DIGGING DEEP

Reinventing the wheel seems to be the theme for this art quilt.  The intention was to incorporate fabric to depict dark grey clouds interspersed in the sky.  Nothing worked!!

Since there was dense stitching already in that area, thread stitching seemed to be a better choice.  Darn, I lacked the suitable weight of thread.  Ah ha....harkening back to a technique I use to blend two contrasting colors. I threaded the machine's needle with two threads - black and grey Aurfil 50 weight and away I went.

It was still necessary to stitch very densely however the addition merged much better than narrow fabric strips.  Don't forget to utilize unconventional approaches when necessary (meaning when you don't want to leave home to shop or wait for an Amazon delivery!!)

 

REQUIRING CREATIVE OVERDRIVE

 Work continues on my depiction of a sunset photo, where orange is the main color.  It's NOT a color I use much or own, therefore it's been a struggle obtaining the appropriate tones.  Yes I could purchase some but what fun is that?  I simply do not buy fabric anymore since I have so darn much already....foolishly stubborn about that!

So, I printed my own with the aid of my large gelli plate.  First I tried over-dyeing a sample of a mottled hand-dyed of mine.  Glad I only did a small test piece and silly me, I didn't take a photo when it was rejected, sorry.

Next came a reddish tone on tone batik.

Below you'll see the gelli plate readied with orange & a tad of brown acrylic paint.

And finally the finished printed fabric.  This will be used as surface water that is being reflected by the sunset.

The project so far is trying to get the best of me, but I keep fighting back, hoping in the end the piece will be an art quilt worthy of its photo inspiration.

A CHALLENGING PROJECT IN THE WORKS

 I gasped after seeing a sunset photo posted on our community Facebook page by Bobbi Jayne DeLozier. So much so that I asked her for permission to recreate it in fabric. Oh boy it's been a challenge...in part because I don't have the exact right shades of the colors needed.

Here's my start and I hate to admit how long this has taken me......notice the 1st photo....the last two strips do not have the same color range. With ingenuity/trial and error.....it now matches.

Problem #2 is being tackled now with the use of my gel plate....fingers crossed. Stay tuned...

MY IMAGINATION

 NEW WORK, now available, shipping info upon request.

REAR WINDOW: My Imagination - 17” x 16”

A friend’s long recovery from a bad fall generated time spent enjoying the scenic long view from his home’s rear window. He began photo documenting it daily, both daytime and evenings. His eye for photography is excellent and with his permission I created several art quilts based on his previous photos. However, this piece was created solely by my own imaginative rear window view.

Hand-dyed and batik cottons, appliquéd raw edge motifs, machine quilted, faced edges, & hanging sleeve attached.

DETAIL

SPRING SALE

 While searching my inventory of pieced quilts for a red/white quilt to show at a local exhibit, I found this oldie but goodie.  Now is the time to part with it so someone can actually enjoy it.  

LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE - 55" X 71"

SALE $125 - plus shipping US Destinations - Venmo if possible

This piece was featured in The Classic American Quilt Collection - SCHOOLHOUSE, by Rodale Quit Books. Use as a lap quilt or for display.  All hand quilted featuring math problems on the outer border.  Plaid double fold binding.  Some very very slight aging discoloration of muslin.  Made in 1990 but never used except for publication of the Rodale Book.

Hand quilted

Backing

GO PACK GO!!

 It's never too soon to shout those words......GO PACK GO!!  I know there's basketball & baseball stuff going on......not interested!!! Because .........the 2025 NFK draft will be held in Green Bay, hosted by the Packers at the end of April.

Now this is a real Packer fan.....  (btw - I suspect the photo has been AI generated.....but gotta love the passion!)

PAPER FABRIC

I've put my tree obsession hold for the moment and got immersed playing with an old technique our 6 person Fiber Junkies group did on our playdates several times.  It's called Paper Fabric.

All one needs is a fabric base (I'm using fabric that I've had for at least 25 years!) plus diluted white glue, tissue paper, paper napkins, and for extra fun....dyed paper towels.  

The community I live in will be hosting another Artisan Faire in May 31st.  So, besides offering my wall art for sale, I'll have some handmade notecards as well.

Collage of torn paper on the fabric base as it dries

AWAITING SPRING

Yes, I continue to be smitten with trees......work continues on this latest piece.....keep watching as spring arrives.... 

MOON OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA

 WOW!! 🎆🎉🥳

I received an incredible surprise that brought on good old fashioned happy tears.  A year ago I left my Asheville, NC familiar life with all my fiber buddies.  18 years of inspiration, encouragement, fun, great food, & laughter came from a group named PTA: Professional Textile Artists.  One couldn't ask for better friends!

These wonderful pals created a quilt for me titled "Moon Over The Mountains Of North Carolina".  14 blocks, one from each of my buddies, surround the incredible signature masterpiece of Judy Simmons.  

Without even looking at the signatures I could guess who made which block....for instance our groups' comedian Leigh Anne took the 'moon' theme to a whole new level with a 'butt' mooning over the mountain.  (Lower left corner).  Several acknowledged our adult beverage choice of 'bubbly', and one block made by Gen (upper right corner) really had me blubbering....the notation read:  "Part of my heart has gone with you".  Each block has such personal meaning and I can now say I own a Georgia Bonesteel original (third block down on the right side)!!

I'm touched beyond words and will treasure this quilt forever. 

TREES, TREES, TREES

Lately I seem to be fixated on the subject of trees.  Another art quilt is in the works.  Remember this quilted section of green batiks I chopped off the bottom of a previous quilt in progress?  Well, the final piece of that leftover is now incorporated into a new art quilt.

The batik upper portion had hints foliage in its pattern.  After outlining them by machine, I tried adding embroidering more texture using various stitching patterns.  Ultimately, none satisfied me so they have been removed.

Okay....now what?  Stay tuned.....I have an idea.....

AFTER THE RAIN.....

 Apparently this is the rainy season here in Northern California.  Wind too, which I'm not a fan of.  We had such high winds at our NC home that we had to bungee cord all our porch furniture down onto the decking!  That included our super heavy smoker too!!  Yesterday our fire pit and several chairs took a ride across the patio.  Given that we are fenced in that was a surprise.

The sun is out now and we are rewarded with lovely blooming flowers in our small backyard.  I don't know the names of any of these plants, just happily admiring them. 

YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES!!!!!

Yes, there is a sewing machine heaven.....words can hardly describe this treasure trove of sewing machines.....but the following two videos can.....check them out.

https://youtu.be/TKK5LiLEQtU?si=Rrjg4cDx0THhrqRy

https://youtu.be/joP7FwwABtg?si=b6Mn2E4fDhAEGQnl 

WHITE SWAN LILY

NEW piece now available.......

WHITE SWAN LILY -  13" X 13"

COTTON BATIKS, FUSED MOTIFS WITH APPLIQUÉD EDGES, MACHINE THREAD PLAY AND QUILTED.  WRAPPED ON CANVAS FRAME & SECURED IN A BLACK WOOD FRAME WITHOUT GLASS.  

Original one-of-a-kind design by Mary Stori

Shipped by USPS US only - $100 plus shipping.

DETAIL

SHE WHO DIES......

 As the saying goes.....'She who dies with the most fabric wins'......it's kinda an unsettling thought.  However, spending time this week measuring and labeling fabric for sale at the upcoming May, 2025, Roseville Quilt Guild Show...it was certainly on my mind!

The guild is a recipient of fabric and other sewing supplies donations by members and the community at large.  This is a welcome financial resource to aid the guild in their own service projects and help with the cost of their programs and quilt show. 

I was astonished seeing a garage full of bins and so many members hard at work measuring & labeling.  They have another storage unit with even more bins!

Seriously, there will be some really good bargains ahead for attendees at this show, never mind the incredible quilts on display!

A POSSIBLE PACKER RECEIVER???

 AND....here's the biggest reason for our move to CA. Grandson #1 (12 years old), hugging it out with Grandson #2 (9 years old) after younger kiddo's team won their Flag Football Championship game.

We are hoping we have an up and coming Green Bay Packer Receiver after seeing his touchdown runs.

**Blogger will not let me upload the very short video of one of his amazing TD's......it's on my Facebook page if you are at all interested in seeing this future Packer!!

OLD TOWN FOLSOM

Just shy of 1 year ago (by 5 days), we left NC in our car for our new home in Roseville, CA to be closer to our son and his family.  It's astonishing that only now I'm getting out and about, learning this new area.  That's thanks to new friends who have so kindly taken me on field trips!! 

I'm still very anxious and dread driving here where speed limits mean nothing, so many discourteous drivers, & tail gating is the norm.  This is THE MOST confusing road systems EVER, made more difficult by all the negatives I mentioned above and the extreme number of cars on the road.

However, I had a fun day visiting the old town section of Folsom, CA with its charming variety of architecture, lots of restaurants and shops. Lakes, rivers, and rolling hills distinguish it from the surrounding flat nearby areas.  Intel is the biggest employer. The maximum-security prison gained international fame thanks to Johnny Cash's legendary performance there in 1968. The “Folsom Prison Blues” concert is considered one of the greatest live albums in music history, forever linking the city to the “Man in Black.”  

A reason for this visit is to continue my quest to find a gallery for my work. So far all prospective opportunities are too far away to be sensible options, plus wall space necessary art quilts is so minimal it makes no financial sense. So for now, I will keep having my work available via my blog, Facebook and Instagram posts.  Thank you to all who have supported me....it means a lot!!

GELLI PRINTING

 Having fun creating note cards featuring some of my gelli printed papers for our upcoming spring community Artisan Faire.  The goal is to display my art quilts but it's good to have smaller items on hand too.

ANOTHER POD

 Finally I got a chance to spend some time in studio today and decided to tackle creating another hanging pod basket.  This time it was the largest of the three sizes in the pattern I mention in my previous post.  

I used felted wool for the outside and an Asian cotton fabric for the lining.  I feel the larger size is going to be more attractive to customers because it's more versatile and the use of felted wool made it more structured.  If I make an all cotton one, it will be stabilized to better hold its shape.

STORAGE PODS

 Regular readers of this blog may recall my utter excitement over a Christmas present find for my DIL....crochet pods....seen below.

I don't crochet but been pondering whether I could create something similar using fabric.  Well what luck, I found a modestly priced pattern on Etsy by Calico Forest for the pods below.  Here's the link:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CalicoForestDesigns?utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ca_location_buyer&utm_content=206261&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=206261&utm_term=0&awc=6939_1740431036_02927b832985bda8444efd7599f4f3dd

It came in a three part download for links to the pattern pieces for three sizes, instructions AND...even a video how to!!  Naturally I dug into my fabric and  started sewing.  I decided to start with a medium size.

Honestly, the pattern pieces and instructions were so well done.  I don't find it easy to follow patterns but these were excellent.  I'm headed to make a large one right now!!  You need to head over to this shop and get yourself a pattern too!

LEFTOVERS = SHADOWS IN THE MOONLIGHT

I knew almost immediately that I had to use the 6" piece I whacked off my recent tree art quilt.  Here's what happened to a 6" high x 12" width section.

SHADOWS IN THE MOONLIGHT -  13" x 13"

$100

Artist mono-printed cottons, commercial batiks, machine 

pieced and appliquéd, densely machine quilted.  Gallery wrap canvas covered frame secured in black wood frame without glass.

Priority USPS shipping, US sales only.  DM to discuss payment options.