Snowmen at Sandra's Open Studio

 Last Saturday, my friend and I drove to Cambridge to Sandra's Open Studio to have some mixed media fun! Inspired by a Cloth paper Scissors article on Snowmen, we made our own characters. Several had fasinators! (royal family hats). Here are the results!

My friend Marie created the snow lady with the purple fasinator.

The whole crew!

Marie is working so hard!

My gold accented snowman under construction!

I added a hat with a BIRD on it.

First time I used my new i phone 5 camera! ( my early Christmas present!)

Sandra's Open Studio

Cloth Paper Scissors Doodle Challenge

"Stitch a Doodle"

My entry to the Art Supply Doodle Challenge with Cloth Paper Scissors

I was inspired by the Machine Lace I was making for my class at my Guelph Embroidery Group.

I used my fabric colour green and some scraps of fabric that I stitched down. I used both hand and machine stitching. I then made my sewing machine on organza between dissolvable stabilizer. I added additional embroidery to cover other colours since it was a one colour challenge. You can see it on the Cloth Paper Scissors website under Galleries -  Readers' Challenges. CPS

Machine Embroidery

Sample 1
Cut yarns under chiffon, and fancy machine stitches

 Learning Machine Embroidery at CEGG Class

Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph

Teacher: Judy Eckhardt

The last 12 weeks I have been exploring the wonderful world of machine embroidery. Every other week we tried new techniques using our machines. The best advice I have for any one trying machine embroidery is to know how your machine works. It is also helpful to feel comfortable with free motion embroidery.

Sample two:  cut yarns and organza under tulle, free motion embroidery

For this sample I used some hand embroidered spirals using a back stitch and chain stitch. This piece will make a smashing book cover.

Sample Three:   cut fabrics under tulle, free motion zigzag

I cut away a piece for an ATC and I tried making a tree using just zigzag.

Samples for Lesson 4: Machine Lace,  stitching on wash- a -way badgemaster layered with organza

This technique is addictive.

Samples using just badgemaster only on the leaf and with a square of silk layered on

More leaf samples using organza and badgemaster. Variegated threads are very effective.

Another sample using the wash-a-way badgemaster and two layers of tulle

Last sample making machine embroidered trees in a hoop with badgemaster and tulle

A work in progress!

The ATC made for an exchange using machine embroidery techniques I learned.

Leah was the recipient of my card.

Finally, ta da!

I was inspired by a piece of fibre art in an old Stitch magazine. ( from the U.K.)

The background is chopped silk, cotton and organza pieces machine embroidered using  badgemaster.

The flowers are fused using silk fabrics. It was then machine stitched with hand embroidered accents.

I am eager to make several of these flower inspired pieces.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the possibilities of machine embroidery and lace. 

Open Juried Show at the MIlton Centre for the Arts

La Maison Des Fleurs

Side View of Wisteria

A week ago was the Opening reception for the Open Juried Show for the Fine Arts Society of Milton. I entered this 3D piece that was a published challenge piece for the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors.

I also entered my Rose Journal, a mixed media book. I was thrilled when both of my pieces were juried in!

On Thursday I took my time going over to the show, not knowing the committee was waiting for me. To my surprise I won second place for a 3D art piece! The jurors comments were darling about my tiny piece of art.

If you get a chance to go to the show at the MCA, please go. There are at least 6 pieces of Fibre Art and many more wonderful painting, photographs, and other media. The show is on until January 6th. Milton Centre for the Arts 

Studio Tour Back in September

 This is a collection of my petite collages to embellish my art cards for sale at this year's Studio Tour.

 This is my close friend Sandra talking and demonstrating how to do a mixed media canvas. I love going to Sandra's Open Studio for relaxation and art making.

 This is Kelly discussing her art with my friend Marie. Kelly interviewed me for Art and Soul on Cogeco TV. Marie is an accomplished watercolour painter.

 This Joan at her display of awesome art. I now own one of her masterpieces and she owns one of mine!

 This is one of my display tables at the Nassagaweya Art and Tennis center. We had a truly awesome venue and a very profitable weekend. I met and talked with many people interested in my art.

Finished cards die cut to look like tags. I make little collages with embroidery and mount them on a page of text from a 1904 dictionary! I add ribbons on the top and sign my name under the vintage text. I had made over 100 collages made while listening to TV.

I hope to have more time to blog and catch up on my art activities. 

Outreach for my Group of Eight, Fibre Art Journals

 Bird Journal

Close Up of my embellished bird.

A mixed media cover made from paper towel, paint, and stitched on a stabilizer.

 A Grandmother's Flower Garden cover, made from my mom's collection.

 Flower Garden Cover made from a collage with embroidered flowers.

 Back of the Flower Garden Journal.

Below a small journal collage cover.

 My donation to Halton Women's Place.

I belong to a fabulous group called the Group of Eight. There are actually 9 or 10 of us. Sort of like the Group of Seven, we keep changing in members. We met tonight to plan our next challenge and exchange information. We also gathered together to give our journals that we made to Linda to take to the Halton Women's Place. Women and children are given shelter from abusive homes. When I made my covers for my compostion books, I thought of where my books might be going and to whom. I loved making them. I used fabrics that were from my mom when she moved from the farm to her new condo. I added a bit of embellishment as well. I wish my journals have a very useful life!

My favourite little book, which is for Fine Arts Society of Milton Studio Tour Sept. 29 and 30. Front above and back below.

 This one I will have trouble selling this one! More on the way tomorrow!

A Sad Story and More

A sad story at the cottage . I have been watching our resident sparrows make their nest in an old bird house on a pine tree in our yard. They are delightful to watch. They were on their second flock in a nest when disaster struck. A red squirrel was intend on disturbing the nest. The birds attacked and shooed the squirrel away. He must have come back in the night. The next day we saw him with an object in his mouth. It was a dead baby sparrow. The night again the nest was attacked threw roof was torn off and the nest was on top of the mangled roof. We have seen the parent sparrows but they won't go near the nest. Nature is fascinating but cruel. I found this beautiful photo on Google by Deanne Fortune of two sparrows similar to mine.

I drew this sketch of the birdhouse and nest the weekend before the disaster.

More sketchbook pages with a bird theme. The birds are traced on deli paper and collaged onto the page.

 Bluebirds

Love Your Dog Now





Star

Made after watching techniques on www.teeshamoore.com

Posting From the Cottage

 I now have WiFi at the cottage thanks to our neighbours! Above is a sample art quilt from my Art Quilt class I just finished teaching at the Milton Centre for the Arts. The background is mixed media patchwork, phototransfer, tissue paper fabric and painted peltex plus size inchies.

This is a tiny finished collage called 'A Bird in Hand' displayed at the CEGG Open house in April. (Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph) On canvas with DIY fabric background and tiny pieces of fabric collage.

My last unfinished watercolour painting from Sandra's Open Studio taught by Patricia Beader in May.
Sandra is looking for a new home for her Studio. I am anxious to start lessons again!

This is the front of our beloved cottage, very 1950's. Below is the back deck where I do most of my hand work and chilling! We are one block from the lake and today is a lovely day of nearly 30 degrees C and a nice little breeze! Must get outside and enjoy! Until next time......

More Background Pages

 Collaged with painted paper towel and styrofoam print on text.

 More styrofoam prints (black) and stencil of cherry blossoms and birds.

 Miss Walsh with collage added.

Painted and collaged with prints on top.

Paint and purchased papers.