THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.........

 This isn't just a long weekend, today is a solemn day, a time to recognize and honor the ultimate sacrifices of those who served our country so we could live free. They aren't just names on a wall, plaque, or brick!  

The pre-race festivities at the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday was spectacular and personally invoked tears.  What a wonderful organization.........they went the extra mile to thank and remember those who served and did not come home!  

It's good to take time to just breathe and reflect.  I'm enjoying the beautiful and plentiful blooms our Rhododendrons, and Mountain Laurels.

Mountain Laurel

Rhododendron 

'The husband' was at it again, trying to smoke his greatest brisket.  It was nearly a 3 day process......but by the end we had this beauty to show off...perfect 'bark', and a lovely smoke ring.  Me? I'm not a big fan of BBQ, but gosh it's fun to see someone get so excited and dedicated to cooking a piece of meat!!

JAPANESE GARDENS

 After concentrating on smaller framed pieces lately, it was time to switch gears.  I headed to my stash of Japanese fabrics.  The large pieces, featuring bigger motifs are nearly depleted. So my task was to find a way to utilize some of the 1/4 and 1/2 yd. pieces with smaller prints.

JAPANESE GARDENS  -  35" X 24"

AVAILABLE HERE

Japanese cottons, appliqued, machine quilted and highlighted

with gold metallic thread.  Fabric hanging sleeve attached.

DETAIL

SUMMER COTTAGES

 The birds have found homes.....

SUMMER COTTAGES - 10"x11"

AVAILABLE HERE

Artist hand-dyed & mono printed cottons, appliqued, hand embroidered, & quilted by machine.  Framed without glass.

NOT A WHOLE LOT TO SHOW

I am working on a small, kinda silly project......auditioning some birds.....

TUNNEL VISION

 My newest art quilt was inspired by @nealcornwell (photo below) and used with permission.

 I found it a big challenge...combining a familiar mountain scene with a new subject.....one of the historic tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Available for purchase

TUNNEL VISION

13” X 13” © Mary Stori

Artist hand dyed cottons, appliquéd, embroidered,

& densely quilted by machine. Inspired by Neal Cornwell 

photo & used with permission. Wrapped on canvas covered

frame & secured in black wood frame without glass. 

KEEPING BUSY

 Though this picture doesn't really reveal much and the color is dismal.......it serves as a reminder, if only to myself that work is progressing on a new piece.  It's a familiar subject with the addition of a totally new one.

Using just an iphone, the gray and black colors were difficult to capture with these brighter colors adjacent.

BUSY, BUSY

 On a marathon sewing binge.....made 15 new covered composition book covers.....5 large - the rest minis.....  Anticipating the return of visitors as the rhododendrons begin to flower along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

WHEN THE SUN COMES UP IN THE MORNING

 It's now finished!!

WHEN THE SUN COMES UP IN THE MORNING -  13" x 13"

Available here

Artist ice & indigo dyed cottons, appliqued, embroidered & quilted by machine. Wrapped on canvas covered frame & secured in black wood frame without glass.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 A day to celebrate all those women who've touched your life.

ON GOING PROCESS

 For those curious about my process....here's a view of the backside of my current piece which is constructed on Pellon Lightweight non-fusible stabilizer. I often add hand stitching to my work so I prefer this less dense material.

The tree image being featured has now been stitched in place with a small blanket stitch. A few smaller branches will be added using a narrow zig zag stitch.

AUDITIONING

Because I don't draw....stick figure skills only.....I'll often use a paper template to audition.  Depending upon the subject, this may require lots of pencil scratches, drawing and redrawing.  This approach saves the time, trouble, and waste of fabric if the motif doesn't work.

For this design, I was guided by referring to a photo my friend Jim Moore took (and with permission) I'm attempting to duplicate. He's skilled at capturing the breathtaking scenery we have here in the mountains and that's inspired me to create numerous art quilts.

GINKGO

Worth rethinking my original idea....the results:

 GINKGO - 28"X 18.5"

AVAILABLE NOW 

Artist deconstructed, hand-dyed, & Batik cottons.

Appliquéd, densely embroidered, & heavily quilted by machine.

Faced edges, and fabrice sleeve for hanging attached.

PUTTING IN THE TIME

 I had to change direction on my latest art quilt....some ideas are not worth pursuing! But the background was a keeper and I've worked this past week non-stop with a new design. Clearly by this photo you know the subject matter. I'm doing the final quilting now.

Quilting always leads me to being aware when PM arrives.....