SAD

There's next year....every Cheesehead awaits!!!!

YIKES

If you don't know This is referring to.... perhaps you aren't a Packer fan ......nail biting time.....

FINGERS CROSSED.....

.....with fingers crossed and donning the appropriate gear.....we Packer fans have high hopes today.....  May Saint Vince be looking over the game today as the Pack takes on San Francisco.

Niece Liz.....now that's an outfit!!

     

Nieces Liz and Jenna.....with St. Vince.....(for you non Packer followers....we are talking about Vince Lombardi...long time winning Packer coach.

RECTANGLES

WHAT??  Two posts in one day.  I'd hoped to be able to post this on Friday to coordinate with Nina's Off The Wall Friday.....but I won't have access to the Internet tomorrow....so here goes....

The counting is over......with a few more hours of stitching that I managed to squeeze out of my day today.....this little piece is finished....and I'm happy....

RECTANGLES 6.5" x 7"

Woolfelt - machine and hand stitched, embellished

with beads and fused glass.

AVAILABLE HERE

3+ MORE HOURS

The background color here appears a bit pinkish/purplish.....the result of taking the photo at 10:00 PM last night.  The sun hasn't come up over the mountains yet so there's no sense in reshooting.....  The Woolfelt is white....not pure white....but definitely white.

This morning I want to share what I've done to the add texture to the background.  The simple running stitches are stitched with 2 strands of DMC Embroidery thread...lines traveling in both horizontal and vertical directions.  (Upper right still not completed).  It amounts to 2 nights of about 3 hrs. each of stitching.  AGAIN....I'm not necessarily counting, rather observing just how much time handwork requires.

Once that is finished, the plan is to back it and 'frame' it with more beadwork.  Beading the edges/borders of quilt has been a trademark of mine now for about 12 years when I began teaching my techniques and publishing instructions in my books.  It's fun to see how many stitchers are now enjoying this unique added touch to their quilts!

I mentioned earlier this week that my upcoming schedule was busy....and so it begins in earnest......   I hope to post during this time.....but if not.....as soon as this piece is finished you'll see it here.

3 HOURS STUDYING

This project has gone from 3 hrs. of intense beading to about 3 hours of studying at it on my design wall and muttering to myself!

 The vision for this little piece was to keep it fresh and uncluttered.  And that took nearly 3 hours of indecision while shifting a dozen small Woolfelt accent motifs around.  I kept wanting to incorporate more than was good for the overall design. 

Once the composition was finally 'right'.....it took a mere 30 mins. to bead it.  Actually this small amount of beading should really take 15 but of course there was the time required to audition beads and stitches.....

So...what's next??  Probably hand stitching the background....not sure how or with what threads yet......  

3 HOURS AND COUNTING.....

I managed to squeeze out 3 hours of beading last night.....WHAT??  3 hours you say???

 Yup...attaching unusual focal items to fiber isn't really difficult.....but I'll admit, it can be time consuming.  Though, seriously, I'm not really counting.....it takes what it takes.....this isn't a sprint.  For me, my projects are more marathon style.

The pin back is now secured to the machine embellished Woolfelt using a combination of black and white delica seed beads.

Here's a view from the side....there will be 5 rounds of beads to reach the top.

Now....to cover up that small fissure in the fused glass, I added some dangles. I'm not sure where I go with this project next.  Lately I've been appreciating cleaner and more simplified designs, rather than adding a whole bunch of stuff just because I can!!

Let's see what happens.....  How about you?  Have you noticed any great shifts in your work over the last two years or so??

INSPIRED BY UNUSUAL OBJECTS...

I'm honored that the oh so good blog "And Then We Set It On Fire", published a link to my blog.  I'm new to that group and have already spent A LOT of time reading past posts!!

This past week Beth has posted daily tutorials to help followers learn new embellishment techniques....well done!!

 Which brings me to my post for today.....inspiration from unusual objects can be challenging to develop but oh sooo much fun.  My personal life is going to be REALLY busy for the next 7-10 days....but hopefully I'll be able to work on this new project, if even only a little bit.

The piece of blue/yellow/white fused glass was a gift from a friend.  It started out as a pin....which I loved.  However, I rarely wear jewelry anymore so I asked 'the husband' to remove the pin back.  He cautioned me...breakage could occur...  There is a small crack...which actually can't be felt and doesn't go all the way through, so I'm going to try to hide it during the beading process.

I'm not sure where this is going.....except to say I'm using Woolfelt (manufactured by National NonWovens) and that the finished piece will be small.  So stay tuned....

Also.....in case there are any new readers lurking from the 'Fire' blog.....Perhaps you might enjoy seeing some other unusual focal items I've utilized in my pieces.  Several are available for purchase at my blog shop.

HERE WE COME.....

LOOK OUT San Francisco....HERE WE COME.........

 Our boy Rodgers was cooking last night.......the best QB in the NFL!!!  NO....do not argue...the stats speak for themselves....

Kuhn......way to go.....2 Lambeau Leaps.....

Keep it up boys......

WHOO HOOOOOOO!!!!  Go Packers Go!!

(okay....yes, I'm a bit excited over their win against the Vikings last night....)

BEFORE THE CLASSROOM DOOR OPENS

Before the classroom doors open....there's a lot of preparation an instructor does.  Feb. 20-23 I'll be teaching at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA.

Due to my self-imposed reduction in teaching, it's been awhile since I had to prepare for so many classes.....requiring sooooo many kits.  The workshop I'm teaching on Sat. is awesome.....a technique that many embellishers admire but are afraid it's too difficult.  Pooey.....not so!!  

The peyote stitch is time consuming....so what???  With that said, I revamped my workshop, "What Goes Around".  Instead of a project class (scissors sheath)....it's now focused strictly on the technique to allow time to explore several variations.  

The one above is an example.....attaching a focal item.....to fiber.

This also meant totally redoing all my samples, hand outs, and kit materials.  There are numerous 'gem' stores here in the mountains and after an hour plus trek over the mountains yesterday.....these lovely agate slices were waiting for me to take home at one such shop!

 Here's a detail of one.....I can't wait to show the students how to attach these beauties.  As far as I know, there's still room in this workshop.....titled "Around and Around".  All the supplies you need will be in the kit....just bring yourself and a scissors to class and join the fun!

 I also picked up some small cabochons.  The peyote stitch can be used to attach these items as well.  Notice the one on the lower left?  These stones have a flat bottom.....which allows them to sit on the fabric as the 'bead material' is worked around and up the base of the stone.

Here's another example of a fun item to use to embellish an art quilt.  It's a bone button.  The holes of the 'bare' one have merged and I think it will be even more fun to work with.

So.....off to the studio I go to get these kits prepared......hope to see you there.....  FYI - I'll be presenting the early bird lecture Wed. - Feb. 20th at 6:00 PM, and teaching full day workshops Thurs., Fri. & Sat.  All focused on beading.....like I've said for years......Bead it like you mean it.....  


AND I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY........GO PACKERS.......KICK THE VIKINGS BUTT!!!!!!