This and That!

It seems to be getting harder to find time to blog! I have been teaching fibre art classes this fall and going to Open Studio at the home of my friend Sandra. She teaches Mixed Media classes a couple of times a week. It is such a joy to go to each week! So I have been busy and I am trying to catch up with this collection of photos. Above is a photo of my art work from the Studio tour in October.

My friend Amanda Gonsalves, a wonderful Mixed Media artist. She inspires me!

My inchies before they were sent in to trade. They are on a background of paper recycled from my Rose Journal. I added bits of lace, sequins, and beads with a buttonhole stitch around the outside edge. The trade was with members of Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo Group. Thanks Anne Marie for handling the trade.

These are some of my Keepsake Wallets I made for Studio Tour. I sold a few of them. I sent 6 of them to the Magazine, A Needle Pulling Thread. They will be published in their Spring Issue along with instructions on how to make them! I am very thrilled to be a published author!

Here is some fabric paper I made before my sewing machine got SICK. I just love my electronic PFAFF with its differential feed. But I did not use a Surge Protector and it was somehow damaged. I was also sewing a small box using the above paper! I thought maybe my Pfaff was just rebelling. I took it to Sewing Machines Etc. in Burlington, Ontario. Nick was able to take it to the Pfaff factory for me and managed to get it fixed under warranty!!!! Yes! I am so grateful to Nick. So please patronize his store if you live nearby. I highly recommend Sewing Machines Etc.

These are some Zentangles from a workshop I ran for the Fine Arts Society of Milton. Deb Kopeschny was our certified Zentangle teacher. Contact her at deb@kopeschny.ca if you wish to have her teach for you.

This is a partial photo of my very first collage on canvas in a class at Sandra's Open Studio with Sharon Chalmers. Sharon is a very talented Calligrapher and Collage Artist. I absolutely loved doing this. It is nearly completed and I wish to add a very little bit of stitch to it. I used decorated papers, tissue paper, National Geographic images, paint, collage bits and gesso.

Bookmarks sold at the Studio Tour. I sold quite a few items and loved being in Waldies Blacksmith shop with 6 other artists.

Lastly, my forgotten inspiration page spread for my Rose Journal. I need to get back to my journal and finish it! So busy, so little time. Its hard to believe I am RETIRED! But I am loving living an art-full life!

Studio Tour and Inchies

These are my small wallets or purses for sale for the Fine Arts Society of Milton Studio Tour taking place on October 2 and 3. I have been working hard to complete as many as I can. I used recycled scrap fabrics from a costume maker in Toronto. They include decor fabrics, silk, linen and organza to make the base on top of a stabilizer. I have really loved making them.

I chose a variety of lining fabrics, but I really like the natural linen. I have found out it is hard to find natural linen since I have run out. I zizag the edges, freemotion quilt the whole base fabric and add hand embroidery and some beads.

This is the back of the one I made for me! I added my word of the year, 'Inspire' and my initals.

This is the front with my little leaves, a button, some beads and french knots on the decorator fabric.
Finally, my collection of inchies for a swap with Cloth Paper Studios social internet group. The inchies are scrap from the paper cover I made for my Art Journal I made this summer. Each is embellished with lace, beads, vintage lace or appliques. Such fun! I really miss doing my Stitch a Long one inch embroidery every day. I finished my 100 days a while ago and I plan to have it framed in the near future. It became more of a journal of my 100 days. Photos will follow soon.
Happy Stitching!