Finishing up some and working on new piece

Well I’m busy and seem to have flowers on the brain. I’ve finished three small pieces with blue flowers, now I am starting a red lily. It is a fused piece with appliqué stems. Next up is to cut the batting and backing, then baste and ready to quilt!
Here’s the last blue flowered on and then the red lily.

You can see more creative work at Off the Wall Fridays

A Lily

This week I made a lily that has thread painting in the center and some fabric paint to highlight the center making it a bit darker than the original color of the fabric. I seem to be making something once a week and drawing the work out so I can do it in the mornings.

There are more creative pieces to see at Off the Wall Fridays

Finished!

So I finished the quilting and put a green binding on it. Now I’m at a loss as to what to do. Should I make another of the same type, start a thread painting garden scene, work on some rock wall and garden stuff. Ive got other ideas but none are what I want to do. Just whining. So here’s the finished little quilted wall hanging.

Bonsai thread painting finished

Well I had the moss and pot to finish yesterday and here it is!

I did some sewing around the top of the pot but used a piece of fabric fused on for the body of the pot. Now onto my next tree, choosing which design, hmmmm.

Check out these other great blogs at http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Art and creativity evolves

It’s been 4 years and I have entered another phase of making art. I found this book and it had an intriguing way of using the sewing machine to create. Ive been working this way for the past year and enjoy the challenge. It’s called machine embroidered designs. So I’m not using any computer controlled machine it is done with a hoop and colored thread and some would call it thread painting.

This is the one I’m working on today. I’m enjoying this one. It will be about 3 - 4 inches tall when done.

More Camelion update

Lately, I have been working on the Camelion in my small amount of spare time. (Occasionally I think I need one of those t-shirts that say - "Wait I'll drop everything I'm doing and help you" - we've all been there.)  I have achieved some more beading and a little embroidery and the little guy is coming alive! Actually my slowness in this is not only because of the distractions, but I keep changing things. I think that now I am happy with the beading on him (I kept snipping it off and putting it down)  and have moved onto the embroidery.
I also have another project that is coming along really well, but can't show you yet - it is a gift, sorry.
One of my tables is just PILED with stuff and I am quickly losing any idea as to what is on it anymore :)
I got word that my jury for LNHC is October 11th for those who are interested. HMM, that would be seven days before my son's wedding in San Diego. No stress during that time, I'm sure.

A request to check out the beading in the head shot - 

Well that's it for me this morning.
Hop on over to Off The Wall Fridays to see what Others are doing - Thanks, Nina-Marie!

Working away!

Finishing up my Apache Gold Iris and still thinking about my Water Lily. Strolled around in my garden with a friend yesterday :) That was fun as I usually do this alone. Lots of huge plants this year and my peonies are actually budding. I have never seen them flower since my Mom gave them to me years ago, but kept trying. (Maybe that's why... I should stop moving them!) They are in the best place now and will stay there.

Sliced my index finger last night doing dishes..............makes me wonder if I should do dishes anymore. Throwing them out is not an option, so I guess if I want clean ones then.....

I am attempting to clean my studio room this morning before my MIL comes over :)

Photos are a tad dark and slightly blurry - sorry about that, but it was early when I took them :)

New Venue!

I have four pieces accepted to show/sale at Handworks Gallery in Acton, MA! It is pretty exciting and I am looking forward to a long relationship with them. You can see the pieces on my stitched stories page. One piece, Dwarf Iris, will be in the "Expressions of Love" Exhibit running Feb. 3rd through the 25th. You just need to see the show! So stop on by and check out the "Expressions" people have on display.

Seeing as I will not be doing the show (Merrimack Valley Artisans) this year due to my son getting married the same weekend (do I need a hat?) I needed somewhere to show my work and this is a great fit.

BUT, that doesn't stop me from making things, so I have three peices in the works and I have shown them here in the not too distant past. I will be working on them and others as we travel on in time.

My studio is a mess again...........who did that to it anyway? Today is a bit of straightening out and then more creative work (cut, cut, pin, sew, etc.) One of my tables is underutilized, so I thought I would see what I could do about that too. Why is it that when you get everything "just right" you run out of space for anything else? Funny that, eh?

Holiday Greetings and Salutations!

Happy Holidays to ALL those wonderful people I know and Love!

Now, on to this mornings fun/play time. I changed and arranged, cut more and discarded little pieces of colors and assembled them back into the Grackle. I added some ink lightener and I think I am happy with this guy now.

I just have to sew him down, add another reed and I'm off and running with the machine quilting.

After Christmas Day..............................

Can't seem to settle down!

Since my surgery, I have come back making hand bags. Well, I also made a small cocktail type hat and wore that to the wedding in June.
My latest problem is that I want to DO EVERYTHING at once. I just got this fabulous millinery book and want to dive right in, but my other self (Gemini) says to finish up what you started and then go forward with the applique plan for my spring League jury, etc.

I think I have ADHD! I am now looking at my silk vessels as possible hats. I'm just not sure how to make them into hats yet. Once sewn all over, they are still catchy - like spider web feel - and snag easily. If I use stabilizer, they are a bit stiffer and don't snag, but do need to be shaped.

Any input from any friends would be appreciated. I think one of my friends understands how this do everything feels. I think 'm following in her footsteps. Yipes!

Quilt show outing

A friend and I went to a World Quilt Show in Manchester yesterday - it runs for the next two days too!
Had a blast meeting up with friends for lunch, then on to the show and vendors. Spent all my money on things to make other things with. :)
Have piles of things all over my studio now. That should make the not so organized people in my life happy.............I'm not organized! But it is such a happy mess!
I have photos of some of the quilts from the show, but won't post them here as not to offend the makers in any way - copyright stuff and all. I do have favorites though and will send them onto those who want them.

My day out

The weather broke and the humidity went away just in time for me to go the the League Fair. It was a great time seeing all my art friends and colleagues and enjoying the beautiful scenery too. The sculpture garden was a delight, as usual.

I went earring shopping - I know, I can make my own, but I wanted some that I couldn't make, like glass and polymer to add some blues and reds to my wardrobe. I ended up with three pair blue, one red and one turquoise and green. All nice, all artisan crafted - not Chinese!

There were many varieties of arts represented. Going with a shopping purpose was one of my best ideas, though. I didn't get distracted and wander aimlessly :)

If you have a chance to attend this, then DO. It is on until Sunday at Mt. Sunapee Resort, Newbury, NH.

Here's the Purple Bag!

In reading all kinds of instructions and things about the Soft & Stable, they recommend using a walking foot!!!!!  I'm still waiting. The store said this upcoming week....hhmmm.

So anyway, here's a pic of the Purple Bag with Many Mistakes. It was a fight to the end! I did enjoy making it, but not taking off and putting on the closure and handle multiple times. I should PAY ATTENTION to what I am doing and not let my enthusiasm get in the way of doing it right.
The button (which is decorative) is a piece of Wampum.

Here's the bag in all it's glory. The next one will be better, I am sure.

The Fascinator - what I have been doing.....

Front

So, I have a wedding to go to and one of my SIL proclaims that every woman in the family will wear a hat - like the royal wedding.

Back

 

Hats are not my forte! I generally look a bit goofy in one. BUT I have been plugging away on this project all week. It is not easy making anything with one hand and a few fingers. I persevered though and when my PTherapist said I could take off the splint when I am at rest.............well, it's not that hard holding something lightly, right? I haven't had any problems yet and am VERY careful what I do with my hand.

Left Side

Right side

Here's the results of my week of work.

Any comments?

Busy, but not

It was birthday weekend. Mine and my youngest sons, topped off by Father's Day. I got many well wishes, cards and a neat hat or two. I also got three..........count them......three new feet for my new machine.

Yesterday, I attempted to do some machine sewing - making a fabric postcard or two. Discovered why we have thumbs. Thumbs are not only a good idea, but make it easy to hold stuff. I also discovered that my left hand does all the work. My right hand is pretty much along for the ride :)

That little piece of info sent me back to the doldrums. I eventually returned to try again - never give up! I did some more doodling with my machine and 3/4 of my hands. Doesn't look bad if you are 9!
BUT the main point was to check out the machine and HAVE FUN, so I did.

Going through stuff

I am quickly finding out that I don't have much I can do. Yes, feeling sorry for myself too. BUT, I wondering if drawing would be therapeutic and will try it - I just need someone to get my drawing stuff out for me. :(   Later this morning.

I found out that the splint and I will be friends for a few months..............not weeks like I initially thought.
So far, I have been writing my stuff out with one hand and then erasing all the whining. I have always found that process to help me see how truly annoying I can be :)

Today is supposed to be super hot and humid - just yucky weather. I will go out later and water the new bushes we put in last week - it's got a soaker hose, so I don't have to move anything, just turn it on.
I have been working on my groups postcard mailing list for our show in the fall. I have been in minimal contact with artist friends - where is everyone?
Enough said.

Recovery is slow but steady

So, the other day I said I was trying to sew................well I did. I still seem to still need a thumb.
Ironing and holding the work down with my left hand - do I choose something large and easy.............no, not me! I decide I need to make thin stems. Very hot iron, up close and personal, lots of ouches and aws, but got one side of each stem done. Then proceeded to baste and ran out of steam. (my steam, not the iron)

Yesterday I drove for the first time and went up to Concord, Headquarters specifically. I bought two sets of large displays aka: two hollow core doors with hinges that are painted. I plan on repainting them and using for my booth display in October. I will pick them up at the end of the month. I need to decide on a neutral color to go with my dark green booth walls and olive accents. I am still working on this (in my head) and would like to be ready by then.

In a new splint and looking forward :)

I got a new splint the other day and it is so much more comfortable..........made just for me  too! :)
Today I got an evaluation at PT and the therapist said I could use my fingers to sew. SO, guess what I am doing right now besides typing? YES, sewing and waiting for the iron to heat up.

I'm making Marsh Marigolds.............small but a good step forward.

New outlook :)

So, I'm just back from the dr and got my stitches out. I am in an wrist brace with a rigid thumb for 5  more weeks. BUT, the hand feels pretty good and seems to want to work just like before without the excruciating pain. This is good and I am pleased with the whole thing.
Of course, it is sore and still swollen, but an improvement (also I got to wash it.....YES!)

Nothing much - just an update

Last week it was jury and then I bought a new machine. Now this week I am cleaning and putting away most of my work for preparation for an interval of not sewing because of hand surgery. I also spent some time making covers for my new machine and my serger. I always hated that plastic cover that came with it, so figured I'd make on for the serger while I was at it. Now they will be warm and cozy while they hang around.

So, one of the things on my list is to take photos of my Bernina 930 to put it up for sale. This machine has everything and served me well. I am not sure if I should post it on the Sew it's For Sale, or the Bernina Somethings or E-Bay, or maybe even Craig's List. Here's the link to Craig's List  http://nh.craigslist.org/art/2382318651.html
 Any suggestions? Maybe all of them? That could get confusing.

I was also thinking of doing a few pieces (yes I did say I was putting them away) and keeping them for when I can hand sew. The designing and cutting out is part of the process and I can do that now, then stack them for when I can get back to it. Thanks............I talked me into it! LOL!

I never did get to play with the blog look as Blogger goofed up the past few days and wasn't available.