ad libitum

A PAUSE IN CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS

Right after Christmas, my younger daughter and I are leaving for a ten day trip to South Africa. So, yesterday, instead of decking halls or shopping for a Christmas feast, I decided to make myself a trip purse (yes, I seem to make a purse for each big trip I take; it's the only way I can get all the pouches and zippered pockets I want in the sizes I want). I bought the fabric a couple of years ago on a trip to Phoenix and have wanted to do something travel themed with it for a while.

COMPONENT PARTS

Remember my monoprints? Well, I finally got around to making some of them into component parts to use later. There are certain things I know that I will use in projects - hearts and words are a good bet. By making the component parts ahead of time, I'll be ready to go into production when the Muse hits.

FABRIC MONOPRINTS

I spent Sunday afternoon making monoprints with two friends. I chose to print mine out all on some bamboo fabric I had on hand. Frankly, I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I see making some more in my future.

I think I'm going to cut these up for fabric collages, dolls and cards.

YESTERDAY, ON THE DECK

I dyed some scarves yesterday, planning ahead for Christmas gifts. They're all silk and I dyed them all using the "scrunchie" method I learned from Glennis Dolce at ArtUnraveled.

A DAY TO DYE FOR _ ANOTHER ARTUNRAVELED REPORT

Thanks to Glennis Dolce, I now know some Shibori techniques. I have to admit, my favorite part of the class was not a shibori technique, but a scrunching up technique.

Below is a photo of the pics I did piled up on the class table.

The moons are floating in an indigo sky. I plan to make a panel for each moon and make a series with them. The piece below my attempt at a solar explosion.

more indigo and four pieces of the scrunched up method.

over-dying circles and more scruched up pieces.

The techniques of the piece on the bottom right involves sewing and pleating up the threads and then dying.

Below are pieces of various techniques (sorry, I can't remember any of the names of the different shibori methods).

I brought some ribbon to dye in the class.

Below are more pieces of the scruched up method. I told you it was my favorite!

ALTERED IPAD CASE

Last week, my iPad arrived (it's my Christmas present from my husband, but I put off ordering it until the iPad 2s came out). I'm still getting used to it and have a lot to learn (hate the few photos I've taken so far, but love what others have done, so I'll work at that). Anyway, I bought myself an iPad case, a basic black, insulated, sleek zippered pouch. Of course, I couldn't leave it at that, so I appliqued some reverse applique hearts to both the front and back of it (It will come as no surprise to my friends that I made a small stockpile of the reverse appliqued hearts). It personalizes it for me.

ANGELS AND OTHER THINGS

I spent the past week-end sewing and playing in the studio (which is getting messier and messier and really will have to be cleaned up at some point).

I made three hanging doll angel versions of my grandniece, Ayla; and I made four fabric hangings using resined photos and paper. I also watched most of a Firefly DVD set I bought, but that didn't produce anything but enjoyable dirversion.

Here is Renaissance Angel Ayla.

This is Antiqued Angel Ayla.

And, Royal Angel Ayla...if you look closely, you can see the beads on her full length vest.

I have some beautiful bits and bobbles of fabric and ribbons and pieces of resin paper I made last year; so, I decided to make some small fabric collage/wall hangings.

A BIT OF SELF PROMOTION

Some of my art is currently on display (and for sale) at For The Art (210 Lake Street, Kalamazoo). I was there for last Friday's Art Hop and am keeping my work there for the month of March. I invite anyone local to stop by and take a look (hours are usually 11 to 5 Mondays through Fridays and 11 til 2 on Saturdays, but it's a good idea to call first).

This is a tree of angels, birds and word people.

This is a display of my dolls.

More of the dolls and some of my fabric photoshop images.

Fabric images and some large, matted photoshopped images.

These are two of my fabric collages commemerating my trip to Ireland. The collages are about 16x16 inches.

Frankly, the store 's participation in Art Hop was not particularly well attended (the store is out of the usual Art Hop pathway). I tried not to take this personally (with semi-success); and am deciding to focus on the fact that my art is on display in an actual place of business.

MY FIRST MATCHBOX SWAP

I recently discovered decorating matchboxes (who knew?), filling them with little treasures and sending them out for swaps. My friend Kathy organized a small valentine matchbox swap. I have sent mine off and am anxiously awaiting the returns to come. I painted the matchboxes red, inside and out, glued small sewn hearts on them, and filled them with small heart-shaped polymer buttons that I had made. I think I forgot to sign them (I'm really bad at remembering to sign my work). Oh well.

VALENTINE WELCOME BANNER - AND ANOTHER PURSE

It's time for another welcome banner; this time the theme is valentines and the shape is a heart instead of a triangle. I have "W" again.

 

I found two great heart fabrics at my local quilt shop and decided to try to quilt freeform hearts onto the fabrics.

I cut out the hearts using a pattern to make sure I stayed consistent with shape and size (not susually one of my strengths).

Here's what I decided would be the front of the banner.

And, here's the back.

I mailed off my banners without taking a photo of the completed one;,but I had made an upside down one (oops), so I have one to show you. I was lazy and just placed the heart shaped button on the bottom instead of sewing it on. So, this is almost what my "W" banners look like.

I had some left over fabric; so, of course, I made a purse.