POPPY

Covid spoiler again......so as it turned out, I had more time on my hands than expected this past week.  Here's my very last art quilt of 2021.

Poppy - 13" x 13"

SOLD

Machine thread sketched & hand embroidered

on cotton fabric.  Wrapped on a canvas covered frame 

and secured in a black wood frame without glass. 

BIG AS LIFE COOKIE

 I authored my first book in 1980......and it wasn't quilt related!  "I'll Eat Anything If I Make It Myself" (pbh publishing) is a children's cookbook!!

A friend shared her excitement of her grandson's upcoming Christmas visit and their gingerbread mansion project.  It reminded me of one I did annually for our son's elementary school class.  

Enjoy, feel free to copy.  I now own the publishing rights to this book so it's my small gift to you my faithful readers!  Merry Christmas!!!!

  

ECHINACEA

I'm guessing this will be the last new work of 2021, perhaps with a nod to the flowers blooming in 2022.

A gal can really get hooked on chicken scratch embroidery!  Some might call it boring, but even though it's super time consuming, I find it relaxing. 

ECHINACEA - 13" x 13"

SOLD

Machine thread sketched & hand embroidered

on cotton fabric.  Wrapped on a canvas covered frame 

and secured in a black wood frame.  

LUNCH TIME

 I enjoyed the 8+ hrs. of handwork spent on my previous framed art quilt piece, so I made another one. Usually my work isn't very similar, but when ideas expand.....you must go with it!  

"LUNCH TIME" - 13" x 13" 

Cottons, thread sketched, hand embroidered, painted.

NATURE'S BIRD FEEDER

 Just completed.....

NATURE'S BIRD FEEDER - 13" x 13"

SOLD

Hand painted cotton, appliquéd, machine embroidered, 

and heavily hand stitched on background fabric.

Wrapped on a canvas covered frame & secured in a black wood frame.

WORKING WITH MASKS

 My pal and super talented fiber artist, Denny Webster introduced me to the technique of using masks when adding motifs to fiber.  She excels at layering images!

The hardest part was cutting the freezer paper, oh ya and then finding the right consistency of acyrlic paint. In person it's more transparent than it appears here.

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS ON MY MIND

The mountain views we enjoy here in Western NC never get old.  Recapturing them in fabric never gets old either. 

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS ON MY MIND - 13" x 13"

SOLD

Hand dyed cottons, Ultra-suede, hand stitched. 

Wrapped on a canvas covered frame & secured in a black wood frame.

 

FABRIC TOO PRECIOUS NOT TO USE!!

The day Doreen Speckmann called and invited me to join her on her famous Caribbean cruises I felt like Ricky Nelson had invited me to the prom.  Okay....that dates me right??

We made a great team and eventually with Doreen's blessing, the tour company offered me a hosting position on additional trips.

Little did I know that this June, 1999 Alaska cruise would be our last together.  Doreen passed away Sept. 18, 1999, in Ireland while I was leading a cruise/tour to the Greek Isles. 

DOREEN....no last name was ever needed for her huge fan base.

 My project for that trip was a small hand quilted art quilt for  students to learn hand quilting skills. Doreen's signature characters, "Peaky and Spike" are featured in a place on honor at the top of the totem pole.
 

DETAIL

This wonderful cotton fabric from Indonesia was the backing.  For years now I've treasured this little quilt, both for the design on the front and the fun backing which was given to me by my beloved MIL.  I simply could not discard it!!  Instead it was up-cycled.  The shape of the hand quilted design on the front didn't translate to the many, many ideas I dreamed up.....so the quilt was turned over and became book covers.

Those great memories with Doreen and all the participants who became friends worldwide will be with me forever even if the fabric isn't.

BREAK TIME

 I've always loved handwork, but recently shied away from it in an effort to create work that can be more affordably priced.  But the pull is still there and I gave in.  With the exception of machine work on the fence posts, this piece is stitched entirely by hand.

                              BREAK TIME - 13" x 13"

Available in my online gallery shop

Hand-dyed cottons, Ultra-suede, hand applique,

hand embroidery.  Wrapped on canvas covered frame

and secured in a black wood frame. 

STUDIO VS KITCHEN

 I expect like many of you, my studio will be abandoned for the kitchen the next couple of days......hoping to sneak in a little time to complete my current small art quilt.......