Summer

Weekend activities like crab cracking can cut into studio time, but when it is warm and stuffy in there with all that fabric, there are other activities that even the most nutty fiber artist will retire to. Here in the northwest we grab summer with claws because we know all too well the stainless steel skies that hang around sea side locals after these few fleeting months.

There are countless roses to be deadheaded, and I feel really blessed. The left-handed Felco's may work over time to keep the roses flowing. I'm still waiting for "Leda" and it is using up my patience.

The breeze ruffles the sheers and slams a door. Sweet, almost boy band hip hop syncopates soothingly on the system, and my thoughts are optimistic as the butterfly shaped clouds whisk by wanting a taste of my bubbling ginger ale, my drink of choice at times like this.

I accomplished some more free motion quilting on my Whale Horizon, and I am stopped due to one particular thread choice, (I find my vast jumble of noosed thread somehow inadequate in the purple range). I have been thinking of just serging the edges in black thread and calling that a frame??

My home-dec. projects are stacking up. So much to be done; and this mermaid begs for my attention gracefully arching on my design wall anticpating a head of famous hair.

Whale Horizion

This is the latest work. It is one of the pieces that I sun painted/dyed/painted. While painting the fabric I had the free-motion designs in mind and left areas open to thread play. The colors are kind of soft and muted, and even the bright (on the spool) Madeira thread seems to sink in and add the bold but gentle color that I was looking for.

What kind of quilting designs are in a Whale's Horizon? Mountian peaks, sea, trees, foliage, the sun? Stay tuned for the water, which I hope to finish tonight. Why do I seem to blank on quilting motifs when I sit down to the machine?

Today

These grace the table. My bright cheery roses.

And somehow I find that today, for today -

I have everything I want.

Othello's For Friends

The day is summer, but it reminds me of fall. Thankfully the lavender is blooming, and so there is no misconception. It's winter, charcoal dark outside and the seeming pineapple express rages. This day was made for studio time. I can hear the purr of fine stitches made by machine, though the lights are not on, and the machine will not go right now.

It smells of fine chocolate and nuts, and warm lemon cut out cookies. I get little whiffs of lavender still on my hands from picking the blooms to decorate the gifts. The last cookie has been pulled out from baking, and I just feel fortunate to know these women and to be able to bless them with a surprise. Surprises make life- living.

Why is it that rainy days are sew days? I hazard to suspect that it is not because one can't be outside, but rather that it is due to the somber light. It is this tone that make one seek color. And fabric and thread do not disappoint. Artists flock to their stashes and seek fibers to bless the lives of others with.

Do you give away your quilts? Your pieces of art? Do you use your talent to put beauty into this world? To bring resources to those who are in need?

There is movement in the rain which affects the soul willingly. Almost as if the ringed puddles could be permanent; not etched on cedar or grass. These days seem long and slowing.

HOO YA MASTER CHIEF!

IT'S CLEAN.
The counter anyways.
I know you want to cut on it.



I couldn't resist: they are wearing wedges and plaid pants, and a scarf- the precursor to dew rag hip. I will make the blue number and pray for some metallic wedges with hemp braid and ties up the ankle and then stumble across a wide plastic bracelet. . .


A bound washcloth made using a serged terrycloth square. I stitched it with a walking foot and a triple step zig-zag for durability.

And the best for last- this *WOW* halter dress number was acquired for less than the price of a spool of thread. Five minutes of repairs with thread I happened to have on hand, and I have a piece that fits as though it was custom fitted. It's not ready made, I can tell by the construction, but well done. I'm so thrilled with this, it must have been meant. . . for me.

The Rose Wristlet

This is the embroidery that I used from the CreativeDRAWings(r) cd, and now the wristlet is finished! It was done on microfiber faux suede and is fully lined and zippered with fringe applied on the bottom edge, ribbon is used to make a wrist loop and zipper pull. You may see it here soon? I have put the software instructions at the end of my post if anyone is interested.


Here are some glimpses of the process:







This was a fun little project, and a great use of those embroidered squares that people can sometimes wonder what to do with beside making a quilt. I like the not just embroidering on cotton idea.


Well, today is the day that I put in my hour of cleaning the studio, I want to use this white polka dotted red sheer sometime soon and will need the cutting counter for precision. I am mustering up the courage to cut out my pattern for the storage towers later when all is done today.

Rose Wristlet Software Instructions:
Double Click the Creative DRAWings desktop shortcut to the open the software.
Click Create New
Click From Embroidery
Select Design Folder
Open the folder 01
Open the folder Roses
Select & open Tres rosas
Choose fabric type
Select Finish
Using the Rectangle Selection tool Click and drag over an area to highlight any areas that you may want to change the color of the design. ( The display models yellow roses with green stems and buds). When selected click on a color from your palette to insert the color change. Clicking on areas with this tool selected will highlight spaces to make color changes possible.
When finished with any changes select File, Save as, and choose the format you would like to save as.

Vogue 2939

Carolyn showed this on her blog!

OH MY GOSH! I could do it.