DISAPPEARING DAYS

Both Thursday and Friday have completely disappeared......oh...where does the time go?

For one thing, our fiber art group, PTA meet at one of our member's home for numerous purposes......it's a good thing we don't have any major decisions to make.....seriously, we get off topic very easily.

We've been trying to make rules for a group challenge for months.....it's not that we don't get along.....it's just that this group is so creative, it's hard to pin down a subject, much less the other details that go with any challenge.  BUT......after much giggling and lots of great ideas....we think we have a plan.....will share my quilt when I begin...which should be shortly as our deadline is March.

We always do show and tell.....and I was able to capture a great image of Lynne Harrill's work.  I love her scrappy quilts that are always innovatively pieced and quilted.  

Sadly, for the second time I couldn't get a good image of Kate's quilt.....it's fabulous....if you read this Kate....maybe I can talk you into sharing a jpg with my readers.....

Today disappeared due to yet another doctor appointment in Asheville....gad you'd think we were traveled to another state as long as some of these treks take.  But, while sitting in the doctor's waiting room (which was FULLY occupied when I arrived...thus more time that disappeared while I waited), finally it cleared out a bit and I glanced at this wonderful pattern on the upholstery.  Inspiration can hit anywhere......and hopefully, I will now have more time to explore ideas.

NOVELTY PRINTS

I almost feel like a fish out of water.  My lust for working with felted wool and beads has kept me from making a 'real' quilt for quite some time.

Our small fiber art group has organized a 2 night - 3 day retreat in early January.  Trying to figure out how I can best use this time has been sort of hanging over my head.  Luckily, my friend Judy mentioned she wanted to make an 'i-spy' quilt.....so the next time she has to come up with a baby gift....she'll be ready.  Brilliant!!

It's the kind of mindless sewing that will keep the whole process fun as I'm sure there will be lots of breaks, giggles, meals, walks, etc.  So, concentrating on a major piece for me would be too much pressure.

As you can see.....I have tons of novelty prints in my stash......in order to make the best use of my time, I'm going to fussy cut the fabric into 4 1/2" squares....along with some solid bright colors for sashing strips now so I'll have to do is play with patches and stitch them together when the time comes.

We are finally getting MUCH needed rain so perhaps in the next few days I'll be all set.  Right now, I'm off to our monthly PTA fiber art meeting.....see ya!

PREPARATION

While many of you are beginning to think about the holidays.....I usually use this time of the year to get a jump on making my beading kits for the beginning months of next year's trips.

Type "A" personality you ask?

Okay, I admit it.  However, since I purchase my supplies in bulk, it's less costly and easier to order supplies only twice year.  Now is the time to access what I'll need for future kits.

The kits are made in assembly line fashion.....and yes I do count out many of the items before I begin kitting each class (consisting of 25 kits per workshop).  This way if I have a silk flower left over.....it's a clue....I probably missed putting one in a kit.  

However, there is a flaw in this theory.......if I put two of one item in a kit, I won't discover that! So, I spent most of the day yesterday making kits for 3 different classes, a total of 125 kits. That allowed me to catch up on most of the dribble I DVR.  Have you watch the "Housewifes of Atlanta" (not sure that's the exact title), on Bravo?   Oh my.....ya gotta wonder what our world has come to!  These babes behave like jealous teens.  I'm so happy my hobby turned into a career.

FALL IN THE MOUNTAINS

Mountain surroundings are still a source of amazement to this flat lander.  This photo was taken a few days ago as we were headed down the mountain to town.  At our 3,200 ft. elevation, it was a bright sunny day, yet as you can see....the lower elevations were banked in fog.

That burned off shortly so we could still enjoy the fabulous fall color that Western North Carolina is known for.

Alas, all good things must come to an end.  A mere 4 days after the took the photos above, this is the view from our deck.  Because we are higher, the leaves disappear more quickly. However, with the very short winters here.....spring will be just around the corner!

SMALL ZIPPERED BAGS

I'm not very good at sitting idle in the evenings, heck.....I'm not in control of the remote anyway!  So generally, I'm stitching on something and lately that's been small bead embellished zippered pouches.

Finished sizes are appx. 5" tall x 7 1/2" wide.  The outside is felted wool and the lining is cotton Batik.

1.  Cut a rectangle of felted wool the desired size, plus seam allowance.  Keep the size of the zipper in mind

2.  Stablize the wool with non-fusible pellon lightweight interfacing.  I thread baste the layers together, though you could spray baste.  Note: the basting lines running through the center still remain on this embellished section.  This reference line helps to keep the design placement away from where the lower seam will eventually be.

3.  Next, I gather up my beading supplies and plunk myself down on our denim couch with a bright light over my shoulder.  I like to work on a June Tailor, Cut and Press Mat....which I use basically as a lap board.  

4.  These samples utilize a technique called circular even count peyote stitch to trap the mirror circles, which are further decorated with the whim of the day!  There are lots of decorative stitches to explore in my DVD "Mary Stori Teaches You Beading On Fabric" or my introductory beading book, "Beading Basics".

5.  After embellishing, I cut the rectangle in half, along the basting line to create two pieces. The beaded one is the front, the other, the back.  Why didn't I just do this in the first place?? Because....I find it easier to bead on a larger piece of fabric.  Sometimes I bead the back section too if there is car racing on TV!

6. Then, I machine stitch the zipper to both top edges.  Next, the side and bottom seams are machine stitched with a scant 1/4" seam.  Since this is felt....there's no need to finish the edges, felted wool won't unravel.  Note:  I didn't remove the interfacing, I like to retain it to make the pouch sturdier.

7.  To complete the bag, I use the same rectangle measurements and make a lining using Batik fabric.  Turn the wool bag inside out, and secure the top opening of the lining to the zipper/wool seam allowance by hand or machine.

These make nice gifts. 

FABRIC MESSAGE BOARDS

'The husband' commented yesterday that if we didn't have doctors appointments, our calendars would be empty!  Lately that seems to be true.  Besides trying to keep a monthly calendar updated, here's what I do with all those appointment cards.

I've made a fabric (sometimes called) ribbon message board to fit a narrow wall space at the end of our kitchen cabinet area.

I designed my own version of the popular ribbon message boards using  C & T Publishing's Fast 2 Fuse (fusible) interfacing.  Here's another link for online purchases.  This product is a hefty fusible interfacing that can be cut to any size and even shaped into bowls and other vessels with heat.

The concept is really simple and you can customize it for any space.  

1.  Cut a piece of medium or heavy weight Fast 2 Fuse 1/2" larger than the desired finished size.

2.  Cut two pieces of fabric to fit the cut board shape.

3.  Fuse the wrong side of one fabric piece to the board, work out wrinkles if necessary.  NOTE: be sure to cover your pressing service with a Teflon press cloth to prevent the back side of the Fast 2 Fuse from fusing to your ironing board.

4.  Now cut narrow strips of Fast 2 Fuse in appropriate lengths to create a grid design to fit your size board, PLUS about an extra 1" length for each one.  (I cut the fusbile 1/4" wide)  Cut narrow strips (a generous 1/2" wide) of fabric in lengths to fit each piece. Fuse with the fabric just meeting on the wrong side of each piece of Fast 2 Fuse.

5.  Position the fabric strips onto the fabric side of the 'board', seam side down, and tack them at each intersection and end by machine, hand sewing, OR....do as I did, use beads to hold them in place.  I call this 'bead applique'.  The material is now quite firm so you'll need to work a bit when hand stitching on the beads....but it's doable and worth the effort!

6.  Next, fuse the 2nd piece of fabric to the wrong side (this finishes the back and hides/protects all the stitching).  Trim the piece to your desired size.  (Remember you cut it larger....which now allows the opportunity to straighten and tidy up the edges.)

7.  Prepare and machine stitch a double fold binding to the outside edges, just as if you were binding a quilt.  I hand stitched the folded edge to the wrong side, but you could machine sew it.

8.  Bead the outside edge of the binding using one of the many edging stitches in my book, "BEADING BUDDY'.

9. Attach a fabric sleeve to the back or two small curtain rings if the piece is small.

Detail of the beaded intersections and binding.

This piece appeared as part of a C & T exhibit 3 years ago in Houston.

Here's a detail of another one I made for a friend to hold pictures.  For a quicker approach, I used narrow grosgrain ribbon, attached with beads, instead of fabric covered strips.  And a wider ribbon was machine stitched to act as the binding. 

Have fun getting your life decoratively organized.

CLEVER WEDDING INVITATION

I've been MIA lately due to a teaching trip and the fact that 'the husband' and I spend most of our free time doctoring lately.  Hopefully.....we are back on track.

I've actually been doing some stitching.....but can't share photos as they are gifts......

Thought this wedding invitation was so clever....our son's brother-in-law is marrying a darling gal in Argentina...where they both now live.  The wedding celebration is expected to go into the wee and I mean wee hours of the morning.  Apparently that's the custom.  We would have loved to attend, but neither of our backs could handle that 12+ hr. long plane ride.

What a wonderful way for everyone to have a little part of the happy memories.

Southern Hospitality

I've just returned from the Heart of Trial Quilt Guild, outside of Winston-Salem, NC.  Southern Hospitality is alive and well!  I'm ready to be adopted by this group!

There were 26 eager students taking my beading basic workshop and a very full audience at the lecture. Unfortunately,  I was late getting my camera out during show and tell.....but......

Here's an example of their skill, thanks Karen for allowing me to share this fabulous quilt with my readers.  I loved it!!

HEADING OUT TO TEACH

I'm heading out to the Heart of Triad Quilt Guild for a Mon. evening presentation:  Let It Shine.....this educational and inspirational lecture's focus is beading on fiber.

During the day we'll be having fun learning to basic beading techniques.....this is an example of just some of the stitches the students will learn.

More workshop info can be reviewed on my website.

SOCK MONKEY

I'm sorry for the poor quality of this photo due a camera that doesn't have anti-vibration necessary for low lighting situations.  BUT.....I just HAD to share the cutest Halloween costume I've ever seen.

It was 'the husband's' birthday yesterday.....his Mom always used to say children's birthdays with all the typicial activity, plus ice cream and cake  AND Halloween with its  typicial hyper activities, plus all that candy does not make for a good nightime for any Mom.

To celebrate the day, we had dinner out......all the staff were in holiday mood!  This young waitresses crocheted  her own sock money costume, including a tail......I LOVED her huge red lips....she even made her slippers and socks.  What fun......