Eyjafalljokull volcano Iceland Pictorial Quilt

Fabric wall hangings, a new creative outlet. Very enjoyable. I looked at many photos of the volcano that erupted in Iceland last spring and I was fascinated with the pictures that were taken at night, with the green northern lights dancing in the night sky behind the plume of smoke.  The smoke I felted onto the fabric using Icelandic lopi wool. 

Once I started looking for the reds that I needed for the lava I was amazed at what I had on hand.  I shouldn't have been surprised, fabric hoarder ... and some of them glow in the rigth ligth!!

Some weeks ago I had been out with my friend Bunny at a wonderful quilt store called "Quilting Possibilities"in Forked River NJ. Like I needed more fabric but they had a great selection of prints that work well in landscapes.  I tried to catch the force and beauty of nature. It measures 18"-27".

Hot Flash ! A Celebration

Something very nice happened. Don't know if it is bad form to bring this up myself but... The artist Pamela Hastings has included me in her new book, "Hot Flash! A Celebration". To share the pages with  my friend and fellow artist Janice Anderson and so many talented women is a thrill.  Poets, Fiber Artist, Painters, a feast for eye and mind. If you would like to have a look at the book go to www.pamelahastings.com  the book is on Pamela's blog.  That is Janice standing next to me in the very nice photo that was taken by Mo'a Romig-Boyles.

A Very Red Couch

We inherited my husbands, mothers, cousins, couch that was just sitting there unused for years. I liked the look of it, one long cushion and sturdy . Well built, good bones you could say. So I estimated it needed 11 yards, was off by one yard to much, no pattern to fuss with and very red.  Don't think that my fingers will ever be the same.

                                                             

Art Quilt Ancestors

Many years ago while working at JoAnn Fabric's I started to think about making a wall hanging of Viking ships coming to the shores of Iceland.  So I bought the fabric that I thought looked like wood and the ocean and night sky and this is what came out of that.   The wall hanging is about 18"by23", mostly cotton fabric,  it is crocked, but I was winging it.  This has been a lot of fun, wonder what the next project will be?

Recycling

Quilters have been recycling old worn out family garments into quilts for decades. I also like to incorporate our old favorite clothes into my work. This new piece is called "Dancing at Woodstock". She stands 13" tall, her long skirt is my well worn old hippy skirt and her blouse is my Mothers cotton gauze nightgown. I get a kick out seeing what can be done with found and recycled objects.

My Fey Friends

I like the word FEY, it has many meanings like "wild or crazy acting", often ascribed to supernatural causes, odd, elfin, puckish, eccentric, whimsical and otherworldly. Also some not very nice meanings but we will disregard them. If I  had to pick one word to describe my wonderful creative friends that is the word!!  I have been blessed with some very creative colleagues , just want to thank them for all the fun and fellowship that we have. Here are just a few pictures of some of the girls. 

Stephanie and Maria

Jane and Janice                                                 
 

Linda

Colleen and Terry     

YO-YO QUILT AND FLOWERS

I have been working on restoring a Yo-Yo quilt that was given to me last year. It was in better then fare condition, mostly I just had to resew the yo-yo's back together were they have come on done.  Here it is all finished out in the garden with the flowers this morning.  If there is some one who can tell from the pictures what decade they think that the fabric if from please let me know, I am interested in knowing.

Lava and Ash

I was on my way to Iceland last week but a volcano got in my way...a long story. I had wanted to see the eruption and since I was not able to I made my on interpretation of the event.  So here goes.....

The ash cloud is made from un-spun Icelandic sheep's wool, I think the the color is just right. How things look in my mind and how they come out my fingers don't always work out but you have to take a chance.

Spring has sprung!!

I started to work in the garden late this year, seems that it takes me longer to clean up after winter has had his way. There is sooo much that has to be moved, taken down , put up, divided and so on. But for now I am just enjoying the plants as they show them self all new and happy to be back.

The Bad Boys of Cats

Well, this is what they do.  Cats are hunters and again I didn't start out to make them hunting it just happened.

Constant Knitter

I am trying to learn how to work with paper clay. So far I'm having a good time but that dose not always translate into a nice work of art.  The face is clunky , the eyes protrude and she has a slight over bite ( like me) we make what we are familiar with.  With time I hope to get better.
     She is wearing a dress that was to become a sleeve for a dress that my Aunt Soffia had started to knit and didn't finish, her clogs are also  knitter Icelandic Lopi wool .  She is holding knitting needles and yarn, excited with a  idea for a new project.

A new cat!!

A new cat but it isn't a real one. Been having fun with this fat cat.

 

 

The best part of sewing for me is being surprised with the out come of some fabric, thread ,stuffing and a little bit of paint.

 

Our family cat Ed Norton died two weeks ago.  He would have been 20 years old this coming spring.  He was found in the local sewer (hence the name) or a gutter drain and came to live with us as a tiny kitten , his eyes newly open.  He was never a cat that liked to be cuddled , he just as soon as bite or scratch you. Not a very great full cat but we miss him and hope that he is having fun with all our pets that have gone before him . 

Can't wait for spring!!!

I can't wait for spring!! So since I can't put on my gardening boots and get out to dig in the garden I made a new pair of boots for my alter ego.  Looks like one could go slouching around in a wet spring garden in them with any trouble.