How I Spent Black Friday....And It Wasn't In A Store!

First off, I do not leave the house on Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving is a day for me to recoup and do things here, with DH, or in the studio. I cannot take the crowds, the traffic nor do I want to end up with a cell mate called "Large Marge"..........nuff said there.

And so, the other day when I was digging--and I do mean DIGGING-- for the instructions for my felting machine, I came across this apron pattern I had purchased in the dark ages and for whatever reason, put in the plastic bag with the machine gizmos.

So I looked it over and it seemed to be a pretty quick sew, and my old aprons have or are currently rotting from age, therefore........

I dug through my scrap bag and pulled some of my favorite pieces, exiled there because I haven't quilted and could not bear to part with them. Also, one large piece that was never cut into for fear of the *Fabric Cutting Police* paying a visit to the studio.......ahem! Any others out there like that???

And, a few hours later, this is what I ended up with! A happy, bright and lively apron, that I made without consulting the instructions for the most part, so there are some things that are different......

I must, absolutely MUST, have a pocket on an apron and I pieced a scrap of batik to make it wide enough to cut the piece, then lined it with a vintage light blue flowery fabric. Yum! The flounce was to be cut as one piece but that took a LOT of fabric, and if I accordian-folded the pattern, I could cut multiple fabrics and have an extra bit of ZING at the bottom! (yes, all those pieces were hemmed with the rolled hem foot first, then pinned with the hem edge matching......and my rolled hem foot hates me, for some reason......I mean, reeeeeally hates me......)

Even the facings and neck strap were made from different favorite leftovers; I wanted all the apron to be special, and definitely *me* when worn, or just hanging in the closet! And best of all, I was able to use up or put a dent in fabric I had lying about. That made me very happy! A scrap apron that just rocks....  :-)

I have to admit I have not sewn for myself in a long time, and eventhough this did not require bodily measurements (thank God!!!) it was sort of odd doing something strictly for me. I had to allow myself to make the apron. I mean, that is NOT right! LOL!!!

Then, I sucked up all my courage and threw one old apron in the garbage and brought the other out to the studio, to try and see if I can cut a pattern from it. Then it goes. Honestly. I promise. For real!

And yes, for those of you wondering, I do have fabrics MUCH BRIGHTER than these.....I was trying to keep from glowing in the dark...well, I do have glow in the dark fabric too, which might have uses for candle lit evenings......

And then there are all the psychedelic prints.....and the skulls and Dia De Los Muertos fabrics.....it is not a bland studio, to say the least!

Hope you've had a few creative minutes yourselves over the holiday, and I am going to have to get the house tended to for Christmas really soon, as my life will get interrupted. Pooey.

Now off with ye, and have a creative day, whatever you get into!

Pax.

In the spirit of the season......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I found this little guy too hard to resist; it's either the top hat, the cravat complete with stick pin or that look on his face! Dang...they used to know how to make cards and the illustrators were top notch with both detail and humor!

If I did a list of everything I am thankful for, Blogger would crash. So let it suffice that I am thankful to be where I am, with DH, and we know our blessings. There is something warmly comforting in that.

The only decision I have to make is the duck or the gumbo. Because to be honest, I have no idea what we are eating tomorrow! So any of you last minute folks who are now panicking, revel in my honest admission! And at this point.....well...I suppose I should do something.

Taking a few days off--as I am sure most of us will be--so the blog will be still for a while. Hope y'all have a good day tomorrow and something yummy.

And if you have pumpkin pie, eat a slice for me. (DH won't eat it; I'll eat all of it...sigh...) And if you should have sweet potato pie, slip a piece in a box and mail it to me. I will be your slave for ever! I love that stuff.......sigh....it's those Southern Roots showing.

And be thankful....no matter how we are, or what we're going through in life, if we look hard there is something that is an item of thanks.

To you all, I bid you........

Pax.

Intra Muros....

.....which means "within the walls", where they should be, in the sanctuary of Grace UMC, Rochester Indiana, hanging and looking glorious!

The above photo is taken from the choir loft, so you can get some sense of their size. This is a deceptively large sanctuary when you first walk in.....it seems smaller, then you start seeing there is a LOT of wall space!

This is the full length view, hanging. I have reduced the photo size so if you click it, it will only go so large.  I had to zoom from the choir loft to get this; I was lucky to get the amount of resolution I did!

And now for how big they really are.......the lady standing in front is just a few inches shorter than me, so this truly shows the length of the pieces. And this is why it is so hard to get them sewn and straight and looking right.

Everyone was quite happy with them; they were having fun finding all the little beads and pearls that were sewn on, and how the flames reflected light different in different areas of the church, how the background fabric had pattern, how things glowed, etc. etc. Which was precisely what I was hoping for!!!

It was fun; sort of like a "Where's Waldo?".......except with banners......LOL!!!

Hope you enjoy these and understand why I am as crazy as I am on a good day!

Now......go have some fun, or enjoy family that has come in, or rest! (I vote for the last!) As for me, I am not leaving the house today, and may just retreat to the studio, not to resurface for a bit....   ;-)

Pax.

From Tammy @ A Stitch In Thyme

I had the delightful surprise of receiving this award from Tammy, on Saturday afternoon when I was feeling completely wiped out and it certainly brightened my day! Thank you Dear!
Having received this, I have to:
Write 10 honest things about myself, and pass on the award to 10 honest bloggers, and of course, mention and link who gave it to me.
Well, I'm never too under the table about what I think, but this is a tough one for me......so I'm going to try and just write what comes to mind. The honest part, of course! ;-)

1) I detest Political Correctness. Usually it is a sweet glaze for what, when I was being raised, were referred to as LIES.

2) I find it appalling that any group can quote Holy Text for the reason of harming another, be it a single person or a large group. Somehow, that always has seemed to me to garner them a special corner in Hades.......

3) Honest work is honest work. I like being able to seal a commission with a handshake and my word. In most cases, I can still do that.

4) My life has changed so much this past year that without the people who read this blog, I do not know where I would be. Yes, YOU ALL are important to me and have kept me going more than you know.

5) I have no hesitation of speaking my mind when I felt it necessary eventhough it has gotten me into trouble more than once and no doubt will again.

6) In doing the moral, ethical thing I have lost *friends*. So be it. I would not go back and change my decisions to be swayed by the pack.

7) Theft of intellectual property is still theft (there is a great mess going on with copyright laws at present)---call it what you want, borrowing, etc. If someone else designed it, wrote it, or made it, and it was taken and a one tiny bit was changed, and you claim it as your own work, that is THEFT. As in THIEF. Not a charming word, eh?

8) I try to keep my art as original as possible considering all the work that is out there. I want my personal voice to come through....not someone elses. With all the media focusing on Art now, this is very hard. Keeping it real becomes more of a challenge each day.

9) I continue to educate myself in a lot of areas, and feel anyone who has the opportunity to should also. Knowledge is a great gift; why waste time on stupidity?

10) Sometimes it is easy for me to push to the back, out of view, my ability for kindness and empathy. To truly embrace those qualities, one must open themselves to the feelings and needs of others, and occasionally that means opening yourself to their hurt as well and taking it on and carrying it a while until they are able to endure life's load.

And now, who to pass this to, because I feel most of my blogfriends are quite frank or I would not read them, and picking 10 makes it worse.....because someone will feel shorted..... <:-{

Ces and Her Trees
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
The Magic, Miracles, and Joy of an Artist
La Llorona Arts
Marbled Musings
Uncommon Threads
Leslie's New Works And Thoughts
Our Victorian Cottage
marianne's art blog
Midlife Poet

Now, I have either flattered you all, or have created a list of bloggers willing to travel to swat me in the head with a rock, or steal my keyboard so I can't type and post! (I have a spare....of course!)
I love honesty, and y'all have it.
Now to the day at hand....and the banner delivery.....pics tomorrow! I hope! Yeah!

Pax.

Sunday Ramblings

Even after a *play day*, lazing on the couch and a good night's sleep, I still feel physically exhausted and non focused artistically. I tell you, finishing a large commission is like losing a job. Suddenly there is all this time on your hands and you don't know what to do.
So I chose a long nap yesterday afternoon and the beginning of a scarf kit I had ordered and been itching to knit.
Well.
After two shots at enlarging the Fair Isle grid to blind-old-fart size, I got about two inches knit last evening and since it is supposed to be around 76" long, I'm thinking I will be wearing it next year. I also am not crazy about one or two sections of color combinations, so I might switch things around, to further complicate the matter. Hey, if I run out of yarn, I'll buy another skein of something else. No big deal. But I did have moments when I wondered what screw in the head had finally popped completely loose to start that pattern.......
This morning I sit in the beautiful quiet of the country with only the sound of an occasional car on the road or the furnace kicking on, a cup of good coffee and my soul completely at rest. I'll be catching church service on the web later and have no pressure today. It is a nice but odd feeling. I am still decompressing from the banners, and as I have talked with other artists, they go through the same struggles I did with these. It is not that we hate our work, and we certainly don't hate being paid! Oh no!
But the striking individualism that makes us what we are makes it hard to lasso all that focus into one *something* when our brains are going elsewhere and the inner child is throwing a fit to go play. Sad but true...eh?  ;-)   I am, for the most part, fairly disciplined when I start work but that doesn't mean I don't want to say to heck with it and do something else. In fact, when I am not in serious crunch time, I usually have something going in the wet studio to be able to sneak down for a few minutes and then come back to the job at hand. I've found that works well.....when I have the time. I did not  with this last project, and I think that is why I am so discombobulated about what to do now. (I knit all winter, so that doesn't count......)
Yes, I worked on the felted sweater parts yesterday, and yes I enjoyed that but it requires a lot of heavy hand guidance so it is a project that will get attention as the body agrees to it.
I still want to paint or collage, but am at a loss.
Maybe tomorrow, when the banners are hanging in the church, when the photos are taken of them and I have put them up on here and feel completely done---completely---maybe then the path will open up. I have learned patience with the process, though I am most impatient to DO art.
Now.
Right now.
But I think I will wait, and refresh the coffee instead, and enjoy just sitting.....doing nothing....in the quiet.

Pax.

Much Gratitude.....

.....for all the kind comments and urging on of friends during the long project and my fits of pique. I deliver the banners Monday morning, weather permitting so Tuesday---hopefully!!---I will have photos to post of this major accomplishment! I am excited and in fear; they go hand in hand on a delivery.
Today, this simple morning, seems quite odd, sitting here enjoying coffee and I am not sure what I am doing today! I seriously am considering dragging out the needle felting machine (I've had it well over a year and used it once to make sure it worked...), a pattern for slippers I have owned for two years at least and a lovely sweater I felted that Linda at Marbled Musings sent me a while back. An old collegiate sweater, in the days of well constructed wool knits, it felted down nicely and that would be something different and fun. I have a basket of fibers, wools and novelties, some left from knitting, some from fiber art, and I am thinking there could be the makings of something interesting, gaudy and warm! Who me? Gaudy? LOL!!!! Oh yeah.......
Of course, there are the ATC blanks I purchased that I could drag into the house to work on....they couldn't be too messy......and I would have to print some of my photos for that.
If it's sunny today, and believe me, right now there is no way of telling, I saw an area as I was driving home from the errand run that looked like it would yield some good photos---that's a possibility. Remnants of an old building and lots of bushes laden with red berries...the leaves gone on some. Quite the thing for a holiday pic.
It just is ODD to go from full throttle to an almost dead stop. At least for me.
Of course, there is that BOX of yarn tucked in the laundry room calling my name.......now that the *almost stockings* made it to real stockings and are off the needles, I could start the lovely Fair Isle scarf that I would like to wear this winter......
Or I could decend to the wet studio and not surface until it was time to deliver the banners on Monday. Hmmmmm.... 
Decisions, decisions.......
I can't complain because it is enjoyable to have a little down time to try and pick what, out of many projects, to start next! ;-)
Whatever you do today, have fun. Enjoy the day and don't let it pass---there is too much to see and do and just not enough time! Make use of every moment!

Pax.

A Lovely Ending.........

(ran out in the cold to shoot this the other evening; one short moment of completely exquisite glow & then gone)

.......to a long and arduous project. Yesterday, early in the afternoon, the banners were safely moved to the living room, the tables knocked down in the studio, messes in the process of being cleaned up and sorted, and me.....not knowing exactly what to do with myself!
I will, before e-mailing the church, do one more look over for loose threads, anything that is not quite perfect and then, when sure and happy, send that e-mail out asking for a delivery time!
It is odd, because even when I did Advent banners for my church, they were strenuous and gave me grief. Most people like that set the best, yet I have the same feelings about them as I do these; I am glad the project is done. At the time I did ours, I had no budget for them, no heat in my newly built studio, and as I recall, about the same amount of time to get them completed. I vividly remember miserably cold fingers that could not grasp pins even with a tiny heater going full bore. (we were in the process of getting someone to install a furnace and hit an early cold spell for the year--typical Indiana)
It seems that I always like the Lent banners the best. I don't know if it is the time of year I work on them or if it is the difference in how they are constructed. Easter is usually pretty easy and my feelings are ambivilant on those; I just want the letters balanced evenly on the two pieces. I enjoy creating the letters, that is what captures my attention and after that, it's just grunt-work.
I am happy that I now have a little breathing room, that I have time to clean in the studio, or go lounge a bit and knit. I can set up my most nonprofessional camera background and have things easier to photograph for the blog. I can consider rearranging some of the furniture in here. I've been going through that in my head since I first started these and could not move a thing. I also need a big studio purge, and I don't have the time I need for THAT! Does anyone have a spare year they would like to donate to a good cause???
I sort of feel like I have just received a release from prison! And that is not right to feel that way about paying work! But I felt exactly the same when I was working on the first set of Advent banners, in the cold.
Maybe it's just ME.
Maybe I am remembering the other set.
Maybe there were too many distressing events going on during the construction process this time.
Maybe I'm thinking way too much again.....  ;-)
At any rate, I have no idea what I want to do creatively at the moment, and that is just plain ODD!!! And give me a day or two to get my acerbic humor back; I think it's buried in the studio somewhere......!
So I will leave you with a wish for a beautiful creative day, with ideas abounding, and no housework, and something good to relax with as the sun sinks this evening.

Pax.

Soooooo Close......

(the photo has nothing to do with the post.......I just love ginkos and they make me happy!)

.....I can almost taste---yes, taste!---these banners being complete! Yesterday yielded more good work, even with a surprise visit from a cranky DH, who had to attend a luncheon with the boss. While he expressed himself, I cooked.
Do you know how nice it is to eat real food? Not something frozen or dehydrated? Put together a pretty spectacular crab, shrimp and corn chowder, french bread and then whipped up a carrot cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting that almost went down my gullet instead of onto the cake. I am a sugar freak......it's not good.
Still, even with the *hubby-break*, all the candles are freemotioned on, the iron on stars were pinned, the basting for the hanging sleeve done and no blood on anything! (yes, there is Anne-specific DNA in every set of these I make; it's just worse with white....)
Today will be a challenge to see if I can get these one step closer to a Monday delivery. I'm waiting before I e-mail......I just want to be sure they are done. Right.
And then I swear I will not know what to do with myself.
Cry?
Run naked?
Go buy shoes? (always a good option!)
Bang my head against the keyboard?
Or get online and order the braid I would like for the Easter banners, which were half done back in March.
Decisions, decisions........
I am hoping, when the banners are delivered, they will hang them so I can try and get at least one shot of one full length. The lighting there is soft, the sanctuary huge, so it is not going to be a good pic, but sufficient so you can really appreciate the size.
Okay, time to go hide behind one of the two machines and slam the pedal to the floor. Yes, I sew like I drive......look out...... ;-)
Hope you all are having fun creative time and not too much housework before the impending Turkey-Day!

Pax.

Minutia Of The Moment

Yesterday was a work-a-thon in the studio. I think I spent at least ten hours out here, which, with my decrepitude, is a lot......  ;-) 

So today I thought it appropriate to post a few detail photos of what has been going on.

Each of the tassels is cut from regular fringe, making sure not to nip important threads holding the top together. Then a bead and a sequin are added as a visual stop where it joins the bullion fringe. These all have to be pinned in place in advance so the spacing is right, then hand sewn tightly.

Rosettes were constructed from two lengths of ribbon, sewn atop each other and then gathered, steamed and sewn to the backing. (the camera, or maybe the operator, was having a hard time focusing this morning) Of course, this is by hand too.....

The main candle has pearls and tiny gold beads sewn at intervals on every woven repeat of the fabric; the white cross is purchased then applied to the gold backing and all the gold stitching is freemotion, built up layer after layer until there was enough gold to be visible. That, in itself, was a daunting task, as it is being sewn directly TO THE LARGE CANDLE with the freemotion......

                                              

All the candles have to be basted by hand to the backing and batting before going under the machine for freemotion attachment. I got wise and found a huge hooked upholstery needle that made the work easier and a bit quicker. These blasted things are always a learning curve....by the time you've figured out how to do them  in a manner that is time efficient or better on the body, they are done. (and so are you!)

                                           

Then, when the large tassels are attached, you get to use the needle that could sew up a cow....because the cording is such that it requires both needle and pliers to get the thing through. Again and again and again. There is a lot of weight, they will hang a goodly while and it has to all be very secure.

That's enough for now. I was having a heck of a time loading these pics for some reason this morning so I have no idea what Blogger is going to do with the post......it may be quite abstract! It may be all over the place! Which is kind of how I feel at the moment, physically. Mentally I am focused, but boy, I should have been out of here earlier, and I probably should have laid off the knitting last evening? Perhaps?

Common sense was never one of my better features......

Sorry for the late post and lack of humor in this one. I think I stitched my funny bone underneath something. I need to find it again before they are delivered because I cannot function without it, and no one would read if it was the whiny brain dribble of the past few posts. ;-)

And I really like having you read....and laugh.....

Laughter is a gift to give ourselves every day. Unfortunately, I seem to be in situations frequently where I tend to get overdoses via my own lack of forethought, stupidity and just plain not paying attention to my surroundings.

And no, I have not crawled on the table or stood up on top of the tall stool of late.

Maybe today.......just for the heck of it! LOL!
Go make something, and have fun!

Pax.

Of Better Humors and Health

Well, sometimes it takes just a bit to shake off the crud and get life back on a managable path. For me, it was purging on blog. For DH, it was finally feeling like he was at the end of whatever it is he has had to suffer through. Thankfully, nothing resembling pneumonia this time around....  <:-)

I am sewing, or doing errands. Both have to be done today and it is just a matter of which is going to fall where. You know; the typical artist juggling act. Should we EAT and have MONEY in the bank or should I work in the STUDIO? (we all would pick the second choice, I know...)
Decisions, decisions.
HA.
The second banner is progressing and I must admit the voices of friends make the work easier and more managable. Like, I can believe I will have both done! Barring illness or the complete collapse of the universe as we know it...and then it wouldn't matter.
Later I will have to post the pics of the finished "Socks-From-Hell" and the "Almost-Stockings" I have toiled away at in the spare resting moments of evening, sitting with DH. The "Almost-Stockings" are almost done, needing a ribbed top, which could take a while, or until the yarn runs out....whichever comes first!
And now I am off to become Wonder Woman and get everything done today.
(I hear you laughing....)
May you have a great week and may you be creative!

Pax.

The Tangles Of Thought

It is surprising, after yesterday's abundance of replies to my post how I realized that I have been contemplating this transition for longer than I can recall. I am not sure what it is in my artistic make up that keeps me from moving on from one area to another. The known, no matter how miserable, is KNOWN. No surprises, the same old, same old. No risk, just do it. The unknown, is...well....who knows what is out there! I can coach on this but applying it to myself seems to be another story altogether! ;-)
The three photos I am using in this post were from a day last year when it was frigid, but I had grabbed my camera, hopped in the car and flew, looking for digital fodder. I had no thought of time or work on the table, I was in between large jobs and life was in this state of "Seize the Moment!"

I shot and shot until my fingers were so cold I could not feel with them and my face felt like the skin would peel off in frozen flakes.

It was exciting and wonderful! It was miserable and wonderful! It was just damned COLD, as only Indiana can be and look so blasted sunny and nice.

Why I picked these today was a reminder to myself that I have obviously, somehow.....through the influence of another.....lost a part of my life that I enjoyed very much. Yes, when you lose something like that, you (being ME) allow it to happen. You get on another tangled path to avoid confrontation and to prove your worth.

And while there are those who have nothing to do with the change that benefit from it (those I design for) the real artistic spark is reduced to an ember. I have found that often, there are those who find delight in this, and sadly, it is often people with nominal artistic talent themselves. They have an agenda. Real art terrifies them, no matter how much they sugar coat it. They have to be the center of attention, and will go to extremes to keep it that way.

It has taken me a full year to get to this point, to write this, to admit that venom from elsewhere pushed me back into work that keeps me isolated.....and away from what I love most. Away from my real art. I have done the work I've done because I knew I could do it well without much thought; it is in public, and brings in money. It is, somehow, a large phallic symbol. (yes, women fall for that trap too....you know what I mean...)

On the other hand, that year of semi-isolation has allowed me to build this blog and meet wonderful artists who *get it* and who encourage each other without agenda. We meet and talk, we push each other gently when we need to, we support, we laugh! We understand the ups and downs of life and don't have the need to steal ideas or misguide each other for personal benefit.

Somhow, here in this little blog-world, we just do what we were meant to; make art and make friends.

And there is a contentness and happiness. There is joy in seeing someone else succeed, in adding helpful commentary on a work in progress, in looking at something we've done and having a laugh at our not-so-brilliant idea that went wonky. (or turned into something else wonderfully different!) How delightful, how real.

I'm sure this is vague, but it is how it has to be. I also find it appropriate that the photos were from an old cemetary; the end of one life, the beginning of another.

So here is to vagueness, and how it can cleanse the heart, and to how long I have wanted to write this........one or two of you will understand exactly who and what it is about. For the rest, garner what wisdom you may, and know that creativity is above all else something to be savored, cherished, and used as YOU see fit.

Pax.

As a Post Script, yesterday I found a letter I had written had been posted on Robert Genn's site; here is a link as they must have come to the blog to pull one of the mixed media images to add to the post.

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/bad-moods.php

Maybe, at the end of the day, this was a sign for me to take my art a bit more seriously, since they found something they liked enough to publish.......

Wrapped In The Quiet Of Fog.......

......both literally, mentally and physically.

I took a day off.
The emotional upheavals of the past week have been more than enough; DH is better thankfully (and thank you's to all who wrote on his behalf sending spiritual help!) but still on the mend, I am okay as things go, and finally gave in and decided a day of total rest was in order. And possibly another today. As of this moment, it does not appear I have contracted whatever he has been coddling and incubating.......*it* has stayed at bay.
It's amazing what a few good nights sleep and some down time during the day can do for the body. I might want to try this more often....though I know it won't happen. ;-) I was sitting thinking of all the things I could be doing, but the body refused to move.....for once, it really did know best.

Sometimes wrapping yourself in solitude is a good thing; you think things out, you get creative problems solved, you have the opportunity to catch up on small busywork while the mind wanders freely, not that mine doesn't wander enough.

My musings have traveled to the possibility of an Etsy shop for small things I make, how I want to simplify the Holidays, being truly thankful for what we have and that includes everyone I have met through this blog this year, and getting back to a pace where I know where the year went instead of almost being in tears that it's November.

I have been thinking also about what projects to take on next year, when my current committments are complete and whether to continue in that same path, or choose something more managable. I certainly am not getting any younger and trying to fight the weight of 12 yards of fabric going 20 different directions is beginning to lose it's appeal. (and my ability to manage it)

And then, as I said, there is that niggling idea for the Etsy shop, to put a few small things *out there* and see what happens.

And mostly get back to a point where I am making art and not killing myself.

I would like to revisit some of my mixed media fiber art and the time has not allowed that. There is more I want to do with my current series of canvas pieces. I made the mistake of assessing the amount of yarn I have in the knitting basket last evening and decided I could knit tights for Giant Octopi for the next twenty years and not get that stash lessened much.....

So when does one start change? At what point do you say, no matter how much I enjoy parts of the work I do, the whole of it is too much for my body, eventhough it does pay? When do you become more stingy with time and talent and focus smaller and for what your own artistic soul is telling you to do? And where do you start?

It should be obvious, after this post, why I don't take much time off.

I tend to THINK.

I am not always sure that is a good idea, though this time, there have been some good questions that have bubbled to the surface.

As an aside for humor:

My blue budgie has figured out how to open his cage door. I went to cover him last evening and there he sat, giving me *the eye* with the door wide open and him inside. That bird soooooo belongs in this household--ornery in every little ounce! From here on in, I will have to watch him cautiously.

I am thinking, mostly, it is because I have paid more attention to DH than the *Boys*. (Joey, the green one, has been quite GOOD......)

Men.

With or without wings...........  ;-)

Pax.

A Quick Update From Germville.......

.....I'm sure this is true, but I cannot say either DH or myself feel FREE from all poisonous substances!!! LOL!
Just popping into this germ-free-zone for a quick hello. We made it to the Dr, we have the regular flu now, at least DH does (and being the overacheiver he is, he has it quite well) but I may have gone straight into a sinus infection.
So! I got the heavy duty meds, DH didn't and somehow it seems backwards, although I learned a long time ago there are certain bugs you just suffer through. They run their course and make you as miserable as possible during the hosting period.
Today I will be working on the banners, then I have a  funeral home visit I have no choice but to make this evening, and a funeral tomorrow that I may have to read in place of DH. That's just how it is. I'm a whole lot healthier than him thankfully.
In the midst of all this bedlam, my brain decided to kick in and solve a few more dilemmas with said banners, which is good, and I got a tiny bit of work done yesterday. (in between the florist, the doc, and an HOUR at the drugstore waiting for scripts......) Will take the few minutes I have today and put them to good use, as I can.
I'll be back when I am either:

A)  Done with the banners and have pics
B)  Tired of working and being the nurse and need escape
--or--
C)  When I am well

Or, as with any woman, I have the right to change my mind and I might be back tomorrow just to blow off steam......one never knows.
As of now, we are doing as okay as possible but flu sucks rocks and I want it gone immediately! (Like it's listening....ha!)
Hope you all have a creative day!!!

Pax.

An Unwanted Visitor......

......yes, *THE BUG* is back at Chateau Lockard. I would say I can't believe it, but indeed I can as DH came home with a very light version of *it* the other day and I have been okay other than tired (and that's just because I'm very much an old fart, right???) and allergies.
Oh no. That's not enough. Yesterday it knocked me for a loop and really took my legs out from under me; today, so far, it feels the same.
Lovely.
I need time I can't work just like I need a hole in the head. Well, okay, maybe the hole in the head wouldn't be a bad idea, but not right now.
So while this nasty vermin does it's thing in my head and lungs (and every joint in my body) I believe I will be in the reclining position for the most part, unless of course there are a few bursts of anything remotely close to energy and I can try and sew rosettes or the trim on the one banner side.
I'm not holding my breath.
Maybe that's what I should have done in the first place to avoid this.....or maybe I'll be calling my dear Doctor promptly tomorrow morning, requesting an audience.
Geez.
For the rest of you, have a good day and get into a bit of mischief for me too, would ya? (hack! wheeze!)

Pax.

P.S.Yes, I did stagger out to get shots of the fog blanketing the countryside this morning......bug or not.

The Last Golden Sunrise Of Autumn

No words necessary......these were before the last rain and wind storm that took all the beautiful leaves. The morning was cold, the clouds parted and there were a few moments of intense, unbelievable gold everywhere. The air, literally, glowed.
Enjoy!

Pax.

Welcomes and Work

I've been remiss in welcoming new followers to the blog, so here is the official WELCOME!!! I'm glad everyone is here and bit by bit, others pop in. I am very bad about updating the blog list on the sidebar, and if you aren't on there and want to be, just let me know. Some things I'm right on top of (like the table when taking above photo....) and other things just sort of slip into the ether....

After fighting with the 12 feet of lined fabric and the weight of it all, it was time for a break, so here we are and yes, I am still looking for a Studio Pixie who just wants to help and enjoy the company.......LOL!!!

Posting a few photos so you can get an idea of what I have been dealing with, such as the above tassels. They started out being only the small purple part, without beads, trim, or bullion fringe. I basically build them for each set of banners. Premade tassels the size needed are far too expensive and never match anything I'm working on.....such is this life!

I did luck out on the candles not looking lost on the large background fabric and also, in the never-ending stash of fabric, found a sheer for the stars that allows the pattern of the b.g. fabric to show through subtly. I was afraid I was going to have to SHOP for something, and with my recent luck in getting junk, I was not looking forward to it.

Here are a couple of the other candles; the color is fairly accurate on them, though the fourth darker purple is out of the picture frame.

Physically and mentally, I will be glad when these are done as I am exhausted from the weight of all the fabric and batting. These have turned out to be pretty much like working with a stubborn quilt, especially the freemotion work required to put the candles on.

On the other hand, I like the design as it reminds me of some of the work I saw when I was a child in Europe, and there is a nice, reminiscing quality to dealing with them. Stars on Christmas cards were almost always the six pointed variety over there. It seemed a natural to do the same on these.

Well, enough......there's fabric calling me, and it's not calling me nice names! LOL! Yes, that's where we're at in this project relationship---calling each other names. Baptism by fire.......

I really do like them. Shhhhh........don't tell!!!

Hope everyone is having a good time and working on something that is not trying to throttle them! Have a good one; I bid you all......

Pax.

I Was A Winner Too!!!

I should have had this posted a while ago, but in the hustle and bustle of life, work, and my normal state of cluelessness, well, I FORGOT.

The Quilt Rat is one of my favorite fiber art blogs. Jill has more talent in her little finger than I think I do in most of my body---she does some excellent work and is constantly sharing her experiments on her blog.

She had a give away a while back and some of the prizes were the quilted fiber postcards she had made (mine, pictured here). Naturally, I assumed I would win nothing because normally I win nothing but it seems since I started blogging, my luck has improved some! I have won prizes in two give aways and it makes my little heart happy!

(ahem! back to the post Anne.....don't wander....)

Her work is amazing.....the photos of the cards  on her blog are very nice, but the real deal in your hand is quite another story. I have stared and stared at the quality of the work, and by the way---the image on this is all hand drawn.

Yes.

Not a fabric print.

It is a lightbulb, but I discovered if I turned it upside down, the symmetry is such that it reminds me of a bottle, a Southwestern gourd vessle.....and I like it both ways!

If you've not already visited, do check her blog. Even if you don't *do* fiber art, you will be impressed by the art talent!

A very belated Thanks Jill!!!

In public, where all can see! ;-)

Pax.

Blog Prizes Mailed.....

....I got out the door yesterday with everyone's goodies; I am not sure when they shall arrive but when you receive them, if you could pop me an e-mail please?

I am diligently working on the sewing---it's coming along nicely though, as usual, I have exhausted myself and frankly, my fingers hurt from needle-pulling! It's all good though. And yes, the pic is where I wish I was, in the French Quarter, enjoying life and some good food. Instead I settle for listening to WWOZ.org on the computer and dream......check it out if you love Jazz, Blues and NOLA based music!

Can't wait to get back on here full time as my giant brain is overflowing!!!! (or something is dribbling out of my head, and I figure it must be *important thoughts* that need to be shared---LOL!) But it is again, nose to the grindstone, or in this case, pins, needles and sewing machine.

I quickly cruised through a couple of blogs, seeing pics of wonderful work and it makes me long for the wet studio and time to paint.......oh, not soon enough! Those of you having the time to do this; I thoroughly ENVY you at the moment!  ;-)

I miss you all---take care of yourselves as more and more of my friends are coming down with what appears to be the same virus DH and I had. I mean that in all sincerity---take care of yourselves and your kin.

I bid you all good health, rest,  creativity, and of course, as always.....

Pax.

Monday, Monday....

I apologize for not relpying to all the comments yesterday. I was out of the house most of the day (it was delightful! church out of town and lunch with friends!) but by the time I got home was pretty wiped out and headed for familiar territory...the couch! And that is pretty much where I was the rest of the day.
My blog activity is probably going to be sparse for a bit; the deadline for my banner project is quickly approaching and the banners, while a goodly way along, are not DONE.
I would freak out, but I have not had sufficient coffee to do a good job of it yet, so I guess that's for another post. And believe me, it will be here.....when I do it, it has to be just right....LOL!!!
All of you who have to meet deadlines know the dreaded "Oh-My-God-I'm-Not-Going-To-Have-It-Done!!!" sick feeling, and that is where I am today. So. The old blog-a-roonie may be a bit on the dead side for a while. Work is work and sometimes I have to completely hole up and focus. Sometimes I can juggle six things at once with no problem but for whatever reason, this is a project where I cannot. It has taunted me and continues to do so. Plus there have been some personal issues (friends, family) that have kept my mind distracted--yes, more than normal! Everything hits at once, eh?
At last check, I had 149 e-mails I had sort of glanced over.....just the title headers and not the contents, so if there is something DIRE that I need to read, please send it high priority. If I have not received your snail mail addy for the box give-away, please send it with high priority attached to the message! I don't want to miss anyone.
If luck is with me, I can get some good progress made and be back here babbling about squat pretty soon and just making everyone's day! (said with tongue firmly implanted in cheek!)
I hate being in this position, but if some of us would check the calender earlier in the year, some of us would have realized when the first Sunday in Advent was........
Until I can provide proper laughs and giggles, allow me to sign off; the lame brained, overworked and totally clueless Anne, bidding you all...

Pax.

And The Winner IS.........

........of the Milagro-Box-Mixed-Media-Supply Give-Away:

Pam at yoborobo!!!!

Congratulations!!!! I decided since I had so many entries that I would put together three paper packets as extra prizes, and the winners of those are:

Sophia, Magpie's Mumblings,and Jan!
 
I want to thank everyone who entered and if I could have managed it, I would have sent something to all of you! Yes, I have a big stash of *stuff* but the postage might have been a bit of an issue...! LOL!!! Hopefully everyone who receives their package will enjoy the contents; if there are things you won't use, pass them on to another artist and share the wealth.
I will need addresses for those who won; please check my profile page for my e-mail. I'll try and get them popped in the mail Monday....Tuesday at the latest!
Again, thanks! Your support and comments and just plain fun have enriched my life! You guys make my blog ROCK!!!

Pax.