playing in the studio

Home again

2012-01-10T06:30:00.000-09:00

We are home from our Christmas vacation. With hubby retiring from teaching in the spring we will never have to travel over the holidays again! That means if you want us for Christmas there is a good chance you will have to put us up (put up with us!) for a month! For some of you that would be torture...

I finished another of my grocery sacks. I came home with a small piece of dark red that will be the inspiration for the next one.

Hubby gave himself a share in an NFL team...his family helped him with the required headgear.

This is the bag that I made for mom. She saved it until after their vacation, she wanted to come home to a gift to open. I tried to get her to open it so I could post about how proud I was! Now that a month has gone by I hardly remember it!

Fish prints

2011-12-14T09:19:00.000-09:00

Last year hubby made some test prints of King salmon. They have been laying around my studio and I decided the only way to get rid of them was to make something out of them. These were printed on inexpensive white muslin using fabric paint and heat set. There were 3 fish printed on the cotton giving me enough for nine bags.

I want reusable grocery bags and thought this was the perfect use...in the process making something for myself that I love! The fish scales

are an attractive pattern that I would like to use in my art.

I am toying with the idea of having a silk screen made so that I can replicate this without having to find a fish first.

I do know a few people who would love to help me catch a big fish for art! Recouping the cost of time and fuel

would be hard if you are trying to sell little bags.

These two are from a print done on silk. Now that the two bags are together, I see that I sewed the tail upside down. There are those out there that may know the difference...I am calling it creative licence!

The tail portion, excluding the fabric it is printed on, is 9x5 inches.

It was a moderate sized fish for Alaska. You can see it Here.

Looking at this now...I could have sewn the bag in the shape of a tail...note to self...

Glass wrapping

2011-12-11T09:32:00.001-09:00

One of my favorite traditions is to come up with wonky wrapping for Ryan. He seems to enjoy the fun of it and over the years it has turned into it's own art form. He is currently making stained glass fish that he sells to fund his Washington DC trip. The glass became the inspiration for this wrapping. I hot glued the glass to the butcher paper wrapped box then used electrical tape to mimic the soldering. Electrical tape does not adhere to the glass as well as I would like but is the right width.

The best part is that there is no way into the box!

After a good chuckle I took pity on him and gave him a clue. I did not take the time to grind the edges of the glass, some are very sharp, the gift is not supposed come as a blood sport.

I can not show most of the things I have been up to...gifts.

This little bag was interesting to make. The coin purse zipper is 3 inches (4 counting the ends) and is fully lined.

According to the originator of the pattern it is her take on an Asian dumpling. You can find her here, she has awesome zippers on her bags.

Heron

2011-11-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

I awoke to snow this morning!!! Yeah!
It is just a skiff but it has already brightened my spirit. I love it when the dreary rains of October give way to winters crisp fresh air. Yesterday was an unexpected day of sun.
At lunch we had a Heron grooming in the tree out back. I was able to get a few poor photos of him...he would not hold still. Fleas I think, the constant scratching was the giveaway.

Mom wants a travel bag for Christmas, this is the prototype. I like that it has a couple zippers and a pocket for that shopping list and coupons! I was watching Martha's sewing, this weekend her guest was Linda McGehee

who demonstrated how to make this bag. It is very quick and using different colors on the zippers will help with organization (I think).

Little bags

2011-10-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

These are so cute...

Made from my own hand dyed fabric. They are sized to fit the things I want in my carry-on. If the airline looses my luggage or if we have a short overnight I will have the essentials at hand.

I found the zipper pulls on ETSY where I also bought the zippers.

Ice dyeing

2011-10-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Hubby has been asking when I will be teaching his art students how to snow dye. We do not have snow, yet.    I had seen a few posts on other blogs about using ice and decided to give it a try.
   I did not take pictures of the process but it is pretty straightforward, with one big difference. I used dye powder (Use a Mask!) sprinkled on the ice.    It uses quite a bit of dye powder and could be considered wasteful and/or expensive if you wanted to sell your fabric. I justified it by using my dyes that were getting old. I am going to experiment with layering fabric to see if more of the dye can be used before it is exhausted.
   I love the results, much brighter than liquid dye concentrate on snow. I also used a heavier cotton (Pimatex) than the usual muslin.
The best part is the colors are a close match the quilt I am making so I will use it to cover the headboard.

The quilt top is on the left (stripes) The ice dye on the right is 3.5 yards of 58" Pimatex.

detail...Love it!

Quilt back

2011-10-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend I finished the backing for the quilt. I used my snow dyed fabric and black Kona cotton. There are still threads to trim and a pattern for the front to create. In the process hubby and I decided to change out the head board with hand dyed fabric and black accents. One more project on the list...we shall see.

My girlfriend also talked me into trying to make this baby hat. It really is the cutest thing you have ever seen! I modified the pattern a bit but it is so simple. You can find the pattern here.

http://www.fleecefun.com/hats-all-sizes.html

Fleece

2011-09-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago I bought 5 yards of fleece at a moving sale. I thought it would make a wonderful pull-over. As the years went by there was always one reason or another for not cutting into the fabric. This year I purchased a pattern from Marcy Tilton/Vogue.
I ordered magnetic snaps for a clean front and found a decorative hook and eye for the stand up collar.
It fits well and looks good...not at all like the "wrapped in a blanket" look I feared.

The rain has returned but as a parting gift the sun left us with an orange and purple sunset.

Sunset

2011-09-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

It really was this amazing hot pink with just a touch of yellow!

Sweat shirt

2011-09-04T09:21:00.001-08:00

This spring I bought a sweat shirt in support of the Art Fest. I have never been a fan of the elastic band on the bottom because they ride up over my muffin top. My dream was to use hand dyed organza to add a sheer ruffle to the bottom. I had it all pinned and ready to sew...one last fitting and show the hubby for a little feed back (trusted girl Friend gone!)

Well...as you can see the program changed. Bless him for being honest but part of me really wants ruffle and organza! I understand that it is all the rage for kids clothing and I do not fit in that category any longer...at least size wise! It turned out to look very much like an Alaska Native Kuspuk.

Some fabric markers, an abalone bead and a couple buttons...all gifts from friends...and I am comfy-cozy.

Borders are on

2011-09-02T11:16:00.001-08:00

About this time last year hubby was helping me pick the fabric for our winter bed quilt. I was all gung-ho but lost my head of steam somewhere along the way. One evening we were talking about how the art is not getting made and after sifting through the myriad of possible reasons I came up with one that I liked!

This was a meant to be the impression of a fall day by the pond, Pampas grass
reflecting in the water, with the bluegill biting.
As I started I soon realized I do not like sewing little things together namely 2 inch strips of fabric.
My sewing skills are not great maybe not even good. I do not know how I came up with the idea
that sewing seams straight would be easy... my strips are a bit wobbly.
That was the beginning of not being able to live up to my expectations and I gave up mid way through.
I am so grateful for my husband, he encouraged me to continue on and let it be what it is.
I gave myself permission to be imperfect and know that I am working on my skills as I make this.
It came together quickly and it looks good on our bed.

Missing you!

2011-08-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

Mom and dad are gone...
They are such a blessing when they are here. I have not done dishes, laundry or housework for the last two months!
It takes a bit of getting used to but once you get past the twinge of guilt it is a wonderful gift.
Today I actually did the dishes so the sink would be clean for rinsing the latest batch of silk.
This silk will go to our granddaughter for dress up.

More fishing

2011-08-06T05:24:00.000-08:00

My dad loves to fish. It does not matter if the rain is pouring and the fog is so thick you can cut it with a knife...Nor does he really care about the catch...just the fishing. I on the other hand do not really care to fish and wish I could just catch!

Dad got this Halibut all the way to the boat and Hubby knocked it off of the hook trying to get the gaff in it. It looks small but is really about 30 inches

Happiness and the one that came aboard...
A Skate.

Fishin

2011-07-20T09:14:00.001-08:00

My neighbor Dave took us fishing yesterday. It was a nice day with just a few squalls that passed quickly letting the sun peak out again.
We had plenty of bites that resulted in bringing aboard nine sharks. They are small and rather beautiful with sleek grey skin that is not slimy and amazing green eyes. Unfortunately they are not what we wanted to put in the freezer. We even had a double catch!

Dad also latched onto this thing...do not know if it is flora or fauna. It looks like a worm but has a spine (like bamboo) that is bony in appearance and tapers from a plug type end to a little curl on the very tip.

plug end

flesh striped off of the spine and laying on back deck. Any ideas???

Mom and Dad are here

2011-07-16T06:08:00.001-08:00

Mom and Dad arrived the end of June and will stay until mid August. They came to escape the Dallas heat so we have had rain most of the time they have been here. I was hoping for a bit of summer this year but it looks like one of those years that the average temperature is 60!

If you can get them to stop goofing they take a really nice picture.

The bath remodel has had the house in a state of disarray for the last four months. It feels good to have the bath out of the dinning room and back where it belongs. The bath now has storage for those things (like towels) that often get forgotten until you are all wet and have to make it to the hall closet!

Yeah!

Petersburg trip

2011-06-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

The boat has had steering problems for years, we even replaced the whole set up, still no good. Kirk was on the dock lamenting to another fisherman, who happened to have the solution...there is a guy in Petersburg who is a whiz with these systems. We called and were able to get an appointment the next day! On our way we threw out the net and caught lots of fish that were the same blue green as the water. When we got into the greener water the fish had a tendency to be an olive color.

After the boat fix we went out for a sea trial to test the steering. Yeah!!! It really works! We passed a few markers where the Sea Lions were napping.

On the way home there was an eagle that miscalculated and ended up in the drink. He was doing a good job of swimming with his wings and made it to shore. He looked a bit like a chicken standing there soaking wet.

I made myself draw in my sketchbook...If I were more disciplined I would learn to love my drawing! I believe my ability to draw is going to be vital to making Silk painting patterns that I can be proud of.

The trip was amazing, there is so much beauty and majesty, I was in awe the whole trip. I kept taking pictures of what I thought was beyond description...only to see that the camera can not compare to my eye. What looked to be up close, the camera would shrink! It is a GOOD camera!

See??!

Fishing again

2011-06-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

Went out on another opening with Hubby to catch a few fish for the family.
The weather was not as nice but there were no storms and I was able to get a few pictures that look scary but are really unique cloud formations. Leaving our little town...

Catching Kelp is not the idea but unfortunately it can be a reality.

It is disheartening when there is more kelp on board than fish!

I was able to find Art...

I Love fish scales...this would make an amazing stencil.

Heading for home...I have always been attracted to the sun streaming through clouds. I grew up being told it is God talking to someone.

Post Office Iris

2011-06-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Iris are in bloom at the Post office. I have been struggling to make an Iris pattern so I decided to take a few pictures to see if that helps.

After cropping a few I totally understand the art work of Georgia O'Keeffe, these are beautiful, as is her artwork. Gotta run!

Anita Bay Breather

2011-06-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

School is out and the fishing season is beginning for hubby. We decided to spend a few days in Anita Bay running through the gear and playing a bit. Last week SSARA released the salmon fry from the pens so we were able to tie up to them and use them for a home base.

Fishermen here tax themselves 3 percent to fund a program that supplements the wild run of Salmon with a terminal run. There is no river for these fish to return to to spawn, just a creek above the pens that scents the water for the fish to hone in on and return to the bay to be caught by the fleet.

We drug our sport boat with us so we could run around or sport fish off of it. Lots of little Flounders around the pens that would strip my bait in a minute. Hubby showed me how to set the hook and then I was able to catch enough for diner in about a half hour. We were hoping for Halibut...no luck.

The wildflowers are in full bloom, I only know this as Indian Paintbrush.

The whole trip I was Amazed by the scenery...the wonder of it all. I love drinking my morning coffee and watching the sun come over the mountains. The water so calm that even the small details of land would be reflected onto it. I enjoyed this little breather so much I am trying to talk hubby into taking me out again on my next days off. I really would like some Halibut in the freezer.

The docks of the pens are metal perforated with holes, with the sun was shining there was Art to be found! This is a picture of the water taken through one of the holes in the dock. The water is reflecting the holes and the break between the panels of the dock.

This week

2011-05-19T07:13:00.000-08:00

I cleaned the car! Mom and dad will be here in a month and I can not let them see the car they picked for me trashed.
The back of the seats are covered in a felt type material, the dog hair stuck to it like Velcro. I dug through my fabric stash and came up with this duck batik for seat covers.

This is a corner section of the Raku ceramic mosaic frame Hubby is making to go around the flat screen TV. The framework is on the wall and there are a few more pieces that need to be attached. There are 30 individual pieces and cover about a 4'x6' area.

Last week the neighbors helped us clean up a recording for a memorial service...so when she ask for family photos, I thought she might be making a slide show set to music. She came over with this wall hanging/table runner, what a wonderful gift. We are blessed with the sweetest neighbors one could ever hope for. They Love and care for our dog for weeks at a time, bake us goodies and look out for us without being intrusive.

Art Addict...

2011-05-07T06:00:00.001-08:00

Last week I went to Petersburg as a chaperon for the Art Festival. It is amazing to watch teenagers loose themselves in art for nine hours a day. I took 2 classes Fabric dyeing and native design maskette carving. My fabric is downstairs so no photo and the mask its not done. still needs sanding and painted.
This is my first time carving and I had trouble with the eyes. I want to flick chunks of wood, I will have to learn gentle strength.

Our bath is in the midst of tear out so I went to pick out the flooring...There were a pile of discontinued sample boards!
The deal was I had to take them all.

Glass, shell, stone and acrylic resin. Some are already made into trivets that need a bit of grout.

Marble, travertine, limestone...
This is about half of the sample boards...Crazy? Addict? I just could not let them put it all in the dumpster! I know one day I will find a use for these goodies.

Tidal pool

2011-04-17T05:38:00.002-08:00

The sun was out so Hubby took me to the beach to look for shells and poke around on the salt grass. There were a lot of downy feathers, spring must really be here!

Kirk and Zack played in the surf...

With the sunlight streaming in I was able to capture the barnacles at the bottom of the tide pools with fairly good clarity. I am amazed at the little creature within. He has feathery arms that sweep the water for food.

This week I had the joy of painting on silk with a friend and the frustration of realizing I am a bit rusty...HMMM! I have not put dye on silk for a year! There is now one table in the studio with practice silk. Here is the color palette I am working with.

Rust result

2011-03-29T11:17:00.001-08:00

This is the detail of one of the rust experiments, I love it! I did several yesterday but due to the weather this is the only one that is ready. I put it on the dryer thinking that it would mimic a warm summer day. Since it is still in the 40's (and lower) the outdoor ones may take a while.

I brought this rusted cross home from my cousins in New Mexico a few years ago and saw it hanging on the wall yesterday as I was preparing fabric. I folded the fabric in half, the two crosses are the first and second layer. I was surprised to find that the image is very clear even on the second layer.

beach finds

2011-03-28T11:22:00.003-08:00

Jo Ellen and I went to the beach looking for treasure at low tide. I came home with the rusty rim thinking I would try rusting fabric...I can hear that voice in the back of my head..."apparently you have to much time on your hands" BUT...my husband took me to the beach a couple days later and we found a gold mine of rusted items. Most of them we left on the beach and just brought home what we thought WE might use in the next... year? I laid claim to most of them but did notice as I went out to put my fabric around the rusty critters that there are two piles.

Since the rim was already there, the ones hubby did not want were piled with it.

Hubby claimed these thinking they could be incorporated in his ceramics maybe as lid handles.

The cables that we found all had jute centers...who knew?

blogger glitch

2011-03-28T07:22:00.002-08:00

This is the third try to include a photo with my last post.
The small still voice is saying "walk away"

But I did!!! I even slept on it...Hmmph!

Bottle holder

2011-03-27T10:51:00.008-08:00

My dad and brother are so tricky...they saw this and had to figure out how to make one. This is a board with a hole cut in the center, cut at the same angle as the ends. When you put a bottle in it it will stand on the angled end. Dad sent one home with me to stain and varnish. The only bottle I had was a corked olive oil bottle but because it is not a full size bottle the cork it supporting the weight.
Perfect excuse to find myself another bottle!

A word (or two)of caution if you are thinking of trying this... If you purchase the correct size hole saw (drill bit and 1"circle blade) while you are traveling TSA will remove it from your possession! and If you are not paying attention a hole saw blade in a drill press will take you fingernail off! Sorry dad!

Book Cover Commission

2011-02-22T16:33:00.000-09:00

I was ask to make a cover for a guest book. The client supplied the fabric so I knew I was on the right track from the beginning. A little quilting, hand dyed silk organza, beads and fiber...Whala...fish playing in the tide rip!

Valentine

2011-01-31T11:49:00.000-09:00

Over Christmas vacation we spent some time with my cousin and his wife. They shared about their interest in Mail Art and the simplicity of making a postcard to drop in the mail. I was curious and very inspired after I received one in the mail from them. I made and sent them one back...no picture! I did not take one! I was so excited to get it in the mail and of course it is the best piece of art I have ever created!!!
The lady at the post office was a bit hesitant to mail it without an envelope, She was sure it would be damaged...I had to convince her that was all part of the charm. I hope it gets to its destination in one piece and just a bit grunged up.
Saturday I saw Terri's valentine cards and thought it would be a fun thing to do for the kids. I dug in the scrap pile and made ten of these.
The fabric is fused and sewn to heavy interfacing, with the back being plain or hand dyed muslin, addressed with a permanent marker, to be thrown into the postal (grunge) service today.

Braggin just a bit...

2011-01-11T10:54:00.000-09:00

First I will brag on my Hubby...
He gave me a set of salt and pepper shakers for Christmas. I accused him of cheating in the forming process by using an extruder to get the shape but they are wheel thrown and manipulated by hand. He made them to replace the acrylic ones that grace our coffee table...we eat in the living room!

When I was in Texas I ran across this tin of buttons in my moms sewing drawer...I told her I want it when she dies...She let me take it home! Mom has had this old fruitcake tin holding buttons and such for as long as I can remember.

I finished the "Inside we are all treasure" tote. It has an adjustable multicolor strap and huge abalone buttons (thanks mom!)
The best part...

The inside!
Once I got going the fabrics fell into place and I really like how it came out. It is sewn from panels using french seams so that the bag is reversible.
I may use it for that gift after all!

Thought Process

2011-01-08T08:50:00.000-09:00

I set out to make a gift...bought all the right stuff but still it would not happen. What was I thinking at the store when I picked those fabrics? Today they do not seem to go together. I gave up on the gift...It is hard to get anywhere when that inner critic is around.
So I sat down and began to finger my prized fabrics, that sounds crazy but I know there are others who know exactly what I mean! The center fabric (below) is vintage kimono silk with gold and silver embroidery. It is one of my prized fabrics... as I was looking at it the thought hit me...
I wish I could make things that no matter what they look like on the outside the intention would show perfectly clear...LOVE.

I finally gave myself permission to play, make mistakes and just create anything with my prized fabric! As I did this a concept began to form. On the outside we may not look like much but on the inside we are all beautiful, elegant and a treasure.
Reminds me of the scripture: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. II Corinthians 4:7

Texas

2011-01-05T10:28:00.001-09:00

Christmas with the family in Texas was wonderful. I had not seen my brother and niece for close to three years. I was able to spend time with my aunt and two of my cousins I had not seen for 30+ years. Hubby's family showed up too! I appreciate having parents that welcome everyone! There was Art and Architecture...

We did get in trouble several times at the museum...Do not touch the sculptures! I was taking pictures of fall leaves (In December!!!) in the courtyard and they just followed me around to ensure I did not deface any of them.

There was plenty of sunshine and one day was above 80. The sunsets are really low in the sky compared to our mountainous horizon. After I looked at my photos I could see that there is a different shape to the mountains on their horizon!

Did I mention FOOD! The wonderful cooking, baking, restaurants and stores! Shopping was a daily affair...I think we were dreaming up projects just so we could go to the store.

The Family on New Years Eve.

A month gone by!

2010-12-16T09:51:00.000-09:00

It has been almost a month since my last post! What a busy month too! There is quite a difference in my life between my regular work schedule of half time and the past three weeks of working full time. There is that mad Christmas rush to get everything done before we take off for our vacation. Gifts made, home and boat winterized and pesky repairs done.
I have mailed off four boxes and the table tells of a list needing done!
I really did make a tote from a dog food bag, I just love the woven polyester texture. I washed it and thought the dog food smell was out of it...BUT when I was sewing it the smell was resurfacing. So who is the lucky family member that will receive this???
You can relax Mom...it is the dog! Since the smell did not go away I will use it to transport his toys and dish to the neighbors who are taking him while we are gone.

My husband made the cups for the folks we will see in Texas, it will be good to have the weather in the 60's (possible 70!) instead of the 30 we have.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year

# 3 done

2010-11-17T06:15:00.000-09:00

This is the third (and final) painted silk lap quilt. It has not been washed yet so the wonderful crinkling is not there. I really like the quilted design that Joanne came up with...I think it will make for great foliage wrinkles. It is about 45x58 and will make a great wall hanging.

I did not do a good job sewing the binding...
Impatient, no longer interested in this piece, feeling under the weather...there is a long list I could come up with and they would all mean the same thing...There are times when you should walk away!!!

Wall Art

2010-11-06T05:29:00.000-08:00

The strips have been sewn together for a couple weeks. I love the colors but do not know what to think about the business of the patterns.
Hubby and I shave been trying to figure out how to get the pampas grass on there...will it really work???
He has a wonderful idea... a silhouette of the entire scene. He even went so far as to cut it out of the rolls of colored paper that every school has and pinned it to the quilt...not right! I think it may be perfect for the backing. I am headed to a stylized version of the plant and have a couple sketches that need enlarged so I can try the paper mock up.

Between work, being ill and if I have to admit it...apprehensive, I have just let it be wall art.

End to end

2010-10-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

The gradation is working...as long as I don't think about it too hard! This is 3 of the 4 color groups. The strips are sewn end to end and once I figure out how wide I want the quilt I can begin to sew them to each other. I think there will be pampas grass appliqued on the top. This is rather stressful because I have a hard time flying by the seat of my pants. It would be much easier if there was a pattern with all the right measurements...
But then again it would not be MY art!!!

Bucket O' Mud

2010-10-10T09:15:00.001-08:00

I decided I needed extra fabric to make the WI fall strip quilt with a gradation (the way my hubby would like it). I picked my colors for dyeing some silk and cotton...knowing all the while it is very hard to match commercial fabric.

Three buckets to try and get the 6 main colors, yellow to red, blue to purple and green to brown.

The green to brown was the bucket of mud, I was not sure how green would come out of there but it did!
The pictures show the hand dyes as being washed out, they are not, they are bright and could be toned down. I think it is the type of cotton. All in all I am happy that I came as close as I did!

It is done!

2010-10-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Aryn will be so happy that it is finally done. She will get it for her birthday and it will only be a year late!

I cut off the darkest part of the backing fabric and used it for the binding. I sewed the binding to the front, flipped it to the back, glued it in place over my original sewing line then sewed the binding from the front by stitching in the ditch. (I have no desire to hand stitch anything!) I really like the gluing..no pins and NO movement. Since it is washable glue it comes right out in the laundering. I also like the way the cotton batt crinkles the quilt up after it is washed...like an antique.

Next quilt

2010-10-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time in WI celebrating Mom in law's 80Th. We found this inspiration for a winter quilt for our bed. Yes! WE...My hubby is so fantastic! He loved the colors in the Pampas grass at his cousins pond, So much so that we will be planting some at our pond. We are also going to put in a few Maples for the beautiful fall color.

I met an Amish woman who was explaining to me the importance of quilts in their culture. She felt so honored to be able to sleep under a quilt that was made by her mother in laws' Mother in Law. My conversation with her spurred me on to make a quilt that would be meaningful to my hubby and I.

This is the fabric that Mom in law and I started picking and Hubby finished for our quilt. It will be a celebration of our time in WI and of our relationship. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful man that really understands me!

Ripples on the pond from the kids casting and catching the Perch and Blue gills. Another quilt???

Inspiration

2010-09-13T09:10:00.001-08:00

Hubby and I went for an afternoon of fishing, the only thing I caught was some inspiration! We did catch one brown bomber (Rock cod) we kept him for dinner.
The sun was out and the water was calm except for the little waves from our motor. I keep thinking about how I could turn this into a quilt pattern...a modern quilt...not so literal that it looks like marbling...but like strips that are offset...like? OH!!! I can see it but I do not know how to do make it.

I just love the creative process...I tend to be really excited or frustrated! I find it interesting that I am finding inspiration for quilts, I do not know what to do with the ones I have...Why do I want to make more?
I know no one can answer that but me. I am going to blame my mom...She used to make quilts...

A first

2010-08-30T15:49:00.001-08:00

My first quilt with a binding! Dad named it...Colorado Columbine. The front is hand painted silk and the rest is commercial cotton. The binding was a lot simpler than I thought it would be. I found a video where you use Elmers washable glue to set everything tight so that the fabric does not buckle or slide under the presser foot. It works really well!

Joanne used a variegated thread for the quilting that works wonderfully with the flower.

I put the binding on backwards so I could have a wide binding in the front. I will probably not do that again because I do not really care for the stitching line it leaves on the back.

I will box it up today and send it off to the Petersburg Museum for the Rain Forest Festival Art show. My husband and friends are encouraging me to show it...there is the chance it could sell!

When the cat is away...

2010-08-21T07:29:00.000-08:00

Hubby really likes the lodge feel that the rock fireplace adds to our living room. He is also proud of the hearth that he made so the kids could hang out there. But...the kids are all raised and the firebox has become structurally unsound.
Hubby left for a week so dad helped me tear out the fireplace. It took two days to get the rock facade and firebox out.

I put my parents on the plane yesterday so I am tearing out the short wall and prepping for Sheetrock.
Maybe hubby would like a flat screen!

Feeling the Love

2010-08-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

It was so fun to be surprised with my art on Joanne's blog. I did not recognise that it was mine...that tells me I might be too self critical!

This is a busy week with fish to smoke and can, house to power wash and the start of new roofing. Everyone leaves this week parents, hubby and son. I will then have time to sit down and figure out how to put on a quilt binding. I have never done it and I did not think it would matter if I learned on a lap throw or twin quilt...we shall see!

Sisters

2010-08-15T05:36:00.001-08:00

My mom and her sisters get together yearly for their "Sisters" retreat, this is the second time they have chosen my house!

We and got up early to go to the beach so I could see what the land looked like on a minus 3 foot tide. We found lots of beach treasure.

The sun decided to shine on their last day here. Alaska is so beautiful when the sun shines!

Mom and Dad

2010-08-03T13:20:00.001-08:00

Dad and mom are here for a month to get out of the Dallas heat. I put them right to work on the honey do list that my hubby gets out of because he is gone commercial fishing. Dad put a gate into the dog pen it is more for fuel delivery than the dog.

Mom cooks and cleans the whole house. She also walks to the store almost everyday. She said I would miss her when she is gone...Definitely!

Katelyn

2010-07-02T07:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the Girl that Rocks!

Her process two days ago.

Where she left off yesterday...Trying to find that little bit that makes the art come alive. We ended up dying more organza to get the right feel for one of her flowers. It can be a hard task when you are still building your experience and confidence.

Sharing

2010-07-01T07:48:00.001-08:00

I am not happy with the blogger...it will not upload the pics. I have tried twice and really need to walk away!
Trust me...Katelyn Rocks!

Deanna and Katelyn came over this last weekend to dye fabric for wall art. I think it is wonderful that they want their own art the wall...they are getting tired of mine! I thought I had taken pictures to document the soy wax batik. The camera was there...the thought was there...but the pictures are nowhere to be found! Oops!
Katelyn returned to work on her piece. She is using a 20x30 canvas and her hand dyed fabric to begin a layout.

After an hour of talking about what she wanted and ways to achieve it she spent 3 hours working towards it, this is what she has on her board. She used soy wax and bubble wrap to print the texture on her background fabric. She is still auditioning hand dyed and commercial organza flowers. Organza was also used to sew on her card stock strips.

These are my base fabrics that I will use for batik once more wax arrives. We really like the wax on cotton, the washout is wonderful.

Happy fathers day

2010-06-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

I called my dad to tell him what he is getting for fathers day...The only catch being he is going to have to come get them. My dad will travel just about anywhere for these little guys!
We Love you Dad!

Ooh... Dad...it's calling your name..!

A week of guys

2010-06-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

We had four of my husbands cronies from the good old days join us for a week of exploring our little corner of Alaska. There was fishing from sun up to sunset, pots to pull, great food and of course Art!
I really enjoyed their humor, generosity and gentle spirits. A week of playing with friends is good for the soul.

Fish on!

Fish prints we made from the days catch.

My Sweet Baboo

2010-05-23T07:36:00.001-08:00

She is here for a quick visit and to stock her freezer. We have been blessed with crab, shrimp and King salmon. Thanks to friends she will have moose! There is venison in the freezer we will share with her too. After we got goofy with the fish we made ART!

We printed the fish on silk using a textile paint. This one is done on a scarf that the hem came out of... making it a scrap. I will cut the ends off and sew a border around it. Those are scales on the print, The paint has a drying agent in it making it sticky, after a couple prints the scales were weak enough to lift.

Now the secret is out...This is the part of the house we do not show people! Cleaning our studios (Yes, I am blessed with more than one) is not our strong point.

Wedding trip

2010-05-16T14:22:00.002-08:00

Yesterday our friends got married. Their idea of a wonderful wedding was to charter a boat for the day, add in 20 or so friends and family and find a spot in the great outdoors to say their vows. We made a trip to Petersburg for a couple hours at the Little Norway Festival then headed to LeConte Glacier. There were so many icebergs that it took us over an hour to travel the 5-6 miles up the inlet to the glacier.
After the glacier we headed up the Stikine river for the ceremony. It was truly a wonderful day.

Waterfalls half way up the inlet

This guy is as big as a house and is 5 miles from the glacier out in open seas.

The glacier is just around that next corner

Outside the channel, Love the blue of the large icebergs.

Flour paste

2010-05-11T15:43:00.000-08:00

This week I played with flour paste resist hoping to find a way to faux batik Kirk's hand painted backgrounds. These were some not so good cotton hand dyes that I used to play on. I was looking for a very subtle crazed effect in a dark blue gray tone. I was very worried about over doing it...so unfortunately I am not enthused about my results on the large pieces. I look at them and they are too tentative!

But on Kirk's background it is just right! When his buds show up and catch a fish it will be documented as a fish print in the center. Too much crackle and it can distract from the fish.

I also did some stenciling on a piece that I had saturated with spray starch and then let dry. I wanted to see if it helped with the dye bleeding. I had very little bleed but I got sloppy (tired) and started brushing instead of pouncing... pushing dye under the stencil. I have some oil paint sticks and will stencil another layer. The fabric is really as weird as this photo looks...I think my blue dye went rouge and there is poor light today.

WaHoo!

2010-04-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

This is the silk quilt for my niece Aryn. I sent it away to Joanne to quilt. Neither of us had quilted silk and Joanne is sweet enough to put her fears aside and go for it! This is the quilt loaded on her machine and a close up of the quilting on the border.
Thank You...I know that Aryn will just love this!

Good days work

2010-04-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

Even though the sun was calling me...I spent the day in the studio turning out some tests. The first one is 4x8' and will be used to play with Shiva paint sticks and rubbing on Nautilus shells. When it is finished I can use it to sew myself a fun tunic.

This is a really heavy raw silk, I just love the slubs and the slight sheen on the raised texture. It would make a fabulous jacket but I never wear one so I will have too think on it for a while. Before it is dyed it looks just like ivory drapery fabric. I was a little concerned that it would always look like I cut up my mothers curtains but once the dye hit the fabric all reference was gone and I am left with a wonderful substantial fabric.

Kirk and I have been contemplating making fish prints on fabric for friends and family. You catch your fish and we can document it on the fabric...You can go home with proof that you really did catch a monster fish. After this background is steamed we should be able to use ink or paint to print the fish.

Columbine done

2010-04-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

I will have to name this one "cloudy day" It is normal to have grey sky in Southeast Alaska but it makes this silk feel like it is still winter! I think I need to get away to a warm and sunny place so I can more authentically paint spring! As always I have my list of what is not right or that I would like to improve on...but over all I am very happy with this 4'x6'piece. I have a plan for it that needs to be secret for now!

Lunch bag

2010-04-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

The class I took or at least tried to take was sewing a snap purse...using a tape measure for the closure.
The metal has just enough tension to bend without kinking and will snap open and shut. Dina Merchant taught the class and for a back up project brought Texture Magic! I found a salmon batik at the fabric store and decided to make a lunch bag. With the texture Magic you can not see the fish on the fabric. I ended up helping the organizer of the Art Fest instead of playing. I brought my stuff home and finished it this morning.

I have seen all the fabric flowers and decided to try one too. I had a scrap of ? with lots of iridescence. I pleated it with a steam iron and sewed it up. My Aunt gave me the snowflake pin. I am Happy, Happy, Happy!

Haines Alaska

2010-04-14T07:51:00.002-08:00

This is a little light house not to far from Haines.

The mountains here are majestic...they totally surround the town. The people here are artistic, energetic and very welcoming. I could retire here!

I combined two photos for this one so you could get a sense of the mountains. We were on our way to the fabric store having just come from the bead shop. We started the morning off at the health food market and deli. They have a coffee roaster in store, a bakery/deli counter and little seating area.

It is time to hit the deck running. I am cutting mats for the watercolor, charcoal and paper collage. Today is the last day of classes and we will be setting up an art show with all the pieces created. Usually the solder is still hot... pots are being crash cooled...and it always work in the end!

Art Festival

2010-04-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Today Kirk and I get on the ferry with eight High School art students for our 24 hour ride to Haines. Kirk will teach a 4 day Raku ceramics class and I may take a class or two...We will see where I am needed and go from there. The classes are really for the kids but from the beginning adults have been encouraged to participate.

This is a view taken south of town and looking back to Wrangell. We will be heading north winding in and out of those distant mountains.

Columbines again

2010-04-03T14:07:00.001-08:00

I am doing columbines again but with some parameters. I told myself no more single blossoms, full front on perspective or blending of colors that are the same hue. I have spent days just getting the pattern right...as right as I can for my skill level!
I decided that I would like it better if my Gutta lines were not white so I drew the pattern onto the silk with dye then covered the dried lines with Gutta.

I usually shade with a darker shade of the same color. I am using red to shade yellow and orange to shade pink. I have been working on this for over 5 hours today and have not to the reached the halfway point. Just in case there is any doubt...I am Loving this!
Happy Easter and God Bless.

Columbine finished

2010-03-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

I think this is where I am going to stop on this silk. It has been a very stressful painting and I am very critical of it at this time.
I had an idea of where I wanted to go with this and a photo for inspiration. When it came to the background I started listening to ideas and tried to do what others thought I should try...Big mistake! The background was so ugly that I did not really believe I could salvage it. After I threw a proper tantrum I got my hubby to give me a hand and we were able to pull out some of the color and cover it with another that was much better. I really wish we had taken a photo before the save, My hubby was thinking it would be a great learning visual. There are times it pays not to give up even if the outcome is not what you had intended.

columbine

2010-03-27T11:51:00.000-08:00

I put the base coat on the columbine this morning. This will be a 4'x5' silk painting...maybe for a wall hanging. I spent yesterday procrastinating because I did not know how to get the center to work right. I am glad I waited because at about 4 this morning I could "see" it. Now I just have to figure out how to get the background out of my head and onto the silk!

Credit for bag

2010-03-18T07:12:00.001-08:00

I forgot go add the credit for the step by step instructions with photos! Even though I changed the size and panels on the bag there is no way I would have been successful without help!
http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/totebagzipper.htm

Bag

2010-03-17T17:02:00.002-08:00

The day after I announced to anyone who would listen that I will not do custom commissions, my good friend ask if I would make her a custom bag for her upcoming trip. Of course it had to be a very involved pattern with lots of changes! But I have learned a few new tricks and overcame a few aversions. I am actually very proud of this project and glad that I was spurred on.

I really like the gussets up the sides. The bottom is an upholstery fabric remnant

I found at JoAnns and the sides are commercial cotton.

It has an recessed zipper. That was my number one fear...I have not done a zipper since high school Home Ec. The inside is a prom dress I cut up and a remnant of gold lame.

Doo Dye

2010-03-12T10:05:00.001-09:00

These two are my favorite snow dye, they are pastel and have the most interesting patterns. I awoke to a skiff of snow, got my fabric soaking in Soda ash, and began to collect snow from our deck. There was not enough to cover both of them so I headed for the back yard to dig it out from between the tufts of weeds...all the while hoping I did not run into any Black Lab deposits.
Sure enough as I was adding dye I could see pollutants..OH! Yeah! Lab deposits in my snow!
I will never be able to recreate the beauty of these two...I do not think I can bring myself to do it on purpose~

These three are Low Water Immersion using up the leftover dyes. They look like Tie dye gone wrong to me. Even though I do not care much for them I am glad they are large chunks. They will be useful for backing, lining or playing when I do not want to use my precious fabric. For all of these I have used an inexpensive muslin from Dharma so I would have the freedom to play and learn.

MIA photos

2010-03-09T12:37:00.000-09:00

I know that Blogger has it's moments, today was one of them.
I could see the photos for the prior post and have no idea where they went.
Thank you for cluing me in!

Snow dye take 2

2010-03-09T08:42:00.001-09:00

Yesterday I put dye on two more 2yd pieces of cotton.
I watered down my blue and grape to try for a pastel blue...Therefore my green that I was after is also muted! I used very little fushia (less than 1/8 cup) on the green one. I am amazed at how it strikes and will not play nice!

True to Southeast form, by the time I was collecting snow for this batch, it had begun to rain. This morning there is just a skiff of snow left between the weeds. I should have tried collecting snow and putting it in the freezer to use later! I can see it now..Hubby opens freezer, shocked at what he does not find...his BAIT!

Snow dyeing

2010-03-08T14:51:00.000-09:00

It is finally snowing here in Southeast Alaska! I have been so jealous of the lower 48 getting all that snow and everyone snow dyeing.
I tried two different ways. I used 2yd pieces one in a tub like low water immersion and the other
on a screen above a tub.

Here is the detail shot. On a rack is the blue fabric and LWI is the red. The red has stronger lines, the blue soft like a Monet landscape.
Neither came out like I wanted so I am headed back to do a couple more. I am after one with more green in it. I really did use blue and yellow on the red fabric...The red ate it up!

Fern esc

2010-03-05T08:27:00.000-09:00

That is what my hubby calls it, Meaning essence of fern. I think that is his way of saying it does not look much like a fern!
I do not know why I wanted red for the back but I like it. I used texture magic for ribbing, clipped the sides, ran a wire up it and steamed it to get it to crinkle.

Window sill

2010-02-24T11:59:00.001-09:00

For those that do not know....This is my window sill. We did a window replacement about eight years ago and needed new sills.
My hubby smoked in the house (out this window) and I needed a way to preserve the sills that I made.
We bought a roll of copper, made a pattern and I proceeded to create this 6 foot armour.
You can see all the cool patina where coffee and ashes would fall.

It was hard on the hands and a bit unruly since I was using a 4 foot coffee table to work on. I would get a bit done and fill the back with hot glue to preserve the shape.

When I was finished I used copper nails (similar to upholstery tacks) to nail it to the sill. There was a plan to do all three sills but that is not going to happen!...Well, come to think of it...I have 8 foot tables now...Hmmm...

Bookmark

2010-02-24T08:45:00.000-09:00

This week I finished a commissioned book cover. To test out my idea I played on a small scrap...and liking it I decided to keep it.
I did not get a photo of the book cover so this will have to do.
It is also obvious from the photo that I need to clean the window sill!

Forest project

2010-02-17T10:33:00.001-09:00

After seeing fabric leaves in a California gallery I knew I would have to try too. My interpretation is nothing like what I saw, other than a leaf form. I started with a base of cotton hand dyed fabric, Misty Fuse, Shibori waste, Angelina and topped it with hand dyed Organza. I fused the organza down in pleats, thinking it would add texture and the idea of ribs in the leaves.

I fused this to timtex then fused cotton to the back. Traced out my leaf pattern and cut them out. I could not bear to have so much scrap so I packed the leaves tightly and let the ribs run what ever way they fell! Then sewed around them and put wire down the center encased in zig-zag. The first one my hubby said the organza is too flat...so as I sewed around I bunched the organza ribs...Much better.

This is a plant that grows around our stump and is the inspiration for this set of leaves. Eventually there will be a leaf wall installation. Stay tuned!!!

XOXO

2010-02-12T09:37:00.000-09:00

Last night I wrapped that special boy's Birthday present. I just love the bow! Duct tape, wire and tin foil should be in every girls tool chest! I have always felt free to experiment on these kids' presents...They are going to love me no matter how far out there I get! I would love to turn that bow into an underwater scene with the net, rocks and shells. I mentioned it to my hubby last night and I got the eye roll!
Enough procrastination I am off to the studio to finish that quilt~!

Borders on

2010-02-12T08:05:00.000-09:00

My new sewing machine finally arrived and true to "Consumer Reports" it sews silk very well. Now I have to figure out how to square it up and piece the backing. There is a lot more to this quilt stuff than I know. I suppose the first one is always a challenge...
I know this will put a smile on a special girls face!

Good Yarn

2010-02-08T17:03:00.000-09:00

I posted earlier about the bad yarn and ripping out my neck warmer. I crocheted a new one out of wool and shrunk it a bit. I really like the openness of the weave and did not want it as tight as felt. The blue yarn is what I rescued from the old project. A girl (this one) just has to have some sparkle going on!

My neighbor came over to share her projects and wanted the yarn. She uses it all the time and it works great for her. Now I do not have to feel bad about wanting to toss the "bad yarn".

Hooked on you

2010-01-31T10:08:00.002-09:00

This is a valentine for that special boy. I still need to figure out how to put the sentiment on it...or not.
I really like making things for this kid...he thinks I rock! Well...that might be a little exaggerated...but he does think I make cool art.

Valentine

2010-01-31T07:59:00.001-09:00

Yesterday I played with a new (to me) technique, painting cotton quilt batting. I used Lumiere paints so there is a subtle sparkle. After the paint dried I fused it to heavy interfacing and fused batik scraps on the backs. The flowers are my hand dyed organza with Aunties shank buttons for centers.

When we were south Aunt Shirley gave me her little box of buttons she has been collecting for the last 40 years. I love them! Even though I made these with two special girls in mind...I really do not want to give up the buttons! I suppose it would be rude to tell the girls I want them back...when you are ready to pitch the creation! AHHH! They are only stuff....it is better to give than to hoard!!!

Three creative studios sponsors the TOM (Technique of the month) and several other creative challenges and tutorials.

Leaf

2010-01-30T08:35:00.000-09:00

It even looks like a leaf! Well maybe not the color...but it was a scrap. I tend to hoard the scraps I love. One day I will try testing with what I want as an end product... that way I can utilize my test too!
I fused fabric to heavy interfacing, stitched the center line of the leaf, laid floral wire over the stitching and zig zagged over it. Now I can bend the leaf to the shape I want.

This leaf was about 4x10" before it was bent. I want to make a set of leaves (dinner plate size) as wall art. Don't worry mom...they're for me!

pot holders

2010-01-29T08:51:00.001-09:00

This week I have been making pot holders.

Can you see where this is going?
Domestication!
There is something about winter that makes me want to provide for the household. The older I get the more traditional I want to be..like my grandmothers. My perception of them is that they did not have much but were satisfied with what they had. One made afghans and the other Cinnamon rolls and biscuits. I fear I am destined to be like them...Warm and Round!
I pray winter is being good to you~

Apron

2010-01-25T16:35:00.000-09:00

I finished this apron today. The strings are long enough to tie a bow in the front. I found the pattern
Here
This pattern is for a smaller person...if you are inclined to roundness the pattern will have to be adjusted.
I think I will try a gathered one next...you know the old fashioned ones that your mom (or grandmother) wore.

Sea lions

2010-01-23T16:08:00.000-09:00

Kirk ask me to go fishing today. The temperature here it is 34 and clear so I dug out every piece of wool I own. It always feels colder out on the water. We did not even get a bite. On the way home we stopped off at the sea lion rock to see if they were here yet. I took a couple hundred photos but they are all minimal...It is very hard to get the camera to focus on a rocking boat!

They are amazing to watch, they make a lot of noise and Stink! I do not think they leave the rocks to urinate...Pee Yew!

Card case

2010-01-23T10:41:00.000-09:00

I have been sewing! It is something I do so sporadically that my skills are not that good (always a critic!). After the Velcro moved on me I decided I should use a magnetic closure. Then as I was contemplating all of the above I noticed how it picks up every spec of lint. The fabric is black, Hmmm.

This morning three eagles were fighting over a scrap of what looked to be fish carcass. They would not hold still for me to get a good shot, I finally managed to capture the looser before he left.

Satchel

2010-01-21T06:58:00.000-09:00

I needed to wrap a gift and wanted it to be special and a bit edgy. This little guy is about 4x5 inches closed.
I dug through my stash and came up with...
Angelina fibers, cotton string (waste from a friends shibori dyeing) and gauze sandwiched between two pieces of my dyed organza. The Angelina really sparkles, unfortunately not in the photo. I was so excited about how this was progressing that I forgot
to quilt on it! I sewed a bead on it to hold the yarn that wraps around the body and holds the flap closed.

Final mesh tote

2010-01-19T18:21:00.000-09:00

This is the final tote, it is my favorite. Now I have to figure out what to do with them. Do I use them, run the risk of getting them dirty?
Stow them away for a gift?

This morning I took apart the "bad yarn " neck gator to salvage the sparkle angora yarn. I dug around in my stash and found some hand spun wool. I will make a test and see how it felts and remake my gator.

Pink tote

2010-01-16T16:31:00.000-09:00

I made this tote today. I had originally purchased a star motif batik to use with this mesh. The old adage holds true today...measure twice and cut once! Or buy a ton of fabric!!! I dug in my stash and came up with this batik. I covered the nylon webbing (handles) with fabric. I am not sure that it added much...Kirk thought that black handles were too serious for the pink!

Mesh tote

2010-01-16T09:22:00.001-09:00

Alyse took me to her favorite quilt shop in Phoenix, Zoe's Trunk
I really liked the assortment of mesh totes they had. There were kits, supplies or finished totes to choose from. I picked up a kit (for the instructions) and then picked out fabric and nylon mesh for 2 more.

Sorry about the blurred picture. The tote comes together in no time at all and will be great for wet swim gear or groceries in the back of the truck!

Bad Yarn

2010-01-12T05:40:00.001-09:00

While we were south one of the outings was to a craft store so that I could touch all the cool new products. I can spend hours getting to know all the things I only see pictures of (island living). Many of my friends are doing a bit of knitting so I thought I would whip up a little crochet for myself. I bought some amazingly soft yarn, drug it home with me and decided on a neck gator to keep out the cold.

By the time I had it knit it was fuzzy. I thought maybe they would come off in the wash...wrong. It pilled in the wash, Yes, it is machine washable. The little hairs fly all over and get in my eyes! It is the strangest yarn I have ever seen...it acts much like wool roving (You can pull it apart) but is 100% acrylic. (Lion brand Homespun)
I really enjoyed the process of making it...it even made football bearable!

Gift #2

2010-01-05T13:55:00.000-09:00

That man of mine! We talk before Christmas and always come up with the same decision, no gifts. I want to save up for my leather couch! That time of year we are always on vacation and there are extra goodies. Christmas eve he gives me a gift...a camera!
This thing is amazing!

I am standing in a parking lot shooting up at the skyline using the car hood for a rest and really needed to have a tripod.

I zoom in on the center of the cliff (the dark crevasse)

and zoom some more...

and a bit more...I was very impressed!

Gift #1

2010-01-04T14:22:00.001-09:00

My husband is so good to me. Last month he convinced me that the gate I wanted for the pond was frivolous. There are always better ways to spend money...or save it! I had to agree, he was right.

While we were still on vacation he was paying for our lunch and a receipt fell out of his wallet, naturally I picked it up to look at it with the idea I would throw it away...it was the receipt for the gate!

Oh he was mad, mostly at himself for not throwing the receipt away. It did not help that I couldn't stop laughing! He (and friends) had gone to so much trouble to get it bought, hidden and set up after we left on vacation. He was really looking forward to surprising me.

Come spring the gate will need to be leveled and set. I may even find a cool plants to grow over the trellis.

Vacation

2009-12-23T13:12:00.000-09:00

We are half way through our vacation.
We are in Sedona Arizona for Christmas, it may even be a white one!

Grand babies in California

Graduation in Phoenix

Christmas cards

2009-12-08T11:40:00.000-09:00

I should be cleaning, packing or even going to exercise class...but no...I am procrastinating by making cards I told myself I did not have to make! I keep getting ideas using 10 year old black crackle paint. In the "day" you had to lay a crackle base and then paint over it with a contrasting color. It is much more finicky and messy! I am very grateful for the new formulations that let you lay down crackle color and be done.
So why am I using this??? It is the old waste not want not.

If I use up the old I will have guilt free shopping when we head south for the Holidays!!!

Welcoming the season

2009-12-04T07:10:00.000-09:00

Yesterday I was reading a friends blog and thinking it is not a big deal to forgo decorations...especially when I leave in a week. When I got to work the twinkle lights were going up in the break room and the back hall. Instantly I knew lights are important to me. I can do without the wreath, garland and even a tree but not the lights! I am amazed at how I walk into a room with the ambiance of lights and feel myself relax.

This morning I went and pulled out my 3 foot tree and plugged him in. His branches are all scrunched from the little box he gets crammed in (fully decorated) every February. He is one of those stick trees that does not have many branches that are supposed to be used in a cool grouping...sad to say he lives alone. In the light of day he does not look great but when he shines there are no blemishes!

Grateful

2009-11-30T11:33:00.000-09:00

Kirk and I had a relaxing Thanksgiving day just watching TV (football) and talking about all the things we have to be grateful for.
This is the deep dish pumpkin pie I made, it is what set the tone for the holiday. The dish was given to me by my grandmother maybe 25 years ago. As I was making the pie and pondering...I could not help but feel extremely grateful that she was a godly woman and that she prayed for me. I know that many of my blessings have come because she ask God to give me wisdom. Well, if the truth be told she was probably asking for a wake-up call!!!

This morning I made a card for my Aunt Shirley. She is turning 70 in a couple of days and I called he to let her know it is on the way. She teased me about it not making it on time...so here it is...only kind of late! I am so grateful for the family God has given me.

Yeah!!!

2009-11-25T09:14:00.000-09:00

Tim is going to lead us through the tags again! They are technique intense and I will not have half of the stuff he uses. Being in a remote Alaskan town (almost!)... I will have to fake it and have a blast doing it. I do not make tags, I make cards. If I mess up it is a bit more paper I toss but when it comes out awesome it becomes a gift!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Eagles wings

2009-11-22T19:46:00.000-09:00

This photo was taken two weeks ago. It was really blowing and the rain was sideways. Kirk had dropped me off at the Bazaar and come home to see this off of our deck. The speck is an eagle playing in the updraft. Can you see the whitecaps?

For Nettie

2009-11-21T11:00:00.000-09:00

I have been playing with the digi again. It is hard not to when Nettie and Christina are flexing their muscles! I also signed up for Jessica Spague's Holiday in Hand class, Lots of "digital goodness" coming my way. Kirk is glad that I am continuing in Photoshop...but is not sure what to make of the pages.

The photos are of poor quality because my point&shoot did not know what to make of the limited light and I really needed to use a tripod. It is hard to hold still for the length of time it took to expose these! But I am glad that I documented this..it was fun!

Snow

2009-11-17T14:22:00.000-09:00

Check out the size of these flakes! It snowed 4 inches in just a couple hours. Pure beauty!

Bazaar report

2009-11-15T10:48:00.004-09:00

That tittle could apply to my life, family or friends!

In this case it is the story of my surviving what I feared! I joked (but it was not a joke) that I was doing this with Kirk pushing and Jo Ellen dragging me into it. Jo Ellen stopped by a few days ago and looked at my scarves. I would have taken six and put them on her table. She found 25 and told me I needed my own table.

She even built this wonderful rack that put the scarves 6 feet above the table. It was very dramatic, I was across from where you entered the room. Then there was Jackie, everyone needs a fan to stand along side and encourage. I loved being surprised with white chocolate mocha! Thank you!

On to the report...Took 25 came home with 10!!!
What I learned:

The first scarves to sell were the ones I thought would never sell.

The colors that I was almost afraid to show... Sold!

The ones that had the most work and I am the most proud of.. came home with me!!!

There were many people who stopped to say my scarves are beautiful...but scarves are not for them. Hmmm...I will have to try out silk as wall art!

More scarves

2009-11-12T07:06:00.000-09:00

Yesterday I did three more scarves so Joellen would not have to run the steamer with just one scarf in it. She is so sweet....she would spend her time steaming when she really needs to be getting ready for the bazaar on Saturday! I forgot to take a picture of the third scarf. The center of this scarf is more of an olive green. The white stuff is rock salt, it makes for wonderful patterns.

Kirk does not like how I left the centers a blank palette so I promised that if they do not sell I will put a second layer on them. A fish print would be fun. We would have to hunt for a small fish, the scarves are 22x60. He also gave me the "your value as an artist is not determined by how many things sell at the bazaar" lecture. Then the value of the scarf (art) is not determined by if it sells or not. He is so good at looking out for me.
The center of the blue scarf is patterned using alcohol.

I was inspired to do a photo book by Christina...so this is what I have been doing to procrastinate...instead of getting ready for the bazaar!!! They are not finished...I just wanted to share! Have a great day...

Be brave

2009-11-04T19:33:00.000-09:00

Kirk and Jo Ellen have been encouraging me to sell my work. So far I have only given it away. There is a bazaar on the 14th and I will put these and a couple more on Jo Ellen's table. I need to make up tags and a small biography and figure out what to charge... I will be very happy if one sells and if not you all will have to pick me up! SCARY!

I had the last 2 days off and kicked out these three. I am really into the flowers and the swirls... I am sure it is influence from scrap booking.

Inspiration

2009-11-02T11:18:00.000-09:00

I was trying to clean up my paper crafting area...looking at cards I had made and that others have given me, what to do with it all???
A BOOK!
I can even add to it from the cool things that I throw away everyday. In a way documenting my everyday life. My life is richer with encouragement from friends, by making art, all of the textural and visual beauty in the simple things around me.
Have a blessed day...Love you!

Finished box

2009-11-01T20:09:00.000-09:00

The outside

The inside...PINK and a little red.