Where have I been?

Working, compulsively cleaning my studio instead of finishing works in progress, and........ trying to fix my camera. I given up on the fixing and will go get a new one tomorrow.......and maybe I will finish this bag......maybe...

Snail world............

Oh the joy of drawing with micro and not so micro markers................................................................Welcome to Snail World.........................

ducks in the garden.........

One of the duck prints on linen found it's way to a garden floral print and is now part of a sweet little zip top pouch. I love making these little bags that are about 7x7 inches in finished size and great for cosmetics or jewelry.

I could not resist this fun retro children's print for the lining! It is just the right shade of red and soft green to tie in with the colors in the floral.

I am working on more pieces using the prints I made earlier this year....stay tuned......

sticky stuff

A few months ago I bought a Xyron create-a-sticker machine. I finally had a chance to make some stickers! I scanned the fabric prints I made a few days ago and played around with the images in Publisher. Then I printed the images out on copy paper and some on card stock. The last step was cutting them into sizes to feed through the 5" capacity of the sticker maker. Turn the handle and voila stickers to peel and stick! The machine came with 18 feet of sticker material so I expect to customize my all sketchbook covers and still have plenty for future projects!

Printing Frenzy!

 First a little sketching, then block carving, and on to messy fun of inking!

 I used Speedball screen printing inks on linen and even some velvet!

 The dots and over printing were big fun! 

 I just couldn't stop, so I got out some of my older blocks and printed with them too!

After these dry and are heat set I will start stitching with them!

The selvage doesn't lie.....

 The design notations on the selvage of this favorite fabric from my stash reads 2001! Guess I didn't want to rush into anything in deciding what to make with it. I remember the trip to Aurora Sewing Center with my sister Meri and niece Julija. because we did so many fun things that day! Shopping for fabric, breakfast at a favorite Greek diner and a game of Clue when we got home!   If you are ever in Williamville or East Aurora NY be sure to take the time to visit the Aurora Sewing Center. They have a great selection of quilting fabrics, sewing notions and state of the art machines for sale!
In keeping with the spirit of this fabric, much loved and long pondered before cutting and stitching, I applied lots of dressmaker details including hand stitching, french seams and bound seams, ans a custom tag that reads "mine".

I still have some fabric left. Wonder if it will be another ten years before I use it........

Who are these kids anyway?

 Back before the days of jobs and kids of their own........ the three musketeers soggy from playing in the snow!

 Alex leaning into the corners!

Jackie does not appear to be amused by her grinning companions! Lots of sketching treasure in those photo boxes.

just the right button........

If you can't find it, make it! You'll need a heat gun, heat tolerant work surface ( I use an old Corning Glass cutting board ), rubber stamp, ink pad, embossing powder, and a smooth surface button. I used a  portion of a larger stamp and gently pressed the button on the stamp. Sprinkle on embossing powder, shake off excess and heat until the powder melts and is glossy. To keep fingers safe from the heat, skewer the button shank on a pipe cleaner. 

Just the look I wanted for this smock back blouse! The pattern is Vogue 7700.

A little contrast fabric for the yoke, collar, and cuff, and a piece of vintage lace work appliqued on the back  finish it all off. Can't wait to wear it!

I have two custom buttons left over and will send them and a mini fabric stash to a lucky winner randomly selected from readers who leave a comment here or on this post on Creatingthehive! Comment by February 1st to win!