stitch + applique..

While going through some photos of some recent work, I came across this piece which was a commission for a dear friend..
I so enjoyed doing it, and it was immediate inspiration when I was told to whom and what the subject was.. can you guess?

the recipient was an ex-Spanish teacher... ! That's a pinata getting the royal treatment there..

"Fiesta" was appliqued, machine and hand stitched, quilted and embellished. Approx. 30x48"..

I love when heart meets mind, meets hands, and it all seem to come together effortlessly..

more

A little larger picture of the sea... about 24x36"..and has just been accepted into show! Yay! I am trying to take more pictures out and about. We really live in a very historical town, many old homes and buildings around..I just can't seem to point my camera at those, rather than the ground, or dirt or trees or water, wonder why?

the sea

hmm, I see these pictures aren't too hot, well, that's what I get for waiting until 9pm to do something!
Anyway, this is an attempt to evoke the feel of the tide pool/ocean life without getting too literal, ie., fishies, sharkies etc.. I, on purpose picked colors and forms a little off the blue/green/aqua (ok, I had to put in some aqua..) scheme of things.

Many different techniques here, machine stitching, hand stitching, yo-yo's, beading, applique, over-dyed lace and fabric (very fun to do)..

I promise better pictures here of the latest, soon. Really.

stitching weather

I'm a sucker for this type of fabric. Soft, feminine and floral. I was (am) a huge Laura Ashley fan from way back. I remember those shops, so girly! I wanted to wear a peticoat like Laura and Mary Ingalls. I know that that style of decor is not popular now. But I am always drawn to that country cottage stuff. I love peeling paint, rust and tattered, frayed fabrics and objects.

This is a wall hanging quilt, about 45x45", I took these blocks on various trips and hand appliqued and quilted them while traveling. I look at this quilt and remember what we were doing and where we were going. That's a huge secondary benefit to hand making something, a reminder of where we were and what we were doing..

a little halloween

A sampler quilt I did for fall/halloween/autumn..I love combining piecing and applique in one quilt..my designs, and about 50" x 65", lap size..

middle: a japanese bowl I love, if I did ceramics, I'd want to do this type.. Hey M.K. recognize that blue table runner? Thanks again!

quilt

A quilt I started at a handwork reatreat way back when. All hand stitched, quilted and appliqued..a touch of embroidery work too.

small stitches

Just working on some smaller pieces, since lesson/sports season is upon us. These highly portable, free-form layered appliques are just that, take-along things I keep in bags, ready to grab as I head out. I am trying to go with what is in the sketch book, and it occurs to me I haven't posted any sketches or paintings in a while, I'll remedy that soon...

flooring it

Well, it seems I have about a dozen things going at once.. do you do that? Have a bunch of stuff going, and then bam, I get so I have to FINISH something! Don't get me wrong, I love the process, as much as the next, but I do like to have a completion, somewhere. I'm not proud, nor exclusive, either, I like hand sewing, machine sewing, and all the rest in between.

This is a long, shroud-like piece that is done, and is supposed to be a self-portrait of sorts. I got my machine back from the service center, and decided to stitch small, 2" to 3" or so, free-motioning, consisting of ideas of what I like, and what I see in front of me. Much hand stitching and embelishing followed, as well..

I then cut them all apart and appliqued them, grid-like to the banner, which is 7' long! An extremely fun and satisfying project.. more pix soon..

applique scarf

I love the "Alabama Stitch Book" by Natalie Chanin. I am working on this scarf w/raw edge applique, all of which is using old t-shirt fabric. The whole book is an inspiration, the photos, projects and style of it. I sent for the skirt kit and will start on that soon...