Batiks on the Brain!

I love batik fabrics! They are just so bright and fun. I love how they can be very organic and abstract. They can also add a simple, subtle element to any project. I recently added some pretty colors and patterns to my Fabric Choices page. Take a look and see them here. Actually, I have a few more to add to that bunch. I'll list what is left over from an order I'm working on right now. There is a local quilt shop called Royce Quilting and they have nearly one hundred colors and patterns to choose from! If you are even in West Bend Wisconsin, you just have to stop in and see there amazing quilt fabrics.

Well, here are some of the new pincushions I created with my batiks. I added some pretty abstract and patterned fabrics as well. I'd love to know what you think!
Oh..you may notice that all of these have a heart motif! I am helping my sister out with a gift for a quilter she knows. I can't wait to see which one she picks out! P.S. The remaining designs will be available in my Etsy shop soon.

Pink Heart and Pretty Paisley

Pink Hearts on Green with and without beading, front and back. (I love them both!)

I created the same design using a fun paisley blue fabric. I just have to get some more of that blue!

Here is the first pincushion I made for this series. I showered this heart with embroidered flowers and a mattering of sparkling beads. The recipient is in her 70s. I've been told that she is a quilter with a beautiful, bright energy about her. I wasn't sure if this one was a bit too much....I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

I created this last pincushion on a whim. I purchased a number of pretty cotton duck fabrics in lots of colors and prints.
Using a printed pattern to create an embroidered design is a fun exercise I recommend to any new or even experienced stitchers. Just follow the pattern.

I used a simple backstitch to outline the flower shape. I added french knots to all the dots along the outside edge. I added an ombre effect in shades of orange and gold to accent the petal shapes. A few more french knots in the middle and its finished! Oh.. I almost forget those sweet, glittering beads added here and there. I used clear thread when I do my beading. It keeps the colors of the beads true and you can't see the thread as it goes in and out of the bead hole.

Here is a picture of the bottom of this pincushion. Aren't those little wool feet fun? Often, when I stuff my round pincushions, they seem to be a bit on the rolly polly side. Although, that may not affect the usefullness of the pincushion, it kind of bothers me. So I took felt balls and cut them in half with a scissors. I then stitched them onto the bottom of the cushion and it is rolly polly no more!

Here is an older pincushion made with cotton duck. I cut a large chevron pattern into wedges and created a smaller version. I then added some machine, free-motion stitching to create a cute banner design. Bits of cotton fabric are stitched down with more machine stitching. I just have to try to make this one again. They all are so much fun to make! There just isn't enough time.

Thats it for now. I hope to write a new post soon. I had a lovely surprise last week. A fellow fabric lover send me a box of wool scraps just because. it was the most wonderful surprise and I can't wait to share that box of goodies with you and perhaps combine a few of them with some pretty wool roving in a giveaway for wool lovers! Watch for that later this week.
Have a happy last week of July! (Where does the time go?)

Art Gifts have love stitched into them...

One of my favorite works of art are often custom ordered gifts from one sewer to another.
Pat ordered this beautiful water themed pincushion for Tina. Having worked with them both, I really enjoyed creating something extra special!

Tina loves anything ocean, water or with a nautical theme. In fact, she ordered a little strawberry for her self for her upcoming birthday. It was so hard not to tell her what Pat had ordered for her! I love surprises, but hate keep secrets, especially happy secrets!

She also ordered a little matching silk strawberry, which I just shipped to her. I forgot to take a photo. Oh dang. I sure hope she likes it!

I get a lot of ordered for gifts. Because I love giving presents so much, I really enjoy creating them for others to give. I try to put a little bit of "love" into them. I just get this lovely warm feeling while I am working, which makes the job a joy.
Here are a few gifts I've created this year...
Marianna ordered a linen pincushion for her daughter. She requested a different flower in each section of my lavender linen pincushion. I was thrilled as I had just imagined that design but hadn't the time to play with my ideas. Here is what Marianna and I came up with.

Now, I was thrilled to ship the "Glamorama" to Richelle's grandma. It was her 80th birthday!

This crown was given to Kristen's mother in Law for her 80th birthday! Oh how I would have loved to see her face when she donned this fanciful crown. I think everyone should feel like a queen.
I used to make a lot of crowns and tiaras. Alas, I just can't seem to find the time these days to explore that line of fiber goodness. I really enjoyed creating something wonderful for someone else.

This wooly sunflower pincushion was for Eileen's mom. Hope she loved it.

Here is the pincushion most likely to become a gift and that makes me happy because it is so much fun to create. I never tired of its soft feel and bright colors. I have a few versions of it in spring, summer and fall colors. Here is the spring and the original version.









Well, I hope to create many more gifts. I love giving them and making them!
Christmas comes early around here. My holiday rush begins in October. So, I decided to take a few weeks off in August to play with new ideas. Its so hard to create when you have things to do. I am looking forward to letting my imagination wander through all the pretty goodies, fabrics, trims and charms I've picked up this year. I also have all of that silk dye to play with! Oh my. I can't wait!

Here is one new items I managed to squeeze in this last week. I received an order for a batik needle book similar to this 1930's version I created last year.
While I was cutting, I decided to try a variety of half square and flying geese block configurations. It was so much fun! I even managed to piece a new pincushion which you can purchase here.
Well- here are the original and the batik versions.....















Take a look at my fabric choices page, (upper left hand corner of this blog) to see some of the new batiks and flower print fabrics I've picked up. So much fabric... so little time!
Thanks for stopping by!

My June Crazy Quilt Block

Here is my June 2013 Crazy Quilt Block. I am so proud of this one. I think I might be getting the hang of this art- finally!
I love every attempt I make when learning a new technique. Even mistakes can be lovely. I really love taking on a new challenge.

I often see something in my head, but it comes out very different in real life. The bird on this sampler is certainly an example of that!

I am a great admirer of Sandey Mavor and of course, I had an idea to add a bird to my sampler, but wasn't quite sure how to start.

Mine was a bit of a flop! However, only in comparison to one of the most talented embroiderers I know! I still loved mine and Sandey Mavor- she is a stump work genius, an inspiration and a very kind a lovely person as well. I am trying hard to get back to stitching a bird for applique. I am getting better but I have a ways to go.

I tend to jump head first into something new. I allow a bit of me to become a part of something from someone else. The final pieces are always a sign of growth and experimentation. I don't care if they are imperfect. I love that about the new "handmade". It fits me and it invites exploration. What more can you ask from art?

Well, in my quest for a better Crazy Quilt Block, I am finding these elements to important choices in creating a good block.

Create a great Fabric Family
Although random color and fabric choices can be great, I think the best blocks are made from colors and textures that get along comfortably. No one is fighting for top standing. They all speak well to each other and of each other. No one is shouting, or grabbing the spotlight. They enhance each other.
Good fabric colors can be like a group of people who will live together for a very long time. Fabrics are like family.

Here is a beautiful block by Gerry Krueger from the blog- Olderrose

I urge you to take a little time to visit her blog. She is a very talented fiber artist who has many beautiful pieces to admire and inspire.

Colors don't have to be alike, they just need to like each other. Here is a wonderful example of a block with many colors used in a beautiful way. Perhaps its that most of the colors are of the same intensity, or that the stitching and embellishments tie them all together. Allie in Stitches is another amazing blog, you just must visit!

Never underestimate the power of Pretty Stuff.

A true gatherer of great and beautiful stuff is Susan Elliot of Plays with Needles fame.
Her blocks are not overly stitched. She creates a lovely conversation between things and stitches. Her charms and trinkets get along so well with her stitching and tell a wonderful story.
Here is Breakfast at Tiffany's.

and January Reflections



Use Awesome Materials.
I can't emphasize this enough. I used to be a bargain hunter. I am sad that I denied myself for so long the joy of working with beautiful fabrics, tools that work and make the job easier and exciting beads, buttons, tidbits and trinkets that take your breath away.
I would love to recommend a wonderful shop on Etsy where I get my silks. Its Chad Quilt. Nancy is so wonderful to work with and she has been so generous with her expertise. Because of her, I purchased silk dyes and I am having a ball playing with custom dyed ribbon for my creations. She also makes beautiful quilts as well.
Look at this beautiful antique aqua silk dupioni. It is a dream to work with.

Here is one of Nancy's quilts. You can find it here-

Of course, there is that "Certain Something" that is so very important to any project. Its hard to put a name on it. Perhaps it is a spirit or soul that stirs something deep inside of us. Maybe it a sense of humor. Perhaps it is a peaceful, or joyful feeling we get when we see something beautiful. It inspires us to try something new. I don't know how to include that in a tutorial. I can't label only one or two artists who possess the ability to create these kinds of things time and time again. We all have an artist or a type of art that speaks to us. Perhaps you are an inspiration to someone else. I am always so very happy when someone tell me that I inspired them to try a new craft, or that they were moved to bring out supplies from storage. I can think of no greater compliment!

To see some of my favorite artists, check out the list of blogs I follow and admire. Its a long list!

Jump In!
Above all else, don't just admire the works of others and wonder if you are capable of learning how to do it. Just do it! Watch a video, read a tutorial. Just allow yourself the time to play the the ability to possibly fail along the way. That is how we learn. We accept the possibility of imperfections. We learn to love our personal viewpoint.
Most importantly- once a vision, or an image is processed by your brain, is attempted by your hand, and is created with your spirit, it is yours. Your work will not look like anothers as long as you embrace the unique way you approach your art.


Share what you do. Post pictures on your blog, on Pinterest, on websites, on Flicker, etc. You never know who you will inspire!

You can find so many beautiful Crazy Quilt Blocks on the CQJP13 Website.

Have fun!

Wonderful Wool

I am in love wool. It feels so rich. It reminds me of warm, fuzzy sweaters on a cold Wisconsin day. It holds color as deeply as silk. Best of all is its versatility. It comes in so many beautiful forms. I love hand painted wool fabric, wool roving, needle felted wool, wet felted wool, wool wool wool! Its so wonderful. It inspires so many creative dreams.

Here are my latest wool lovelies. The braids are beautiful Merino wool custom hand-dyed for me by Edgewood Garden Studios. Their Etsy shop is so amazing! She hand dyes many types of high quality wools. I told her what I was using it for and gave her a list of colors I would like. She sent me a shipment of wool so beautiful I oooooh and aaaahhd for hours. Each and every time I begin to work with this wool I think of more ideas I'd like to try. I had a custom order for Kelli to fill. She wanted some exclusive designs for the History Museum of Olmstead County's gift shop. I kind of got a little carried away and created 6 pincushions for her. I hope they sell well.

My favorite of all is a little wren I stitched up. I used cotton embroidery floss and needle felted the background and the bottom layer of the embroidery. Isn't she sweet?

Here are some of the floral designs.

...and the wool that inspired them-

Here are some on my wish list-
Wisteria

Imperial Throne

Cnaterbury Bells

I've shared these other shops with you, but they are so good, they bear repeating.
Lovely silk silk sliver mulberry from Woolie Bullie called Tutti Fruitie

Lovely Intense Pink Corriedale from Purple Moose Felting

One of the newest shops on my list provides me with great felted balls I use for my pin assortments from Crafty Wool Felt

I wrap them in wool roving in assorted colors and do a little embroidery.

I also ordered some lovely heathered wool sheets for some needlebooks I'm working on-

So many ideas! So little time to play...

I can't forget another shop, Chad Quilt which also provides beautiful silks. I love this pink felted wool. Its a dream to work with

I also the felted wool bundles I get from Misty Pond Primitives. They are the basis for the pincushions shown at the beginning of this post.

And last but not least, Hands and Notions which has some really fun wool samples you can order in small quantities.

I know the weather is warm and there is not need for warm woolens, but give these shops and wools a try. I'm sure you will be as addicted as I am to the soft, colorful goodness which is wool.

My May Crazy Quilt Block...a tad late.

Here is my latest CQJP13 crazy quilt block. Yes, it is late. May was a rough month. I had to squeeze this in among my custom orders. I don't remember the last time I had any free time. Between my busy schedule and endless rainy days, I was very much in need of some fun and some bright colors. I think this block filled both of those holes. Its not fancy. It isn't filled with complex stitches or fun findings. I have so many of those blocks ready to stitch in my "free time" stash. I strong believe that when you feel yourself beginning to burn out, it essential to recharge your batteries. If not, the stress and gloom will show in everything you do.

I love these fabrics. They are just so bright and fun. The patterns are new and modern. I have a whole pile of new fabrics waiting for some fun time to play. I don't think there is anything more frustrating than not being able to create what you want. I blame time. there just isn't enough and when there is, it seems like there is always dishes to be done or orders to fill. Oh well.... such is life. I look at other quilters and I wonder just how they can produce so much! It seems as though I work 24/7 and my to-do list remains the same length. Sounds like I need a vacation. Sorry for the whine. I think I just needed to get that off my chest. I'm sure so many of you can relate.

Here is that crazy quilt block, stitched into a cute pincushion. You can find it in my Etsy shop Here if you would like this in your studio.


While I was piecing the crazy quilt block, I went ahead and pieced a few more. I wanted to try a fast Half Square Triangle method. It works! I found the tutorial here. The blog is called Ricocet & Away. Its a cute blog. She also has a bunch of tutorials for little bags and larger totes. Check it out.

If you would like to see some fun options for the HST, check out the In Color Order blog.
In Color Order is a wonderful blog with tons of tutorials. Jeni has so many beautiful quilts. Visit her block of the month for some wonderful inspiration.

Enjoy a peek at my other pincushions from this fabric series. I totally recommend working in some bright colors when you are feeling a bid down. They are the perfect medicine!
Most were quick to sew up and fun to make. I machine quilted the squares and used a high loft, mixed polyester/cotton batting.
You can find these in my Etsy shop, Fiberluscious as well.

This is a simple strip block. My Sassy Strip Pincushion. Fast and fun!


Here is the HST block


Thanks for stopping by! I hope to share some wonderful wool pincushions I am working on right now. Lots of color and I have some great sources to share with you.
Happy Creating!