Here's one of my "Faint Impressions." I've since added hand made model magic buttons with some beads to finish up the series. One is going into the Jacksonville, Florida Quiltfest the end of September. Another in my local fiber artist group here in Fernandina Beach, Florida. I join 12 others in exhibiting our work at my local art association.

I've been working on an online machine needle felting class with Dale Rollerson. What fun! Here's an incomplete piece called "Garden Pathways.' I've added hand embroidery and stretched it on stretcher bars to finish. My camera broke and is getting repaired as we speak, I hope anyway. I'm enjoying the punching various fibers and fabrics. A freeing experience.

Lastly I've begun and am pleased with my friend's commission quilt. The top is done - large poppies on my hand-dyed, hand painted fabric. My friend would like the piece to be reversible, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. I came up with one idea which I'll probably use as another separate piece. For Tissa I hunting up those tropical leaves she loves in order to print, applique, etc. for the back. Then I'll quilt it altogether.

I have an outdoor show this weekend on St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Wish me luck. Hope the weather is fine.

Felting is calling me.

Current Workings

Just completed a series of 3 - Faint Impressions, using numerous discharged black fabrics. My darling sister sent me some blacks that discharged beautifully. I placed a leaf on the black and sprayed watered bleach to create a faint leaf impression. Then is pieced different discharged fabrics around it. One piece I am adding studio-made buttons and beads to enter in the Jacksonville's Quiltfest. I'll upload pics later.

For the themed show "The Approaching Storm" I wrote previously about, I entered and received an Honorable Mention Award for my signature beach landscape. Now, I take images of stormy weather besides the beautiful sun rises!! And opps! I forgot to photogragh that one before submitting. I tend to get so exciting about my next projects, I'm forgetting to finish the current one - that's taking the picture. I'll get one taken when I travel downtown to the Art Association.

I've begun a commission piece for a good friend of mine - still in the designing phase. I'm not a real planner... My friend likes poppies, earth tones, realistic images, elegance. I'm working on the background fabric: my own hand dyed yellow fabric and have added various printing: stamping, sponging. I'm thinking the fabric is too bright so will go backinto it with a wash. I'll take a pic of the current phase. Then again, I may go in a completely different path. The energy and thrill of a new challenge.

Commission Pillow delivered

Pillow was delivered. I'm glad it seemed such a huge success. I did have a great time with it. The monograms were little pockets into which I placed some daughter quotes. There's 2 pockets on the back - I forgot to photogragh that - And I put a teeny fabric book that I thread doodled the client's daughter's favorite things. I do hope the pillow in enjoyed for many a year!

Comission done, Challenge in progress

My commission pillow is now done. The image with the flowers is just a teaser. I will upload the whole image later. I used the frog stitch - rip it, rip it the first time around - didn't like the patchwork I first tried - the fabrics of the different clothing just didn't piece very well and the design was off. So, I started from scratch and I am pleased with the result. Hope my client is as well. I've added a surprise factor that I will disclose later after the pillow is delivered to my client.

I've been painting - monoprinting to be exact. I subscribe to www.workshopontheweb.com and used the workshop on monoprinting for the upcoming challenge of my local art association. The theme is "Two color combination." One of the images shows the multitude of small pieces I've printed using 2 colors plus white. I added some Shiva oil stick rubbings and black stamping to some. One image is my clean up cloth - I love it!!!! I've put up an image of my pin basted top that I'll be machine quilting later. I may add some of the painted cheesecloth and yarn afterwards. I have a some project in mind to use some of the rest of the prints and some beads but time is running out to make the show - jurying is Monday - this Monday!!!!

A Day late

I wrote the poem the other day. The thread doodles I just did - working on a mini self portrait thread doodles -and some figure sketching.

Yesterday,I worked on a commission art pillow - think I have the design down, working on colors and actual placement. I usually just design as I go but I am incorporating the client's child's monograms. Seems a bit too traditional, so I'm working at making it a little more artsy. The machine quilting will help but I want more. Wish me luck.

Had a great gathering of fellow fiber artists yesterday. One of the artists shared a DVD of Kaffe Fasset - designer of needlepoint, knitting, fabric and quilts. I was intrigued by the way Kaffe used photos of everyday scenes and incorporated the shapes and colors into his work. Food for thought!

Back Home and Trying to get in the Zone

Hard to believe I've been home a week and haven't had much to blog about until now. Been down due to the continuing remodeling projects that have lasted way too long. All work was to be completed while we were away. No such luck. The studio and adjacent guest room as well as my kitchen area is in total disarray.

But things are getting better. I've been able to finished the two mini quilts: English hexagon piecing: I Spy and Hexagon Landscape - I machine quilted them. I hand pieced while in Vegas. I also created my first paper doll. I plan to do more of them - in hopes to come up with a life size self portrait for on upcoming Fiber Show. I have a commission art pillow to design and get sewing and quilting on. I'll start that tomorrow.

Finally got into the "zone" - my creative side - walking this morning. I'll post the haiku I wrote along with a thread doodle tomorrow. When I can overcome all the stress of daily living, my mind is able to be creative.

Oh, I forgot - I had a great time visiting my darling daughter and her man. I enjoyed the puppy, Baxter, as well. It was a bit on the chilly side but I walked every day! I am fortunate to have a great relationship with my daughter!!!!!! Glad to be home. I do so enjoy my son and his dog. I'm lucky to have them close by.