home sewing

I love Cath Kidston and Rachel Ashwell's fabrics and home furnishings, if unlimited money was my curse, they would receive some of it (like they need it!) Anyway, I have a stack of remnants ready for some sewing, which I enjoy doing, once I sit down and DO it!! They small clothes pin bag is C.K. fabric, edged in some pink ric rac and starting to nicely fade in the sun...

garden knitting

Loving the pink and orange of the garden right now...a large cotton yarn shawl WIP, Patagonia cotton yarns (love) in variegated pinks, and oranges and size 11 needles.. green edges?? perhaps.

batiks

I have a little love affair with batik cloth. I worked in a quilt shop for 4 years, and I swear, I had a piece of whatever batik came through. I love saturated color, and the organic feel to it all. Here is another couple of shots of the obi cloth I'm working on..

Check out MaryKate's blog and her amazing photos of SE Asia..

stitching an obi (sorta)

This started out just as a long strip, about 14" wide of sampler of ideas, sewing, cutting, on the diagonal, and thinking about reversibility. I've cut strips on the bias of linen, cotton and rayon fabrics. There is also, now some couching and free form embroidery going on here.

This is definitely not an obi, just roughly the size of one, 14" wide by about 6' long, but I have quite a few of them around here, and I love the long, drapey effect they have. I also love the fact they are wearable and also artistic however they are used.

weekend relaxing

Well, I can dream about it! Hope you are having a good one...

thank you Rachel

I sure thank you Rachel, for this compliment! Check out her insane crochet, it's awesome..and she rides her bike everywhere!! I will pass on the wonderfulness to a few of my favs very soon!

later...

I picked:

-Jude's incredible blog...

-Sarah's wonderful creations

-Corey's blog, that rises above all..

-Rang's blog, photos that are stunning, and make me want to travel....

summer's end

This weekend is the last one before school starts for us. Lots of hubbub, backpacks, pencils, paper..blah blah. I've managed only to work in the sketchbook for the last week or so, but that's something, plus lots of knitting going on. Fall craft shows to get ready for..

The top sketch is ink and guache, of the fields that are nearby. The bottom photo is my kitchen window sill.

mural paintings

I also do mural painting, which, I can see, I need to get better at photographing! Anyway, this was in one room in our church, and is taken from 3 different scripture passages pertaining to the temple in Jerusalem. The room is called the 'Temple Courtyard' so I went from there.. I like doing murals, I put the I-pod on and just go.. Mostly done in acrylics, with some glazing and glitter..!
I have also started individual paintings based on this (and other) murals, just to see if the images translate to smaller sizes..

a reminder

I thought I might put up my tools + some work I did, to remind myself that summer painting needs to move along! Also, there was an awesome moon last night, as we had some clouds/thunder/lighting happening, then the moon came out. This painting was done some time ago, 30x36" on canvas, acrylic. I love nightscapes, and would really love to do more night picture taking. Until then, I'll paint them...

late summer garden

Before the birds and deer get to it! I haven't had too much luck in the past with sunflowers, but these, my daughter planted, so she does! I adore the lime green centers.. also coneflowers that have come and gone, the finches and nuthatches love the seeds and a crepe myrtle that is in full pink-ness. Color inspiration that is steps away.. love it.

earth

earth
Originally uploaded by lhmccown

elements of the world..

august

Even though it's my birthday month, I really am glad when August is over. Usually way too hot here for me. However, we had a cold front come through and it's like 65 degrees! Soo, my roses are sending up canes like it's April. Have a great weekend, hope it stays nice..

two more..

Top scarf is crochet/knitting from my stash, mostly Debbie Bliss who looks like she is going to have her own magazine in the fall (yea!) and Rowan..

The bottom scarf is the Chevron Scarf from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.. love love that pattern, because it's simple!! Yarn from here.
I guess it is a little like Christmas is July (August) here..

not scarf weather

However, they are good travel projects! The top one is 2 different skeins of Noro Silk Garden (love), in a 1x1 rib.. The second is Hand Maiden yarn, and some drop stitch work.. When that first fall leaf hits the ground, I'll be ready baby!

shade

While walking the civil war trails, this is the Sunken Road, where you read a lot and look for shade on blazing days!