Painted Toy Boxes

Recently while I was looking for a specific photograph in our family scrapbooks, I came across pictures of the toy boxes I had created for each of our three grandson's first Christmas. The one below is Jackson's.

The three boxes were purchased from an unfinished furniture store. I used Seta Color fabric paint and acrylic medium, plus a big fat Sharpie felt tip pen to decorate them. The paints were diluted with the acrylic medium. I cannot recall exactly why I did that. I think it was because I liked the wood grain showing through the colors. All the design elements were defined by tracing their outlines with the Sharpie pen. The painted wooden letters that spell out each of their names were purchased just as they are. They were glued on after all the other painted designs were finished and several coats of plain acrylic medium had been applied as a finish.

Here is Jenning's ...

...and their cousin Winston's toy box ...

Their grandfather lettered this sentiment under each of the lids ...

The boxes are still in each of their rooms even though they're now teenage boys.

PS: I purchased and installed hinges that are made especially for toy boxes so the lids don't fall shut. Here's a link that carries them.

"The Lady With Pink Lips"

I am so excited about this new art piece that arrived today.  We looooove her!  She fits in perfectly.  It's as though Paula had created her just for us ... just for that spot on the end of a cabinet in our dining room.

"Lady With Pink Lips" 24"x 30"

by Paula of Self-taught Artist

She is even MORE than we expected.  I knew there was a depth created by the build-up of the puzzle pieces she is created from.  However, the dimensional aspect is even better than I imagined.  The texture and funkiness of it being made with those puzzle pieces very much appeals to us.
The metal base her face is mounted on was a pleasant surprise.  As you can see, that background color couldn't be better for where it's hanging.

Already, we cannot imagine that spot without her.

Paula has a lot of work listed on her Paula Art Etsy site.  Her wall art pieces and some sculptures, too, are listed for prices too good to be true.  She's has a situation in her life that does not allow the space, nor funds, to store these fabulous pieces of art ... so go check it out.

We have been fans of Paula's work ever since I discovered her blog and could not resist having a piece of her amazing art created from "found objects" hang in our home.  I first wrote about her and that particular piece here.  Our son ordered two of her clocks.  He and the friends who were gifted one of them are happy with those wonderful, functional pieces of art.

Early last summer I was thrilled that Paula began making vases out of heavy metal pipe.

They are perfect for our outside tables.  These won't blow over with a gust of wind off the lake as has happened several times with glass vases.  Also, they are a great size to scatter bouquets among the serving dishes on our rather narrow picnic tables.  So check those out while you're at her Etsy site, as well.  There are a variety of sizes as well as colors.  They are useful for more than just vases, they make great containers for art and writing and sewing supplies.  The large ones have even served the purpose of a waste basket and an umbrella stand.

We very much like having Paula's art decorating and functioning in both of the places we live.  Plus, it's a "smile" to see it hanging in our son's home, as well.  Thank you, Paula.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

Two layers of card stock with a heart shape cut away in the top layer.  Hand-painted silk and padding layered in.

Metallic thread couched around opening.

Metallic silver Sharpie pen.

4 valentines made for my grandchildren.

Making Waves

I'm here ...

making waves ...

As you can see, that's not making waves in the lake ... nor making trouble, but waves for "The Lake" textile installation that is entered in the ArtPrize exhibition which takes place in Grand Rapids, Michigan this coming September.

Here at the cottage the little ones get to make waves in a bucket bath to wash away the beach sand.

Before we left Tennessee each of our metal birds constructed from garden tools got a bucket bath before roosting in our bedroom for the summer.

You may also notice that the robin's tree got pruned now that the nest is empty.

Speaking of metal objects, I love the vases ordered from Paula Art.  She made them from construction steel supports.

They are perfect for our outside tables.  These won't blow over with a gust of wind off the lake as has happened several times with glass vases.  Also, they are a great size to scatter bouquets among the serving dishes on our rather narrow picnic tables

... and low enough to see over.  My just-turned-nine year-old granddaughter had set the table for her birthday dinner.

Summer has begun ... and I must keep busy making waves ... lots of waves.

Merry Christmas

Wishing a joyous holiday to ALL of you!
The head of our family is a jolly old elf who brings smiles and giggles into many people's lives all year long ... the best gift of all.

Labor Day Weekend at the Cottage

There's been lots of activity with 15 people at the cottage this Labor Day weekend. The weather was perfect even though the lake was cold. Most meals were served out on the deck.
Many conversations to catch up with the goings on in each others lives took place there as well.
And the sunsets were fabulous.

Here are two younger Durand women, Diane and Lucy joining me in my studio.
I was quilting that panel of lofty bits and pieces you saw in my last post.
Elvis's name makes an appearance in that one.
The furniture was moved out of the way so I could lay the completed panels out for a viewing by all were here plus the neighbors.I laid down on the panels with my feet placed about where the floor will be when this piece is installed. The scale of all these panels put together still boggles my mind.

All the photos except for the studio shot and close-ups of the one Prairie Flower panel were taken by my son.

Making "Snow Globe" Valentines

Every year I make valentines for my grandchildren that include photos of me and each of them. This year's pictures are cut from a photo taken of us making faces when I was with in Chicago at Christmas time.
They are old enough for me to finally make a "snow globe" type of card with lots of tiny stuff. The message written inside is "All Shook Up" in reference to tiny stuff shaking around ... and the presence of Elvis.
I printed four copies of the photo to get that many pictures of me, which made four pictures of each grandchild ... they're all used in his/her valentine. The pictures are glued to a heart shape that is cut from red card stock.

The message is written with a big fat silver Sharpie pen.

A fat chenille yarn was glued around the outside edge of the red heart. Then the fun began! Sprinkling sequined hearts, stars, circles, plus some featuring Elvis and granules of glitter. Too much glitter was put in the first valentine I constructed ... it obscures the background and photos. I also put about 8 beads in the mix to serve as spacers between the two layers of hearts.

A heart shape the same size as the card stock one was cut from firm clear plastic that I had saved from packaging of other "stuff". A line of glue was applied around the outside edge. It was positioned over the red heart with the glue side down on top of the chenille yarn "bumper".

After the glue had dried , I machine couched that same fat chenille around the outside edge to secure all the edges. Use a very wide zig-zag stitch that is not spaced too close together to avoid making a perforated line of holes that easily tears.

All that's left to do is write a special message to each child on the back of the valentines with that same silver Sharpie, put them into envelopes and get them into the mail.

PS: To see last years cards that I made for these kids, go here.

Now, to make valentines for some of my friends made from copies of this photo.
It's a crazy quilted heart valentine that I had given to my husband in 2001.

Making Valentines

I've taken time out to make a bunch of valentines. These are the ones for my grandchildren.
The note inside says something to the effect that I'm buggy about them.
It's my custom to incorporate photos of each of them and me. Initially I had included photos because I didn't want them to forget what I looked like. It's difficult to maintain a personal connection with very young children when they don't see you on a regular basis. There's no chance they'll forget me now, but I won't break the tradition. Their valentines are always "playable". These are fabric collage under tulle and quilted, then sewn to card stock.

Sledding in Oak Park

It's winter wonderland here in the Chicago area. Our younger son's family has gotten me out and about in it ... and boy do my fingers and toes get cold.
My extreme digits turned almost as white as the snow at the sled hill.
This is a gentle hill for young children in a city park.
For the most part, parents stand at the top to get the kids situated on their sleds and off to a good start with a gentle push.
My hands warmed up around a mug of hot chocolate with marsh mellows when we got home. Now if there were only something comparable to have warmed my toes.

Peter Rabbit from a Christmas Past

I like to make "stuff" as well as create art. Especially presents for my family and friends. One of my favorite gifts is this fabric book I constructed for my granddaughter five years ago.The basis was a preprinted fabric panel. It was more fun embellishing it with findings and embroidery for Tessa.
The cover has silk ribbon embroidery and silk flowers attached to printed flowers with colonial knot centers.
Of course, there had to be a photo of the two of us. She was a bunny for that Halloween wearing a custom her mother had made. The flannel Peter Rabbit fabric was left over from baby items I had sewn for her brother and twin cousins.
The opening page is machine embroidered and quilted with silk ribbon embroidery.
I especially like the cameo, Elvis, the footprint, and piece of fabric. The letters and figures are hand quilted with machine stippling in the open spaces. The green bottle and glass along with the ice skates, the "jewels" and a real piece of jade are my favorites here.I'm fond of the antique piece of lace from Tessa's great-great grandmother's linens, the (shisha) mirror, monster, and the ornaments on these pages.Pearls and the paper weight, plus the pink pompoms tickle me. I don't recall where I found half of a thimble. And then there's the silk tassel and smiley face.The USA Olympic pin was a lucky find. The copper wire name pin had belonged to my mother. The foxes tail is made of mink from a collar belonging to my husband's mother. I devised a yo yo from two buttons and a piece of string. The bees wings are tulle netting that flap.The last page is a handkerchief I had purchased back in the 1980's when Tessa's father was a teenager in hopes that I would someday have a girl grandchild. I added many little treasures. Most of them hiding among the silk leaves and flowers. The inside back cover is machine quilted and embroidered. It buttons closed with the only Beatrix Potter button I had. Tessa still enjoys her book and has taken exceptionally good care of it. These photos were taken last summer and the fabric is as clean as when I presented it to her. There has been a bit of mending over the years. She talks about reading it with her children. I do believe this is an heirloom for at least another generation beyond her.

Indiana Sunset

A year ago last August, a niece had taken this photo somewhere between Indianapolis and Bluffton. It was a special day for my sister when all six of her children "came home" with all of their children. It was a memorable time and just before her radical surgery. It's also the last time that she felt like "herself".
I've interpreted this sunset that embodies so much meaning into a small quilt as a birthday present for her (which is later this month).

"Indiana Sunset" - 13"x 11"

It ended up with quite a bit of pastel work to help light up the sky and to define the foreground. I also lightly swept the flat side a green pastel stick across the quilted black trees just give a hint of color that can be seen at that time of day.

While working on this piece it occurred to me how comfortable I feel working in this scale (13"x 11") for large landscapes. This collage has no orts. It felt strange to rummage through stacks of fabric instead of digging in a big bag.

PS: sshh! if you know my sister. She doesn't have a computer or access to one so I feel safe that sharing this won't ruin the surprise.

Playing With Diane

My young artist friend who is also my niece-in-law, Diane Durand, was here last week with her family. Her project in Studio North was to finish the quilt she had previously pieced for her second daughter who's expected to arrive in January.
Diane had doodled a number of quilting patterns on a note pad. You may be able to see these quilting designs if you click on the photos below.
She had pieced the back. The quilt is a bit larger than the 45" width of the main blue fabric. By cutting a diamond from a different fabric and then strip piecing the scraps left from the front of the quilt for a 1 1/2" wide inner border, there was plenty of fabric for the corner areas. It's become a two sided quilt.
As Diane was piecing and trimming I was assembling another Lake piece. I was working at the same table she rotary cut pieces to size. Many of her scraps ended up in this piece.

Lake #37 construction

The lake was very much like this on that day. I especially liked the violet scraps (orts) and threads from Diane's project.

Lake #37 - 13"x 12"

To see more and read about Diane's work go here. She has posted about her making the quilt top for Lucy, about the wedding present quilt * from me, as well as about her creations in my studio * several summers ago while on vacation.

* clickable to see my original posts