the stuff in my head....

when there is time enough, that stuff comes out onto the canvas. Then sometimes...there needs to be a request to get the wheels moving in another direction.  

While I'm having a blast painting/creating/stitching/finishing the biscornus for the club starting oh so soon...a break is sometimes needed. [designing fabric for Swirling Hearts today]

The sweet lady that cuts my hair...a Needle Works customer...has been stitching up a storm to make ornaments/mini socks for a tree that is 'just for me'...her tree started out small but has now become a taller tree and needed a tree top angel to fit.  I told her to let me see what I could come up with.  Below is Angie Angel.  

What's in a name...I grew up with a crazy metal art angel on the top of our tree...her name was Angie. I think Mom acquired her while we were living in France.  I have a box in the attic of French metal/glass ornaments...all beautiful but all in pretty sad shape.  Maybe some of them can be given a new life on canvas as well.  Hmmmm....

'Angie Angel' 

While out yesterday picking up a new stash of Chai Tea at The Steeping Room here in Austin.  I just had to wander through Anthropologie as well.  I love that place...color overload for me and I love the sale room.  Recently dropped my favorite fruit bowl in the sink....went to pieces.  Would have cost me four times what this cute shallow cup with handle for holding on dearly cost.  Love crackled glazes.  A new notebook...I write down little bits I see along the way that click with my space.  And of course, absolutely needed a couple new cloth napkins...is anyone else like me...they have to be totally shot before I toss them out.  

Lastly....but foremost in my head...progress on the 'Paisley Biscornu'!  Actually have more accomplished but not photographed yet.  Will post again when I have the fabric for 'Swirling Hearts' finished. 

'
Paisley Biscornu'

this past week is a blur!

Interesting week ... what I can remember of it!  Unbelievable how quickly it flew past me.  Some stitching, but not enough to post yet...some art...few nights where sleep was totally elusive...and a beautiful end of week rain!  
On an up note...I feel like last weekend is running into this one.  Sort of nice.  Offering of art below to start your weekend off.  Have a great one!

Portion of a larger piece....titled 'Movement' shown here in color.  Below is a b/w version.

Baby Cardinal ... photo by Corliss Englert.

I call this 'Nest' amazing what you can do with brads found in the scrap book isle.

'Movement' b/w with yellow sun accents in background.

My holiday...

...was spent at my drawing table.  It was wonderful.  

"Knot Garden" painted!

This evening was spent designing the fabric for the 'Swirling Hearts' Biscornu.  Nothing to see just yet.  The stitching is complete...just waiting patiently for moi to get it's backing designed.  

I recently viewed a beaded Circular Jessica....soooo cool...and I think it might be the perfect center for 'Swirling Hearts'!

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!

Here a stitch....there a stitch....

Next up...Hearts & Swirls Biscornu!  Playing with memory wire tonight and randomness.  Which tends to freak out most stitchers.  Sorry...but it can be very freeing.  

Being your own inspiration...I painted this wooden tassel several years ago.

I've been busy...

Biscornu Three ... Knot Garden ...


simply bursting with knots! 

Adding the last few beads...around 1a.m.
Just couldn't stop until it was finished!

The center is left 'un-stitched' as that's where the center button
is attached during the finishing.

Fini !

The Mardi Gras Biscornu all dressed up and ready to go!  In my last update I'd mentioned ordering the fabric...I was concerned as to how the colors would print.  Seems I had nothing to worry over as it is pretty perfect.

I'm busily working on the next addition to this series, the 'Knot Garden'.  I'll post some snaps of it soon.

Swans...

Actually, just one & he's either taking off or landing, reminds me of myself!

I'm thinking this one will have to become a painted canvas soon.  This was a card commission for a

stitching friend who belongs to an infamous group of women who gather once a week to stitch.

They call themselves the 'Swans' which I now know stands for 'Society of Women addicted to

Needlepoint!  Thank you to Stephanie for leaving a comment, so I could re-post this correctly.

Independence!

Happy Fourth of July!

Friend, Barbara Garrana is presently making a computer bag for me with my Peace Sign featured on the front of it.  Can't wait to see it all finished.  

Barb...if you're reading this...NO pressure!