ilovefiberart

Reflection

2012-01-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

As we begin another year, we look back and are thankful for the blessings of family and friends.

We wish Peace for All in this New Year!

2011 was an Great Adventure!

Darling daughter and youth group traveled to Italy on Pilgrimage!

Then we explored America's Beautiful West and Southwest!

Grand Canyon at Sunset-Breathtaking!

Yosemite's Half Dome-Spectacular!

El Capitan-Yosemite

More Yosemite

San Francisco Bay

It was difficult to return, but there was much work to do for shows:

Ball Pillow Production

Butterfly Flower Sachet Production

Initial Sachets with Butterfly Detail

Butterfly Pillows!


Flaming Festival

Garden Deva Show

Garden Deva Neighbors

And a Blessed Christmas!

Wishing you much JOY!

HAPPY 2012!!

Freedom

2011-12-29T15:52:00.000-08:00

And Our Flag Was Still There

In the whirlwind of the past months, multiple shows (6!), family for holidays, a very Merry Christmas, projects, trips, and work that I love, one of the bright spots was this spectacular quilt at the International Quilt Market/Festival 2011 in Houston. It is dedicated by the artist Melinda Bula, to families who have raised proud and devoted young Americans who serve in our military. May God bless them.

The Color of Freedom by Kelly Monroe

My darling daughter & I popped down to Houston for the Quilt Market. Our rental car company offered us this sweet little lemon drop for our mission. It was a quick trip, as I had back-to-back art shows to work and sell my wares. As always, we made sure that we walked and shopped all of the vendor aisles. Although I wasn't showing this year as an exhibitor, my present pillows were featured at Fairfield Processing!


ilovefiberart Present Pillows

pdf available FREE to download from ilovefiberart or at Fairfield

link!


Fairfield booth- YAY poly-fil!!

The market did not disappoint as a source of terrific new inspiration and information. As always, the Quilt Exhibits reigned when it came to the "Ahhhh" factor! It never ceases to amaze me what phenomenal creative and technical skills are showcased here; row after row, well-lit, professionally hung and organized, these quilt exhibits rival any fine museum exhibit. These quilters truly are masters of their medium.

Composition 1 by Miwako Mogami

Camelot Country by Liz Jones

There is a quiet in these aisles, black backdrops, spot lighting. The colors of the often larger-than-life images envelope you, as do the stories: A young Marine's boot camp graduation, a long deceased beloved grandmother, mother or pet, dreams and priceless memories translated and forever memorialized in fiber by countless hours of designing, sewing, piecing, embroidering and finishing.

O Happy Day by Timna Tarr


Reflections by Carol Swinden

Salvaged Words by Jette Clover

Maynard by David Taylor

There is humor too. Some of our favorite quilts are the whimsical art quilts! Then there are the garments, the dolls and more....

*Fun, Fabulous and Exhausting! Can't wait to fly back down to Quilt Market next year!

**please forgive the quality of my latest photos! Have been spoiled by the convenience of my iphone camera but plan to return to my trusty little digital camera soon!

Hope your New Year is JOYOUS!
God Bless and Protect Our Troops!
May we be thankful for Freedom!

-EE

More Roses Roses!

2011-10-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

My breakfast table is overflowing with luscious velvet winter roses!

Getting ready for fall shows!

Red Velvet...always a favorite!

Sherbet Roses!

Make These!

AND...Be sure to see poly-fil.com

for our FREE ilovefiberart Present Pillow pattern!

These will look very Festive under your tree!

PLUS! visit www.ilovefiberart.com HOME for other freebies

and see NEW Design CDs in ilovefiberart STORE!

Happy Sewing!

-EE

'Til You Give It Away..

2011-08-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

Love Isn't Love..

So, coming soon, hand-in-hand, with the maker of the oh-so-AWESOME

poly-fil...

ilovefiberart

Present Pillows!

Look for it on their website and, of course, on www.ilovefiberart.com

Download these instructions..PDF to follow!

LOVE!

-EE

Color and Inspiration

2011-08-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

Nothing inspires quite like getting out of one's little world to see and experience the excitement of beautiful fabric, brilliant flowers, and color, color, COLOR!!

These butterflies couldn't be contained! Had my laptop on the road where I designed & digitized!

Ready to return home to my studio & stitch out!

Along with visiting my sweet sister in Providence, Rhode Island, my dear hubby & I had the opportunity to travel by plane, train and car to Boston, New York and New Jersey....all the while taking in the gorgeous blooms along the streets and spectacular art in RISD artist's galleries.

In Boston and Providence there were Garden inspired dresses

and breathtaking skies

and ahhh-New York...where the yellow of taxi cabs brighten the grayest of days, the larger-than-life details are the norm and the nightlife is intoxicating!

Even stalked a few celebrities on Broadway while seeing

"Book Of Mormon"!!

Yet, even in New York, RI and Boston we can always find a cool one!

Guess you can take us out of the Southwest but you can't take the Tex-Mex out of us!

Happy Inspiration!

ilovefiberart!

-EE

Tulsa Love

2011-08-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Made this quilt in honor of my beloved hometown. Happy to be a Native. Depicted on upper right is Cyrus Dallin's "Appeal to the Great Spirit", the last of 4 bronze equestrian sculptures from his "The Epic of the Indian" series. The sculpture was cast in 1909 in Paris and won a gold medal for its exhibition in the Paris Salon. There are 3 full sized casts of the sculpture: One in Muncie, Indiana, One in Tulsa's Woodward Park and One in front of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

BTW: Current Chihuly Exhibit at MFA Boston: Fantastic!

-EE

Blue Dome

2011-04-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

In the heart of Tulsa's downtown Brady Arts District is the much loved
Art Deco Icon: Blue Dome.
Originally a 1920's filling station, turned center of club/nightlife scene, this historic Route 66 jewel is irresistible as a subject of local art. I decided to try my hand at it and got to work with my V6 software...

Embroidering Blue Dome was great fun but I didn't have quite the right shade of blue in my thread and fabric stash, so....

I put some gloves on and got busy dyeing..one of my all time favorite pastimes. Looks like I need new gloves, as these had some leaks! My darling daughter is calling me "smurf"-my fingers are still blue!

Silk, velvet & cotton velveteen..in shades of turquoise/royal

These will be for my next Blue Dome experiment: pillows & applique!

I even dyed some rayon thread while I was at it-dipped the entire cone to transform a pale neutral to this gorgeous hue!

All in all a terrific few days work!

Can't wait to get back to it and more local landmarks..

I have a big project in mind-details to come!

Happy May Day tomorrow!

-EE

Spring In The City

2011-03-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Flower/Taxi Art on Fifth Avenue

New York is one of my favorite places to go for FABRIC, FOOD and INSPIRATION!
Last week darling daughter and I made our annual hop to NYC. This time we dragged P man along!

Convincing him to drop everything in the middle of tax season (P's a CPA), proved less difficult than we imagined, particularly once we sweetened the offer with tickets to the high-flying, controversial and thus far, ill-fated Broadway production of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark!

Sadly, no pics allowed in the theater, so this Playbill will have to suffice. The show was entertaining, the "flying", spectacular! The villains, though somewhat silly to R and I, were "true" to the comic book according to P.

We loved the elaborate sets and even liked Arachne, the spider enchantress. Her voice was magnificent. There was a dream sequence which was breathtaking!

Bryant Park

We visited our usual favorite places and many of our favorite restaurants, including Bryant Park Grill, Asia d Cuba, Patsy's, Carmine's plus a few new finds!

P likes the New Year's Eve ball

And the view UPtown from ground zeroWe returned to the site to pay our respects and to visit the 9/11 visitors center. Even the darkest moments in our nation's history are essential to remember, as they define us. Seeing, hearing and feeling in this place reaches you at your very heart and core...


Grand Central Station

Pee-Wee

Street Scenes

And windows....

Anthro Window-Rockefeller Center

And more windows

Louis Vuitton

Fifth Avenue

And ahhh yes...the fabrics...

I believe I love the garment district even more than Fifth Avenue

Showroom after showroom of luscious silks, brocades, burnouts, stripes, beaded gorgeous handwoven masterpieces..just waiting to be snatched up, toted up the subway and back home to be stitched into...

call me crazy!! But these are beauties, don't you think??

by the way...ORANGE for spring! and yellow and ORANGE and green and blue and..did I say ORANGE??

happy spring!! -EE

Making Conversation

2011-02-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

Two weeks of flu, snowmageddon (back-to-back record snowfalls of 2 plus feet), jury duty and little-if-any creative inspiration finally led to me face my (amazing) new giant screen laptop, which we fondly refer to as the "Admiral Twin" (after the historic Tulsa drive-in theater, think "The Outsiders" movie.....sadly, this landmark recently burned..), and my v6 software to make some last minute valentines!

sweet Bella girl

Embroidering the lettering, using London font,

I stitch in the hoop, on layers of tear-away stabilizer and silk,

Then add layer of silk on top of hoop, which I tack down with large 4mm running stitch. I then stitch outlines of the hearts, leaving openings to turn the hearts inside out after stitching, trimming and removing stabilizer.

After stuffing, closing and embellishing all of my little sweeties,

I embroider a little red doily on which to place a couple of my favs.

Here is template for your own conversation hearts!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

-EE

Snowpocalypse

2011-02-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

Covered under heavy blanket of blizzard, all is quiet here in the midwest/southwest....
airports mostly shut down-still!
Oklahoma is closed, Texas is stunned. Just heard on CNN that temps in Dallas are lower than in Anchorage, Alaska. Not good news for Super Bowl!

These 3 little birds on my back fence and the red one below are weathering the storm. Below O degrees last night.

They are about the only life and activity outside my door

Stilling, chilling and breathtaking...

keep safe & warm
-EE

Cheer and Vintage

2010-12-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

Tracey's "diggin' it"

One of my dearest friends recently renovated the greyhound bus depot in historic McKinney Texas, just a hop, skip and jump north of Dallas. She has an amazing green thumb, a horticulturist by profession, and a fantastic eye for the out-of-the ordinary handmade, vintage and one-of -a kind treasures! Her new store "Diggin' It" is filled with whimsy, color, nostalgia and, like a breath of fresh air, gorgeous garden life to fill your home
(and recycle that CO2!)

Next to tree-sized spectacular poinsettias are handmade gifts from local artists, antiques and retro finds. Even lemon trees winter amidst the
HOLIDAY SPARKLE!

If you are in the Dallas area, drop by to see Tracey or visit diggin' it !

Happy Hip House Hopping
And Happy Holiday!
-EE

International Quilt Festival 2010

2010-11-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

The International Quilt Festival in Houston was as spectacular as ever! Darling daughter and I took in the glorious color, impeccable workmanship and exciting innovations introduced at this year's Market and Festival. Kaffe Fassett's magnificent fabrics are always a highlight. Here, in a booth by Material Girls were some finished quilts, along with his fabrics, patterns
(with Liza Prior Lucy!) and kits.

We picked up this one for my mom, who didn't make it to Festival with us this year. It is featured in Quilt Sampler as a Top 10

Pro Dye and Chemical: great resource for fabric dyes, inks, and how-to books!

Nifty Thrifty had a terrific booth with distinctive, colorful collections of fabulous vintage finds!

Great colored wool felt from Ewe-nique creations!

The shopping here is the best in the biz!

Ahh, now for a few quilts! Unfortunately, many exhibits and breathtaking quilts were off-limits for photography but we walked and admired, in awe, hoping to remember those amazing works of art. Though we appreciated and photographed many award winners, we tended to spend much of our time in the art quilt areas. This gorgeous flower was named
"Peacockiness" by Marilyn H. Wall, quilted by Diana Pickens.

This beauty was entitled "April Showers Bring May Flowers" by Therese Kirchner. It was part of the "Celebrate Spring 2010" exhibit.

I loved this piece: "Angling" by Inge Mardal and Steen Hougs of Chantilly, France

DD and I both loved the saturated color of this Native American themed:
"Moonlit Mirage" by Denise Havlan

"Tortilla Soup"
by Kim Klocke was whimsical and very textural with beading, couching and applique.

DD liked this one..
"Wild Stripes" by Melanie Marr

Founder's Award $7500 Winner: "Mary Simon Rediscovered" by Nancy Kerns

We LOVED "Hanging By a Thread"
by Nadine Sanders and the Hanging By a Thread Quilt Group of Chehalis, WA

"Caddy and the Cakes" by Janet Fogg was deliciously detailed!

"Innocence" by Hollis Chatelaine
This spectacular quilt was the winner of the People's Choice Award.

Festival..Inspirational!
sewing IS art!
-EE

Garden Deva, The Pearl & Leon Russell Road

2010-11-12T07:03:00.000-08:00

This past week was the 11th Annual Garden Deva Open Studio Party!

Beautiful Elaine Sutton jewelry from Taos, NM. Elaine has been beading since she was 12!

Colorful hand-painted scarves from Terri Higgs

Amazing artwork from Cynthia Brown (paintings)

Plus awesome pottery from Joe Staskal (whose incredible giant multi-hued sun-yellow bowl sold before I could grab it!!). Vicki Deane from New Mexico, brought her gorgeous botanical gold and silver jewelry. Maggie Connolly and Heidi Big-Knife had terrific new jewelry items: including recycled pieces and hand cast work. I had my fiber art and pillows-of course!!

The party took place inside and out, in the historic Pearl District of Tulsa, where Artist and Metal-Sculptor Extraordinaire Lisa Regan's Garden Deva Studio is well established. Behind the outdoor stage/lawn is the (also) historic Church Studio where Tulsa icon Leon Russell and many of his famous musician friends brought the Tulsa Sound to life! On the evening of the Deva show, the street dedication took place: naming this section of 3rd street:
"Leon Russell Road".

Several musicians and Leon's daughter were on hand for the fireworks and celebration.

Early morning street shot with Church Studio in background

Nothing like art, music, history and a community to bring a Native Son, a neighborhood, and a Friend of the City together!

Thank You Leon!!
Thank You Lisa!!
-EE

Flaming Festival

2010-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

Aimee' H's "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris"

Along with the cool, crisp air of Autumn, this week brought back-to-back art shows beginning with the Kappa Alpha Theta "Flaming Festival" at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

B.C. Clark Jewelers

"My Granny's Treasures" by Bonnie Waters Schwarz and Marge Waters

some ilovefiberart pillows at Flaming Festival

LOVE when someone finds their match in a pillow!!

Balls, Roses, Cupcakes

The Thetas do a fantastic job of preparing for the upcoming holiday season with spectacular tabletop displays to inspire and motivate for creative entertaining!

Included in this years themes were "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris", vintage collections, elegant traditional arrangements, whimsical and colorful tables, candy and confection theme decor and many others.

The Thetas are known for their hospitality and the hard working event chairs and committee did not disappoint: taking care of every tiny detail to make the afternoon luncheon perfect! White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib (1995-2005) was the special guest with stories and lively antidotes of his years in the famous kitchen. He was available for signings of his new book entitled "White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen".

All in all, a terrific success and a delightful show!

Happy Entertaining!
-EE

Embroider!

2010-10-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

..off 2 teach v6 class ths wk-oops! been doing a little too much texting lately...

Heading to Quilt Sampler-Tulsa to teach Bernina software V6 "Software Basics" and "Advanced Digitizing". Love my software & can't wait to return home to begin embroidering the new tea towels I ordered and received! Think I'll do a Halloween theme for this week and some holiday theme towels for next week's Art/Craft shows!

More L8er!
Happy Scary Week!
x0

-EE

Fall Inspiration

2010-09-29T09:35:00.001-07:00

Color & Shapes of the Season in front of Whole Foods!

Though I have been hard at work in the sewing and craft factory these past weeks, a few signs of Fall and some interesting holidays and local happenings did get my attention!

This past Friday, in addition to being National Punctuation Day (as my writer friends pointed out) and Hug A Vegetarian Day (as my daughter's school friends affectionately noted), was the opening of our new Anthropologie store in lovely Utica Square.

Ahhh, nothing like their fantastic window displays to get the creative wheels turning! And though I adore the vintage-inspired clothing and love collecting it, the Target run I made later to pick up a simple brown sweater to combine with ruffled organza, ribbons & buttons will have to do this week for a new wardrobe piece!!

It was a fun & brilliant escape to see what was new for fall! Maybe after my upcoming shows, I'll treat myself or darling girl to some new treasure!

They even had a delightful ceramic tart plate with a beautiful whimsical verse about love & apple tarts...hmmm-must go back for that! What a great gift for a newlywed if filled with a fresh tart or some favorite recipes!!

Yet another reason to return to my favorite store!!

Back to Work!!
xo -EE

Ladies of the Guild

2010-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

ASG-Tulsa Chapter

This week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild. Though I am a member, this was the first Tulsa meeting I have attended. The education coordinator contacted me late last spring to speak but our schedules were crazy...so finally, this week, we got it together and I made a little presentation.

The topic was: Designer details for your handmade pillows, handbags and gifts. The theme: Add hand-dyed, embroidered and soft sculptured couture elements to your favorite projects and make them FABULOUS!!
(Not that they aren't already!)

We talked about adding roses, ruffles and lots of detail & embellishment to everything they sew! Though I brought a few samples, I was amazed at the show & tell the ladies brought! Beautiful felted jewelry (can't wait to try this!-see latest edition of Notions newsletter), creative mini quilts, a variety of fun totes which several ladies made,

Pretty custom fitted jackets,
Even darling children's clothing from a colorful, re-purposed sweater!
I wanted the skirt & leggings in my size!!

Here I am juggling cupcakes...well, not really-but the group was great-very hospitable and forgiving of the way I tend to pop from one thing to another!

Thank you, ladies for a lovely meeting & greeting!
Happy sewing community projects & keep up the good work!
-EE

Delicious Distractions

2010-08-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

About 40 minutes from my home there is a most delicious diversion this time of year: Porter, Oklahoma, the peach capital of the state and Liv esay Orchards. We hopped over to the Porter Peach festival recently and broug ht home nearly a bushel!
At the orchard, you can pick your own or let them do the real work...it is a very busy place!!

Since then, I have made several fresh pe ach pies
(with homemade crusts!).

Farmer's markets nearer to my home are still boasting Porter Peaches so it is hard to resist picking up a f ew more!

Ok, back to the distracting part..I should be working on new purses and new purse patterns today-that was my plan-or organizing my business books for my darling better half
(he is the left brain half).

But instead, I made peach pies! When he emailed me about my accounting records, I emailed back a picture of his pie-fresh out of the oven! Even he understands priorities!

Happy distractions

-EE
ps. peachy pillow pattern available in ilovefiberart store!

Good Measure

2010-08-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

This time of year means regrouping and planning projects for the season. Gathering together these measuring cup treasures which I picked up this summer at Anthropologie, and favorite herbal fills, I can get to work and be inspired in the process!

Sweet, aromatic, French Lavender is my all-time favorite fill for pillows & sachets but I plan to mix in a few buckwheat hulls and a little flax seed this year for texture, weight and complexity. Add to these, the delicate beauty of vintage glass, pearl and rhinestone embellishments, from my collection and Grandma's button box, plus vintage inspired French trims & a few special fabrics and the recipe is nearly complete!

Now, to work!

So lucky are artists, chefs & sewers! Cooking things up from a blank "canvas" is a joy when you have Faith, courage & a few fine ingredients!

Happy Cooking & Creating!
-EE

WHOA! (ed being very naughty)

2010-08-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ribbons & Roses & Feeding Your Passion!

2010-08-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Spirit of the American Morgan Horse

In Lexington, Kentucky, Horse Capital of the USA, the grounds are magnificent, the stars are World Champions, the sports include Polo & all disciplines of riding and horsemanship, the art is equestrian, and bloodlines run deep and as Royal as any tricolors' Blue.

Thoroughbred Park

Man O' War, sire of Triple Crown Winner War Admiral, also memorialized here.

This summer, as in most horse show seasons for us, it is all about feeding our passion for the glorious four-legged creatures & finding a way to manage: stabling, traveling, training & feeding-yet still finding a way to "manage the store" that is, our family businesses.

Fortunately, we have an awesome, talented trainer who takes care of the "ponies" & we are learning from our teenager that it is truly not the trophy, but the race.

This means making family vacations of horse shows- we wouldn't trade these adventures for anything!

For my part, I will "work for feed"

This week I am doing custom sewing of "designer" ladies hunt show shirts! I made a pattern-first for my daughter, then for several others and got to work.

By adding special touches not usually found in off-the-rack shirts, even most custom shirts, such as piping, elegant monograms and new collar shapes, things are hopping in the order department!

Anything to feed the horse habit!!

Happy feeding your Passion!
-EE

Life is a Ball!

2010-08-04T07:37:00.001-07:00

One of my very favorite pillows to make is a Button Ball! Here is a velvet version, pattern available this week in ilovefiberart store:

Whether sewing it up in silk/rayon velvet or your favorite cotton or home dec fabric, this pillow is sure to be a great accent to your collection-or a fabulous gift!

There is no end to the creative finishing you can do on this sculptural treasure! I even use my pattern to make snowmen pillows every winter!

Happy Sewing 'Round & 'Round!
-EE

*ps-please sign up on our email list for new pattern info.
& FOLLOW for giveaways!
Coming end August/start September: 2 NEW Fall handbag patterns!
Tailored and Ruffled
Yippee!

Americana, Airstream and the 4th of July

2010-07-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

You've got to appreciate Main Street America, somewhere in the Midwest, in early July. Patriotic, down-to-earth and postcard perfect, whether the image is quality or not. Road trips across this great land always yield surprises that stir the emotions of pride and home.

In Ohio, we found the Airstream factory and company headquarters.

Rows and rows of those beautiful aluminum works of art that are still, for the most part, made by hand, by men and women,
one sheet and rivet at a time!

An early "Road Chief" trailer...circa 1930's I think

Custom bike for (Sandra's former) Jesse James. Notice the handlebars and (faux) bullet casings.

BTW our tour guide mentioned that Ms. Bullock has a custom 34 foot beauty, with 2 slides, ...rumored to be next to her pool!

We met some very nice people and checked out several models, just in case we decide to make this viewing Americana hobby permanent!

Happy Touring!
-EE

Bluebird of Happiness!

2010-06-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

These little birdies, both bluebird and golden bird are vintage bark cloth inspired! Using embroidery software and digitizing over 1930's-era bark cloth, these colorful rayon feathered friends are a treat to stitch out, stitch up and embellish.

Here are a few bags which I made from my vintage collection.

Making new from old is a favorite work and pastime!

Happy Treasure Hunting!
-EE

Fiber Art Jewelry Fun!

2010-06-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ear Candy (cupcakes!)

Summer is the perfect time to express yourself with color, whimsy and texture! These embroidered and soft sculptured earrings, bracelets and necklaces are fun to make and even more fun to wear! Along with filling orders I've made a couple for me too. My favorites are the strawberry earrings & canary bracelet (though I love assorting colorful birdies on a large link necklace, too!)

Here are a few of the ones I have been making & shipping.

I've included a few in ilovefiberart gallery store...kits will be coming later!

Happy Expressing Yourself!
-EE

New Ice Cream Cone Purse Pattern!

2010-05-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Cone Purse Pattern (finally!)

One of our more popular and most requested items, (after cupcakes!) is ice cream cone purse info. If you saw one of our originals when it toured with the Robert Kaufman Quilt Quest exhibit (or even if you missed it), then perhaps you would like to make one yourself!

New in ilovefiberart store is our celebration of summer "Ice Cream Cone Purse Pattern!"

For a limited time, we’ll be selling it for a mere fin ($5, that is).

Ships first of June…can be stitched up in time for

National Ice Cream Cone Month-July!

I love wearing my ice cream cone purse! When I wore it in my booth at the New York International Gift Fair-Juried Handmade, it wasn’t quite ready for prime time - but a CNN celebrity noticed it and commented. Just wish I had carried a spare- I think I would have shared a scoop.

make mine pistacio

-EE

Sherbet Roses

2010-05-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

As much fun as shows and art parties are, it is always nice to get back to work in the studio/workroom. These were a few of the Roses/Roses pillows made and sold at show.

Velvet Cabbage Roses!

This one was my favorite, and now I must make many more for special orders!

I used cotton velvet which I cut into strips, serged,

Dyed in sherbert colors a nd gathered

Made tubes of knit "vines" and attached with decorative handstitches

Pillow factory

more pillow factory

Back to Work!
-EE

*ps-this gorgeous rose pic came from my friend Becky's garden. She has the green thumb & many spectacular English Roses. This one is a Jackson Rose-given to her on her first Mother's Day in honor of her first born-Jackson.

Quick Little Sachet Gift

2010-05-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Sewed this little silk sachet for a young friend yesterday. Even with dyeing the silk to achieve the perfect 4-year old girlie pink, it went very smoothly! Using Anniversary font in Bernina's V6 software and an ombre pink rayon thread, I stitched out "Georgia" between tiny ombre red rosebuds.

Here are some similar colorful silk sachets for my beloved niece's bridal party girls! (can you tell this is one of my favorite projects?)

Happy sewing!
-EE

Showtime

2010-05-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

It is hard to call this work when you can spend an afternoon in a glorious garden and studio like my friend Suzi's to show & sell your wares.

just a short walk behind her fabulous, colorful and peaceful home is a retreat that artists like me only dream of.......

the morning sun streamed in and we set about our work: arranging flowers, art, snacks & wine for our guests

fun friends
Suzi Swinford, our gracious host & ceramic artist extraordinaire, amazing painter Suzanne Peck, talented rug & interior decorator Nancy Junkin, & myself

like walking to Hansel & Gretel's cottage...

Suzanne's rose paintings line the walk

Nancy's fragrant Mother's Day/Happy Art Show bouquet arrives from her darling daughter (sitting atop Nancy's whimsical handpainted rug)

Everything about Suzi's studio is a work of art-even the steps to the art-filled loft upstairs!

Suzi's pears & roses

a few of my wares: the usual love & cupcakes...plus some of my new rose pillows too!

A great day for camaraderie & a little business too!
Thanks to all who showed up to shop & make it a festive afternoon!

-EE
ps. see tiny cupcake kits at ilovefiberart.com

Happy Mother's Day!!

2010-05-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all those who lead, mentor, guide, and leave a legacy for children, animals, and those in need.

Happy Day to Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers, Aunts & Special People in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day!!

-EE

Flower Child

2010-04-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Something about spring and its colors makes you just want to stitch it up! I picked up a Project Runway pattern and, for the first time in awhile, sewed it start to finish following the directions! It was an easy project, even with all of the seam finishing (which I don't always do!)

Getting started is always the hardest part, isn't it?

Using that awesome freehand drawing tool (again!), I drew out & stitched up little butterfly trails for the tiny Venice butterflies and daisies to follow.

Then I cut out the embroidered organdy sleeves,

collected lots of Venice lace, rick-rack, ribbons, eyelet etc. (did I say I like embellishing?),

attached those pretty trims wherever I could,

And completed the garment (I chose the mini-skirt version with the bubble sleeve)

add 1 Flower Child

And off you go...or she goes, and goes, and goes

Happy sewing!
-EE

Capturing Spring

2010-04-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

As the last of the magnificent blooms give way to spring and summer green, I work fast to catch a late bloom, slightly yellowing, but no less perfect.

Drawing it never really does justice but is fun all the same!
(looks like I need to flip that leave around!)

Using the new color blending tool in Bernina V6 software, the freehand drawing tool, and the texturing tool, I rough out an embroidery design for a baby gift pillow for precious baby Blythe.

The color blending allows me to embroider one layer, choosing my directional stitching with stitch angle options. I chose a creamy yellow rayon for the underlayer.

And a pretty coral-pink for the top layer, then selected from the blending options for my desired look. I ended up making four separate petals instead of the entire flower so that I could control blending on each. The leaf was done as two separate sections so that I could achieve veining as I wanted from angle and fill options.

For the center of the flower, I used the new texturing tool for a more natural-edged circle

Finished embroidery on pink silk-ready to stitch up for Blythe's nursery!

Handmade gifts from the heart are the BEST!
-EE

Birthdays, Charlotte & the Sugar Bomb

2010-04-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this one will definitely not win any prizes in the presentation category (nor any category for that matter!) but the girls were much too busy texting to notice & hopping down to Dallas for fun and celebration left no time for perfection this b-day season!

The cake, named Charlotte & the Snowball, aka Charlotte & the Sugar bomb, though from scratch, was not too pretty but was velvety & tasty! I used a favorite German chocolate cake recipe & improvised making the German chocolate/red velvet/buttercream combo. The tiny porcelain doll on top is "Frozen Charlotte" with a kind of creepy story, picked up a few years ago in a museum store under the St. Louis Arch. She pops up occasionally then disappears for awhile.

2bztxtng ?

Fun at a Sushi Bar
(this chocolate dessert was incredible!)
BTW just noticed on Johanna's site a fabulous yummy-looking chocolate torte (with recipe!)

& though my cake did come up a little short this time, I made these vegetarian lasagnas (with lots of spinach & walnuts!) so my family was verrry forgiving!

Lots of pattern, color and inspiration on the quick birthday jaunt,

not the least of which was this ahhhh chair at Anthropologie!
Reminds me that I had better get back to the embroidering & sewing biz

-EE

Home, Art & Rock

2010-04-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

Home is Sweet

...thinking this week of things that are sweet, and things that are difficult.

LOVE this new song-can't get it off my mind, "Temporary Home".

..written by Zac Maloy & Carrie Underwood.

Zac, rocker & former Nixons front man & his beautiful wife, Jennifer (aka Bella Beauty, Bella Il Fiore beauty founder) recently moved to Nashville from Tulsa (were my MapleRidge neighbors for years) to make it big in the Music & Beauty Biz. Both amazingly talented, they will undoubtedly take their entrepreneurial endeavors to great new heights!

See Jennifer's Beauty Blog & visit her site @ Bella Il Fiore for her beeeeautiful products!

(Bob & Roberta Smith's Cards of Resistance)

While preparing for new challenges here on the home front & in the studio, besides that song in my head is the Thomas Fuller quote:

"All things are difficult before they are easy"

Fuller, 17th century British clergyman and writer, was spot-on wasn't he? My recurring thoughts as I regroup & quickly prepare for a Spring/Mother's Day show are

"HOME" and"Art as Work".

*ps-Rock and Roll (& Country) are among the Greatest Arts, aren't they??
*pps-check out that song & video!

-EE

Spring Training & The Garden

2010-04-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it is less about the training, and all about the garden...though I am working h ard to master the new Bernina V6 software, (which by the way, IS even better than the V5 which I am wild about!). I am training & currently teaching V6 at
Quilt Sampler / Bernina / Tulsa.

Meanwhile, Dearest Darling Daughter & I spent an afternoon in the spectacular gardens of Tulsa's Woodward Park and Garden Center. Specifically, the Linnaeus Teaching Garden, named for Carl Linnaeus, (1707-1778) Father of Botany. (Sculpture by the very talented Tulsa artist Rosalind Cook). BTW, the elaborately detailed 3-dimensional tiles inset in the wall behind "Carl" were made painstakingly by hand by my friend & amazing artist, Cindy Dix Harris. We watched her cement them in!

T he Linnaeus Teaching Garden is set on the grounds and in the former st able behind one of Tulsa's many magnificent oil mansions of the 1920s, since converted and dedicated to the arts.

Former stable, new greenhouse & glorious color!

Tulip & interpretation

and a couple more..

love these Redbuds!

thanks to those who leave legacies for us & for our children
-EE

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Mr. & Mrs. wish you a bright and Happy Easter day! Surrounded by soft-sculptured and embroidered eggs and colorful paper mache' eggs (a tradition in our home!), they prepare for a joyous day.

The solemn sadness of Good Friday's Tenebrae, Service of Shadows, still looms...but tomorrow we REJOICE!

After 6 weeks of Lent-no chocolate, no diet pepsi and baby steps in my spiritual growth (sooo far to go!!), we'll celebrate here, as all over the world. We boil eggs for dyeing, wrap tissue eggs (directions below) lay out our favorite beaded, embroidered and embellished (yeah!) eggs and throw cascarones (confetti eggs) at each other! The messier, the better-ha!

And there will be chocolate-lots and lots of it (double-yeah!).

These silk eggs are sewn, stuffed and embroidered. Embellish with flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, buttons and beads.

Here are the paper mache eggs:

To make: use hobby store styrofoam egg blanks, mix water-soluble glue (Elmers or other school type glue). Dilute glue with water and add fine colored glitter. Tear or cut strips of various colorful tissue paper. Dip large piece of tissue, enough to wrap egg, in glue mixture, wrap and smooth around egg. Let dry on non-stick surface or wax paper. Then dip strips of the colorful tissure and wrap around eggs, overlapping multiple times to get dimensional effect. Let dry. (ps. it is a good idea to spray once dried, with a fixative spray from hobby or hardware store.)

Embellish with you favorite trims, rick-racs, buttons, etc!

"...Mourning to joy , darkness to morn. Open my arms; your work is done."
from Anthem by Daniel F. Gawthrop, text: Madeleine L'Engle

-EE

Art, Culture & a Naked Cowboy

2010-03-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a trip to the city to inspire with lights, color, art & hmmm-music? This week we popped up to New York City to enjoy the sights and sounds of the buzzing metropolis.

We took in a Broadway show, The Addams Family, which was ooky, yet hysterical with the brilliant Nathan Lane as Gomez & the stunning Bebe Newirth as the perrrrfect Morticia. Such professionals! Their talent, timing and dancing were spectacular! Wednesday & Grandmama were entertaining...and Fester came alive right out of the comic strip. Even "It" made an appearance. "Define Normal" was my favorite line and I picked up a t-shirt which said:

We navigated through the heavy crowds at museums and churches

Saw old friends on Fifth

and made a few new acquaintances

Viewed waterlilies by Monet

And entered the dreamlike (nightmarish?) world of Tim Burton at MoMA

All in all, a whirlwind of color, sound, stimulation, inspiration & renewed appreciation of this great city.

we love ny!

now-back to work!
-EE

Practice, Practice, Practice

2010-03-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has ever tried to excel at anything worthwhile knows that there is no easy road. As Sir Winston Churchill said: "Never give in, Never, Never, Never, Never...". And, as I was reminded again this past weekend, another key component of success: Practice!

We drove the not-so-yellow-brick road to Wichita where we had the privilege of attending an awesome Equestrian Clinic with world-renowned horsewoman Gayle Lampe. Gayle is one of those people we all admire: Professional, accomplished, author, teacher, trainer, speaker, mentor to thousands over her 42 year career in her business.

Gayle Lampe

our own lucky barn girls and amazing trainer!

dinner pics

For the students lucky enough to work under her critical eye and instruction for a few days, the impression was significant. I couldn't help but think, as I listened to her humorous and insightful stories, that I would love to reach that pinnacle in my own professional endeavors: Filling a banquet hall, enjoying laughs, signing books, inspiring others. Both during the dinner/lecture and throughout the weekend of technical, grueling lessons, the message was simple:

Practice, Practice, Practice.

That thread translates to so many aspects of our daily lives. I try and try to understand God's message as I practice, practice in my study. I push though disappointments and failures in my attempts to realize my creative vision in my work. I wait and pray, pray and wait...and I practice. Sometimes I think getting out of our own little bubble and observing someone, something totally unrelated to our experiences is enlightening and inspiring.

There's no place quite like being back home in my studio (workroom), in my space. I have a special "Faith" pillow to make for church Youth Auction this weekend. I think I'll make two.
I need the practice.

Happy March: In like a Lion
-EE

We (heart) our Followers and Friends!

2010-02-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

we (heart) our Followers

and our Friends

thank you for visiting, reading & creating with us at ilovefiberart.com More giveaways to come! :)

Happy sewing
sewing is art.
-EE

Sometimes You Win

2010-02-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the blues get a hold of you.........when your last dollar goes for an extravagant snack-only to be lodged just out of your reach in the vending machine. Or your website goes down temporarily as in dear Johanna's case this week (see johannaparkerdesign for her new spring designs!)

Fortunately she is a creative genius who will undoubtedly find a silver lining in that gloom cloud.

..but as promised, we gave away lots of heart sachet kits this month!! Actually, all followers won a prize-their choice of Love, Mom, Sister, Friend, etc. If you have been following & you haven't seen the email requesting address to send your gift, please email it to elaine@ilovefiberart.com. by February 25th

Happy brighter side!
-EE

Flowers, Friends, Chocolate and an Unwelcome Guest

2010-02-15T12:48:00.001-08:00

Leave it to my dear friend C to throw a sensational Valentine's and Birthday celebration for A complete with flowers- 20 or 30 of these little party favor garden rose vases!

Tulips and roses everywhere with hearts and of course-chocolate dipped treats which the teenagers created!

Is it any wonder why I always leave their gorgeous homes and dinner parties inspired?

Make these chocolate dipped velvet strawberries with kits from ilovefiberart store or embroider your own with ilovefiberart CD Vol. 1 embroidery designs, also available in store.

These were my party favors for my dear, dear friends C & A: Embroidered silk sachets with cashmere roses. I made tubes of cashmere knit, then rolled up little buns for roses and tacked them atop the lavender filled treasures.

As for the unwanted guest- A has a sense of humor, sometimes as twisted as my own, (which is another reason I love her!) She gave treats to her boys, her hubby and son, which included this little porcelain guy who keeps showing up everywhere.

Happy Friends, Flowers and (welcome) Guests!
-EE

Love is Free-February Giveaways

2010-02-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

FOLLOW ME on ilovefibeart blog & you may win one of several silk heart sachet kits which I will be giving away beginning next Monday! Once a week during February, I will draw a winner from followers names & send one of these heart sachet pillow kits to each lucky winner! Colors may vary and you may choose: Mom, Sister, daughter, friend, Mimi, Grandma, thank you or, of course, LOVE!

Hearts are already embroidered in kits...all you have to do is sew them up and fill them with your favorite herb (lavender!) or soft stuffing. Add a beaded or ribbon hanger and they make treasured ornaments or fragrant additions to bathroom, guest room, etc. I love to give finished sachets to teachers, friends, hostesses, and other favorite people. They also make special party favors for bridal luncheons & showers.

See all the different heart kits in ilovefiberart store or in my etsy store!

Happy week & Good luck!
-EE
ps-I will e-mail winners for address to send prize! Odds (today) are 1 in 4!

Guavas and Peaches and Pears Oh My!

2010-01-30T10:32:00.001-08:00

i love my guava and any fruit with a sense of humor though my dd wasn't quite so sure when meeting these larger-than-life cuties face-to-face on a Kauai guava plantation.

maybe it is because I'm snowed and iced-in with 6-8" inches of powder outside, but I decided to have a little fun too.this is miss peachy, ready for a tropical vacation.

and my first soft sculptured pear-circa 2002-i think-in good company.

these truly are fruits gone awry-they are from my lemon tree which winters indoors. It bears beautiful lemons, yet every couple of years bears a grapefruit-sized specimen like these. darling daughter took one to Montessori where they touched it, looked at it, smelled it, cut it up and ate it-SOUR!to make peachy, pear or giant cherry, don't forget to look in i love fiber art store for pattern!

eat fruit and have fun!
-EE

Fiberart Imitates Road Art

2010-01-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

That last post reminded me of a little roadside inspiration...though not quite from nature-each did remind me of the other. Aren't travel signs...especially giant fruits & critters just the best?

Somewhere I have a road photo of a giant chicken. I think it is with my oscar meyer weinermobile shots....have to look for those.

Happy & fruitful day!
-EE

Tiptoe thru Tulips-Fiber Art imitates Life

2010-01-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

No contest, of course. As always, nature trumps anything I can come up with in my little room...God is like that...ahhh but what inspiration-a tulip peeking out of a blanket of snow!

With silk for fiber art flowers & velvet for the leaves, I made these for a school fundraiser. I embroidered the tulip cups, using collaged layers of silk, threads & scraps & gold metallic tulle, hooped together then embroidered as individual petals for larger tulips, multiple petals per hoop for smaller flowers.

Some got special fiber art touches like leopard overlay tips and tiny fiber art fruits for fun. Once each flower "head" was assembled, I embroidered long tulip leaves using chocolate brown silk & rayon velvet. I then made tubes of the same velvet to cover piping & wire for the stems. Once completed, they made a colorful spring "bouquet" of fiber art!

Happy Spring...even if it is the middle of Winter!
-EE
ps.-snow tulips photo credit to my dear husband P

Celebrity Cupcakes & Other Winter Fun!

2010-01-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

Many bright & colorful spots this winter season! These little treasures were ordered & shipped to a fabulous & influential celebrity whom I met at a Holiday show! These were actually her follow-up purchase from ilovefiberart.com site after buying all that I had left at the art show! Even beading the "sugar" was a pleasure for this delightful, personable & visionary woman.

For tiny cupcakes kits see ilovefiberart.com store. Thank you!

After that, I got back to work building more cupcake kits for upcoming classes...taking time out to make a cherry pie! This is my first lattice-top effort & it was a great inspiration! I am anxious to do pies in fiber next!!
R & B Holiday & snow pics! It has been coldest winter here in 14 years with a White Christmas & New Year's & wind chills of 40 below! Back to my toasty workroom to make more yummy (low-calorie) treats! Those pies & (real) cupcakes have taken their holiday toll!

Happy 2010!
EE

Round & Round- Sewing & Traveling!!

2009-12-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, you enjoy having something to do with your hands while traveling...that is if you are fortunate enough to be in the passenger seat! Here, on top of my handy atlas (i love my atlas-even though my dear husband & darling daughter both have GPS on their fancy phones-I like the old fashioned visual overview of a GIANT Rand-McNally!) is a pillow I made & embellished....around & around & around!

You can always find endless uses for beautiful vintage pearl buttons! I raided my collection yet again but was entertained for many hours with this pillow!

Here is the built-in door "caddy" (I am thinking that someone should design a better travel holder! maybe a soft one with pockets to hold everything from thread, scissors to buttons?) Sounds like a good project for later!

*Note-I finally finished the pillow & was a little sad to see it go at a recent show...a nice lady purchased it plus 2 other gold ball pillows with buttons & beads to group as a set. At least they have a happy home & will all be together!!

Happy Sewing & Travel!
-EE

ilovefiberart FUN with Garden Deva!

2009-11-13T06:42:00.001-08:00

If there is anything more fun than sewing & making art & craft...it is doing it with great friends! Last weekend's Garden Deva show in Tulsa was a grand success, with fun had by all! Lisa Regan aka the Garden Deva once again showed that she is a generous supporter of local artists, musicians & craftspeople by hosting 2 days of party & show.

Suzi Swinford's & Joe Staskal's incredible pottery & stoneware were among my favorites! Also, Lisa Regan's furniture & fireplace screens, horse sculpture garden-stakes, Maggie Connolly's jewelry, Angie of Blair B Design's relic jewelry & Terri Higgs' silk scarves were amazing!

Here is a shot of my booth, with Suzi Swinford next to me & Lisa Regan's whimsical Garden Deva Sculptures on the wall behind. How about that neon PINK tree? I found that, as well as a pretty PURPLE one at Garden Ridge...already lit & on sale for $29.!

This artist knits & spins..with live demonstrations on her wheel!

Shopping & getting into the spirit!

More show photos & Suzi at her booth.

Maggie Connolly & her terrific silver & recycled jewelry....

Milling about with Betty Boop on her handbag....

Angie B. with one of my teeny-tiny embroidered birds-in-acorn hat nest...she attached one to a delicate square-beaded rosary chain for her beloved daughter Blair, for whom her company is named.
Happy & inspired crafting & collaborating!
-EE

CD and Ornament Class!

2009-11-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

Last week we met in a local sewing/software store to create silk & velvet ornaments from ilovefiberart.com CD Volume 1 (see store ). The classroom at B-Sew Inn was light and cheery, with Christmas decorations hung and festive holiday music playing. Our group was a delightful band of sewers/crafters with a wide range of experience and lots of fun stories from all! I loved getting tips from them on beading, bag making, pincushions, and other various topics!

Thank you Ladies! I can't wait 'til the next one! We'll make "Present" or "Gift Box" pillows for home and holiday decorating! -EE

Boho Dollmaking

2009-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Muslin doll shapes have always intrigued me. You know the craft store variety: made in China, I think. Well, I decided to start making my own, partly to have them when needed for my doll cupcakes (see ilovefiberart index page), but mostly to have new three dimensional objects to embroider & embellish!

This girl is "Go Veggie" Boho girl. I just drew an outline of an inflated stick figure (email or better-yet-blog me & I'll send you pattern!) Then I sewed outline on double fabric, right sides together, leaving opening on doll's side. Turn inside out, stuff & close. I used eyelash yarn for her hair, embroidered bird & tiny embroidered "mixed bag" plus trading beads for her embellishment. Use your favorite quilting or sewing scraps for these...I have made several now in different sizes...I may even string the tiny ones together to make a little angel garland for my tree! (I will post that, of course!)

Happy dollmaking!
-EE

Button-Button Treasure Boxes

2009-10-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Who's Got The Buttons? While perusing a few art-worthy sites this morning (anything to procrastinate a little & enjoy my warm Tazo tea!), I realized that the blogs that I found most interesting share a little, inspire a lot & teach me something new...so here goes....

peace, love , sweater blog looked fun & made me feel warm & fuzzy about earth-friendly parenting-which I am all in favor of.

On the inspiring subject, I love Johanna Parker's work in progress photos she shares on her blog, In "A Frenzy to Finish" (August 2008), you can see the artist at work...something I love & appreciate! So, here is a peek at what is in the works here this week-directly from my kitchen table! One of these days I will share some images from my messy sewing workroom/studio (my daughter's friend commented that it looks like the mom's studio in "Yours, Mine and Ours"..you know Renee Russo's piles & piles of fabric-If only my room were that tidy!)

OK..now the project part...these are treasure boxes I am making for a studio show at Garden Deva Sculpture Company. Though I am making pillows & fiber pieces, I love doing mixed media, too. Garden Deva aka Lisa Regan, has been written up in various magazine including Southern Living. She is a very talented metal sculpture artist, recognized on a national level for her work...and she really know how to throw a party! Her 2-day Studio "Party" is local music, local food & lots of handmade art. If you are in the Tulsa area in early November, come by for fun & local flavor!

To make these tiny treasure boxes you need only buttons or beads, plain brown paper mache boxes (approx. 1 3/4" x 2 1/2") from your local craft store (they run about 99 cents & are sometimes on sale for 1/2 price!!), glue (I use E6000 after a little incident with Gorilla Glue that I won't mention!), acrylic paint, & embellishments for the top, if desired. I attached tiny embroidered birds, my new favorite three-dimensional art perched upon little wool or silk fiber-filled acorn "hats" retrieved from my back yard. I painted these with gold paint, & glued them into center. You could easily use bird beads or charms.

First, paint boxes, inside & out & let dry. Then glue buttons or beads on one side of box at a time & let dry before turning box. Be careful when you attach buttons to back side of box that they don't restrict the opening of finished box. Glue a rectangle or four tiny dots of felt on bottom if you need to cover sticky part where price label was attached on paper mache box.

Fill with treasures of your choice. I think I will include the mini red velvet stuffed hearts that we made last Valentines Day! (see Feb. 2009 post).

Good Luck & Have Fun revisiting your button stashes!
-EE

Love to Ride

2009-10-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

In honor of this week's Grand Nationals Morgan World Championship horse show & with thanks to my amazing embroidery software & my dear friend Jan Eckardt Butler's fine porcelain horses, these horse themed Mixed Bags are now available*...in store & by special order.

Other breeds & disciplines, even special custom wording available by order. Please email with any questions! elaine@ilovefiberart.com

Thanks & Happy, Healthy Horses!
-EE

*These designs are original & copyrighted by Emmons & Eckardt Studios.

Glowing Gomez needs your vote!

2009-10-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

"Glowing Gomez", actually, his talented creator Johanna Parker is nominated for Martha Stewart's "Dreamers into Doers"award. Please visit her website at johannaparkerdesign.com to cast your vote-but hurry! The contest ends on October 2nd @ 5pm EST. If you miss the opportunity to vote, take a look at her beautiful site & blog anyway: www.johannaparkerdesign.blogspot.com !

Johanna lives in Colorado (where I met her several years ago) & does fine paper mache, vintage inspired folk art. She does Halloween & other seasonal items which are prized by collectors across the country. She has been featured in numerous magazines & does seasonal shows, including the FABULOUS Halloween & Vine in Petaluma, CA. Not only is she extremely gifted as an artist, but is a genuinely nice person too!

Good Luck Johanna!
-EE

Travel Kits!

2009-09-29T07:03:00.001-07:00

Travel Kits!

After inquiries about kits that do not require a sewing machine, we have added a couple of kits that you hand sewers will love!

I have a friend who, with her husband, retired early & is seeing America by driving their RV on various scenic & historical routes (Lewis & Clark Expedition trail, Santa Fe trail, & last week- the Oregon/Washington coast...including Forks, Washington where there was a "Twilight" Festival going on...not quite so historic but appeals to my teenage daughter: a Stephanie Meyer fan!)

Back to travel kits...

After hearing from my friend & others, we now have a few selections in ilovefiberart store for those of you who don't readily have access to a sewing machine-or electricity on a consistent basis. We have Travel Beaded Strawberry Kit with machine sewing step already done, Travel Strawberry Trio kit & Travel Tiny Cupcake Kit! All you need is a needle, thread & a bit of batting!

Happy Travels!
-EE

Make These Prayer Pockets!

2009-09-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Make These Prayer Pockets!
These tiny treasures are made of silk & are embroidered with initials for a personalized touch. You can make them in fabric of your choice, of course, & embellish them or hand embroider if you prefer! For pdf of pattern below, please email me @ elaine@ilovefiberart.com & I will send it to you!
If machine embroidering, allow 1 5/8" width for each letter or design. Cut apart into 1 5/8" x 6 1/2" strips. You may serge the edges of these strips or leave them raw.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Top of flap is actually opposite end of design on strip!! Hint:First fold raw strip & look at so that this makes sense! Fold angled top flap, right sides together & stitch on dotted lines.

Then fold up bottom half of pocket right sides together with facing tucked under to conceal raw or serged edge.

Sew side seams, right sides together.

Turn inside out. Embellish with tiny pearls or seed beads if you desire. Fill with your favorite verse, a personal note, or other treasure.

* "Love One Another" "Wait, Pray....Pray, Wait"
EE

"cupcakes & cherries" Welcome Home!

2009-09-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

"cupcakes & cherries"
Welcome Home!

As Quilt Quest 2008 (www.robertkaufman.com/quiltquest/2008/) wraps up its year long coast-to-coast travel schedule, I realize how much more touring this 1st Place mini quilt & ice cream cone purse have done than I have lately! Exciting destinations included: Original Sewing & Quilt Festivals, Road to California, Original Creative Festivals, Pioneer Florida Museum, QuiltFest, & various guild shows. Thank you to everyone who went out to see this exhibit & who attended these fine shows! Thanks also for your kind reviews of show & work, including Purple Fan.

The good news is that as they return home this month , I can complete patterns & begin to offer classes for both! BTW: I will be teaching ilovefiberart ornament & cupcake classes at B-Sew Inn in Oklahoma City & Tulsa in October & November!
Speaking of classes: After attending yesterday's webinar training on Bernina's new DesignerPlus Version 6 software, I can't wait to see it arrive in stores! It offers many new features such as Corel Draw essentials, 11 new fonts, freehand sketching (no repeated left-right clicking!), 106 new embroidery designs, morphing, pattern carving & echo, "halo" quilting outlining of designs (loved this feature!). The smoothing tool looks like something I could use too, as my freehand drawing seems to be less steady these days! If you love to create your own embroidery designs, as I do, take a look at this product. The next webinar is Sept. 16th 12-1pm CST. berninausa
-EE

Folk Art & Fiddles

2009-07-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, Summer............105 degrees & counting. This amazing painting by Woodie Long is entitled "Plowing" & is very inspirational as is his fabulous gallery in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. (can't you just feel the heat?) i LOVE folk art almost as much as fiber! Woodie's mastery of color is evident here in his skillful, yet childlike interpretations of Southern life. We visited his studio/gallery last week while on the road. His wife, Dot was there & filled us in on his latest.

Here is a painted vintage purse he signed for me many years ago,

plus the painting "10 Musicians"...which leads me to the inspirational part. I think folk art & fiddles might by good pillow themes for fall. I'll get to work on these & post the results! Stay cool in the meantime-in the heat, that is.
EE