The Inside Stori

CREATING CACTUS

2012-01-28T16:26:00.000-05:00

Work continues on my little hand-dyed felted wool piece......

Machine stitching with rayon thread adds texture to the large cactus....

Hand embroidery is likewise helping to transform the smaller plants..... Once these touches are completed, beadwork is sure to follow....

THEME

2012-01-26T18:02:00.000-05:00

You all know by now about my long standing love affair with Holstein cows.....a favorite theme for my quilts.

So of course when I spotted this trophy I was both amused and a bit sad....but not uncomfortable enough to prevent my camera from snapping some pictures.

Almost from the moment I began making original quilts, I realized the importance of selecting a theme or subject as my starting point. Over and over I hear worried comments from students that they could never create their own designs....they don't even know where to start.

This is my standard suggestion.....pick a theme or subject....then work from there. For instance if you chose a holiday theme....say Valentine's Day....I'll bet you are already familiar with some ready-made components to jump start the design process. Color = reds/pinks Shapes = hearts/arrows Style = you decide - contemporary or traditional. If you prefer to piece then you'll be looking for a patchwork pattern, likewise, if you enjoy applique...then you can decide if you wish to do that task by hand or machine. You see....it's just little decisions that build on each other.

I rarely begin a project that grows from start to finish without any changes in my vision. However, I must admit my vision is generally quite fuzzy anyway! So I allow the piece and of course my instincts to guide me.

Not all decisions have to be made right away. Some will be obvious. If Holstein cows were my subject.....I'd probably be working with black and white for starters, then I'd begin to envision other motifs/shapes to fit into my 'story'. Such as a horse shoe, cow boys etc. Naturally, I'd also want to consider = will it be a bed quilt or wall hanging. You get the idea.....

It's really all about looking around and getting inspired by one single thing.....which becomes YOUR theme.....decison #1 is made. Then make decision # 2 and so on and so on.

In my case, I have WAY tooooo many ideas so selecting a theme or subject helps me focus and move forward. Otherwise, I'd be weighing about 10 possibilities and never actually take scissors to fabric!

I always tell my students that there are no mistakes in quiltmaking......I think of them instead as 'design opportunities'....most often they take me where I wouldn't have gone with the piece and more often than not, the quilt is better because of it.

CACTUS

2012-01-25T15:12:00.000-05:00

I'm keeping the design elements minimal because this piece is quite small. A few humble smaller cactus shapes have been added and will be hand appliqued in position. After that??......let's see what it tells me to do!

AZ INSPIRED

2012-01-24T16:53:00.000-05:00

Okay......I know you all read this blog to see quilts.....right?? So...even though this piece is only in the beginning stages....I'm really so anxious to see how it will develop.

My inspiration comes from the recent trip I took to Phoenix where I spent time with two buddies.....Nan and Gwen. The sunsets were glorious.....just the right subject for this piece of hand dyed felted wool.

Next, I dug into my greens.....every speck of green wool I have. Unlike working with hand-dyed cottons, where it's fairly easy to find graduated color packs, that's not the case when using commericial wool.

You may have guessed the other subject of my piece....of course it's cactus....

I'm planning to do some machine stitching to add texture to the motifs....which I'm sure will be followed with some beading. I'm keeping my camera handy so I can share what comes next with you.

MYSTIC MOUNTAINS

2012-01-23T14:52:00.000-05:00

I'm struggling to find time to make advances on two current projects I'm working on so that I may share them with you. I try to post photos/progress in order and also a timely fashion so you can see the conclusion without waiting for months and months.

Which is why so much non-quilting has been featured lately.....I'm stuck on both of my projects.....and the end is no where in sight. I may have to post some teases of my struggles and remind you later when I finish the pieces in order to keep you all with me!

But, for now...here's a look from the porch of our mountain valley home on this very rainy Monday morning.

Yes, it is beautiful here no matter what the weather....oops...except snow....I'm so over liking snow!

MARY'S WORKSHOPS

2012-01-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

...Yesterday we were chatting about a mid-winter quilt show.....today, I'm turning my attention to the AQS Show in Lancaster, PA - March 14-17, 2012.

I have the honor to be one of the judges for the show, plus I'll presenting 5 workshops, the All-Star Review, and they are offering an Evening With Mary Stori (oh my doesn't that sound high and mighty?....really....it's just a lecture!)

If any of you out there are planning to attend....please be sure to introduce yourself to me so I can thank you in person for hanging with me on this blog.

AND...if you have time.....I want to draw your attention to one of my workshops that still have lots of room. It's the only full day class I'm offering.....so there will lots and lots of time to explore the project and even get a little off track by learning a lot more about some of the techniques I use when creating my felted wool wall hangings.

The workshop is "What Goes Around" (# 46101 on the AQS list) on Thurs. - March 15th. A complete kit with everything you need to make this scissors sheath is provided. The focus of the class is a few clever beading techniques that take time but are in fact easy once you learn the pattern. I a flat, even count peyote stitch to attach cabochons or flat mirrors to my work.

For instance, here are small zippered bags I made as gifts, decorated with mirrors and other decorative beads.

Detail.... again...it looks hard, but once you learn the tricks....you too will be impressing your friends!

....Here's another example of how a few simple stitches can become the highlight of a quilt.

I'd love to have you in class.......FYI = the half day classes are nearly filled so if you are interested in any of my workshops, I suggest registering now.

"INSPIRED BY" EXHIBIT

2012-01-21T10:49:00.000-05:00

January is flying by......and some of you may be looking ahead to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Feb. 23-26, 2012, held at Hampton Roads (VA) Convention Center.

Our fiber group (PTA - The Professional Textile Artists will be exhibiting "Inspired By".... Several of us from our group will be attending....and two, Linda Cantrell and Judy Simmons will be teaching. Perhaps I'll run into you??

Our Asheville, NC area invitational fiber group was formed over a decade ago. In an effort to keep us motivated and our creativity growing, we issue an annual quilt challenge to our 14 members. For the 2011 Challenge each artist was to create a wall quilt inspired by a 2-dimensional, non-quilt artist. The finished piece could be hung in either a vertical or horizontal orientation and measure approximately 24” x 30”. The exhibit includes a photo of the work by the artist who inspired each quilt. Additionally, each member will have a second piece, hung next to their ‘artist’ piece which exemplifies their own personal style.

Linda Cantrell was inspired by the work of Picasso......as seen here......

.....and here is Linda's fabulous original design.

This challenge was a favorite of all of us. My piece and its back story can be seen here and here.

CHOOSE YOUR EXCUSE

2012-01-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

Writing a daily blog (or almost daily) has provided me the opportunity to really pay attention to daily routines....especially the small things that might be overlooked as (like many of you) I charge headlong through life.

It's a pleasure to share and yes, even think out loud as I create project after project. Hopefully, my mis-steps and out and out mistakes will save you time as you tackle your creations.

Finding something to chat about day after day is rarely a problem....that's probably because I'm naturally so chatty.

I have my pal Jackie from Colorado Springs to thank for today's post. As you know, this blog doesn't include political or social comments....there's way too much of that going on everywhere already!

This short flick is the closest thing you'll find to that sort of subject here. Take a look.....maybe you'll find a description that is familiar to you....and perhaps will have a good laugh as well.

REALLY WEIRD

2012-01-19T08:16:00.000-05:00

While we were at the quilt show, my friend found this weird, almost creepy item in a vendor's booth.

It's an apron of sorts

....it's satin with plastic baby dolls stitched on.....the larger ones have eyes that open and close..... We didn't know what on earth to think about this.

RAMBLINGS

2012-01-18T09:40:00.000-05:00

Getaways are so refreshing......can't wait to do a repeat of my recent trip.

I visited a long time friend at her winter escape home in one of the newer Sun City developments outside of Phoenix. This is the view off her patio toward the golf course. The weather was so pleasant, if I lived there I'd have to set up my sewing machine outside and spend the days catching the rays and the views.

We kept ourselves quiet busy and were lucky the timing offered us a chance to see "Art Quilts: Year XVI - Something To Say." This exhibit is at the Chandler Center for the Arts until Jan. 28, 2012. Unfortunately, and understandably, photography is not allowed....but I can assure you it was wonderful. I expected it to be quiet small but we browsed for well over an hour. It was great to see a steady, and I mean steady stream of viewers. The quilts were displayed professionally, well lighted, and offered a large variety of styles.

We also attended a small quilt show in Wickenburg....a charming historic town.

It was a pleasure to see so many traditional quilts on display in one place.....

This is one of the very few art type quilts and certainly one of the very few to feature embellishing.

The maker utilized buttons, machine embroidery, and paints for this original design quilt.

I thought this was very clever.....each quilt had one or more clothes pins attached for viewers to safely turn the quilt and view the backside. Since it was a small venue that was a bit crowded.....this made so much sense.

MIA

2012-01-17T10:03:00.002-05:00

I've been MIA now for nearly a week....I'm happy to be back!

My unusually mysterious absence (mysterious only because I'm normally such a blabber mouth that typically I post about everything)....was in part caused by my lack of internet access. Yes, I can blog from my iphone but the little screen and my ignorance about how to attach photos from there...well...it was too much to learn at the moment.

I do have some photos to share over the next couple of days, but not like I should.....I was just too darn distracted.

Anyway.....the focus of today's blog is to send out a great big thank you to the thoughtful person who sent this fabric postcard. Notice I said 'person' and didn't name a name.....that's because it was unsigned and I can't even figure out where she lives because the post mark is unreadable. So....please come forward so I can acknowledge you!! (At least I assume it was made by one of you that read my ramblings.)

I got home late last night and seeing it put such a smile on my face. It's only the 2nd fabric post card I've ever received and believe me it will never be outdated. I have to admit....we are all licking our wounds over Sunday's game. But...they've truly given us so many thrills these last two seasons......it's really okay.....we love the Pack as does everyone in Packer nation!

Notice the postage stamp....very nice touch!

.....and I believe The PACK will thrill us again next year!!!

UPDATE....IT WAS KAY SORENSEN Thank you Kay!!!

So Sad

2012-01-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

The Pack will be back!!!!

UP, UP & AWAY

2012-01-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

While 'the husband' holds down the home fort.....I'll be off to sunny skies and warmer weather, followed by a stop in a much colder weather spot.

I'm one of the (probably) million happy campers who found an ipad under the Xmas tree. So for this trip, I will be soloing with it and hoping I can figure out how to blog from this new device. Of course no products come with owner's manuals anymore......but I've downloaded all 132 pages and hope to wade through it to educate myself as I pass the time in several little metal capsules.

So...just in case I'm silent for a few days....you'll know technology has yet again, passed me by......

FiBER JUNKIES - NEW YEAR/NEW FACES - PART 3

2012-01-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

Our two new members had recently visited Guatemala and both brought yummy textiles to show.....

The cloth is hand woven and features hand embroidery.

Detail (can you image the hours it took??)

This detail of a Huipil ( a type of smock all the natives wear) is made using the bullion stitch....complete with shading....marvelous!

Here's our Kate showing off how these textiles are worn. The skirt is a length of fabric that is wrapped around the body and secured with a woven belt.

Here's a purse or tote bag made by recycling a Huipil....notice how the neck becomes the opening for the bag.

We learned that some of their cloth is woven on a 'belt' loom.......one end is attached to the belt and another to objects such as trees. They sit for hours and hours on their knees weaving.

What an education and of course it peaked everyone's interest......maybe a BIG field trip is in order?!?

FIBER JUNKIES - NEW YEAR/NEW FACES - PART 2

2012-01-08T15:58:00.000-05:00

Our show and tell this month was pretty massive......here are a few more peaks....

Judy Simmons continues to awe us with her innovative photo transfer/computer & screen printed designs. If you are lucky enough to be attending the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in February.....be sure to sign up for her lecture on Thurs. afternoon....and of course her workshops through out the event.

She often utilizes her Grandmother's hand written recipes and subtle additions of faces into her quilts.

She brought these 3 pieces that she was undecided about her path.....the goal was to turn them into a triptych. One of the great advantages of having such a talented group is the good suggestions that are offered. Judy now has more ideas to explore!

We have another new member this year.....Dee Dee Triplet....a well known doll maker, and accomplished at just about every other technique! She brought volumes of binders of her published work and this darling doll for us to drool over!

FIBER JUNKIES - NEW YEAR/NEW FACES

2012-01-06T18:56:00.000-05:00

Meet Kate Weston....one of our two new members of the Fiber Junkies.....

Kate's been experimenting......and I'm sure you'll agree with me....very successfully marbling fabrics. Take a look at these beauties....my fingers were itchin'.....what fun it would be to bead one!

Here (above and below) are two pieces she's sandwiched and quilted......

Kate's skills are far reaching......the piece above and below are more examples of her design and great construction abilities..... We are so happy she agreed to join our group.

Besides the major show and tell we enjoyed today.....we set goals for 2012.....a long list of techniques to explore......Yippie....

WESTON'S MARSH

2012-01-05T11:37:00.000-05:00

Once I gave up the idea of adding lilly pads I moved cruised along with new ways of adding texture....

These multi-color matte beads blended in nicely....

........... Hand-dyed scrim was inserted into the holes.

.....French knots provided more interest, as did additional stitching with silk, rayon, and other hand-dyed embroidery floss.

Weston's Marsh 9" x 7"

Presented in a 8" x 10" frame

As I mentioned previously, my inspiration came from a marsh adjoining a friend's home on the outer banks in S.C. So....I've named the quilt in honor of them. This photo is clickable to view a larger image.

THE MARSH

2012-01-04T09:24:00.000-05:00

.......Winter has hit.....brrrr, we had a mini snow storm yesterday with really chilly temps....reminded me too much of why we left Wisconsin. It's only 17 degrees this morning.....thus I'm refusing to go on our 'forced march' (a 75 min. walk 'the husband' insists I accompany him on daily.) Ya, I know it's good for me too....but I dislike the whole thing and in these temps....NO WAY!!

Instead, I'm concentrating on my newest project. As you can see....there's progress.....more holes & more decorative threads have been hand stitched.

Naturally, beading is being added as well....click on photo for enlarged view.

My original plan was to add lily pads and I 'thought' I had photos of my reject ideas.....some done in hand-dyed scrim and some made from stabilized hand-dyed silk. Never mind...they didn't work anyway......so the plan now is to pretty much cover the surface with embellishing....not so you can't see the interesting nuno-felted areas......but just enough to add texture. I've started with ripple echos around the top two holes. Off to play some more....

REPURPOSING

2012-01-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago I pulled 3 piles of materials together as inspiration for new projects. One has been completed.

And...I've been plugging away at the second one.

I cut a hunk off a nuno felted scarf (that I wasn't terribly satisfied with) which was made at one of our Fiber Junkie's play days. It reminds me of the marsh my friend Kate can view from her SC home.

The appearance of the uneven felted edges pleased me so I'm retaining that feature.....however, I decided to cut a few holes in the materials.

...next I used some perle-cotton to finish the edge (hand-dyed by my pal Nancy Bruce who can and does dye anything). I've added some woven some rayon threads....but not sure they will make the cut.

Another 'hole' with edges finished.....not sure where this is all going but it was very relaxing work as we watched the ups and downs of the Rose Bowl last night.....a sad ending (two years in a row) for the Wisconsin Badgers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T12:33:00.000-05:00

WELCOME 2012......BRING IT ON......

This photo has been in my 'bead inspiration' file for quite some time.......wouldn't this be great fun to translate to beads?? Maybe this year I will!!

2011-12-29T15:33:00.000-05:00

What a great guy!

You'll have to indulge me......especially faithful reader Robbie who will be understandably cheering for the Lions this Sunday. New Year's day will conclude NFL's regular season. The Packers will play the Lions for the 2nd time this year. Reflection is typical for the season.......though like all Packer fans, we hope our team will have a repeat Super Bowl win, but if not....really it's okay. This remarkable team has provide us all with such a fabulous, exciting season, always exemplifing good sportsmanship and for that we are grateful.

Paulette, another faithful reader of this blog shared the following missive....it was written by Jen Lada, a sports anchor at Fox 6 in Milwaukee, WI. Truly, this says it all.....

"Save Me a Spot"

This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the FOX 6 Sports team means I've been able to witness and report on events and
people that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these
situations for granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in whatever
capacity each permits.

Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled privilege
to be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund, a charity towards eradicating childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados, were the
people who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've
been forced to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a
child.

Those who sprung for the tickets were not disappointed. In a world where
many athletes regurgitate canned and rehearsed responses, the Packers
quarterback was refreshingly candid. Aaron addressed a number of topics
with in-depth, honest reaction - even some that if reprinted and mass
distributed might raise some eyebrows.

Aaron stressed the importance of availability and accountability. In his
opinion, it is a player's responsibility to attend all of the team
activities as they are all intended to better the team as a whole. And
then, similarly, he addressed the importance of taking the heat/criticism
when one falls short of expectations and duties.

He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is supremely confident in the
preparation he's put in during the week leading up to Sunday's match
up. The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his self-confidence
was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest realizations was that
that combination of players would never take the field together again. He
likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and does
occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and
civility.

He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his
mom used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child.
Aaron's record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but
also a contingency plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben
Harper's 'Forever' and he's envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though
not his tabloid reputation. He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but
gave the audience a thumbs-down when I mentioned fellow country crooner
Kenny Chesney.

His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it every day not just
when life's challenges and struggles surface.

His favorite movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack
for but says he and his childhood friends can recite every line from the
film and it is simply a great story.

Rodgers' answers to questions on this night were certainly admirable. And I
honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more. But I was wrong.

My friend, the father of that young girl who passed away named Cheri, was
there that night. He was one of several attendees brought up on stage where
he caught a football thrown by the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

He asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if he'd make
it out to his daughter Cheri. It isn't shocking that Rodgers obliged. What
caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't until after Aaron
left that I first saw the autograph... and the simple yet sweet message
that brought tears to this father's eyes:

"To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron Rodgers"

I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an
upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I hope
they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and acknowledge
the maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand behind the kid
and respect him not only for his incredible talent but for his intelligence
and honesty, poise and compassion.

My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron Rodgers play football for
the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the opportunity to see
the other side of this impressive young man. And pass on some of what I
witnessed to you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

2011-12-28T08:08:00.000-05:00

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop!

AMETHYST COMPLETED

2011-12-27T08:47:00.000-05:00

For me, creating isn't a race, nor do I compete in shows any longer either. Instead, inspiration spurs me, whether that comes from an amethyst cabochon, a piece of hand-dyed wool, the design of a screen printed fabric, an object from nature, or whatever.......

Do you keep track of the number of quilts you've made? I've never counted them because for me it's the process and the results that matter, not the volume.

We all view this creative past time so differently which is why it's so easy to become passionate. Each of us can fit it into however we live our lives!

So as we are nearing the close of 2011, I too have added the last stitch to what will be my final work of this year. I have stacks of materials, several other projects in process, and lots of ideas to kick off 2012. Don't YOU??

AMETHYST 8.5" x 8"

Hand painted cotton, silk, scrim, hand embroidered, featuring

an amethyst cabochon and beadwork.

Available for purchase here

Detail

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2011-12-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.....FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS.......

......and a special thank you all for keeping me company as I babble away on this blog. Tomorrow will begin my 5th year as a blogger....oh my.....did I really have that much to say? I guess so......and it's been fun sharing it with you!

I CAN'T HELP IT!

2011-12-23T11:45:00.000-05:00

Really, I hadn't planned on beading the outside edge....I just can't help it. I've guided students for years and years by telling them.....to bead it like ya mean it.....

Another reason for the decision to bead the edge.....I'm a SUPER perfectionist.....does it show?? So once the facing was stitched in place, it became apparent that turning the corners of this painted fabric caused them not to be perfectly square. Yes, I trimmed and graded the seam allowance, however this is a small piece, appx. 8" sq. and the fabric is super stiff, yet some what stretchy if that makes any sense.

Beading the edges should mask the slight imperfections in the outside edges. Hummm.....that's just another reason to bead! I'll post the final view soon.

BACK ON TRACK

2011-12-22T13:19:00.000-05:00

For now, I've managed to avoid any more mistakes!

I've harped for years to my students about my motto...."that mistakes are merely design opportunities." They are!! Instead of beading this cabochon surrounded with an even count peyote stitch growing toward the center of the stone, the pattern was worked toward the outside. Thus covering the offending areas of glue that escaped. More decorative beading techniques were added to acheive more interest and to help contain the cabochon.

Next, hand embroidery was worked around some of the painted splotches.

.......and a few additional fabric accents help to balance the design.

Darn...I just realized I should have cropped this photo before posting.....sorry about that. I believe you can click on the photo to get a better view.

Though I generally don't use a facing to finish my work, this piece seemed to need a nice clean edge finish. It appears a bit wonky right now because the facing is only pinned in place....ready for some hand stitching this evening.

Wrong side......the corner triangles are slipped beneath the facing which will allow a thin rod to be positioned for hanging purposes....thus eliminating the need to add the 'traditional' sleeve.

Perhaps beads will be the final touch along the edges......stay tuned.... I'll post a photo of the finished piece shortly.

ANOTHER MISTAKE!!!

2011-12-21T06:59:00.000-05:00

Can this be happening again??

Well...darn it all.......after the spray basting glob momentarily discombobulated my design efforts, I was SUPER careful on this next step. Apparently, not careful enough though. Before a Cabochon can be beaded, it needs to be temporarily held in place. I do that with several dots of glue.

I said 'dots'......tiny dots to avoid the glue from spreading once the stone is positioned on the fabric. Gulp.... Another design opportunity is ahead.

The yellow square rescued the first mistake and a wider beading pattern is now covering the excess glue. This cabochon is going nowhere, it's secured soooo well.

Now let's see what else can happen....oh...perhaps I'll cut a hole in the fabric....let's hope not.

MISTAKES ARE MERELY DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

2011-12-20T11:42:00.000-05:00

No, I haven't drowned in a sea of green tears after the Packer's loss on Sunday. Okay, so they lost, at least it wasn't to da Bears! Now they can concentrate on the big prize......so bring it on.....the Pack stumbled a bit.....got the loss out of the way....now onto bigger goals!

So, my heartfelt Packer Backer statement is out of the way....back to sewing......

Recently, I posted this pile of potential materials, along with two others, as I pulled together items for several new ideas I wanted to explore.

I decided to start with this one.....I have no clue where I got this small (very stiff) painted fabric. The colors are totally out of my comfort zone....as are the materials I've selected to work with. That's good.....growth isn't possible without trying to expand knowledge.

So, after literally an hour + shuffling around pieces to highlight this cabochon, a plan was beginning to emerge. Normally I thread baste a non-fusible stabilizer to the back of my work to support the bead work. In this case, since needling is a pain, I opted to spray baste it to the back. Oops.....I'm reminded WHY I don't like spray basting..... A big glob shot out and of course migrated right to the area where I'd hand embroidered two hand dyed silk rectangles.

Naturally, washing this junk out didn't work......so there it is.....ah ha......a design opportunity?!?

This is how I planned to position the cabochon....

....but I considered relocating the stone to cover the stain......

.....nah, after studying the design, I realized it was off balance so instead I'm now playing with tiny pieces of various hand dyed silks....thinking that a touch of color over the stain might change the mistake into an inspirational design.

Let's see what happens next....

OH NO!!!!

2011-12-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

Halftime.....Packers o Chiefs 6

Yikes!!!!

SANTA WEARS GREEN!

2011-12-18T08:33:00.000-05:00

Today is such an appropriate day for this post.......why?? Well if you are a football fan you know why.....the Pack is back (though for some of us....the Pack is always alive and well, no matter what their record is.) Today all us Cheesehead/Packer backers will hold their collective breathe as the Packers try for a 14-0 record.

SANTA CAME EARLY TO THE STORI HOUSEHOLD......AND HE TOO WEARS GREEN. We give thanks to our very, very thoughtful kids for such a perfect Christmas gift!.

So, we get this UPS envelope.......

.......Looking all legal and official......

......and behold.........what do we see......why, it's a GREEN BAY PACKER STOCK SHARE. We are now official owners of the Packers!!!!

The Green Bay Packers, Inc. has been a been a publicly owned, nonprofit corporation since Aug. 18, 1923. A total of 4,750,937 shares is owned by 112,158 stockholders, none of whom receives any dividend on the initial investment. In fact, in this 5th (ever) round of stock sales more than 1K of stock was sold in 11 minutes. It's THE ONLY publicly owned NFL franchise in the country and that will assure the Packer will always remain in Green Bay, hopefully playing on real turf in an open air stadium (where football should be played)!!

Of course it's a glorified, yet treasured, piece of memorabilia since it can't be sold or traded. So what....we are OWNERS!!! However, it does entitle the holder to purchase special "owner" items from the Packer Pro Shop, attend the annual stock holders meeting, AND purchase an "owners" Super Bowl Ring......just another reason to cheer on the Pack! 2011 Super Bowl Champs, I like the 'ring' of that!

GOOOOOOOooooooo PACK!!!

SO MANY IDEAS, SO LITTLE TIME

2011-12-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

It's such a busy time of the year....and not conducive to lots of studio time. I'm in the midst of a large PTA challenge project that for the moment does not require handwork.

Perhaps like many of you....I NEED handwork....feel lost without it in the evenings. Ideas come easily to me....but yesterday when I vowed to gather supplies and get started on something....I found myself pulling piles and piles of materials and not able to decide what direction to take.

Here's my starting points.......your guess is as good as mine which one I'll pick up! But I'll keep you posted....

HOTEL LIVING

2011-12-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

All you faithful readers of this blog already know what a hotel snob I am..... I really appreciate a four (okay 5 is better) star hotel! Well, who doesn't? I've had a silly routine I follow ever since I started travel teaching that makes me laugh when in the worst places and more appreciative when housed in the best.

Before unpacking, and not necessarily in this order.....I check to make sure the toilet tank isn't running (which will drive me NUTS at night), make sure some fool hasn't set the clock radio to wake me up at 3:00 AM (unless of course I'm housed so far away from the airport that my wake up call for my flight home would be at that time...not unheard of). I also make sure the hairdryer works (not a good thing to learn at 7:00 AM), that the AC/Heat work, that the TV remote is present, that there are hangers in the closet, that the drapes can be closed without leaving that strip of light from the parking lot. (But...that's why I pack two clothes pins.....to hold the drapes together!!) You get the picture and perhaps I should stop admitting my craziness! However, the first glance and sniff test might cause me to back out of the room and head back to the desk to be assigned another room.

Okay so you get the picture......I make no excuses for my particular attitude...and will out and out refuse to stay in a motel with outsides entrances....a safety concern esp. for women staying alone.

So this brings me to the subject of my blog today..... My pal Connie gave me this cute book.

Click on the picture to enlarge the text.....you can purchase your own here.

I guess one could amuse themselves for hours with the suggestions in this book such as: Sugar Zen Garden (using sugar from the coffee tray), Soap Scrimshaw (carving figures into the bar of soap), and Shadow Animals (use a light source, a blank wall, and your hands.)

However, you'll need to be staying at a high end hotel to participate in many of the fun activities. For instance: Minibar chess, Dental Floss Pom-poms (dental floss has never been provided in a Hampton Inn!), Room Service Memory Game (cover the tray with a towel and count to thirty....write down everything you can remember that was on the tray).

A really funny one is how to make a Balcony Scarecrow...sit him on your bed, at your desk, or use a chair and place on your balcony. It's created by using the guest hotel robe, a pillow case stuffed with a towel for the head, two more pillow cases stuffed with towels for the legs, fitted with hotel slippers....accessorize with an extra pair of eye glasses, and baseball cap or wig if you have one!

I've been subjecting hotel's to my own 5 star rating system for years......now I have added items to consider when doing my ratings......is there a hotel robe and slippers?!?! Thanks Connie for the fun!!

CLEVER ORNAMENT

2011-12-14T07:11:00.000-05:00

The holiday season creates just another reason for special gatherings for the small fiber groups I belong to.

Yesterday L.I.N.T. (Ladies in New Textiles) held our Christmas party.....one very special tradition is the exchange of hand made ornaments/gifts.

It's done via random drawing so I consider myself very luck to have selected the bag that contained this lovely ornament. What a fabulous idea for creating an unusual and attractive gift. It's a glass ornament filled with hand dyed wool roving!

A MOOooory CHRISTMAS

2011-12-13T07:29:00.000-05:00

My friend Jackie has the knack of finding the greatest bovine related greeting cards.....seriously, I have stacks of them for every season & reason that she's lovingly sent. Thank you Jackie!!!

The message inside: Have an udderly Merry Christmas!!! Now if that doesn't just say it all!!

PACKERS WIN, PACKERS WIN!!!!

2011-12-12T07:46:00.000-05:00

What a great time it is in Packer nation.......with a 13-0 record and a playoff spot secured.

We are all so proud of MR. RODGERS.....who is such a class act. The tributes keep coming and words are failing to describe this very special man and very special time. If you are a fan....click here for your smile for today.

Like most Packer fans....of course I'd like them to have an undefeated season...BUT.....the Super Bowl is the real prize....fingers crossed....

PTA WHITE ELEPHANE EXCHANGE - X RATED

2011-12-11T07:55:00.000-05:00

Our PTA Christmas party always includes a white elephant exchange.....the process of which is a game where wrapped presents are chosen using a number system...stealing each other's open gifts is allowed when your number is called (instead of selecting a wrapped gift). A gift can only move three times in each round of numbers called.....it gets wild!

The gifts range from nice items we all covet to the ridiculous and this year to Xrated. Yes, I said Xrated! I'm saving the best for last....read on...

To kick off the festivities...this was one of the first gifts opened.......we are still laughing.....

Perhaps you can imagine what it's like to have 13 women together....all talking at once......so I never did get the story behind what may be a vintage clutch purse....and don't know who ended up with it, but I'd have gladly taken it home!

I had the first number and in the bag I chose there were some beautiful marbleized fabrics made by Judy Simmons, plus some silly holiday head bands. Connie Brown stole this gift from me......and being Connie...she immediately put on the two head bands and further embellished them with the boa that was also in the package. She's wearing a light up Xmas tree bulb necklace that was "won" last year at our exchange. You see why I love this group!!! Such fun...

This pattern was among a dozen others one of our members put together in her gift box. I couldn't believe my eyes....what a small world. The "No Sweat" shirt was designed by Kay Sorensen, a long time friend, whose work I admire & who guided me into joining my first quilt guild. It was Keepsake Quilting's #1 selling pattern for a long time!

So...then Lynne opens a gift containing one of those tacky crocheted baskets that was probably intended to hide toilet paper....but wait, that's not the funny part. She hauls out a painted plaster Father Christmas.....which was the brunt of some joking as well......

....and then......before we could recover from our laughing......our hostess runs into a different room and brings back one that she had on display.....awkward!

Now the Xrated item......Linda Cantrell brought this doozy......and you can order your own from the website stated in the photo above.

I've been trying for days to decide whether or not to show every detail but in the end I'm going to use words, rather than a photo. So....what is it?? Mr. Hunk is on an ironing board cover......when the heat from a iron goes over the towel.....it disappears......and ya, you get it....something else appears. Gen ended up with this gift....we know she's still ironing!

GO PACKERS!!!!!

PTA - DEC. SHOW AND TELL

2011-12-09T18:21:00.003-05:00

It might be a busy time of the year but PTA members aren't idle!

Lynne has been having fun dyeing pin whale cordoroy that she'll sew into pants. She found it easier to find the colors she likes to wear by dyeing them herself.....clever!

Georgia Bonesteel is still crazy about her chickens......a fun hobby she started about a year ago. This quilt will be her entry into our exhibit "Inspired By" which will premier in Feb. at the MidAtlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton Roads, VA.

She also completed a HUGE quilt.......and quilted it on her Bernina home sewing machine!

This wording was on the fabric.....we don't know what it says but love that she included it.

Kate has the top of her "Inspired By" piece finished too......sorry I can't recall the name of her artist......though I should...it's a stunning piece.

We got Kate to model this fur trimmed vintage wool coat. Judy brought it to share.....apparently young adults are having theme parties where they bring & exchange vintage clothing.

This is Barbara's "Inspired By" piece.....again if you will be attending the MidAtlantic Show......be sure to seek out our exhibit.....13 artists have created work that were inspired by 13 famous artists.

Jack of all trades - Gen - made this sparkly shawl......it's embellished with sequins....and was deliciously soft and cozy.

TIS THE SEASON FOR PARTIES!

2011-12-08T19:14:00.000-05:00

Okay....so you will probably see many Christmas trees this season....but for those of us who are empty nesters and will not be hosting guests for Christmas, meaning......an excuse not to decorate our homes.....it's a welcome sight.

Today kicked off a round of Christmas parties for the various fiber groups I belong to. Gen hosted our PTA gathering today.....and it's Gen I can thank for this festive view.

Pot luck meals are nothing new to quilters.....yet I need to brag about the fest our members made......believe me....there were only crumbs left....

Here's a sample of the fantastic work Gen creates.....she's a MASTER of everything, and I swear she can make her sewing machine stand up, walk across the room and take a bow! (Judy Simmons is captivated by another PTA member as she waits her turn at the buffet.)

Linda Cantrell (after getting her viddles) is entertaining Dort, Georgia, and Janice while they too await their turn.

We are quilters....so of course there needs to be dessert! Linda brought her FAMOUS coconut cake......

....and Judy treated us to these beautiful and delicious eclairs.

Another one of Gen's quilts decorates her living room wall...... Picture taking abounds with this group....one must be careful about their behavior...you never know what is being documented.....

Tomorrow my documentation continues.....

LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT??

2011-12-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

"The husband" volunteers one day a week for Sarge's, our local animal rescue foundation......I'm guessing no matter where you are reading this.....there's an organization nearby that is working hard to save as many animals as possible too.

Our no kill group is very active....and VERY needed in our area where there is a definite excess of stray dogs.

"The husband" visits the county animal shelter and takes the dogs into the outside play area to take their portraits. He then puts data about each pet on Sarge's website in the hopes of getting every one adopted.

This little guy was less than a year old and isn't allowed outside yet......so play time and photo taking is done indoors.....

Perhaps someone in your family would love to give a pet a home for Christmas??

PINE NEEDLES - COMPLETED NEW WORK

2011-12-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

This little project was such fun! Well, I always enjoy creating....but sometimes an idea will be a departure from the norm which can provide such a pleasurable journey.

Spying piles of pine needles decorating our daily walking route finally lured me in. They became an interesting focus for a piece of felted hand-dyed wool that I've been wanting to use.

The pine needles were hand couched to the wool which had been stabilized with a non-fusible Pellon interfacing.

As is typical, when the design comes together, I begin thinking how to finish the outside edge. In this photo, some hand-dyed perle cotton is being auditioned. It was made and given to me by Nancy Bruce, a fabulous expert dyer of anything she can get her hands on!

While the edging treatment is being mulled over, additional auditioning continued. I'm definitely favoring more simplicity in my work. But, I've learned this end goal can become uninspiring if one doesn't pay close attention.

With that in mind, some small brass washers were unearthed and scattered around the piece to provide more interest.

Alas......I took them off as they seemed too 'staged'. Instead, I went back to an earlier idea; to add a line of (undetermined) color, either vertically or horizontally.

Of course it would have been easier to incorporate this detail BEFORE the pine needles were in position....but I'm a gal who likes a challenge!

For me, this small detail worked...... Next, I added a wool backing and hand embroidered the two layers together using Nancy's beautiful thread. (Thank you Nancy!!)

PINE NEEDLES

7.5" X 14"

available for purchase

So.....after studying the completed piece for a day or so, I decided to add another red line.....which was EVEN MORE difficult now that the backing was in place!

The piece will be displayed with a border of hand-made paper and then framed. The finished (outside measurement) size will be 11 1/2" x 19".

Visit my gallery shop for purchase information and an updated photo in a few days. If anyone is interested in the piece as is (unframed).....please email me asap using the link on the upper right side bar and we can work our the details.

WILL IT BE 12-0 ???

2011-12-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

I can't help it.......we Packer fans are obsessive about our team.....so will they make it 12-0 today??? Our Green and Gold flag is already flying.....the Green Bay Packer M & M's are set out, along with other snacks......

All I can say is....

Pull it in....

Hang on.......

Throw it straight........

Plan well.......

GOOOOOO PACKERS........

PINE NEEDLES - NEW WORK

2011-12-03T08:28:00.000-05:00

It's been a wonderful week with lots of studio time. I'm multi-tasking on several projects. This one is the farthest along.....

I've been hoarding some of the felted wool that was dyed during one of our Fiber Junkie's activity days. An idea to feature this particular piece has been brewing......

Our daily 'forced marches' get me outside for long periods of time (longer than I'd like to be honest with you!) Luckily, our scenery is so inspiring and ever changing I'm not bored....just tired. (Walking 90 mins. daily can do that do a gal.) These pine needles, acorn caps and other interesting buds and sticks got my attention. Next thing I knew, a small collection began.

I feared they'd dry out and wouldn't be usable in my work so I covered them several times lightly with a protective film.

After examining the felted wool, I decided to use just a portion of it. Liking the uneven edges, I duplicated the look by wetting the wool, then stretching/pulling the cut top edge to provide the same appearance.

Now it's play time. Here some of my treasures are being auditioned....more tomorrow.....

TIS THE SEASON - ALMOST

2011-12-02T08:41:00.000-05:00

The first winter of our move to Western North Carolina, I noticed these large clumps in some tall, tall trees.....

It took a bit of investigating to understand what I was seeing. Mistletoe! I knew it was a parasitic plant, but had never seen it in person. You'd think it would be prized. However it can kill the host tree when heavy infestation occurs.

So.....I've been wondering....how on earth are these treasures harvested for us.....given that one's I've seen are growing 100 feet or more high?

My new friend Vita Marie Lovett just answered that question. Some folks just shoot them down! Check out her blog http://vitamarielovett.com/blog/?p=1153

Thanks Vita for answering that mystery.....

SMALL TREES COMPLETED

2011-12-01T13:41:00.000-05:00

After studying the final appearance of this piece with the binding attached......

........it screamed.....bead me.....so of course I did.

Detail

SMALL TREES 14" X 15"

Artist deconstructed screen printed cotton, hand embroidered trees with wool thread, background hand embroidered with commercial floss, and featuring beadwork.

$150.00

(includes insured shipping - payment via check or paypal)

Use email link at right side bar to contact Mary - further photos are available for interested parties.

Yup....that's just what it needed. The black binding framed the piece well.....but frankly, it was a bit too harsh....so the beads really helped to add complexity and softened the look.

SMALL TREES - continued...

2011-11-30T08:44:00.000-05:00

.....I'm still plugging away on this little quilt as time permits....

All the beading is done, and as I mentioned previously....the next step was to quilt it.

After much pondering because deconstructed hand-dyed fabrics have a surprisingly amount of energy to them, I decided to hand embroider the background instead.

The binding is on.....not blocked yet so it's a tad wonky in some areas. It's always a challenge to square a quilt that has been beaded because the rulers won't sit accurately on the surface.

After reviewing the impact of the piece this morning, I may replace the binding with a narrower one OR bead the edge to soften the impact a bit.

It's good to be back in the studio playing......I dare not call it work!

.....CONTINUED SHOPPING STUFF

2011-11-28T13:17:00.000-05:00

Here are more inspired recycled treasures we found at the Screen Door in Asheville, NC (a really fun shop to browse and buy all sorts of truly unique items.)

'The husband' would have loved to take this one home......if only we had room to display it!

Here an artist (I couldn't find any business cards to acknowledge that person) is using pages from an old dictionary to make an unusual wall sculpture.

...here's another using catalog pages. I loved the perforated edges the artist added.

Sitting down on the floor under a table in a nifty old wooden box were a pile of dried sunflower heads. They were so full of texture and interest.....if the price would have been in my budget, I'd have brought some home.

It's unusual to find newly made fiber pieces on display. I gravitated toward this framed piece because it was hand appliqued wool.

This one may be difficult to see....the blue is the wall it was hanging on. It's an unusual frame system....of which numerous configurations, colors, sizes were available. Basically, squares of old wainscoting were recycled and attached to another distressed plank of wood. What a clever idea to make it simple to slip a photo behind a piece of glass....allowing one to change the featured photos often.

Hope that if you are shopping on this cyber Monday.....you are finding great bargains of items on your Christmas list!

DID YOU SHOP???

2011-11-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

I'm not much of a shopper....but there are a few favorite shops I enjoy exploring. The Screen Door is near the top of my list and one where I could easily part with some hard earned money!

Here's a sampling of some of the innovative artists whose work is on display.

This booth featured the most adorable wall art.....highlighting vintage infant and baby clothing. It's creator is Erin Brittain of Fabrications Designs. Her card did not have a website listed so if you are interested, connect directly with the Screen Door folks.

This booth, Splurge design, was very intriguing....featuring a lot of cleverly recycled materials. This lamp is an example.....

And here's a closeup.....

In the same booth we found this driftwood or possibly just weathered sticks made into a large Christmas tree. It was decorated with wired/beaded ornaments (sorry they don't show up very much).

More tomorrow.....rushing today to reorganize after our company has departed for home.

GOBBLE GOBBLE

2011-11-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL......(a day early) We have VERY special guests arriving tonight so I suspect I'll be taking a break from blogging tomorrow.

I'm thankful for my loving family and dear friends....for our happy and healthy life....and for the sacrifice of those serving our great country.

I don't have to remind everyone what they should be doing tomorrow at 12:30 EST do I??? Packer Nation will be collectively holding their breathe as the Green Bay Packers face the Detroit Lions. Our flag would be hanging even today if it wasn't for the monsoon we are having here in the mountains...but it ain't snow so I'm not complaining.

However, I suspect other two legged creatures will not be having a very good day tomorrow......chuckle....

SMALL TREES

2011-11-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

Progressing slowly......

I think if you click on the photo...you'll get a better view of the beading I've now completed on this small quilt. I'm pondering what's next....though I had thought I'd hand quilt it......I may add some background hand embroidery instead. Let's see what happens...

Of course if your household is anything like ours.....Turkey Day preparations are already underway so my stitching time will be limited for a few days......

Gobble, gobble....

10-0???

2011-11-20T07:16:00.000-05:00

GOoooooooo PACKERS!!!!!

WOW....what a season it's been so far.....really, after last year's Super Bowl win, every else has just been icing on the cake!

If Nelson & Jennings can do their magic today (no doubt Rodgers will!)....perhaps we'll see another win.

AND......of course this household is looking toward Thursday....like days of ole' when the Packers and Lions meet on Turkey Day....

#1 Packers.......yeah!!!!

TREES

2011-11-19T06:55:00.000-05:00

I shared the beginning of this still in progress piece here.

With the holidays approaching....my studio time will be reduced....so while I have a minute now on this chilly Saturday morning.......here's a peak at how this piece is developing.

The hand embroidery of these wonky trees is now complete. The next step in my vague plan was the addition of beads along the stitching lines to provide texture and more interest. My vision of the work is now becoming clearer and I'm anxious to move it along and will report back as it develops further.

YUMMMM

2011-11-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

A great perk of travel teaching is the opportunity to experience delicious dinners with new friends. The Sandhills Quilters outdid themselves with their choices of restaurants. The last evening was extra special....unfortunately I don't recall the name of the place we went to near Pinehurst, NC. But...I knew you all would love seeing the tasty treats....each one was presented in grand style.

I ordered the Shepard's Pie.....it was outstanding...the lamb was tender and very flavorful.

Shrimp and Grits

This was a spicy lamb dish with roasted potatoes and yogart sauce. It was delivered on a hickory board in a hot iron skillet and warm bread. To die for!

The restaurant is known for their elegant burgers.....great combos such as lamb, onions, and yogart sauce, angus beef with stilton cheese.....

And look at this......the dessert menu featured ice-cream.....with 'embellishments!" What a great description for ice cream toppings!

Both June and Nanette gave it a thumbs up.....

And....I'm happy that my two newest pieces below found homes in Pinehurst!

Visit my gallery shop to become a keeper of some of my other pieces.

SANDHILLS QUILTERS GUILD

2011-11-16T18:39:00.001-05:00

I just returned from a nice trip to the Sandhills Quilters Guild in Pinehurst, NC. It was a pleasure to share my work with their very talented members!

Here's Rita, who creates the most beautiful beaded jewelry......she is now the owner of "Blackbird", my wool felt quilt, featuring a beaded blackbird. It's always so special to have the opportunity to meet and spend time with the keepers of my work!

Their 'raffle" door prizes were so unique and perfect for this time of the year. I got permission from them to share their idea with you....my faithful readers. This fabric package was made up of 4 bundles of fat quarters, folded, wrapped, and decorated like a star. Isn't this clever?

There 'SEW and TELL' (never heard that term before....and I love it!) went quickly....like a lightening round on a game show. Therefore it was almost impossible to get good photos of the many exceptionally designed and executed quilts. But I tried....

Here Pat is showing a cheater cloth quilt that will be donated to charity. I thought it was so smart of this 'new to machine quilting' member to practice her machine skills on this type of quilt....a win for the quilter and for the lucky recipient!

This group isn't afraid to make big quilts......this is one of many that was shown.

What a nice way to utilize large scale prints!

This lovely piece of redwork was finished by this quilter (sorry...due to the pace of 'sew and tell', I was unable to get names....) but teary eyed, she shared how she completed the quilt using materials from a guild member who had passed away.....everyone was so touched hearing her story.

Pat brought this beautiful wool piece to show me at dinner the last night of my visit. I was delighted to get the opportunity to see it up close. Lovely machine and hand stitching!

Attractive 3-D flowers added to the charm of the table runner.

This part blew me away.....I'm always trying to come up with new ideas for edge finishings for my wool pieces. I may have to 'borrow' this one. Pat ran narrow wool strips of various lengths, butting them next to each other all around the outside edge. They were attached with embroidery and a rotary cutter's decorative blade was used to add interest. Great job!!

ELEMENTS #2

2011-11-13T07:56:00.001-05:00

Finally....I've had some free time to tackle finishing this new small wool/felt piece. If you are at all interested in my struggles.......click here and here to view older posts.

The goal was to avoid my fall back outer edge finishing.....which often consists of border strips that cover the edges of the whole cloth central design area. In this case, the edges did need covering to hide and secure the machine quilting.

My stash simply didn't contain enough yardage of the colors I needed to follow through with any other method. I tried placing the design onto a larger background piece of woolfelt but the physical weight was too much (and personally, maybe even the visual weight.)

Yet.....I experimented some more, trying to stabilize the pieces by beading them together.....nope....sometimes my long time motto "bead it like you mean it", doesn't apply.

The focal point is the beaded stone.....scattering beads around to aid in the construction just took away from the star of the piece.

ELEMENTS #2

9" x 9" SOLD

PTA - NOV. SHOW & TELL

2011-11-11T20:37:00.000-05:00

Yes, our show and tell this month was as inspiring as usual. Our 2012 PTA challenge is already underway and one member (Gen) who provided us with a template that will uniform the edges of our challenge pieces brought a sample to show. For now our plans are under wraps.....but I will share as soon as I can. (Sorry....that's such a tease!)

I believe I even have a inkling of an idea for my piece. If you've never gotten involved in a group challenge, consider joining the fun. It's truly a way to stretch your creativity!

Judy Simmons continues to perfect methods of digital photo transfer onto a wide range of fabrics. Here she's printed tree images onto a background fabric and overlayed it with a sheer, also printed with a tree.

Another piece Judy has in progress features trees as well (interestingly, several of us are working on projects using tree images!). Some of the fabric has been screen printed and other areas she's used discharge paste to create the motifs. Her work is always so fascinating to explore.

Those of us who teach have found our lives impacted by our students. Sometimes they surprise and touch our hearts by contacting us after our time together is over. Judy received such a surprise package the other day. A lovely lady shared some of her fiber treasures collected from around the world. This embroidered piece is an example.....

.....as is this cotton piece which I believe she said was from Australia.

Connie Brown collects aprons......so for her recent birthday one of our members found this clever apron made from a shirt!!! Connie had to grab some props from Barbara's kitchen as she posed for this picture! Click on the photo to see a close up view.

And LOOK......to secure to the body.....it also ties in the back with the shirt sleeves.....

Dort made this quilt as a gift for an elderly aunt....it's a map of the roads near her home. Clearly, it must be in NC where there isn't a straight flat road within hundreds of miles.

Dort's quilts are always so full of charming details....you could look at them for hours!

Connie (of apron fame) is an AQS apprasier who haunts antique sales. She found this beauty recently. She explained that what appears as white dots is actually tiny holes, where the batting is now visibile. The original fabric has simply vanished....probably due to the type of dye that was used in the fabric so long ago.

It was beautifully hand quilted through a very thin batting.

PTA SILLINESS

2011-11-10T19:04:00.000-05:00

So.....today was our Nov. Professional Fiber Artist's (PTA) meeting....as usual we concentrate of course on quilt related (monkey) business.....as well as food, chatting, and general silliness.

Under the heading of silliness..... Has the 'feather' in the hair trend hit your area? Seems that everyone around here is supporting at least one. Connie Brown in our group was the first......but not the last.

Linda Cantrell's first one was pink.....she's now gone classy and has one that blends into her hair color.

Connie isn't worried about blending in......she's gone wild with her numerous feather additions.....including a large purple one.

Kate's is a long slender feather that goes so well with her hair color and style.

Cathy's is positioned for visibility......we all loved it!

Connie's purple feather made the rounds......here Mary is showing it off.

Barbara is almost hysterical at the thought of wearing a feather in her hair.

Linda is positioning it in Judy's hair..... So....you might ask....what about me? Nope.....I'm passing on this trend....I'm so lazy about daily hair grooming....I don't want to have to think about dealing with a feather in mine!

A PLAN ???

2011-11-09T07:25:00.000-05:00

Well....a plan is beginning to be formed.....however, it's still somewhat fuzzy in my mind.....

I've continued hand embroidering the outline and now some branches of trees. The process of deconstructive dyeing yields a variety of images and colors, depending upon how many times the screen is printed...thus the fabric results you see here.

I'm utilizing some of the shapes that got printed for tree outlines, lopsided as they are....but of course nature isn't uniform, so I don't have to be either!

The base fabric is a very firm, high thread count muslin which prints well, but is not easy to embroidery through....so this may take some time. I have a VERY sore thumb this morning after an evening of stitching last night.

My other wool felt project is still staring at me.....waiting for Divine Intervention I think!

Check out my gallery shop.

MOVING ALONG

2011-11-08T06:48:00.000-05:00

There hasn't been a lot of spare time to work out the finishing dilemma on the most recent wool felt piece that I've been struggling with.....so while that's percolating, I've turned to another idea.

A whole pile of deconstructed screen dyed fabrics has been staring at me, along with several 'theme' ideas I want to pursue. So finally I just jumped in by cutting one of the long sections I had printed into various size patched with black sashings of varying sizes to combine them.

Next, to stablize the fabric section, I thread basted it to batting and secured the unit in a Q-snap frame.

The change of the season from summer to fall has altered our landscape immensely. We live in a mountain valley surrounded by forests. I now see just silhouette of trees with a few sturdy leaves hanging in there! So...that's my theme.....trees!

My plan, which frankly is VERY vague in my mind....is to hand embroider the outline of various shapes of trees. Because I haven't sketched it out....I'm reluctant to use a marking tool for fear I may change my mind and won't be able to wash it off.

So instead, I'm drawing the shape on with pressure....sometimes free hand, other times using a ruler as a guide. To assure a bold image....I'm embroidering with Aurefil's wool thread. It's very visible, easy to work with, and provides a nice texture.

I love the look of deconstructed fabric....but it has so much energy and for me.....it's difficult to work with. I'm curious to see how this idea will work.

STILL PUSHING....

2011-11-07T07:18:00.000-05:00

I can't help it.....and I'm NOT gloating faithful reader Robbie.....but, as they say in Wisconsin......HOW 'BOUT DEM PACKERS! Good as gold.....green and gold!!!!

Now....back to our fiber pursuits..... I'm still struggling with my newest project. Previous whining about this piece can be found here

I took off all the beads surrounding the splashes of color, added another dash of color and began again. As you can see...I keep wanting to add other bead styles besides small seeds (which is what I thought the problem was in the first place....dah!)

After more pondering....I believe that the color palette is so far from my comfort zone...that this too is contributing to my indecision.

After a lot of beading/unbeading/beading...... I've finally settled on scaling back the number and size of the accent beads and am now satisfied with this composition. However, I'm no closer to a decision about how to finish the piece than I was before. One factor that I just discovered.....there isn't enough dark purple in my stash to back/frame the piece.....hummmm

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GOooooooo PACKERS!!!!

2011-11-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

'The FLAG' is already waving in the wind.......we are ready to cheer for our Green and Gold this afternoon......

Packer gear.....don't leave home without it! Unless you are staying at home...then snuggle up!!

JUST FOR FUN

2011-11-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the creative wires in my brain aren't connected.......so rather than waste the day.....I decided to just have fun.

I pulled out a baby quilt top I made about 3 years ago, sandwiched it and machine quilted. I'm one of those quilters who actually likes to tackle the binding task.......so tonight I'll be happily hand sewing it in place.

Maybe tomorrow my crossed wires will return to design mode!

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT

2011-11-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

For someone who is nearly retired from the fast paced world of teaching along the quilting highway....I seem to be as busy as ever. So, I'm reminding myself.....stop, look, listen.....in other words......relax and enjoy.

AAQI AT QUILT FESTIVAL

2011-11-01T16:01:00.000-04:00

NO PICTURES THIS POST.....JUST A VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT......

If you are attending Quilt Festival in Houston.....be sure to stop by the AAQI booth and support our quilter's effort to fund research to put an end to Alzheimer's.

This short video should get you energized and ready to purchase one or more of the donated 1,500 quilts. Click here

PUSHING MYSELF

2011-10-31T08:05:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure why I persist frustrating myself with these attempts in abstract design. It does not come easily to me at all. But, perhaps that's the point.....there'd be little growth if one stuck to the same style all the time!

After attaching the stone, I've now gone back and removed some of the dangles which were beginning to overpower it. Next, I rethought the sizes/shapes of the splashes of color to be added.

Because the edges of the top section will need to be finished due to the machine grid lines, I'm also starting to think about how those edges will be covered..

And, here you can see beading has been incorporated to the right side.

Detail

One final splash of color helps to balance the design. However, I'm less than satisfied with the beadwork surrounding the small patches. Yesterday I decided to sleep on it and this morning my opinion is still lukewarm. Let's see what the day brings.

FEATURING.......

2011-10-30T08:50:00.000-04:00

Digging through my embellishment stash I came across several polished flat stones.....I'm not even sure where they came from but am happy to attempt to incorporate one of the larger ones into a small felted wool project.

The background has been stabilized and textured with simple machine quilting.

Using a variety of bead styles, the stone begins its transformation (and of course as a means to attach it to the work.)

....after some embellishing has been added.....

.....I think the embellishing of the stone is complete....maybe. Next, other elements will be incorporated...still allowing for some negative space, yet providing a few more spots of color. Let's see how this develops.

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FINAL HALOWEEN LAUGHS

2011-10-29T07:43:00.000-04:00

Hope those of you with pets are all costumed up by now....if not, here's some final inspirations.

Then it's back to sewing related posts!!

MORE PET COSTUMES

2011-10-28T07:54:00.000-04:00

Words escape me......just enjoy!!

BOOooooooo!

2011-10-27T06:58:00.000-04:00

Have you come up with a really great Halloween costume idea yet? It's only days away but these pet lovers are ready......

Thank you to my SIL for some truly inspiring ideas......

Be sure to check out my gallery shop...your Christmas presents await....

CLUTTER

2011-10-25T08:33:00.000-04:00

Do you work in clutter?

Often when beginning a new project, especially those pieces that don't yet have a defined direction.....suddenly I find heaps of materials overloading my work surfaces as I've shuffled from one concept to another.

It gets worse after I bring out the beads.....and begin auditioning trinkets, beads, baubles.....

Finally, after much indecision.....my color palette and design direction begins to take shape. Obviously, that's subject to change.....but it's such a relief then to be able to clean up the mess so I can concentrate on the work.

I can tolerate clutter for only short periods of time......as I'm admittedly a very organized person and kinda of a neat freak......

So what about you.....how to you approach working on a project??

BEING GRATEFUL

2011-10-24T12:55:00.000-04:00

FIRST.....Yeah.....Go Packers!!! Still undefeated......

Over the weekend, we watched two really interesting documentaries. One was, 'Welcome to Macintosh', about the creation of Apple. We bought our first Apple11e in the late 1970's and have owned probably every model since then...usually several at a time. Though of course with Steve Job's passing recently, many news organizations have featured the background of this company....this documentary was so interesting and worth the time.

The second one is called 'Waste Land", the story of Vik Muniz's project, 'Pictures of Garbage'. This exhibit was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio in 2009. It earned over $250,000 which was donated to the 'pickers' who help to recycle garbage in Brazil.

Here's Vik at the world's largest landfill. The brightly shirted workers are picking through the garbage to collect any item that can be sold for recycling. This is how they earn their meager living. Unlike most of us, recycling is not mandatory, nor often even available.

This movie had an enormous impact on me. It was a reminder of just how good my life is.....so my advice to myself.......shut up, quit complaining!! The pickers live in these shacks....the environment is beyond belief.

Vik's project was to utilize materials that could be recycled, using them to recreate photo images he took at the landfill. The art is HUGE....... He expertly photographed each completed piece for his exhibit....before the materials found their way back for recycling. Every item of this artwork was initially garbage!

Enjoy these amazing images and consider viewing this documentary about how art touched the lives of some proud, hard working people.

BED SKIRT TIP

2011-10-23T15:31:00.000-04:00

The mini redecorating continues......happily my container diving in my storage closet yielded some tan/white heavy cotton ticking fabric. I'm not sure what I had in mind for this 6 yard piece, certainly not a quilt backing as I incorrectly remembered....this stuff is the weight of a lightweight denim.

Which turned out to be the perfect material for my project. Years ago we had the most wonderful Golden Retriever....who slept in our room on the floor at night.......but always snuggled up next to the bed which often soiled the bed skirt. I'm a rather picky housekeeper so that drove me nuts.

Removing the mattress to get at the box spring portion of the bed in order to take off the bed skirt, wash it, and replace it was a CHORE. One I hated I don't mind adding!

So, I came up with a nifty method for this task which involved making my own bed skirt panel (and obviously then being able to utilize any fabric I wished)!

Here's how:
- Measure the 'drop' of the bed skirt......from the floor to the top of the box spring + about 2". Also, measure the length you will need to go around 3 sides of the bed, adding about 12" to turn the corners.
- Cut your chosen fabric to measure the required 'drop' of the skirt and the total length required to cover all 3 sides of the bed. Serge the short sides together.
- Next, serge the entire length of this long panel of fabric, do both sides.
- Turn about 1/2" of the bottom edge to the wrong side, pressing & pinning as you go.
- Machine stitch to finish the hem.
- Press well and ta-da....you are finished.

You'll need upholstery screws/anchors to secure the bed skirt to the top of the box spring. They are available at any full service fabric store.

Slide the mattress slightly to one side to allow access to the box spring. Starting at the head of the bed, position the end of the bed skirt to fit along the side of the bed, secure to the box spring with an upholstery screw. Continue along this side, securing about every 8 inches.

At the corner, make a box pleat, you'll need to use more screws to hold it in place. (Move the mattress again as necessary.) Then work your way along the foot end of the bed. At the next corner fold another box pleat into position. Continue as directed until you reach the end at the 3rd side of the bed.

Using a long panel is an easy way to customize the look of your bedding and without having to remove the mattress!! If desired, double the length of the panel then gather or pleat it. (Secure with machine stitching before positioning it along the bed.)

Hope you find this helpful and perhaps it will encourage you to do a little makeover for your bedroom.

WINTERIZING

2011-10-22T11:08:00.000-04:00

Last night we had our first official frost of the season.....boo hiss.....

However, the timing was in line with what I've been doing. It's time to remove the summer lightly colored quilt from our bed and replace it with cozy faded blue looking utilitarin quilt.

Projects like this never entail something as simple as a single switch out.....oh noooooo!! Once I got the quilt on the bed I decided our crisp white pillow cases were out of place. So I began making pillow cases....naturally I didn't have enough of any one fabric.

But that's okay, because mixing it up echos the flavor of the quilt anyway.

3 done, 3 to go.....

Will that be the end of the mini redecorating?? Nope....now I see that the bed skirt should be replaced as well...... I'm heading into my storage closet shortly to do some container diving to see if I can find enough yardage of something that will work. I sort of, kind of remember a tan ticking hunk I had been saving for a backing.....fingers crossed.

GET OUT AND EXPERIENCE LIFE!!

2011-10-20T18:56:00.000-04:00

So......I'm driving down the interstate this morning...heading into Asheville to pick up my pal Sue Nickels for some girlfriend time. Sue was in town to present a lecture and workshop for the Asheville Quilt Guild. The last time we taught together we made plans for her to stay an extra day to see the sites. The timing was good, the leaves still sparkle with color.

Probably foolishly.....I grabbed my camera to snap this picture when I noticed what someone wrote in the dirt on the back of this truck. It says: Packers Super Bowl again!! And on the the right side.......The Bears Still Suck...... This was definitely written by a long time Packer fan.....we are not fans of the Bears. (Sorry Bear fans).

I know this may be a lame subject to post....BUT realllly.....I got a tremendous kick out of seeing it.

We spent the morning at the historic Biltmore estate, a must see for anyone coming to this area. It's a chilly day here in the mountains, which fit the mood of the activities of the house perfectly. Worker bees were busy beginning the huge task of decorating the 'house' for the holidays.

As we were departing, we were asked to drive slowly and be aware of crews in and along the road. Why we asked?? Because they are filming a movie.... cool....

We couldn't linger to take photos.....but here's a glance out of my car window of one of the two huge wind machines that were blowing leaves into a pond.....we have no clue if they were actually filming or preparing for a scene.....

The movie is 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green'....when we asked who was in it....they said 'nobody'....and after a pause, this kids says....oh ya....Jennifer Gardner but she's not here right now.

Okay....this may be a lame subject too.....but getting out and about.....heck you never know what you'll see.

FRESH SET OF EYES

2011-10-19T08:51:00.000-04:00

It's interesting how a fresh set of eyes can help to tweak one's work.....even AFTER it's finished.

Though there are numerous techniques applied to the piece, the single rose may be just a bit lonely.......yielding a composition that could use improvement.

Heirloom Blush 8" x 12"

$ 175 - email me

Artist hand-dyed felted wool, hand dyed gauze, hand applique, hand embroidery, & featuring extensive beadwork.

Even though it's difficult to add motifs to a piece that's completed......I charged ahead and added a secondary motif which helps to avoid the 'bullseye' of the original rose.

PROBLEM SOLVED

2011-10-18T20:01:00.001-04:00

Finally, the new avenue I've been exploring has come to the a happy ending. I'd never made or worked with rusted fabric before and it was an education. I had no idea that needling would be such a challenge.

If you missed the drama.....click here to learn more and then follow other past posts.

I ended up using beads to highlight the binding, just not the way I had originally envisioned. Instead, small black matte beads were scattered stitched along the top of the binding which compliment the chicken scratch embroidery on the body of the quilt.

A thank you goes out to Judy Simmons again for giving me the fabulous cabochon which adapted perfectly to this rusted fabric.

Elements 5 1/2" x 10"

SOLD

Artist made rusted fabric, hand embroidery, bead embellished on body of quilt and binding.

(click on photo to enlarge)

WEEK 6

2011-10-17T08:18:00.000-04:00

Now that I'm out of the Suicide Football pool, I need only concentrate on and cheer for one team......of course that's the Green & Gold of the Greenbay Packers....

But....what's this??? The coolest uniforms I've seen in a long time. They wore replicas of uniforms worn in 1929. That fledgling team, under the guidance of Curly Lambueau, received a $500 uniform stipend from Acme Packing.....his full time employer to purchase uniforms. Their stats that year were 12-0-1.

Considering they've begun this season with a 6-0 record......they are on their way again!

We are luckier this year then ever because the Packer games will be shown on network TV a lot. However, yesterday's win of 23-3 over the Rams wasn't.....so off we headed to the local sports bar to cheer for our team!

And yes.....we weren't the only Packer backers. This adorable little fellow (nearly a year old) had both is Mom and Grandmothers chasing after him.....as he proudly tottered around wearing #12!

I actually already own some old school Packer gear.....and after seeing the cool knit caps the players were wearing I got on line when we got home. My goodness.....you can buy just about anything with the Packer branding.....love it!!!

PTA OCT. MEETING

2011-10-16T08:22:00.000-04:00

Our PTA Fiber group met this week and as usual we oohed and aahed during show and tell. Our group has very active lives, in and out of quilting, so our gathering was a bit smaller this month with some members elsewhere, but as always, it was so worthwhile!

Mary Berry is recreating this wonderful childhood photo of herself.

She's skilled at applique and does pictorial quilts very well! Isn't this a great idea for the subject of a quilt?

Kate is nearing completion on this charming applique design......I admire how she excels in all forms of quilting....from patchwork to applique!

ATTN: ALL QUILT FESTIVAL/HOUSTON BOUND QUILTERS

2011-10-15T14:04:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the year when quilters everywhere flock to Houston for Quilt Festival. So....it's also the time of the year for me to remind all of you going in early November, or for you to pass this along to your pals who are lucky enough to be attending.....

BE SURE TO STOP at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative booth in Row T. Ami Simms, our tireless 'commader-in-chief'.....has collected 1,500 donation quilts that will be sold at the show. One quilt at a time has helped to raise nearly $600,00 since January 2006 to raise awareness and fund Alzheimber's research.

Here's a a sampling of just one stack of these 9" x 12" priority quilts that will be on display.

EVER-----green 9" x 12"

by Mary Stori

This is the piece I donated: artist hand-dyed felted wool, hand embroidered and heavily beaded. It's ready to hang and I hope someone has just the perfect spot for this quilt!

FALL IN THE MOUNTAINS

2011-10-14T07:42:00.000-04:00

Western North Carolina is famous for its breathtaking fall color.....this year is no exception. Alas, this weekend the trees may be at their peak.....so if you live nearby, be sure to get out and enjoy the scenery.

FINISHING DIFFICULTIES

2011-10-12T08:24:00.000-04:00

Well.....what a surprise I had in store for me as work continued on this little piece....still unnamed. It's usually easy for me to name designs, but so far this one eludes me.

Anyway.....I had planned to hand quilt the background but absolutely couldn't get a needle through many of the rusted areas. Finally, I gave up and took it to the machine. Well, slap me on the head.....even a jeans needle wouldn't penetrate some of these areas, making me afraid I'd ruin my machine if I forced it. I gave that up and only stitched in the ditch between the two borders.

The next problem arose when I tried to machine sew the binding on. Seriously, even using just one layer of binding material, there were areas where the needle would not pass through. NOT good! I even tried some traditional cotton fabric for the binding and that didn't work either.

The answer....was a surprise..... I was able to hand sew the binding using a very sharp/strong quilting between. Ya never know what will work.

All along I planned on using a continuous picot seed bead edging treatment along the fold of the binding. I was stunned that my first choice of beads didn't work well.....and further surprised that none of my other 3 choices worked either. Neither the colors nor the shape of the bead, framed the quilt like I imagined. What's a gal to do? I'm working on that and hope to find the answer today!

MARY'S NEW SHOP BLOG

2011-10-11T07:35:00.001-04:00

INTRODUCING MY NEW BLOG!! Mary Stori's Gallery Shop. The blog will be a one stop shop, a place to easily view and purchase all my sale quilts. This project has been in the works for quite awhile......designed to coincide with the reduction of my travel teaching schedule. I will probably always teach, if someone asks, but will try to stick to local venues as much as possible in the future.

So now I'll be concentrating on using my time to create smaller pieces of work to sell. Which leads me to the new blog. After authoring 6 books and a DVD, not to mention a vast list of publishing credits for magazines and other specialty books, I have amassed a large collection of quilts that need new homes.

Note to collectors.......many of the pieces offered are the original quilts published in my various books (AQS appraisals are also available for several.) Numerous quilts have been exhibited in national shows and seen on HGTV's Simply Quilts as well.

I hope you will visit the shop and send your friends too.

NFL SUICIDE POOL

2011-10-10T07:38:00.000-04:00

Oh darn, oh darn.......shock and awe......despite having a nearly 10 point spread, the NY Giants lost (big time) to Seattle...... the photos speak for themselves.......the BALL was owned by the Seahawks.

So, I'm out of the pool........as are an astonishing other 21 participants who also picked the Giants to win this week. The pool started with 53 and now, after only week #5 there are only 5 left. I don't think there has ever been that many folks knocked out on one game and there has never been this few left at the beginning of the season!! The last man standing wins the $1,000 + pot.

Two years ago I also went out by picking the Giants and that was on the 2nd week!!! Honestly, it would have been nice to get a fat payback.....but I love being in just because it makes the games far more interesting. But like they say.....'there's always next year'.

LOVIN' BOVINES

2011-10-09T12:38:00.000-04:00

I've said it before, but it needs to be said again......travel teaching has allowed me to meet such nice folks all over the world. I feel so fortunate!!! Some, like my pal Jackie from Colorado Spring, have become really good buddies.

Jackie has the most unbelievable knack for finding bovine related products.....from cards, to pens, to trinkets, to the newest....paper napkins. If you are familiar with my career....you may be aware I often feature cows in my work.....especially Holstein cows.

Thanks Jackie for bringing a big ole' grin to my face with the surprise gift!!!

OUT AND ABOUT

2011-10-08T09:06:00.000-04:00

Life in the Great Smoky Mountains is way different than the lifestyle we lived in Wisconsin.....we are still exploring the area and are amused and astonished by what we find.

We headed to Franklin, NC yesterday in hopes of dining at what has become almost a cult favorite. It's called Caffe REL. This French Bistro, almost always has lines out the door and get this.....it's located in a GAS station!! Yup.....famous chef REL, who left the renowned Greenbriar Restaurant to open this small cafe has achieved a lot of success here in the mountains. If you ever come......bring cash....they don't take credit cards!

"The husband' had first read about this restaurant in one of his Porsche publications.....as the chef/owner is a Porsche nut too.......as you can see by his car....

Do you get this front license plate? 'The husband' of course had to explain it to me.

Inside is small.....no frills.....they've saved that for the excellent food that's served!

The waitress accidentally knocked a full glass of 'the husband's' coke over while she was removing our dinner plates......so when we ordered dessert.....his VERY rich, VERY dark chocolate cake came super sized!

The reason for our trek to Franklin was to see (for probably the 14th time) our favorite Bluegrass group.....Dailey & Vincent. Each show gets better and better and no two are alike. It was a small venue with super comfy seats, great sound system....perfect evening.

When Dailey and Vincent harmonize together there is never a sound in the place......it's magic!