It's Almost ContestTime, and Here's the Prize...

a mini-legal pad "padfolio." Made with fabric I hand painted yesterday with copper, deep purple and copper metallic Lumiere textile paint, stamped with a bronze sun and free motion embroidered with metallic copper thread. The inside is lined with hand dyed fabric in a deep purple. It has a pocket on the inside left for "stuff" and on the right for the pad -- which is included. The tie is made out of organic kettle dyed yarns adorned with glass beads and a brass heart.

So - what do you have to do to play? I'm not sure yet -- but for starters -- you can leave a comment to this post and let me know if you are interested in playing. Then on Sunday, I will post the 'official" details to the contest. It's going to take me a few days to put it together.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you on Sunday!

Painting Textiles with Metallic Paint...

...one of my favorite things to do! Particularly when I've been focusing on hand sewing the past few days -- it was refreshing to put on the overalls, put the hair up in a pony tail -- and get out the sponges and stuff brushes.

I'm actually making progress on my hand-stitched piecing (oh -- see -- there I go again "progress" -- always thinking, focusing, obsessing about "progress." Note to self: "process NOT progress -- remember that!" Um, I'm actually "enjoying" the process (there, that's better) and am really getting the hang of it. I will post those pictures later.

Anyway - here are the results of my painting session today -- some cotton duck and canvas that I cut up, treated with textile medium, sponge painted, crinkled, and then "removed" medium by pressing down with stamps and texture plates for added interest. I photographed these outside (I dry these types of projects in the sun because the sun also helps to "heat set" the paint. It was difficult getting their "true" colors to show - because the luminosity of the metallic paint causes reflection and glare -so these pictures do not do the colors justice.

I'm thinking the leaf piece (which is metallic olive, gold, copper, nickel and brass) is going to make its way somehow into my giveaway surprise -- and the others I will probably cut up and use elsewhere. I have a basket in my studio that I throw these pieces into and then when the urge (or the project) dictates - I grope through the basket. It's great having a bunch of stuff already painted and/or dyed that you can just go in and grab when you need it -- rather than having to paint it right then and there. That's why "painting days" are very necessary. Don't you agree???

Updates....

......To the FIRST Harvest of the Season..... (Sabrina made this for me when she was about 5. It is among my favorite garden art treasures, along with the stained glass windchimes Katie made me and a few pieces from my mom.)


four giant beets and one yellow squash..... Yum! Nothing more delicious than fresh beet and mandarine orange salad.

Tammy - here is my deceased Columbine. The first casualty of the season. It was so beautiful a few weeks ago -- then it got HOT and look what happened.... :(

Vicky -- look what I've got -- little blue eggs (3) and they are low enough I can check them every day without a ladder! (Update: just found two more nests in the backyard)

Sal is around now for the summer. Here is where he will be spending the majority of his time when not at work.....(he worked and saved his money for several months and bought this the "old fashioned way" -- for CASH. We are very proud of him -- NO LOAN!) It's a beauty too -- 2002 Mustang GT Convertible - Sexy! Now if he would only pay his cell phone bill on time...!

Progress in the garden: eeensy weensy pickles, some nice sized (yet still green) tomatoes, tons of eggplant flowers, two huge artichoke plants, and flowering watermelon, honeydew, cucumber plants. The herbs are hanging in there, but most are fading fast as they aren't fond of the heat we've been having.

And finally, for your viewing pleasure Tammy -- the first sunflower bloom of the season. You know, I never realized how beautiful the sunflower buds really are as usually they are sitting up atop 6 foot stalks so I could never get a good look. For some reason this one is only about 5 1/2 feet tall so I can see it really well on a step stool. I do believe I see an art quilt or a watercolor painting from this....

I know, not much fiber"y" stuff going on here. I am in the process of cutting, and cutting, and cutting, and cutting, the homespuns to begin a "slow" cloth quilt. Aren't these colors awesome -- it's hard to find homespuns in these beautiful teals and turqoise shades. Started stitching Van Gogh, but not ready to share that yet.

Contest Details Comming Very Soon -- but be prepared, as Sabrina said I need to make you "work" for it this time!!

Ciao!

The Opposite of Slow Cloth...

I just wanna get these done!!!

Even the Corgis Don't Want to Go Outside...

I HATE HOT WEATHER!!! Always have. Give me 20 degree temperatures, and a windy snowy day -- any day over a blistering hot, humid day -- YUCK. I think part of the reason I hate hot days -- is because I HATE being couped up inside with the windows closed and the air conditioning on. I like fresh air and I get stifled when it's too hot to open the windows or sit outside.

Anyway -- when it's too hot to go outside we stay inside and today was a perfect day to hang around the house and clean. While I was scrubbing, Sabrina (after she finished HER chores) was creating.

This is what she made today. She is taking private art lessons over the summer and wanted a little sketch book for her bag that she can carry with here everywhere she goes -- in case the "urge" strikes. So she whipped this out in about an hour or so.

She had one of those little spiral bound books from the scrapbook store. She covered it in watered down paint, added some tissue paper layers, more paint, a little matte medium for texture. She then added the press on letters, threw some crystals on for fun, and tied a bunch of yarn and ribbon scraps to the top.

On the inside, she started doing washes with alcohol inks and watercolors to add interest to some of the pages. This would be a great little book for a garden journal, or a quilting journal, or even a photo album -- tons of possibilities. I love the colors she chose (these pictures don't do the vibrancy of the colors justice - but it's a cloudy day) and thought this was a really cute little book she put together for herself.

She starts watercolor painting on Monday so I will certainly be posting pictures of her artistic endeavors.

Enjoy your weekend -- and spoil those Fathers!

Girl-Gone-Thread-Wild.....

This gal's blog gets my vote as the not only the "best named" but most "aptly" named blog. Monica - you're lucky I didn't think of this name first!

We had a little tete-a-tete a while back and I have been holding off posting the pictures until I needed something cool to post. I've been finishing off those %*(!)@#$(#! placemats (still sewing on that %*(!)@ octogonally shapped 1/8 binding (ewe!). I'm on the last one. NOT my favorite project. AND no progress on Starry.

So in lieu of anything out of my studio, or Sabrina' s edge of the world (as she has been too busy talking on the phone with her - um "boyfriend!" to create lately)... feast your eyes on this eye candy from Wild Girl.

I could pick Monica's stuff out of a line up of hundreds of artists. It's so different, so wildly

textural -- and so uniquely her own. Go check out the "collage effect" pillows she just made. They are amazing! I absolutely adore them. Girl-Gone-Thread-Wild I've got to make Sabrina a few of those -- and they would be great for her to give to her girlfriends as gifts. I'd really like to give them a try and make two for the chairs on my front porch to add an interesting element up there as Katie's windchimes and the stained glass mosaic table I made are needing some serious company.

You may or may not know -- Monica is the artist who faciliated the Pink Artists' making of the Love Squared Doll I posted about a while back (a group of which I am proud to be a part.) Love is going to be featured in the autumn issue of Art Doll Quarterly set to come out August 1st and will be up for auction August 1 through October 15th - with all proceeds to be donated for the fight against breast cancer.

Over on the right-hand side of my blog you will see the "pink artist" button. Click on it and it will take you to Love Squared and the information for the auction. We are all so proud to be part of this meaningful project. It's very exciting.

The weekend fast approaches! I don't know about you , but I'm gonna work on my "vacation tan." Gettin' ready to head out to Colorado in a week and I always like to go with a tan. Most people come back from vacation with a tan -- I like to GO on vacation with a tan. It makes my vacation clothes look sooooo much better. Shallow -- I know!

P.S. Monica, vous êtes le meilleur. Art dessus

P.P.S. Keep an Eye out for a New Contest. Details Real Soon!!!!!

A Starry NIght and The Perfect Storm ....

Had a few minutes this afternoon so I decided to put it to good use and get out the paints and a piece of weaver's cloth. I have Starry Night on my PC Desktop and after looking at it for a few minutes decided it's time to turn it into a thread painting . So I started to sketch it out with Tsukineko inks -- to set the first layer of color. (left)

I wasn't happy with the density of the ink on the weaver's cloth and knew I would not be able to get the depth of color (or texture) I was looking for with the inks -- so I got out the acrylics. Much better!

I really love the painting process, and I had to keep reminding myself not to spend too much time on the painting because all said and done -- the paint layer will be primarily covered (with only slivers of depth showing) with thread.

I really need some stiffer brushes. . In fact, I'd like to know what type of brush Van Gogh used. (I'm going to look that up.) If you have ever tried imitating his style with a sable brush, it's not a very successful endeavor. In fact, I got much better results using some really cheap brushes that I swear are out of straw. Those are actually some of my favorite brushes because of the texture they create. I use them alot in landscape elements - particularly for pine trees and mountains.

Anyway, I'm done with the paint and tomorrow if I can find the time, I'll start with the thread. I'm debating as to whether I should try the "slow cloth" approach and do it by hand with some nice floss - maybe some silk and hand dyed or shimmery threads. Hand stitching would absolutely imitate those short brush strokes beautifully. I'll contemplate that tonight while watching one of my favorite movies that is just getting ready to start -- The Perfect Storm.

It's time to dim the lights, make a yummy soy latte and watch!

La tempesta sta attendendo! Goda della notte i miei amici.

Ahhhh Take a Deep Breath.....

Summer is almost here. And while Summer is my least favorite season of the year -- it's onset is still a signal to take a deep breath and s l o w down.

I've always had a problem with that -- slowing down. I try to - I really do -- but my brain is always on fast forward -- always thinking about what needs to be done later, tonight, tomorrow, next week, by the end of the month, etc., etc. I even spend my leisure time -- trying to "finish" that book, complete that project, wrap up that painting, etc. Reaching the finish line -- is always on the brain and of the utmost importance.

You miss a lot -- with that mindset. You really do. There is great joy to be found in the moment, as well as in the smallest of details that tend to accompany those moments. Those lovely little details that often get missed -- when one is in a hurry. And while I've been pretty good at teaching my kids to appreciate the moment and drink in the details, I really need to heed my own advice.

This leads me to my real topic -- S L O W cloth. Have you heard of it? Probably. It's a hot topic right now in the fiber art community. And, to tell the truth I've been admiring thinking a lot about "slow cloth" -- what it stands for, what it means, what it symbolizes. Actually, I' ve been thinking about it for quite some time.

If you're not familiar with the "slow cloth" movement or concept and would like to know more, here are some places to get a good education on the subject. But keep in mind -- the concept of Slow Cloth is very personal and means something different to every artist. I have found that it is a concept that evolves with YOU.

Take some time and read the article written by Elaine Lipson that discusses in detail -- Ten Qualities of Slow Cloth. Once you've read this, you will certainly want to experience slow cloth first hand and you can do that at the oh so appropriately named (consequently my absolute favorite place to spend time) Spiritcloth where Jude has the instinctual ability to intertwine fiber and words into a visual and spiritual journey. Make sure to thoroughly explore Jude's site -- particularly the visual journey, breadcrumbs, textile studies, etc. links on the right-hand side.

And NOW, as I find myself faced with the onset of summer, I look forward to the "quality" not quantity of my time. I intend to take that deep breath and slow way down. It is my intention to STOP -- and enjoy every breeze, every song, every giggle and every stitch.

Enjoy the Moment!!

Hey Katie Jane...... it's on it's Way to Ohio!!!!

I know, it's taken long enough -- right?? Well, here it is and it's on it's way to you as I write this. The base is an acrylic painting on heavy white cotton duck cloth. I appliqued hand dyed batik iris shapes down on top of the painting and free motion embroidered over the iris and the leaves for texture.
I did some "fill in" quilting throughout the piece reminiscent of impressionistic brush strokes -- short and in varying directions. I used a cotton - wool blend batting and backed it with a commercial cotton. I didn't want a hard edge, so I stitched some the hand dyed fabric over to the front and free motioned over top of it.
To finish it off, I tied some variegated dyed ribbons to the top for an organic hanging element (at Kathy's request.)



In return for the iris, Katie sent me the coolest stained glass wind chimes for my garden. I've been visiting her blog for a while as I have a whole box of stained glass and haven't figured out what to do with it yet other than the mosaic table I made for the front porch. Kathy's made some gorgeous stuff and goes on some great excursions. To pay Katie a visit click here.

I've hung the wind chimes right by the front porch. In the early morning when I sit outside with the dogs and the the wind is blowing the reflection from the sun dances across the grass and Gizmo likes to chase it.

These are just beautiful Katie. Thank you so much and please know that they are appreciated and enjoyed every single day!

Feeling a Bit Reminiscent Today.....

Sunday, June 1 - the start of hurricane season (!) our baby, my girl, my darlin' turns 13. Thirteen years old -- unbelievable. We had a party last night - a barbeque actually, complete with 20 of her special and closest friends (one of whom (not mentioning any names...) is a little more special than the rest!!! Hmmmmm!!! Am I right Sabrina???? Oh yes I am ---YES I AM - you know I am!!!!) Anyway, tonight is a special sushi dinner (at her request) and presents -- waaaaaaay too many presents! After all -- you only turn 13 once.

I can't help but think back and remember exactly what I was doing when I was getting ready to turn thirteen. My grandma that I loved so much had just died, I had just finished 7th grade at Lee Burneson Junior High and our house on Bradley Road in Westlake, Ohio had just sold and we were packing up to move to Dayton Beach, Florida. I spent the entire week saying good-bye to friends on the front porch of our cute little white house across from the grape vineyards and thinking about how dramatically my little small town life was about to change. But what I remember most of all -- I remember my mom and I in the car following my dad who was driving the U-haul truck containing our entire lives-- and we cried the whole way from Ohio to Florida. I think we both left our hearts behind when we moved. It was one of the worst years in my life - Thirteen.

I'm so glad for our girl it's such a happy time -- turning thirteen. Being a teenager is such a magical time -- it's a time of "firsts," and this morning we spoke of some of the amazing events the next seven years will bring. In so many ways she's still a little girl -- but in so many others she's growing up so fast.

I have to admit, being a teenager in Ft. Lauderdale (which is where we eventually settled after moving from Ohio) wasn't such a bad place to spend my teenage years. I spent every day during the summer at the beach, working in my parents store with my mom and dad that was one block away from the beach, cruising the "strip" with a car load of my girl friends on Friday and Saturday nights, "spring break," etc., etc. I have many stories to share with my kids about my teenage years. (Some however, I'll keep to myself !!)

Anyway - Happy Thirteenth Birthday Little Girl. And as your teenage years begin to unfold one by one, and you are faced with challenges -- both good and not so good, remember to draw upon -- the common sense and integrity we have tried to instill in you, the will and determination you inherited from your grandpa, the kindness and gentle sensibility you got from your meemaw, and the wonderful heart and spirit God has blessed you with.

YOU Sabrina, are loved -- immensely.

XO