SPECIAL PROJECT FOR A SPECIAL PERSON

 It's rare for me not to have one or more art quilt projects underway......yet I seem to have a pause now that we are close to family and can enjoy time with them during the holidays.

I was out and about in SF with our son's MIL & FIL.....I noticed she was giving a set of indigo Japanese fabric coasters a good look. The Japanese are such thoughtful gift givers....especially with small gifts for absolutely no reason.....charming trait!! That gave me an idea.

I created a set of 6 coasters using indigo block printed vintage fabrics to gift to Keiko. Most were 'Three Cats' by Spruce Manufacturing, printed in England for the South African market. The fabrics I own are small pieces, precious and quite rare and it's a pleasure to use them for such a special person.  

(Who doesn't not read my blog or Facebook so it's safe to disclose it here!)

NOW WE WAIT!!!

 

                 GO PACK GO

PACKERS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Packers WIN!!! AND the Turkey wins (if you weren't the turkey!!).

AND our Japanese milk bread pull apart rolls (new to me) were delicious too. Family holidays are the best!!

Gobble, gobble to all....

TURKEY DAY & THE PACKERS

Growing up 45 mins. from Lambeau Field made me a life long Packer fan......Thanksgiving Day activities always revolved around the TV since the Packers generally played the Lions each year. 

 So with the 19# Spatchcock turkey brined and in the oven....we will be glued to the big screen and cheering on our team.   GO PACK GO!!

 

ETERNAL JAPAN - NEW ART QUILT

 I've been working on a number of pieces that are now finished all at once! I'd been saving the finishing details of hand sewing the binding and hanging sleeve to do during my recent trip.

Check out my gallery shop for all the current available art quilts.

ETERNAL JAPAN

26” x 24”

Japanese cotton, featuring manipulated twisted flange inserts, 

Machine quilted, double fold binding, hanging sleeve attached.

NEW WORK FOR GIFT GIVING

 

MODERN PARALLEL LINES - 22" X 21

$199 - free shipping US destinations

Felted wool motifs, batik cotton, densely stitched with variegated rayon thread.  Double fold binding, hanging sleeve attached.

NEW FOOD EXPERIENCE

 For some of you......I can already hear you laughing.......BUT what the heck do you expect from a Wisconsin Cheesehead?  Yes, I'm an accomplished cook but definitely not in this category.  I thought at first I'd starve because I decided I was going to use chop sticks no matter what....despite being given a sissy fork.  It was sloppy going but I did it!

We had dinner in an authentic Ramen Noodle restaurant......beyond delicious....everything was excellent and like every place I've been the last couple of days.....it was packed with customers.  https://www.taishancuisine2288.com/

I'VE GONE URBAN

 Never Ever did I expect to agree to this.....my first ride in a Waymo.  They are everywhere in SF......and I mean everywhere....  Of course I did a short video as a farewell in case I didn't survive.....I can't get it to load here but jump over to my Facebook page to view it.

Honestly, it was a weird experience but less scary being in a driverless car than to see one on the street.     https://www.facebook.com/mary.theobald.stori

FELT SCRAPS

With several bins of felted wool and bamboo/rayon felt my attention is now directed to utilizing some these pricey fabrics.  

I decided to concentrate on the smallest pieces to begin with by combining cohesive colors. After playing with placement for longer than it should have taken....it became apparent common sizing and shapes would work best.

#1. A simplistic Modern layout was the result.  

#2.  Next the pieces were accurately placed and held in position with 505 Glue Stick, rather than cutting a fusible product for each piece. Note the use of painter's tape to aid in measuring and help in guiding stitched lines.

#3. I had the perfect variegated thread but it was only a sample spool.....concerned about running out I chose to stitch over the felt pieces first....just in case.  (Sorry for the poor photo)

#4.  I continued filling in across all the empty spaces by stitching a center line.  Then I went back and did two lines on either side of that.  As feared it became clear there wasn't enough thread to finish. The hunt was on for another thread to complement the initial one.  To my surprise, I had an almost full spool of a Sulky Rayon variegated thread that was nearly identical.  This thread was thinner but because now it would be used to fill in the rest of the unstitched areas it blended perfectly.

FYI - By evenly spreading out the stitching of my #1 thread, my plan B (in case I ran too low to finish the entire piece) was to use either a transparent thread or another compatible lighter solid color.  I hadn't even looked at my stash of variegated threads for back up until it became necessary.  DAH....

Basically I was playing chicken with thread!!

MY EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE

 Black Friday ads are everywhere now, some starting before Halloween, merging with the ever earlier Christmas ads!

Okay, I'll jump in with mine.  My mini whimsy holiday art quilts were well received.  Of the 10 created, only 3 remain.

Each measures 12" square and are one-of-a-kind designs.  Made with cotton fabrics & speciality fabrics for smaller details, appliquéd fused motifs, quilted and mounted on a canvas covered frame.  Finished back with hanging device.  Note:  It can be displayed on a small table top easel as well.  If you are local I can provide one.

$55 each  - Interested?  Contact me.

SOLD