MAJESTIC CRANES

 The ring door bell's fisheye image still captivates me.  Another image I've noticed everywhere in our community is the 3 vertical parallel lines created by a young tree with a tall support stake on either side.  It's kinda crazy how once noticed, they don't go unnoticed and yes, then inspire.  So, these two new influences were the inspiration for this new piece.

MAJESTIC CRANES

18” x 22”

SOLD

Authentic Japanese cottons, machine appliquéd & machine quilted 

 with metallic thread. Bound edges & hanging sleeve attached.

LIKE I SAID LOOKS LIKE WE ARE STAYING IN CA NOW THAT THE PICTURES ARE UP!!!

 We tackled side two of our long hallway using a forged iron hanging system we had purchased years ago from Pottery Barn....kinda echos the metal hardware on the barn door that leads to the man cave.

Looks like we will be staying in CA now that the pictures are hung!!

Our son - age appx. 2+

LOOKS LIKE THIS SEALS THE DEAL

 We've now been in CA for 4 months......and finally got 'the husband' to help tackle the job of putting up framed pictures.  We had a darkroom for years and did our own film processing.  Those days are in the past but he still enjoyed working with negatives and Photoshop, plus framing some memorabilia.  One is a handbill from a Flatt and Scruggs concert at Chicago's Orchestra Hall in 1963.  He and his roommate got to sit on the stage when the facility ran out of seats with ticket holders no place to sit.

Our home has a long hallway, one side will be music related and the other family.....

We have a ton of car photos too.....those will go in the man cave....how they will all fit is beyond my vision. So for now they are stacked up on the floor & bed in the guest room.  So far we are still speaking to each other.....more work begins shortly....let's see how long that lasts.  Home projects tend to generate disagreements in most households!!!

And finally here's your laugh or shriek of YUCK today. When we moved to NC I took a lot of photos at grocery stores of items that simply made me laugh, like pickled pigs feet.  I NEVER expected to see this item in the meat section here.....it wouldn't have been a surprise to see it in NC, but never here.....

WINDOW INTO JAPAN

  I got the idea for this design from our Ring Door bell that projects a "fish eye" photo when someone rings our bell.   Outline Metallic thread stitching enhances the motifs beautifully. 

These Japanese themed wall art quilts tend not to stay in my inventory very long.....contact me if you are interested.  US shipping only. 

WINDOW INTO JAPAN -  18.25” x 23”

SOLD

Authentic Japanese cottons, appliquéd motifs, gold Metallic thread work, machine quilted, bound edges & attached hanging sleeve.

DETAIL

RABBIT HOLE

 Reorganizing the fallen over stack of Japanese fabrics in my walk in fabric closet has pulled me into a rabbit hole!  I'm now working on my 4th Asian textile piece in a row.  All inspired by some of the beautiful fabrics I'd forgotten about.  (Or was "saving" - afraid to use!!)

Here's a peek.....the metallic thread certainly enhances these motifs, but it's sure testy to work with!!

NO WONDER I COULDN'T SLEEP THE LAST TWO NIGHTS!!

 Our forced march was so early this morning the moon was still visible....and now I know why I haven't been sleeping at night!!

This sure is a totally different view than the one we had in the mountains of NC.  Mouse maze homes for humans are everywhere.....thankfully this open land which is dedicated recreation space is across from our home.

CRANES AT REST

So often the question of "how long did it take to make it" pops up.  I rarely track hours spent but I made an effort to do that for this piece.

Sadly as most artists will agree, we'd be financially better off by working at a fast food restaurant than selling our work.  It's not just the time spent, but the cost of materials.  Most quality fabric used for quilt making runs at least $12-15 a yard and of course one needs a variety of styles of fabric to create a design.  Then there the cost of equipment, sewing machines now run around $5,000 and long arms a minimum of $10,000.

Working at McDonald's in CA where minimum wage is $16-$20 is alluring.....but would not satisfy the creative urge most artists have.

Okay....so with all that said, this piece took 32 hours to make.....from first pulling the main fabric from my stash, to adding the finishing touch label on the back.  So it should be listed at $640!  Unfortunately, fiber art is still the step child in the art world and most of the time can not demand such prices......sigh

CRANES AT REST -  23" X 23"

                                              SOLD

Authentic Japanese metallic enhanced cotton, hand-dyed gradation cotton, fabric pleat manipulation. Bound binding & hanging sleeve

WHAT'S NEXT??

What am I working on??? This is my fabric inspiration....stay tuned..... 

3 CRANES

Working with Asian fabrics is always a satisfying challenge. Now available.......these Japanese inspired pieces tend to sell very quickly.  US shipping only.

                    3 CRANES - 17" X 27.5"

SOLD

Authentic Daido Maruta woven Japanese textile for background, Japanese cotton motifs, artist hand-marbled fine metallic netting used for sun and foliage. Appliquéd & quilted with metallic thread, bound edges and hanging sleeve attached.

CELESTIAL BEAUTY

 Years ago I could easily work on multiple pieces at the same time......clearly I'm not a multitasker anymore!  I put my 2nd piece aside and concentrated on this small quilt.

I'm fortunate to have a large stash of authentic Japanese fabrics to work with.....this is the result of a few days of just focusing!  It's now available.

CELESTIAL BEAUTY

12” x 18.5”

SOLD

Authentic Japanese textiles, appliquéd & quilted. A matching 

binding finishes the edges and a hanging sleeve is in place. 

INDECISIONS

 I'm ready to begin a new art quilt and got started by pulling out some of my Japanese fabrics. That led me to walking in circles back and forth from my walk in closet to the design wall and back again. 

This yielded two ideas which I tried alternating developing each.  Ultimately, this only confused the planning of both, so I selected one and am still muttering to myself about the design.  Sometimes projects almost design themselves.....this one is making me really work at it.

Keep watch for the finished results......

JUST PUTTERING

 I've been enjoying watching the Olympics as I sew......I've literally made a dozen covers for composition books, both minis and larger sizes.  Thankfully, once the fabric selection is completed not much brain power is required so I can easily keep one eye on the TV.

Here are a few from the last couple of days.....  I enjoy using some of my digital photo transfers as fun features on these covers.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

What a lovely surprise!!  Many of you probably know the name Bobbie Aug, an author, instructor, and may be best known as a knowledgable Quilt Appraiser.  Bobbie passed away a short time ago. Her family hired  a professional auction house to host an online auction of her huge personal quilt collection.  It consisted of mostly beautiful vintage quilts. 

I had totally forgotten Bobbie owned one of my pieces which was made by invitation to be donated to the 2006 Pilgram/Roy Challenge, (a charitable program).  

A collector of my work who was also very good friends with Bobbie purchased this piece at Bobbie's online auction.  It warms my heart that we three friends still had this connection and love of quilting. 

The piece was appliquéd and heavily beaded.