FOLK ART FLOWERS PROEJCT COMPLETED

My creative time seems to be disappearing lately due to "life"....but I was able to complete a new piece which I blogged about here.

After the hand applique was done, the background was free-motioned machine quilted.  NOT a task I'm comfortable with nor think is fun to do.  But like so much in life....practice is the key, so who knows I may actually look forward to it in the future.

I'd marbled the cotton background awhile ago and combined it with hand-dyed wool which is not an approach I've used before.  This presented a difficult decision about the appropriate edging treatment. After trying many, many options, a facing turned out to be my choice.

However....once it was completed.....(above) it still didn't feel finished so rather than grabbing beads which is my usual solution, small wool squares were added along the two vertical sides.  Now it felt complete.

FOLK ART FLOWERS 20" X 13.5"  © 2014

 AVAILABLE HERE

Artist marbled cotton, hand-dyed wool, machine quilted,

hand embroidered applique.

(click photo to enlarge)

Visit the following to see what other artists have been up to this week:

Nina-Maria Off The Wall Fridays, Sarah's Whoop Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom

FELTED VESSEL - EMBELLISHED

Not long ago I made my first wet felted vessel....a small bowl/vase.

 As seen drying.

 So......I kept wondering whether beads would be a fitting touch.  For regular readers you already know the answer....the decision was yes.  Except for having to deal with the shape, the stitching process was effortless as the thread went through the felted wool like a hot knife through butter.  Not a surprise I guess!

It now feels finished!

ANGEL GOWN GARMENT PROJECT

During my most recent teaching trip Shelley Dawson Hendershot made an announcement to her guild members. She introduced the Angel Gown Garment Project.

The organization is called NICU Helping Hands.  It is based in Fort Worth, Texas and lead by Lisa Grubbs. It was founded in 2010 to create "Family Support for Fragile Beginnings."  The Angel Gown Garments are only a tiny portion of the services they offer families.  The dresses began in 2013 because they recognized the overwhelming need to support families who lost a baby while in the hospital.  Volunteers all over the US turn bridal gowns into Angel Gown Garments. They make both boy and girl gowns in three tiny sizes.  We use bridal gowns because "There's something hopeful about that start of life, about a wedding, and to me, it's that full circle. This child who is so loved by their parents, being wrapped in love by a bride." ~Lisa Grubbs, Founder.

Here are some important links.....I encourage you to take a look and help if you can.  Their website and Facebook page will provide more details.

About Angel Gowns -   
 Sign up as a seamstress

FALL COLOR

Fall 2014....and a view of the antique log cabin on our property... 

MIRACLE IN MIAMI!!!

GREEN BAY PACKERS 27 - MIAMI 24

YEAH......

I'm confident that I have a healthy heart.......what a game!!!

A FALL COLORING BOOK

Fall is here and it's like looking at a box of crayons! 

JAPANESE INFLUENCES - TAKE TWO

Inspired by 3 large USPS boxes containing beautiful Japanese style fabrics gifted to me by my dear friend Helen.....a 2nd lap quilt is born.  Check here to see the first.

 Not only did my friend's fabric give me a huge creative push.....a photo of her own quilt made from the fabrics inspired me further.  What I LOVED about it was the visibility of the print fabric and the simplicity of the patchwork.  For someone who isn't all that keen about piecing....this 3 patch block is a match made in heaven!

The fabric choices are vast, so I was able to select mostly reds, purples, and yellows for this quilt.

JAPANESE INFLUENCES #2  47.5" X 62.5"

NFS

Commercial cotton fabrics, machine quilted

This block is a great way to show off those large prints you've been hoarding.....give it a try!

LAST RACE OF THE YEAR - WHEW!!

While you all may have been enjoying creative stitching time, I on the other hand have endured another car race weekend.  BUT, it's the last one of the year that I will be dragged to!!

This may be more than you want to know about my weekend or car racing.....so feel free to close your browser now.

 A small payoff......Patrick Dempsey, lead actor of Grey's Anatomy - turned race car owner/driver came to the Porscheplatz (hospitality area for members of the Porsche Club of America) for a short chat.  For anyone into racing the fellow to his right is Hurly Haywood.....mucho famous driver.....who has now retired from competitive racing but is now a consultant for Team Dempsey. Yes, Dr. McDreamy is cute in person, however he is a little shrimp....as many race car drivers are.

 If you are still with me.....here's a peak at the Porsche garage.  BTW - these are temorary 'garages' put up and taken down at each race they attend.  And we quilters thought we hauled a lot of 'stuff' to our events!

...swarms of technicians surround the two factory sponsored cars.

 Road Atlanta, the host of the Petit LeMans, was PACKED with spectators..... every imaginable vehicle and some you can't imagine were there.  The majority of folks camp....tents, campers, trailers, mega motor homes and then this creative 'camper'.  We talked to some fellows who got in line 7 days early to get a number (12th in line) which allowed them early access, 4 days before the race began!  At least 'the husband' isn't that crazy!

 And another out of the box camper!

 Like I said.....the place was packed.

 There's an almost circus atmosphere....just prior to the beginning of this 10 hour endurance race....3 sky divers leaped from a plane and handed off a huge American flag from one to another.....landing on the starting grid.  I guess you needed to be there it was....awesome.

And of course there was the race.......which ended at 9:15 PM.  PS.....I don't think I've thawed out yet....it was cold....made more so by the non-stop wind.  

Now.....with a the rest of the week ahead.....I'm looking forward to sewing....

PURPLE AGATE - EMBELLISHED MARBELED PIECE COMPLETED

A stack of marbled fabric printed awhile ago kept calling me.  I blogged about the process here, and here too.  After many, many, and many more enjoyable evenings adding hand embroidery and bead embellishing......it's now finished.

This type of fabric can be challenging to work with.  It's beautiful on its own, yet very busy.....so finding the right combination to 'incorporate' into the design....that doesn't compete with it requires patience....and perhaps 'unstitching' more than I'd like to admit!  (click photo to enlarge)

PURPLE AGATE  10" X 8" -  MARY STORI  © 2014

 AVAILABLE HERE

Artist marbled cotton, hand embroidered, bead embellished, featuring a beautiful purple agate.  Museum wrapped on canvas frame, ready to hang.

Check out what other artists have been up to this week...I'm linking to:

Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Fridays, Sarah's Whoop Whoop Fridays, and Crazy Mom.

Sorry....I can't resist.......Packers 42 - Vikings 10 
We are happy Cheeseheads!!!

FOLK ART FLOWERS

I dug into my stash of marbled fabrics and found one that was fairly tame.....

My eyes kept drifting to the pile of over-dyed Weeks Dye Works wool samples.

 So, of course I combined them.....just a simple fun folk art composition.

........with colorful hand embroidery.  Will there be beads?  How will the background be finished?  hummmmm....don't know yet!!  But, isn't that part of the fun?