighbors' bird feeders! Just a few of the trees:

Journal Pages

2010-09-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

For the past week I have been elbow-deep in gesso and paint. I've been working on prepping pages for a small journal (6X8). I think it's a Stampin' Up journal that I purchased several years ago when I was selling the product, but I can' be certain. I had already made a cover with an inset embossed metal design that I painted with alcohol inks so I just needed to work on the pages. I added more pages (a snap when it is wire bound) to make it nice and thick, I ended up with 24 pages (48 sides). It took a few days and two heat guns to prep each side with gesso and even longer to paint each one. I did end up with plenty of paper towels to use later on, though! I used several techniques to paint and several different types of paint (acrylic, fluid acrylic, Lumiere, heavy body Golden acrylic, spray paint, watercolor crayons and pencils), several stencils and masks, some tape, and a sponge roller. I wanted to show a couple of pages in progress (although I painted the pages in the book, I dismantled the pages to satisfy my urge to sew on them.......probably backwards, but HEY, it's my journal! lol). Apri l just recently sent me a goody package from AZ and the transparency frames were sitting on my table so I sewed a couple of the flowers to these pages.

The page below shows one of my new favorite techniques, I wrapped rubber bands around a sponge roller, ran it through the paint and then onto the page. To me it looks like snake skin! The base layer for the top page was brushed on acrylic paint; the bottom page was painted with my fingers.

Sew far Sew good! Now, back to the studio to sew some more stuff on!

Whaddyaknow?

2010-09-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! I actually won another give-away! The stars have been aligned right lately. A big thank you shout out to Jackie over at Stitchworks for the beautifully handworked give away. Go check her blog out...........NOW! Thanks, Jackie!

Etsy Update

2010-09-14T10:04:00.001-07:00

I added a couple of Do-It-Yourself Card Kits to my Etsy store today, both Halloween (pictured to the right in my Etsy listings) and Autumn shown below. Each kit contains enough supplies to create 6 unique cards. Check it out!

Plants and Zentangles

2010-09-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

The month of August was rainy here on the mountain and there were multitudes of mushrooms growing everywhere! Every day was a new adventure walking in the woods here. Later I'll show you what the fuschia mushroom looked like after it grew, but for now I want to show you a bit of the huge colony of orange mushrooms that were across the road. I counted over 25 in one clump and several others nearby! The last colony of these we saw were growing out of a tree stump, but these were growing from the ground. This photo is of the little clump, I love to get close-ups because the dew drops turn orange:

Last year I took photos of a strange almost ethereal plant that I assumed was a mushroom, then thought nothing more of it. That is, until this summer when Cheri mentioned that it might be the rare plant, Indian Pipe. I found the photo, sent it to here, and sure enough, it was the Indian Pipe. The photo didn't show enough of the surrounding area to be able to pinpoint where the plant was which was disappointing, but I did find, a little while later, another colony growing close to the house across the road. I flagged it, watched it turn black and forgot about it. THEN, Cheri and I took a nature walk in the woods behind the house and found two more dead colonies......but wait, there's more! A week or so ago I found 3 more colonies at the front end of our street, in one area there were 2 new shoots just emerging from the ground! So we took photos. When I returned to check them out 2 days later an animal must have thought the shoots were tasty, they were sheered off at the ground level. The established plants were fine. A few days later I found several more colonies, all in different growth stages, actually on the property. It will be interesting to see if they grow in the same spot or not next year. They may be rare, but not near my property!

This is one of the new shoots that was eaten:

This colony is fairly new, as they age the flowers and stalks begin to turn black. You can see a little of that happening on the edge of the lower right flower. They have a pinkish hue to them which is gorgeous!

And finally, my newest obsession is Zentangling! I found several blogs and sites that give great directions for tangles. I even watched a couple of videos at the official Zentangle site. I've been practicing every tangle and found that even though I almost skip some of them, they really are fairly simple to create. This is my first actual Zentangle using some of my favorite tangles and one I even created myself! Every night I end up doodling for almost an hour, the time flies. I have a couple of ideas to create in mind, but I need to become much better at Zentangling and work on my shading.

Basket Pincushions for sale

2010-08-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

I've been busy, among other things, making these small basket pincushions for my Etsy shop. The pincushion I made earlier with the quilting theme is destined for upstate New York in a few weeks and the one seen here:

is being shipped back to Arizona to April. After making the first one I decided to add some beads and a button to the front of each for decoration and I think I like it! I have two for sale, the first one is a dark burgundy fabric and 3 colors of hand dyed reed:

This one has a sage green butterfly fabric and green reed accents:

I just love making these, they are so stinkin' cute!

Pink 'Shrooms......really!

2010-08-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I lied. The mushrooms aren't really pink, they're FUCHSIA!! We have been receiving quite a bit of rain here lately (I've heard tell from the locals that May is supposed to be the rainy month, but this summer it seems to be August) and when it rains, there are many, many mushrooms growing on our property. I've seen white, brown, gray, black, orange, yellow, smooth, warty, and even some purple mushrooms, but today takes the cake! The fuchsia (and believe me, the color is not as bright in the photos as in real life -- I will try again tomorrow when the sun is out to see if I can capture the true color) mushrooms growing out of the base of a dead tree blew me away today when I took my walk through our woods! They are not very big, maybe a little larger than a thumb, and as velvety in texture as they look. So cool! I had to share:

UPDATE ON AUG. 25: I emailed David Fischer over at American Mushrooms this morning and he responded very quickly to my inquiry about this mushroom and here is his reply: This is a unique edible* mushroom with a tart taste, Fistulina hepatica, commonly called the "Beefsteak Polypore." I've never seen one quite so DEEPLY pink! Thanks, David!