Saturday

Fabric and Lace Play


I'm working on this piece right now.  I missed working with fabric and this is the perfect project to get me going in that direction again.  I have layered muslin, haboti silk and vintage lace pieces and sewed down with a meandering stitch catching as many edges as possible.



Next I added 2 mm silk ribbon.  Here is a photo of my bobbin work with the 2 mm silk ribbon. Its very white right now and sits on top of the lace surface.   I will say it was a learning session for me - I've been intimidated by my sewing machine with anything other than simple sewing. I had to gently rip out and redo this because the first time I wasn't pleased with the tension and how the ribbon laid on the surface - my machine manual wasn't of much help so I googled it and realized it is considered bobbin work - and found a nice website with helpful info on adjusting the tension on the bobbin case, etc.....so back at it and I'm glad I pursued it. This whole piece will be dyed coming up next.....

Monday

13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 11, 12 & 13!

On the 11th day of our exchange came an amazing assemblage created by Linda!  WoW!    
                                        
This amazing ornament was wrapped in her hand dyed fabric and I know it will be just right for something in my future projects!  She created the face using polymer clay and used vintage doll legs and arms.  She created the doll's body from a wooden block complete with metal wings and adornments!  Thank you Linda, I think it looks great on my tree!

~ Day 12 ~
Terry made this amazing whimsical bird with what I call "Madeline eyes"!!
 
Terry used water color paper that she collaged for her birds with an amazing textural background on both sides!!  The eyes give her bird such personality!!   You can visit Terry's blog here!!   Thank you Terry - she makes me smile when I look at her!

~ Day 13 ~
Well by day 13 I have to say, I was sad we were at the end of our amazing exchange - I was getting down-right spoiled each day!  Day 13 brought a package from Pat Winter who is an amazing crazy quilter!  You must check out her blog here!  Pat created the most beautiful Victorian pin - I could also call it a broach!

It is surrounded by the most beautiful lace that is gathered and she did lovely ribbon embroidery embellished with beads and a delicate flower.  The picture is a Victorian ice skate with a bouquet of flowers complete with a pretty silver snow flake.  Thank you Pat, when I wear this at work it always gets attention!!

13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 9 and 10

On the 9th day of our exchange I received an amazing pin from Hope!!  

             
Hope painted this most beautiful face and surrounded it with pretty little pearl beads and ribbon that she carefully singed the edges of so it would curl just so!  Thank you Hope, I've gotten compliments at work when I wore it!

~ Day 10~
On the 10th day of our exchange I was treated to a beautifully decorated muslin pouch from Terrie that had the number "10" on an old fashioned candle clip for Christmas trees - it adds such a vintage flair to this package.  The muslin was stamped with a Christmas sentiment and stitched up complete with a fabric tree!  Terrie is so very talented - here is her Etsy shop.  Gosh I couldn't wait to open this up!!
It held a beautifully fashioned vintage wooden spool she found on Ebay.  She decorated it with old book text of  children's Christmas Carols.  It was sprinkled with Diamond Dust glitter and she formed a wire loop embellished with glass pearl and a cristal!  It's beautiful and you can read more about it with beautiful photos on her blog!!  Thank you Terrie!

13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 7 and 8

On our 7th Day I opened up a delightful snowman ornament from Vivian!!  I love the way it glistens in the sunshine with a very happy face that she drew!  It was packaged with a lovely label and looks great on my tree! Thank you Vivian!
~Day 8 ~
On Day 8 of our swap I opened up Corrine's most amazing garland of painted papers embellilshed with fibers and buttons - wow it must have taken a long time to put this together!!!  Thank you Corrine!!

Saturday

13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 5 and 6

Day 5 of our Christmas exchange brought a wonderful cone ornament from my friend Patti G!  I've known Patti for many years through online art exchanges and her creations are always gorgeous and meticulous!!  I just LOVE how Patti created the cloth for this piece.  She incorporated fibers, ribbons, sheet music cheese cloth, batting and a beautiful vintage photo and free motioned stitched to secure it all then embellished with lace, pearl beading and a pretty glistening flower.  It will hang from beautiful lace and ribbon!  She included an additional gift as well!  Thank you sweet Patti - this is special and will adorn my tree along with your other ornament from a few years ago!!


Look how beautiful the fabric, stitching and embellishments are!

 ~ Day 6 ~
Day 6 brought a delightful gift from Martha B!!  Martha is from Canada and I have long admired her artwork over the years and was thrilled when I realized she was participating in this exchange!  This morning I opened up her precious little package to find a beautiful glass heart with the most perfect of Christmas sentiments on the front and back!  Take a look: 

13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 3 and 4

       
Day 3 of our Christmas art exchange brought a gorgeous tussie mussie from our hostess with the mostest, Elizabeth Woodford!  E and I go back many years exchanging art through online groups and we have enjoyed meeting each other as well.  I have watched her talent just take off and now she is teaching such wonderful classes in her home state.  She has become well known for her fabulous sun prints and hand dyed fabric, so I was thrilled when I opened her package to find a beautiful christmas cone ornament that she made with vintage damask from old table cloths that she hand dyed and sun printed!  Her beautiful cone is lined with a gorgeous velvet trimmed with lace and buttons - my favorite things!  She has silver trim adorned with beautiful clear crystal beads, I love how she has sewn on the buttons in a cluster at the top.  She filled the cone with candy canes and mints.  Thank you E, it is gorgeous and I love having something that you created!!  To see more of Elizabeth's creatiions go here!!

~ Day 4 ~
Day 4 brought a wonderfully whimsical ornament by Leslie Brier!  The little cup holds the most adorable scene of vintage stickers of snowmen and bells, a gllittery bottle brush Christmas tree and the most pretty tiny glass balls and jingle bells - and it glitters beautiful when the sun hits it!  Thank you Leslie!

                                            



13 Days of Christmas art exchange - Days 1 and 2

This year I am participating in a 13 Days of Christmas art exchange with 12 other so very talented artists.  It has been so much fun opening up these beautifully wrapped and crafted gifts and I wanted to share them with you as well!
Day #1 is from Barbara Burkard.  Barb's wrapping was scrumptious with a hint of the loveliness inside!!

 
        
Inside was a magical snowman ornament in a clear glass globe - Barbara had such a beautiful photo of it on her blog - so much better than I could photograph - this photo is courtesy of Barbara Burkhard ~ and in addition to this most beautiful ornie, she made a gorgeous fabric cuff with all my favorite vintage embellishments ~ beautiful lace, buttons and pretty snow flakes!  Thank you so much Barbara, I love it all!!


Day #2 is Moi ~ I made a collage inside a watch case using one of my most favorite image of two little girls with angel wings.  I added a couple of stars one of gold thread and one sequin and "Peace on Earth".  It is topped with a lacey ribbon baub and pearl on top with a velvet ribbon to hang.  On the outside of the back I used alcohol ink to marbleize and used a "joy" stamp to finish off.  To package these, I used paper bags I put through my printer and added a little glitter bling for day 2.  Leslie Brier has a wonderful photo of the back of my ornament on her blog if you'd like to see here!!