Artful Dreamer

hot & cold - made by moi

2012-03-03T16:03:00.001-05:00

Tada!

Two more original blocks to show for my Receiver's Choice swap over at the Sparkly Chickens Yahoo Group. They're very, very late, but certainly not forgotten! The first is for Liz who's chosen theme was "Fiesta". What the heck did I know about fiestas? I got the colourful part, but some of the well known images had already been used by other participants. I toyed with the idea of the image of a crisp white cotton skirt, complete with colourful embroidery and rickrack. Then I thought of those crepe paper flowers we used to make in high school. Rejected both ideas when I couldn't get my head around them laying flat on a 9 1/2" unfinished block (in my head, the skirt required movement and the flowers needed to be 3-D). I agonized and procrastinated until that brilliant light bulb moment when I realized that the sun was an integral part of the whole fiesta experience. How could I resist? After that the block worked up quite quickly. Fused applique, combined with free motion machine stitching and hand embroidery.

Working with Cheryl's "Winter" theme was a much cooler experience (if you pardon the pun). No angst, just pure pleasure!! I live in Canada and although this winter has been unusually gentle, it's quite easy to remember the effects of the cold. Naked trees are a favourite image of mine (to stitch, draw or photograph), so if one is good, then seven of them are even better! The technique I used for the trees involved free motion embroidery, using two colours of rayon thread (royal blue and purple) in the same needle. Yes, you CAN do this! The bonus is that you get a lovely blended stitch look, with only half the time and effort. To add to the icy image, I added fused spiky triangles of purple to the top and bottom of the block. A little more free motion stitching, some hand embroidery and the block was fini!

Only one block left to go!!! I've been mulling over Candy's "Sweets" concept and I think that I'm ready to take the first stitch!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

crazy for paper

2012-02-26T12:00:00.008-05:00

The Paper Place sent me an email advising of their Scrap Bag sale for off-cuts of Japanese papers. Two sizes of bags and you could stuff whatever you wanted in the bag for a set price. How could I resist? So, I made the trek downtown, in the rain, last weekend. Only problem, the sale wasn't until this weekend. LOL at me!!! So, I spent some time and money in the store. Heh, heh....enough $$'s were spent, that I wondered if I would even bother to return the following weekend.

Photos of an older area of downtown Toronto, with some larger, newer buildings in the background. I like the gritty texture of these photos taken out of my rain spotted, car window. I was stopped at a light, honest I was!! I'm sure the other motorists thought I was crazy!

Not the best of photo angles, but I liked the details on this building.

I deliberated for a short while and then ended up going downtown yesterday. Shots of my overstuffed bag!!! What kind of crazy person buys bits and pieces of other peoples castoffs? Well, I do for one!

Buried in the middle, are some amazing 1/2 to 1 1/2" strips of printed papers. I know, I know, I'm not really a paper person.....but just think of the collage opportunities!!! Cards, tags & ATC's, oh my!! Not to mention mixed media pieces, with a sprinkling of paper, fabric, paint and beads......yummy and oh so liberating! I do have a few things in mind, but nothing to show just now. Keep tuned!!

colourful offerings & this & that

2012-01-29T11:33:00.008-05:00

Wonderful holiday goodies from my friend Kaite in Australia! A very clever knitted basket that I absolutely adore, a couple of pieces of her natual dyed silk fabric and a mixed fibre/paper collage card. We keep the post office busy a couple of times a year, but this time my package was lost for a while. I had faith that it would turn up eventually. Although perhaps I should have kept quiet, because Kaite was thinking of starting another basket. Then I could have two!!! Hee, hee.... Kaite knit my colourful basket out of torn fabric strips. She also used bits of the original fabric on the card. Isn't that unique and amazing?

The 500 Baskets book is mine and highly recommended for anyone looking for a little artistic eye candy! I thought that it was an appropriate background for my gifts.

I've been working on my very late Receiver's Choice blocks for the Sparkly Chicken Yahoo group. I have three left to send. One is finished and waiting for a trip to the post office, a second is ready for embellishment/embroidery and the third is in the mental design stage (may the muse be good to me). All is good and I'm happy to have a little time to move this project along. Of course, I haven't even started on my January Bead Journal Project piece, but I'll worry about that when the RC blocks are done.

I know that I'm behind in posting the RC pieces that I've received, but I'll get around to that eventually. I've collected them all together and am just waiting for a nice, calm sunny and non-busy weekend to take some photos.

Oops! I just remembered that I forgot to include the calendar that Kaite sent . My apologies, Kaite! I'll make up for it the next time I take photos.

worms fini!

2011-12-11T12:04:00.010-05:00

Never give up!!! See what happened when I was challenged to add beads to a sample I made in a Penny Berens class. After seeing my Bead Journal pieces, Penny tempted me to add some beads, so add them I did!!! What do you think?

Look here if you want to see where I started. Do you think I became a little obsessed?

The edges aren't finished yet. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but the size is just about right for a book cover. Or, perhaps the focal in a larger piece.....only time will tell.......Any other ideas?

Presenting the finished worms!

Detail shots....The spiral looked out of place after I finished backstitching on the orange beads. I wasn't happy until I added a layer of turquoise fringe. Layer, layer, layer.....it doesn't matter if you're using paint, fabric or beads.....more layers = more depth!! Of course, it's hard to know when to stop, but I think I stopped just in time. LOL!

Techniques used:

Hand embroidery - french knots, straight stitch, back stitch, cross stitch and seed stitch

Bead embroidery - back stitch, stacked stitch, fringe and ruffle.

doodle the third

2011-11-20T16:39:00.008-05:00

Another bead doodle completed! The base wasn't my favourite, because I thought that it ended up too dull and pale. I guess that it's a good illustration of turning a "sows ear" into a "silk purse"!! It's amazing what perserverence, floss and a few sparkly bits will do!!! Needless to say, it's grown on me and now I think that she looks particularly lush and regal. I'm not sure what my real motivation was during the creation process. Delusions of grandeur, perhaps?

The photos were taken at different times in the day, so the colour is off a little in the final shots. Please excuse!!

I just had to show you the "tushie" shot!!! She blushed a little when I took this one....

The flower sequins are vintage and can be purchased at my favourite bead store, BeadFx. The square button is also vintage, but don't ask me where I picked it up. It's been in the stash for years!!!

I 'vant to be alone!!! --- the doodle was definitely getting tired of having her picture taken and was throwing a very quiet hissy fit!! I thought it best to put the camera away........

paper swaps & rummage sales

2011-11-13T22:04:00.007-05:00

I'm rather late with posting this, but here are the yummy results of a "Wild at (he)art" paper swap I participated in with Andria from the US (September, 2011). As always, the swaps are hosted by the wonderfully generous and talented LaWendula over at her Paper Swap blog.

I believe that this was Andria's first swap of this type and I'm lucky to have had the chance to share it with her! She's very precise, with her wonderful, colourful cutout images. Her selection was a very nice mix of vintage and contemporary!!! Even the outside of her envelope was collaged! Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo, but it might show up later as I plan to keep it for my stash.

Poor Andria! I'm not sure what she thought when she opened my envelope, as my style is quite eclectic! I didn't take photos, of course, but if you rummage around Andria's site, you will see that she did! (but be careful, she's quite prolific in the blogging sense)

I think that I may be forced to start either altering books or journalling in the near future. The paper is getting unruly and is starting to call out for attention!

Another not-so-guilty pleasure, is foraging at church rummage sales for cheap and interesting jewelry bits to use in my bead embroidery projects. I've been sadly lagging behind on my bead journal projects due to work constraints, but I'm definitely feeling the urge to start another one. The first step is the gathering!!!! No, it doesn't mean that I will actually use any of this in my next BJP, but at least I'll have it on hand when I'm ready to for it. The necklaces will be taken apart for the stash (except perhaps the one with the big, black beads). What I neglected to photograph, was a rather a large strand of dark green fresh water pearls (dyed, of course). The matching pink strand was snapped up by the lady in front of me. Sigh!

Oh, I forgot to mention the two little dishes. The smaller one is a Minton and the larger, Royal Doulton. I just couldn't resist!

i'll be there, will you?

2011-10-30T09:08:00.005-04:00

Come join us for a fabulous display of traditional and non-traditional quilting and fibre art. I belong to the largest quilt guild in Canada and believe me, this show promises to be spectacular!! Eye candy, shopping, food and demos.....what more could anyone want? Dust off your credit cards and exercise them in our Member's Boutique, Vendor's Mall and Cafe. Remember, these are not just your grandmother's quilts and there's something for everyone!

Unfortunately, my work schedule prevented me from entering any new pieces in the show this year, but I'll be demonstrating bead embroidery techniques at noon on November 12th and plan to have some smaller items available for sale in the Member's Boutique. BTW, it's just a short hop across the border for some of our American neighbours, so living in another country is not really an excuse. Well perhaps for some, but certainly not those in our neighbouring states....LOL!

Alas, no time to make anything new, so unfortunately, nothing in the shop for me this year!! I'm sorry if any of you were hoping to buy a 2011 version of my scarves or postcards. Don't worry, I'll be sure to let you know the next time I have them up for sale.

See you there!!

Photography and graphics by Deborah Milton.

texture treats with penny b

2011-10-23T19:47:00.009-04:00

Three days of texture play with Penny B. from Tanglewood Threads = heaven for someone starved for creative activity. When I heard that my old friend was coming back to town, I jumped at the chance to take her classes. One for texture, another for handwork and both a delight! I seem to be missing a few samples, but I'm sure that I'll find them when I unpack the bags. You'll notice that nothing is finished!! LOL! Who has the time when there are more techniques to learn?

Stitching across a gap! The intent was to cut this apart, but I like it just as it is. I'm such a rebel!! Lots more stitching and embelllishing to be done!

I don't really know what these are called, but I like them and will be doing more in the future.

Much to Penny's disgust, I call these "worms"! I'll be adding more beading and embroidery.

I pestered Penny until she showed me how to needleweave. Do you see the little leaf? I tried to needleweave the shape, but ended up ripping the whole thing out! I should have started with a triangle or square like the rest of the class. I'll try it again, but not this weekend!

Missing are my cutwork circles and string stuffed channels. I promise to post again when I find them.

The lovely lady herself!!!

A collage of some of Penny's textures!

Now, if Penny ever decided to teach on-line, you'd all have a chance to play. Do you suppose we could persuade her??

Thanks Penny, for a fabulous time!!!

BTW, Penny's visit and the classes were sponsored by the York Heritage Quilters Guild (YHQG). It's my guild and I'm happy to say that they're holding their quilt show in a couple of weeks (November 11th, 12th and 13th). I didn't have time to submit anything for the show this year, but will be doing a bead embroidery demo on the Saturday (at noon, I believe) and expect to have some items for sale in the Member's boutique. If you're in the Toronto area, please make sure that you stop by for a visit. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the unexpected mix of traditonal quilts, hanging side-by-side with non-traditional fibre art. You won't believe the talent pool that our guild has to offer!! Not to mention the shopping.....

doodle deux

2011-10-17T19:36:00.004-04:00

My second doodle. I haven't had much time to work on anything creative lately, but these little things are helping to fill the need.

The feel of this one is remarkably tropical! I think it's because fall has arrived and I'm in deep denial!!!

Spirals are one of my favourite symbols. This one is on the bottom of the doodle.

just doodling around

2011-10-09T13:54:00.005-04:00

Not an original idea, but one I originally learned about from Catherine van der Hoeff in November of 2008(sorry, I can't find the link to her blog). Take an old thread spool, add wool rovings, water and soap. Rinse, let dry then add floss and beads. Four or five of these were felted at the end of last year to prepare for the 2011 Bead Journal Project. Number two is in progress, but I'm afraid that they're just doodles, not journals. But what are they for, you ask? Well, I was thinking of either making a bowl full, or just sitting one on the coffee table to hold stray needles and pins. Any other suggestions???

paper anyone?

2011-09-11T10:00:00.004-04:00

Wonderful treats from the recent quick paper swap "Swallenge" that I received from LaWendula over at her Paper Swap blog. Thank you so much for all of your goodies! I'm amazed at how much you stuffed in that small envelope and how tidy you made the little packet! Mine was a little more unruly!! As for the rest of you, if you like paper and you haven't participated in one of these swaps, I encourage you to do so. They're wonderful and you get to meet the nicest people from all over the world! The good news is that LaWendula is planning on continuing these swaps through 2012, so there's still plenty of time for you to join and get a chance to beef up your paper stash. What are you waiting for, just do it!!! There's one going on right now that I'm participating in and another one in October. All details are on the Paper Swap blog.

Of course, I have to confess that I normally include some of my fibre offerings along with the paper, so you never really know just what you will get. That's what makes it so enjoyable!!!!

retro post - yikes!! wet felting!

2011-07-03T08:59:00.013-04:00

Another orphan from a wet felting class I took at the Textile Museum of Canada. How many years ago you say? I can't remember! Who was the instructor? Sorry, can't remember that either! No real excuse other than the fact that I've never been good with dates or names and I think my brain is just too full right now. I do remember that it was an excellent class and the instructor showed some wonderful examples of her more creative pieces. Including masks made from soy silk. They fascinated me for some weird and wonderful reason!

Anyway this is an example of wet felting with a resist (heavy plastic) placed inside a wool roving sandwich to form a pocket. Multiple layers of roving on top and more on the bottom. From the little I remember, you felt the edges first (friction, water, soap, using your hands) and then the top/bottom. I have a vague memory of wrapping it around a piece of pool noodle and then rolling it around with my feet! When that was done "fulling" it by slamming it on the floor/table multiple times!! In my lofty imagination, I was making a beautiful, artsy purse. In reality, I forgot about the shrinkage factor and ended up with a rather useless tea cosy for a teeny little teapot. Anyway, I re-discovered the piece, while treasure hunting in a drawer recently. It's now proudly displayed on one of my bookcases!

From the little I remember of this technique, it was a bit of a pain! I was fumbling around with the resist and wet wool, while at the same time trying to felt in silk waste (the curly stuff) and woven fabric spirals. The silk waste wasn't a problem, but those other inclusions took quite a while to felt!!! Felting needles would have been a lot easier! Anyway, this reminds me that I have an entire tote full of coloured rovings that I should start playing with. When, you say? Who knows, I answer? It's going to be a very busy summer and I don't mean creatively!! Perhaps I should re-visit this rather cathartic process!

Detail shots!

The colours in this piece make me happy!!

Do you have any funny workshop experiments that you would like to share? Or older pieces you just can't bear to part with?

fat book swap - 2011

2011-06-26T11:29:00.017-04:00

The wonderful results of a Fat Book swap that I participated in on the Mixed Media Art Friends Yahoo Group. This group is run by the generous and talented Belinda Spiwak. We were asked to make 37 pages of one technique on either cardstock or heavy weight watercolour paper. Some of the participants dropped out, so I received four of my own pages back. I guess that life interfered!!

On the back of each page are the instructions for the technique. What a wonderful resource for the future!! Belinda has had these huge swaps before, but the timing was never right for me to join. Of course, I regretted it every single time. The swaps on this group are infrequent, but she's hinted that the next one might be either a charm or ATC swap. I'm hoping for a charm one, because that's another I missed in the past. Boo hoo to me......because they were incredible!!!

Belinda's is the first one on the top on the left hand side.

Mine is the green one, second left on the bottom.

Three of my pages are in this shot. The mottled one in the middle of the top row and the two on the bottom.

Instructions for my technique are shown in my original post on the subject.

These pages will eventually be made into a reference book or I might even make a storage box. But for now I'll just fondle them and dream! As my bookbinding experience and time is limited, the final construction will need to wait.

Let the experiments begin!!!!! Now, does anyone know where to buy sequin waste?

what's blooming in Toronto 2

2011-06-19T10:22:00.006-04:00

More images from Marilyn and Rain's garden.

The poppies are winding down, so this is was my last chance to catch the elusive sunlit poppies. It's no wonder you see so many of these in paintings. They're just breathtaking!

This clematis had a visitor!!

Living in harmony!

The lupin begins to bloom,

A beautiful new peony and quite long lasting as well.

All the pansy faces, remind me of a conversation grouping. I wonder what they're gossiping about?

This shot of the white rose was taken across the fence in the neighbours garden. I just heard that the lady of the house passed away on Monday, so I'll use this as a memorial. May she rest in peace.

what's blooming in toronto?

2011-06-18T16:01:00.005-04:00

Peonies in Marilyn and Raine's garden. I confess that I can't resist the white ones so the "taken" is also literal, as I need to confess to pilfering three of these beauties......the smell is absolutely divine!!!

More flowers to come tomorrow..............

receiver's choice update - sara's block

2011-06-12T08:11:00.005-04:00

As many of you know, I've been working on a "Receiver's Choice" block exchange with my friends at the Sparkly Chickens Yahoo Group. This one is for Sara who's just about to escape from the toils of the classroom for a relaxing, creativity filled summer vacation. I thought that the image of the escaping kite, would be a particularly appropriate image. I envy Sara her extended time off (sigh!) and wish her sand in her toes, wind for her kite, a wonderful collection of shells, thread for her needles and an exciting and creative summer. Use your time wisely, it goes pretty fast!!

Sara's theme was the "Beach"!

Hand applique, hand embroidery, couching, commercial batiks and other fabrics.

Detail of the kite and the waves:

Detail of the driftwood, the couched Kite string and the waves:

Sorry, Sara! I was trying to convey the foam on top of the waves, with the white french knots!! Any shells on my beach would have been greyish and mixed up with the driftwood.

receiver's choice update

2011-05-28T13:21:00.007-04:00

A couple more additions to my Receiver's Choice swap from the Sparkly Chickens Yahoo Group. My theme for this swap is "Botanicals".

The first one was sent to me by Liz, who chose to make a lovely Tree of Life with fused applique and teeny, tiny hand embroidered, blanket stitches surrounding each piece. She used a very fine thread for the stitches and her technique is flawless. I must find out what kind of thread she used, because I'm sure that I need to add some to my stash!!

Jean sent me the purty, pink tulip that's oh so appropriate for the damp, wet spring! The colour makes me very happy!! She used a raw edge, fused applique technique, and added machine zigzag to finish off the edges. It just "shows to go you", that you don't need complicated techniques to be effective! My apologies to Jean for not noticing the loose thread. I'll fix it the next time I pull out the camera.

Thanks to these two blocks, I know have an idea on how I want to finish the quilt. Of course, with six more block to go, my idea could change many times......keep tuned for more updates!!!

blue mood

2011-05-23T16:49:00.015-04:00

A few shots of the piece that will be displayed in the Southampton Art School Gallery from now until September. It's a sample for the Introduction to Fibre Art class that Deb Milton and I will be co-teaching, July 30 to August 1st. This piece was trouble from the very beginning!! I had a vision and the muse insisted on making me sweat! I knew what I wanted to do, but couldn't seem to translate it into a finished piece. At the end, we came to terms, but it was almost scrapped and replaced. I'm glad that I perservered!!

Acrylic painted cotton and silk, heat distressed organza, machine wrapped braid edging, beads, hand embroidery, free motion machine embroidery, stitching over a gap with watersoluble stabilizer and just a touch of shading using Neocolour II Watersoluble crayons. Another example of my designing without a net! Everything was cut freehand............

Mainly machine stitching, with machine over hand seed stitches in the sky)

I do love the ruffly texture in these flowers. I'm glad that I had just the right colour of organza in my stash.

I call it "Blue Mood" for obvious reasons!! Do you think that it was worth all the angst?

adventure on a saturday

2011-05-22T12:54:00.012-04:00

Just a few photos from a lovely drive I took with Deborah Milton, yesterday. We dropped off a couple of pieces, for a class we're co-teaching at the Southampton Art School in the summer (more info to follow in the near future). No pretty little sandy beaches here, but instead a wild and wonderful beauty, on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario. Despite the rather gloomy mood of some of the photos, it was a beautiful day for a three hour drive (each way)! Lucky for us, the art school is within walking distance of the beach.

The beach looks pretty lonely now, but I'm sure it will be packed by the next time we visit!

The gull was scoping out dinner!

I spotted a few blooms.

Dandelions were popping up all over the place but, I didn't expect to see one on the beach!

Spotted along the route. I couldn't resist the big, black crow and the rustic fence, now could I?

Hundreds of these windmills help to power the Toronto area. At least that's what someone told us when we inquired. It's funny to see what looks like hundreds of these, plonked down in the middle of farmer's fields. What the heck are they growing??

a few signs of spring

2011-05-15T19:30:00.003-04:00

A few signs of spring from Marilyn and Rain's, rather wet garden.

Bleeding Heart - at it's prime!

Violets - don't you love the water droplets?

Candytuft - when this plant is blooming fully, it will be completely covered in white. However, I love the contrast of the white against the rich, dark green!

colourful treasures from down under

2011-05-01T16:01:00.010-04:00

I received two lovely packages from Australia during the month of April. The first is from my friend Kaite in Bathurst, NSW. I had admired her googlie eyed koala, that was originally destined for a child in New Zealand, so she quickly made another and sent the original to me. Now doesn't that just make me feel special? She also sent some naturally dyed fabrics, a sample of her silk twining, a special little button (a little birdie told me that there were only two in the world) and a teeny sample of waxed irish linen thread. Do you believe that the pink fabrics were dyed with a green avocado? I feel oh so lucky to be the recipient of all this bounty!! Thanks my friend!

Did you notice that the Koala has been tarted up just a little??

The second package was from my new friend, NormaMc in Longwarrin, Victoria who, unfortunately, doesn't have a blog. In 2010, I discovered the wonderful paper swaps hosted by Lawendula. The following photos show the goodies I received from the very special Scavenger Hunt Paper Swap that Norma and I participated in. We tried to be faithful to the swap and had the best intentions, but in reality we both cheated just a little, by leaving out a few things and including some extras (fabric anyone??). It was fun trying to beg, borrow, steal and buy things to include in the package. Norma's to me was Australian themed. Mine to her was an eclectic mix of whatever I was able to throw together. I hope that she enjoys reading the Chinese newspaper that I sent!!! LOL! I think that I also sent a page of something in an arabic type script from a book I purchased in the library garage sale last year.

Included in the package were some very special things:

Some colourful bits and pieces that include some wonderful Japanese paper, a cute little doggie, a hand cut and painted house (and lots of other stuff).

A lovely, felted ATC sprinkled with beads and hand embroidery(does Norma have an embellisher?).

Three pieces of Australian themed fabric. The yellow one is my favourite!

A vintage Christmas postcard with the following written on the back:

"To Martin,

Wishing him a Merry Xmas from his Teacher

Dec, 1912"

I'm soooo in love with this little bit of history!!!

Thanks Norma for a great swap! I hope that you send some photos of my goodies when the envelope finally arrives. I was in such a rush to get it in the mail, that I forgot to take pictures. I'd like to post them on the blog.

scribble monoprint

2011-04-24T11:53:00.009-04:00

My contribution to a fat book technique swap held by Belinda Spiwak over at Mixed Media Art Friends. I had to make 37 pages of the same technique and in return will receive 37 different pages, plus instructions. Wow! Technique nirvana!!!

The basic materials and directions are shown below. They're for your personal use and to share for a little playtime with your friends. If you plan on using them in any other way, I'd appreciate if you could list my blog in the credits.

Not the full stack, but you get the idea! -

Fanned out for effect -

A Picasa collage -

Hmmm....note to self......this might make a nice background or header one of these days!

Scribble Monoprint – Anne Marie Desaulniers

Ingredients:

Caran d’Ache, Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels
Strathmore 140 lb Cold Press Watercolour Paper
Water from the tap
Table salt
Large wooden spoon
2 – glass sheets, several inches larger than your paper

Playtime:

-Scribble directly onto the bottom glass plate with your Neocolor II’s (they’re just like crayons, so can take a lot of pressure). Use your lighter or brighter colour first, then add a darker one. Add a third colour if desired. Think and act like a child! Be messy and use a fair amount of pressure. Leave enough empty spaces to allow the colour to spread.
-Run your sheet of Watercolour paper under the cold-water tap. Get it soaking wet! Remember to wet both sides thoroughly. Hold the edges and allow the excess water to drip a bit (but not too much) and then quickly lay it down on your glass plate.
-cover with the second glass plate
-apply pressure to the back of the glass plate with the wooden spoon. Using circular movements, cover the entire area.
-when you’re finished, do it again!
-carefully pick up the edge of the second glass sheet and pull it away from the first glass sheet. You’ll notice that the WC paper will stick to it. Quickly turn it over (drips on the paper are good) and sprinkle with table salt from a saltshaker.
-separate the WC paper from the glass sheet and lay it to dry on a protected surface
-clean up and don’t forget to sop up the extra paint with a paper towel. The towel can be used in future art projects. Waste not, want not!!!!

Get messy and have some fun!!!

I hope that everyone that celebrates is having a very happy Easter! As for the rest of you, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day!!

trash to treasure

2011-04-03T08:11:00.023-04:00

Something a little different!! This is my contribution to the wonderful "Trash to Treasure" swap that Diane is holding over at the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo group. We were instructed to make journal covers out of scrap cardboard and then design and decorate with things that would otherwise go to waste and be thrown in the bin. Think of it as our little contribution to the environment! Of course, both the front and back of mine could be used as front covers, but I'll leave that choice up to our creative swap hostess.

Front Cover:

-Two layers of cereal box cardboard for the base
-Used tissue paper. Wrinkled up and attached with matte medium and then painted with copper acrylic paint
-Scrap of citrasolve treated national geographic, left over from my shadow box auction piece
-shredded paper stitched onto watersoluble, and then dissolved
-strips of shredded paper stitched onto an end scrap of fabric (cut off to straighten the edges when making the bee block)
-Flower - underlayer is a circle of the inside of a President's Choice 100% Sparkling Fruit Juice can (Kiwi Berry flavour if I remember correctly). The metal was cut with heavy duty scissors, pounded with a jewelry hammer and shaped into a shallow cup form. Then three layers of scrap organza (from another project), cut into circles, freemotion stitched and then held upside down over a candle flame to shape (just touched by the heat, not the fire except when I screwed up). I used tweezers to save my fingers. Note: Make sure that you do this outside, or in an area with extremely good ventilation. Use your respirator to protect your lungs as this stuff is toxic! I do it outside, wearing a respirator and with a big bowl of water beside me to douse runaway flames.
-Little balls of gold foil chocolate wrappers
-Leaf - gold, silver and bronze foil chocolate wrapper pieces, laid onto a scrap of tulle, encased in watersoluble stabilizer, freemotion stitched and then dissolved.

Detail:

Back Cover:

-Two layers of cereal box cardboard for the base
-Collaged chocolate wrappers, attached with matte medium
-Used felt pads from my last alcohol ink domino session at Deb's. Heat distressed! Edges accented with copper acrylic paint.
-Metal squares cut from the inside of a President's Choice 100% Sparkling Fruit Juice can. Spirals stitched s l o w l y on my sewing machine. No thread in the needle!! Pounded with a jewelry hammer and shaped.
-The foil chocolate wrappers (Ferrero Rocher, yummmm....) were accented with red oil pastels -- not a good choice as they didn't dry on that surface and needed a couple of coast of Krylon Workable Fixative

BTW, those metal squares really aren't all that comfortable to hold in your hands, so they should probably be kept away from little fingers.

Detail:

The flip side:

Top - the back of the front cover

-Collage of old book pages (they're fair game as the cover is falling off)
-Leftover copper paint from the front cover, shaped and dried on the freezer paper I was using to protect my work surface. I cut out the shape (paper and all) and then used matte medium to attach to the base
-a flyer from the "Sketch" program, that was left at my last quilt guild meeting
-More chocolate wrappers
-Bits of gold leaf left over from other projects. Flecks, really....left on the backing paper. I just never got around to throwing them away!
-Paint, gesso & teabag drippings
-a thin coat and polish of Renaissance Wax

Bottom - the back of the back cover

-Collage of old book pages (from the same book)
-Thread bits under a layer of Godiva tissue paper (left in a bag that someone gave me). Fixed with matte medium
-Walnut ink spray that didn't dry (probably because I was in a hurry and the matte medium wasn't absorbant), so had to be blotted and sprayed a few times to get some colour
-More chocolate wrappers
-Bits of gold leaf left over from other projects
-a thin coat and polish of Renaissance Wax

This was quite a fun process and they are my first EVER book covers!! I'll probably have separation anxiety when I give them away, but I expect that I'll be making more in the future. I've actually never made a book and I'm not sure that I left enough room for binding, but I'm hoping for the best!! So, what do you think?

one small part....

2011-03-27T20:52:00.006-04:00

...of my "Trash to Treasure" book cover for a swap over at the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo group. Ingredients = gold, copper and silver chocolate wrappers, a scrap of tulle, watersoluble stabilizer and free motion machine embroidery. The rest will be posted either later this week or on the weekend. A license to work outside-of-the-box AND use trash.......my muse is very happy!!!

tradition with a twist

2011-03-22T18:57:00.004-04:00

Sparkly Chicken Yahoo Group - Receiver's Choice Swap updates:

The first photo is my interpretation of Jacqui's request for a Bee &/or Bee Skep block. Crazy quilted onto an 8 1/2" cotton square and then hand and machine embroidered (but mostly hand). The bees are hand embroidered with silk ribbon and little bit of black floss. The skep image was hand drawn on TAP (Transfer Artists Paper) with Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens (permanent india ink). Then I heat transferred the image onto off-white quilter's cotton, added an extra layer of the cotton, free motion stitched and then attached to the CQ square. Would you believe that I've had the TAP for around three years and this is the first time I actually used it? I do love the effect, so you will be seeing more of this type of image transfer in the future. Jacqui wanted a yellow/gold colour scheme for her block, but I just had to sneak in a little orange!!

A little closer look at the details:

This is Cheryl's interpretation of my own botanical theme. Isn't it lovely? Despite tomorrow's threat of snow, this block gives me hope that spring will actually arrive. Raw edge applique, using a machine blanket stitch. The wording is separate.

did someone say inchies??

2011-03-20T14:53:00.007-04:00

I joined a "Paws for Art" Inchie Swap on the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo group, hosted by the lovely Wendy in the UK (one of the group owners). I love making inchies, but for some reason my mind couldn't get around the "Paws" part of the challenge. As I live in a no pet zone, I decided to skirt the whole issue and just make some art. Well, to my surprise, I ended up making the inchies out of leftover fabric paper, recycled cardboard, a nest of shredded paper and free motion stitching. Of course, the nest needed an egg, but what the heck kind of paws would hatch from an egg?? So my story is that this is the nest of a mythical hybrid creature. Part bird and part mammal with the largest PAWS you ever did see!!!

My first set of inchies for this swap:

A close-up!

Well, after a lot of deliberation, I decided that it really wasn't fair of me to poke fun at Wendy's theme, so I decided to make a second set of inchies and this time, I actually had an idea! My sister had given me a notepad that had cats paws running up one side. They were the perfect size for an inchie, so I thought to myself, why not use them as a pattern? So, I drew the paws (no, I didn't trace them!!) on watersoluble stabilizer, sandwiched a piece of tulle (fine netting) between two layers and then free motion machine stitched. Of course, my paws had to be just a little different, so my kitty has paws of a different colour!! The inchie base is recycled cereal box cardboard,treated with a coat of gesso for 'tooth' and then monoprinted with acrylics. I also included a little square of Angelina Fibre for sparkle.

Just a little closer so that you can see the detail.

Now all I need to do is figure out what I'm going to do with the first set! Decisions, decisions!!

a different perspective

2011-03-11T19:36:00.007-05:00

My friend Kaite from Australia just posted a couple photos of the backsides (hee, hee) of her lovely dahlias. So, I explained how much I like to take these types of shots and promised that I would show a few that I took last year. It doesn't hurt to inject a little colour at this dreary time of the year. Enjoy!

Yellow Iris:

Poppy:

Purple Iris:

A different Purple Iris, but from the front this time and cropped:

Weed - Queen Anne's Lace I believe, but don't quote me on it:

possibly paisley

2011-02-26T19:37:00.005-05:00

As discussed with the others in my Sparkly Chickens Yahoo Group, Beth's choice of a paisley pattern for her Receiver's choice block was a bit of a puzzle for me, as I didn't really know where to start. I'm rarely lacking in creativity, but for some reason it took a while for me to get the right inspiration for this block. I couldn't use my normal battery of techniques, so decided to dig out one I'd learned from Penny Berens many years ago. You layer three to four different fabrics and then stitch out your design (Penny had us scribble with crayons first - no designing required!). The paisley outline was drawn on freezer paper, which was then ironed onto the stacked fabrics and free motion stitched. I then stitch sketched the designs on the inside of the shape. Next, the embroidery scissors and I snip, snip, snipped to reveal the different layers of fabric. Then out came the embroidery floss and three simple stitches, buttonhole, french knot and running. Time consuming, but oh so satisfying!

I suspect that Beth was looking for complicated and unusual and I'm happy to say I think I gave it to her.

This block is now happily living with Beth in South Africa. It took a month to get to her. Two weeks from Canada to the US and then two weeks to South Africa via diplomatic mail. Sheesh! That was a very long time to have to wait for a reaction....

By the way, don't forget to drop by Beth's blog to say hello! Her photography is amazing and she even sprinkles in a little bit of stitching......

a rose is a rose is a rose

2011-02-19T18:24:00.002-05:00

I'm involved in a "Receiver's Choice" block exchange with 9 members of my Sparkly Chickens Yahoo Group. At the end of 10 months, we will all have enough original blocks to make a very personal quilt. I chose a botanical theme in natures colours. This is my talented friend Candy's interpretation for the month of January. Raw edge machine applique with a lot of free motion stitching. Isn't it lovely? It arrived well before Valentine's Day, but I still think that it's something very special!! I love it!!!

July, 2010 BJP AMD

2011-02-06T19:40:00.008-05:00

It's been a long time coming, but now it's finished and I'm more than happy with the outcome. July and it's warmth is but a faint memory, so this BJP is more of an impression than a journal. It whispers to me of warm summer days, long walks, lying by the shore and visiting spectacular gardens. My thoughts turn to pink roses, sea shells, lush greenery, boardwalks and a riot of spectacular colour.

The first photo was taken upside down so that you could properly see the tiny pink apple that someone gave me. Isn't it sweet? Was it Deb? Or perhaps Marilyn & Rain?? Or perhaps I found it in some lonely basket or box tucked away at the back of the cupboard. Doesn't matter, because it's now been found and takes pride of place in the month of July.

The stone is a Yellow Turquoise that I purchased years ago, just because I liked it. I know, it doesn't really look yellow, but that's what the ticket said on the package. I peyote stitched a bezel around it in size 11 seed beads and the final row was done in 15's. A lovely, tidy finish for a simply delightful stone!

Did you notice the vintage button, lovingly nestled against the stone? That one, I'm pretty sure came from one of Marilyn & Rain's early forays into the wild and wonderful world of E-Bay.

At the very bottom of the photo, is a little brass finding that Kaite sent to me from Australia and a silver key from Marilyn & Rain.

The star is from one of Marilyn & Rain's trips to Seattle and the shells from a strand I picked up a couple of years ago. They had been pierced through the sides but I preferred to glue them to the substrate. I think they give a spirally, whimisical quality to the piece. What do you think? Did you notice the vintage jewellry piece at the top of the photo? Again, I think that was courtesy of Marilyn.

Another shot of the stone and the vintage button. Aren't they lovely?

The complete piece!! At the bottom, you will notice a little teeny map of Canada. Believe it or not, it was sent to me from Candy in Syracruse, NY. It came in a set of other Canadiana pieces that will more than likely show up in future months.

My original intent was to make a green and blue piece. But much to my surprise, the soft pink showed it's shy but persuasive little face. Another case of the piece having a mind of it's own. Or is that the muse? I was half way through peyote stitching around that great big focal, when I realized that I was doing it all in 15's and pale ones at that. What the heck was I thinking??? Shiny, tiny, pale beads are hard to works with, especially at night. Needless to say, I was saying very unkind things to myself all the while I worked on that part!

This BJP contains a selection of beads that include, but are not limited to seeds in size 15, 11, 8 and 6 (or were they 4's?). I also used bugles, drops, magtanamas (if that's the way it's spelled), pearls, cubes, bits and pieces of other beads, crystals and a broken pearl necklace (Did you spot it?). Of course, I also had to raid the button box!

My regular posse of bead stitches were used. Peyote, stacked, back, fringe and bocce/boucle.

The focal is one of my serendipity landscape, monoprinted with acrylic paints and then free motion stitched. It's fun to do and if you paint and stitch a larger piece, you have extras for the component box. In this case I have a postcard, an atc, a couple of twinchies and three or so inchies, all stitched and ready for finishing off. Of course, all I need to do is remember where I put them!!!!

I hope that you've enjoyed my little taste of the early days of summer!

this & that

2011-01-27T19:39:00.005-05:00

I won, I won!!! Natima (Nat) and Loani Prior got together on a Christmas blog giveaway and I was the lucky winner.....Whoopee!!! I had admired the tea cosie ever since I spotted an earlier one (yellow) on Nat's blog. Nat decided to knit another one as a blog giveaway and when she corresponded with Loani (the author of Really Wild Tea Cosies) about it, it seems that she wanted in on the action as well. LOL! Anyway, I love both parts of my gift, despite the fact that I can't even knit a stitch! Please check out both generous ladies on their lovely blogs. Thanks so much and I plan on having many cups of tea in your honour!

What else have I been doing? Collecting, of course!

I have the sketchbooks......

I have the books..........

I have the artsy supplies..........

What I don't have is time!!!!!!

All this is because of all the blog chatter about The Sketchbook Challenge and the Strathmore Visual Journal Online Workshops. I mean well, I really, really do!!! It's just that I have a day job, and the bead journal project and another monthly block swap to do. Yes, I am whining!!! It's hard to admit that I just can't do everything I want to do. Besides, the supplies won't go bad and the info will still be on the internet later in the year. So, I'm not abandoning this subject entirely, I'm just postponing until some later date. Yeah, that's it!!!

Wish me luck!

shadowbox auction - textile museum of canada

2011-01-26T07:19:00.004-05:00

Some of you might remember this post that shows the piece I donated to the Textile Museum of Canada's annual Shadowbox Auction. If you're interested in taking an on-line look at some of the other donated pieces, you can find them here . Just under the banner, you will see some links to the boxes. You can find me in the "Artists: A-G" section. I'm under the letter "D".

thank you, thank you very much....

2011-01-22T17:49:00.007-05:00

My friend Beth made some very complimentary comments about my work (blush) when she passed on the:

This Award is bestowed upon blogs that could use a boost in followers… (should have less than 300 followers) and like Beth, I definitely qualify there! The awarded blog then nominates 3-5 other blogs that could also use a boost in readership. My nominees for this award are as follows:

1. Penny from Tanglewood Threads for being my mentor in my early fibre art days, for her friendship, support and also for her amazing and artistic fibre and photography work. Penny is quite new to the blogging world, but is quickly making up for lost time.

2. Rachel from Rachel's Art Spirals is quite the busy and eclectic artist. She's a Mom by day and yet manages to get in as much art as she can in her free time. She beads, stitches, draws, paints and is one of the list mom's of the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo group. This is a group I highly recommend for it's gentle, nurturing nature and safe, creative mixed media swaps. I have no idea how many followers Rachel has as it's not listed on her site. However, I'm nominating her anyway.

3. Mary Anne from Magpies Mumblings for her sunny disposition, eternal optimism and clever use of as many mediums as possible. MA has a generous spirit and a real passion for Crazy Quilting.

Now I could go on and on to nominate a few more friends, but I'll leave room for the others to pass on awards.

Please be sure to visit Beth's blog and wander about for a bit. Beth was originally from Chicago, but has recently relocated (with her husband) to South Africa. Her wildlife photography is amazing!

there's something about the light

2011-01-08T15:06:00.006-05:00

Looking through an icicle that had formed on the outside of the window. I wonder who made all the footsteps?

Remember all that rain? Well, this was the view from my bedroom window when I got up this morning. Snow muffles sound and sleep is so much sweeter! My intent was to rush out to Michaels to buy some art supplies. Needless to say, I changed my mind! Isn't it amazing how quickly priorities change? Of course, being Toronto, the streets are fine and driving is not an issue. I think that I'll stay out of trouble, just the same.

Now how did THAT get in there? The start of my July, 2010 Bead Journal Project piece. Yes, I'm late and it's going to be green!!! Well, green and some other colours which will remain a secret until I get further along (read that to mean, finished). I'll start beading the bezel on the focal point today.

BTW, this is the acrylic painted, peltex substrate.

Have a creative week!

late but not forgotten

2011-01-03T18:22:00.007-05:00

I was blog hopping earlier last year and happened upon the wonderful Lawendula at the Woven Letters blog. I've been interested in paper for a while, but hadn't built up much of a stash. I quickly noticed the regular paper swaps that Lawendula organizes and emailed her to sign up for the next one.

The first swap I joined was called the "Art Failures" swap and my partner was Sue from Australia. Sue was generous enough to send me an envelope stuffed full of handmade cards, a few of her little accordian books, miscellaneous paper products, earrings, a necklace and bracelet. Alas, not too many failures, but what a bounty for a mixed media artist with a touch of ADD! Also, don't you think the sayings are so appropriate? Sue hasn't been blogging much lately, but perhaps a few lovely comments would encourage her to start.

The next swap I joined was "Embellishment for Paper Art" and my partner was Faerwillow from the U.S. I received a bountiful and enchanting envelope, chock full of nature themed elements. Papers, fall leaves, beads, brads, sequins, a pin, mystical ladies and even a fairy tale or two were included for my enjoyment. Don't you just love the fall colours and the faerie theme? A natural delight for my eyes!

A great big thank you to Lawendula, Sue and Faerwillow for a couple of very successful swaps. The dialogue was great and the results, oh so very satisfying. If you're interested in joining a swap of this type, wander on over to Lawendula's new blog. You'll meet the most interesting people on your journey! See you there!!

Of course, the next thing I need to do is figure out how I'm going to use my treasures. Stay tuned!!

I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011

2011-01-01T10:44:00.004-05:00

Original photograph of a rain drenched tree, taken this morning and then altered in my Picasa photo editing program.

The top of my balcony railing. Time to get out the paint!!! Either that or rust some fabric. Again, digitally enhanced in Picasa.

Rain, rain go away.......wait a minute, it's January 1st, 2011. Let's keep the rain and the mild weather and wish away the cold and snow to come. This brings back memories of Vancouver, B.C. in the winter. It's not really normal for Toronto.

My word for the year is going to be FOCUS! Will there be more focus in my life, or just a renewed interest in photography? Only time will tell!!

Anne Marie

presents from down under

2010-12-28T14:00:00.004-05:00

A few wee gifties from my friend Kaite in Australia. The Mobius scarf is colourful, warm and soft and oh so cleverly crafted. The calendar and card remind me that Australia is a very different place than Canada. If the card looks familiar, it's because Kaite is currently using it for her blog header. Thanks so much and I hope your gift from me arrives soon!!! Needless to say, her timing for the mailing was much better than mine. But did you notice how well coordinated everything seems? Do you suppose she did it on purpose? BTW, the scarf photographed a little dark. It's really much brighter. The colours in the other pieces are pretty good though, when you consider that I took the photo inside, under a couple of CF daylight bulbs. Also, did you notice the lovely little pieces of dark red lace, the candy wrappers and the bits of metal? No she didn't mail the display piece! That one is mine!! BTW, missing from the photo is a little santa bead and a small blue/white cabochon. Boo hoo! You'll see them appear later in one of my very late bead journal pieces.

merry christmas to one and to all

2010-12-24T18:31:00.002-05:00

I'm wishing you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season, full of friends, family and good times.

child's play

2010-12-09T19:39:00.003-05:00

.....and the answer is..............CRAYONS!!!!

Many years ago, I took a FIRE class at Sybil Rampen's place, before she opened the Joshua Creek Heritage centre. In one part of the class, she showed us how to gesso river rocks, draw designs on the bottom with a Sharpie and then heat them up in a toaster oven (sorry, I can't remember how long it took). When the rocks were nice and hot, you took them out carefully (tongs are good), placed them on a heat proof surface and then touched different colours of crayola crayons to the surface. The crayons melted instantly, and made wonderful patterns that flowed seeped and puddled under the bottom (the photo shows the top). We left them to cool and then polished with a soft cloth (pants, shirt or whatever!!). I love my rocks!

The nest was wet felted in a class at the Textile Museum of Canada from an instructor who's name escapes me. It wasn't originally planned for a nest, but it works well, so a nest it is!!! I didn't notice before, but do you see the ducks head on the nest? Totally planned, of course......ahem...cough.....or perhaps the inner serendipity muse at work!!!

rocks & mouse trails

2010-12-05T10:54:00.010-05:00

Mouse Trails:

This is the piece I made for the President's challenge at my guild. The theme was "Small World". I scraped three or four colours of acrylic paint onto part of an old sheet, with an expired credit card. Then I stamped into it with more acrylic paint on the bottom of a large round tub. After it dried, I hand cut the little circles (ouch!), layered them like a quilt (it IS a quilting guild) and free motion quilted with my sewing machine. After that, I finished the edges by butting yarn up against the edge and zigzagging it in place. I laid out the circles and then stitched them together, first with a thread bridge (heavier stitching) and then by stitching the weblike strands. None of this was done with any type of stabilizer. I was stitching across the gap!!! You gotta love Bernina's!!! I was worried that it would be too flimsy and wouldn't hold together, but I'm pleased to report that it has.

How does this all relate to "Small World", you say? Well, it's all about how small the world has become with the internet, my communication with like minded artists all over the world, the inspiration I gain and the techniques that I learn. All for the cost of my high-speed internet. The sun shines on all of us and the open thread work represents the lines of communication. North, south, east and west......my mouse travels all over the world. The title of this piece is thanks to a suggestion from my friend Kaite in Australia.

Pinned on the corkboard, while I was contemplating adding more circles, and trying to figure out how the heck I was going to hang this!

Not a great photo, but this is what I eventually decided to do. I added a narrow sleeve on the back, used more of the yarn to make a length of machine wrapped braid and then hung it from one of the beaver sticks I picked up in Sault Ste Marie, last summer. I'll have you know that the bark was REALLY chewed off by a beaver! Right now the piece is hanging on a door, but I think that I'll eventually hang it from a hook on the ceiling.

I'm contemplating entering this in another show in the spring, so will need to take a better photo before then.

Rocks:

My friend Penny in Nova Scotia recently posted about some rocks and a nest. I thought that I would show you my version.

The nest is a bit of wet felting and I've been meaning to wrap some floss around the edges for years. Does anyone know how I coloured the rocks? A couple of you really might know (because you've either done it before or I talked/wrote about it in an earlier email), so please hold off on your answers until we get in a few guesses.

Yeah, I know that three would be more pleasing to the eye, but I only made two! LOL!

Happy guessing!

a feel good type of thing to do

2010-11-17T20:24:00.007-05:00

I'm happy to say that I just delivered my piece for the 2011, Textile Museum of Canada, Shadow Box Auction. This is my fifth year of donating to this very worthy cause. The pieces will be auctioned off next March, with all proceeds to benefit the Museum. If you're in the Toronto area, please join us on February 23rd, 2011 for the Artist Reception and Public Preview. The actual auction is on March 10th and tickets will be available from the Textile Museum. I promise that you won't be disappointed by the wide array of tiny, but exquisite art pieces.

A somber pallette for me, but one that I feel is both classic and sophisticated. Of course, I just had to include some hand and free motion machine stitching, recycled fabrics, a little bit of acrylic paint and shiny, sparkly beads!

More detail from the bottom section.

I originally intended the piece to be just sky and land, but the tree was quite forward and demanded to become a focal part.

The rocks are hand ruched fabrics in silks, velvet, cotton and mixed fibres. The beading includes stacked and free-form filler stitches. The sky is strata pieced and has been accented with free-motion straight and zigzag stitches, machine couching and hand stitching. Acrylic paint was scraped on after the machine and before the hand stitching. The tree was a last minute addition and let me tell you, it's not easy free motion machine sketching a tree AFTER all the beading had been done! Needless to say, more beads were added to cover up the fact that the tree was floating in the air. Giggle!

"The Sentinel"

I spent an entire evening collaging little tiny pieces of Citra Solve, dissolved, National Geographic pages on to the unfinished pine shadow box. I started by wearing gloves, but when they started sticking to the piece, I ended up using my bare fingers to smooth it all down. Thank goodness for wet wipes and nail brushes! I'm happy with the results though, because I feel that the box actually looks like it's made out of marble.

Do you believe that I started this last Friday night and finished it on Sunday evening? Am I crazy, or what? Needless to say, no cleaning or cooking was done in my house last weekend!! The things I sacrifice for my art!

BJP 2011 Registration

2010-11-10T19:46:00.005-05:00

This collage represents the first and only six pieces that I've made for 2010. Please ignore the April date under the header on the collage. Picasa entered it and I can't figure out how to either edit or get rid of it completely. Grrrrrr.....

The registration for the 2011 Bead Journal Project started on November 8th. I believe that it stays open for one month. If you're interested in learning more , please check out the detail in this blog post. While you're there, wander about and check out some of the work. If you're not moved, you're a stronger person than I am! I've just signed up again, despite the fact that I stalled at June. Don't worry, I will finish the other six, but life happened and it won't be in 2010. I'm already getting excited about my new plans for 2011! Is anybody going to join me? I promise that you'll have fun!! BTW, you don't need to be as obsessive as I am about bead embroidery. It only needs one bead!!

Recycled Inchies

2010-11-06T14:47:00.007-04:00

Don't you just love anything done in miniature? These are from a swap I hosted on the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo Group . The only rules were that you had to make one inch pieces of embellished art that included a recycled element, in the medium of your choice. As you can see from the collage, it was an excellent swap!

Just keep in mind these are 1" square. Mine included the following:

-free motion machine stitched leaf on watersoluble stabilizer, using leftover netting and rayon thread ends
-fabric paper trimmings from another project (scrap tissue paper, glue and acrylic paints)
-Japanese lace paper found crumpled up at the back of a drawer (sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists)
-beads from the stash
-the background is from a jacket I started in a class too many years ago to count. Loved the fabric, but hated my embellishment choices. No plans to ever finish it! Plenty of fabric left to play with
-backing - used computer paper and leftover paint from another project
-I butted thrift shop yarn up against the edges and then zigzagged over it

BTW, do you like my envelopes? I wrinkled up some kraft envelopes, flattened them out and then rubbed on Tim Holtz distress inks (stamp pads). After they dried, I brushed on acrylic medium for strength. The ongoing challenge is for the participants to re-use the envelopes in some of their own art. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Here's a larger photo of the envelopes:

I'll probably be hosting another swap of this type, again in the new year. CPS is great for swapping a wide variety of mail art. Nice people and you NEVER get burned. If enough people express interest, I may even host another swap on this blog.

I fixed the collage (it was missing one set of inchies). Now I need to go and stitch!!!

landscapes of my mind

2010-10-26T19:23:00.007-04:00

My friends Kaite and Penny B. have either shown, or are in the process of showing small landscapes on their blogs, so I thought that I would share in the fun. Penny's was posted a couple of days ago and Kaite's is now posted. Mine are a combination of free motion machine quilting/embroidery and hand stitching. The heavier emphasis is on the machine. The backgrounds are serendipity transfer/disperse dyed monoprints on commercial satin. Fun to do and quite addictive! The monoprint sets the mood and the machine just follows along for the ride............................

For those of you who aren't familiar, transfer/disperse dyes are used on regular copier paper, left to dry and then ironed onto polyester fabric. The satin is my favourite, because the colours just seem to glow. Both pieces are layered like a quilt with the top, batting and a backing.

Storm - 6 1/4"W x 6 1/4"L

Serenity - 7 1/2"W x 10 1/4L

Don't forget to follow the links to visit my friend's pieces.

citra solv - a new frontier

2010-10-17T18:03:00.005-04:00

Please excuse the black plastic and masking tape. This is what happens when you splash full strength Citra Solv natual cleaner (the original orange, concentrate) between the pages of an old National Geographic magazine (the older ones are supposed to be better). Mine was circa 1983 courtesy of Value Village ($.99). I found the Citra Solv at a health food grocery store in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, but I know that it's also available locally and online. If you google the Citra Solv company, you'll find lots of eye candy and instructions. I've been wanting to try this for a while and believe it or not, it's quite an easy process. Messy and stinky though, so be prepared to do this outside. Don't even start if you hate the smell of oranges!

Liberally splash or brush the Citra Solv onto the highly coloured pages (the mainly text ones turn out black and boring). Keep the magazine closed for at least an hour. If the pages look ready and you're satisfied with the effect, rip them out and lay them to dry on newspaper or plastic. Don't leave them too long or the pages will stick together. The ink quite literally runs off the page, so make sure you wear old clothes, gloves and remember to only do this in a very well ventilated area (outside is good!). Be responsible! Protect your clothes and your health and follow these instructions at your own risk! I doubt that you'll have problems, but be aware that I'm not responsible for any reactions you have to either the ink or the Citra Solv.

This photo isn't elegant, but it shows you the variety of pages I got. More black ones than I was expecting, but the ink movement is still quite interesting.

Three of my favourite pages......think of the possibilities!

The edge of a stream?

An underwater cave or grotto?

Fire or lava?

Any other ideas??

What will I use these for? Good question! My initial plan is to mix in a little fibre, collage is a given and the rest for the stash. Possibilities for inchies, artist trading cards, post cards and even larger pieces are limitless!

I'm itching to stitch! What about you?

what the heck does confetti have to do with procrastination?

2010-10-12T19:45:00.004-04:00

I was avoiding a project that's due mid-November (actually one of two projects due at the same time). I wasn't inspired and didn't really feel like working on anything serious, so I decided to play with a technique Penny B taught me several years ago. You start with a base fabric and then lay on many different squares of fabric (I used my procion mx hand dyed cottons in 2" squares). I cheated and fused them, but then stitched all the edges with a stitched out zigzag. When that was finished, I sliced down the middle of each square with a rotary cutter, rearranged the strips, then butted them together and stitched again........

......repeat as desired......I think that I sliced and diced around four times before I was happy with my confetti............

I have an idea for this, but won't post until I'm happy with the results. Of course, it won't work for either of the official projects, but at least I'm playing my way out of the doldrums....

a little local colour

2010-10-11T16:49:00.008-04:00

All photos in this post are taken at the Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto. The colours in this particular area have not quite reached their peak, despite the fact that other areas of Toronto have. It's been a strange year! The Don Valley Parkway is absolutely spectacular right now, but I can't snap a shot when I'm driving at 100 kms.

I don't have much to say today, so I believe I'll let the pictures do the talking. Happy Thanksgiving from Canada!

Okay, I just need to say one more thing. When I looked at this sculpture, I thought that it was an interesting abstract piece of rusty metal. It wasn't until I uploaded the pictures, I realized that it was a pair of work boots! Giggle!

Altered Dominos

2010-09-25T21:41:00.004-04:00

Now, don't ask me what I'm going to do with these, but they're the result of a play date with my friend, Deb. Eleven of the dominos were coloured with Tim Holtz, Adirondack, Alcohol Inks and three with Copic Markers (also alcohol based). The tree was drawn with a fine point, Sharpie marker. These inks are soooo easy to use. Honest! All you do is put a few drops of different coloured inks on the felt applicator and then dab them on the surface of the domino. Easy peasy, interesting effects and they dry really fast!!! Google Tim Holtz for how to use the inks and "altered dominos" for some eye candy! What a fabulous recycling idea for those lonely and abandoned game pieces!! I'm thinking pendants, pins and cabochons! What are you thinking?

retro 2008/2009 bjp post - and so it ends

2010-09-18T07:56:00.007-04:00

Looking back is always amusing! Please join me in checking out the final chapter in this little bit of nostalgia. The first six months of my 2008/2009 Bead Journal Project can be found here:

March, 2009 - BJP:

The latest addition to my triangle pool is March. It's all about friends....new friends and old friends....

It started with another serendipity moment. I purchased a couple of books from my new friend, Robin and then started experimenting with some of her stitch combinations. Of course, I liked them so much, that I decided to use them on my March piece. Isn't it lucky that I actually stitched them on a triangle? That started me on a search for complimentary embellishments! I found a bag of shells from my friend Wendy, some purple pearls for my older sister (it's her favourite colour), green beads for my younger one and the face from a play date with Cheryl & Deb. I grew up in Vancouver, B.C. and I love everything about the ocean. Granted, the shells would be different, but the feeling is exactly the same. I remember the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea, childhood memories, seaside adventures and the total feeling of calm that washes over me as I gaze out over my oldest friend.

April, 2009 - BJP:

It's April, it's spring and it's about time! My eyes are filled with the the fresh greens and acid yellows of my favourite season. It's all about hope, renewal, rejuvenation and the element of change. Time to watch the buds push their way out of the earth, the leaves unfurl and the grass turn green as the sun warms the earth. It's also time to put away all the heavy sweaters and take out the capris. Sure, it's not quite time for summer clothes, but at least we can start dreaming! Yes, it's also time for taxes up here in Canada. But that's another story! On a personal note, it's time for me to re-evaluate my priorites and to buckle down and work to my plan. Time flies, and I want to make sure that it doesn't pass me by.

May, 2009 - BJP:

May is, quite simply, cherry blossom time! I'm not really a pink person, but I confess to waiting anxiously for those very first blossoms. This piece is about the simple joy of nature and creation. Isn't it all amazing? No, the world is not full of light, but somehow this time of year reinforces my belief in the possibility of change. The background of the tree is a scrap of monoprinted satin that I made with transfer paints. I have a postcard from this material currently hanging in the Grand National Postcard Show at Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchner, ON. (the show opened in May 2009). The tree is free motion embroidered by machine and the central motif is 1 1/2" X 2". The piece contains silk flowers, pearls, accent beads, 8, 11 & 15 seeds & #2 bugles. Stitches used are peyote, for the bezel, backstitch, stack stitch and free form edging.

I'd like to dedicate the pink light in this piece (okay it has some blue, red and orange as well) to Pam T. You are one courageous lady, and I'm honoured to be in the same BJP group.

Note the show is over and I wonder whatever happened to my postcard? Is it in the permanent collection or did it get sold to raise money for the museum? Perhaps, I will ask one day!

June, 2009 - BJP:

I love to visit my friend's house when the poppies are in full bloom. Sure they are brash and blowsy, but oh so very delicate. I try to photograph the quality of the light glowing on the scarlet petals, but alas my quest is in vain. Am I tilting at windmills, or will I be able to capture their essense at some time in the future? What is it about these beauties that seems to pique my interest? A simple pleasure. One that's fleeting, but oh so rewarding. Is it any wonder that poppies were chosen as a universal symbol for remembrance? Did you know that the poem, "In Flanders Fields" was written by a Canadian field surgeon? Do you realize that this is the only poem I will never be able to forget? I can recite it just as clearly now, as when I was a small child. Rather than a trick of simple repetition, I prefer to think that it is something that left a pure and lasting impression on my soul.

Oops! It appears that I'm missing a hair! I found it in this photo. Don't worry, I'll clean that up the next time I pull out the camera...............

July, 2009 - BJP:

This triangle shows my love of colour, flowers, techniques and combines them with a passion for photography . It's also about the paths you choose in life and illustrates that while some just seem to stop short, others are crystal clear and lead directly to your goals. Well, directly might be the wrong word, as nothing in life is ever perfect or straightforward. Paths often curve before they reach their destinations, leading you towards interesting sights, unforseen problems and exciting adventures. This little garden is all about life!

The seed beads are mainly size 11's, with some 15's and 8's thrown in for effect. I also used bugles (2's), pearls and crystals. Stitches include peyote, bocche (also called boucle - a stitch mentioned on another group), stacked, fringe, loops and Robin's wildflower stitch. The curved path is made of size 11 seed beads couched over a slightly flattened braid.

August, 2009 - BJP:

I couldn't finish the current BJP year, with anything other than the setting sun. It's my first attempt at visual journalling and also my first extensive use of encrusted bead embroidery. My skills have grown and I've learned to pay attention to the whispering words of my muse. I lost an old friend quite suddenly this month. She loved the sun and the black speck signifies her being enveloped by it's warmth. The original pallette was much softer, but as the temperature got hotter outside, so did the colours. Don't worry about the sun setting on this BJP year, as it's sure to rise again in 2010. I'd like to thank Robin for her constant encouragement and all of my new friends for their comments and enthusiasm. My plan is to enter this piece in a Canadian National Juried Quilt Show in 2010. Of course that means that I actually need to do some quilting to showcase the beading. LOL!

Bead stitches include the boucle or bocche stitch (discussed in my previous post), stacked stitch, short fringe (on the sun) and free form beading. I used 8, 11 & 15 Japanese beads and 11, 2cut czech beads for sparkle (the darker pink). Sadly, I just couldn't use my variety of odd beads on this one. They just didn't fit the scheme. See you in 2010!!

Update - The piece is still waiting to be mounted. I keep changing my mind on how I want to finish it. My active mind likes to create, but I often procrastinate on the finishing details. Any ideas for me? Any and all will be considered.....but only one will be chosen......LOL!

I hope that you enjoyed this retrospective. If you're interested in learning more about the Bead Journal Project, please visit the website. I am continuing to plod along with my 2010 pieces. I admit that I am behind, but will get back on track after I clear a few projects from my plate. Keep tuned!

retro 2008/2009 bjp post - the first six months

2010-09-12T14:17:00.006-04:00

And so it began.......

You might also like to check out the Bead Journal Project website and Robin Atkins' blog. Robin is the founder of this beading revolution. LOL! I promise that you won't be disappointed!

I didn't have a blog at the time and had limited bead embroidery experience, but I was determined! These posts were originally written on the third 2008 BJP blog. If you're interested in beading and storytelling, you should scroll through some of the BJP blogs (they're all listed at the bottom of the website). It's a great way to grab some inspiration!

My first 2008/2009 Bead Journal Project post:

I'm a fibre artist with a yen for beads. I signed up for the BJP and then discovered that I had way too many conflicting deadlines. I considered dropping out, but then decided that I owed this to myself. So, although I didn't start on my BJP until after the holidays, I'm happy to say that I'm now caught up. My original plan was to combine fibre and beads, with a heavier emphasis on the fibre. Much to my surprise, my September piece decided that it wanted to be totally encrusted. I have used some fibre in a couple of the pieces, but they still seem to want to be heavily beaded. This is my first official attempt at journaling, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the process. I don't have a blog yet, but will try to post a couple of pictures a day. I can hardly wait to hear what you think!

September, 2008 - BJP:

Summer in Toronto was wetter than normal, which led to a lush patchwork of green vegetation. This is my impression of that landscape. I used mainly backstitch, with touch of fringe and a freeform fill in stitch (I have no idea what to call it). As for the beads, Japanese seeds and bugles in various sizes. I spent the holidays with my sister in Sault Ste Marie, and was able to raid her stash. Lucky for me, she had a nice stash of "odds & sods" to complement the ones I had purchased. This was the perfect way to wind down after the holidays.

October, 2008 - BJP:

The trees had started to change colour, but the landscape was still showing an awful lot of green. Orange is not one of my favourite colours, but I'm afraid that it was necessary for this piece. Again, Japanese seeds and bugles in various colours, mixed in with various larger beads from my sister's stash. Lucky for me, she works part time in a bead store! Again, I used backstitch and a freeform fill in stitch. BTW the base is a 4 1/4" triangle on Peltex. It holds up quite well and is fairly easy to bead through.

November, 2008 - BJP:

November was just plain crazy! I participated in a quilt guild show, a fibre art show (both with boutiques), volunteered at the Shadow Box Auction at the Textile Museum of Canada (I donated a piece), was involved in a couple of online swaps, The Exquisite Corpse Round Robin and taught my first technique class at a local quilt shop. Whew! On top of that, I work full time. I felt like my head was exploding! I tried to capture that feeling in this autumn coloured piece. I wanted to include fibre, so used some of my machine wrapped braid and hand ruched some lovely orange velvet (given to me by a friend). I used the large stone bead to portray myself, sitting in the middle of all this action. So many avenues, so little time and no way to get out! Please note the metallic fringe, exploding all over the place. I'm glad it's over and I promise not to over commit in the future.

December, 2008 - BJP:

So! What does purple have to do with Christmas, you say? It's my sister's favorite colour, and I spent the holidays at her house in cold & snowy Sault Ste Marie, ON, so I thought that it would be appropriate. My original intent was to use traditional colours, but my muse was just not being cooperative. The small paper clay face was made during a play date with a couple of my friends. Of course, it needed to be used immediately! A shopping trip was in order, and the piece began. The face is encased with a little peyote stitch. I've introduced the stacked stitch, straight out of my copy of Beaded Embellishment (first time doing it, and just love the stitch!). I've included a single star for the top of the tree, but in this case, it's the side of the tree. The windy road of bugles signifies the route between the two cities (at least that's what my friend thinks). You'll notice that this piece is a lot calmer than the November one. I wonder why?

January, 2009 - BJP:

January to me is a time of fridgid temperatures, blue/grey skies, bare trees and snow, snow, snow. I was involved in a crazy quilted 4" X 4" swap on another group, and used a little larger version of this threadpainted tree. I loved the image so much, I decided to use it again. It's free motion machine embroidered on a scrap of upholstery fabric that was layered with gold Angelina Fibre. A rather wobbly, peyote stitched bezel, surrounds it. I wish I could say that I planned the wobble, but no, it's just one of those serendipity things. I think this might be my favourite, so far. Now, on to February!

February, 2009 - BJP:

Yipee! February is a time of celebration. My nephew and his wife (after many years of marriage & doctor's visits) have announced that they're having a baby. While the symbolism in this piece is not obvious, I tried to give it a party atmosphere. Included are painted teabag yo-yo's (Tetley, of course), three shells from an old necklace of my mother's (she's no longer with us, but loved babies so would want to be a part), an acrylic painted washer (for the masculine element), purple pearls (my sister's favourite colour) and a mixture of miscellaneous beads, including hearts and flowers (because I'm rooting for a girl). BTW, the teabags were used, but I did dry and empty them before painting. The picture is a little dark, due to my taking it on a dreary rainy day. I promise to post again when the sun is shining.

Although it's not quite her birthday yet, little Myka (a girl, just like her auntie predicted!) is celebrating her birthday, with family and friends, today. I know you have a few more days to go, but happy first birthday, sweetheart and happy birthday, Michelle (Myka shares a birthday with my niece/her aunt)!

I'll post the rest next weekend......

beautiful laundrette

2010-09-08T20:06:00.005-04:00

This is my response to India Flint's slightly quirky request for a story to go along with the above photo. If you think it reads like a cheap, tacky novel, you are correct! I'm not sure which writer I'm channeling, but they certainly had a lot more fun than I did! LOL!

"After a long afternoon of tawdry love, Curt left, but asked if I would do his laundry before he returned. As I waited for the dryer to finish,I spotted a text from my best friend, Gwen. Guess who she just spotted making out at the pool, with the blond from the next apartment? Bastard! The cute Swedish laundry attendant, Sven was just re-filling his father's vintage chrome lighter. Fabulous! I grabbed the newly dried laundry, batted my eyelashes and asked if I could borrow the pair. A quick exit to the sidewalk, a small squirt, one flick of the shiny lighter and whoooosh, end of another chapter. Concerned that his employer's premises would be damaged and the cops called, my new love thoughtfully provided a bucket of dirty, soapy water to vanquish the flames. We made dinner plans."

Don't forget to visit India's blog to read the rest of the stories. My friend Kaite has one that reads a little like a rap song. She's shameless with her blatant grab for extra brownie points, but it's all in fun!

June 2010 BJP AMD

2010-09-06T09:55:00.006-04:00

June has finally arrived! I realise that I'm late, but the 6" inch square format is a tad ambitious, when you consider everything else that's on my plate. Don't worry, I'm not discouraged! I love the process and intend to follow through until the bitter end. I won't be crossing the finish line first, but that's okay! I still haven't mounted my 2008/2009 triangles and they were finished on time! That reminds me, I should probably post them here one of these days. Then you'll be able to see how I started on this journey!

Now to June! What the heck could green, purple, a rusty old belt buckle, a dome fastener (known in these parts as a "snap"), buttons, string & beads, possibly relate to? Nothing much, just the button jar, my quirky imagination and another step on the crooked path!

A combination of old and new elements, including beautiful shell buttons, a slightly skewed compass button (gifted to me by a friend who found it in a fabulous quilt & bead shop in Seattle), a fabric and thread wrapped pipe cleaner spiral, a slice of raw edge cloth weaving, a little stone bear and a metal bird. Hmmmm......is the theme coming through yet?

Abandoned square stitch from an aborted bracelet, large acorn cap picked up on my recent trip to Sault Ste Marie (smaller, twin acorn caps show in the previous photo) and a very small part from a large pair of circa 1980's earrings. Deb, I still can't believe that you wore them and your ear lobes are still intact!!!

Oh look!! The bird is sitting on a beaver stick I picked up on last year's trip to visit the family in Sault Ste Marie. The ends have been carefully singed with the barbecue starter. Not authentic, I know, but you get the idea! Anyway, this section also includes more of the weaving, the other half of the dome fastener, the metal bird (I just couldn't have a branch without a birdie) and a small collection of leaf beads. You can't really see it, but there's also a needle hiding in the grass.

The great reveal!! This piece started out as an exploration of the colour green but the mauve/purple crept in during the stitching stage and decided to stick around 'til the very end!

Serendipity acrylic paint monoprint, free motion machine embroidery and raw edge cloth weaving (using failed monoprints). Bead techniques include peyote, square, back, stacked, fringe and boucle/bocce stitches. The weaving is courtesy of Kaite's blog posts about Jude Hill's "Cloth to Cloth" class. Of course, Jude and Kaite would be using recycled natural fibres and acrylic paint would NOT be part of the program. Call me a rebel!

The leaf shape was a natual for this one! The monoprint could have been interpreted as hills and water, but after I turned the fabric on it's side, a tree was born! Next to the ocean and stitching, I love woods and nature the best! I grew up in a city, at the edge of the forest, on the base of a mountain, with a view of the ocean. Do you think I'm still exploring my childhood?

Now, on to my class samples, my Textile Museum Shadow Box, the "President's Challenge" for my quilting guild, my "Silly" drawing class and then the July BJP! Who needs to clean, sleep, work and eat?

I won, I won!!!

2010-09-05T09:59:00.004-04:00

Carla Sonheim's, The Art of Silliness Class that I mentioned in the last post. Thanks, Jackie! I'm sure that we'll be sharing more than a few giggles in the coming weeks! Now where the heck did I put those drawing pencils??? Eeeek! I haven't done any real drawing in years......keep tuned!

the art of silliness

2010-09-02T19:03:00.005-04:00

After hearing about it on several of my Yahoo Groups, I broke down and ordered Carla Sonheim's, "Drawing Lab For Mixed Media Artists" book. I just received notice that it may be delivered as early as tomorrow, so I thought that I would check out Carla's blog to see what she's all about. Her latest post made note of the fact that Jackie of http://medowntoafineart.blogspot.com/ signed up for "The Art Of Silliness" class and also purchased a second class for a giveaway on her blog. Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel that everyone could use a good dose of this stuff. Most people take life far too seriously! Don't forget to hop on over to Jackie's blog to get in on the action. It's a very generous giveaway

images of nature

2010-08-29T15:35:00.008-04:00

Peace and calm at Skookum Lake in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario - August, 2010. Cool and grey with a quiet type of beauty.

the rusty north

2010-08-27T19:04:00.005-04:00

How I spent my summer vacation!! Rust dyeing at my sister's family cottage in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario (they actually call it a "camp"). It's tradition for me to come up with an arty activity for us to play with while we're at the lake. The air was crisp, the fish and sun were in hiding, but the wine, food and company were just fine!! This is the last piece we wrapped and by far my favourite. I used up the last of my recycled cotton sheet on 3/4's of a large saw blade (a last minute find by my brother-in-law).

Wrapped on a rusty minnow bucket.......

Wrapped diagonally on a long piece of rusty rebar.......

Wrapped on the rusty hood of an old Rolligon (the circle is a transfer from the radiator cap)......Perhaps the spirit of the Rolligon......What's a Rolligon you say?

An all terrain vehicle, originally used in a lumber mill in B.C. Works great for pulling downed trees and giving small children exciting rides!

A collection of bits and pieces, including rusty nails, chain, a drill bit and some type of large hook. The colour is a little off on this one and the Rolligon piece. The background is actually a very soft yellow. I have four or five more pieces that I thought showed promise, but were disappointing. I'll save them for another rusty day. Thanks Jim and Suzie, I had a great time!

dying for cloth

2010-08-14T17:34:00.006-04:00

Basic black goes with everything!!

I see a forest and a moody night sky.....what do you see?

I'm thinking whole cloth for the turquoise one and I'm not sure what for the black/fushia. Lot's of potential though! Any suggestions?

I'm not showing you my yellow cloth, because it's just too pale. I was trying to mix yellow and black to make green, but all I got was a faint greenish yellow. The yellow MX was obviously not strong enough, so back into the dye pot it will go in a couple of weeks.

All three pieces were spaced dyed in jars and left on the balcony for a couple of days. Recycled cotton fabric was used, courtesy of an old sheet I found in the thrift store.

My friends are all playing with natural dying, but I think that I'll stick to the chemicals for now. How long do you suppose it will take for me to start pulling shirts out of the closet? I bet that some of the old cotton ones could use a little lift!

all smashed up

2010-08-02T14:41:00.005-04:00

This is what happens when dyed cotton meets the embellisher. It blends nicely and has a lovely, drapey, felt like quality. A tactile delight!

The challenge didn't call for it, but I worked in some of my dyed cheesecloth to add movement to the piece. The saga will continue when the stitching is added..............

dyeing for a challenge

2010-08-02T08:58:00.006-04:00

This, actually started out as this:

cheesecloth + white cotton + Procion MX dyes + spagetti sauce jars + crossed fingers + a little sunshine = glorious colour!

My first experiments with space dyeing! Something that I'm playing with over at Shelagh Folgate's Creative Challengers group. It's a closed group, but she opens it up from time to time for new challenges, so stay tuned. If you're interested in the challenge format, check out Shelagh's blog. She's offering a couple of her previous challenges as on-line classes. Why don't you sign up for one of them?

Off topic, but while we're still in the colour mood......have a look at this lovely hibiscus that I revived from the Home Depot sales bin. I had no idea what colour it would be, but admit that I'm pleased with the sunny yellow!

Stay tuned! I'll be posting more in-progress photos, later today! I just need to do a little work first..........

May 2010 BJP AMD

2010-07-09T08:52:00.010-04:00

Welcome to my May exploration of colour, boundaries and emotions. Why did I pull out the red, black and white acrylic paint? What made me use those colours? How can I change the mood? What about adding lime green? A theme is born!

The paper bead has no real meaning except in a recycling sense. It was torn out of a damaged work of fiction, called "Everyman's Library", originally published in 1906. The author's name shows as Adam Bede by George Eliot. Curious! I think it cost me a buck at a church garage sale. It reeks of wood smoke, but the cover is a lovely red leather with gold stamped flowers. It's falling apart, but I love it and will recycle the components in future art pieces. The red disks and tarnished end cap (flower like, to the right of the paper bead) have also been repurposed.

Old buttons from the button jar and a single strawberry earring that mysteriously appeared in my jewelry box. If someone gave it to me, I'm sorry because I really don't remember where the heck it came from. But where is it's match? Another curious thing......

A small white stone that I was gifted at an artist lecture a couple of years ago (drilled so that it could be used as a bead). More paper beads (sliced and standing on end) and a never worn, right angle weave bracelet. I learned how to make the bracelet, made twenty or so and then decided to make a black one for myself. I got carried away and made it way too long. I wouldn't rip it out and couldn't throw it away! It sat in the jewelry box, mocking me! A reminder of techniques past.

Do you remember hooks and eyes on the back of your dresses? People must still use them, but this is an old one from the bottom of the sewing drawer.

More buttons, recycled necklace components and a vintage pair of embroidery scissors. Tarnished and dull, but still very beautiful. BTW, I couldn't bear to glue them down, so they're stitched on with embroidery thread.

A challenging task! The landscape was a stretch and I was a little uncomfortable with the colour pallette! I stared and puzzled and then let it sit until it started to talk! Eureka! The colours and lines reminded me of strong emotions and the Canadian prairies. Imagine a harsh landscape after the rain! It softens, just a little and if you pay attention, you will be able to see the echos of time, imprinted on the well ploughed fields. Memories, but not always pretty....

sweat
toil
birth
death
till
fallow
rebirth
sadness
loss
lush
fertile
rich
poor
fresh
life

The focal started out as a house shape, but I decided it was too boxy. A little pencil play and the shape was reborn. I don't know what to call it! I think that it looks faintly oriental, but Kaite insists that it's a "pixie house". What do YOU think?

Acrylic paint monoprint, free motion machine embroidery, hand embroidery and heat distressed plastic wrap. Bead stitches - peyote, stacked stitch, back stitch, boucle/bocce stitch and couching. New and recycled beads and found objects. Shapes and sizes vary.

a bjp collage and how to work intuitively

2010-06-27T09:58:00.005-04:00

annie_anne52 left this comment on my April Bead Journal photo (the blue one - see post below) in the Cloth Paper Studio Yahoo group, so I thought I would give my response on the blog, just in case others are interested:

"This is absolutely beautiful!!!! Just a couple of questions? What is the finished size? How do you get started on a piece like this? I LOVE IT!!!!

Thanks, Annie!

The finished size is 6" X 6" and it's constructed on peltex. Peltex is a heavyweight interfacing, originally used for the brims of hats. It can be purchased as fusible one side, two sides or not fusible at all.

This series of pieces (the blue one for April is my latest) starts with the serendipity landscape or seascape. It's an acrylic paint monoprint. Very simple to do and just involves tube acrylic paint, an old credit card, freezer paper (or a sheet of glass) and some recycled fabric.

-When the print is dry, I baste or fuse the monoprint onto peltex (or fast-2-fuse which is lighter) choose an area that looks roughly like a landscape and enhance it with free motion machine stitching. I basically torture the thread to get it to do what I want (tighten the top tension, loosen the bottom - or pull sideways to distort the stitch). I also add hand stitch and may even go back into the piece and machine stitch over the hand stitch. If the work is going well, I enter a "flow" state where time is lost and all that's important is the work. Warning! Sandwich the print between two sheets of parchment paper before you use the iron AND work in a well ventilated area. I'm not sure how toxic heated acrylic paint is, but it does give off a distinctive order, so please be careful! You do this at your own risk!

-I cut out the shape and baste it to the 6" X 6" square of peltex.

-Then I bead, bead, bead.......

I gather up my beads and then peyote stitch the bezel around the focal shape. After that, everything else is intuitive! It's an explorer/gatherer type of thing. You bead for a while.....get an idea for something odd to attach and then bead around the shape......jump to another area.........search for something interesting........bead some more........run to the bead store &/or thrift store.......repeat until you're finished.........

The most important part of the process is to have fun!

April 2010 BJP AMD

2010-06-06T11:44:00.012-04:00

April is all about blue. I love everything about it! The sky, the sea, eyes, jeans, indigo fabric, jazz and flowers. It was the colour that I was most often dressed in as a child (blue eyes, donchaknow?)and that I pulled out of the crayon box first. It still remains my favourite! Despite all of this, would you believe that I had a hard time working on this piece? Is it because I'm tiring of the series, or do I simply have the blues?

Like my earlier pieces, this one is based on an acrylic paint monoprint that I turned into a serendipity land & seascape. It was then hand and free motion machine embroidered. I peyote stitched the bezel and filled in the rest of my 6" square with a large variety of of beads, found objects and stitches. It was painful at times, but I'm more than satisfied with the results.

I particularly like the leaves and the beaded waves in the section shown below. The flat blue discs have been recycled from a thrift store necklace.

I was lucky enough to find a mismatched pair of dice in the infamous family button jar?

Wasn't it fortunate that I was able to find this rusty/squished beer bottle cap in just the right colour? Honest, I didn't rust it myself! The glass marble is also from the button jar, as are all of the BUTTONS! Imagine that!

My friend Deborah, kindly sacrificed forever polishing her silver spoon for this piece. I chose this one over Charles & Di. I wonder why? (BTW the thistle has absolutely no significance, it was just the right colour.) I also added my very first Russian Leaf (taught to me by Marilyn Parker at the Toronto Bead Society technique night). Perhaps that's why I've been blue. I've been wanting to make these for years but just couldn't get it! I tried and tried and tried again until I finally figured it out. Now, of course, I've forgotten how to do it, so the next one will be difficult as well. I found that I couldn't bead the leaf in front of the TV, because I kept forgetting which step I was on. I blame American Idol and Dancing With The Stars......Okay, so I'm a reality show junkie.....I admit it, but I am selective and I do have standards. LOL!

I rusted this brand new washer all by myself by soaking it in balsamic vinegar for a day and then exposing it to the elements for a couple of weeks. When I was happy with the colour, I coated it with a couple of coats of Krylon spray fixative in a matt finish. I don't know if the vinegar actually did anything, but I do like the results.

The reveal!!

be.....weave it or not......4

2010-06-05T11:42:00.006-04:00

Detail of what happens when you use a heat gun on your polyester organza.....MAGIC! I always liked the piece, but it was still too neat and tidy. I love the distressed effect, so had this in mind from the beginning. What do you think?

Warning!!!!! Remember to take the proper precautions when using a heat gun to melt organza. Good ventilation and the proper ventilator (NOT a dust mask) should protect you from the evil chemicals. Mine was purchased from a safety company called Ackland-Granger. Call up a similar company in your area and ask them what they suggest.

The final piece!

Well, it's not actually the final step, but it needs to rest for a while. I haven't found the right focal element yet, so it can just sit and wait until I do.

be......weave it or not.......OUT!

be.....weave it or not......3

2010-06-05T10:13:00.007-04:00

Here you go.......a series of whipped straight stitches along the length and then a very loooong straight stitch woven across each row. Now on to the fun part..........

be....weave it or not......2

2010-06-04T19:54:00.003-04:00

Which way did it go? Which way did it go??? Another layer of sheers, woven right on top of the other piece (but not woven within it). Now I need to anchor the strips. By hand or machine, that is the question.....woe is me, so many decisions. Of course, many of you will be able to figure the step right after that......right??? Just you wait and see.......ahhh the trials of an intuitive artist.....welcome to my world!!

Be....weave it or not!

2010-06-03T19:22:00.004-04:00

I'm playing around with yet another weaving thanks to my decidedly competitive nature (thanks K!!) and an excess amount of fabric. This time I used a square of upholstry fabric and some of my acrylic painted cotton. The commercial fabric was shredding like crazy, so I tacked it down (embellished would be a kinder term) with a mix of hand and free motion machine stitching. Of course, the piece is a little too matchy, matchy and blendy for my taste, so another layer of mystery fibre will be attached this weekend. Guess what I'll do to it after that? Keep tuned!

To weave, or not to weave.....

2010-05-26T19:10:00.004-04:00

My friend Kaite from Yarngarden is taking an on-line workshop from the extremely gifted Jude Hill. Kaite is already quite knowledgeable about weaving, basketmaking and all things fibre, but she thought that she might enjoy the additional exposure and the social aspect of this class. I was intrigued by the simple process, so decided to attempt it, with a few tips from Kaite. The following is my humble attempt at the raw edge weaving of some gifted decorator fabrics (two patterns & a sheer). Let me tell you, it didn't even put a small dent in the stash!!!! I rotary cut (roughly) and then wove the strips, stitched them by machine (apparently a no, no), then cut them in half and rewove them into a much smaller piece. After I finished, I threaded in some recycled sari yarn and added a few hand stitches for effect. I like it.....don't know what the heck I'll do with it....but it's actually quite addicting once you get going. I call the piece "Damn You Kaite", because it's not the project I was supposed to be working on last weekend. That one is still not finished!

Have you ever.........

2010-05-26T18:59:00.004-04:00

.....seen anything as magnificent as this yellow tree peony? I visited Marilyn & Rain's garden on the weekend, but naturally, forgot my camera. However, I did come away with a couple of cut peony's to grace the table. I wish that I had been able to take a picture of the tree, as it was absolutely loaded with sunny fleurs. More than I've ever seen on this plant before (probably because of our unusually mild winter). I'm having serious garden envy right now!!!!!

Little Leo returns

2010-05-22T08:07:00.003-04:00

Little Leo is a wonderful little plant that I was gifted with years ago, by my sister, Suzie's sister-in-law, Diane (from Sault Ste Marie, ON). I turned around and re-gifted him to Marilyn and so he still grows!! Every year, Little Leo is one of the first hot colours to bloom in the garden.....and every year he struts his stuff proudly. This is a very tidy plant and oh so true to it's name. It flowers for a long time, yet stays small and compact in a nice neat clump. When the flowers are finished, he disappears back into the soil. After basking in the son, Leo rests to wait for yet another spring!

Goodbye spring!

2010-05-22T07:46:00.003-04:00

Every year I eagerly anticipate cherry blossom time. See what happens when the rain falls? LOL! These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago in Marilyn & Rain's garden. Do you think it's all Rain's fault? The rest of the flowering trees were still blooming and the lilac was particularly delightful! I wonder who's showing off this weekend? Perhaps I should check them out!

Threadworks 2010 - Trees

2010-05-08T07:17:00.017-04:00

The work of my oh so talented friends!!!!!

Gordana Brelih - The Grand Prize Winner -- 3 detail photos + the exquisitely spectacular piece in all it's glory. My humble photographs were not able to capture the overall impact of this piece. It's wonderful and also quite large! - 3 leaves:

Penny Milton - another lovely piece in her ever so popular tree series. Silk painting and free motion threadwork over either drawn threads or wire (sorry Penny, I didn't quiz you on this):

Kiyomi Sakamoto - I could be wrong, but I believe this may be Kiyomi's first entry in an Ontario Juried Show of this type. The colours in this piece are absolutely amazing! My photography was not able to capture the depth. Doesn't Kiyomi look happy?

Janet Rhind - Could this be anything other than a tree spirit? A 3-D soft sculpture doll, chock full of free motion stitching, beading and embellishments. The base/carpet is a very thin piece of machine needlefelting. Aaaamazing and very whimsical as only Janet's dolls can be.

Donna Funnell - A collection of her series of environmentally focused postcards, mounted on painted rug canvas. Bright, cheerful, recycled and oh so clever! BTW, I was lucky enought to receive one of these PC's in the "Bare Naked Postcard" swap that Donna and I participated in over at Susan Sorrell's, Fibre Arts Mixed Media Ning group.

Deborah Milton - Now, don't you just want to stroke those birds? The work is based on an original photograph that Deb took on a trip to some far warmer place. The digital photograph was printed on fabric and then heavily threadpainted (and I do mean heavily!). I believe that she also included some commercial fabrics as the applique base for the leaves at the bottom. Threadpainting on top of them, of course! One of my favourite pieces!

Three of my friends: Carolyn Flood, Kiyomi Sakamoto and Deborah Milton

A very satisfying weekend excursion! Threadworks is a travelling needlearts show that is sponsored by the Ontario Network of Needleworkers, once every three years.

I apologize to my friends for not including the titles of their works. I had rolled up the show program at the show and kept losing it!. At the end of the day, I lost it again and Gordana wasn't around to find it for me. LOL!

Tada! My first Russian Leaf

2010-05-01T12:53:00.007-04:00

Boy am I ever proud of myself!!!!!! This is something that I've been wanting to do for a while. I actually learned it from the ever generous, Marilyn Parker at the Toronto Bead Society techniques night last month. Thank goodness for her written instructions, because I just didn't get it that evening. With a little perserverence and a lot of ripping out and swearing, I finally figured it out. Yeah! Funny, it seems that you need to follow the instructions.....what a novel idea for a totally undisciplined artist like myself! Okay, I admit that it's not perfect. I'm not all that happy about the veins, but it's a start. I'll need to make several more before I'll be comfortable saying that I know the technique. The leaf is constructed in a diagonal peyote stitch, using Miyuki delicas and size 15 seeds beads. I had to use the GOOD light for this one!

BTW, do you like my display rock/crystal? Someone gave it to me and I have absolutely no idea what it is. Any tips would be appreciated. Any geologists or rock hounds out there reading my blog? Like, say Kristi??

Creative Challengers 2010 - a work in progress

2010-04-25T20:22:00.008-04:00

I've been working on a fun project over at Shelagh Folgate's Creative Challengers Yahoo Group. Shelagh (a very generous fibre artist & City & Guilds instructer in the UK) shows us some photos and doles out instructions, a section at a time. Think of it as a fibre art mystery project. Anyway, I've finished two out of three components and expect to finish the third next weekend. Finishing instructions will be given to us shortly. Keep tuned for more info.....

Supplies used so far are polyester organza, commercial felt, YLI varigated cotton embroidery thread, Robison Anton Rayon embroidery thread, a photograph of some dried twigs, polyester organza ribbon (but I didn't have any), skeleton leaves, wool rovings, rayon thread ends, Angelina Fibres, painted/distressed cheesecloth and watersoluble stabilizer. Note: several of the items were not in the original instructions.

That little tiny stitch on the first photo is called the "granite stitch". Very intense, but yet somehow hypnotic and relaxing (if you can believe that). Shelagh actually called for a satin type stitch on the ribbon, but I substituted free motion stitching in a winding pattern.

With all that polyester organza and commercial felt, there's bound to be some heat distressing coming soon......I can hardly wait!

My apologies to Shelagh for my liberal use of artistic license. I'm incorrigible!!!!

Once this project is over, Shelagh will open up the CC blog to the next set of challengers. Details are posted on her personal blog (see sidebar for the link). I believe the next CC starts in June with new member signup, mid-May. BTW, there is no cost for joining this challenge (I told you she was generous!). Shelagh only asks that you add her link to your blog (if you have one) and that you post photos of all completed steps.

March 2010 BJP AMD - Part 1

2010-04-19T22:21:00.000-04:00

Are you ever tempted to work outside your personal comfort zone? A couple of years ago I spotted a series of ochre & grape paintings by a local Ontario artist. Entranced by the mood of these pieces,I attempted to recreate that feeling in cloth. Needless to say,the experiment failed miserably. Well, guess what? I took the crayons back out of the box and applied them to my March BJP.

March BJP AMD - Part 2

2010-04-19T22:20:00.000-04:00

I decided to use the arch shape for the fibre element & then waited patiently until the fabric spoke to me. The landscape was gently persuaded to appear with a combination of hand & free motion machine embroidery.

Trips to two different bead stores were necessary before I could start beading. Expensive, but very satisfying!

March BJP AMD - Part 3

2010-04-19T22:19:00.002-04:00

With fresh beads in hand, I started rooting around the family button jar to see what I could recycle. Much to my surprise, I found a carved brooch with a broken pin. I have no idea where it came from, who originally owned it or what it's made of. I only know that it was a perfect for the piece. Small white buttons and silver wire spirals were added to the pile. The spirals were a product of my early jewelry making days. What treasures! Proof that there is a plus side to all that hoarding!

March 2010 BJP AMD - Part 4

2010-04-19T22:18:00.003-04:00

I realized that there was a danger there wouldn't be enough of a "me" or recycled element in this piece. Still pondering this fact, I stopped off at the grocery store. While walking back to the car, I spotted the glint of metal. To my surprise, it was a pair of glasses that had been flattened by a car. Wasn't that just perfect? The glasses were not quite the right colour (dark blue and silver), but I could fix that with a few dabs of alcohol ink. Recycling at it's finest, but more importantly they also hinted at the "me" element. A little known fact is that I've been wearing glasses since I was six years old. I don't wear contacts, just the glasses and they're actually one of my earliest memories. I remember that my first pair of glasses was a blue plaid with a matching key chain (the key chain was a little pair of glasses in the same plaid). I thought it was soooo cool!!

March 2010 BJP AMD - The Reveal

2010-04-19T22:17:00.002-04:00

The final piece! I'm thinking of calling it "Grape Expectations"! This piece is actually a lot brighter, but I SEE it was a little difficult to photograph! This was despite the fact that the photo was taken outside on a sunny day and that I had already tried to lighten it up by adding white, cream and lavender touches. Beads, buttons, wire spirals, a flattened glasses frame, an old brooch and even a safety pin play a part in the construction. Bead stitches include peyote, stacked, flower, fringe, back stitch and bocce/boucle. Perhaps the darkness of the piece was reflecting back my mood during the month of March. That's when an evil virus took hold of my computer and my hard drive had to be reformatted. Oh well!!! Live and learn and don't forget to backup your files. April is sure to be much brighter!

What the heck are Inchies?

2010-04-19T10:49:00.001-04:00

Are you sure you're not interested in making Inchies? These little jewels are from a May, 2009 swap over at the Cloth Paper Studio, Yahoo group. The two with the fuzzy, heat distressed edges are mine, the rest are from my talented swap buddies. For those not in the know, Inchies are 1" X 1" pieces of embellished art. I'm familiar with fabric &/or paper ones, but other materials could be used as well. Mine were layered on a piece of Peltex, painted and free motion stitched. I prepared one larger piece and then cut them down to 1" X 1" before embellishing. If you're collaging paper, then you could use some type of cardstock to back the piece. Don't you think this would be a good use for all of those annoying cards that fall out of your magazines? Recycling at it's prettiest!

So you say, what do you use them for? Well, I haven't done anything with mine yet, but they can be used as pins, charms, ornaments, pendants, fridge magnets, decoupaged to the top of a box or made into a larger art piece. You're only limited by your imagination!

I'd be interested in swapping new ones, if anyone's interested. Did you hear that Rachel?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clothpaperstudio/

Don't you just love a good deal?

2010-04-16T14:43:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while, I get in the mood to visit the local thrift store. This time, I quickly spotted an amazing orange necklace and had to wait patiently while the clerk served another customer. My turn came and I finally had the chance to fondle my treasure. It simply had to be mine! Yes, it was a little more expensive than the others (if $7.99 is expensive), but I needed it! The beads appear to be made out of resin and are absolutely luminous! I plan to deconstruct and then resurrect it into something even more delicious. Imagine, if you will, all of that luminosity, draped gently against a crisp, black linen shirt. Yummm!!!!

The two other necklaces are lovely as well. One is made of stained wood beads in dark blues/purples and the other a navy blue mystery material (but probably glass). Both, welcome additions to my ever growing bead embroidery stash. My final purchase was a crisp, white cotton sheet for painting and monoprinting.

All in all a very successful hunt!

Sew what do you save?

2010-04-11T08:58:00.001-04:00

I just cannot throw out rayon thread ends!!! My colourful stash is decorative, yet still useful. I store it large glass jar on a shelf in my studio. What do you hoard? How do you store it? Are you in danger of being crushed by the weight of it all? Inquiring minds want to know!

I once saw an art piece that was completely painted in loose thread (sorry, I don't know the name of the artist). My creative mind imagines that she lays down a piece of watersoluble stabilizer and then covers her design with the thread. Another piece of WS stabilizer is placed gently on top and then it's pinned and stitched. I wish that I had taken a photograph. Sigh! I did try this once with less than successful results. Oh, there was nothing wrong with the piece, it was just a little bland. Perhaps it's because she uses thread straight off the spool and I was using my leftovers. Do you think it makes a difference?

Try using your threads for collage, fabric paper, inchies, twinchies, postcards, bookmarks or artist trading cards (ATC's). You could also decoupage them to something, embed them in acrylic or encaustic, or even make a threadlace scarf. I just love my stash and trash!!

If all fails and you're determined to throw out your threads, please remember the birds. They love to redecorate in the spring!!!

Bead reflection

2010-04-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

Brick and peyote stitch started my journey on the beaded path. First you learn the rules and then you learn to break them. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it!

Another rainy day in Toronto, but they say it's supposed to clear up for the weekend. One can only hope!

A little colour to brighten a rainy day

2010-04-06T07:11:00.000-04:00

Retro pieces from my collection:

1. "Georgia On My Mind" This one is a combination of strata piecing, wool roving and silk on watersoluble stabilizer, painted and heat distressed tyvek, steel wire, beading, free motion machine embroidery and quilting, hand embroidery. The large flower has been raised from the surface in selected areas.

2. "Fusion" - One of my first exhibition pieces and one of my favourites. A combination of wet felting, free motion machine embroidery and quilting, hand embroidery, machine wrapped braid, beading and copper wire. The background is a rich hand crushed velvet from a thrift store find. The velvet is much brighter than it shows. It just doesn't photograph all that well.

Both pieces were photographed by Marianne Reitsma.

Easter Sunday outing

2010-04-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

More signs of spring, but this time at the Royal Botanical Garden in Hamilton, Ontario. Deb was kind enough to drive, so I was kind enough to take her picture when she wasn't looking. Or should I say, when she was searching for some poor unsuspecting bird to photograph. LOL! A perfect day with the sun shining and the flora and fauna cooperating. The much needed exercise was a bonus! Too bad there wasn't any chocolate available. Sigh!

I painted my March BJP fabric yesterday and have fused it to the focal shape. With a little luck, I'll get a chance to do my machine stitching early in the week and start the beading next weekend. At least, that's today's plan! - Enjoy your week!

Early signs of spring

2010-04-04T09:41:00.000-04:00

Would you believe this park is less than 10 minutes away from my home? It's set right in the middle of a busy residential area. Winter is finally over! Of course, it's unseasonably warm right now and the last frost date in Toronto is normally predicted for late May, but hope springs eternal..........

February 2010 BJP AMD - The Reveal

2010-04-03T09:07:00.001-04:00

My original plan was to include a narrow strip of peyote on the right hand side. As you can see, that didn't happen! I started with the landscape and then moved on to the cabochon (see earlier post for details). Everything else followed! You'll see many of the same stitches I use in all of my pieces. This one includes back stitch, peyote stitch, stacked stitch, fringe, Robin's wildflower stitch and boche/boucle stitch. As for other techniques, I included an acrylic painted monoprint; Angelina fibres; free motion machine embroidery; and hand embroidery. I played with some needlelace (free motion machine stitching on watersoluble stabilizer), but decided that it just didn't fit. Don't worry! Into the treasure box it will go, to be reborn at some later time.

This BJP apparently wants to be a wild, unruly garden. It's February for heaven's sake!!! I know that gardens are still blooming in the southern hempisphere and possibly on the west coast, but not in Ontario.

February 2010 BJP AMD - Part 3

2010-04-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

A friend gave me a very tangled mess of beads and embellishments that was once strung together as a necklace. After cutting the pieces apart, I discovered that one of the fancy metal disks would be perfect for this piece. I stitched it down with Nymo and let the green background show through the cutout. The crooked bugle bead path seems to have wound it's way through both of my 2010 BJP's. What do you suppose that is all about? I'll let you know, when I figure it out. Also, did you notice the luscious size 3 seeds (olive) that I purchased at That Bead Lady. Have you ever seen seed beads this large? Bowing to tradition, I've also included a few hearts for the month of February. I'm not normally nostalgic, but am using these as a reminder of all of the types of love in our lives. Love of self, love of family, love of friends, love of memories, love of art, love of beads, love of techniques, love of fibre, love of challenges, love of recycling and love of anything else that strikes your fancy.

Uh, oh!!!

2010-04-03T08:23:00.000-04:00

Sigh! When I decided to post Part 1, 2, 3 and then a reveal, I should have started with the fourth post and then worked backwards. Otherwise the reveal shows before the 1st post....mumble, mumble....bad words! That will teach me to try to get fancy on my second day of blogging. LOL! Next time I will write in order, but save them as drafts. Then I'll be able to post in the order I would like you to view.

February 2010 BJP AMD - Part 2

2010-04-03T07:44:00.000-04:00

I didn't have enough raspberry beads, so decided to drive to That Bead Lady in Newmarket, to pick up a few pretties. Excited with my finds and $51 poorer, I rushed home to start work (well, I DID need a few more green ones). To celebrate my purchases, I took a short walk to free the muse. Looking down, I spotted a rusty bottlecap. Well......I thought.....there is a little bit of red in the landscape.....the cap is perfectly flat......I'll coat it with acrylic medium (front & back) and bezel it with peyote! Yes! It's perfect!!! Hmmm, can you can see the tone this piece is taking? More recycling with found objects and stash items. Did you spot the zipper bordering the sides of the landscape? Another gifted item from my artistic friend Cheryl. Thanks again, I think!

Okay! I admit it! I'm a trash and stash slut and proud of it!!!

February 2010 BJP AMD - Part 1

2010-04-03T07:31:00.000-04:00

After auditioning tubes of paint, I settled on a raspberry, red and green colour pallette for this little Serendipity Landscape. Starting with an acrylic paint monoprint on recycled tablecloth fabric (a Value Village find), I free motion embroidered weeds, added hand embroidery stitches and machine stitched a little more. I really do torture my old sewing machine, but it never fails to deliver the goods.

January 2010 BJP AMD - Revisited

2010-04-03T07:27:00.001-04:00

For those of you looking for more photos - Lights, camera, action......well, perhaps not action......

Bare Naked Postcards

2010-04-02T20:10:00.000-04:00

I thought that you might like to see a collage of the Bare Naked Postcards that I swapped with some members of the Fiber Art Mixed Media, Ning group. The object was to make arty postcards (4" X 6" format) and mail them out "Bare Naked" (without an envelope) to their next destinations. Two of these were swapped in Ontario and the rest to the U.S. A fun swap, but I'm still still waiting for four to return to me. I love receiving exciting mail! As soon as all 7 arrive (8 including mine), I will post another collage.

One of my new favourite techniques is a serendipity type of acrylic monoprint that I used on these PC's. They include angelina fibres, painted stitch witchery, free motion machine embroidery and hand embroidery. A colourful series of landscapes!

Enjoy your Easter weekend!!

January 2010 BJP AMD

2010-04-02T16:25:00.000-04:00

My 2010 bead journals will be in an ambitious 6" X 6" mixed media format. Gulp! My intent is to once again push the envelope and incorporate a variety of techniques & found objects into these pieces. My creative cues for January were taken from the Toronto Bead Society "Bag of Beads Challenge" & a "Bare Naked Postcard" swap, I participated in on the Fiber Art Mixed Media, Ning Group. Techniques and materials included are as follows: - intuitive landscape made from an acrylic paint monoprint; angelina fibres; hand embroidery; free motion machine embroidery; handmade, heat distressed fabric/paper bead; back stitch; stacked stitch; boucle/bocce stich; brick stitch (some diamonds I made years ago, originally intended for a bracelet); Robin's wildflower stitch; and a simple fringe. The central motif was bezeled with Robin's stacked stitch method. Some of the more unusual elements include the friend gifted zipper pull & a copper coloured paper faster (thanks to Cheryl & Deb), buttons from the family button jar, a Canadian penny, a marble, metal beads from a thrift shop find & the copper pipe cap from the BOB challenge. This last item was drizzled with alcohol ink & smashed with a hammer! Very therapeutic! My starting theme is reuse, recycle & reconnect with the environment. I'm not sure that I'll stick to it all year, but it's an enjoyable start to my journey.

First Post

2010-04-02T15:53:00.000-04:00

I've been active in the artistic blogging world for a couple of years, but this is my first real attempt at a personal blog. I know, I know.....I admit to avoiding it, but I felt that it would take more time than I was prepared to give. In 2010, I cut back on my personal commitments, so feel confident that I will be able to devote time to the art of blogging. I intend this to be a creative and welcoming place for family, friends and followers to visit. My art is an exercise in complicated simplicity and I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting techniques. I'm a fledgling explorer in the mixed media world. Who knows what trouble I will get into next? I started my artful life in fibre, but am now leaning heavily towards mixed media. I love to work with fibre, paper, lace, beads, metal, paint, photography and recycling found objects. Come join me as I explore the depths of the blogging world. I promise you a colourful experience!