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Showing posts from 2021

Word for the Year/Month

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 A while back I mentioned that I had done word for the year.  My word was focus and it really helped me to do just that.  I was thinking how beneficial that had been and that I would like to choose a word again but this time I am thinking of one per month.  I will put all them together into a journal at the end of 2022.  To start the year I am choosing ENERGY.  I do not think of myself as a terribly energetic person as sitting and stitching is one of my favourite things to do.  I would like to change my energy levels in a number of areas.   I have pencilled in the letter shapes on this gorgeous piece of fabric.  It already has a lot of energy built into it!.  I plan to fill in each letter with stitching/beading.  This is a flimsy fabric so I will have to back it with something sturdy.  I am excited to get stitching into this!  Bring on the energy! I am linking to  http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/  where she is also thinking about a word a year.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I have made a bit of progress on this mandala.  The purple fabric base looks really grey in this photo, just like the last time.  To be fair the purple is a very grey purple but this is really not capturing it at all.  Still, I like the fabric as a base as it really lets the metallic threads sparkle.  That makes me happy.  Sparkle is always good.  I want to add as much sparkle and joy to this world as I can.  Would that we all put as much grace and beauty into this world!

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I have started another mandala.  I cut a kirigami shape and used it as a mask.  This fabric was originally plain white.  Yesterday was a quiet day for us, which was welcome after all the festivities this past month and there are still more to come.  I used that quiet day to watch Christmas movies and stitch some beads on this newest creation.  There will definitely be more stitching done today.  The only other thing that must be done is take down our Christmas.  This tree has been the worst we have ever had.  It is dropping needles in showers.  I am not excited for the mess it will make being taken down.  Oh well, it has to be done and there will still be plenty of time for stitching. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Merry Merry Merry

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I am choosing to sprinkle a little fairy dust today.  This is the fairy princess that stars in the children's book I have written.  She is full of sparkles and joy.  It seems to me that is just what we all need.  I particularly like her sparkling hair.  I kind of want to put some glitter in my hair!   May your holidays be filled loving connections.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/  

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 Oh so many years ago I bought some Kreinik threads.  It was long before I had started this blog and it must have been a kit of sorts.  There was a lovely collection of threads and fabric and instructions for these Christmas patterns.  The patterns are ever so simple and that is the only reason I feel that I managed to finish them.  I think I did a decent job of stitching these but they have languished in my stitching trunk.  I am pondering what to do with them.  The two ideas that are most appealing to me right now are a Christmas crazy quilt block or a Christmas journal of sorts.  Neither of which would be started before this Christmas so there is no rush to finish.  
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  ​ The Guest House ​ This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. ​ A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. ​ Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. ​ The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. ​ Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. ​ ​ by Rumi ​

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 This encrusted embroidery is such a fun playground!  My aim is to fill it with mainly circular stitches.  Of course, there have to be other stitches that fill in the gaps.  I am hoping to have very little of the base fabric showing.  I am not quite sure how I will accomplish that when I get close to the hoop.  I guess I will figure it out.   May all your holidays be filled with joy! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Snowflake quilt

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 I made this little snowflake quilt a while ago.  I thought it was finished at the time.  I am using it in my children's book and felt it needed to be a bit more sparkly.  I have added some more gems to it and now I am satisfied.  I never tire of sparkle.  It is maybe a little unreasonable that this grown woman is made so happy by some shimmering bit but I am okay with that.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I am closing in on the finish line for my book.  This is my lovable oaf of a pup Banksy.  He is a loving and encouraging companion in the story.  I am excited for my granddaughter to hold the book in her hands.  I truly hope she feels love.
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  “Joy is but the sign that creative emotion is fulfilling its purpose.” ( Charles du Bois )

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 My mandala has progressed.  Not a lot of progress but that's okay.  I am enjoying the slow stitching and know it will get finished eventually.  No need to rush.  I am confident in my ability to finish things.  That wasn't always the case.  I used to be a bit of a butterfly flitting from one thing to the next.  Years ago I adopted a word for the year.  The word was focus.  It served me very well and now I am able to stay with projects much longer.  Usually to the finish.  There are always projects that need to sit for a while.  Sometimes they just need to perk before I can finish them. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Snowflake Quilt

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 I made this small quilt a number of years ago.  I wasn't completely happy with it at the time.  I came across it yesterday while looking through my work.  I have added some more snowflakes to it and that has improved it.  I am still considering whether to add some more small snowflakes to it.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

A meaningful gift

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 This past Saturday my grandaughter, Juniper and I shared a lovely moment.  I was ever so lightly scratching her back and she told me to do her arms, then her neck, etc.  She sighed and said 'Oh, Gogo, I love you.'  Gogo is our name for grandmother.  I was pleased to have made her so happy.  Who doesn't love making a little child happy!  The next day she came over with a gift for me.  She packaged up a pencil, pencil crayon, crayon and a small piece of purple string which is in the little purse.  Oh, my heart melted.  This is one of the best gifts I have ever been given!  It brings tears to my eyes that this sweet little girl would want to share her art supplies with me.   I will treasure it always.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 Oh, stitch play is so good for my soul.  I am pleased with the progress I have made on this one.  I am trying to stay with circle-based stitches but that isn't possible when it comes to the knocks and crannies.  Finding the right threads, buttons and beads is always a delightful part of the process for me.  I am so very blessed to have such a good stash.  I want to look up some more stitches to give a try.  The dimensional ones are calling to me.  

I heart Photography

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 This year has been uneventful to say the least.  There have been only a few art submissions and sadly most of them were declined.  It gets rather old not having my work accepted.  However, I am resilient and have a persistent devotion to my art and creativity.  Last week, I happily received the information that my above photo has been accepted to be displayed at Waterloo Park Promenade.  They will print it on a banner and hang it.  And they pay me!  It feels good. I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I have started yet another mandala.  I believe I won't be using any beads on this one but I may change my mind.  Sparkling threads can be just a good as beads.  The base fabric is purple but the photograph looks rather muddy.  I am enjoying figuring out the right stitch to do next.  There are so many potentials.  The same could be said of my thread choices.  I love going through my massive stash of thread.  All the colours make me as happy as a kid in a candy store. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Embroidered Landscape

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 This cheery little landscape is a joy to work on as the days are short and grey.  As usual, I have a number of projects on the go.  This one is primarily to use up the last bits of thread on a needle.  I also enjoy trying out new stitches or practising ones I haven't done in a while.  I enjoy seeing it progress but I am in no hurry to finish it.  It is truly a slow stitching project. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Experimentation

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 One thing leads to another.  There seem to be endless possibilities when it comes to creativity.  So delightful!  While playing with the Angelina fibres I wondered if it would be possible to trap a kirigami piece between two layers.  It worked wonderfully well I am happy to say.  I believe I will be able to stitch this to a fabric base.  It will be an interesting start to a mandala!

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I watched a short video about Angelina fibres and was inspired to get mine out.  I have a lovely collection and enjoyed playing with them again.  I used a shell stamp to create the above piece.  The details didn't turn out perfectly but I think it is obvious what it is.  I attached it to my mermaid crazy quilt block and think it works quite well.  I will definitely be doing some further experimentation.

Embellished kirigami

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 Inspiration has hit and I am having a good play with my kirigami pieces.  This time I sprinkled some glitter on these pieces.  I find myself wanting to sprinkle that stuff on everything!  Oh yes, my five-year-old self is in the house.  I am happy to let her out to play.  Maybe I am being like an ostrich burying its head in the sand except I am a grown woman burying my head in glitter!

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I admire Sharon Boggon and her stitching.  She does beautiful work and I have long wanted to do some stitching that emulates her work.  I dove into that project this week.  So much fun!  The fabric is a beautiful piece of silk that was gifted to me.  The colour of said silk is not really typical of the palette I use.  So it is perfect for this as not much of it will be seen when all is finished. I do love the sound of stitching through silk.  Is that a bit weird?  I don't care if it is. This is a fun project to play with colour and texture.  It won't take long to fill the hoop.  I was asked what am I going to do with it.  I actually don't have a clue at this point.  I am just enjoying doing it.  Does it have to be anything?   I am linking to . https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Finished

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 This hand-painted delicate silk fabric won't handle a lot of beading.  I have tried to keep the stitching to silk threads and ribbons and not a lot of beading.  I have added some white shimmery thread to some of the white parts of the design.  The thread is fine and not terribly noticeable but that is what I was going for.  This was a fun mandala to design.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I am inching ever closer to having my book finished.  I have a few fabric illustrations that I am not completely happy with.  I have been working on making them better.  This rabbit needed eyebrows.  That makes all the difference for me.  Unfortunately, I have splattered a bit of purple paint on it.  The blob on the left isn't so bad as I can crop it out of the photo.  There is a small dot on the left ear and I am not sure what to do about that.  I am leary to try to wash it out as it could just spread it and make it bigger.  Plus the fabric is velvet so that is an issue.  What to do!

Embellished Kirigami

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 I have been cutting kirigami shapes for many years.  Why in the world has it taken me this long to think of applying some transfer foil to them?  The shimmer and shine of this hologram transfer foil makes this grown woman unreasonably happy.  I want to put it on everything!

I heart Macro Photograph

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“Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.” — Deborah Chaskin I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/  

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I have made progress on my mermaid CQ block.  Under the sea themes have so much potential for colour and texture.  So fun!  I have so many wonderful textured yarns that work perfectly for this.  It would be easy to go overboard with them.  This block probably doesn't need a lot more but it certainly is finished yet. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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  I have been playing with Kaleidoscope Kreator again.  It is such a fun program.  I photographed some kirigami paper cuts and then played with that photo in Kaleidoscope Kreator.  I absolutely love the design that I came up with.  It is so bright and cheerful.  I have printed it onto some mulberry paper.  The colours are not as vivid which is kind of disappointing.  It is still good though and I do plan to try stitching into it.  I will adhere the paper to fabric to stabilize it first.  

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I finished up this mandala/kaleidoscope this week.  The silk fabric is printed with one of my kaleidoscope fabrics and therefore did not require a lot of stitching/beading.  I think I found the right amount.  I mainly used bigger sequins and beads as small ones would get lost in the busy pattern. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Snowflake Journal

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 I have a little snowstorm going on in my studio this week.  I have created a snowflake journal and I am enjoying it immensely.  It is fun for me to go through my massive stash and find just the right things.  I have some beautiful printed papers that I have added.  I have some hand-decorated papers that I have included.  It feels really good to use them up.  I have purchased numerous beautiful snowflake stickers over the years and included them.  The page pictured above is a pop-up page that includes some of those stickers.  Although I guess technically they are not stickers as I had to add the glue. I am not sure what else to call them.  

More Mandalas

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 I am curious as to how many mandalas I have created over the years.  I know I have done 365 coffee filter mandalas, maybe more.  I have a couple of altered books filled with mandalas.  I got out the art journal I recently finished and counted 73 mandalas in it.  Some are small and most are not elaborate.  The photo above is a fair sampling of what's in that journal.  I think most of these were doodled while in a boring zoom meeting.  I wonder if I should go through other journals to count the mandalas in them.  Maybe not, too many journals to go through.

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I am pleased with the progress of this mandala.  The silk fabric is a delight to stitch into.  Oh, how I love silk.  I must do a mandala on silk fabric with only silk threads.  That would be a joy.  I actually have three mandalas on the go right now and all three are on silk fabric.  I think some beads would look good on this mandala, beads almost always look good!  However, I had kind of wanted to just have stitching on this one.  I am not sure why or if I will stick to that because the beads are calling to me.  Plus this silk is robust enough to handle some beads. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Crazy quilt block

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 This block is just plain fun for me.  The mermaid tail has just the right amount of shimmer to make me happy.  The colours are my go-to colours.  I do try to branch out from my preferred colour palette but that seems like an exercise in frustration.  I am rarely happy with the result.  I actually prefer to do that sort of exploration with my paper mandalas.  The disappointment isn't quite as tragic as the time invested isn't as substantial. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I started a new sketchbook last month.  I plan to use it for just mandalas.  I am pretty happy with this one.  I can imagine printing it on fabric but then what would I do with it.  It already has a lot going on so it doesn't need stitching or beading.  Whatever, I will continue to enjoy making mandalas because it makes me happy.  I keep telling myself they don't have to be for any other reason.

Experimenting with my needle felter

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 It has been a while since I have played with my needle felting machine.  I watched  Dale Rollerson  on Youtube and was inspired.  Of course, I couldn't copy her exactly.  My brain always comes up with a slightly different way to do things.  I got out my baggie full of bits of threads and laid them onto a piece of wool.  I then covered that with a dryer sheet that I hand-dyed and then needle felted it all together.  I am quite pleased with the texture that this achieved.  I know stitching into this is going to be lovely.  I don't quite know what I will stitch but that idea will come.

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 I have made some beading progress on this piece.  The silk feels SO good.  I printed the design from one of my photos.  I feel a bit bad that I have used that expensive printer so very little. I need to print more fabric or sell it.  I so enjoy the beading process and need to figure out the next step for this one.  The fabric is already pretty busy so it probably doesn't need a lot more beads. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Hand dyed doilies

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 Oh, this project has been languishing for a while.  I don't care to say specifically how long.  I hand dyed the doilies and now I want to attach them to a quilt.  I keep muddling over the layout of them.  There are two that don't quite fit in so I may have to dye some more.  Possibly I have some more already dyed.  I need to go digging to see what I can find.  Stitching these down will be rather mindless once I decide where they will go.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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 I am inching ever closer to having my book finished.  This lovable pup is very close to right but not quite.  I still am not sure about his face.  Getting the face right is so hard, she whined.  I think I know what I need to do to fix it though.  I have made really good progress on the writing as well.  My attention span for writing is rather short but I keep plugging away it.

Seascape

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 This one is really close to being finished.  I have added some Ring knots, pink in the middle and yellow on the right edge.  You can find instructions for Ring knot at    https://queeniepatch.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunday-stitch-school-lesson-190-ring.html    I must admit when first reading the instructions they were not gelling in my head.  I had to pick up my needle and thread actually start stitching it before I completely understood.  I do love this stitch and will definitely be adding it to other pieces. 

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 It has been a while since I have posted about this silk mandala.  The progress has been rather slow.  I don't have a problem with slow, well mostly.  I want to add more beads.  I am pondering where to put them at this point.  It doesn't need a lot more stitching so it will be finished in the near future. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Celebrate yourself!

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  “If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world,” said  Bruce Barton , “it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other living creature.” I have been thinking about individuality a lot lately.  Well, always.  It seems to me that conformity is being subtly enforced upon us.  Cars come in black, white, grey and sometimes red or blue.  You really have to search for red or blue.  When you drive past a new subdivision is a great sea of beige.  I rarely go to a shopping mall but went with my husband a short while back. The clothing shops offered all the same colours for winter, the same as the cars.  I won't be going back anytime soon. Obviously, these are not the things that make us individuals.  However, they are the things that reflect an expression of ourselves.  If I were not an artist I would feel stifled.  Is it because I am an artist that I am bothered by all t

Blue hodge podge

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 I have been saving bits and pieces for a while.  Mostly silks and hand-painted/dyed pieces.  Even the smallest scrap seems too precious to toss.  I started sewing them down not really knowing where it would take me.  I just wanted to use them up.  It certainly doesn't look like much at this point.  That's okay, I can envision it all coming together.  I have pondered treating it like a crazy quilt but I am not totally sure that would work.  I was also thinking it could be a book cover.  My newest idea is to turn it into a lake where a dragonfly can land.  So many possibilities! I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I am working out from the Catherine Wheel stitch in the middle.  I am using simple stitches that I know by heart.  The aim is to make this mandala as interesting as I can with these simple stitches.  I keep debating if I should add beads.  I am leaning towards it, big surprise.  Probably not a lot of beads though.  

I heart photography

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 I am continually amazed at the little gems I come across on my weekly walks with a friend.  I have a lovely neighbourhood where we walk.  There is so much character in this old neighbourhood.  Friendly neighbours and beautiful flowers make walking here a delight. I am linking to http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/ http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/ http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/

Slow Stitching Sunday

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 There actually isn't a lot of stitching on this little fairy princess.  She has taken a fair amount of noodling time to get this far so definitely slow.  The skirt is not stitched together as yet as it needs a bit of fiddling.  I am happy with my choice to go with pink glitter hair.  That also needs a bit of work but not much.  She is going to be the main character in my book.  Hard to believe I have been working on this book for so long.  Mind you, I did take a pretty long break from it.  I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/  

Kaleidoscope

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                                                                                                                                                                             I love playing with Kaleidoscope Kreator.  I had a lovely chat with my sister yesterday.  I enjoyed seeing her journal that included some of her kaleidoscopes and that spurred me to create another.  I used a photo of one of my crazy quilt projects and manipulated it.  Now I want to take photos of some of the fabulous sari fabrics I have collected.  They should make spectacular kaleidoscopes.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Stop and smell the roses

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 Gosh, I don't know how many years ago I created this collaged journal.  It was definitely before I started this blog.  The pages are filled with collages and quotes.  I pulled this one out yesterday to look through it.  This page struck me as I had been on a walk with a friend and we saw a number of roses in bloom.  Yes, I did stop to smell them.  They were heavenly.  Also, a friend sent me a photo of a rose she had seen on a walk.  It made me wonder if there was a message in the roses for me.  I looked up the symbolism of a rose and it is ' God's love at work in the world'.  

Unicorn Journal

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 It is probably completely childish of me to be making a unicorn journal but it is making me happy.  It is full of unicorns, sparkles and encouraging quotes.  My journal is a place of solace,  a retreat into creativity.  Long ago I gave up giving my attention to the propaganda machine known as news media.  The negativity is overwhelming.  Spending my time creating something beautiful is far more productive.  Cheers to all my creative friends who are making this world a better place!!