Stuff on a Sunday

Not much to say, just thought I'd put these photos out here. First is the beading thing I am currently working on. I'm enjoying it. Next are a couple of shots of my peony's. They were doing great in all the cool damp weather. Now that it has warmed and dried up they don't look as well.

Reminds me of some beautiful party dress.

Finally, here is a strange mushroom that popped up in my potted shamrock a few days ago. That veil at the bottom is frequently an indicator of being a poisonous mushroom, so I pulled it out and threw it away before it opened and spread its spoors.

It has finally warmed up here, I actually have shorts on. It isn't that warm, I also have on a light sweatshirt. Working in the studio on a Kunin felted piece. I'm sure I will show it later. Some of the colors are the same as that peony, I just realized. Maybe I will look at some other flowers for further color inspiration.

Be well.

Postcard swap

I recently had an opportunity to join in a birthday postcard swap with Emma at http://emma-alittlebitofeverything.blogspot.com/. She turns 50 today and in honor of her birthday she decided a month ago to invite other bloggers to send her a postcard and she would send them one in return. She hoped for 50 participants and I was #49. She had a great response to her request and has been posting the cards received on her blog. What a wonderful creative collection she has now! She lives on the Isle Of Skye in the UK. I was excited to receive a card from her (and glad I had gotten mine in the mail already!). You see it pictured above. Below is the reverse side. I love the spontaneity of it and all the colors! Even the back was interesting to me because of the post mark on it. She confessed it isn't a real postmark but is one she created especially for her postcards. It looks pretty real though. I love it! She continued the star stamp on the envelope, too.

This is what I sent her in return. It was a bit too large to be a postcard, I cheated a little. But she liked it. I put it in an envelope and mailed it. I think that today is her actual birthday, so if you have a moment, jump on over and tell her happy birthday and take a look at her blog. She lives in some beautiful country and that beauty is reflected in her art work.

The sun finally came out here and I was able to wear shorts for the first time this year and sit in warm sun. Felt pretty good. Back to 20% chance of rain tomorrow so I better get out and enjoy the sun while I can. Been listening to the music from the show Into The Woods, a Stephen Sondheim musical. I love it!

I hope you all have pleasant weather, not too hot, not too cold. Be well.

Little folded books

First of all, I would like to say "Welcome" to my new followers.  I really appreciate your stopping by and signing up to come back.  Followers and comments are always fun to receive and I intend to reply personally to all of them.  If you are a no reply commenter, I will reply in my comments.  Thanks!!

Recently my friend Maggi over at

http://maggi21.wordpress.com/

sent me the little folded book you see above, with the two wooden beads on the cover.  The second photo shows the inside.  She included a couple of tags with photos of two of her pets.  I was so entranced with this tiny little book, I knew I had to make one.  When I showed it to my creativity group, they all wanted to make one also.

So we did.  Above you can see three of the little books.  They're not finished but aren't they delightful?  The books are only 3 inches square, they fit into the palm of my hand.

 I went ahead and made some more.  These are 3 that I made above, they are finished.  Below you can see the inside of one.

 Below, the blue one, with some roving and a bit of bead work on the cover.

More  bead work on the cover of this one below. 

This one with the pink scrim, I used a scrumptious square that I received in a swap.  The square is 1 1/2 inches and was made by Pricilla Schrock.  I found the books store my scrumptious squares perfectly.  They are fun and easy to make.  I will keep them around to give as little gifts, probably.  I'll likely make more when I need a fun little project.

Be well. Happy Summer Solstice to you all.

Solar Flare

Finished this piece last evening. Measures approximately 7 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches.  It is pre felted using wet felting technique, then needle felted, adding additional colored roving for some of the flares.

I used half of a domino for this focal point. I sawed it in half and then colored it with alcohol inks to match the felting colors. I added a couple of extra touches with pens before I beaded it down but they mostly wiped off with all the handling so I had to reapply after I was finished.  The alcohol inks themselves were not affected, just the marker pens, you can see them in black and silver in the above photo where they have been reapplied.

More beading and embroidery stitching. I absolutely love these colors!

I used some rayon fabric for the backing and pulled it around as a binding in the front before stitching it all down. This turned out as well as I could have hoped. Do you like it?

Today I have been listening to National Public Radio, a couple of programs. This American Life is always fun to hear, and the repeat of A Prairie Home Companion.

Yesterday it actually was sunny! and Warm!! It must have been at least 72. Today it is cloudy again but dry, about as dry as my writing. Hope you all had good weekends.

Be well.

Beading on Velvet

I posted this piece before it was finished a couple of weeks ago. Here it is completed, even framed which I rarely do. I had just gotten this frame at a garage sale, not thinking of it for this piece but it was perfect. Also, I had the background piece of copper colored stuff that was perfect as a sort of mat behind the velvet. I don't know what that stuff is, someone gave it to me. It was quite firm and stiff although I could have stitched on it. It was very fibrous, copper colored on one side and a rather dull brownish coppery color on the reverse. It was just right for this piece, which I have not named. I have trouble coming up with names for my pieces. Beaded Thingy just seems too drab. Any suggestions? This is the one where I used the top from a wine bottle foil as the center piece I beaded around.

I enjoyed stitching on the cotton velvet so much I tried another one. This time I used some silk roving which I held down with some big hand stitching before I beaded over and around it. I put a piece of fabric on the back and stitched it closed like a pillow, with no stuffing. No name for this, either. Beaded Thingy 2.  I gifted it to Susan at http://sjmcdowell.blogspot.com/ .  She had sent me a package of many many beads and I used almost exclusively her beads in this piece.  Still lots of beads left, she was very generous.  She received it today so I can post the picture now. 

Well it is a beautiful evening here, some blue sky showing and sun on the tops of the trees.  Wasn't much sun today but it didn't rain either.  The hummingbirds are still flocking to my feeders.  I am always amazed at how late in the day they continue to feed.  All the other birds have gone to their roosts but the hummers keep coming until it is very nearly dark.  Adult dark, anyway.

I want to welcome my new followers, I always appreciate anyone who takes the time to sign up and follow this blog, especially when you leave me a comment.  Thanks!  And welcome!

Listened to Jack Johnson today, what mellow songs, he is one of my favorites.  He will be touring in this area this summer too.  Summer?  What's that??  If it hit 60 today I'd be surprised.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Be well.

I'm a winner!!

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/ I won Marie's 13th giveaway and received her gift last week. She packaged it all so beautifully, even sending this hand crafted card and put the cabochon in this little gift bag. Thanks again, Marie, for this lovely gift from your heart. I love it and hope to make something worthy with it.

http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com/ A couple of days later I couldn't believe it when I also won this fabulous collection of items from Tristan's giveaway. Wow, what a lot of creativity this should generate! Look at all this loot! Punches, sequin waste, 2 mat stacks, flowers, glittery dots and more. The package was heavy! Nicely packaged with many colors of tissue paper which I will also put to good use. I feel quite satiated with lovely gift items now. Was it my birthday? No, but it almost feels like it. To paraphrase from Tristan, I better go make something Beautiful! Thanks again to Marie and Tristan for their generous spirits. Now you might like to go to their blogs and see what they have been up to lately.

Be well, be generous!

Wonkier Hearts

Another oh so original title. After I took these photos I decided to do a little seed stitching around the outside of the hearts with some embroidery thread. Then I gave it to my friend Mary for her birthday yesterday. Happy birthday Mary!! If you would like to see some of the other gifts Mary received, take a look here: http://foxontherunarts.blogspot.com/2010/06/marys-birthday-celebration.html

Fox On The Run Arts is the blog Mary keeps up for our creativity group. We all contribute, but mostly Mary.

On the weather front, the official news is that this past May, here in Oregon, was the coldest and wettest in 60 years. Yeah, tell me about it! Good thing I am a true Oregonian and love the rain.

I need to put up a post showing all the wonderful things I received from my giveaway wins, I'll do that next.  They are pretty spectacular and I am so fortunate to have won them from Marie and Tristan.  In the mean time, be well.