this and that

I love this cabochon face -- which is the focal point on my Arch from Lynn (one of the ones I couldn't locate when I took my group shot last week). Here is the full view of Lynn's arch, made especially for me in our 2008 yearlong Textile Challenges arch swap.

My twelfth (and final) arch was made by our TC leader Carol T Taylor. Now I do have a new "To Do" on my list -- create a finished piece featuring all of my arches. Shall it be a book? or a free-standing display? or something else? (hmmm, I haven't a clue just yet .... do you?)



I don't think I've shown my Halloween ATC from Carol T as well. My spider, on my Boo! ATC is actually tethered to the ATC, and can swing!


Look closely -- I have overlaid the original (and smallest) spider and Boo! on top of the swinging spider. The swinging spider gains momentum and swings up and over head, above the Boo!

It really is a cool idea to have the spider be a free-flying agent, don't you agree? Thank you Carol -- as always, your creativity delights me!

Last of today's assorted "this and that" pieces is my most recent work, my ATC for Marie's week #2 of our monthlong challenge. Marie is leading our Textile Challenges group in a creative challenge that is evolving slowly, one week at a time. In this week's challenge, we were directed to go to a room in our home where we do not "create our art" and select a random item to use as the focal point in our ATC. Then head to our sewing area, grab four items to use with it and make our ATC in 20 minutes.
So once again, we had to make speedy quick fast decisions and choices as we worked and stitched and created, remembering that a major goal of the challenge is to finish the ATC within the short time limit.

With those guidelines in mind, I grabbed a Q-tip from the bathroom cabinet, and went upstairs to meet this challenge head on.

The Q-tip was snapped in half, caught under a piece of layered tulle and fibers scrap from an earlier project, and tulle was scrunched and stitched over the top, with a piece of fake vinyl stuff finishing one edge. Too fast, not enough thought directing this challenge. I don't care for it very much. Oh, and I managed to finish this ATC just past past our 20 minute mark.

Missing my BTB friends ... sigh

Today is the monthly meeting of my local art quilt bee, Beyond the Borders. Sadly I will not be there as I have one child home from school with a fever (that has lasted 2 days so far ... yuk). Fortunately, it is a low one that responds well to medicine (yea!) and my other child has been resistant to it (a second yea!).

Unfortunately, I've missed many consecutive meetings and am feeling very woe-be-gone without my usual BTB "fix." Do you know what I mean? The energy and excitement of seeing what my friends are working on in person not only recharges my batteries, it also fires up my fiber art dreams often enhancing both my creativity and productivity.


On a positive note ... if I had gone today, this is what I might have taken to share:

First a thank-you to Elaine and Nancy for their lovely birthday postcards that I received in November (I mentioned it has been awhile since I have made it to our meeting, right?).


Nancy's is the birthday crow and Elaine's is the camoflaged zebra. Thank you to both of you -- I love the surprise of getting fiber art postcards in the mail and these two are especially delightful! Thank you.


Next are the arches from my yearlong Textile Challenges arch swap. I have posted about this swap before, featuring ones I made for my TC friends. The photo below shows the wonderful arches I have received. As I gathered them to take the photo today, I realized I could only locate 10 of the 12 -- and at the moment I do not recall if I am missing the last 2 or if I have misplaced them in my home (the latter is more likely correct -- a true comment on my housekeeping abilities - in fact I am now thinking I have other birthday postcards to show too. Note to self: Must clean sewing room soon).

Aren't these arches amazing? Such a wonderful collection showcasing a variety of fiber art techniques ranging from hand embroidery to machine embellishment. The original idea for this swap was inspired by a Gothic arched book made by Beryl Taylor, although I am thinking I may assemble mine into a standing-hinged-display (Do you have any other suggestions? all ideas are welcome!)

Next, I would probably have taken this assortment of screen prints.

They are the samples made during a "Screen Printing Basics" class with Marit Kucera during the 2008 International Quilt Festival last October. It was a great class, especially remarkable in that two or three women came with younger daughters & nieces! Everyone made their own design to screen, then printed multiple versions so that we each left with a sample of everyone's design. Now I need to assemble these into a small quilt, or rather, I may prefer to make more new prints first ... hmmm, I do like that second idea.

Speaking of Quilt Festival, for years I have purchased tie-dyed t-shirts from Joy's Fabrics for my boys, getting new ones as they grew into the next size. This year I treated myself to these fabric packs of a 12-step Color Wheel and a 10-step gradation from black-to-gray.

I plan to make at least one fabric color wheel .... eventually.

Last of all, I would have shared what is hidden in this box.
Wouldn't you love to get a box in the mail with this teaser poking through the small hole? It is another wonderful trade with my Textile Challenges group. I will reveal it in a day or two. For a hint, check out this blog, by one of my newest TC friends, Elizabeth. Be sure to go and look as she is offering a fun give-away in honor of her upcoming 250th blog posting (click here and leave a comment before February 14th to earn a chance to win the gift featured).

the Last Two

I have been participating in a yearlong swap of arches with members of the Textile Challenges group that is led by my friend, Carol T. Taylor. While I ran behind almost every single month, I am so excited to announce that I have completed all twelve of my arches before the year is complete! Hurrah for me! an even louder Hurrah for everyone who participated in this swap!

My November arch is for Hannah Katarski of Australia. I decided to go with Hannah's suggested theme of Renaissance, using the rich and sumptious wardrobes worn by the royalty in those days for my inspiration. I call this arch "A Renaissance Abstract." I hope you like it when you see it in person, Hannah. If not, send it back & I will make another one for you (teasing!).


My last arch of this yearlong swap is for the person who sent me my very first arch -- Gillian Beadman in the U.K. Gillian requested trees, seahorses or all things relating to Egypt .... my original plan had been to do something along the Egyptian lines, but as you'll see below ... those plans have changed.


This is "Sea Critters" in progress -- I meant to photograph more of the layering steps, but I always forget to do the in-between steps ... maybe on another project. Above is the arch after creating the background: a multi-layered affair using foil candy wrappers, batik cottons, fibers, and assorted colors of tulle (from pale green to deep navy blue). After layering, futzing, and relayering some more, I added the seahorse which I cut freehand from a metallic green fabric then stitched down into place. Below is the finished arch, which looks pretty much the same except for the beaded&embroidered tiny goldfish, beaded airbubbles and embroidery outlining the sea horse.


Gillian, I hope you like your 12th arch! I did enjoy making it for you and it is now in the mail and on its way to your home.

Now I'll wait patiently for Carol T to finish my last arch -- no hurries and no worries Carol as I know I will love whatever you create!

an old trade and a new one

Here is my September arch for Kate N. which I call Out for a Stroll.

Kate's arch features a portion of an old Valentine card, assorted candy wrappers, sheers and sparkly voile fabrics, glass beads and fun stitching. I hope she is pleased with it!

Here is a view of the back. This is one of twelve arches I have swapped with my Textile Challenges group. Well, it's one of 10 as I have two that I am still finishing.

Below you may recognize one of my BJPs from last year, Cooler Days Ahead. This is going to Susan Lenz for her Cyber Fyber exhibit. This exhibit has three main components, one of which will feature all the fiber art postcards that she has received from her internet trade. If you are interested, there is still a little time to join her show, click here to learn more. I am trading for her postcard #223 in her second round of postcard trades.


Susan is also trading Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) for her gallery show. I have made Spirals especially for Susan and her growing ATC collection. I am trading for her ATC #139. Click here or here to see other ATCs that are still available.


On Saturday, January 17, Gallery 80808, site of the Cyber Fyber exhibit, is hosting an ATC Trading Day. I am sending in a few to trade (maximum is 3), including this one, Space.



Here is a peek at the back of my Space ATC.
I am keeping this ATC for myself, perhaps because it still needs a name.


If you are interested in the gallery's ATC Trading Day, mail your ATCs (no more than 3) to arrive by Jan 17, 2009 (include stamped & self-addressed envelope to cover the return postage). Perhaps you will receive one of mine!

Ocean View arch

Today is the end of the Amnesty for our Textile Challenges group and I've had some success at completing several ongoing late projects. Here is my October arch for Judy B who requested "trees, leaves, oceans ..." which I chose to combine into one piece named "Ocean View."

The ocean is made with many colors of blue tulles, catching colorful foil candy wrappers underneath; the sky is a commercial cotton (rather sunset-looking, I thought); the beach and the palm tree are three upholstery scraps; and the palm leaves are blend of a shiny metallic green fabric with two shades of green tulle.


For the back, I selected this multi-colored Hawaiian print because I thought Judy would enjoy the colorful blossoms and leaves on it.


One more overdue project is my Spider Web ATC -- soon to be winging its way to a new home with Annette in the UK.


All this frenzy of work and I am not totally caught up. How can that be? My remaining list of "Must Do's" includes:
1) to mail the five completed amnesty projects tomorrow (as I type this, only two are packaged and ready to go).
2) to finish my September arch for Kate (while it is coming along, it is demanding a few more bead embellishments now) .... and it needs name ... and last of all, I must decide what to use for its back and finish it!
3) to design, create, complete and mail my last two arches for our yearlong swap: November for Hannah and December for Gillian.

I feel that I have made some great strides in the right direction .... Thank-you for your patience, everyone! And thank you Carol T for the Amnesty protection, as it was the perfect "kick in the tush" that I needed!

Antiquities arch

According to our yearlong swap, I am to make an arch for Pam in West Glam who requested a theme of "all things aged, architecture, ancient relics, but no birds, please." My earliest idea was to create a ancient portal with fabrics .... but clearing the towering magazine pile, I came across a few National Geographics ... and my idea evolved to include magazine images of Persian ruins and other artifacts. Here is an early stage of my arch.

The magazine pages are collaged together on a base of brown felt. Tulle and fibers are overlaid and couched down, securing everything in its place. Then I hit a creativity-block. The arch remained stalled for days that lapsed into weeks as I struggled to come up with a method or technique to finish it.

I eventually found some great beads to use as accents. As you may know, beads can be difficult to capture well in a photograph. The next photo is one of the worse photos I managed to snap. I decided to share its disaster so that others may benefit from my lack of expertise.

As you can see, the flash has reflected against the sheen of the magazine pages, making the images difficult to see.

I decided to include a snap of the back of this arch, which is made from a portion of a table-runner. The stability and strength of the woven table runner has helped to stiffen the arch.


The day has sped past too quickly. The sun has set too soon, before I could get the ideal perfect photograph. This photo of "Antiquities" is a tad paled by the bright sunlight (taken the next afternoon), but the beads stand out nicely.

This arch is officially complete. All I need to do is to wrap it up, preparing it for a journey across the ocean. Anticipated departure: Monday, December 1, 2008 (at long last).

Pam, thank you for your patience. I hope "Antiquities" arrives safely to your mailbox and more importantly, that you like it!

Sunset arch

I am working hard to meet my amnesty deadline of November 30 .... here is partial proof: my arch for Arlee in Canada which I have named "Sunset."


Arlee had asked for hot colors and copper, wishing for a funky/non-cutesy theme for her arches. I had fun playing with fabric and sheer scraps that I cut and trimmed and layered under a pale tulle fabric. Stitching through peltex (my inner stabilizer), I added glass tubular beads as well as two hot-glue-gun painted squiggles. My final touches included small dabblings with a copper Shiva paint stik. My good news for Arlee is that this arch is now finished, packed and ready to mail to you in the morning! Of course, I could almost hand-deliver it as I'll be passing through Calgary next week-end.

Grecian Profile arch

Every thing starts with an idea -- and sometimes a sketch, too.
The idea was to create something Grecian for Mags' arch and after looking into books and pondering, I came back to the Grecian profile (a modern sculpture) on display in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. I had sketched it a year or more ago and when I happened on my old sketch, I knew I would use some portion of it to create my arch. Here is how I adapted my sketch to fit the size of our arches.


Choosing to work in the deep blue, I looked for a few brights to use. I selected a scrap of gold voile with bead-like highlights but quickly learned that appliqueing sheers is a challenge! Where did I put that Misty Fuse when I needed it? This problem was solved by couching bright yarns and fibers along the profile's edge, then adding a poof for the Grecian headdress.


Final touches included adding a piece of painted, heat-distressed, wrinkled tyvek. What more can I do to this arch? or is it time to stop? I think I am ready to mail it! For those not in the know, I am in a yearlong arch swap-trade with my Textile Challenges group. It's been great fun playing with new techniques all the while dreaming up new ideas for each arch -- trying to come up with the perfect arch to match the receiver's wish-list of themes.



But I puzzled over the back. I wanted to add a pocket, just like the other arches I have received. The pocket is the perfect spot to tuck in a note telling all about the making of the arch ... except that I need to create some neat fabric/paper/cardstock to write the note on ... I seem to find more delays or do I just wish to keep this Grecian profile in my hands a tad longer?

I have decided to send the arch at long last. I will send the note (to slip into the pocket) at some future date. I hope Mags is happy with her very late June arch, even with its empty pocket. After all, wouldn't you prefer an arch with an empty pocket rather than no arch at all?

P is for Patsy

P is for Patsy, who has been waiting patiently since May for my arch. As per my usual, I am running behind with my Textile Challenges Yahoo group. Thirteen of us are doing a yearlong swap -- making one arch per month for each other.

My goal: to create an arch with a Victorian feel.

Techniques used: The letter "P" was made using hot glue from a hot glue gun, a fun technique explored earlier this year. Basically squirt the hot glue onto parchment paper, and while the glue is flowing, write the letter or shape that you desire. Let the shape (or shapes) dry, then paint. I used Jacquard Lumiere paints here -- two or three different colors. Let the paint set at least 24 hours -- longer is even better. Warning: you cannot heat set this paint as heat will remelt the hot-glue, thereby changing your original shape (ask me how I know this, if you dare).

The letter was stitched onto the oval frame, then circled many times with a rayon-y fiber. A fancy tulle was rouched over a pleated white batiste in the lower portion of the arch. An embroidered linen fills the top of the arch with a snippet of bridal lace adding the final touch. The entire arch is bordered with a trio of fibers, leaving a loop at the top for fun.

I hope Patsy likes this especially since she's been waiting so long for it. My apologies to her for my tardiness -- now onto create my June piece for Mags .... and July for ..... well these friends know who they are (and that I'm working as fast as I can, promise!)
I'd chat longer but I need to dash to keep my creating momentum going as I try to "keep even" on my behind-ness (if that is possible) or at least not fall further behind.

The Queen of E & Under the Sea

The Queen of E, as in "the Queen of Everything," is my 8th of 12 Bead Journal Projects (BJP). As a faithful Behinder slowly catching up in this yearlong commitment that ended last month, I'm plugging away steadily ... just think ... I only have 4 more to go ...


I finished this piece faster than all the others that I've worked so far, and it has the most beads on it, too. How is that possible? Perhaps because I merely embellished someone else's artwork. Thank you, Mary Engelbreit! This BJP is made from my last piece of Mary Engelbreit "Queen" fabrics which I had been saving for eons. Such a perfect way to use it. Don't you agree that all Queenly adornments should be sparkly with jewels and beading?

I am also behind (hmm, a familiar tendency of mine) in an ongoing Arch Swap with my friends in Carol Taylor's Textile Challenges Yahoo group. This is "Lyn's Under the Sea" April arch -- soon on its way to a new home in Florida.

This arch has a lovely batik blue for the water; a corduroy/upholstery beach; silk and rayon fiber seaweeds and grasses; beaded fish, bubbles, shells; two brass charms; and my favorite: two odd looking sea creatures (squid? jelly fish?) made from a curious artificial flower petal. The sparkle is from the shimmery tulle overlaid on top to keep the sea grasses under control.


"Under the Sea" is my 9th Bead Journal Project, hurray! It is made of the same ingredients listed above in Lyn's arch and was quite fun to put together.

Now I have only 3 more BJPs to finish up for the 2007 BJP year! It looks as if I really might finish all my 2007 pieces before the 2008 BJP begins in September. Hosted by Robin Atkins, this will be another fun adventure with lots of new friends on the horizon just waiting to meet and share their stories! Click here for more information on how to register.

Mermaids

Did you know that even a mermaid will enjoy an afternoon of quiet solitude away from the hustle and bustle of abundant sea life?This is "Solitary Mermaid," my March arch for my Textile Challenge group's Arch Swap.

My friendly mermaid (see, she's waving "hello!") is made from buttons, beads, hot glue (that has cooled in the shade of the palm tree), candy wrappers, voile, knit fabric and wild fiber hair. The palm tree has a corduroy trunk and embroidered rayon leaves. The beach is an upholstery sample, with a batik ocean and calm cotton skies above.

Why make one mermaid when you have material for two? Please meet "Mermaid with Friends."
She is made from the same ingredients as "Solitary Mermaid" above, with the addition of two friends, seahorse charms tethered with a golden cord. Notice how they are swimming in the ocean -- a bit of shimmery voile adds this dimension.

"Mermaid with Friends" is my 7th Bead Journal piece, a 4"x6" postcard, for the 2007 Bead Journal Project (BJP) which ended in May. I'm a faithful "Behinder" who is working hard to complete her promise of 12 BJPs for the year before the new 2008 Bead Journal Project begins this September. If you're interested in a year-long adventure of beading, sharing, and fun: click here for information and registration details.

Esmerelda & Gricelda

I am enjoying the arch swap with my Textile Challenges group very much, even though I am consistently one month late!


For the month of February, I have created an arch for Carol R. Inspiration for her arch comes from her theme ideas of fairies & nature. I decided to create a nighttime fairy flying over a garden of dreams. No larger than a butterfly, she's a wise more-that-mature fairy, as evidenced by her graying locks of wild, independent hair! She scatters seeds of inspiration and creativity wherever she flits and flies. This friendly fairy has been christened Esmerelda and her twin sister, Gricelda, appears on my coordinating BJP. Their names make me smile as they remind me of twin seventh grade girls whom I taught eons ago in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Both Esmerelda and Gricelda wear garments of satin, tulle and glittery sequins. Their wings are from butterflies and their hands hold their magic seeds hidden from view as even fairies are allowed secret, deep pockets for their treasures! They fly across moonlit gardens of blooming lapines scattering their beaded seeds everywhere. The moon and stars (former candy wrappers) provide the glimmering light in the deep velvety dark night.
Now that I have officially introduced Esmerelda, she will finally fly to her new home in Carol R's garden of blossoming wonders, her studio. Gricelda will remain here in Texas to inspire and motivate me as I continue my work on my March arch (it really is started Alis, promise!) and my April arch (for Lyn -- still but a glimmer) and coordinating BJPs.

FYI: Gricelda is my 5th BJP!

Textile Challenges

I am in a Yahoo group called Textile Challenges, run by the amazing Carol Tina Taylor. She comes up with creative ideas, challenging us to try them and share our results. Carol readily accepts ideas from everyone, arranges swaps for select challenges, encourages each of us, and keeps up with this busy pace -- all will teaching full-time and raising a lovely little girl! Carol, you simply amaze me! I want to be like you when I grow up (even if I'm a smidgeon older!) Oh, did I mention, she writes her own blog too.

Anyway, while this post is for you, Carol, and for our amazing group of fiber artists at Textile Challenges, it is also to show my January Arch. Our arch swap is running for the year of 2008. The 13 participants make one arch each month for a designated receiver. At the sign-up for this challenge, we listed preferences for design and color (including a "please not this color" too!). Then Carol set up the master swap list of who is doing whose arch for each month -- a clear and easy to read chart, even if I keep misreading it! (I have my July arch nearly complete when I thought I was working on March! my oops -- yes, this means that I am behind).

My first arch, January, was for our leader herself -- the amazing Carol T!!! My inspiration was to re-create a Gothic window using rich burgundy velveteen (which I learned is not so easy to use for reverse applique!) as the stone framework. The window panes are made of a gold-enhanced batik-like cotton print, framed with a loosely woven golden fabric. The peak of the arch is capped by another gilded print. Beads add a touch of glitter, drama and dimensional detail.

Naturally I am also in another yearlong group, the 2007 Bead Journal Project (BJP) created by Robin Atkins. Members signed up in May 2007 and agreed to make one beaded piece per month, for one full year beginning June 2007. The primary stipulation was to use the same size/shape for each of the journal pieces. I chose the standard 4"x 6" postcard size and to use beads as enhancements -- perhaps eventually working up to a more totally encrusted beaded postcard. I am relatively new to beading, excited to try this challenge and immediately was intimidated by the skills of my fellow BJP participants (including my own friends Linda Teddlie Minton, Nancy Dickey & Sara Sissenwein!). It was no surprise to me when I fell woefully behind. Is it no wonder that I hit a creative block while working on my second piece (finally resolved it in December - whew).

Now today is a new day & I am eagerly working to catch up with my behinder-BJPs ... In fact, I decided to combine my two yearlong projects by making a coordinating BJP for each of my Arches. Naturally I thought of this after I had mailed"Gothic Window" to Carol! Nevertheless, I pulled out my materials and created this piece which I call "Doodling with Beads, Velveteen and Reverse Applique." This is my 4th BJP ... or in other words: "four down, eight more to go." Onward!

I am so confident that I will complete my 2007 BJPs that I've signed up for the 2008 Beaded Journal Project. If you are interested in either the 2007 or 2008 BJP groups, please look at the BJP website. Registration has begun for 2008 (deadline for sign-ups is August 15) with the new year of BJP to begin in September. This is such perfect timing as it allows the entire summer either to rest or to frantically finish my behinders!