ArtBras done and in progress

I completed another ArtBra. The working title is Flower Fairies Folly. The flower faces are clay from a pressmold. The flower petals are cut from Fabric on a Sizzix with a couple of dies including a new one by Tim Holtz from lace and sheer fabric then hit with alcolhol inks for more depth. The leaves are done the same way. The vine was also given a little more color with the Alcohol inks. The little fairies are made with pipecleaners, silk flower parts, wooden bead heads and feather hair.

I am also working on another bra inspired by a technique used to create a table top. Check it out here. Is this not awesome? Christie also has a utube tutorial on how to create these tiles. I used sticky back silver metal tape from Ed's workshop and a cuttlebug folder to make 1 1/2" tiles, sprayed them gold, added alcohol ink color, sanded the top to reveal the silver again and then added heat set crystal jewels. I covered the bra with a metallic gold lame then added spray-paint silver accents. The alcolhol inks didn't give me the amount of color I wanted, so I used Shiva Paint sticks to dull down the gold and add color highlights. Now to somehow put it together and do something with the straps!

If you would like be a sponsor for the new Calendar or have an ad in it, check out the website, http://www.artbra.org/

We did it again!

I have been busy with so much lately! Our EGA had an exhibit April 24-25th. Lot of work but it was well worth it! We had a great turnout but glad it is over! Pictures will be on our website soon, http://www.mcega.org/ I have also been working on some secret projects for a couple showers I am going to next month. After the showers I can post pictures. But the grandest thing I have just completed was constructing the new ArtBra Ladies quilt. I auditioned various colors for the border and we all agreed blue worked best. I purchased this bright Navy blue silk but when I got it on the quilt, it read dark navy so I added the appliqued navy blue satin scrolls to the corners and outlined them in a blue metallic cord. I do like how the dark border makes the blocks really pop. I am getting better at putting the quilts together - just wish I was getting faster! This is the fifth one we have done. The heart quilt (which was constructed by Allie Aller), the Butterfly quilt (constructed by me), and the rose quilt (constructioned by Barbara Blankenship) were featured in the 2010 ArtBra Calendar. The latest theme, my idea, was fan blocks in jewel tone colors. I sent all the participants a muslin foundation piece with the block drawn on it. What wonderful blocks were completed and returned. Here is the finished quilt. It will be in the new 2011 ArtBra Calendar which can be prepurchased now at http://www.artbra.org/ If you would like to see close-ups of the blocks, they can be viewed on Barbara's flickr site.

Don't hate us because ...

We have the most beautiful new Grandson in the world!! He was born on April 20, 2010 at 4:06 pm, 7 lbs 13 oz, 20 1/4" long. Now for the pics. First The new family, my stepson fresh from the delivery room with a pic of Jake in the camera, baby Jake in the nursery, and of course pics of the little guy and the new Grands!

My 2010 Art Bra Calendar Submission

I have been at a brain freeze for ideas for the new ArtBra Calendar. This idea just sort of popped into my head - though there are two more in there waiting to get out. It is called "Closet Cowgirl". It was inspired by the pink plaid cloth I found while straightening up my studio (and boy! does it need it!!!) though you can hardly see it for all the fringe. I stitches the boots, flowers, music notes and badge on my embroidery machine. There is still time to submit a bra! For more info, check out http://www.artbra.org/

A New Stump doll

Since the Garden State Dolls Artisans decided to do a stump doll costume challenge, I have been playing with a new pattern and costumes. The first one was Marie Antoinnette. This one is Madame Le Pompadour and again it is taken from a picture. I haven't decided whether or not to put this out as a pattern. Any interest? I made her wig from hair I got from Colleen (her ebay store link is on the left, OOAK Art Doll Mixed Media Supply Shop. I used Rit dye to color it. Her dress is embellished with ribbon flowers. I dyed most of the lace again using rit dye. The overlay on her under dress came as you see it - it is bright yellow on an orange net ground with some lurex. That fabric dictated her color scheme. very out of the box for me!

Here is a pic of the painting I modeled her gown after.

CQ Blocks for Breast Cancer

We are at it again! We are doing another quilt to be donated to a Breast Cancer Treatment/Health Center. This is #5! This year, I suggested using the fan block I used for Dino's Memory Quilt. Here are the two blocks I did. I am constructing the quilt again this year. I put together a few virtual configurations and we unanimously agreed on this one. I am using a bright navy with a purple cast silk for the borders and backing. The blocks are all so beautiful and can be viewed here. I hope I do them justice constructing the quilt.

New Class in Pennsylvania, June, 2010

I created this treasure box for a class I will be teaching at the Ribbonsmyth Studio, Perkasie (outside of Doylestown), Pa June 11-13, 2010. The class which will be Saturday and Sunday will include creating the "fabric" from newspaper, dyes, crayons, paintsticks, iron-on interfacing and fusible web. We will also be dying and coloring lace with a brayer and creating the flower cabachon using a piece of faux Dichroic glass (these we will make Friday night!). The lace and leaves are "gilded" with gold in a few different techniques which we will also explore. The base of the box is 4" x 6" and is approximately 7" high. We will also be exploring making felt beads. Victoria Adams Brown will be teaching her fabulous Embellished Cuff. For more info and reserve you spot, visit Ribbonsmyth.