I can't believe how time has passed and no entries

I have been working, believe it or not.  I've been way too silent.

I'm on my laptop in my studio. A rainy, stormy day - but I still enjoy gazing out to the sea, though it's a bit turbulent.  The beach sunflowers are blowing this way and that.  The bird feeders are swinging back and forth as well.  The prickly pear cacti are pillars of strength - they are blooming big beautiful yellow flowers.

Me, I'm grateful to be inside, cocooned in my studio.

I've been taking an online class from Jude Hill - Sun, Moon, Stars - I'm learning so much.  I had started some hand stitching on the ice dyed fabrics my sister and I dyed awhile back.  This began my journey back to hand work.  The peaceful in abnd out of the needle and thread pleases me.  It's a relaxing and meditative activity.  Here's an image on the last piece I created.  I had the best time working on this one.  I have a couple more ice dyed pieces but the images are on the regular computer.  Melted Fusion I and II are on display at my Island Art Association.   I'll post the images soon.

Circle Play 21x6"  $185

Back to Jude Hill's class - I love her quiet, gentle way of sharing her love of creating through stitch.  Another class is in the horizon!   The following piece is influenced by her work.   I wove the fabrics and stitched them down before I started Jude's online class.  I have since learned an easier way to hand stitch pieces down.  I don't want to say how as I don't want to take anything away from Jude's teaching. Check out her classes!  It's a work in progress.  I've been stitching daily - using Jude's ideas and some from my research on stitching on the Internet - moon jellies and the sea star.



WIP

The next two are pieces I started in planning for a hand embroidery intro for children at Jacksonville's MOMA - my FAN group is displaying, demonstrating, and sharing fiber art to folks - young and old . Next Saturday is a program highlighting a fiber artist, Memphis Woods - who spent part of her life in Jacksonville and was an early supporter of the museum.  The project I've planned is simple applique on felt, using hand stitching.  These two pieces were part of my playtime.  My class with Jude has lengthened the fun.  Check in later for the finished products.

WIP

WIP

I'll be doing some hand stitching of this just created dry felted piece.

These two wonders were my take on a children's art project at my local art gallery - Island Art Association- led by my artist friend Anne Howden.  The fabrics are part of my collection of fabrics/ties/shirts from my father and father-in-law.  I wanted to pass on my love anb fond memories of both these men, especially my dad!  How he would have enjoyed these grandchildren of mine.  Max and Brenna will received these dolls when they visit as the end of the month!


Max and Brenna's dolls

The two next images are products of my raw edged applique and machine quilting.  A fun, relaxing time of creating.  I really ought to title these.

10x10 $85

6x6" $40

The following quilts are hanging at the Island Art Association for the Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled Wildlife.  The heron was awarded Honorable Mention!  Yeah!!!!!!  I don't have the titles/sizes/prizes.  They were last minute creations..........

On display at Island Art, 12x9"

On display at Island Art

This took awhile.  Maybe if I write more frequently,.........  There's always hoping.

Til later, Peace and joy be with you, Diane

Some more Dyeing of fabric

Last weekend I dyed some more fabric.  I have two applique pieces I needed fabric for.  Still working on getting the values changes I'm after.

The "burgundy" is my new favorite dye color.  I dyed an old tablecloth.  My dye contentrate was way too intense to get the value change I was after but I love the color.  Also I didn't manipulate the pieces enough for a better coverage.  I didn't want a solid color but wasn't going for that much white.  Practice, practice, practice.

The last image of onsies for my little Max. I'll do something more to them in time for the summer.

Finished two more

I'm on a roll.  I've quilted and binded the floating pelican and the larger sea turtle.  I'm pleased with both of them.  In the beginning stitching of a flying pelican.  I hope to get that done before making the trip up North to see my grandson - leaving Tuesday for the week.  I just can't wait to hold that child again.  He's grown so much in such a short while.  Here's the images.  I haven't title the pelican yet......

Pelican by Diane Hamburg 18x20" $200

Extinct is Forever by Diane Hamburg 18x23" $230

Ribbon of Silver Done!

I did struggle with this one. It needed to be completed and delivered to my local Art Association. The theme of the show was "Capturing Light." I machine needle felted my own hand dyed silk and some ribbon down onto another of my hand dyed cotton fabric. Then I machine quilted using my trusty home sewing machine. I machine needle felted a dyed (Not my own) silk hankie onto water soluable sheet and machine embroidered. I also machine embroidered a netting as well to stuff into the center. I ended up reshaping the piece and stretched it onto a 12x12" frame. Done!

Works in progress

Working on two pieces, switching back and forward.