July 30, 2007

Fabric Post Card - Marian 'Bonnie' Beth 1945


This is my first attempt at making a fabric post card. I thought they were lovely and wanted to give it a try. The subject for this one is my mother when she was 17 in 1945. I printed the picture on white cotton and collaged it, as well as vintage fabric scraps and lace. to a barkcloth background using a machine zig-zag applique technique. The post card back is unbleached muslin and the writing is done with a pigma pen. I mailed the card to my sister in Los Angeles and she received it today with only minor smudging that she was able to remove with a soft eraser.

July 25, 2007

Fresh From the Garden,

washed and ready for dinner. The garden has been producing very well. Fresh in the bowl today are, corn, green pepper, green onions, lima beans, yellow tomato and leaf lettuce. Yum!

July 24, 2007

I completed two art quilts on Sunday

I completed two small art quilts on Sunday and listed them to Etsy today. I like them both, but favor the blue one.


July 19, 2007

The Little Cowboy


I finished this little art quilt today. It is for my nephew, Jamie, for his birthday. That's him in the photo when he was four years old - what a cutie. It is 12.5" x 12.5" and the background is a vintage handkerchief depicting cattle roping and branding - a real cowboy thing. His picture is printed on white cotton and the piece is embellished with a section of a leather belt that I 'branded" with a wood burning tool and attached with metal jean button fasteners, a Levis jean tag, a deputy sheriff badge and three star buttons. The backing is blue and white ticking and there is a layer of batting in the middle.

July 18, 2007

The Red Barn




I took this picture of the red barn last year. It is weathered and rustic, but still beautiful. Today when I drove by the red barn, I descovered that it is coming down. Seems by the sign on the property that it is giving way to a medical center. Progress?

July 17, 2007

I Joined Two Interesting Yahoo Groups This Week

I joined two interesting Yahoo Groups this week. The first is called Like Minded Artists and this is the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/likemindedartist/ Their category is listed as Craft, but the artists work is collage art using fabric and paper as well as doll making. They are a friendy group and have made me feel very welcome. One woman has already bought one of my ACEOs from my Etsy shop. Now that is what I call a warm welcome!

The next group is called Cloth Paper Studio and this is the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clothpaperstudio/ Their category is mixed media and they have a lot of talented artists and many activities to become involved in.

I have done a little exploring of each of them, but have not had the chance to become very involved as yet.

July 15, 2007

Rineyville, Kentucky









My husband and I are in Rineyville Kentucky for the summer. The magic of the fireflies is in the summer air. This is our second summer here. Last summer was spent fixing up the little cottage we bought next door to his brother, but this year we will be able to enjoy it more. I am working on some art quilt projects for my Etsy shop as well as some for myself and other family members.

The original part of this building was the one room school house that was built circa 1874. The foundation of this original part is logs laid on top of flat rocks. (How is that for rustic?) The house was added onto in later years. As it stands now, there is a large country kitchen, living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, laundry room and an activity room that I use for sewing, games and my computer. The floors in the original part of the house are the hardwood floors that are just nailed to the logs and not in very good shape, and the newer part is plywood sub floors. We decided to go with the Shabby Chic style for the whole place and painted all surfaces, including the floors. Rather than have vinyl put in, I just painted the plywood with a decorative treatment to resemble old linoleum.

I forgot to mention that this house sits by the railroad tracks nearby the Rineyville crossing, and the Engineer blows the horn near the house. I love that sound! The nearby fire station also blows a noon whistle. Now, it couldn't get any better than that.



Kitchen


John's computer desk in kitchen


Living Room


Living Room


Reading spot in bedroom
made from antique baby crib


Activity room for sewing, games
and my computer