Larks!

Not the flying kind but the kind that throw you off the beaten track.  This happens to everyone, I'm sure, but artists seem to have a knack for it.  

When my fabric for the "Knot Garden" came back it made my heart soar.  I loved it...yes, it's okay to love what you create.  You love your children that way too.  I was so happy with it that recess couldn't get here fast enough.  

About a year ago I had this idea of making myself work a 'little' larger.  I'm not inclined to it, I like drawing small things...like my cards.  So when I was purchasing some art supplies and saw nice pre-stretched canvases for sale...buy one get one!  I bought several...and there they sat under my desk.  [I did keep them dusted...but that's another obsession.]  

Everything happens for a reason.

Recess/weekends are not long enough....

Mischief...

Piles of wool felt...unfinished hand painted tassel tops...line drawings turned into super fun canvases...and finished Peace canvas computer bag.

Not all mischief...have no earthly idea what I'll do with the felt but there are stray thoughts here and there.  

The "Down Dog" canvas is hand painted by Karen Grant, my cartoon of Chance, her paisley rendition!  I love it, she made my day when she brought that in to me.  You may see more of these collaborations in the future.

The real thing, Chance!

 Friend, Barbara Garrana, did a fabulous job on my Peace sign computer bag, it's being put to use daily!  Can never have too many bags in this industry!  Barb was recently featured in Needlepoint Now for her clever sewing abilities.  'Bags by Barb' are popping up all over the place!

button button ...

Stitch Lab had the buttons!  Yeah!  Emily and Niku were wonderful to help me dig through the yellow button jar.  There was a bit of giggling, quietly as a class was going on in the next room.  I came home with the buttons and a pile of wonderful colored wool/rayon felt to play with [someday].

Look !

The fabric for the Knot Garden arrived Wednesday and  I love it!   I went on the hunt for a center bead and could not find anything.  Somewhat daunted I came home...ate some dinner and had one of those flashes of light.  Remember my post of a few weeks ago, I went exploring local fabric shops?  I brought home the cutest little yellow flower button and Voila! est parfait!  I'll be on that cute fabric shops doorstep Sunday to see how many I can get out of their yellow button jar.  

Maybe I'm having too much fun with these?!

I probably shouldn't get too attached to this button just yet!

Did I write you that Biscornu is a French adjective meaning
quirky irregular shape?  

From the bottom.

 

a glimpse....

 Building another border on Swirling Hearts Biscornu.

Silk, Velvet, Metallic, Rayon

Eyelets, Couching, French Knots, Fly

Can't wait to design the fabric for this one.

another life time ago....

...I was an illustrator.  My daughter wants me to 'do more of these', she grew up to be an interior designer, amazing child of mine.  My son will soon be certified to weld the world together.  His dream to design swords...on the side of course, as he tells me ... 'Mom...you know I have to have a 'real' job'. Smart kids...grown kids.  Both amaze me and make my heart smile.  I can't believe how the time has flown.

I didn't have children when I drew these ... it really was a life time ago.  When I look at these my head spins.  The only work I could find back then was freelance for small boutiques...I drove my rusty little yellow VW bug all over Pittsburgh.  Of course, gas was ... well, lets not go there.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a few 'gems' with you.  More soon on my current project, Swirling Hearts Biscornu.  I'm playing with the border!

Oh my gosh...I forgot to mention the caricature of moi....this was rendered by my college roommate, Lori Maxwell.  It was always an adventure hanging around with cartoonists.  Lori and I are still great friends.  I will post a link to her website on the left.  The year was 1977, I lived in my Dr. Scholl's, jeans and adored that striped sweater...and yes, my hair was HUGE, very curly and very dark!