fibrejournal

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:19:00.000-08:00

It has been a very busy year and I have neglected my blog since September! So sorry ! My New Year's intention will be to keep up my blog. It really started with a new computer. I am still trying to navigate around my picture files. And then I got very busy teaching classes, entering shows and so on. I do a lot of volunteering which takes some time. I am the editor of my embroidery group's newsletter, membership coordinator for my fine arts group and I will be a communication person for another fibre group. I did give up some groups but I still have little time for house cleaning! :>)
Above and below is a highlight for me for 2011. My little house was published in Cloth Paper Scissors! There it is with the little green roof and orange door. This kind of collage and embroidery is really my style!

Here I am at a Mixed media workshop I helped run for the Fine Arts Society of Milton.

This my collage piece that is being critiqued by my instructor, Jill Segal.

I also taught an adult class at the new art centre in October called Art Quilt.

Below are three of my students, Sharon, Shelia and Annie.

Mary was the also in my class and I enjoyed introducing her to fibre art.

My other class was at the Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph. I was teaching The Book of Stitches from the Jan Messent book on Celtic, Viking and Anglo Saxon Embroidery. This is 92 year old Dorothy who put the rest of us to shame with her creativity and work ethic. Her book of stitches was completed at the end of six weeks. Ellen, a retired teacher enjoyed the class as well.

Barbara Lee, below, created a very beautiful accordion book!

I taught a children's art class at the Milton Centre for the Arts for 10 weeks. ( once a week ) We had a delightful art show of all student's art work at the Holcim Gallery in December.

Whew, it was a chaotic season! Did I mention I taught at my friend's Open Studio, did Studio Tour with the best sales ever and fitted in a few supply teaching days? I did make a bit of art in the evenings watching television to sell at the AM Gallery. I continued to do the Sketchbook challenge each month, even if it was only one sketch or collage.

Its two hours into the New Year and I will not be making New Year's Resolutions. I will work at addressing my intentions for 2012 which will include my passion for all things fibre and stitch and mixed media.

Visual Arts Camp at Milton Centre for the Arts

2011-08-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

At the new Milton Centre for the Arts

August 8th to the 12th.

I was the instructor for the week with 20 - 6 to 12 year olds.

What fun! ( exhausting too!)

The wet area for painting and sculpture.

The drawing area with a great view!

Day One: Learning about Mona Lisa and DaVinci

Mixed media Collage and painting

Day Two: Vincent Van Gogh and Sunflowers

Day Three: Picasso Dogs

Another Picasso Dog! Children are so free in their art!

A Handmade Sketchbook with a credit card painted cover.

A painted Doodle Dog!

Four legged Sculptures based on Picasso's Goat.

A lion sculpture

The preparation room for instructors.

Day Four: Barbara Reid and Plasticine art.

A horse of course!

Day Five! Grafitti Art and Keith Haring

Acrylic on Canvas

More Grafitti Art

Zentangles

More Zentangles

And our thoughts of making art all day long!

Home Sweet Home Challenge

2011-08-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

This is my entry to the Cloth Paper Scissors challenge, Home Sweet Home.

I used fabric collage and hand embroidery for all the details.

This close up shows the paper doors and windows. I embroidered around each shape to make it look sketchy.

My favourite side with wisteria fgrowing on the walls.

La Maison de Fleur.

I sent it off to the Cloth Paper Scissors offices after I made the finalist list.

I hope it will be featured in their magazine.

This was a fun little project for sure! Opps a little fluff on the left side.

July Sketchbook Pages

2011-07-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

A Seed Becomes a Flower

doodles collaged, gesso, paint, black marker

A tribute to my aunt in my Little Bird series

Inktense pencils, marker

Collograph printmaking samples

Made at Sandra's Open Studio

Cover of my mixed media book

Little Bird Speaks

More to come!

Fun at Open Studio

2011-06-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Front of my folder book made at Sandra's Open Studio.

First two pages with the the bottom pockets to hold papers.

The back of the folder in progress. The flower is a bit of ephemera I received from Suzanne's stash.

Another day we made faux encaustic art! My favourite piece!

Also another day we made decorated paper ATCs!

The vase below is my favourite, I am not giving this one away it will go in my visual art journal/sketchbook. I like to make small samples for my sketchbook as a record of what I've done. Now don't you agree that Sandra's Open Studio is very inspiring!

I am teaching a fibre class there this week! I am a lucky girl!

http://creatingartnow.blogspot.com

Teaching at Mixed Minded

2011-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Mixed MindedWorkshops

www.mixedminded.com

This is Mary Jo from Simcoe, at my workshop on May 28th at the Mixed Minded Conference in Kitchener's Holiday Inn. It was sponsored by the The Art House Studio and Karen Ellis. It was a fabulous weekend! I met great new people and had a wonderful time.

Here is one of the finished projects.

Karen is thrilled with her efforts. She belongs to a fibre art group in Cambridge.

I heard Judy from Selkirk really enjoyed her weekend. She also took workshops with my friend Sandra, of Open Studio.

I did a mini trunk show to start, to show the students my background in fibre art. Then we got down to work learning the quilter's knot and other stitches. Michelle was persistent and finally learned the french knot. She and her mother were taking my class. Later in the afternoon, I took Nancy Donaldson's encaustic 101. I had a fabulous time working in a brand new medium! I wish I could have taken her wire and bead pendant class too. If you live in the area please visit The Art House Studio, Karen has some fabulous products, some I only have seen on the internet. I am hoping next year I will be asked back to teach at the super Mixed Minded!

Ontario Network of Needlewworkers AGM

2011-06-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

May 12th, 2011, I traveled to London, Ontario for the Ontario Network of Needleworkers Annual General meeting. Above is the Oakville Stitchery Guild's Display of needlework. My friend, Margaret is working at the booth. I had needle work at three displays! Yes I am an overachiever!

Here, Mavis from the Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph is looking after our artwork! A lovely display of detailed needlework.

My Jeweled City piece is right next to work by Erin and Doeteke. Margaret's mask is just beautiful.

A close up of our fish display for the OSG. Tracey found the netting on the playground. Another Go Green initiative.

My third display is the fibre art Group of Eight. We all participated in the cigar box challenge, each art work is truly unique! It was a lovely display for a new group to the O.N.N.

This is the Group of Eight Display. My Funky Form Vase is next to Linda's exquisite fibre egg. The photo below shows Jan's awesome encaustic art, my watercolour box and Heather's beautiful mask.

We had a very exciting day going to the business meeting, listening to the guest speaker, admiring all the guild's displays and meeting a lot of new needle workers! We even toured the University of Western for Jayne to revisit her memories.

Little Gems at Open Studio

2011-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Inspiration often comes from the art of other artists. In an old Stitch Magazine from the Embroiderer's Guild (U.K.), I found a small project using aida cloth and the art of Paul Klee for inspiration. I was fascinated because I love small and portable projects. 'Jeweled City' above is my version of the project. I started while away on holiday and finished the embroidery when I arrived home. With encouragement from my friends, I decided to share what I did. Recently,my friend Sandra invited me to teach at her studio. Over three days I had 24 students start little gems.

This is my class sample, which is a smaller and simpler version of Jeweled City.

At the studio, we painted small pieces of aida cloth and Venice lace with acrylic paint in jewel colours. Some paints were metallic as well. While the paint was drying, we planned a design on paper after drawing three columns on our paper. I had my students trace a 4"x6" rectangle on their background, also aida cloth. We included about 5 arched blocks in our design. Odd numbers always seem to look better.

This is my sample I started while in class. I decided to add a couple of triangles as well. I asked the ladies to fasten their cut pieces using only a dot of glue. The shapes are secured with a running stitch or back stitch in a variety of colours of embroidery floss. Bits of painted lace are also attached as focal points. below is my second sample inspired by Persian turrets.

Here Erin and Norina are working away diligently.

After the pieces are secured by stitch the fun part begins! I gave each participant a guide of a variety of stitches to use with ideas for combination designs. They included such stitches as french knot, detached chain, and fly stitch. I really like to use the straight stitch to make patterns such as the basket weave.

Here we are happily working in the studio. Sandra is on the right front trying her hand at stitch.

Doeteke has a lovely design. Michelle is using some Easter colours in her city.

Linda is also incorporating turrets from foil chocolate egg wrappers into her city. Her friend Karrie is working on her project.

Here Anne, Heather, and the two Lindas are concentrating on their projects.

I suggested to my students that their finished gem would be suitable to be framed with a mat or in a shadow box with the edges turned under. It will be exciting to see all of their projects finished. Each one was unique in colour and design.

I look forward to teaching another project at Sandra's Open Studio in June.

Fabulous Mixed Media Art at Sandra's Open Studio

2011-04-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

A while back, I took this photo at my dear friend's studio. Here are a 'bunch' of the ladies listening to Sandra intently. This is not always the case, we seldom listen INTENTLY. We are so immersed in art it is actually our therapy in play. Today was Sandra's first Anniversary! We all came for cake and to make art! It was all yummy! I have been coming regularly once a week to Sandra's Studio for a whole year. It is something I am totally passionate about. I hate to miss a single lesson! I wish you all live close enough to come to Open Studio. I know three of my blog readers and dear friends, Michelle, Erin and Doeteke all come to Open Studio regularly. I met Michelle through my blog. Actually, I met Sandra through Cloth Paper Studios Magazine when I saw her name and work in one of the issues. I emailed her and the rest is history! I love her dearly and she has become like the daughter I wished I had, but I only had boys!

This fuzzy photo is a picture of a class with Sandra using paper and stitch! It was so much fun! Below is another lesson using magazine pieces in one colour to create a tree collage. This is my bird tree! If you would like to see more student work, check out Sandra's blog at http://creatingartnow.blogspot.com

Now for the exciting news, I am teaching at Sandra's studio all next week. ( Wed. Thurs. Sat. from 10:00 - 1:00 ) I will be teaching an embroidery piece called Jewel City. We will paint aida cloth and create a city inspired by the art of Paul Klee. It will be embellished with embroidery and beads and lace bits. I found this lesson in an old Stitch (UK) magazine and I impoved upon it in my style. I hope if you are interested you will contact me and I will send you an email address for Sandra.
My art ventures are all very exciting right now and I am contemplating what I can do next! Any suggestions? I'd love to hear from you! More photos to follow!

A Sneak Preview from Fabric Collage TOM

2011-04-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Starting tomorrow, I will be the Guest Artist on 3 Creative Studios Website! This is a photo from my Technique of the month, Fabric Collage.

This what you start with, lots of scraps!

Below is what you may end up with! Please join me and try the TOM for some prizes!

www.3creativestudios.com

A Pelican and Circles

2011-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Lesson 2 Mixed Media with Paper and Stitch

This is my paper collaged pelican on a post. I stenciled the shells and added some stamping. It is machined stitched and has some hand seeding stitch. The waves and fish are collaged paint on art tissue.

Lesson 3

Painted and stenciled background

Squares of fabric and paper circles and donuts glued down.

A layer of gesso over the whole background

Cut into 4 pieces reassembled and paper circles removed.

Fabric and paper Circle shapes added

Ready to assemble together

Reassembled with a zigzag stitch

Finished!

Close up below with hand and machine stitches. Embellished with beads. This was a very interesting project with great results!

Close of Pelican

A Needle Pulling Thread

2011-03-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-12T17:20:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

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.

Getting Ready for a Holiday

2011-01-26T11:09:00.001-08:00

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

Calendar and Sketchbook Challenge

2011-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a little bit of my Quilting Arts Calendar Challenge Entry.
Yes, it is Oatis!

I first made my background from fabric and paper and paint.

I drew my cartoon drawings on vintage feed sack and thread sketched them on my sewing machine.
They are coloured with pencil crayons.

This is the back of the fabric paper. I free motion stitched around the motifs from the back.

Here is the finished 12"x 12" art quilt, called:
PUPPY ANTICS
Oatie is in a large bucket while gathering leaves at the cottage.
Oatie playing with the neighbour's black cat.
Oatie sleeping with his paws up. Yep, he really does.
Oatie standing while we dance to the Black Eyed Peas: Boom,boom,pow!
Finally a portrait!
I made this art quilt in a mere 3 days and had the photos in the mail.
But alas, I didn't make the list of finalists,
but I have a very cute quilt!

A page from my new 2011 Sketchbook.
Sketchy animals drawn while traveling in my new car.

My Highly Prized Page for the Sketchbook Challenge.
I followed a video instructed by Pam Carriker.
I am really loving Pam's art.
She has a book coming out soon called, Art at the Speed Of Life.
The little girl is a copy of an old photo I bought in Florida.

A birthday card I made for my friend Sandra Spagnuolo, a mixed media artist.
The focal point is from an old pattern I found in an antique market.
I hope you have time to check out the Sketchbook Challenge.
I am enjoying it daily!

Just Photos

2011-01-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

Oatis and me on Christmas Day with his new toy! A Snake!

My grand niece, Maddie wearing her Princess Dress she got for Christmas.

Shimmering Ornaments!

Tags I made at Sandra's open Studio.

My Christmas Owls made from drop cloths.

Thanks to a Gentle Reminder

2011-01-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

My Class at the Guelph Embroiderers' Guild
Embroidery by Barbara Lee

Embroidery by Erin

Sheena concentrating on her art.

Doeteke working hard.

Michelle, happy to be creating.

I was reminded tonight at my fibre art meeting that I haven't posted in awhile. Thanks Doeteke! I certainly have intended to, but I have been so busy making art and other things. I am participating in the Sketchbook Challenge and a free workshop with Pam Carriker with Strathmore Online Workshops. I have been inspired to sketch, paint and collage. On Sunday, I was making paper at Sandra's Open Studio. I love going to Open Studio to play. A new semester has started with the classes at the Guelph Embroiderers' Guild, and I am immersed in making a 4 sided vessel, fabric collage of course.
December was the end of my class, teaching at the Guelph Guild and I have some photos to share of my students and their work. It was a invaluable experience working with such creative embroiderers.
I have several pans in the fire for 2011! I want to concentrate on teaching and publishing my art. But it will be in small steps. For the new year, I will be a guest artist at The Three Creative Studios. Watch for my Technique of the Month in April. I am teaching a class on Brown Paper and Embroidery at the Mixed Minded Conference in May. www.mixedminded.ca
I am published in A Needle Pulling Thread, Spring edition. Look for my Keepsake Wallets using recycled fabrics.
Its looking like a very Creative year! Happy New Year everyone!

This and That!

2010-11-20T18:39:00.000-08:00

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!

Surjeet's Workshop

2010-10-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

October 23rd and 24th I had the opportunity to take an embrioidery workshop with Surjeet Husain of the UK. She visited our stitchery guild in Oakville as part of her time in Canada to visit family and two other guilds. Surjeet is a very talented Indian embroiderer and painter. We learned about the textile industry in India and about Surjeet's journey as an artist. Eleven Million people in India are involved in textile industry in some manner.

Here is Surjeet instructing Danielle and Jayne. We each were given individual instruction and Surjeet wanted each of us to do an individual project. We worked on sheesha (mirrors) embroidery, pulkari and kantha stitches. It was a challenge for most of us.

Here is a lovely little bag that Surjeet brought from home for us to see. She brought many pieces of embroidery to share, all so beautiful!

Surjeet is showing us a small tree stitchery that has fabric appliques.

This large art embroidery is based on a painting of an Indian girl by Surjeet.

Overall, I had a great two days. I have admired Indian embroidery for a couple of years and have attempted a few embroideries myself. Now I have acquired a few new stitches to try on my future Indian embroideries. Thank you, Surjeet.

My Summer Obsession

2010-09-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Do you remember summer?
This is a photo of Port Burwell Beach on Lake Erie in late summer.
Gorgeous sky!

This summer I couldn't remember what I did. Oh yes, I went to Sandra's classes on Art Journaling at her Open Studio. I became possessed with this project which is still under construction. It is called 'The Rose Journal'. I was inspired with a doodle I did of roses and of course my mom's name is Rose ( sentimental meaning) . My favourite saying is: Take the time to smell the roses! This is the cover made of paper and fabric and machine quilted and hand embroidered. I added stitch to almost all the pages.

This is the back cover with only free motion stitch added.

Page 1
All of the edges of the pages are collaged and embellished.

I did a lot of collaging and painting on each page. Here I added a small stitchery on woven rug canvas.
Here I added a page of journaling, a drawing and a quote about roses on a paint chip.

One of our classes included a calligraphy lesson with Sharon Chalmers. R is for Roses.

Another stitchery from painted fabric. Every splash of paint became a stitched rose.

I love this painted and stamped page, the metallic paint just shimmers. I also added a painted and woven fabric stitchery. I embellished with embroidery of course.

Another rose embroidery and real rose petals collaged around the vintage photo. The painted and stamped page has small saying about roses in each frame. Do you like the button border?

This spread the one of the first I completely finished. It has vintage laces attached.

This page reminds me of 'Me!" I had blonde, curly hair when I was young. I now have that Passion for Art. The background is painted, collaged and painted again and again! The white paint pen is just the right touch.

This was the first page I worked on and it was totally frustrating. It has numerous layers of paint and collage. Sandra says that it must get ugly before it gets beautiful. Well, it was so ugly I almost painted black over the whole page until I stamped squares on it to integrate the images together. Integration is so important!

You can see the small elements in each of the windows.

This is a Close up of the back inside cover showing the freemotion stitching designs inspired by Leah Day's 365 days of Free motion quilting. So you can see how busy I was this summer and I still have a lot of details to add. Now I see I missed the centrefold page that has my inspiration doodle. I'll post it next time, hopefully all finished. Off to do Studio Tour for the next two days. I made 25 fabric collaged book marks and now my Pfaff is sick. She won't do zigzag for me. Next week the repair shop. Good thing I have my old Pfaff machine that still hums along nicely to finish all my bookmarks. Until next time, keep stitching!

Studio Tour and Inchies

2010-09-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

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!

Impromptu Art

2010-07-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Art from Flowers!

At the cottage a couple of weeks ago I started playing with some flowers sitting on the table. ( Flox and a expired Rose of Sharon)

My new studio space before order.

One bird has finally left the nest!
This room has become my paint room and storage for all my felting supplies. More photos soon.

Crayon melted on cotton, acrylic paint wash, foiled in gold, machine embroidery and hand stitching

A few weeks ago, I was totally inspired by Canadian Fibre artist Wendy Feldberg. I read about her art and techniques in the new e-mag In Stitches from Quilting Arts. This is the end result! I highly recommend the e-mag, it is so interactive! I emailed Wendy to tell her how excited I was about her art. She replied immediately!

Close up!

Another melted crayon piece, with roses.
I plan to make samall purses from these pieces.

This was a UFO. I painted the fabric with Setacolours, set down some machine quilted lines and heavily hand embroidered it on holiday. Then nothing, set in a pile of UFOs, until I discovered Leah Day's 365 days of Free motion quilting on line. Wow, I was very impressed. I decided to make a journal of drawn quilting designs of Leah's. Drawing the designs helps you to stitch them continuously later. I ordered Leah's quilting aids and was thrilled with the Magic Genie Bobbin Washers. Free motion quilting has never been easier. The washer keeps the lower bobbin thread from appearing on the top of your quilt. You can easily used a neutral thread in the bobbin and any colour on the top! Heaven. I decided to machine quilt the rest of my piece and it looks lovely!

Pebbles in the Stream

Until next time, and much sooner! Keep stitching!

Sandra's Open Studio

2010-07-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is my young friend Sandra, a very talented Mixed media artist and president of the Milton Fine Arts Society. We are learning all about altered photos at her home studio. She holds open studio once a week at her Brookville home, outside of Milton.
My first altered photo of my niece, Emily, with Sandra's two daughters.

The studio!!

Another altered Photo of my art work using a bleach pen

Sandra's organized studio

I am continuing to go to the open studio each week. I have experimented with decorated and painted papers, collage and making an art Journal so far. I have made several trips to art stores to buy medium, brushes and lots of paint. I also like to buy old or discontinued books for pages to alter. It is lovely just to play while doing art!

Carol Weibe and Cracked Paper Quilts

2010-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

Carol's Grand National Entry for 'Off the Wall'

Carol's second entry at the Grand National Quilt Show

On June 12Th, (yes, friends I am late again with my blogging!) the Oakville Stitchery Guild hosted Carol Weibe of Cracked Paper Quilts fame for a day long workshop at Joshua Creek Studio. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day that was not long enough for all the work we did.

Here Carol is demonstrating some new techniques to our members. ( Heather, Diane and Janet ) Carol will be doing a workshop with Maggie Grey's Workshop on the Web very soon.

This is my friend, Sandra's work, in progress. Sandra is a mixed media artist and is very talented!

This is Linda's little gem with some paint and collage applied. I've seen the finished work and I love it!

This is my masterpiece, a definite work in progress. Can you guess the theme? The newest and latest trend I read about. The owls are my own drawings. I have two cracks so far and I plan to re cut the shape to be more owl like before painting. I've added some dyed paper napkins for the next layer of colour to peek through since I took this photo.

Grand National Favourites

2010-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sculpture by Gordana Breilh

Grand National Quilt Show

'Off the Wall"

Amazing hand drawn and painted fibre art by Jill Buckley!

Another Favourite

This one is about garbage!

Amazing detail!

My personal Favourite: Water

During, a day off from teaching, my friend and I visited the Homer Watson Museum to see the Grand National Quilt Show. It was amazing! Such truly unique fibre art. I've only listed my personal favourites here. I, again was rejected from this show. But I know I need to improve my fibre art projects for this show. And it didn't stop me from enjoying all this fibre art. Hopefully there will be a show next year, since there were no postings of next year's theme.

I loved this unique museum set in the lovely village of Doon. The house is the former home of Homer Watson, the famous painter. We were given a personal tour of Watson's paintings and artifacts by the curator. I asked about Homer's sister Phoebe, who is apparently the resident ghost! True, there have been encounters with Phoebe by visitors to the gallery.

It was a wonderful artist's date!

Sadness and the Oil Spill

2010-06-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

Crystal Beach, in the Panhandle of Florida

Beautiful Beach in February

Lovely white sands

Wildlife

More beach

My sadness will be overwhelming if the beaches of the Florida Panhandle are deluged with oil from the reckless oil spill. Was there a plan for impending disaster? It looks like NOT! I feel for the people that live in this area for their loss of livelihood, loss of wildlife, loss of precious protected marshlands and the loss of the sandy white beaches. Such a senseless crime.

Stream of Dreams

2010-06-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Computer lab

The last three weeks I have been teaching at Chris Hadfield Public School. I've been teaching computers to grades 1-3 and the occasional art lesson. It has been great fun! During my time there, the whole school was involved in the Stream of Dreams project with Halton Conservation. It started with the Eco Tote Bag Project at the Milton Mall. One of the Hadfield students, Sana won an Eco drawing contest and was awarded $1000 for the school. The Stream of Dreams was the chosen project and over a 1000 wooden fish were cut, sanded and painted by volunteers and students. The students learned about clean water and conservation of fresh water. I was fortunate to be able to paint a fish as well.

Outside the kindergarten doors at the front of the school

My Stream of Dreams fish!

Thank you!

Parking lot fence

This is truly an inspiring project. Thanks goes to Sana, her art teacher, Miss Walsh and the Conservation girls. The big reveal was accompanied by student poetry and art work. The whole school assembled outside to celebrate. A project like this is sure to make a lasting impression on these students!

Lilacs and another Birthday

2010-06-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

When we arrived at the cottage this past long weekend we were thrilled to see our small lilac tree with an abundance of lilacs. They were beautiful!

The rain had lower the branches and created a cascade of blooms.

I celebrated my latest birthday with a dinner out with my hubby, my mom and my aunt. Mom is on the right.

This is the view of Lake Erie from the restaurant in Port Dover.

This is the back of David's a very fine restaurant with the best Key Lime Pie!

A very nice Victoria Day weekend!

Oakville Fibre Arts Debut

2010-06-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Love of the Arts

Oakville Town Hall

Our newly formed Fibre Arts group debuted at the Love of the Arts Festival on May 16th. We are 12 members strong and by invitation at this time. We displayed our art work at the Town Hall.

You may recognize some of my art work amongst the lovely work of my friends!

Here is Marda, who was struck with an idea for a new group! I will have more news as our group evolves and grows!

Ontario Network of Needleworkers AGM

2010-06-05T14:13:00.001-07:00

A Lovely Embroidered Piece from the London Embroidery Guild

May 2nd, the Annual General Meeting for the ONN was held in Guelph, Ontario hosted by The Connections Group. Each guild brought fibre art and embroidery for their displays. A general meeting was held for the reps, followed by a Whistle Stop demonstrations. The general public and members were invited to see the displays and the CD Challenge in the afternoon. The Vendors' mall was the best yet with many books, threads, yarns,and paints. The next AGM will be held in London next May. The theme will be A Gathering of Threads. This promises to be a very exciting event with 3 days of workshops, meetings, dinners and a fashion show.

Oakville Stitchery Guild Display

Oakville Stitchery Guild
( my nest pincushion, landscape, covered journal and framed bird)

Canadian Embroiderers' Guild Guelph
( my book marks )

CEG Guelph

Susan Strachan Johnson demonstrating pabric

Marion Spanderjt demonstrating gold leaf on fabric

Gordana Brelih demonstrating the use of tyvek

All in all, it was a great day! Oakville's, Sherry DelRizzo won the CD Challenge with a lovely Stumpwork Embroidery. I am lucky to belong to two wonderful embroidery guilds. I am looking forward to a great time next year!

Teaching at Sewfest

2010-06-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

CD Challenge Art for the Ontario Network of Needleworkers

made with woven fabric strips through rug canvas, machine stitched, thread leaf also beaded

Teaching at Sewfest West

I was asked to submit a proposal to teach at the new sewing show last January. I sent in my proposal and photos for teaching Fabric Collage Postcards and I was invited to teach! I was nervous and very excited. April 31st came quickly but I was prepared. The venue at Bingeman's Park Conference Center was fabulous and everything was there for my teaching. I had 9 students that were eager and enthusiastic! The morning went quickly and I was humbled by their positive comments about my class. Thank you everyone, you have spurred me on to do more teaching! Below are some of my students with their postcards. I am very proud of Bianca who tried free motion stitching for the first time on her beautiful postcard!

Inspired by Eco Postcards

Beautiful postcards

Bravo Michelle!

Bianca

Thank you Alma Laidlaw of Sew Fancy who organized this new Festival. I loved the shopping!

Trees, Threadworks Artist Reception

2010-05-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

Today, my friend and I travelled to the Wellington County Museum to the Trees Fibre Art Show for the artists' reception. Here I am in front of my art piece 'The Message." Below is a favourite piece called, "Wild Desire", a mixed media artwork by Carol Weibe.

My friend Sandra, is posing with her favourite, "Shoe Tree", by Nancy McNab.

Grand Prize
"Three Leaves" by Gordana Brelih

"Can't See the Trees for the Forest" by Linda Heibert
Yes those are lambs in the trees! Delightful!

"A New Beginning" by Hieke Blohm
Honourable Mention

Curator's Award

Frankie LeMonde-Meunier's "Trees Dancing for Joy"

I love Frankie's fibre art, it appeals to my love of colour and texture. Frankie bought an art piece of mine last year at my solo show.

This is just a taste of the show which is exceptional in every way! It is a privilege to be included and a great affirmation of my fibre art. There are many artists in this show that I admire and have been a student in their classes. I intend to go back to see the show in more depth! For more information about the Museum and the Trees Show visit, www.wcm.on.ca

Eco Totes Silent Auction at the Milton Mall

2010-05-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

My Eco Tote, Good Earth, at the Gallery

Janis's tote next to mine

Sandra's Mixed Media Tote

Bravo Sandra!

Kelly's Tote

Anna's Tote

The whole display at the gallery in the Milton Mall

The auction was finalized on April 24th at 2 p.m. I bid on Anna's tote because I love her painting. Inside each tote was a pass to the Halton Region Conservation Areas, a very good eco prize. I am proud to announce that my tote sold for the most money, $140! A friend bid on it and won. Please don't tell her husband! :>)

Canadian Embroiderers' Guild, Guelph Open House

2010-04-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

Fresno, a guide dog in training at the Open House

My CD Challenge Block, "Leaf" for the Ontario Network of Needleworkers
Woven rug canvas stitched, thread sandwich leaf, beaded

A mini landscape
stitched by Allison

Beautiful Embroidery

Embroidered Garden

A Brooch

Bayeau Embroidery

by Margaret

My Darned Landscape
This was very addictive to stitch.

Quilt by Ellen

Goddess by Cynthia

who trains guide dogs

These were just some of the marvelous artworks at our Open House last Tuesday. Many people dropped by to see the finished artworks from the year. This is a great teaching guild that offers two classes a year with extra workshops and afternoon programs. I had a wonderful time this year meeting new people and sharing stitching projects. Thanks to Ruth who taught the Mini Landscapes and Renata who taught the Knotted Gardens. My Autumn Trees is finished (see last post) and my Parterre Garden is still In Progress!

Stitchalong and Trees Entries

2010-04-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying doing the Stitchalong every evening. I am journalling my daily events in stitch. It has been a challenge every evening to reflect upon the day's events and interpret it in a single illustration. Somehow I have managed to focus on the positives. Above is a nesting square related to my stitchery guild's theme for our challenge.

A Spring crocus, Go Green with my personal symbol, a tree for my Trees entries, an Easter egg and bunny, a darned square for a project I am doing, Echinaceas, a favourite flower

A heart and a key, needle and thread for a day of stitching

Finally after 3 days of finishing stitching, I completed my postcard hanging for the Threadworks Juried Show. I made 10 Go Green Postcards each containing a message to the good earth. I mounted them on painted rug canvas that I wove strips of fabric around the edges and in some blank spots and machine stitched on top. I put hours of work into each postcard with embroidery and beading. The consistent fabric in each postcard is the painted one with the machine embroidered tree. I used a couple of new eco type fabrics but all the rest were scraps that were repurposed and reused. Some were skating costume scraps form my friend, Sandra. I had a great sense of accomplishment and of a job well done. I called it 'The Message'. The hardest part was deciding on a name!

This is my second entry called Autumn Trees. It is completely hand stitched with one strand of embroidery floss. It was started in class at my Embroidery Guild in Guelph. It was one of the most difficult projects I've ever undertaken, blending the fall colours in stitch. The large rock has coloured scrim under the stitches.

Today, I drove to Elora to pick up my entries because sadly they were not juried into the show. Yesterday, I was so disappointed! And I thought why do I do this to myself? But 12 hours later I had a plan of what to do with my entries. I believe when one door closes another door opens. When I arrived in Elora at the Museum, I saw 'The Message' on a table waiting to be hung! I still wasn't sure until I checked with one of the members. Yes!

I hadn't been sent an email of my results. I did get an apology and explanation. My faith in my hard work and creativity has been restored! Why do I need this affirmation? When I no longer feel disappointment when rejected that will be a time for celebration!

Auction Eco Tote, Good Earth!

2010-04-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to be asked to make a Auction Tote Bag for a silent auction at the Milton Mall. The tote bags, with a season pass for the Halton Conservation parks, are displayed outside the New AM Gallery at the Milton Mall. I decided to use my eco recycled art designs for the front of the tote bag. My signature red and green leaf is on the right side of the bag. I was inspired by a tote on the front of the Stitch Magazine by Interweave Press.

Here is a close up with the words: recycle, reuse and repurpose. The bag was mostly made of scraps of fabric from a costume maker in Toronto. I did add some of my eco fabric, Green Planet by Debbie Mumm.

I machine embroidered my purple tree on some hand painted fabric, which really was the drop cloth fabric from a former project.

This is the back of the bag with my signature and personal symbol. I called the bag, 'good Earth'.

TA DA! Finished! I also appliqued a bird on one of the silk strips of fabric. This is another personal favourite symbol of mine! This bag was very hard to donate, but it is going to a very good cause, the Halton Learning Foundation. The final day will be April 24Th, come out to see our totes at the Milton Mall and bid, of course!

Keeping Busy Creating!

2010-03-30T09:07:00.001-07:00

Maddie ( 14 months) and Oatie at Great Grandma's house.

My Grand niece is so sweet and intelligent. We just love her to pieces!

Oatis is on a diet! Yes those treats , table scraps and cheese have increased his size and made him a fussy eater! The vet was clear about our new regiment and since Oatie hates the vet's food, he is FASTING. I think he will finally eat when he is hungry enough! This is preventative medicine. But it still cost us a pretty penny!

Stringalong Sampler, 100 blocks

Block One

Blocks 2 and 3

Block 4

My friend, Marci, from Cloth Paper Studio forum got me hooked on Stringalong. Instead of 39 blocks, I decided to do 100 blocks since that's how many I drew on the background. I am working on a spring theme with some of my favourite things, like Peaches! I stitch one block just before bedtime.

Lesson 2 of Fertile Earth

This is my stitchery finished except for the edges. I stretched and lightly ironed it. I am pleased with the colours and the satin stitching.

Nesting Pincushion

I just couldn't resist when I saw this project in Interweave' s Stitch magazine. I really enjoy this magazine as well as Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors. I hand needlefelted the top and eggs from some recycled felt and roving

Here is a side view, showing the leave fabric, I added extra hand stitching and my initials

Creative Cue - Shake

Creative Cue - Rich ( in colour and design)

I love Indian colours and designs for stitching. The inspiration for this came from Stitch Magazine from the Embroiderer's Guild. (UK)
I am currently working on a Fibre Art Tote Bag for a promotion and silent auction for the Milton Mall where our Fine Arts Gallery is found. Photos soon,

Keep stitching!

Creative Cues Catch Up

2010-03-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is an inspiration photo for a future art piece. I cropped it and posterized it right on my camera. I look forward to manipulating my photos in Photoshop. This little outhouse is on my mom's farm near Grimsby, Ontario. I guess my dad had it moved near his bush.

I've been neglect in doing my Creative cues, so I did 4 of them to catch up! I love to collage with paper as well as fabric. The TIP refers to the tip of the Eiffel Tower!

I love this one using CLIPS of thread and paper from the dollar store. I love those handmade papers from India. I've been making little mini purse booklets to sell with the dollar store papers.

I like this one too! STEM

Finally COOKIE, my absolute favourite dessert!

Now I am back on track for Creative Cues and Tuesday night Blog entries. I am getting ready to work on Lesson 5 of Fertile, Earth, Stones, Rocks and Shells.

Silent Auction Piece SOLD!

2010-03-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Garden

Sold at the Heart to Hand Show

Fine Arts Society of Milton

There is nothing like procrastinating to meet a deadline! I started on a Tuesday afternoon and had this piece in an Ikea frame for Wednesday! Machine quilted and collaged background, recycled fabric for appliques, lace, hand embroidery. I love this piece and it was fun to make!

Fertile Earth Continued

2010-03-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

A Super Looking Pooch on Vacation!

I've been reading a very good book called 'The Dog Rules: Damn Near Everything!'It is very humorous and I can totally identify with the author's experiences with his dog, a border collie called Jake.

Fertile Earth Lesson 4

Ginkgo Leaves

Clams from Cedar Key
Inspiration for Lesson 5

Close up of Ginkgo Leaves

This is my favourite lesson so far.

Fertile Earth lesson 3

Layers of Stitch

I am continuing to work on my fertile Earth lessons. I am completing Lesson 2 at this time. My next project will be my entry to the Threadworks Show for April. The theme is Trees but I think I have a unique idea in mind displaying my style! Stay tuned!

Trash to Treasure Art Show

2010-03-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

While in Cedar Key I visited a local art show called Trash to Treasure. This is a theme close to my heart. I enjoy the hunt of finding discarded items and using them in my fibre art. Below are some art pieces that were hanging in the Keyhole Artist C0-0p.
Some recycled fibre art

Recycled wire

Recycled metal objects

Amusing objects of art

Recycled keys

Assembled art

More!

An impressive piece

Yummy art

More metal

Heart-breaking fishing Line that often harms local birds and wildlife

The sign on this cottage says: Marriages arranged. On the stoop is the local pastor that performs the marriages. At least that is what I thought!

The famous landmark or watermark!

The Honeymoon Cottage!

Artists Galore in Cedar Key!

2010-03-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

We have been home for a while but I have such fond memories of Cedar Key and its artist's community. On one of my local walks with Oatie, we visited an artist's studio and store front called Beauty by the Yard. The artist was absent but left instructions for making purchases. We ventured under the canopy studio and saw a variety of concrete sculpted items for sale. We were cheeky enough to peek in the backyard to see a beautiful garden and a huge sculpture made of concrete. It was enchanting! imagine living in a community where your studio can be outdoors all the time.

Even empty store fronts contain humorous art work!

This the sign that guided me to Beauty by the Yard.

This building is the Artist's Co-op. I spent considerable time there doing some shopping! I discovered that a Canadian woman started the co-operative and willed the building to the artists. It has a main floor sales room and a second floor gallery with studio space! There was to be a silk dying workshop on the weekend we were there. I bought a silk dyed scarf instead.

This is me at the Barefoot Art Gallery and Coffee shop. This is a very friendly place. During my week in Cedar Key I ran into the people I met in the stores a few times with friendly greetings. In all there were 4 art galleries and one great consignment shop that enticed me. I can hardly wait to go back next year!

Wecome to Cedar Key!

2010-02-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

This a view of the Gulf of Mexico from the main island of Cedar Key. This is the north west part of Florida. We happened upon this small fishing village in rural Florida just by happenstance. It is a little piece of paradise!

This is the view of our accommodation from the water. We are on the third floor with a loft bedroom at Park Place.

Oatie is making his way back to the motel, which is very pet friendly. The motel cat is called Bella, a lovely black and white feline!

Oatie loves to sunbathe in front of the sliding door or out on the balcony.

This is our view every morning.

From the balcony!

The downtown is truly unique with antique and second hand stores and ART galleries! I loved the Cooperative gallery and Deja Vu Consignment shop. I bought a bunch of DMC embroidery floss and a quilt for my sister made by a local resident, Laura who passed away recently. The people here are so friendly! We met Anne at the Historical Museum today, who is a transplanted Canadian and a former teacher too.

Inventive Art is everywhere!

I've been taking interesting photos of doors and old buildings. This is one of the doors on 2nd Street, the main street of Cedar Key. More of Cedar Key to come!

Creating on Vacation

2010-02-11T17:08:00.001-08:00

Creative Cue ODD

I was inspired by odd socks of which we have many in our family. My son calls them socks without friends!

This week`s cue is TIE

I was inspired by different kinds of ties and decided to do a Zentangle of ties and knots in my sketchbook.

I continue to work on my class lessons for Fertile Earth. This is Lesson 4 still in progress. I am loving the look so far.

Close up of Ginkgo

Close up of stitching on Lesson 3

For lesson 3, I used Creative Chick`s photo of mushrooms and followed her stitching as well. I have now applied all the painted organza circles and I am adding the sequin waste as well. I love how Susan creates her layers in her stitcheries.

I spent today hunting for treasures at an antique flea market in Fort Walton Beach! I sleuthed out 2 vintage chiffon scarves, ribbon, a vintage hankie, dyed green cheesecloth, paper images of vintage photos and a 1950`s sewing pattern still in tact! All the fun is in the hunt and trying to spend as little money as possible. All this for $11 US!

A Tribute to Sweet Bailey

2010-02-11T16:47:00.000-08:00

One of our beloved furry family members was sent to doggy heaven on Friday, February 5Th after a brief illness. Bailey had lived 15 years with my sister, Brenda and her family. Emily, my niece grew up with Bailey. She shared all her chocolate chip cookies with the Black Blaster, our nick name for Bailey. He is now in heaven with our dog, Oskar. We called them cousins since they came from the same breeder in Welland.

I took these photos of Bailey at Christmas time, 2008. He was a very energetic dog even in old age. He loved to run around the house with his stuffed moose in his mouth. We called it the Moosey dance!

Goodbye, sweet Bailey! We have such happy memories of you. We will miss you dearly! Love from Oatis!

Crystal Beach, Florida, Brrrr, Cold!

2010-02-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went out to take photos of the surrounding area near our little cottage in Crystal Beach near Destin Florida. I just loved these lacy cabbage-like plants outside our motel.

I have been reading Judith Baker Montano's book called Fibreart Montage. She has a great chapter on photography. I went out and took photos following her advice. Here is a view of the beach at the end of our block. It was about 59F when I took the photo!

This is our little old cottage, part of the Old Pier Motel in Crystal Beach. It is certainly old style! The monster cottage next door is typical of the surrounding cottages, all 3 stories tall with for rent or for sale signs on the lot. It is a very quiet neighbourhood with few people around. That's because it is too cold!

This is an interesting photo I took in Valdosta, Georgia of a very tall Juniper shrub. Compare it to the car beside it. We stayed in the worst Motel 6, ever! Beware of cheap motels and ask to see the room first! Lesson learned, I am seeing every room first.

Here is Oatie on his master's lap chilling at the local Starbucks in Destin, Florida. And we were very chilly! Now who picked the Florida Panhandle as our destination? On Sunday we are heading south, after we travel east to I95. Unfortunately, I did all my shopping at The Fabric Art Shop in Lake City already. I picked up some yummy dyed velvet cotton, fabric,threads, and books. This was the highlight of the trip so far for me!

Creative Cue and more Fertile Earth Lessons

2010-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

This week's Creative Cue: Rolling

Completed early in the morning, when I was having trouble sleeping. Might as well be creative!

Lesson 2 Fertile Earth: Buds and Flowers

Preliminary stitching on a background of fabric, cheesecloth and tulle. More to come!

Lesson 3: Fungus and Weeds, Painting on Organza

Lesson 3: Painting on fabric and cheesecloth, free motion circles, hand stitching is started. I can't wait to see it all come together!

Lesson 4: Trees and Shrubs, my Ginkgo leaf painting through chiffon.

Lesson 4: Thread Sandwich, free motion stitched

Are you curious?

I am preparing all my backgrounds first to take with me on my trip to Florida in a week. I hope to do lots of hand embroidery while sitting around the pool. I am finding each lesson very exciting to undertake. When I think I know what I am doing, Susan ( Creative Chick) surprises me!

My friends and I have joined a teaching Embroidery Guild in Guelph. I am enjoying the cheerful camaraderie and the new friends I am making. This term's project is Mini Landscapes. Ruth is the teacher and a very talented embroiderer. This photo shows the landscape I have chosen to attempt.

Here is my beginning diagram, to create a pattern to begin my stitching.

I had delightful play date today with the Material Girls. We were carving our own stamps from erasers and soft lino blocks. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to do relief printmaking. Next time we will use our blocks to print on fabric. I am getting excited about our upcoming holiday and leaving the brutal cold behind! I've checked out the locations for shopping at Joanne's fabrics. One store is very close to our destination. I will also make a stop at my favourite shop, the Fabric Art Shop in Lake City, Florida. I can hardly wait! Until next time, happy stitching!

Track not Target

2010-01-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

So much for remembering words exactly! I misread this last week Creative Cue! Above is my art work for the word 'Target'. I was inspired by the book, Journal Bliss by Violette.

New Technique for January 2010

2010-01-20T10:48:00.001-08:00

I joined Susan Sorrell's Technique of the month Challenge. This is my new technique that was shared in my little fibre art group. I used a brown paper Bag to start with. I then added designs from a Australian Aboriginal art work I found on the Internet with oil pastel. I washed it with acrylic paint. I then added drips of wax candle or covered the surface with wax candle. The reverse side of the papers were painted with acrylic coloured gesso, to create a textured surface.

The ends results were ripped, hole punched and embellished with stitches. I really liked my sketchbook page more than the larger piece. The assemblage certainly was a challenge! I think I will use the papers in other projects. I had a fun day playing with my friends.

Fertile Earth and a Creative Cue

2010-01-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Still Lesson 1

Backstitch Embroidery on a Painted Background

I used my black and white photo of the Romaine end to create this stitchery.

Added cotton appliques in the process of being stitched down.

Looks like a Tossed Salad!

Creative Cue #2 Heel

Postcards for my Naked Postcard Exchange.
Go Green and Save the Trees Theme!

Fertile Earth

2010-01-11T13:27:00.001-08:00

Fertile Earth Class with Susan Sorrell

Lesson 1 Fruits and Vegetables

Romaine Lettuce

Manipulated Photo of cut end of Romaine Lettuce

Solarized Photo

My background fabric and Romaine Lettuce

First Print with the leaf

Several prints using cut end and leaf of the romaine

Finished printed fabric

I used Jacquard and Setacolor paints. I sponged the paint on and made a relief print. I couldn't find my brayer to roll the paint out. Stay tuned for the manipulated photo to be applied to the fabric to create stitch! I'll use the black and white version.

Creative Cue EAST

2010-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

My Creative Cue for this last week is the word, EAST! My first thought was the most easterly place in Canada, Cape Spear, Newfoundland. I have posted 3 photos I took in June of 2008 at Cape Spear, which is a windy but beautiful piece of the Rock. This is the original lighthouse with it long climb up the stairs.

This is me standing at the most easterly point! Across the Atlantic Ocean is England!

A Picture postcard view at Cape Spear.

I am going to collage these photos in my new 2010 Sketchbook and maybe do some sketches! If you want to do this with me, there is a badge to the right from Three Creative Studios. Next week's Cue is HEEL! Please join me!

Madelyn and Funky Monkey

2010-01-02T12:10:00.001-08:00

Madelyn and her mommy open Funky Monkey and the fabric Book.

Oatie gives a paw up to help Maddie with Funky Monkey.

Oh, Funky Monkey! I like you!

Holly gets a bird quilt for her birthday from Me!

Great Aunt Donna holding Maddie after a change of clothes!

Happy New Year Funky Monkey!

2009-12-31T16:46:00.001-08:00

A Happy Heartfelt New Year to all my Friends!

This Funky Monkey and his book about monkeys jumping on the bed is a present for my sweet grand neice, Madelyn! I finally completed it last night and will be delivering it to her tomorrow!

This is also a little peak at my sewing area! But I can still produce art in amongst all the clutter!
I've made a few challenges for the new year:
1. Susan Sorrell's monthly challenge to try a new technique each month
2. Complete 2 projects for juried shows, coming up soon
3. Do my blog every week, none of this catch up stuff!
4. Work on writing articles for magazines
5. Have fun at my stitching guilds and continue with my volunteer work
6. Complete a few UFOs and prepare for gallery sales ahead of time
7. Take a few classes during the year, to get stimulated with art
8. Start a new sketchbook for 2010
9. Meet with my group Material Girls as often as possible and play all day
10. Spend time with Oatie, every day

That's it friends, Happy New Year! Best Wishes to Maggi in the UK! My most loyal follower! Hugs from afar!

Another Sale!

2009-12-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

Walk this Way!

I have a small show at a local chiropractor's office in Milton. Another African like fibre art piece, called 'Walk This Way', sold just before Christmas. This one is based on Diane S. Hire's piecing techniques. It is pieced, appliqued, machine quilted, embroidered and beaded. The lady who bought it, is giving it to her daughter and son-in -law. Whooohooo, its been a very good year!

A Belated Merry Christmas!

2009-12-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Our little Christmas Tree with mostly handmade ornaments.

Matthew and Oatie

Oatie with his new toy! Raffi!

Me with my Tim's coffee!

Jamie, happy with his present!

Christmas came late to our house this year. The flu came just before! I must admit I look pretty good after two days sick in bed. We spent our very first Christmas at home, away from family. I was just glad to be feeling better! Only hubby avoided the dreaded flu!

My Little Fat Bluebird and bad puppy!

2009-12-31T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is one of my new stitcheries inspired by Quilting Arts magazine! Marker lines, painted areas and embroidery.

Yarn spread throughout the living room!!!

The bad puppy trying to ignore me!

A small landscape for the AM Gallery.

These are six more bookmarks I made for the gallery and my friend and fellow artist, Sandra Spagnuolo. The chicken one is just for her. We traded art and now I own one of her little house collages. I love trading with other artists!

A Big Sale!

2009-12-31T14:07:00.000-08:00

A Taste of Africa Quilt

Just before Christmas, I had great news! My quilt was in the Oshawa Show and had enticed a purchaser and all I had to do was decide on a price and did I want to sell it! After speaking to the vice president of a Scarborough company, I realized this was the perfect person to have my quilt. It was to be a gift to the President of the company who is involved and dedicated to doing charitable work in Africa, such as providing clean drinking water. The price negotiated was secured and a courier delivered a cheque and off my quilt went to a new home!

Close up of A Taste of Africa

Another Close up

These are the last photos I took of my quilt, in case I want to make a second similar quilt. This Christmas I decided to part with some of my more traditional quilts as gifts to appreciative relatives. I don't know what I have been waiting for by storing my works in a big chest! Time to share my art!

More Art at the AM Gallery

2009-12-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

Bookmarks for the Gallery

A new show opened at the Arts Milton gallery for December. This time we have 20 artists showing and selling their art! It is so exciting because we are actually selling our art. Some of the purchases are small but it is a start. The show is colourful and varied from oil paintings to photography, pottery, wood turning, mixed media from nature, paper art, fibre art, acrylics and watercolours.

My bookmarks, which are reasonably priced are selling out and I am hoping customers will come back for more expensive items. Above is my Doddle Dog edition, fibre collage.

My other popular theme is the environment for book marks. I love these and they are a lot of fun to make recycling my own scraps. My fish and bird in a nest are also sold out. I love meeting the other artists in the show and supervising the gallery and meeting the public. We have updated the gallery with a debit machine and gift bags, next a real cash register!

This sweet little needlecase sold to a lovely lady from Mexico living in Milton. It is going to make its way to Mexico as a gift for a needleworker.

Finally, I have been making frameable cards from a Jane Wild technique in a Stitch UK magazine using brown paper, stitch, lace, paint and shiva stick sewn onto my own handmade paper.

Its been a busy time of year, teaching at Chris Hadfield school and sewing for the gallery. I have been enriching the kids at school showing them how to make Zentangles. Such fun! www.zentangle.com

Until next week, I hope you are not stressing about the holiday season.

Fibre Art Shows!

2009-11-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

Since September, I have been going show crazy! It started in September with the World of Threads Festival. I was in 4 different galleries! Then along came a great opportunity to take part in the AM Gallery at our local mall with Fine Arts Society of Milton. (www.fasm.ca) It has been a fabulous adventure! I love sitting at the gallery with other artists and meeting the public and I have also sold some of my fibre art!

Opening Reception Night!

A table of my Fibre Art!

My Art at the gallery!

The next show to prepare for was the Oshawa Fibre Art Show. It was my 4Th year in the show and showcased most of my fibre art over the last few years. It was very successful in terms of visitors and sales.

My Fortune Felt Jewellery and greeting card made for the Oshawa Fibre Art Show. Every felt bead contains a cookie fortune.

My silent auction piece for Osteoporosis Society of Toronto, called Pods and Seeds. This is a second piece I stitched on lutradur for my Organic embroidery class with Susan Sorrell.

Next month, another show at the Milton Mall, opening reception: next Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00. Hope to see you there!

A Two Month Break

2009-11-06T07:27:00.001-08:00

The last of summer at Lakeside Park in Oakville. I discovered this little gem of a park, while delivering a piece of art to the Oakville Museum for the Festival of the World of Threads. I took my little buddy along and we had a delightful time at the park. I love the Lakeshore in Oakville!

Lake Ontario shore line.

View from the park

A Grand Tree in the Park!!!! Yes, those are artists and their easels.

Oatie enjoying the surroundings.

Nesting is a new theme challenge for the new year of the Oakville Stitchery Guild. My little ATC is going to be in a book cover pocket, for my completed Sketchbook, another OSG challenge. This ATC is hand felted.

,

Among the many shows I have been participating in, this was one of them, The St. Clair Artwalk in Toronto at Penny Milton's gorgeous home and studio.

My art work hanging on the wall at Penny's.

My one stitch challenge for the OSG, president's Challenge. I used a piece of painted and stamped fabric, a straight stitch and some silk applique for the poppies. I is embroidered only with straight stitch and beaded. It is also the correct size for the Ontario Network of Needle workers Challenge for next May! I am ahead of the game!!!! More to come very soon on the other shows, I have had and I am getting ready for! My apologies to my followers that thought sometime had happened to me. I love you for asking why I wasn't blogging. And congratulations to my young mixed media artist friend, Sandra Spagnuolo who has just started her blog. I should have a link very soon,

Keep stitching, Donna

Exquisite Corpse Photos

2009-09-02T12:30:00.001-07:00

My exquisite Corpse is home minus some arms! last year I took part in an Exquisite Corpse Round Robin organized by Arlee Barr. It was a lot of fun adding a body part to someone else's EC. We could not see what was above our block except for 1/2". Each participant started with a head of their choice. My blocks are in reverse in this blog.

Legs and feet from Nancy.

Shorts from Kate.

Corset from Emmy.

Torso from Debby.

My corpse head.

My friend, Anne Marie told me about Arlee's EC project. Here we are with our finished corpses.

I think I will add some arms and hands to my corpse, sorry Debby! I will add my efforts on the other corpses to my next blog, you'll see how they kind of go with my corpse head!

Organic Embroidery Class Finished!

2009-09-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Lesson 4 ' Bubble Wrap' a microscopic photo with fabric appliques on painted fabric

This is the first on line class I have completed! That is every lesson. I highly recommend classes with Susan Sorrell of Creative Chick. I love the simplicity of the lessons and the portability! I got many new ideas of how to create my own embroideries. Thank you Susan!

Bubble Wrap

Lesson 5 'Buff and White Tails' aerial photo, stitched on paper and lutradur

Buff and White Tails

Lesson 6 'Iapetus' Saturn's Moon surface, stitched on painted fabric.

Iapetus

Now, to go back and finish a couple of on line classes. I have learned something new with every class finished or not! I hope you enjoy looking at my embroideries!

Fibre Art Studios

2009-09-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

The members of the Fibre Art Studios held a meeting last Sunday at Janet's to gather art for our show at the Abozzo Gallery in Oakville for the World of Threads Festival from Sept. 18th to October 4th. There are many venues and a lot of fibre art from 6 different fibre guilds. It will be a grand affair! I am taking part in 4 galleries and artist's receptions! www.worldofthreadsfestival.com
www.fibreartstudios.com
Back row: Penny Milton, B.J. Reid and Janet Rhind
First row: Deb Milton, Danielle T, Anne Marie Desaulnier, Me and Gordana Brelih. (Photo by Marda McLean)

Selection of work from Danielle, and Gordana.

A selection of work from, Anne Marie, Deb , Janet and myself.

Discussing our work! Gordana, Deb, Anne Marie, Danielle, B.J. and Penny.

Janet, Deb and Anne Marie.

Anne Marie, Danielle, B.J. and Penny.

Our meetings are always productive and we love to share techniques and new work or learnings!

Come see our 'Expressions' show at the Abozzo Gallery, 179 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, September 18th to October the 4th. Reception: September 19th from 2 -4 pm.

Quilter's Mis Bee Haven

2009-08-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Organic Embroidery, Lesson Three resting on painted face wipe. This is from an image I took in Florida of an interesting beach garden.

Lesson Five, with Susan Sorrell, a pastel drawing and collaged Japanese papers, ready to be stitched. The image is an aerial photo of the earth.

Last weekend my friend Sandra, (below) invited me to a free weekend at Quilters Miss Bee Haven in the small village of Raymond near Lake Rosseau. The sign says, ' Everyone loves Raymond', as you approach the farmhouse retreat nestled on 18 acres of land. Above, are all my new friends at the weekend retreat. ( left to right: Doug, Kim, Theresa, Sherri, Marg, Sandra and Francis. Sherri won the weekend and invited the rest of us. Whoo hooo!!! The accommodations were great, the food was scrumptious and the crafting was fun.

Here is Sandra working on her Scrapbook.

This is a view of Lake Rosseau from the Cross Roads restaurant where we had a glass of wine and tasty lunch on a sunny day before arriving at the retreat.

Just a thought! Let's Misbehave!

This is the front of the Farmhouse!

Our bedroom with an on suite. I called it the Three Bears room! I slept in Mama Bear's Bed.

Another photo of the girls, including me on the far right!

I enjoyed the conversations I had with my new friends. We laughed alot and took turns providing the meals which was such a treat! I worked on scrap booking a few pages in Oatie's baby album and I continued working on my Organic Embroidery Lessons. I had a great time. Thank you Sherri and Sandra. We are thinking we should have a reunion next year!

A Birthday, Beach Baby and Janet's Show!

2009-08-11T18:59:00.001-07:00

This is my son James on his 28th Birthday at his favourite restaurant. The young lady is Katharine, Jamie's girlfriend. They are both teachers!

My grand neice, Madelyn is enjoying her first visit to the Beach at Turkey Point, Lake Erie. Such a cutie, at eight months old.

My neice Holly and Maddie. Holly is a teacher too!

Maddie! I hope she will like to stitch some day.

Lesson 4 of Organic Embroidery with Susan Sorrell. This is a microscopic photo from the internet of bubble wrap. Here are my appliques before stitching using painted fabrics.

Lesson 2, completed using a photo of seeds for inspiration.

Lesson 3, almost completed on a background of painted facial wipe. I used a photo I had of a beach garden for inspiration. I call it impressionist since it is not completely abstract.

My friend Janet recently had her opening at the Greenwood Gallery. Here she is in front of her stunning art works.

Finally, a word about the World of Threads Festival in Oakville during September. To learn more and see the venues go to www.worldofthreadsfestival.com I will be showing at the Joshua Creek Gallery, Abozzo Gallery and The In2Art Gallery. Exciting times!

Three Times a Charm

2009-07-29T17:36:00.001-07:00

Lesson 2 With Creative Chick, Organic Embroidery

Again I am having a great time doing an on line class with Susan Sorrell. I love the freedom of working whenever I want and having all my materials right here. Often I make meals and paint backgrounds in the dining room at the same time. Proximity of my art space is important to how much I get done. Above is a photo of seeds I found in the neighbourhood manipulated on my HP 927 camera. Below is an original photo.

It is important to follow your lesson as you go along. I ended up doing it three times. I'll have three different art pieces based on the same photos.

This is effort number 2, the correct size but I stitched on the wrong side of the lutradur. All the sparkle and print is on the other side.

This is effort # 1, wrong size, too big at 8"x10". It will take forever and a day to stitch the inside patterns.

This is finally effort #3, correct size and the lutradur is the correct side up. I have had a lot of practise with the back stitch. I switched to pearl cotton which I had to rescue from Oatie dog, he was all tangled in it with the ball in his mouth and he wasn't giving it back. After the outlining I will be adding pattern to my shapes using a variety of stitches. Stay tuned for the finished projects! P.S. I finished Lesson 1!

Finished Cloth Doodle for Material Girl, Janet.

Cloth Doodle for Marda.

Cloth Doodle for Leslie!

Close Up of 'Nesting'. I hope you like it Leslie!

Finally, I was busy writing an artist's statement for my quilt that will be in the juried show, The Common Thread, in September during The World of Threads Festival. Thank goodness, my new Q' Arts Magazine had a very good article about writing these statements. Must get back to work! Toodles to Maggie, who always reads my blog!

Fun Fibre Retreat

2009-07-22T18:23:00.001-07:00

Delightful flowers outside the Erie Beach Hotel in Port Dover on Lake Erie.

My group of four fibre artists, ( the Material Girls ), had a little retreat at my cottage at Turkey Point last week. We stitched, painted, and discussed everything fibre art. One highlight was our dinner at the Erie Beach which is famous for its salad cart and celery bread. I particularly like the horseradish jello and pickled pumpkin. After dinner we shopped in the area and found some very nice things to buy. Marda found these giant keys for her studio and couldn't resist a new straw bag. I bought a cute little nest with three eggs in it for my book shelf. Later, we all enjoyed ice cream at the local stand in Turkey Point.

Janet, in front, Marda and Leslie.

Janet, me and Leslie.

A view of the board walk in Port Dover.

Oatie, sleeping finally in his bed after a hard day of watching us make art! Note his toy he got at a garage sale, a Tasmanian Devil. He carried it home by himself.

A very good time was had by all, we made painted journal pages and worked on cloth doodles to trade with each other.

I've started another class with Susan Sorrell of Creative Chick Studio. This is my Organic Embroidery Sampler in progress.

A close up of Lesson One. This is really fun!

At the cottage, Oatie and I stayed over the weekend, I finished my sock stuffie. I call it Little Brown Dog. He is made from a pair of my socks and it is completely hand sewn. I used pipcleaners to give the ears some character, like Oatie's ears.

I traded for some journal pages with the Cloth Paper Studio ladies. This is one side.

Side 2.

Dotee Doll swap! I got one of my own back!

Postcard from Kathie Meyers. (Fibrein2Art Forum)

I sent my postcard naked through the mail today to Norma Soulet. The lady at the post office was so impressed that I got wonderful service. I think I made her day! Its nice to brighten some one's day with your art! Until next week, stitch away!

Before and After

2009-07-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks have been busy as usual. Here is a photo of Oatis before the BIG Operation!

Here he is after, no worse for wear and all duded out in a red kerchief! Today's check up went well . He is all set to go.

This is my first paper stitchery mounted on a painted canvas. I just need to stitch it in place. I used the same method, using paper,crayon, paint, stitch witchery, fusible pellon. I machine stitched then hand stitched with added beads. I am very pleased with the results.

This is my first piece with all the embellishments completed. I just need to paint a wrapped canvas for it.

Button Cloth Doodle for a Cloth Paper Studio swap.

Go Green Cloth Doodle

Playing with Papers

2009-07-01T18:14:00.001-07:00

Decorated Papers, using hand made paper, crayons and paint.

My mom, sister Brenda, my aunt Elly and I had a delightful time on Monday on the Grand River Dinner Cruise. We saw a movie about the Grand River, were entertained by the Blazing Fiddles and had a tasty lunch on the Princess pontoon boat along the Grand River. Captain Al told us about the local history, especially about the Mohawk natives and the Six Nations Reserve. We saw from the river where the poet, Pauline Johnson lived.

This past week I have been completely enthralled with making design papers for stitching on. Using the instructions from Jill A Kennedy's Florabundance article in Quilting Arts Magazine, I've made one surface to stitch on and I have a couple more ready to go. Above is a design paper after using wax crayons and painting over the resist with Dynaflow. I added some Shiva gold on top. It's ready to be fused to craft fuse stabilizer on the back and fused with stitch witchery on the top. Once that is done I will scrunch up the paper fabric to soften it. The next step is to cut the pieces apart and reassemble into a design.

This is a close up of my first crayoned and painted Paper with stitching on it.

This is an over all view of the same paper. After reassembling and fusing to craft fuse again, I zigzagged the edges and free motion quilted the whole paper. I started hand stitching using a straight stitch, a few french knots and cross stitches. Its amazing that I started with a piece of painted manila paper from school and ended up with a stitchery.

This is my first cloth Doodle. I enjoyed doing this so much. I am keeping this one and making 3 more for a swap with Cloth, Paper Studio forum.
I finally got to working on making my studio spots in my house. My bookcase is up and filled with my art quilting books beside an easy chair in my living room. This is my reading SPOT! Since I can not have one big studio, I will have spots all over my house. Right now I am at my computer spot in the basement family room. This will be a summer project for sure! Until next week, try paper quilting!

Celebrations and Publication!

2009-06-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

This photo is for all my dog fans. Oatie will be six months on July 2nd! He is getting to be such a good companion. He sleeps on the floor almost under our bed, follows me everywhere, loves to go to the beach and is a good rider in the car! This is his second haircut and he is too cute!

More Swap ATCs arrived last week. Thank you to Meri, Barbara and Marci from the cloth, paper, studio forum! I am busy now making 6" x 6" cloth doodles. I just sent off my painted journal pages for a trade. If you would like to join our group, go to http://www.clothpaperstudio.com/

Symbols of the Beach

My cause for celebration is 3 fold this week. I was published in Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine in the July/ August issue! WOO HOO! Thank you again to Susan Sorrell for the Symbols class! Today is my youngest son's birthday. Matthew is 25 years old and he proudly wore his Bluejays Baseball watch that we got him to the game tonight at the Rogers Center. My third celebration was for my son James' graduation from the University of Toronto Teacher Education. (OISE) He is now a Secondary School Teacher!

Finally I took a picture of my finished 'GO Green' Challenge that was an extreme challenge, using mostly leather and lace. Below are two of my painted journal pages.

My three Dotee dolls for the cps swap!

A graduation Photo: me, James and my hubby Ray. Got to love the coordinated green!

Until next week friends, I'll be on summer holidays!

Busy, busy as the School Year Ends

2009-06-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

As the school year ends, nothing gives me as much pleasure as teaching art to kids. I've been at my favourite school teaching cartooning to grade 7, painting to grade 5 and mosaics to grade 6! I am often given the freedom to prepare for the class and teach my own lesson. It is my giving back to my profession and to the kids especially when they love what they are doing! My favourite tool is my sketchbook. Many students love flipping through a little part of my life and art. I hope it inspires these young artists.
I've been busy with entries, street festivals and year end guild meetings. It was a pleasure but hard work to program for the Oakville Stitchery Guild. Last night was our annual general meeting with a potluck dinner, silent auction and slideshow of the Onartio Network of Needleworkers Meeting and show. We had a great year and I look forward to planning next year's program with the theme: 'Celebrating with Stitch'.

I am looking forward to future art endeavours this summer, starting with a declutterization of my house or studio. Which is which? My bookcase is put together and the first job is to gather my collection of books next to an easy chair and out of my sewing area! Then to tackle the dining room or paint studio as I refer to it. I want to camoflage the many supplies behind a standing screen. Finally my sewing studio in the basement, to make it more user friendly!

I wish to spend more time stitching at the cottage with Oatie, who loves to play with stings and threads. On the weekend, I was sitting on the deck watching the robins, feeling the breeze and sun. I was stitching my first Dotee doll for the Cloth, Paper Studio Swap. The photos above are from our back deck looking at our neighbour's yard in Turkey Point on Lake Erie. I manipulated then glorious green and red colours on my HP camera. Who knew what that little camera could do!
Last of all, my 'Beach Symbols' finalist piece is on its way home from Cloth Paper Scissors with a complimentary copy of the magazine. I am anxious to see if it is in the magazine! I received a felted picture from Scotland today from Aileen. Thank you Aileen, it is beautiful! A photo is coming soon! Until next time, keep stitching!

Go Green Challenge Finished

2009-05-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

A lovely spring photo at the cottage of two contrasting coloured trees in our neighbour's yard. Nature has the best colours!

As program leader for my stitchery guild. I planned a 'Go Green' challenge this year for our members. We exchanged bags of recycled materials in October and presented our final projects last night at our meeting. My bag consisted of pieces of leather, some from old purses, a variety of laces, ribbons and some vintage dress embellishments including beads and sequins. Just a very bit of fabric and 2 balls of yarn.
I decided to make a background of fabric paper using Beryl Taylor's recipe. I used muslin, bits of collage paper and tissue paper. I embedded a couple of pieces of lace and netting into the tissue paper. I painted, gilded it with gold paint, stamped and sprayed on walnut ink.

With the other materials I made little units that I crocheted, felted, embroidered and beaded.

I assembled a little leather bird and cut the leaves from the purse. I cut up the vintage embellishment and mounted it onto black felt with the gold ribbon. I tried to arrange it all on the background, but it didn't look right. Finally one night, I thought: ' cut it into pieces'. And I did! This project was really a difficult challenge! Here is the final effort on black felt.

I made use of some of each material in my bag except some green lace. I added a few of my own coloured beads and some little gold jewelery findings. The backing also is recycled fabric and the felt and batting are from my studio. It is hand stitched, embroidered, beaded and machine quilted. I named it 'Pretty in Pink'.

I am showing my Go Green quilt at our meeting Monday night. Finally finished! I learned a lot about using what you have and ultimately that is the challenge. Thanks to Beryl Taylor's Mixed Media Explorations book for some of the techniques used in my quilt. Until next time, remember to 'Go Green' for the planet!

Joshua Creek Heritage Center

2009-05-20T21:42:00.001-07:00

The Oakville Stitchery Guild meets at the home of Sybil Rampen at the Joshua Creek Heritage Center. We are very lucky indeed to meet at this recently renovated home, studio and art gallery. This is the back of the Winter Garden where we have our meetings.

This is a view of the pool from the back of the Art Gallery. Notice the Out House!

This is Sybil at a recent meeting of the Milton Fine Art Society. Sybil was the guest speaker and she gave an inspiring talk about her art and writing.

This is the Mercy Fish Art Gallery. Sybil held an art show of her work in celebration of her 80Th birthday. It was an amazing show of many media from printmaking to painting to fibre art.

This is Sybil's century family home. I am in awe of this beautiful home and gallery. Thank you Sybil for inspiring me!

Grand National Postcard Challenge

2009-05-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

I am one of the Terrific Twelve artists recognized for our outstanding postcards in the Grand National Quilt Show 2009. I was so happy to be recognized along with other artists such as Hilary Rice, Beverley A White and Rita Budd. I had a chance to meet Beverley, whose work I admire.

Here I am at the Artist's Reception at the Joseph Schneider Haus, beside my postcard titled 'Go Green' which I made rather quickly for my postcard workshop back in February. I loved this little piece of Art because of the Go Green theme that the Oakville Stitchery Guild has made their focus for this year.

This is after the presentation to the me as part of the 'Terrific Twelve'. I was given a postcard book of all the winners and a rose corsage!

This postcard is one made by fellow artist and friend, Anne Marie Desaulniers.

A postcard made by Hilary Rice. I met Hilary last June in Newfoundland at the Canadian Quilter's Conference.

This stunning rendition of the JS Haus is made by Jill Buckley of London, On

This is my favourite postcard, the dog's left ear is hanging free!

A postcard made by Roberta Whitmore, of London, On. Roberta was also a one of the Terrific Twelve.

A great winning postcard by Joanne Young of Kitchener!

This is my dear friend Leslie who accompanied me to the reception. She is standing in front of some blue themed postcards!
May is such an exciting month for quilting art events! The St. Jacob's Quilt and Fibre Art Festival is May 26th - 30th. JS Haus is having a meet the artists event on the 28th from 7 - 9 pm. I will be visiting the festival before going to the meet and greet! My friend Janet Rhind is having a solo show at the Silo Weavers during the festival. All is good in the Fibre Art world!