BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS ON MY MIND

The mountain views we enjoy here in Western NC never get old.  Recapturing them in fabric never gets old either. 

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS ON MY MIND - 13" x 13"

SOLD

Hand dyed cottons, Ultra-suede, hand stitched. 

Wrapped on a canvas covered frame & secured in a black wood frame.

 

FABRIC TOO PRECIOUS NOT TO USE!!

The day Doreen Speckmann called and invited me to join her on her famous Caribbean cruises I felt like Ricky Nelson had invited me to the prom.  Okay....that dates me right??

We made a great team and eventually with Doreen's blessing, the tour company offered me a hosting position on additional trips.

Little did I know that this June, 1999 Alaska cruise would be our last together.  Doreen passed away Sept. 18, 1999, in Ireland while I was leading a cruise/tour to the Greek Isles. 

DOREEN....no last name was ever needed for her huge fan base.

 My project for that trip was a small hand quilted art quilt for  students to learn hand quilting skills. Doreen's signature characters, "Peaky and Spike" are featured in a place on honor at the top of the totem pole.
 

DETAIL

This wonderful cotton fabric from Indonesia was the backing.  For years now I've treasured this little quilt, both for the design on the front and the fun backing which was given to me by my beloved MIL.  I simply could not discard it!!  Instead it was up-cycled.  The shape of the hand quilted design on the front didn't translate to the many, many ideas I dreamed up.....so the quilt was turned over and became book covers.

Those great memories with Doreen and all the participants who became friends worldwide will be with me forever even if the fabric isn't.

BREAK TIME

 I've always loved handwork, but recently shied away from it in an effort to create work that can be more affordably priced.  But the pull is still there and I gave in.  With the exception of machine work on the fence posts, this piece is stitched entirely by hand.

                              BREAK TIME - 13" x 13"

Available in my online gallery shop

Hand-dyed cottons, Ultra-suede, hand applique,

hand embroidery.  Wrapped on canvas covered frame

and secured in a black wood frame. 

STUDIO VS KITCHEN

 I expect like many of you, my studio will be abandoned for the kitchen the next couple of days......hoping to sneak in a little time to complete my current small art quilt.......

OH THOSE GINKGO LEAVES

 Ginkgo leaves are such a design attraction.  My long time Wisconsin friends, Jan and her daughter Sandy sent me a pile of leaves to play with. I suspect my failed attempt to print with them was because they were end of season leaves.....and whatever 'good stuff' in their DNA that allows them to print was already diminished.

So I played with preserving them for use on notecards.  Mod Podge was painted on the leaves (two separate coats).  Once dried with the aid of a mounting spray, they were attached to notecards.  The jury is still out whether or not they will be stable.....but it was a fun exercise.

I realize glycerin is often used as the preserving agent, but I didn't have any.....enough said!

I GOTTA WONDER

 Hummmm......perhaps all the cutting, piecing, appliquéing, dyeing fabrics, mono printing, etc. I've been spending nearly a lifetime doing is not necessary at all!?!?

This Jack Bush, a Canadian artist's work which was owned for years by singer Andy Williams will be featured in an upcoming auction.  Expecting to sell at between $350,000-$550,000.

Mark Rothko's minimalists painting 'No. 7', estimated to be worth $70-$90 million will be featured at a Sotheby's upcoming auction.

SHADES OF BLUE

Indigo wax block prints were often printed in England for the South African market.  I find the very graphic and often very busy prints to be challenging, yet rewarding to work with.

After much pondering, I decided to work with large blocks, arranging them with an off set placement.  My camera refused to take a good photo....I think it simply didn't know where to focus there's so much action here.

SHADES OF BLUE  - 50.5" x 50.5"

Vintage Jasco Premier wax block print on cotton. Printed in England for the South African market.  Machine pieced & quilted.  Fabric hanging sleeve attached. 

Detail - this closeup gives you a better indication of the colors.....DARK indigo and shades of lighter blue which continue to photograph as black and white.....sigh

PIN BASTING

 Pin basting....oh yuck...first you spend all that time pinning, then repositioning them as you quilt. Ya, I know some can figure out where the best placement for the pins are in the first place.....but I pin A LOT to assure there is no movement of the layers so that's a futile exercise for me.

Marking lines with painters tape helps me maintain a straight stitched line, however it sure does add a lot of extra work. Okay....I'm done complaining.  

Now onward...and oh ya GO PACK GO....especially today!!

JASCO WAX BLOCK PRINT

 Oh boy, do I have my work cut out.......what on earth to do with this African wax cotton block print by Jasco Premier??  

This isn't much of a start is it??  As always, stay tuned, I'm pretty determined!

BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME EVER!!

 I rarely post family news or photos, but this is way too good to not do so.  Our son had such a Wow, Wow Halloween costume this year.  Wonder how many of you are familiar with it??