1 Year In Stitches: 2017

Long time no write!!! Here's a little project that I'm working on this year. At least one stitch a day, for 365 days. You can find start-up and background info on the Brown Paper Bag blog, but if you're interested, will be able to sign up on Facebook. Over 2000 members have already joined, so I think this may be a popular handwork movement this year. Here's another similar Facebook group, run by Susan Sorrell (so far, it's a smaller group, with almost 500 members). I've joined both groups!

I'm working on a heavy cotton, thrift shop dinner napkin, that I've tea dyed. No real plan for this piece, just some enjoyable stitching. Perhaps a little beading, later on....... I'm currently working in a hoop, but do plan on also working off-hoop, when necessary. The beading will get in my way, so will probably include that later in the year. That is, if I can stand it!!!

If you're wondering where I've been, I write a weekly blog post, every Wednesday, over at the BeadFX blog. Here's my latest post! I wish all of you a happy, healthy and creative new year!

november workshops

There's still space available in two of my November workshops, at BeadFX in Toronto! "Tart Your Tiles: Glass Cabochons & Pendants", this Thursday, from 5-9pm,and "Beading Without A Net: Intuitive Bead Embroidery", on November 23 & 30th. Won't you join me for a little creative play?

bjp 0614 - flying in circles

Why is it, that time flies so fast, that it seems you're spinning in circles? One day, warps into the rest, and very little gets accomplished.....sigh! This bead journal is all about the passing of time and the use of unconventional objects. Found objects, gifts from friends, watch parts, glass nuggets and vintage components, are mixed in with new beads and the odd houshold treasure. Nothing is left out, and all will be used to mark the passage of time. These are my memories, and although I may not remember the individual stories, I will remember my treasured items, as the years progress. It's good enough for me! How do you plan to leave your mark, for future generations? A clean house, is not enough! Promise me, that you'll take some time for yourself....

I won't need to buy vintage jewelery components for a while, as I won a bid for a nice bag of them, from a seller on EBay. Of course, lessons learned are a)the exchange rate, and b) that shipping is expensive. I have promised myself to only bid on exceptional and/or very light items, in the future. LOL! Nothing unusual in my stitches, just the regular posse of peyote, back, stacked and boucle/bocce/moss. I love the warm colours, the watch parts and the bezels in this leaf! It was actually finished early in July, but bad blogger that I am, I just didn't get around to writing about it until now. For those of you that are still doing this, how do you manage to keep up? I do have good intentions, and still love the process, but time evaporates, and all of a sudden, my blog post is two months late. Boo, hoo to me!! Yikes!!! The bad news is, that I haven't even started on my July bead journal....soon, I promise, soon......but then there are class samples to make.....don't worry, I'll find the time to squeeze it all in, somehow........

bjp 0314 - thirsting for spring

When depressed by the weather, my thoughts often turn to watery daydreams, and my colour schemes to blues and greens. Heavily influenced, by memories of growing up in Vancouver, I keep returning to these colours!.........Now back to this month's BJP! A study in blue/green, with more than just a hint of delicious temptation!

For me, this has been quite the winter for exploration, and you can see some of the results in this section. Handmade cabochon (mine), topped with a dash of free-form peyote and a vintage button.

Shells, hand embroidery (Spider's Wheel stitch), a family button jar find and one of my old favourites, the ruffle stitch. The stone was picked up on the beach, the day before another big dump of snow!!!

Barnacle stitch and more of the ruffle!

Don't ask me which type, but this shape was actually traced from a leaf that I collected outside in the fall. There were large, small and medium leaves, but all shared the same elegant heart shape. Stitches involved are peyote, free-form peyote, back, bocce/boucle, fringe, stacked, barnacle, ruffle and flower stitches. This piece makes me happy, as do the warmer temperatures! There's hope that spring is finally on it's way!.........It was actually completed a couple of weeks ago, but I just didn't get around to writing about it until now. I intended to post to the blog, but with all the excitement about finishing another piece (not BJP related), it completely slipped my mind. More blue/green goodies in future posts! Oh, I almost forgot.....I had a blast, teaching my first "Beading Without A Net - Intuitive Bead Embroidery" class at BeadFX in March. Next class on May 30th/June 1st!

First Post

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!