Tuesday, May 8, 2012

 For our third Fiberaction Challenge we were to use split-complementary colors on the color wheel.  As you can see, I used purple, yellow and greens.  I've titled this piece "Dancing in the Moonlight".
 I quilted the background before I started adding the leaves and critters. This was a good piece to practice different designs, threads, templates, and marking tools. I need a LOT more practice.
 Carl the caterpillar was discovered from a rolled piece of scrap fabric found on the floor. I stiched him up and added a wire to make him more bendable.  I had sewn on two glass seed beads for eyes, but they made him look too evil so I removed them.
 Freddy the tree frog was fun to make. The purple balls are fuzzy beads.
Tina the turtle is doing a little jig.  I've had the green flat beads for a long time and thought they  were perfect for this project.
Three fireflies add to the magic of the moonlit night.  They are made out of 3 beads for the body and clear beads for the wings. Angelina fibers add a bit of glow. This was a fun project to work on.

Monochromatic challenge

Our second Fiberaction Challenge was to use a monochromatic theme.  I decided to use blues and had no pre-planned idea in my head when I started.  Before I knew it a formal garden had evolved with a pool in the center.


I used  hundreds of beads, embroidery, and yarn to embellish the quilt.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Inchies

Inchie O's


Our guild had an Inchie swap. The Inchie idea came from Nadine Ruggles' book Inchie Quilts.  It was so much fun to go to the mailbox and have an envelope with an Inchie in it.  I chose the colors to match a newly purchased chair and ottoman.



I chose lots of batiks and different sized circles to compose a quilt to display the Inchies on.

Pin Cushions


 I made these sweet little pin cushions for friends for Christmas. I love working with wool and they were a good hand project while watching TV with hubby. They each measure about 2"x 2".  I recycled bottle caps for the base and put strips of magnet in the bottom to add weight.  They are embellished with beads, yarn and charms.

Secret Valentine


Our guild has a Secret Valentine exchange every year.  The fun part is secretly delivering the goods and also hearing all the hillarious stories when we  reveal our Valentines at the guild meeting. I used batiks for the background and wool for the applique.  I love the ease and forgiveness of the wool along with the rich colors.



I cross hatched the background first, then machine appliqued the rest. I embellished with beads and embroidery.


The little bird is carrying a beaded heart for his Valentine.

Fiberaction Challenge






I have joined a group of women from all over the country who are interested in fiber arts.  The creations this year are based on the color wheel.  We have two months to complete a piece.  For this first challege we were asked to use a color we normally don't use.  After looking at my newly organized stash, I noticed that I have very little orange so I decided that would be my challenge color.  I added aqua greens and purples after looking at the triadic partners on the color wheel. The fabric pile sat on my sewing room floor for days until poppies popped into my mind.






I embelished with swarovski crystals, beads, a black fuzzy yarn.





I felt the black window that the poppies were popping out of made the piece unbalanced so I added the Chinese symbols for poppies in the lower left side which represent rest, beauty, and success.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Five guild friends and I participated in a Christmas Row Robin. I connected the rows with the back and white sashing and bordered it with the random red strips. It is now hanging in my kitchen adding cheer and whimsy for the holiday season.