My creative side has been side-lined due to caretaking responsibilities. So with limited time, I decided to upcycle a few traditional, somewhat faded wall quilts, made back when I was still hand quilting everything. This one was made into bookcovers for my gallery inventory.
Sometimes a comment in passing can spark an idea. This 14" x 10" monoprinted small art quilt will be a holiday gift for a friend.........and since I don't think she reads blogs, I'm safe to share it here.
The silver/blues acrylic paints are metallic, adding a feeling of depth to the sky. A few other couching, applique & embellishing touches and it was complete.
It's always fun to give a surprise....something I'm going to do do more often!!
Our Fiber Frenzy group met this week to play with some cutting equipment. I've seen both of these machines in use previously, but being old school never gave much thought of owning either. But as they say, timing is everything.
In the past I've mentioned my nagging shoulder issue. So after another cortisone injection & a frank discussion with my doc....I can no longer ignore it for much longer if I want to avoid more damage requiring rotary cuff surgery and an unacceptable (to me) recovery period.
So......I need to reduce the stress on my joints.....I'm hoping Santa is reading this.....
Kathie gave an in-depth demo of her Brother Scan 'n cut machine. Here's an overview of the function that would most benefit ME to own one.
Judy shared her Accuquilt die cut machine. In preparation for a largish quilt I'm planning.....and with stacking help my pals, 5 layers each packet were cut into about 300 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.
What a shock......no clue this white stuff was even a possibility for our Sunday morning......boooooo hisssssss. Truly, I can not tolerate snow or cold weather.....I'm going to hibernate ......see you all in the spring!
I've spent some time, too much time, figuring out and creating some rather flat fabric bowls.....one 16" and the other two 13". Decided since each took about a day to make.....how is that possible you ask? Putzy is all I can say...... In the end they will not be an impluse item to be added to my gallery space......time vs material = in the red profit margain for what I can expect to price them.
Thought you'd like to take a look anyway........in case you think I've been a couch potato!
Marveling at nature...What looks like a snow covered lake is actually fog that hangs in a lower valley. It often moves up through our mountain valley, appearing like a white sheet being pulled over one's head. Fascinating..... And look at this darling birds nest I spotted on the road this morning during our 'forced march'....
I've been busy......Fall tourists have been good for business. And that means I've been hard at work creating new pieces. Hope you enjoy seeing this one.
Authentic Japanese cottons, pieced, appliqued, quilted with metallic thread.
Edges bound, hanging sleeve attached.
Thanks for stopping by!!
After appx. 72 hrs. on this piece.....it's finally finished......Way too much time spent tying off thread ends......
Internet pal Robbie asked me to elaborate on our small civil war cabin .....shown in the previous post.
It came about after we moved to NC from a home in WI that had a 4 1/2 car detached garage, and a 2 1/2 car attached garage. Clearly the now 2 1/2 car garage was not adequate for the lawn tractor, hand mower, plus a zillion other garden and 'boy toy' pieces of equipment.
I had recently visited a Southern Living model home in nearby Sandy Mush, NC.....about 30 mins. as the crow flies, but at least an hr. by car. (Oh the winding roads through the mountains we have here!!!) On that property was a stunning shed being errected by a small company that seeks out old log structures.....disassembles them, numbering all the pieces and then sells and reassembles them on customers properties. This small company was literally about 15 mins. from our house (if you knew where to look).
'The husband' couldn't bring himself to purchase a metal shed or any of the other premade ones available at big box stores and before I knew it....we had bought a disassembled (said to be pre-civil war) small cabin. The artisan who built it for us was outstanding. He would not stand for the idea of setting it on concrete blocks.....so he sourced local stones and built the foundation....no motor, all dry stacked. It was fascintating to watch....like putting odd shaped blocks of a quilt together!! He even made hinges out of old horse shoes and hung a single rusted mule show upside down over the doors. He used vintage tin for the roof.
This is how it looked the day it was finished.....back in 2007.
Oh what a beautiful day ......microwave ice-dyeing with some buddies.......how's that for immediate gratification?
Funny though....I was aiming to create some reds and oranges......guess I have to try again....poor me......
Ahhhhh....the beauty of fall.....snapped this photo of our civil war log cabin (used as a garden shed) as I began my afternoon walk with Sooty (our 10+ black lab rescue dog)....who has taken to becoming a statue when she doesn't want to walk any further.
Late summer/early fall had me worried that the economic downturn in this country was affecting the tourist industry in our area. Which of course affects my art quilt sales....selfish as that sounds!
“HARMONY IN NATURE”- 23.5” x 18.5” © Mary Stori
SOLD
Mono-printed, gradation dyed, indigo dyed cottons, appliquéd,
embroidered, & densely quilted. Faced edges, fabric hanging sleeved attached.
Other demands have kept me from working on my newest piece as much as I'd like, however it's slowly growing. More motif additions coming..... I'm really liking this one!
Using a combination of mono-printing, microwave-ice dyeing, indigo dyed cottons.....a new Blue Ridge mountain landscape art quilt is underway.
I'm currently adding some base stitching to provide texture. Next I'll be creating the focus applique that for now are motifs dancing in my head. Stay tuned.....
The fiber can often be suitable for wet felting, so I thought I'd try. With considerable man handling, I managed to make a couple of vessels. The texture is bumper than usual, yet because of plain appearance of the wool, I love the character it provides.
The list of reasons my 25+ long career in the quilt industry has brought such joy to my life is long. But at the very top is the enduring, deep friendships that have developed.
I met my pal Jackie for the first time in 1996. She was the instructor coordinator for Quilt Colorado. We bonded immediately! I was fortunate to be invited to teach at this outstanding quilt show/conference many times and Jackie and I picked up our conversations as if we had only taken a breath.
Surprises out of the blue are simply the best.....today this adorable wool pincushion arrived. Superbly made by Jackie "to honor our friendship". How heartwarming is that?!? Quilt friends are the best!!!!
"WHISPERING BAMBOO" - 41” x 50" © Mary Stori
SOLD
Authentic Japanese cottons, pieced, appliquéd, densely
quilted with metallic thread. Fabric hanging sleeve attached.
Happily our PTA (Professional Textile Artists small group) is back meeting monthly after the rude interruption caused by Covid! Each member is responsible for organizing one meeting a year. Numbers are drawn at our Dec. meeting, then the months are selected starting with the lowest number. Oh this saves so many unnecessary last minute emails. Some of our favorite gatherings are simply in each others homes.....we met at Dort's this month.
As always we laugh, munch, sip, and are exposed to many new tips, tricks and information.
Lynn recently bought a cutting machine and did a little demo......these units are getting more and more popular esp. for those quilters who create a lot of patchwork quilts. (Judy left, Lynne right)
