lines and shaped edges

Celebrating some fall color with those pieced stars. I think in layers as I start to work out the color and then the line of a cloth. The line work eventually rising above the blocks of color and the various depths of line suggested with the color of thread. I haven't made it back to stitching leaves yet, but there are so many similarities in an insect wing.

I also gave a shaped edge a try - a star as fringe.

and Eva has fully claimed the fabric scrap corner in the top of the very big basket next to my sewing machine. The pets stay close as the days get colder.

Have a great weekend.

the light, the cat, the quilt and the pup

just a few more of the sugar maples :: love of leaves

I hope you won't get tired of me talking about leaves and trees, because here I go again with the sugar maples. We have large old sugar maple trees surrounding our house and I like the idea of honoring their many years of shade and protection by making things for our house with images of sugar maple leaves. The same trees have also given us sap for maple syrup. Our house would feel very exposed without these trees. I worry they won't always be here but they have been with this house much longer than we have.

I took down several insulating curtains this week and now this little entry room at the front of the house is letting the light in and there's this little curtain panel on the door. It's a piece of osnaburg with three raw edges and I like it fine but have been imagining adding something to it for awhile.

I might stitch over the black marker lines someday or maybe not. I might also paint the lower leaves and the other half of those green ones yellow in the fall, or I might not.

Over the next few weeks a few other folks and I will be drawing, painting and or stitching some leaves  together or whatever they might want to sew. I am excited about that. It's silly that it took me so long to just ask.

sugar maple :: Acer saccharum :: love of leaves

So glad to hear from people far and near who are interested in stitching/beading/following along with the leaves.

For mine I have decided to make 2 blocks of each leaf to eventually piece into a quilt. Representing each in green as well as their fall coloring and also common name and scientific name. Kinda nerdy but I like it. I painted my green leaf with a wash of Pebeo Setacolor Transparent fabric paint. I used that same green and also a bit of turmeric! in water for the yellow leaf. ( I have a hot iron handy to quick set the wet paint (or turmeric) so it doesn't bleed too much. Keep the iron moving or you will get steam marks in the color. Be warned this may transfer some color to your iron. ) For light colored paintable fabric your own repurposed (or thrifted) all cotton sheets make for some quality yardage and that's what I have used here.

This is the back of the green leaf showing the piece of flannel backing for stability. I like to just use a simple backstitch to embroider the line work.

I finished up the yellow leaf in between other things today. My back doesn't do well with lots of sitting so I have one of those sort of kneeling office chairs for computer work. This makes my lap not at all horizontal but Eva still insists on sitting on it sometimes - claws out of course to secure herself against the slope.

I am so excited to have some Indiana friends and neighbors along for the leaves. Please let me know if there's anything I can share or show you. I have everything on hand to get you started. Also, thanks to all who shared their links in the comments of the last post. It's very inspiring to see what everyone is working on.

color journal :: all together now

I am finding this squared cycle of seasonal color very encouraging today and not just because all the blocks are finally pieced together.

White, gray and brown will eventually turn to green and then it will turn brown and then white again. Over and over and over.

color journal

The snow is falling outside while I am in working on bringing all these blocks together.



and a little heart for today, plain as the nose on her face.

the outside edge of home

Less talk and more stitch after this, I promise. I want to post these to remind myself what this little room looks like when it is tidy and welcoming. This is how it looks when I really look forward to being in here. I am so grateful for this little space on the outer edge of our house, the "old side" (1917).

It's working very well to leave the computer work in here - not to mingle so much with the rest of the house.

The light in here is really nice. With all the cold outside, at least the sun is shining.

studio mates

It's nice having company in here. They sleep and watch the bird feeder and then sleep some more. 

Eva was making that hunting clicking noise yesterday, while watching the birds flying above and then down to the feeder. It's the first time I've heard her do this.

Next week I will tidy the studio to start the year. Bring the things I really need out in the open and put everything else away.

Eva

Three weeks ago a friend and I found a black and white kitten meowing loudly, shivering and sneezing huddled up beside the front steps of my house. There have been efforts to find out wether she is someone's lost pet but no replies. From the start she has acted like she has never known anything other than living with a big furry dog and two little boys constantly interrupting her naps and carrying her around. She already looks less like a kitten and more like a long lean cat.

I love her loud loud purring (the boys call this her motorboat) and the deep brown tiger stripes that are showing up in her black fur. Her quiet moments of contentment are contagious.

Stitching attracts the quiet company of my animals so I thought I would take a moment to introduce her here, as I am sure she will show up often.

The beginning of my new year of stitching is likely further postponed due to the expected arrival of ridiculously cold temperatures here these next few days which may extend the boys' holiday break from school a day or so. Today we will play in the snow.

first day :: new year