I'm Going to Key Largo......

next week to see my dad and I want to finish up the last few sets of art squares I had hanging around, as well as get a baby quilt I was working on quilted and a swap with my buddy in St. Ives in the mail. The goal is to get all these loose ends wrapped up by Friday and get the studio cleaned up so I can leave with a clear head and clean house!

I hated living in Florida, but I've always loved the beach - and the Keys (which are far, far removed from the road rage, congestion and angry "peeps" that frequent the cities of South Florida.) Usually we all go to visit, or at the very least Sabrina and I, but schedules just didn't work out that way so I'm going by myself. My dad just bought a house in Key Largo right on the ocean and I have not seen it yet. This will be my first visit to the new house. Sal went a few weeks ago and had a great time. My dad's house is on the Atlantic Ocean right on the sound (about 1 mile or two from Pennecamp Reef National Park) which means the water is teeming with fish and wildlife and tons of manatee. So as of Sunday, do not look for me here I will be in Key Largo, working on my tan and swimming with the manatee!

Little Art Squares Make Me Happy....

Whenever I get into a creative "funk" I drag out my boxes of "stuff" (mistakes of art gone "wrong!" and I've had a lot of those lately..) and make art squares. This helps me clear my brain and experiment on a smaller scale. These are so enjoyable to make and they can be used in tons of other projects.

Most of these are made by simply felting down fibers, yarn, silk, angelina fibers, etc. with my embellisher, on a base of peltex or felt, or wool. and then layering with organza, or other "meltable" textiles, heating it up to melting point (for interesting texture) and then embellishing with charms, sequin, beads, Swavrovski crystal, felt, etc.

People come up with tons of uses for these little squares which range from 1 inch (inchie) to 2 inches for the larger ones. They can be sewn or pinned onto jackets, purses, journal covers, made into charms by putting a grommet in the corner, ephemera for scrapbooking, journal pages, etc.

I've got some studying to do today for a professional licensing class, then a little work, a few chores, and hopefully some stitching time. Whatever your day brings your way - grab hold of it and get the MOST out of it you can!

Dreaming Again......

#9 Dream


by
John
Lennon

....my contemplation of "cycles" continues.

the leaves are changing, the wind is picking up and the cold air has been settling in. i have had an incredible surge in creative energy lately. ideas aren't just coagulating inside my head they are manifesting themselves in fabric, paint and fibers. wierd.

i feel particularly energized right now to take off in a new direction. i find myself rebelling against "straight lines," grids and evenly spaced stitches. i am letting my mind and my hands wander in different directions - leaving the familiar in the past. venturing into the land of trial and error. no fear of failure.

(this piece is a 10x10 art quilt done with black and white batiks, and printed using the vintage wooden letters my friend Lisa sent to me. the letters are printed in acrylic paint on white canvas and stitched onto hot pink silk dupioni. The center of the eye is one of the art squares I was sent by Monica. This is actually the "reverse" side of my 10x10 made with the leftover Love Squared art squares. the front will be revealed shortly.)

She's a Stunner.....

Meet "Love Squared!"

You can't help but notice the "Pink Artist" button on the right side of my blog. As you may recall, I joined this group as a response to a call from Monica Magness of Girl Gone Thread Wild:

"the pink artist"is a community of artists joining together to create one joint art doll to benefit the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. When the doll is complete, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™before finally being auctioned off on eBay at a later date. ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY." Upon hearing of this call, back in January I sent four art squares to Monica - three for the cause and one for her.

Here are the squares I sent:

Here also just a few of the squares others sent. To see all 180 squares, you can click on Girl Gone Thread Wild and take a tour of not only all of the squares that were sent in, but you can witness the creation of Love Squared from start to finish as Monica and her husband Jeff documented the entire process.

Grace of Grace Beading made the beautiful crown that sits on Love Squared's lovely head which doubles as a bracelet for the lucky winner of the auction. Take a look at Grace's blog as she too has been and continues to be involved in many worthwhile causes.

Three months have elapsed since squares began pouring in for this cause that has touched so many lives. During that time Monica has labored unselfishly receiving, sorting, stitching these beautiful squares to a beautiful art doll body and face that she lovingly created.

I'd like now to quote Monica's introduction of this beauty:

"Her name is "Love Squared." She wears 180 two inch art squares. 182 artists total created her.
She is just under 40" tall and weighs 6 pounds and 2 ounces.

She smiles because already she knows love
and is able to give love unconditionally.
To many, she is a symbol of hope.
She stands for COURAGE and was built
by a community of givers. "

Love Squared is a physical manifestation of the pain, heartache, heartbreak, hope, love, inspiration, hopelessness, hopefulness and joy of the artists who created her -- many of whom suffer from, or love someone who suffers or has suffered from breast cancer.

Yes, Love Squared is a stunner -- but unbelievably - her beauty pales in comparison to the beauty contained within the hearts of her creators and the hearts and "souls" of those for whom she was made - those touched by breast cancer.

Please take time to visit Monica's blog to experience Love's journey -- from concept to completion. Also, please visit some of the blogs of the wonderful artists, like Grace, who donated their time, talent and love to make Monica's vision become a reality. You can find most of the artists listed on Monica's blog roll -- on the left side of her blog.

Love is going to be photographed and included in an upcoming issue of Art Doll Quarterly prior to her auction on E-Bay. As details concerning the publication of the magazine AND the E-Bay Auction emerge, I will certainly post them here.

Let's NOT allow this to be the end of the journey -- but rather, the begining. Hopefully this inspiring project will light a fire beneath many of us to take it "one step further" - whether it be creating something else to raise money, donating money, or volunteering time to this, or some other vital cause.

"Wild Girl" to you I say --- I suspect you have no idea as to the magnitude and impact your vision has and will continue to have -- in the future on the lives of the people you have touched with this project. You -- are a force to be reckoned with!! I can't wait to see what's next! XO

Yeah, I'm done!

Well, I finally completed my set of 63 1" art squares. What fun. At first I was a bit apprehensive about having to complete so many, but once you get start it goes really fast and they really are addicting. I can't wait to see what my group makes with theirs. Many people make charm bracelets out of them, but this particular group is utilizing them for other types of art. I will post pictures as I come across them.