A Needle Pulling Thread

This is one of my Keepsake wallets that I made last summer. It is constructed from re-purposed fabrics that I have collected.

Below is the cover of A Needle Pulling Thread and on the cover is 6 of my wallets! I was genuinely surprised My work was on the cover! Doesn't it look great!!!!

The article inside also looks amazing. I know that my instructions are fairly accurate. My friend, Doeteke, made one of them herself! 

Just remember that the seam allowance is included.

You can buy ANPT at your local Chapters or Indigo store or go to their website to order your own copy.
If you would like to purchase a Keepsake Wallet, please leave a comment and I can contact you privately.

Goodbye to Cedar Key!

 Its time to go home but it is difficult to say goodbye to tropical breezes, wonderful sunsets and new friends. I have been blessed with meeting such wonderful people here in Cedar Key. I've had lots of time for making art. This piece is nearly finished. I will need my tools at home to finish it.

 A cloth doodle I made for my friend Jane as a thank you gift . I used linens I bought in a consignment shop in Cedar Key. The cross stitch was made by a local woman who had passed away.

 Close up of the Cloth Doodle showing the hand stitching.

 Another gift for Barbara from Chicago.

 A gift for Pat from Virginia.

The cute little gift tags I bought at a local artist's co-op.

 I also worked on this little stitchery. I painted the cross stitch fabrics and lace with acrylic paint. I am adding embroidery, beads and maybe sequins. The idea is based on the art of Paul Klee and from Stitch Magazine.

My friend thinks it looks Russian.

Lastly a close up of my Shell piece. I haven't decided on a name yet.

More paintings and a lovely box

 I have really enjoyed all the sketching and painting I have done while in Cedar Key, Florida. I attempted to immortilize Jane's lovely orchids. The pansies are blooming in February!

 This is my morning coffee cup and another orchid. I plan to give this painting to Jane as a thank you for all she did for us this holiday. I was invited to potlucks, a dinner out, and two visits to the womens' club as a guest.
Lesson 6

I am sad to be finished all my lessons. In lesson six we are to paint animals before they move. 

This is a sleeping Oatie!

 Lesson 5

In this lesson I made a mixed media box for my sketches. I bought some Bristol board in the local grocery store, used gesso and acrylic paints and made my own stencils from motifs I designed.

 Top of the box.

 Inside

 Accordion Book for paintings

 Paintings inside

Close up of the cover of the accordion book.

Gesso shell, painted with Inktense watercolour pencils.

After completeing this on line class I am eager to start another one with Jane La Fasio.

I enjoyed seeing the other participant's art and getting comments form Jane to improve my skills. 

A very positive experience!

Sketching and Watercolour Class

 I am taking Jane LaFasio's online class, Sketching and Watercolour: On Location.

Lesson One : Drawing Keys

My souvenir key from New York City!

 Second painting: my new car key, my house key and my souvenir key fob from Newfoundland.

 Additional painting of objects found in our rented cottage.

 Lesson Two: Painting on Location at the Bare Foot Gallery and coffee shop in Cedar Key. Unfortunately the little Gallery is closing at the end of the month.

 Carnations given to me by my new friend, Jane, here in Cedar Key.

 Little ceramic bird I bought at the Gallery.

 Lesson 3: At a Museum, using a Water soluable pen and water. This is my sample. I hope to visit the museum soon.

A painting of my favourite comfy chair, part of lesson 2.

Art work in Progress

While on vacation in Cedar Key, I decided to revisit my on line classes with Susan Sorrell ( Creative Chick) on Personal Symbols and Fertile Earth. I decided to use a painted fabric covered with a transparent fabric as my background. While here in Cedar Key, I explored around the cottage and drew little nature sketches. I also included garden statues and mementos. I used these to create my appliques of painted and transparent fabric. I decided to use the little bird ceramic as my focal point and a variety of shells and a sand dollar as my accents.
Photo 1: beginning to applique, back stitched the spirals in the background transparent fabric
Photo 2: Starting to use embroidery details
Photo 3: Inspiration Photo


I've been busy each day working on my Jane LaFasio online class: Sketching and Watercolour. I painted the little bird ceramic as well. Don't forget to check out The Sketchbook Challenge and Photos on Flickr. I've posted all my photos on my Flickr site, hope to see you there.
www.flickr.com/photos/donnafunnell

Cedar Key

Oatie and I on our way to Cedar Key.
He is in the back seat with his paw on my shoulder.

A short stop at an Outlet mall in Georgia for some shoes.

An embroidery I've been working on. I appliqued the shimmery circles with fabric I bought at The Fabric Art Shop in Lake City, Florida.

I signed up to take an online class with Jane La Fasio called Sketching and Watercolour, Journal on Location
This is one of my first efforts, painting my keys.

Sketchbook Challenge page: the view from my window.
Below is the view with my camera.

More from Cedar Key soon!

Getting Ready for a Holiday

Oatie is relaxing while I am getting all my art work ready to take on holiday. This is a very strange way for a dog to relax! Don't you think?

These are my Puffy Hearts I made and sent to Sue at Cloth Paper Studios for a swap.They are made from lovely dyed cotton velvet from Fabric Art Shop in Lake City in Florida. We leave this weekend for our annual trip to Florida.
We are going back to Cedar Key, islands in rural Florida.

My collage from the Strathmore workshop with Pam Carriker. This is after lesson 3. One more lesson to do.

A collage made at Sandra's Open Studio. What to do with it now. I am tempted to cut it up into smaller works.

Sketchbook Challenge page. I did Lyric's lesson on portraits. I check the website everyday to see what new cool stuff is on it!
This year I am bordering all my pages on the right side.
This border was made by AnneMarie.

Finally friends, another sketchbook page using a photo of me that I altered. I like it but I should have made myself umm, slimmer!
But I am a Princess! who cares.
Next fibrejournal will come from Lovely Cedar Key!
xoxo