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