The Making of a Valentine

I belong to a group of artists.  We all have a connection to the now-closed Valley Ridge Art Studio.  We stay in touch and hold art retreats twice a year.  One member recently set up a Valentine’s postcard exchange.  Names were drawn electronically.  My recipient happens to own a cute Westie named Lulu. I decided my Valentine would feature some reference to Lulu.

Thinking outside the box, I decided to use an 8” x 10” canvas for my “postcard”.  I had all of the

supplies on hand to create a valentine (no surprise there, as Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday).

I started with a white canvas, then mixed some acrylic paint and painted the canvas pink.

I then searched online and located a silhouette of a Westie.  I sized it down, literally

using my fingers on my iPad.  I then very lightly traced the outline onto a 

piece of printer paper. I cut out the shape, then outlined it onto heavy paper.

That served as my pattern.  I fused interfacing onto some pretty dark pink fabric,

And cut the shape from that.  From there, I stitched the dog shape onto my background

of antique alencon lace.

The pictures that follow show how I tested different arrangements and trims.

Once I declared the surface finished, I wrapped the excess lace around to the

back.  I used glue on the back (also underneath the dog appliqué and in a few

other, discreet spots).  I glued scrapbook paper to the backside of the canvas.

Here is a photo of my completed valentine.  I titled it “Lulu Love”.  Hope you

like it!

 

Online Workshop Taken

Happy New Year!

I recently had the pleasure of taking my first-ever online workshop.  The class, offered through Jeanne Oliver (dot com) was a mixed-media class titled “The Bookmaker”.  It was taught by Roxanne Evans Stout.  Students created a “book”, starting with a vintage or contemporary tin. Various techniques were learned and our books soon started to take shape.  I thoroughly enjoyed the class!

Not owning a vintage tin, I purchased a new tin online.  My tin measured 5” x 7” x 1”.  Because my tin was new, and lacking the character of an older tin, I pretty much covered the entire surface.  “Pages” were made from watercolor paper torn to size.

While many students incorporated rusted nails, washers, etc. in their books, I took my own path.  I made use of my large collections of fabric, buttons, and lace!

Please view my photos:

Revisiting My Embroidery Machine

I recently decided the time was right to give myself a refresher course on my Baby Lock Sofia 2 machine!  I did a few small pieces.  I like how this pumpkin design turned out.

M

Projects Completed in a Strange Year

Like many others, I've spent a lot of time at home this year due to the COVID pandemic. 

I’ve finished a number of projects this year and I continue to work on others.  

Shown below:  Fleece throws made for two friends.  Our belated holiday lunch

was postponed first, due to bad weather, then, due to COVID.  I STILL haven't

given these to the friends.  Maybe next year!

Brasstown Boho Skirt.  My own design and a prototype for a possible

future class.

I was attracted to these wood/metal containers at Marshall's due to the Double

Wedding Ring pattern of the metal panels.  I decided that paint was in order.

I like how the boxes turned out!





A few of the masks I’ve made.  Many were distributed to friends and

neighbors.  No pattern.


This was made from a pattern called “Floor Tote”.  The outer fabric (roosters)

is perhaps, my favorite Home Dec fabric ever.  I've made a number of

accessories from this fabric purchased at Joann Fabrics.

Batik carryalls, from an out-of-print pattern, "Great Big Bags".




I used up some extra fabric to make slipcases for the two matching rugs I purchased

from the Agrace Thrift Home Store here in Madison.  I bought the smaller rug first, 

then decided I couldn’t live without matching, larger rug a week later.  You'll have to 

wait to see the rugs.

This is my submission to the 25 Million Stitches Project, a worldwide effort

to bring attention to the plight of migrants.  My piece has been sent to the project

headquarters in California.  The opening exhibit date was moved back a year.

It will take place in the summer of 2021.

Road Trip to Northeastern Minnesota

This is a long overdue post!  I took a trip from my home in Madison, WI, to 

Grand Marais, MN in late November, 2019.

  

I made some stops along the way and they are pictured in this post. I was heading to 

the North House Folk School to take a "Blanket Coat" workshop Nov. 21 -24th.

The workshop was taught by Carol Colburn of Duluth.

First stop:  Busy Bobbin Quilt Shop, Rice Lake, WI, Nov. 19, 2019.
I ALWAYS stop here if I'm anywhere near Rice Lake!  I did not leave empty-handed!

I stayed overnight in Superior, WI.

Photo below:  killing time before stores opened in Duluth, MN.  Parked in Canal

Park, an area I love.  Wed. Nov. 20, 2019,

First shopping stop on my Duluth Docket!  Hannah Johnson Fabrics, located in

the Lester Park neighborhood of NE Duluth.  The owner has Madison connections

. . .  her daughter attended U.W. Madison.

Located a few blocks north, and on the same street as Hannah Johnson Fabrics,

is Yarn Harbor. A wonderful and cozy shop.  I found some hand-dyed yarn here.  

Oh, and a few knitting needles too.

A trip up the North Shore always involves a photo op at Split Rock Lighthouse.

The lighthouse was not open to the public at this time . . .my husband and I 

have been in it on previous Minnesota trips.

Quilt Corner, in Beaver Bay MN, is always on my list when I'm in the area!

Lots of north woods looking fabrics and a friendly owner.  With a winter storm

warning issued for NE Minnesota, I worked fast!  I made it to Grand Marais ahead

of the storm.   I stayed at the Best Western in Grand Marais.

Lots of snow and ice overnight!  Glad I got there a day ahead of my class start

date.

Beautiful Grand Marais, MN harbor, as seen from the North House Folk School.
Photo taken Thurs. eve Nov. 21, 2019.

The Blanket Coat class was being held in the "Boat House" at the North House

Folk School.  This photo was taken before the class began on Thurs. night.

We sure had a great view!



We used wool blankets for our coats.  I purchased a vintage wool blanket on etsy 

several months before the workshop.  This is my worktable (while it was still

neat).




These are muslin samples, made by our instructor.  They are used to determine 

what size pattern we wanted.  Students tried on different sizes to see which best 

suited their personal wearing style.  The coat pattern we used was designed by

the instructor, Carol Colburn.

My pattern pieces have been cut out.


Icy weather in Grand Marais!  North House Folk School grounds.


Teacher’s demo table.


Sunday, Nov. 24th was the last day of class and a beautiful day it was.  One student 

needed to leave the day before for a travel commitment, so he isn’t pictured.

Our teacher, Carol Colburn, is the lady holding the white Hudson's Bay coat.

We did not finish our coats in class, but we had good instructions for completing

them at home.  Needless to say, my coat still isn't done.  Finishing it will be a

wintertime project!   I loved the workshop!  I drove back to Superior, WI on

the 24th.  Stayed overnight there, then returned to Madison on the 25th.  I put

900 miles on my car during this Minnesota trip!