Focus on Fibre Art Entries

Wow!  It sure takes a lot of time and effort entering pieces in shows!   I just loved the theme of this show - Prairie - lots of opportunity for hand stitching!!  I spent the most of my time this week  photographing my work and re photographing my work - wishing again that I had better equipment, lighting and space to take photos.  Because of the weather, I had to take them inside so I opened all the curtains to allow as much natural light in as possible.  Eventually I had enough photos that reflected the true colours of the pieces.   Finally all the applications are completed and it is ready to go.

The following are just small portions of the detail shots I took of each one (a close up of a close up).  As you can see there's lots of hand stitching in two of them and machine stitching in the other.  The skies are painted in two pieces.  Two are stitched over the pieced fabric landscape, the other is stitched over a painted fabric landscape. 

 

That's all I am able to show you for now.

On another note (a musical one), I brought my necklaces to choir because two members had expressed interest.   They ended up being passed around and I sold 7 of them without really trying.  I was running out (I only brought 10) so they asked me to make more and bring them back.  How encouraging to me when trying out a new item!!

I Had an Idea

These tiny landscapes are 1" square

 
For some time I have had an idea rolling around in my head but needed to do some research to figure out how to do what I wanted to do.   In another life many years ago I made coloured porcelain jewelry.   In fact I layered coloured porcelains and manipulated them to create patterns - checkerboard, swirls, etc.   I also sculpted miniatures into tiny earrings and pendants.   So you could say I like to challenge myself to make things that are smaller and smaller.   Recently I experimented with fabric beads and made a few fabric beaded necklaces which people seemed to like.  I also made some tiny fabric landscape pins which a friend suggested I turn into necklaces.   But I wanted a way to protect the fabric and make them look finished.

Well, I looked online and found tiny metal pendant frames and glass cabuchons.  I ordered a few but wondered just how small was do-able.    I cut tiny bits of fabric, ironed them onto thin fusible craft bond to make the tiniest fused landscapes.  Then I glued them onto the back of a glass cabuchon and glued the cabuchon into the metal bezel 'frame'.

And these 'large' ones are about 1 1/2" x 1"

I looked at several types of glue but was worried about the toxicity of some of them so I ended up using a gel medium to attach the fabric to the glass and a non toxic glue (Weldbond) to attach it all to the bezel.   I made sure the Weldbond came in contact with the glass sides to have a stronger bond.   I have been wearing one to see how sturdy it is and have a few volunteers ready and willing to try them out.  I also purchased a glue called E6000 which was recommended on several sites but I haven't used it yet.  It says to open windows etc when using and the weather here was not condusive to doing that just yet.

Since the fabric is under glass it is protected but it does make it difficult to photograph (again inside because of the winter weather).  The small ones have flat glass and seem to photograph equally well with or without the flash but the larger ones are curved and the light tends to bounce off them so they are better without the flash.

I think I will put some in my Etsy shop but first I have promised to bring them in to choir so people could have a look.  Here they are drying in their little plastic box - just about ready to go...

Next up I am trying to decide which piece(s) to submit to the Prairie themed show (Focus on Fibre Art Association).    They are due in February.  I have four which are suitable and it may come down to which ones can photograph most accurately.  I have some photos already so tomorrow I must tackle the rest and start writing up statements etc.   I really want to prepare something to submit to Quilt Canada as well so I guess I will be busy for the next couple of weeks.

I'm linking up to WIP Wednesdays over at the Needle and Thread Network where you can see what Canadian Fibre Artists are doing this week.

Starting the New Year Right!

With fabric of course!  My favourite fabric shop - The Running Stitch - is having their January Sale so off I went this morning with a generous gift certificate from my son.   I had a list but sometimes I am just captured by colour.  I did try to stay within certain colourways since I have a few projects in mind.  I purchased a Gloria Loughman online class on Craftsy before the holidays and I want to work on it this winter.   I also wanted to do a winter themed piece since I tend to shy away from them (not sure why).  But you won't see too many winter colours in this pile of fabric!   I seem to be drawn towards combinations of blues, orange, and purple recently.  I also purchased some fabric to make bags for my work as it travels to shows.   And I am planning on making more fabric beads and pendants.


And now I'm editing my post because I almost forgot to show you the yummy yarns and rovings I bought from Wooltime earlier this week.

New Year's Resolutions?   I have no resolutions to speak of but I will continue to organize and de clutter.   My theme in the past year has been to strive to take care of business (both house business and quilt business).   I got rid of lots of large objects that were stored in my basement, I purchased a furnace protection plan, completed some repairs to my home, traded my aging vehicle, and am working on organizing cupboards - all with the idea that the less I have to worry about the more I can be creative. 

I think it is a good thing to reflect on the year just past and see where we are at.  In 2013, I took part in two successful  shows in Ottawa plus a group exhibit at the local library  My colour challenge piece was exhibited at Wabi Sabi, Fibre Fling and Fibre Fest.  I had a piece in the 'Sacred Threads' exhibition.  I opened my ETSY shop at the end of November.  I am moving forward.

My Tree piece for the SAQA Trunk show is on its way and I plan to enter pieces in a 'Prairie' themed show and  Quilt Canada.   We have a spring show coming up with Out of the Box as well.   I want to keep entering shows but  I am trying to be careful to not take on too much, to pace myself, play, and spend time with friends.    'Living Simply' is my underlying long term goal.

IF I had a resolution (which I don't:) it would be to be more active physically.  Last year was a difficult one healthwise - nothing life threatening but just things that prevented me from exercising a lot.    It didn't stop me from dancing the night away on New Year's Eve.......I think I'll just keep dancing into 2014........

And here's a picture of Dru wearing her christmas necklace (not for long:)

Happy New Year!

View from my front window!

 

Wishing you a Very Happy, Healthy and Productive New Year from snow covered Ottawa!  We have some serious snow here but we miraculously escaped the ice storm this time!   I know it has been a nightmare for some of you who are without power.    Let us hope that everyone has their power restored soon.

View from my back window

Last month our fibre arts group had an exhibition at the Stittsville library called "First Lines".   Here is a photo of my friend Connie holding her submission.  Can you guess which book it is from?

 

Has anyone read Andrew McCall Smith's series - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency featuring Precious Ramotswe?   Precious runs a detective agency and describes herself as "traditionally built".    Here she is with her little van out in front of her agency.  Isn't it great?

Before the holidays, I had almost finished my latest hand stitched piece which is still unnamed - For some time (years!)  I immersed myself in Atlantic Canada.  Now I have quite a few prairie/field pieces under my belt - Prairie Sky,  Prairie Sky II, Prairie Dawn, Fields of Gold,  Prairie Grasses, A River Runs Through It etc. and I'm running out of names......This one is mostly hand stitched with lots of texture and, as usual, the satin sky is hand painted.  I still need to mount it onto a canvas.  I didn't really depict any particular season but was looking instead to represent the many colours of the prairie and its bounty.  However, whenever I look at it, Connie Kaldor's song "Spring on the Prairies" keeps running through my head.......

More Trees...

I have made some progress on my tree pieces.  I added leaves and tulle and machine stitched the tree trunk and the foliage. I solved my dilemma with the tulle (to tulle or not to tulle) by cutting away the tulle from everywhere except the tree because it was obscuring the hand stitching on the flowers.  I have layered it and will now attempt to hand quilt the areas around the tree.  I think I'll just finish it with a satin stitched edge.

When I looked at it through my camera lens I wasn't sure about those poppies.  the foliage may blend too much with the background.  I may add a few stronger highlights to the stems and leaves.  Or I may decide to just leave well enough alone.

close up of tree trunk

close up of poppies

I have also been stitching away at my other tree piece (right now I am calling it the "Are you Crazy!!!?? piece).   The same subject but this one is going to be completely embroidered on a lightly painted background.   It has been a lot of hand stitching!  I am integrating some of my new variegated threads from LES Designs and they look so nice!   Here is a little preview.....lots of stitching still to do on the background - lots of areas to fill in - but I am concentrating on the tree right now.   Hope my fingers hold up.  

I've been using mostly chain and straight stitches for the trunk, some fly stitches for the foliage in the background.   This one is my 'evening in front of the TV' piece. 

My New Threads!

I just love getting things in the mail especially when it's fibre-related.   Earlier this week I ordered some dyed threads from LES Designs.  Today they were in my mailbox complete with a colourfully decorated envelope.  Aren't they gorgeous!!  But don't take my word for it. You can see these lovely threads in a rainbow of colourways at Lorraine's Etsy shop   She also has a blog called  Creative Daily 

 I ordered a variety of twisted silk, perle cotton, and rayon threads, and a sampler pack, and Lorraine slipped in some extras.  I was looking for mostly earthy tones and greens.  The variegated colours are beautifully dyed and will be just the thing for my tree embroidery.  I can't keep my hands off them so I'm off to stitch.......

www.etsy.com/shop/lorraine17

Cool Packaging!

See sampler at right

 Thanks Lorraine!!