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Showing posts from 2019

End of the year, end of the decade

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I am not overly sentimental when it comes to the end of the year but it doesn't hurt to reflect.  Over the past years, I have grown a lot as an artist.  I can now call myself an artist with confidence.  My work has been accepted into many shows.  I am teaching on a regular basis and that feels good.  Most recently I have had people coming to me and asking me to exhibit!  So cool not have to jump through hoops!  I am excited to think what the next year and decade may bring!

I heart Macro

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I have been asked to do a projection of kaleidoscope photos.  The projection will be on display at a gallery in Waterloo for three weeks starting at the end of January.  I love my kaleidoscope photos and I am thrilled they are being recognized!  I also excited that I will paid for this display! I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com

Slow Stitching Sunday

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My bead journal for December is finished.  I was glad to have a work shift yesterday to get caught up on my beading!  The holidays can really mess with my time for creating!  This beaded mandala/kaleidoscope was fun to create.  The possibilities are endless. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/ https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Another Button Finish

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This mandala was done a while back but needed the edges finished.  I really do like using buttons to create a frame around a piece.  Methodically stitching on the buttons was rather mindless but just what I needed.  Plus, I wanted this piece finished for January.  I have been 'ASKED' to participate in a local show!  So delightful to be asked!  The first half of this year I had numerous declines.  I try to not let that discourage me but declines almost always cause some self-doubt. Over the summer I decided I simply need to stop trying so hard to get into shows.  That I will let things come to me and only apply to be in shows that don't have a lot of hoops to jump through.  This has been working well for me.  This piece will be at Martin Luther College for the show entitled Joy in January.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/ https://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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Work in progress indeed.  Slow progress.  I find myself just wanting to zone out and not with stitching right now.  The drama of Christmas this year has been so much and I am oh so tired of it.  Normally, the stitching would feel soothing to me.  I have spent more time with my sketchbooks of late.  I am not completely sure why.   I wonder if I will be able to get this block done by the end of the month.  I just can't find the energy to stress about it.  What will be, will be. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This beaded mandala I stitched a while ago.  All that was left to finish it was the outer edge.  I struggle with that area.  I can't do straight for the life of me!  So, I experiment with different ways of finishing.  I am quite happy with the way I framed this one with buttons.  I have a good stash of buttons which is a really good thing when you need this many black buttons.  I will definitely do this again!  I need to go digging for dark blue buttons for another a piece.  I may need to hit some thrift stores! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Bead Journal

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I am making some progress on my bead journal.  It is a bit hard to make the time for stitching right now.  Tis the season!  I am usually more on top of things than I am this year.  Somehow everything will get done.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I am playing around with an idea.  I have a number of pieces that feature this tree shape.  This one started out much larger and was not working at all.  I have cut it down and prefer it that way.  I am thinking of creating a book with my tree pieces.  I want to write a story for my grandchildren and use my fibre art as the illustrations for the story.  I think it could be really fun and turn into something special. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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So nice to be able to participate in  TAST  again.  The Raised Cup stitch is a good stitch.  I added beads to mine and really like the way it turned out.  I might add this to another project I am working on. 

I heart Macro

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"To hide the key to your heart is to risk forgetting where you placed it." ~ Timothy Childers I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This is the start of my crazy quilt project for December.  I am doing it the same way I did last month.  I have chosen a block that I inherited from my husband's Aunt Pat.  She had done most of the embroidery on it but there was still more to do to finish it.  I am choosing to finish the block in my own way.  I have added laces and paint.  I have stitched on a few sequins.  There is still lots more to do.  I better get at it!  December is pretty busy.  I am linking up to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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This is the last of my water experiments.  I have started putting them into my altered book and I have found that the book is already bulging.  I think it is going to look really cool once it is all finished. This six-inch square has some paper pulp added to it.  I mixed in some glue to make sure it adheres.  I added some Brusho crystals and then some beads. It has been a fun little series of experiments.  I will post photos of the book once I have it all put together. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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This is the start of my bead journal project for December.  Big surprise, another mandala.  I just don't tire of them.  There is still a lot of white space on this.  I may need to add more colour with Inktense pencils before I start beading it. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This is my crazy quilt block for November.  I tried a new technique and I love it.  Pretty sure I will do something similar for December.  The base of the block is an inherited block from my Aunt Pat.  She had done most of the embroidery of the preprinted block but not all of it.  I wanted to figure out a way to use the block but not cover over all her beautiful stitching.  I think this works.  You can the lovely yellow roses she stitched and my stitching only enhanced it.  I am quite pleased with my garden.  I hope everyone feels the sense of joy that I do. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

November Bead Journal

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Hmm, now I am wondering if this piece needs more beads.  I was thinking it is finished.  I don't like to dither but deciding when something is finished can be a challenge for me.  I am not loving this piece at the moment.  I doesn't make me say 'oh wow' but I am not sure what I would add to it.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I have started another slow stitching project.  I couldn't resist!  This piece I created with crayons and watercolour crayons in the summer.  I am now adding stitching to it.  Such joy!  I was working on it at my regular part-time job last night.  My boss came by and commented that it makes him happy.  It is so great to have a boss who is supportive of my art!  It would be an excruciatingly boring job if I couldn't work on my stitching. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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I did both stitches this week.  They both work perfectly for the piece that I am working on right now.   Open base needlewoven picot  instructions and  Raised Cross Stitch Flower stitch  instructions are generously given to us by Sharon B. 

I heart Macro

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I am enamoured with my kaleidoscope photos.  I love that I have come up with a unique way to create them.  People often ask me how I create them and I am not willing to share.  I think some artistic ideas are not meant to be shared.  Last month I signed a contract to have some of my kaleidoscope photos be on a digital display on top of my city's City Hall.  How cool is that! I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com

Look what I threw together

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It has been a busy week but I have made a bit of time to play around.  I bought a beautiful piece of grey duponi silk from a thrift store this week.  I couldn't resist for $3.00 but I do have a rule for myself.  I am required to use any fabric I bring home in a reasonable amount of time.  I try not to buy a lot of fabric since my stash is monstrous.  Whose isn't?  I got the fabric wet and started sprinkling Brusho powders onto it.  The colours spread beautifully and I achieved the impression of a garden which is what I had hoped to do.  The Brusho crystals are not likely permanent and I am okay with that.  I have no intention of washing it. This is kind of a large piece for me.  It is approximately 30 x 20 inches.  Is it weird that I am thinking that this will be a book page?  That I want to make a giant book? I am excited to start stitching into this but it will have to wait until a couple of other things are done first. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspo

Work in Progress Wednesday

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This slow stitching project is such a delight to me. It is tempting to rush it and put a deadline on it.  I do not want to do that though.  Adding to it here and there is relaxing and enjoyable.  I don't need any more deadlines at the moment! I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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My latest beaded mandala creation is coming along.  There are still a lot of ideas to explore with this one and I am enjoying every bit of it.  I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Making Progress

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I am really enjoying stitching this piece.  There is still more to do but it is really coming together.  The addition of the butterflies, ladybug and dragonfly really work well.  More flowers and leaves need to created/added.  I love my little garden and that my hands didn't have to get dirty to create! I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I am still playing with my six-inch square water experiments.  I scrunched up white fabric after adding turquoise paint.  I let it dry while scrunched up.  I love the wrinkles/texture and the way the paint pooled in some areas.  I added some cellophane and dyed paper towel.  I also added a bit of stitching.  I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I have made some progress on this piece.  I think it is starting to take shape.  I am trying to think of more ways to add some flower shapes.  I don't want to cover up the two yellow roses that were stitched by my Aunt.  That usually causes me difficulties, not wanting to cover up something.  The area becomes too precious and then it doesn't fit with the rest of the work.  I am still puzzling over that.  I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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It is fun for me to go through my vast stash of fabrics.  I have truly gorgeous material with which to work.  I picked out a couple of silks and a sari fabric to create this little collage.  I added beads and called it finished.  These little water experiments are quick and easy. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandala Meditation

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I can really get lost in doodling these mandalas.  It is so relaxing to me.  They are far from perfect and I just don't care.  Can you read the word that I created on this one?

Work in Progress Wednesday

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It doesn't look like much yet but this is the start of my bead journal for November.  There is a lovely shimmer to the paint I used to stencil.  I haven't had the chance to add many beads yet. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

I heart Macro

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“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.” –  Bryant McGill I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com

Slow Stitching Sunday

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This is my crazy quilt block for October.  I know, it isn't exactly a crazy quilt piece.  That's okay.  I love to push boundaries.  For this block, I stole ideas from two artists I really like.  Van Gogh and Klimt are the artists.  Can you recognize their influence?  This block was a lot of fun to create.  Did I mention I love to push boundaries? I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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I am still playing with my six inch square water experiments.  These little pieces are all going to be going into a book form.  Or at least that is the plan at the moment.  This piece is truly mixed media.  I did some hand stitching and then added glass beads in gel, fibre paste, transfer foil, glitter and paint.  I love the sparkle and shine of this piece.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I am having so much fun with this experimental piece.  The colour and texture arehttps://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ making me really happy.  I can definitely see myself exploring this idea more. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I am still stitching away on this piece.  I am enjoying it so much.  I think it is really coming to life. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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I am still playing with my water experiments.  Possibly this piece could use more work.  It is rather simple but not every piece has to be a star.  I did a surface treatment on sheer fabric, pulled some threads to fray that sheer fabric and stitched to the velvet base.  I also added some beading. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I have made some progress on my October crazy quilt block.  I am mainly happy with it.  I don't love the way the transfer foil is looking on the tree.  I will have to redo that.  I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

I heart Macro

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“I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn't impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.” ~ Anaïs Nin I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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There were two things that contributed to my creating this.  First, was learning a new technique.  That does not happen frequently these days.  I have been a fibre artist for over 20 years and I love to research so I have a very broad knowledge base.  Check out the videos starting with this first one  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUYm4pDs40s   I loved the idea of this because of the colour and texture. The second thing that informed the start of this piece is that I did my trunk show this week.  That got me looking at some of my older pieces and reminded me of some lovely stitching/quilting I inherited from my husband's Aunt Pat.  I have repurposed some of that stash that I inherited but I would like to do more of that.  The base of this piece is an embroidered quilt block that Aunt Pat had started but not finished.  I hand-stitched on small pieces of fabric and lace.  In the video, they used dyes and paints next but I wanted to work with my Inktense pencils.  I can never

Water

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Playing around with mixed media is so much fun.  I painted with Inktense pencils, glued and stitched embellishments on to some dupioni silk. 

Work in Progress Wednesday

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It occurred to me that I have not posted about this piece.  I consider it my bead journal for August and September.  How is it that I worked on this for two months and never posted about it?  The seashell is the largest shell that I have ever found on a beach.  I almost didn't keep it because it had lost all it's colour and was only white.  Not very interesting.  However, I do love to rescue/upcycle things so I brought it home from the Bahamas.  I painted it with nail polish and love the way it turned out.  I also painted some large buttons with nail polish for this piece. All the beads, buttons and shells were stitched to hand-dyed wool.  I will be using this piece for an altered book cover.  I am leaning towards putting all of my six-inch square water pieces into this book. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I am absolutely loving the way this piece is turning out!  I discovered the podcast The Hidden Brain on NPR and have been listening to it while I stitch on my beads.  What an enjoyable past time.  At this point, I think I will stop working on this piece.  I am leaning towards calling it finished but want to reserve the right to return to it.  I really can't think of anything more to do on it but that may change.  I do not have to rush. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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Oh, this one was fun to create.  I finally was able to use the funky turquoise fabric that I bought so many years ago.  The textured fabric I added on top of that is interesting but it does make the beading I did hard to see.  I knotted some interesting fibres together and applied them.  I think that idea needs to be pursued further. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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This is the start of my crazy quilt block for October.  I know, it doesn't look very crazy quilt like!  I am okay with that.  I enjoy pushing boundaries.  I am eager to get to the hand stitching part of this. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I have a very good start on my bead journal project for October.  I am so enjoying this.  The beading process is a meditation for me.  Especially, when I stitch a mandala.  I only need to make one decision and then proceed to stitch it around the circle.  Once, that stitching is complete I make the next decision and so on.  I am hoping I can spend some more time stitching today.  I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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I am still plugging away at doing a six-inch square of water each week.  I have over twenty of these pieces now.  I did a paint stick rubbing on silk and then stitched on some funky yarn.  Unfortunately, the sequins on this yarn do not show up.  I love the sparkle and always find it disappointing when the camera doesn't capture it. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Talisman Challenge

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Last spring I signed up for the Talisman Challenge with San Francisco School of Needlework.  I didn't know it at the time but I qualified to receive some upcycled Swarovswki crystals.  I had to agree to send my work to San Francisco if accepted the crystals.  I applied the crystals to the tree shape on this bear.  I love my bear talisman.  For me, it signifies the strong Momma bear to whom I strongly identify.  Don't mess with my kids! This week I found out that this piece has been selected to be in a show in New York City.  How cool is that!  You can see the challenge work at  https://talismanschallengegallery.tumblr.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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My September Crazy Quilt block is finished.  A bit late but that isn't the end of the world.  The fall colours are very pleasing.  I should have stabilized the silk before stitching it.  Silk is lovely to stitch through but it can be unwieldy.  I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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How fun that I can participate in  Take a Stitch Tuesday  again this week.  I used variegated perle cotton by Valdani and beads to do the Whipped Spoke stitch.  This piece will be my bead journal for October.  I am also leaning towards using it for the San Francisco School of Needlework's design challenge.  The challenge is to create something based on healing/reflection.  Such a great topic!

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I have added very simple stitches to this mixed media mandala.  I wouldn't mind adding more but just can't see where to do that.  I will call it finished for now.  I do reserve the right to return to if the inspiration strikes though. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Water

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Oh, this doesn't look very interesting in the photograph.  I guess it is slightly overexposed.  I did this piece with different silks and the camera didn't capture the lovely sheen of the silk either.  No time to take another photograph.  The simple stitching was so relaxing.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Play Day

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My DIL (far left), Marianne and I have been talking about having a fun painting day for quite a while.  This past Saturday we were able to make it happen.  Oh, we had such fun.  My middle son, Jeremy joined in and is a very talented artist.  My granddaughter, Juniper is a budding artist and completely immersed herself in the experience.  I am happy with my piece even though it is quite different for me.   Miriam, a friend, also joined us. We all had a blast together.  We used spray bottles, water guns, fluid acrylic paints and glitter.  The weather was perfect for being messy outside.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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Is it weird how relaxing I find working in circles?  The possibilities are endless and I can get lost in that.  I used a stencil on white fabric to create this one.  There are a couple of areas that did not turn out perfectly and that does not bother me.  I have used mainly surface treatments so far and I am looking forward to adding bead and stitch. I am linking to https://www.quiltfabrication.com/ https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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It has been forever since I have participated in  Take a Stitch Tuesday  with Sharon B.  I didn't do anything particularly clever with the stitch this week.  I do love the Long Tail Chain stitch though.  I was glad to have it brought back to my remembrance.