February 23, 2015
Visit Ellen Anne Eddy
While you are at her website, be sure to take a walk through her colorful world. Ellen calls what she does "thread magic" and that is such a perfect name! You will find animals and plants executed in densely stitched, sparkling threads.
This quilt is called "Dancing in the Light." It is 55" x 69".
November 24, 2014
Ballet Costumes and Inspiration
Both Victoria and Julia credit their ancestor Basya Berkman for their love of clothing and design. In fact, Julia named the Etsy shop in her honor. It is so heartwarming that such an obviously creative and loving woman has such a wonderful legacy.
November 5, 2014
Cleopatra's Fan
What follows are the steps I took to create this quilt.
October 26, 2014
Favorite Quotes #6 - It's The Little Things
Here are a few noteworthy quotes, about art, and therefore about Life ......
August 11, 2014
Art Deco Second Addendum
Original post
First addendum
July 24, 2014
.... and More Buttons
June 18, 2014
Glowing Pineapple Quilt
It's super large - about 81" x 92". Older quilts, meaning earlier on in the 19th century, are sometimes quite large because they were made for very high bedframe with trundle beds stored underneath.
Most of the fabrics are silk, with a few velvets in the mix. They are in pretty good condition. All I did for the quilt was to vacuum it to clear out old dust and freshen it up. Visit this post for instructions for vacuuming quilts.
April 26, 2014
James and the Giant Peach
The bodice of Aunt Sponge's dress is stuffed with fabric. The actress is wearing two bum rolls and 3 very long, very full petticoats that hang from shoulder straps. The dress is now too full to zip closed, needless to say. The back opening is secured with three elastics, and she will wear the matching apron as a capelet to hide the back.
The bottom ruffle of Aunt Spiker's dress was removed to make a straighter line, and leave her ankles showing to add to the illusion of height. Black trim is being added to emphasize the vertical, and the ruffle will become a turban-like hat.
April 15, 2014
Favorite Quotes #5 - Becoming an Elder
I found this quote somewhere, so long ago that I don't remember where. The only note I have says that it is a Yorkshire proverb.
I like the double meaning possible here, for an approach to Life in general, and for pursuing creativity and expressiveness. I find it most uplifting.
Having recently passed my 60th birthday, I'm finding myself latching on to words and ideas to help me grow into the next stage of my life, thoughts about how to be an elder, and hopefully, a wise one.
I find I'm thinking of this chapter of Life as a time to gather the results of my experiences and share them, and as a time to give more space in my schedule for "just being", with myself and with others. And don't these goals have a place in both kinds of artfulness.
I'm appreciating the style of the Red Hat Ladies - having fun, breaking with convention, and togetherness. It's just around the corner now.
Publishing my book stems from my desire to pass along things I have learned. And really, now that I think of it, the cover is nearly in the official red hat lady colors. Oh! Maybe I am a red hat lady already!
The photo is of me and the life-sized doll I made for a production of "Arsenic and Old Lace". The doll played the double roles of the bodies of Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Spenalzo with a change of jackets and an added hat. Old and artful, the both of us!
March 17, 2014
Cheery Cherry Wreath
This quilt was made near Millmont, PA. It was purchased in the early 1990s on the farm of an Amish quilter who was selling both her own quilts and those made by other quilters in the area.
The quilt block is called cherry wreath. I like the clean, clear look of the quilt, due to the great balance of color, and the expanses of white. And as every quilter knows, stitching all those circles is a challenge and requires an experienced hand at appliqué.
February 21, 2014
Needlework That Tells Stories: Exhibit in England
January 23, 2014
Romeo and Juliet - Costume Details
January 21, 2014
Romeo and Juliet - Costume Design
Eileen, our director, set quite a challenge for the costumes. She asked that the look straddle the Elizabethan and the modern eras, expressing the timelessness of the story. And she asked that the costumes be haute couture and edgy.
November 9, 2013
What the Birds See
For this quilt, my goal was to use lots of the large floral prints and make a happy garden quilt. I was wondering about what to use or make up for a garden design, and my friend Julie suggested that I reproduce a part of the Chicago Botanic Garden, and have the quilt ready to display at the big Fine Art of Fiber show that is held there every fall. Perfect! Thanks, Julie!
September 15, 2013
Favorite Quotes #3 - Invisible Work
It's a great poem for me, because it pulls together many aspects of my life - mothering - making art - honoring the life force in the world around us - feeling connected to that larger meaning as we go about our small daily tasks. I really love that all this, in the end, becomes the definition of art.
September 8, 2013
World Without End
August 30, 2013
Favorite Quotes #2 - Why Make Art?
"Oh, it's outrageous to consider creating art, isn't it? But life is short. And intense. And we need art to inspire and amuse us."
by Lisa Halpern, in "insight: the cornish magazine", 2010. Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle
This is a brand new favorite quote, not one of my old stand-bys, found last night while musing over college promo materials before chucking them in the recycle bin.