YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

THE PACK IS BACK!!!!

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is back where it belongs.......

TALL HOUSES

Even though I'm completely distracted with the upcoming Super Bowl, there has been time to stitch!

After completing embroidering the swirls on the background, it was time to add my backing and finish the edges..... This is where I got stalled....seriously, it was pathetic the amount of time I stood in front of the design wall trying out many, many ideas.

This piece is hand dyed 100% wool, which really felted during the dyeing process, making it very thick so my favorite edging finishes were not compatible. Here I'm auditioning wool thread colors for a simple blanket stitch finish.

The above approach didn't seem to frame the piece well enough..... Though I've never used traditional binding for these pieces, I thought maybe some colorful batik might work. Actually, it looks better coordinated in this photo than it did in person......the materials just didn't jive.

Then I pulled out some of the thick trim I used for the tree trunks and convinced myself I could attach that to the edge by couching it in place. What a MESS.....sorry I didn't even take a picture.....too embarrassing! So in the end, I went back to Aurfil wool thread, using two strands to blanket stitch the edge.....it was my first instinct.....and a lot of time was wasted dinking around before I got back to it!

TALL HOUSES 17 1/2" x 9"

$150 (with insured shipping)

payment via check or paypal - email me using link at top right

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON.....

It's now less then 2 days before the big game......Cheeseheads unite........

and chant.......GO PACKERS.....

And....here's the guy who will help orchestrate the win........our boy.....Aaron Rodgers.....

So....yes, my Super Bowl preparations are in the works......of course we will be serving Wisconsin Cheese and Johnsonville Summer Sausage......and another of Wisconsin's 4 food groups, 'bars'.... Bars, like in brownies and other such shallow pan desserts. (Wisconsin's 4 food groups are: cheese, beer, brats, and bars.)

BEGINNINGS

Besides the love affair I've been having with woolfelt, I've noticed a slight shift in the style of my work.

Rather than the overly embellished, detailed quilts that were my trademark, my leaning now seems to be cleaner, minimalist designs. That doesn't mean my beadwork doesn't have a huge impact. Hoever, I'm doing less and less patchwork and I've reduced the amount of mixed media I incorporate.

I don't know where this is going.....but for now....it's fun to explore a new direction.

Most of us are feeling spring will never come after this harsh winter.....but in an attempt to hurry it along....I did some spring cleaning by organizing some of my beads which had been overflowing from far too few containers.

.......and I came across these beauties.....

.....so I pulled some fabric, thread, beads to show them off. I'm anxious to start the design process.......

GO PACKERS!!!!!!!!!!

STILL BUILDING....

I'm still working on this little woolfelt house wall hanging.....all the motifs have now been hand appliqued using the buttonhole stitch. More definition was achieved by using black Aurifil wool thread and the outline stitch.

I decided to add more threadwork on the background to create additional texture. Initially, I tried machine stitching, ripped it out and then auditioned some hand embroidery, using a high contrast thread. Both approaches tended to distract from the overall small 8" x 17" format. The swirls are now stitched with a single strand of DMC embroidery floss. It's more than a little time consuming.....and isn't all that visible until you get up close...but it works for me.

COUNTDOWN......

SORRY......I must support my team.....I will get back to my project in a day or so...... In the meantime....GO PACKERS.....

Photo taken over Lambeau Field 11/7/10.....yes shot from above the fly over jets. Packers 45 - Cowboys 7

ZOOOOOMMMM!

This past weekend was our annual trek to Daytona Beach, FL for the Rolex 24 Hour car race.....really it's a guy thing but according to 'the husband' I am not exempt from attending.

We've been following the Flying Lizards race team (why that name?? who knows??)......for ages. There was high hopes for their entry this year. The race is grueling on both man and machine....as it runs 24 hours straight. The first car across the start/finish line after 24 hours, wins....it's as simple and difficult as that.

This is the engine......it sure looks impressive to me. Sadly, it blew up less than an hour before the end of the race......probably ruined the car too since it caught on fire. Thankfully, the driver got out okay. There were many Porsches in the winners circle....just not this one.

Each year we notice more and more 'branding'.....sponsors of everything from the race itself to parking lots. Can you believe it?? The parking lot and camp grounds need a sponsor? ENUFF!!!

And one sponsor isn't enough......there seems to be a lot of partnering too.

How can anyone have any loyalty with so many to choose from??

We noticed far fewer massive motor homes this year and tons more tents. Many huge fields that had been used for parking in the past were turned into tent cities....as far as the eye could see. Preparation in this photo is typical.....fire pits are dug, supplies laid out. Sadly, when we walked through this same area the next morning......much of it was disgusting.....full of trash, and sleeping bodies. I'm sure the track officials will be rethinking their decision.....many of these attendees are not race fans, rather they are party goers.

Someone brought a Christmas tree.....fitted with lights and apparently beer cans will be added as they are emptied.

Now this WAS impressive.......look at the size of this smoker....it was in the more upscale motor home area.

Hey.....a Green Bay Packer fan! I might mention......I'm beginning my 7 day countdown to Super Bowl Sunday.....when the Pack will be crowned 2011 Champs!!! GO PACKERS......

There are all kinds of activity going on before and during the race. This artist was painting an original work of art (car art I guess you'd call it)......he painted quickly with buckets of paint and large brushes along with blaring rock music.

And for those of you who've followed my blog for a long time.......no I didn't see Dr. McDreamy in person this year....though he was there and was pictured on the jumbo TV screens several times.....his race team's car actually finished the race this year.

Now back to sewing.....

FLUTTERING BY

I've mentioned my quest to find homes for many of my show quilts and pieces that have been published in my various books. Happily, some are already being enjoyed, instead of being folded up in my pie safe and other storage places in our home.

Recently, someone who has traveled with me on several of my quilting cruises, and who I now call a friend, expressed interest in the 'cover' quilt of my DVD.

The quilt utilizes batik fabrics, reverse applique, machine quilting and lots of beading.

Like most authors, I never considered selling a quilt that was so prominently featured, but after some thought.....it seemed so right that Joyce add this piece to her butterfly collection!

.....so the 'Fluttering By' has flown off and will be enjoying mile high living! I couldn't be more pleased.

If there is a quilt in my collection.....that you'd like in YOUR collection......don't hesitate to email me to discuss the possibility.....prices are competive and fair.

LUNAR JOURNAL

Fiber Junkie member Val, presented this unique journal, 2011 Leaf & Lizard Almanac, to each of us in our group. It was created by her friend Mary Lounsbury...you can obtain your own journal at: www.leafandlizard.com

It's a moon journal, intended to keep one attuned to the natural cycles of the moon and seasons. It's a fun concept, designed to provide the owner permission to personalize the book.....using the scrapbook approach. Click on the photo to enlarge her words.

Val shared her journal with us....and I'm sorry I didn't snap a photo......she included many drawings, photos, and notes as she works her way through her 2010 book.

Asheville is filled with artists of all mediums......sometimes as a quilter, I don't stray far enough from my comfortable world of quilting......so getting introduced to the work of others is so appreciated.....thank you Val!

HOUSE BUILDING

I've continued to plug away on my construction project......

The background of this small wall hanging is hand-dyed felted wool, while both 80/20 rayon/wool woolfelt and bamboo/rayon felt are being utilized for the 'houses'. I'm fairly satisfied with the color arrangement and shapes.....

My attention now turned to the 3 trees that will be incorporated into the design. After auditioning every green/gold/red wool felt fabric I had in my stash, nothing worked. I turned to other materials....first looking for the right color and secondly for something that would provide more texture.

During one of the dye sessions with the Fiber Junkies.....I dyed some gray cheesecloth which yielded this mottled green.

By fusing two layers together....the fabric became sturdier and prevented the edges from unraveling once the tree shapes were cut.

But, while trying to convince myself this was the answer I was seeking......I dug further in my stash and found a couple more choices.

My friend Nancy Bruce gave me this treasure.....it's a 100% wool hounds tooth that she hand dyed....but it's not felted. The quality of some wools are just too high and therefore they will not felt. Of course that fabric is still suitable to use, but it will ravel so the edges must be secured.

Okay....I like this much better..... Thank you Nancy!!! The next decision will be to hand or machine applique the houses......