Introducing- Brookey's Bows on Etsy!

Introducing...Brookeys Bows!


Brooke is my very special, one and only, adorable, sassy grand daughter. To say that I adore her is the understatement of the year! Here's a few photos of my little sweetie pie...











Her beautiful mom is my new daughter, Samantha.



I asked her if she was crafty and if so, would she like to add some things to my Etsy Shop, Fiberluscious. She wasn't quite sure if she was crafty, but she was eager to see what she could do. OMG! She is wonderful!
Sam is a natural designer. She has a great sense of design and color. Being young, she knows what moms and babies love.
Its been so much fun to watch her grow creatively. I love her bows and barrettes and headbands. I think you will too.

Here is one of the first to go into her shop. Three Roses with Feathers.



Here are a few more.
Zebras and Feathers Bow

Three Roses

The Big Pink Flower Headband



Check her out at Brookeys Bows on Etsy
There are always new items being posted so put her on your list of favorite shops and come and shop often!

New Patchwork Pincushion Using Nancy's Tut

I just love my new patchwork pincushion I just listed on Etsy!

I used the basic technique shown below from Nancy's blog. But it wasn't quite as easy when transformed into a circle. It's all is where things meet up in the center and along the sides. I'm still trying to figure out how seam allowances figure into pattern making, but I think I am finally getting the hang of it! One of these days I'm just going to buy a pattern and be done with it. There something inside me that thinks I always have to be original.
Its all wonderful in the end.

National Sewing Month

This is an ode to those wonderful women who inspired me to start sewing.



Nancy Zeiman, with her quirky smile and her no nonsense approach to the rules and techniques that make good sewing was a good influence on me. I am a run by the seat of my pants kind of girl. But deep down, I believe that doing things the right way is the only way. You can break or bend a few rules, but if you want things to last and to lay the right way you just have to know what you are doing. I watch her every morning at 5:30 am after my hubby goes off to work. I just wish there were new episodes every once in a while. You can only make so many designer totes. You might like this quilting technique for string quilting. It looks fast, adorable and I sure have enough scraps to make a few since I can't seem to throw anything away!

You begin with a foundation piece and simply sew, flip, press and trim. Just add each piece to create a block. I love this look! Thank you Nancy!

Then there is Martha Pullen.

She has another PBS show for heirloom sewing. She has this quaint little sewing room set. She grew up in Alabama. She has this way of saying tucks like this..tuuuuuxs. She likes to show off her heirloom outfits from the turn of the century and generally, she is just a really nice church lady who is passionate about remembering what it was like to do by hand, all the amazing things we do by machine today. I can't imagine what it was like way back then. But if you have ever picked up a piece of vintage embroidery and wonder how did they do that and just plain, wow...I can believe someone did that, by hand. Watching her segments on hand embroidery by 3 really awesomely cool experts has inspired me to make hand embroidery the signature element in most of my work.

My biggest sewing heroes are my mom and my grandma. There was always a place for the sewing machine and it was used often to mend the worn clothing of 7 plus children. My funny cousin Beth taught me to take in bell bottoms so tight it gave my parents a "conniption", (a fit). They sat by my side the first time I sat at the machine and gently guided me in it's use. They always had scraps for me to use to make Barbie clothes and hot pad gifts. They were wonderful and gentle and instilled in me a true love for creating beautiful and useful things.

We certainly can't forget out first sewing teacher. She's the one who tried to grade the love of sewing right out of me. A straight seam was more important than a unique design. There was no time for hand stitching designs, or reasons for one-of-a-kind touches. those were the makings of a failing grade. I hope I was one of the few that had a bad sewing teacher and that most everyone else was encouraged in the classroom. I wish she knew that I just wanted to learn the right way to do my own thing.

I really can't tell you how much sewing has given to me. To receive the gift of creating with fabric, thread and a machine is one that never stops giving. I've warmed rooms with drapes, created dozens of Halloween costumes, designed handbags, darned rips... the list is endless. In the past, my sewing gave me things I couldn't afford. My wedding dress was covered in embroidered french lace, layers of taffeta and organdy and the bodice and train was completely hand beaded. My first big project was a 3 pc corduroy outfit in sea foam green, (it was the 70's). When the hand-me-downs from my sisters were warn and outdated, something new made me feel so original. Making all those outfits, totes, dresses, costumes, curtains and even PJs felt like magic. One day you had yards of fabric, another day you had something amazing. It still feels like magic!

Here is a needle case by Hens Teeth. She takes beautiful vintage fabrics and turns them into something so cool and so warm you just feel happy looking at it. She has inspired my desire to bring traditions forward to create something new and unique.

Well, here is to Sewing Month and all of its many heroes. Its not hard to see that sewing is more valid and important than ever. In the age of complex, computerized sewing machines and sergers, there is still room for the heirloom techniques of the past. In fact, its so wonderful to see patchwork that contains bits and pieces of old quilts, childhood clothing pieces and new embroideries. Everything that has to do with needle and thread is a part of how we create with fiber and fabric. I hope to carry on those traditions and have that sewing machine ready for my grand daughter when she is ready to carry forward this wonderful art form.

Happy National Sewing Month!

Kudos to my Customers

I think I am pretty much the luckiest Seller on Etsy. I have so many amazingly sweet customers. I have a page on my blog where I share their comments and feedback.
I know how many shops there are on Etsy. When someone chooses mine from all the rest, well, I couldn't be more appreciative. In fact, all returning customers receive a discount each and every time they shop with me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my Etsy friends and clients!!!

Here is what my customers say about the things they have ordered and the service they received. Did I happen to say that they are the best?!



Robin...well her compliment is better than any words. She has ordered a total of 69 items from my shop! She has 66 pincushions in her collection. I've heard that it is amazing! Robin and I work as a team on many of her items. We sometimes choose fabrics, discuss new designs, she suggests things I would have never thought of. I often think of her as my muse. She is always patient and gracious and offers me valuable and supportive feedback. I love the collaborative process and Robin makes it fun and challenging. Thanks so very much Robin!


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Darleen said,
"I am beside myself with joy! Not only was your art work fabulous (almost too pretty to use) but the wrapping was a wonderful surprise. It is obvious you put your soul into you art. If everyone had to sign their name to what they do, things would be done with a lot more quality. You have put your very best into you work and have no problem with saying "I, Jill did that". Your attention to even the smallest detail is obvious. Thank you so very much."
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Melanie said,

"What can I say...Jill is an "artist". If you're lucky enough to own one of her treasures you will understand what I mean. Whimsy and attention to detail go hand in hand. And her communications skills make transactions with Jill a Joy. You can't go wrong with Fiberluscious!"
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Veronika said,
"oh wow, this is by far the cutest pin cushion I have ever seen! It's easy to see the high quality materials and amazing amount of love that have gone into this little house! There's a generous amount of emery as well, which helps it stand up nicely and the details are just sooo adorable! I used to think one pin cushion is enough for anyone, but now I want to fill my sewing corner with Jill's gorgeous creations!"
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Pam said,
Another awesome experience and wonderful pincushion from Jill. It arrived very quickly, packaged in it's own hatbox...so cute and well protected.......just right for a strawberry:-) Thanks, Jill, for motivating me to return to my earlier days and dig out my embroidery supplies!!

more from Pam...
"I didn't think Jill could please me more but this pincushion is the best so far. So feminine yet functional, a little bit different and so well crafted. The colors are so pleasant and the feel of the pincushion just right! The icing on the cake is the gift of the little strawberry. What a treat! Thanks again Jill. You know I'll be back:-) "
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Vicki said,
this is absolutely beautiful -- the stitches are amazing and beautiful. This is definitely one of the most original and incredible pieces that I have ever bought from etsy. Your talents are just amazing -- thank you so much for this piece --- I love it more than I can ever say!

More

Shop with me for the first time and take 10% off. Just use the coupon code FiberNew10.
Hope to see you soon!

I'm crazy about Wool!

I recently ordered some lovely hand painted wool from Misty Pond Primitives on Etsy.

I then received some lovely hand painted wool roving from Ingrid Moss.













Its so hard not to feel incredibly inspired when you are working with materials created by another artist. When you realize that so many wool materials available are recycled from a renewable, natural source, well, it is pure joy.

I love wool. It has a lovely hand and is easily sewn, stitched, embroidered, felted....whew! there are so many ways to work with this natural, versatile material. Many of my cashmere pincushions are recycled wool, made from felted sweaters...

I am so excited about my newest creations, I just had to share them with you. I've been so busy with special orders, that I've had to fit these projects in here and there, mostly at 2 in the morning. But, they were worth it.




I had originally planned to create a brooch. However, I was so engrossed in creating this pretty flower, I lost track of how large it was! The flower was a study from a piece I found on Pinterest, (the ultimate place to find inspiration). Here is the link to the website which is in French, so I can't even tell you who the artist is.
Here is a detail of the silk ribbon, beads and stitches I used. I created many straight ribbon embroidery stitches along with big, juicy bouillon stitches with perle cotton. I used gobs of seed stitches using variegated cotton floss. I then added lots of beautiful glass beads.



I also created this fun strawberry in black wool, with many bits and pieces of other colored wools, combined with needle felting and embroidery. I was going for a very dimensional look, like stumpwork. Needle felting makes lifting stitches fast and easy.


Here is a cute little brooch created with wool and embroidery cotton. Very easy, very cute, very "you should try this one".

Just cut, layer and stitch. The hardest part is choosing the colors and the subject matter. I often say I should just sit down one day and create all the little ideas I can think of in wool. I also say I should just sit down and learn patchwork, or just sit down and make more tiaras, or....you get it. I'm sure your life is much like mine. Too many fun things to play with and never enough time.












I have a few more projects to share. here is a fun little pin book. It was so easy to create and very useful for traveling with your stitching. I created it to hold 3 pins from my "stick with me" decorative assortments. I love these little pins and I wish I could send more with each pin cushion I make. (Each of my pin cushions include 2.)


If you like my pins, they also come in an assortment of 10. You an buy one style or mix them up by color, or just allow me to create an assortment for you.

My next post is going to be my little house pincushion project. I promise I'll try hard to get a pattern up and a tutorial. Its one of those things that you think you will hate making because it seems complicated, but once you get stitching, it falls together like magic. Its a great scrap project. It wont use a lot of fabric, but if you are like me, the longest time you spend will be choosing which of your fabrics to include!

My Newest Apple

When you have a good thing, I think,let's take it to the next level and see where it goes.

If you have seen my Etsy shop, Fiberluscious, you know I am a bit of an apple pincushion maker.















I love my apples but they always seemed to lack the crispness and crunchiness of a summer apple. Here is one of my old pattern apples,

Then, I went to the pear pattern and learned a lot about drafting more sculptural shapes.

After much trial and error I came up with this shape, which I love. Its so curvy!

When I created the same apple, one with plain and one with patchwork fabric I discovered that the fabric means everything!

Can you believe I used the exact same pattern for both apples?!
Because the patchwork has so much more body and thickness, it formed a much denser, more upright and formal end result.
I love both of these apples each for their unique personality.

So my advice to you is not to rest on your laurels, (whatever a laurel is). Take what you love and whatever feeds your soul and ride it along a new path. You will never know what you may discover!

Thanks to Robin, one of my absolute favorite clients. She inspires me often. She throws me an idea and I love our process of developing ideas with her. She will be adding these pincushions to her vast collection. I'd love to see that!

New Pear Pincushion

This is my newest piece created for a lovely, Etsy client.
She asked if I could repeat a sold item, which
I am almost always thrilled to do.


This pear pincushion is one of my favorite pieces.


I embroidered and embellish crazy quilt style patchwork.
I've added some vintage trims, beads, lots of embroidery
and a bit of my love for crazy quilting.



I don't know if I'll be making on another soon. It took nearly a month to complete and my old fingers and joints are none too happy right now. But each ache and each callous seems well worth it when I'm finished. I hope she loves it as much as I do!



I just received feedback from Vicki on her pear. These are her very kind words I am proud to share with you...
"This is absolutely beautiful -- the stitches are amazing and beautiful. This is definitely one of the most original and incredible pieces that I have ever bought from Etsy. Your talents are just amazing -- thank you so much for this piece --- I love it more than I can ever say!"

This is why I love to create and share my work. Somehow each piece seems to go to the perfect home. Thanks so much Vicki for inspiring this pincushion.
I recommend that you visit Vicki's blog, 2 Bags Full. And her Etsy Shop, vboster. She creates beautiful, amazing fiber nests. Each one is truly a work of art....
The Woodland Nest-


The Shorebird Nest


She has a autumn inspired nest coming and also a holiday inspired creation. Want one? Better visit her blog and put yourself on her waiting list. She's one busy artist and a terrific lady.

Connections in Sight Art Contest

I recently was show to exhibit my pincushions in an art exhibit.


As a fine artist I spent many years showing my paintings in galleries and art festivals. When my vision became more and more challenged, I thought those days were long gone. Showing in a special exhibit for artists with varying degrees of vision loss was such a thrill. The artwork in this exhibit is simply amazing. Here are a few of the beautiful pieces by a few very talented artists with limited vision.


Photography by Alison Fortney


Painting by Rose Fortney, (Alison's mom)

To see more artwork and to vote in the Connections in Sight Art Contest go to www.connectionsinsight.org and vote for your favorite artist. Here is one of my favorites...


Here are a few of the pieces I am showing.








I really enjoy working with needle felted wool. I've found so many juicy and bright colors. I really the process of painting with fibers. Its so easy and with just the right touch, its not impossible to come up with something you really love.

I'm pretty lucky. My vision is mostly blurry. I still enjoy colors to the fullest and with my handy dandy bifocals, I can create to my hearts content. So, I feel very blessed in the long run. I don't like to talk about my eyesight. I had to stop painting because it became so frustrating and sad when I couldn't see the details I needed to complete the portraits I loved to paint. I spent a few years feeling pretty sorry for myself. Then I met Rose Fortney, who's vision is so challenged she can't go anywhere without Clyde, her lovable and trusty guide dog. Rose showed me that with the right tools, you can do anything you want to. She was so right.

I had a feeling that I was supposed to let go of one thing in order to receive another? It simply was time for me to make a change. Working with fabric and fibers has opened up so many creative challenges to me. I love the materials, the textures, the functionality of my work and I really love collaborating with my clients and customers to create new things every day.

Well, I hope you check out the works in this lovely show. It will be showing in Milwaukee, WI for the next week or so and then onto a traveling show. If you can't make it in person, click here to see more artworks by artists with vision loss. We have something surprising to show you!